Before the Sun Comes Up

By Linda Marie Kelly

"Before the Sun Comes Up", Book I in the "Run For Your Life Series", is an action packed novel for both men and women to enjoy which unfolds during the Civil War era. Life entwined with romance, majestic mansions, beautiful gowns, pampered women, and privileged gentlemen, made for a gracious existence in the South. These prosperous people waltzed around ballrooms, entertained lavishly, and gambled outrageously, while lamenting that those from the North did not understand their way of life and would dare to consider trying to deny them the chattel that made their “God given” lifestyle possible.
It is a story of seemingly impossible love as fifteen-year-old Elizabeth fears her father’s arrangement for her to marry the handsome and dashing neighbor she has just met will ruin her life. Her wedding night opens the sheltered, young girl’s eyes to a world she did not know existed, and she soon becomes embroiled with the selfless sacrifices of the men and women of the Underground Railroad. She finds herself entangled in exciting rescues and heart-breaking reality, for beneath the glamorous surface, brave men and women toiled from dusk until dawn as beasts of burden. They felt the whip tear into their backs and experienced intense grief as spouses and children were torn forever from their sides.
This drama not only shares the heartbreak, but also the triumph of a brave race of people who survived under circumstances most could not have endured, yet they never lost their joy of life or their hope. It is not a story of race against race, but rather a story of individuals, both white and black, who successfully worked together to free those in bondage.
Run with the slaves and feel their fear as bounty hunters close in, stand next to the women as they endure the unspeakable, embrace the danger with the many heroes and heroines as they fight for their very lives, experience their passionate love, and cry when the anguishes of life become overwhelming.
Out of respect for the brave slaves, and to make your reading more enjoyable, the uneducated slang of the 1800’s has not been used.
This book contains adult situations and the violence of the era; therefore, the author recommends it for mature readers only. It is a 2014 Quarter Finalist in the ABNA contest. Contest Reviews: “I think it's very well written and the storytelling aspect of it is done superbly. I feel eager to read more but also nervous at the same time for the fate of the characters. I think it will be the kind of story that makes the reader cry and rejoice and definitely think”.....Vine Reviewer
"I feel like the most important part of the beginning of the story is the reader getting a real feel for the era and the tension involved. The author does a great job of painting a picture of what things were like back then and also presenting the real feel of danger that is looming ahead."–VineReviewer
"The strongest aspect of this excerpt is found in the pitch: "It is not a story of race against race but rather a story of individuals, both white and black, who successfully worked together to free those in bondage." The excerpt presented is very respectful to both races.... –Vine Reviewer ABNA Publishers Weekly Reviewer: “Set in the Civil War era, this novel follows Elizabeth Schiller from Silver Creek, her parents' plantation, to Whispering Pines, her husband's, as she enters into an arranged marriage with a man she scarcely knows. Elizabeth is 15 when she marries.....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Marie Kelly
• Release date: Dec 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9780988712423

