Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online Page A

fashionable silhouette.
    “You look quite lovely today, Miss Marquardt.”
    She turned to find Captain Reid resplendent in his army uniform. She smiled at his compliment. “Why, thank you, sir.” She looked around at the people who had gathered in little groups to visit. “I had no idea you were in attendance.”
    “I often share services with my men, but since I will muster out this week, I thought it would serve me well to explore my options amongst the civilians.”
    Goodness, but he’s handsome, Laura thought. She immediately felt her cheeks grow hot and hoped most sincerely that Brandon Reid was unable to read her thoughts. Unfortunately, the slight twitch at the corner of his lips did nothing to reassure her, and Laura quickly ducked her head.
    After an awkward moment of silence, Brandon spoke. “So your sister is to be married.”
    Laura forced herself to look up. Brandon towered over her five-foot-six-inch frame. She felt small and fragile beside this broad-shouldered soldier. “Ah . . . yes. I fear I do not share the same enthusiasm as my family, but I do pray for Carissa’s happiness.”
    “Why do you not share the same enthusiasm, if I might ask?”
    Carissa and Malcolm were receiving well-wishers as they exited the church. Laura caught sight of her sister’s joyful expression and felt guilty. “I shouldn’t have said that. I do apologize.”
    “Should you not have said it because it wasn’t true?”
    Laura looked back to Brandon and shook her head. “No, those are my feelings. However, I shouldn’t have spoken about them publicly. I love my sister dearly. I only want her happiness, and if this marriage will bring that . . . well . . . I’m content.”
    “But you don’t believe it will.”
    The statement was given matter-of-factly. Laura could see that Captain Reid was giving her his undivided attention, so this wasn’t simply small talk. He truly seemed to care.
    “They haven’t known each other long,” Laura admitted. “I believe marriage should be based on something more than sentiment.”
    “I quite agree. I have often cautioned my men on the dangers of such relationships. Sentiment and emotion are easily extinguished in the face of hardship and trial.”
    “Exactly,” she said, nodding. “That was my point. Carissa is so naïve and vulnerable. She isn’t ready to be a wife; she knows very little of how to care for a house and even less about men.”
    Brandon chuckled at this, and Laura felt a delicious shiver run down her spine. “You speak as one who knows,” he said, his voice low.
    Laura shrugged. “I’ve paid close attention to my father and his associates. My mother taught me early on that there was a wealth of information to be learned by simply watching and listening to others. I have found that to serve me well.”
    “But did your sister not receive the same training?” he asked, his brow raised ever so slightly.
    “To some extent. My mother tried to train Carissa, but she’s something of a . . . free spirit.”
    “Ah. Well perhaps during the long months of her engagement, you can help to tutor her.”
    “I’m afraid there’s not going to be a long engagement. My mother and sister believe that a wedding—particularly a wedding between a Unionist’s daughter and a former Confederate soldier—will do much to reunite the hearts and minds of the people of Corpus Christi.”
    “And how will this be?”
    She shook her head. “I cannot possibly imagine. Mother has never been one for political matters, and while I understand her weariness of the war and all that it did to family and friendships, I believe her rather ignorant of the true hearts and minds of those who lost this war. The anger felt by so many of the local families will not be abated while dancing at a wedding party.”
    “That is true enough.”
    Laura saw her father and mother coming toward them. She immediately put on a smile. “Mother, see who I found.”
    Her father extended his