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Carey’s horse ran straight past him, seeing the other riders off in the distance, and Carey knew he was trapped. Will was certainly behind him now. He dropped the derringer to the ground, hoping compliance would be beneficial. His only option was to find a way to get close enough to Cordia to take that gun away and use her body as a shield. “Cordia,” he said as sweetly as he could muster, “you’re not going to shoot me,” he smiled at her, nonchalantly. “Go ahead and step out of the way, darlin’ so I can join my men.”
“You and your men shot my daddy,” she replied, her voice filled with hate.
Carey swallowed hard. It had never been his intention to physically harm her father. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said quietly. “Your father and I have always been such good friends. I’m sure he would understand why you would let me go.”
It was a stretch, and they both knew it
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Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Cordia
Sunshine peeked through the tops of the elm trees that lined the thoroughfare that was Broadway Street, the warm rays invigorating the sparrows who bounced around from branch to branch without a care in the world. As she passed beneath them, however, Cordia Pike could not help but think of all the worries that may be coming in the not so distant future. She made her way along the brick sidewalk, her long gown swishing back and forth. Occasionally, she waved at a familiar face within one of the wagons or carriages that made its way down the busy street from the town square. Conveniently, Cordia’s family lived only a few blocks from the Lamar Square, the geographical center of the town and the economic and social heart for its residents. So, she could easily walk the short distance between their home and any business she could possibly need to visit. The year was 1860 and Lamar had been settled for less than twenty years. It was the county seat of Barton County, Missouri, and it
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss War is Coming
The door to Cordia’s father’s office was slightly open so she only rapped her fingers lightly on the glass and peeked her head inside. “Hi, Daddy.” Her father was hunched over a stack of papers, one of which he was examining closely with a magnifying glass. He saw Cordia noticing this and quickly shoved the tool into a drawer. Both his wife and his daughter had been on him for several months saying that he needed to have Dr. Walters check out his eyes and get him a pair of spectacles. He refused. He was only fifty-three and that was no age to have to wear glasses, he insisted.Cordia pretended not to notice, though she mentally noted that she would mention this to her mother when she got home. She sat the basket down on the edge of her father’s desk and opened it up. “Mother has sent you some ham and a few other things.” She began to take the items out of the basket, but her father seemed famished and began to take them out himself.
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Jaris's Proposition
Your hazel eyes are as bright as the sky, and as vast in their reach, Miss Cordia Pike. Now, please don’t leave me in suspense any longer. What do you say? Please say yes. I don’t know what I will do if you won’t have me.”Cordia continued to look ahead of her, down the little lane that led out into the countryside and past the little town of Lamar, out into the expansive state of Missouri, and beyond. Thoughts of those distant places should have no bearing on whether or not one simple girl in a small town should accept the hand of marriage from a local boy. Yet, in these trying times, how could she not consider all that was going on around them before making such an important decision? She continued to walk, her red and white striped parasol protecting her delicate face from the sun. She had known Jaris Adams her whole life. She had attended church with him every Sunday since what seemed the dawn of religion. She had even run through his father’
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Not Saying No
Cordia took a deep breath and tried to decide how to explain her feelings about marriage to this man who’d been her friend her entire life. “Jaris, I’m not saying ‘no.’ I’m just saying, I know you, and I know if there is any chance that you can go enlist in an army and fight for what you think is right that you will do it. You’ll do it in a heartbeat, regardless of what I think. And what if we had children? What if we had little ones left at home while you were off fighting? I just don’t think it’s a good idea right now.”He spun to face her. “Cordia, what if we did?” he asked, his arms flailing out in exasperation. “That would be wonderful. You and your family could raise them for a little while. Heaven knows my mama would be there, more than you could ever wish to see her, at the idea of grandchildren. I’m not saying that if there is a war that I won’t go fight. But even if there is&md
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss A Sound in the Night
April 1861Will Tucker was startled. He sat up in bed quickly; sure that he had heard something. Not quite sure what it was. And then he heard it again. It sounded like the thump of horses’ hooves moving through the woods just in front of the Tucker cabin. His brother, Nolan, must have heard the noise, too. Will could see him standing at the window, his rifle in one hand. Will sat up and pulled on his pants and boots as quickly as possible. In the moonlight, he could see that Nolan was already dressed. His sister, Julia, was still asleep on her cot across the room.“What is it?” he whispered, crossing to the window to join his brother.“Not sure,” Nolan replied. “Thought I heard branches breaking, hooves. Maybe three or four horses. Don’t see anything though.” Just then, Julia began to stir. Will glanced back over to see his sister pulling on her robe.“What’s going on?” she whispe
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Fleeing Home
Will was not interested in listening to the dirt-covered bandit’s pleas. “Yeah, I had a brother once,” he said, his face void of all emotion. Then, the marauder, seeming to understand his fate was sealed, began to weep, his face turning from an expression of hope, a pleading look of distress, to wide-eyed terror, as Will raised his newly reloaded gun and blew the scoundrel’s brain matter all over the trees behind him.The horse whinnied loudly and tried to buck the lifeless rider from its back. Finally, the corpse’s grip slipped from the reins, and he fell to the ground, what was left of his head hitting first. The horse slowly began to trot out of the woods, stunned, but aware of his freedom. Will Tucker turned his borrowed horse around and headed back to the cabin he used to call home.As he entered the yard, a realization of all that had just taken place began to creep at the corners of his consciousness. He pushed it aside, knowing he
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss A Celebration
On April 13, 1861, Jaris Adams turned 21 years old, just a few days after Fort Sumter fell to the Confederacy. Of course, word of what had happened so far east traveled slowly and it was unclear to the residents of Lamar just exactly what had happened. Still, the townsfolk knew there would be implications that would affect all of them.It was a cool spring Saturday afternoon, and his parents had invited over many neighbors for a birthday celebration out in the yard beside their house. A fine hog was roasting, his mother bustling around readying all of the other fixin’s. His brothers were setting up tables and chairs and carrying on like young men do.As of December of 1860, seven Southern states had seceded from the Union, South Carolina being the first to do so. Texas was the latest, seceding in February. Since then, there had been lots of speculation as to whether or not the so-called Border States would follow in the Deep South’s footsteps. Missouri and
Cordia's Will: A Civil War Story of Love and Loss Unexpected Guests
Within a few minutes, several more carriages, wagons, and horses had shown up at the Adams Farm, and many of the women were helping Margaret set the food out and make sure everything was in place, including Cordia and her best friend, Susannah. The men were sitting around, several smoking pipes, sharing news about their families. Finally, someone dared to bring up the topic of Fort Sumter and even secession. It seemed that, just like the county in general, those attending the party were split down the middle, fifty-fifty, half for Missouri leaving, half against. Jaris and Carey, who had arrived shortly after Cordia, looked at each other, wondering if this would be a good idea to announce their enlistments. Carey’s mother had died when he was born, but his father, an older, more rigid man, was present, and was sure to support his son in his decision to go off to fight. Just as Jaris began to open his mouth, his father stood up, looking over his shoulder toward the road.
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