Linda Marie Kelly

Linda Marie Kelly enjoys trying new things and strives to keep her life a continuous classroom of exciting learning opportunities. She scampered along life from a childhood where she could milk a cow and drive a tractor, to a Colorado mountaintop where she honeymooned as a Fire Lockout, to a plush office where, as a CFP, she helped clients become financially independent; her biggest joy along the journey was to help others succeed at whatever they were doing. A world traveler, both for business and pleasure, Linda was dismayed at the books available at the airport bookstores. “When I traveled for my career, I spent a lot of time sitting in airports and on planes. Since I prefer to do my heavy reading in the quiet of my home, I was always looking for some light reading that was true to life and not watered-down. The available books were either too ‘pure’ to reflect true life, or too disgusting! I expected sex and violence to be mentioned – yet did not want my reading to be overly explicit in details when describing, for instance, a passionate bedroom scene. Please leave a few details for my mind to add; after all, I have an imagination and prefer to use it. Unfortunately, that type of book was hard to find. Equally exasperating to me was some of the book covers; covers so disgusting that I didn’t want anyone to see me reading such a book, least they thing I was lacking in intelligence. Thus was born my new adventure; writing!” “My books are written for adults and contain adult situations; yet, I believe those situations are written with class and not vulgarity; I realize that I creep right up to the line, but I try not to step over it. Even my inspirational books contain true to life experiences; I can only hope that the modern readers of inspirational romances are ready for a story that is not just another ‘Pollyanna’ whitewashed version of life.” “As not all my books are inspirational, I ask that my readers carefully read the novels’ description before purchasing a particular book. If you enjoy my books, please tell your friends, and if you have time, write a review; I appreciate and read them all.” Linda Marie and her husband, John, split their time between the great state of Texas and their beautiful ranch in the Ozark Mountains, which they share with their two dogs, many deer, turkey, bobcats, and a mountain lion; there are elk and black bears in the surrounding woodlands. They have crystal clear water running beside their home and bubbling out of their springs. It is a land that proclaims the beauty of God's marvelous creations. They both worked at demanding careers, and retired early to pursue their dreams. Their only child, Melissa Niebuhr, is a librarian. She and her husband, Roger, live in Texas. Melissa inherited her love of reading and her gift of creativity from her parents; she is her mother's biggest critic. One of her greatest thrills in life is opening up the world of reading to a child. All three love history and have spent many hours as docents at an old Texas plantation, where dressing for the part – they brought history alive for visitors of all ages. That love of history has influenced the book “Before the Sun Comes Up”, a 2014 Quarter Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. The novel is the first book in the series “Run for Your Life”. It is a drama and romance concerning the powers of good and evil at the beginning of the Civil War. It is historically correct in not only dress, customs, and objects – but also in the violently vicious behavior that rained down on those with both black and white skin, and especially on women. Book two of the series, “Beware the Devils Disciples”, continues the dangerous saga as war breaks out and lives hang in the balance. “No Greater Love”, and the sequel “Dare to Love Again”, are inspirational contemporary romance novels.

Book preview

Table of Contents

BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP

Copyright

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP

Run For Your Life Series

Book I

LINDA MARIE KELLY

Copyright

Before the Sun Comes Up

Run For Your Life Series

Book I

Whippoorwill Lodge Enterprises LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the author.

This novel is a work of fiction, although many rescues were inspired by actual events in history, they were altered to fit into the period, location, and plot. The same is true of the actions of named historical individuals included in the novel. Otherwise, names, characters, places of business, and events are complete works of fiction and any resemblance to actual events is coincidental.

A product of the United States of America

ISBN 978-0-9887124-2-3

Acknowledgments

Historical Advisor: John Kelly

Technical Advisor of 1800’s Attire: Melissa Niebuhr

Editor: Verna (Mrs. George) Moss

Book Cover: Sunrise over the Ozark Hills of Southern Missouri

Dedication

During the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, I wanted to pay tribute to the Underground Railroad. The written records of their adventures have always fascinated me.

This book is dedicated to the brave men and women who risked everything to rescue others from the evil institution of slavery in America; I believe that the selfless sacrifices of these heroes deserve honorable recognition as an important part of our country’s history.

It was imperative to keep ones’ participation in slave stealing a secret, even after the abolishment of slavery; therefore, there are thousands of stories we will never know.

In my years of research, I have found that those who rescued slaves did so because of their faith; they believed that God directed their paths. In fact, their beliefs were so strong that I found it impossible to separate those beliefs from their every action. The same was true of those who ran for freedom.

I have the deepest respect for the courageous slaves that endured such horrific lives. Because of that respect, I haven’t written their words in the slang of the 1800’s – a way of speaking used by all illiterate individuals, no matter their race. It wasn’t the slave’s choice to be uneducated; therefore, I find the slang demeaning. Furthermore, when I read a novel with such slang, I find that it can be hard to understand, causing me to reread parts of the dialogue to make sure that I have the correct meaning, interrupting the flow of the story. If I was writing a novel located in a foreign country, I wouldn’t expect my readers to pause to interpret another language. I hope the omission of such slang will make the reading of this novel more enjoyable for you.

Although many of the slave rescues, and other information in this novel, are based on historical facts, please remember that this is a work of fiction. I took the facts, and using literary freedom, I enhanced the events with what I believe could have happened based on the moral integrity of the fictional characters and research into the lives of the historical characters.

