"Papa? Down pwease."
Charlie set the small child on the floor and made sure she was steady on her feet. He watched her, curious as to what had put that determined look on her face.
Em walked slowly over to Lizbet and retrieved her doll, Em, from the woman who looked after her for so much of the time. Slowly and carefully she walked to General Sheridan and stood between his legs. She offered him her favorite doll. "Chwistmas."
The normally stoic General looked into the earnest face of the little girl in front of him. After four years of being at war with the people she represented, that one touch of genuine, childish generosity touched him deeply. He realized he could not refuse her gift, nor could he take her doll.
Very gently, he took the doll into his hand. She was worn, well loved, threadbare, and clearly this child’s most cherished possession. Very seriously, he looked at Em. "Miss Emily, Em is a very special gift. I thank you very much. But I have to ask a favor of you. You know I am a soldier?"
She looked back to her Papa who encouraged her with a nod, and then she looked back to the man before her and gave him a nod as well. "Like Papa."
"Yes, like your Papa. Well, soldiers have to live in some strange places. Sometimes those places are not very good for special gifts like Em. So would you keep her safe for me?"
Em smiled and decided that Phil Sheridan's lap was a nice place to be. She proceeded to climb up. Once she was settled, she took Em back and gave the doll a hug, before giving the General a hug of his own.
Charlie smiled at his little girl and then checked his watch. It was a quarter to nine. His gift to Rebecca was due in fifteen minutes and then they would all have to leave for church. "Folks, I hate to end the festivities, but we need to leave for church in a few minutes, so if you have anything you need to do, gather your wraps, and put your gifts away; we should be getting along."
Lizbet took Em from Sheridan and hustled her upstairs to get her bundled up for the ride to church. Rebecca watched as everyone moved around getting things settled. She looked at the tree then to Charlie who was looking out the window. "Charlie? What has you so preoccupied this morning?"
"Oh, my dear. I have to confess, I am a little nervous. I hope you like your Christmas gift."
"My gift? Oh Charlie, you have already given me so much. You should not have..." She just shook her head. "I think you're going to spoil me, Charles Redmond."
"That, my love, is the plan." Charlie looked out the front window again. MacFarlane was coming up the path, leading Shannon, who was beautifully groomed, with braided mane and tail. She was proudly pulling a lovely little basket carriage that was trimmed with red ribbons and greenery. Charlie smiled and turned to Rebecca. He caught her cloak up in his hands and held it for her. "Your gift has arrived, my dear. Will you join me?" Throwing his great coat around his shoulders, he escorted her out the front door. "My dear, your horse and carriage."
Rebecca could not help but laugh as she placed her hands in Charlie's pocket to keep them warm. "She is beautiful, Charlie. Perfect for a trip to church this morning."
"Rebecca, dear, I am not sure you understand. She is yours. Your horse. Your carriage. Merry Christmas."
"Oh, Charlie, I...I cannot take Shannon from you. She is a wonderful horse indeed, but she is yours, darling. I..."
"Shush, dear. Shannon loves you. You love her. I have Jack. She is yours. And, darling, in about a month, I will stand before God and man and declare that I endow you with all my worldly goods anyway. So please accept her as an advance deposit on that pledge."
Rebecca chuckled and kissed Charlie on the cheek before leaving his side to go and pay special attention to her new horse.
Charlie stood and watched the two of them together. It was perfect. It was one more piece in the life he was determined to build with Rebecca.
--*--
Tarent and McFarlane drew up in two large wagons, set with hay bales covered in blankets. As they arrived, the various members of the expanded Redmond Stables household emerged from their rooms, pulling on wraps and coats, the ladies checking their reticules to make sure they had a little something for the offering plate, the gentlemen settling wraps more securely around their ladies’ shoulders. The officers’ had their mounts brought around as well. With a lot of laughter and some jostling, the ladies and children mounted the wagons, the gentlemen heaved themselves into their saddles, and Charlie handed Rebecca into her own little carriage. They set off for church, singing Christmas carols as they went.
As they pulled into the yard behind the small red church, Mrs. Williams was progressing regally across the walk to the side entrance of the church, preparing to take her place at the small organ. She wore the purple robes that were reserved for the Christmas season. The sight of 'her' churchyard full of Yankee officers in full dress uniform was almost more than she could bear. Her nose wrinkled in disdain and assumed a higher elevation.
Charlie handed Rebecca down from the carriage, while the other officers gallantly assisted the other ladies. They sorted themselves out into formal couples and proceeded to march into the church, looking very like a formal processional at a military wedding. The somber blues of the officers tunics contrasted nicely with the more delicate colors of the ladies’ full skirts.
Mrs. Williams’ irritation could be heard in the vehemence of her playing. Reverend Williams stood at the door, as was his habit, and greeted each worshipper as they entered the church.
The entire entourage spoke politely to the Reverend before filing in and taking various seats. Rebecca sat down, settling Em next to her and supplying the child with a cracker or two that would keep her occupied for a few minutes. Rebecca and Mrs. Williams made eye contact. Rebecca refused to divert her eyes first. She was growing more and more irritated with Mrs. Williams and she knew that now was the time to start standing her ground. Charlie would be returning here after the war and Rebecca was going to make sure no one had the gall to say anything against him. Mrs. Williams finally looked away, mumbling something under her breath as she did. Rebecca just smiled.
Charlie leaned over and whispered to Rebecca. "Did something just happen between you and Mrs. Williams? I felt a chill fall over the church for a moment and the look on your face was –– fascinating."
"Just defending my territory, darling."
"Do I want to know which particular piece of your territory you were defending?"
"All of it, love. I am just letting her know that enough is enough. I was embarrassed to death by her outburst last night."
"Her outburst was bad enough, but to be honest, I was more concerned about the effect of the stress on Miss Constance. She looked so pale and distressed last night. I am glad she decided to stay abed this morning. It is a shame Beulah is missing the service, but I do appreciate it that she seems devoted to Miss Constance’s care."
"Beulah and Constance have become fast friends. I am a little concerned how Beulah will react should something happen to Constance. But we are preparing for the worst. Elizabeth is very concerned about her ability to survive this birth."
"Ah, the Reverend is about ready to start. We must continue this conversation later, dear. I, too, am concerned about Miss Constance’s health. But you know I have to balance that against the welfare of my men. We will have to work something out."