Adelaide's War

By Vivian Kees

Isolation has become Adelaide Warren's solace. She lives far from civilization, up in the hills of West Virginia, after the end of the Civil War and the death of her husband. When Josiah Hamilton finds his way to her doorstep, nearly frozen to death one stormy winter night, she nurses him back to life.

They form a fast friendship, which soon becomes more. When Josiah professes his love for her, she refutes him. But when tragedy strikes, it’s Josiah who comes to her rescue. Now, Adelaide is forced to confront her love for him which she has both denied and hidden.

A proposal is made. Will she accept him? If she does, what does that mean for her future?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight
• Release date: Jun 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781926950556

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Published by Evernight Publishing at Smashwords

http://www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2011 Vivian Kees

ISBN: 978-1-926950-55-6

Cover Artist: LF Designs

Editor: Stephanie Taylor

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

Adelaide's and Josiah's story is one of triumph and romance. I had a lot of fun writing this one, and the characters became very real and dear to me. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

I'd also like to take the time to thank my ever supportive fiance, Adam, and all the authorly ladies at Evernight. Thank you all, for your never-ending support.

ADELAIDE'S WAR

Vivian Kees

Copyright © 2011

Chapter One

West Virginia, 1867

Adelaide Warren counted her blessings. She was thankful for the roof over her head, and the four walls surrounding her. She had worked hard to prepare for the coming winter.

Looking out through the frosted windowpane, she shuddered beneath her woolen shawl, pulling it tight around her shoulders. Overnight, the temperature had drastically dropped and with it came a gray, cloudy sky along with the snow which now covered everything surrounding her small cabin, brought forth by one dilly of a blizzard.

Turning from the window, she scanned her surroundings. There wasn’t much, she had very little, yet she was thankful for everything.

James. Her mind slipped to the one love of her life. She missed him terribly during the evenings. Almost two years had passed since his death, and yet it still seemed like yesterday.

She wasn’t one to question why things happened in life. To do so was pointless and served no purpose. Everything happened for a reason, even if she didn’t understand why a good man like James would be struck down in his prime, leaving a young wife behind to fend for herself.

Placing another log on the fire, she watched the flames catch and dance as the room grew warm. Sitting in a chair, Adelaide retrieved her sewing basket located next to it and started in on mending a pair of stockings. After that, she moved on to her sampler to dwindle away the long hours that would come.

Sweet little cat, she whispered, as Betina rubbed against her leg, mewing softly. She often talked to the little cat when lacking company, which living up in these hills happened most often. Betina helped with the loneliness that came with the isolation.

Looking to the window again from across the room, the snowflakes now battered against the windows, propelled by the strong wind. It was going to be a long, cold winter.

Before bed, Adelaide made a cup of tea and after finishing, changed into her thick flannel nightgown. Tomorrow was Christmas, and it would be a day spent inside. Except for tending to the animals in the barn, she wouldn’t venture out for anything else. Already a foot or more of snow had fallen, and she expected much more come morning.

Listening to the squalls coming up alongside the cabin, she hoped that no one had gotten caught within the blizzard’s icy grip.

Just two years ago, there had been a blizzard that lasted for two days. Ten people lost their lives during that storm. She shivered at the very thought of it.

****

Josiah Hamilton had not expected the storm to come on so quick, and now he could have kicked himself for being so stupid. The supplies could have waited; the trip into town could have been postponed. But at that moment, as the mare did her best to trod through the deep snow with each step becoming more and more futile, none of that mattered.

Josiah grabbed the reins and brought the horse to a stop. This wasn’t working. He had to switch to another plan or the outcome for both of them wasn’t going to be good.

He was quick to unhitch the horse from the wagon. We need shelter, girl, he said, smoothing the mare’s snow-coated mane. Hopefully, we’ll find it. It was a fleeting wish at the most, followed by a quick prayer.

The horse whinnied a response as if knowing what he spoke, her brown eyes looking to him, nervous. The snow and wind surrounding them had spooked her.

"I bet you’re thinking what I’m thinking.