Prologue

Civil War – The Spring of 1865

Elizabeth, Elizabeth, come quick; we need you in the kitchen! Elizabeth, where are you?" Susanna frantically called out to the mistress of Whispering Pines as she climbed slowly up the grand staircase of the sprawling mansion, struggling against the pain in her chest as she labored for each breath.

Susanna, what in the world are you doing climbing these stairs in your condition? Elizabeth scolded as she came to the top of the staircase holding her embroidery work in her hand.

If you need me, send one of the children to fetch me like I’ve asked. I declare, you must want to hurry yourself into an early grave, and I won’t have it.

But, Elizabeth, Big Ben just rode in from your folks’ place. He’s got to talk to you. He said it’s real bad news; he’s in terrible shape and covered with blood!

Even when in great danger, Susanna was known for her calm nature, but now her voice was shaking from fear.

He scared me so much that I sent all the kitchen servants out to find the children and their nanny; I told them to take them to my cottage. I was the only one left to come and find you. You’ve got to hurry!

The day Elizabeth was born, her father had lovingly placed her in Susanna’s arms. At that time, Susanna was a young slave girl nursing her own small son. She had been delighted when she was assigned the prestigious job of taking care of the master’s child and had rarely left her charge’s side.

Elizabeth loved Susanna as much as she loved her own mother. On Elizabeth’s wedding day, Susanna was given to her as a wedding gift and moved with her to Whispering Pines.

She had been a rock of strength for Elizabeth to cling to as she quickly learned her husband was not the upstanding man her parents had believed, but a mean-spirited and brutal bully.

Susanna had been in terrible pain for several months now. She was only fifteen years older than Elizabeth was and much too young to be in such agony. Elizabeth longed to take her to Saint Louis or Chicago to a specialist; but with the war going on and so many responsibilities to take care of at the plantation, the trip was impossible.

The best she had been able to do was to have the local doctor examine Susanna; if he had known that she had slave blood running in her veins, no amount of money would have persuaded him to do so.

He, like many other citizens of the country, would consider that the best medicine for a slave would be a good beating. After all, everyone knew slaves were lazy and always pretending to be ill to get out of work.

Elizabeth and Susanna had both been disappointed when the doctor couldn’t find a cause for her pain and had stated that his best guess was that her heart was failing.

Because she was afraid of losing her dearest friend, Elizabeth tried to get Susanna to relax in a rocking chair on the shaded front porch, but she refused to comply. It was a constant battle of wills just to get her to slow down.

Tossing her needlework to the side, Elizabeth leaned over and gave her a quick hug. Susanna, sit right here on this step until you get your breath back, she ordered. I’ll go this minute to see what the problem is and then I’ll be back to help you.

Elizabeth hurried down the stairs, her short heels clicking on the marble floor of the large entrance as she headed for the front door.

Once outside, she hurried off the porch and around the corner; then holding the long, hooped skirt of her day dress above the ground, she ran as fast as she could toward the summer kitchen.

The kitchen sat at least forty feet away from the north side of the house. Not only did the distance keep the aroma of cooking food, and the heat of the stove from invading the luxurious mansion, it also protected the house from fire. This was the third kitchen built on the plantation as the first two had burned to the ground. Each time, they had rebuilt it bigger, better, and farther from the main house.

In her rush, Elizabeth threw the kitchen door open with such force that it slammed back, hitting the wall. At the sight of Big Ben standing in the immaculate room, his clothing indeed torn and bloody, she became so lightheaded she had to grab the edge of the large worktable in the middle of the kitchen in order to remain on her feet.

Ben was leaning against a pie safe holding a rag to a wound on his head; he was bleeding profusely, dripping bright red blood onto the brick floor beneath his feet. The violent shaking of his body as he gasped for breath and the sound of his cries scared her more than the blood.

Ben is no coward; whatever could have happened to leave him in this state of mind. No wonder he had frightened Susanna! Fear rose in Elizabeth’s chest; instinctively she knew the words he would speak in the next few minutes would change her life forever.

Oh, Miss Elizabeth, Ben wailed. I tried my best to help them, but it was too late. I failed them when they needed me most!

