Glimmers of Change by Ginny Dye Read Free Book Online Page B

“This isn’t just a black fight. It may have taken me a while to understand basic human rights, but all of you are my friends and family. I will do whatever it takes to help protect you.”
    “And yourself,” Matthew reminded him. “Your very attitude makes you a target.” His eyes swung to Thomas. “Just like it does for you and Abby.” Then he looked at Jeremy.
    Jeremy held up his hands. “Don’t worry. I know I’m a target. I won’t run and hide, but I’ll be as careful as I can be.”
     

     
    Carrie took a deep breath of the crisp, cold air as she and Robert stepped out onto the porch under the glitter of millions of twinkling stars. It was still frigid, but a soft breeze had blown away the brutal cold of that morning.
    Robert smiled down at her. “Sure you want to do this?”
    “Absolutely!” Carrie responded enthusiastically. “We haven’t taken a nighttime ride in a long time.”
    “And remind me why we have chosen one of the coldest nights of the year?”
    Carrie laughed. “Getting soft on me?”
    “I would prefer to say I am getting older and wiser as I age,” Robert responded smugly. “Not something you would recognize, though, I’m afraid.”
    “Insult me all you want,” Carrie scoffed. “You’re still going to have to keep your promise. Not to mention the promise I made to Granite when I slipped outside earlier to give him his New Year carrots. Soft or not, we’re going for a ride.”
    “Annie told me I couldn’t talk you out of it,” Robert said resignedly, his eyes lit with laughter as he grabbed her hand.
    “You’ll be glad you couldn’t,” Carrie promised. “I have something to show you.” She hoped the slightly warmer air hadn’t taken away the surprise she had for her husband. The crunch of frozen grass under her feet indicated it had not.
    Minutes later they were mounted, shunning saddles and riding bareback to take advantage of the horses’ body heat. Granite pranced excitedly, his arched neck glistening in the lantern light of the barn. Robert was mounted on a bay mare named Diamond because of the single white marking that decorated her forehead. Her expression was one of confusion as she gazed wistfully at the rest of the horses staring at them from their protected stalls. Clearly she did not share Granite’s anticipation of going out into the dark cold.
    “Where are we headed?” Robert asked.
    Carrie held a finger to her lips, beckoned to him to follow, and pushed Granite into an easy canter, once again giving thanks she had turned her back on sidesaddle riding. Being astride Granite in warm breeches was the only way to ride. Her friends in the South still looked askance at her when they met on the road, but women in the North had embraced the freedom years ago.
    She took long breaths as they cantered side by side down the road leading toward the woods. Carrie could feel Robert looking at her curiously, but he said nothing. She knew he expected her to take them down to the river. Instead, she was heading toward a thick patch of woods she suspected Robert had never explored. She was glad the Christmas snow had melted away before the latest wave of cold swept in. It had been years since she was in this part of the plantation — she was certain she couldn’t have found the trail if it was buried under snow. As it was, she worried it would be too overgrown for her to find now.
    Carrie slowed as she reached the edge of the woods, her eyes trying to penetrate the darkness and heavy brush. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a faint trail leading deeper into the trees. Holding up her hand for continued silence, she edged Granite forward at a steady walk. Moving slowly, they dodged overhanging branches and made their way carefully around fallen trees. The glow of the half moon was just enough to light the way. The frozen ground echoed back the thud of hooves, and brittle branches snapped in the cold as they pushed through them. Finally they broke out into a