Our House Divided ~ Chapter 1

This is a sneak peek of my planned Civil War novel, Our House Divided!

The two MCs are Samantha/Sammy/Sam Chance, and Peter Duskey.

Enjoy!

<><><>

Nathaniel wanted to fight for the North. David wanted to fight for the South. Stubborn idiots that they were, they wouldn't speak to each other, except through me.

“Samantha, please tell David to pass the salt,” Nathaniel said, cutting open his baked potato.

I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth to speak.

“Samantha, please tell Nathaniel to get it himself,” answered David, not looking up.

Closing my mouth, I set down my fork and waited for the explosion.

Nathaniel glared, David returned the look, then both knocked their chairs over going for each other’s throats.

Rising, I grabbed them both by the back of their collars and yanked them apart like Father used to do. "Now cut it out, both of ya!"

They both froze, standing on their toes to loosen my pull upon their collars.

I shook them both like our chickens shook snakes. “Now, you both know this subject ain't worth brawlin' over in your sister's dinin’ room. If you're gonna be as stubborn as seeds in a cotton boll, you can both go to bed without supper. Now git!"

Grumbling and casting hungry glances at their half-finished plates, the brothers left.

When they were gone, I shook my head and began to clear the china and leftovers off the table. “I’m glad Mother ain't here to see me actin' the tomboy."

A crash sounded upstairs, followed by my brothers' shouts and the thump of their bodies on the hardwood floor.

I set down the plates in the kitchen and sighed. At least they ain’t breaking my dishes downstairs.

A few more shouts, then a door slamming, and the familiar beat of Nathaniel's footsteps coming downstairs. As he entered the kitchen, he had a hand over one eye and a dark scowl.

"He give you a shiner?" I asked, swiping my rag over the countertop.

Nathaniel grunted. “May I have some ice, please?"

I shook my head but turned to the icebox. "Nathaniel, really. Must you boys fight this out every time you cross paths?"

He took the ice with a nod of thanks and turned to leave without answering my question.

“Look.” Wiping my hands on my apron, I turned to face him. “Do me a favor. At least talk directly to your brother. I don't want to be caught in the middle of yer argument."

He didn't turn around, but the toss of his head told me he assented.

Biting my lip, I picked up the laundry basket to go get the wash off the line This war is dividing more than just a country.

~*~

Heading outside next morning with the egg basket, I glanced up to find a Confederate flag flapping briskly out on the flagpole.

Scowling, I walked over to the pole, the rope squeaking and flag protesting with vigorous flaps as I jerked the emblem off the rope and tore it in two. Thank Heaven we have no neighbors within sight.

Going inside to confront David revealed he was not in his room, his beloved hunting rifle not on its hooks, either. A chill ran down my spine as I hurried back out again. Oh Lord, please let it not be!

Footsteps on the packed earth, and Nathaniel's voice behind me. "Whatcha doin', Sammy?"

I turned, skirt wrapping around my legs. "Nathaniel, where's your brother?"

He shrugged. "I dunno. It ain't my job to watch over him."

I stared him down, then hurried downstairs and out to the barn. David's horse was gone.

My heart rate kicked up and I white-knuckled the handle of the egg basket. "He's done gone to the Southern lines."

Nathaniel's face hardened into a tight-lipped scowl. "Why that no-good... Sam, I'm going to enlist in the Union Army as soon as I can get ready to leave."

"You too?" I asked, hand over my mouth. No, no, not my brothers!

"I had a hunch David would do this, so I packed my bags last night. You can handle the farm yourself, and our neighbors will help you. I have to do what I think is right. I promise, I'll come back to you if I can."

Heart racing, I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. "Well, I can't stop ya, so I'll saddle Red for ya."

Nathaniel gave me a solemn look and headed inside.

An hour later, we embraced in a bear hug, then he mounted Red and rode off down the dusty, sun-baked road towards town, not looking back.

The sun rose and set and rose again and the large house was quiet, floors remaining polished and my brother's beds made. Running out of flour after a week, I saddled up my black mare and galloped along the dusty road all the way to the general store.

Moving among the barrels of salt pork, crackers, and folded clothes, I breathed deep, trying to swallow away my concern for my brothers.

Balancing my basket handle on my arm, I paused and stood up tiptoe, trying to reach a jar of jam on a top shelf.

“Allow me,” said a rich, kind voice.

Surprised, I lowered my hand and glanced over to see who had spoken.

A handsome man in a Union calvary officer's uniform reached up and took the jar down, handing it to me with a polite smile.

Blushing, I took it and put it in my basket. "Thank you, Mr...?"

"Duskey. Peter Duskey." he said, nodding to me. "And you are?"

“Samantha Chance. Nice to meet you.” I said, curtseying. I'm glad we left Virginia, but having this accent is awkward.

"And nice to meet you, too, Miss Chance.” The commander shifted his trooper’s hat to rest more secure under his arm. “If you will excuse my forwardness, I have not seen you around here before."

I smiled and ducked my head. "I live a few miles outside of town, on the family farm."

"Ah, I see.” He watched as I went to the counter to pay for my items. “It was a pleasure to speak with you, Miss Chance."

"And the same to you, Commander,” I answered, curtseying to him before walking out and mounting Midnight.

While the sun sank low, bathing the trees in soft golden light, my mind wandered from kneading the bread dough to to that pleasant young officer in the store.

I wonder if he knows aught of my brothers? Or of Nathaniel, at least.