Ben, calm down for a minute. Here, sit on this chair while I grab the bandages, she ordered, with great concern apparent in her voice. Rushing back and forth around the kitchen, she located the basket with the medical supplies.

Let me tend to that cut on your head before you lose more blood. As Elizabeth cared for the gash in Ben’s scalp, he told her what had taken place at her parents’ plantation, Silver Creek.

I was out in the field with twelve other hands helping with the hoeing when we saw about twenty men riding at a fast gallop up the road toward the mansion.

They stopped at the front of the house and we could hear shouting, followed by a gunshot; about half of the riders dismounted and dashed up the mansion’s steps and in the front door, and the rest headed for the barns.

We knew something was wrong; so we dropped our hoes and started running toward the house. Before we could run more than a few steps, shots again rang out as our guards fired at the intruders.

Everyone but me changed directions and ran for their guns. Once they got their weapons, they were going to hurry back to the house to protect your parents; they knew the guards would be busy fighting the men outside.

Two of the men shouted that they would run to the slave cabins to warn the women and children to head for the cellars and hide; I continued to run toward the house.

Not far from the front steps, I saw one of our men lying face down in the dirt. I’m not sure who it was, Miss Elizabeth, but even though he was about twenty feet from me, I could tell he had been shot through the head and he was dead. I knew there was nothing I could do for him, so I ran on to help your parents.

Once inside, I could hear the thunder of men’s boots running through the mansion. Doors were slamming, furniture was being overturned, and glass was shattering; the men were laughing and shouting as they plundered the house.

I was terrified they would spot me, so I ducked into the parlor; and that’s where I found the master and mistress. They were sprawled on the floor; both had been shot in the chest.

No, dear God, it can’t be true! Why would anyone hurt my parents? Elizabeth cried out in deep anguish as she continued to work on Ben’s head. She was in a state of shock from the news and refused to allow herself to believe what she had just heard.

Your father was holding your mother in his arms. He was still alive and told me to get to you as fast as I could and tell you to take everyone to the hillside shelter. Then he said, ‘tell her we love her’ and he just stopped breathing, Ben gasped, crying. Your parents saved my life, and, yet, I couldn’t do a thing to save them; so I ran for my mule.

Oh, Ben, it’s not your fault, Elizabeth assured the crying slave as her own tears streamed down her face.

There were men in the corral stealing the horses, Ben continued. When I jumped on Old Scamp, one of them grabbed me and pulled me down to the ground. He hit me on the head with the stock of his rifle and I must have passed out for a few minutes. When I came to, they had all the animals out of the corral and I could see some of the men carrying supplies from the storage shed.

I crawled behind the barn and then ran for the woods. I cut through the blackberry patches and waded the deeper part of the creek to get here as fast as I could.

As I ran, I could hear some of the women screaming and more gunshots. I hope the shots were from our armed guards, but I dread what we will find when we go back; I pray my sweet Pearl is safe!

Miss Elizabeth, we’ve got to hurry! I was so dizzy from being hit on the head, and even though I tried…I couldn’t run very fast, so it took me longer than it should’ve to get here. Those men will probably hit the Gray’s place next, but we don’t have a lot of time; the Gray’s don’t have much that’s worth stealing.

My parents were so good to everyone; I can’t understand why anyone would harm them. Ben, who are they? Elizabeth asked. Her voice was quivering as she instructed him to hold a bandage on the cut so she could start wrapping a strip of material around his head to hold it in place.

I’m not rightly sure. Some of them are wearing shirts and hats that look like part of a Southern uniform; but they don’t act like military men. Ben stated.

If the men are from the Southern army, they should know that this part of Missouri has more Southern sympathizers than Northern. They wouldn’t kill their own people, Elizabeth rationalized. Besides, Father has been so careful to help both sides without the other side knowing it; he has always been confident that neither army would harm us.

Do you think they could be bounty hunters, Ben?

I don’t think so, Miss Elizabeth. There aren’t many bounty hunters left; and I’ve never seen them travel in such a large group. Those mangy wolves are such cowards, I doubt they would have enough nerve to kill and steal in broad daylight.

Perhaps they’re one of those renegade groups we’ve been hearing so much about, Elizabeth pondered. We’ve no shortage of lawless men roaming the countryside and committing outrageous crimes!

Whoever they are, they are really bad people and we’ve got to hurry before they come here, Ben repeated again, his voice rising to almost a bellow.

Elizabeth could feel her heart racing, its beats echoing loudly in her ears as her pulse thumped to its rhythm. She was terrified for the ones she loved here at Whispering Pines, yet wished she could go immediately to her parents’ sides. However, as mistress of the plantation, she didn’t have the luxury of taking time to mourn the loss of her parents, for the very lives of her family and the slaves depended on her clear and quick thinking.

Burying the dead would have to come later; so instead of the anguish that she knew waited for her at Silver Creek, she forced herself to focus on what needed to be done here and now.

As she finished with the bandage on Ben’s head, she regretted there would be no time to take the needed stitches in his wound or clean the painful slashes in his skin where the blackberry stickers had caught. Knowing that, even though he was injured, he would want to continue to help, she gave him instructions that needed to be carried out immediately.

Ben, go to the corral and get a mount; you’re in no shape to be walking around. Instruct the women and children to gather all the food and blankets they can carry and head to the shelter. Tell them to hurry; their lives depend on it.

I gave the alarm before I came to the kitchen; it’s already being taken care of, he gasped, still out of breath. Extra sharpshooters have gone to their locations, and Luke took charge of gathering the women and children from the slave cabins and fields.

I sent Joe and Roy to scatter the horses and livestock into the lower pastures. When they’ve done that, they’ll ride over to the main herd and conceal them in the cave. Jeremy is helping them, they’ll keep him safe.

That’s great, Ben; you’ve given us a head start, Elizabeth replied with relief. Locate a couple of men to help me gather supplies here, then ask Luke to make sure Catherine, Gabriel and Little George make it safely to the shelter with Julie; they should be over at Susanna’s cottage.

And Ben, someone needs to help Susanna, Elizabeth stated, hoping she wasn’t overlooking anything else that needed to be done. I left her sitting on the grand staircase; she’s in a lot of pain.

You can count on me, Miss Elizabeth, Ben promised, staggering out the kitchen door.

When the war first started, they had hidden enough guns, ammunition, and supplies across their vast plantation to survive for at least a year; thus, they were prepared in the event that Northern or Southern soldiers came to requisition their possessions, leaving them with an empty promise of compensation. What they carried with them today would supplement their cache.

They could only hope that whoever had attacked Silver Creek and came to Whispering Pines would take the few horses and cattle that had been scattered closer to the house and barns as decoys and not look for their hidden livestock.

Elizabeth placed a small pile of valuable supplies on the kitchen table for the slaves to hide before heading to the smokehouse to supervise the removal of several large cured hams. Next, she hurried to the kitchen’s storage shed to make sure only a few half-empty sacks of flour and sugar were left for the unwelcome marauders.

As she worked, she blessed Susanna for her quick thinking in immediately sending the kitchen slaves to take the little ones to a place of safety. She shuddered to think what would have happened if Ben hadn’t been able to run such a long distance to deliver her father’s warning. Although heartbroken about her parents, she was still overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and devotion of the capable people who surrounded her.

Thanks to earlier preparations and drills, it only took a short time for every man, woman and child to be gathered inside the hidden shelter. She knew that even with the lookouts, there wouldn’t have been enough time to conceal everyone if their plantation had been attacked first.

Elizabeth was the last to enter the shelter; and when she did, she was relieved to see her young daughter, Catherine, break free from her nanny and run toward her with outstretched arms.

She looked around to make sure someone had helped Susanna from the main house and saw her holding Gabriel on her lap. She was sitting next to Julie who was trying to keep Little George from scampering after Catherine.

Babies were crying and frightened mothers were begging their children to settle down. The children were all in a playful mood thinking the event was just another drill. The armed men assigned to protect them from inside the shelter, in case the raiders discovered their location, were barking out orders to the poor women and questioning Big Ben about the shootout at Silver Creek.

Due to his head wound, Ben had been too dizzy and weak to go back to find his wife. Although consumed with worry, he gave everyone as many details as he could recall.

As the camouflaged door swung shut and