Love for the Lonely

By Brenda Lunoe

Parker has been orphaned twice! How would she find protection as a teenager left all alone during the Civil War? She ended up disguised as a drummer boy in the middle of the conflict! She suddenly had more adventure than she had ever imagined.

However, her heart had a huge void in it. She found herself falling in love, but with no way to express it. Along her journey, however, she encountered many memorable characters.

How could she continue? Would she ever be known and loved for who she truly was? Begin to read and travel with Parker along her journey. Discover with her how the lonely can find love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888327692

Book preview

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Love for the Lonely

Brenda Lunoe

ISBN 979-8-88832-768-5 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-769-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Brenda Lunoe

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Bible quotes are from an old family Bible from the 1800s that is falling apart and missing many pages including the title page.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

To glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May those who feel unloved ask Him into their hearts and be overwhelmed by His great love.

Many thanks go to Addie Hodges for her careful editing. Thank you!

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

About the Author

To glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May those who feel unloved ask Him into their hearts and be overwhelmed by His great love.

Many thanks go to Addie Hodges for her careful editing. Thank you!

Chapter 1

October 1864

The surreal light of the full moon lit up the expanse of the sky as if the moon were trying to outshine the sun which it was reflecting. Parker stopped earlier than usual. She had walked so many miles from New York City headed in the general direction of the southwest. She reckoned that perhaps she had walked over two hundred miles so far. Her trek had lasted twelve days. Crying until she had no tears left to fall had left her shaken and feeling powerless. Emptied of tears and emotion, she felt hollow inside. She was as lost as the leaves tossed by the wind. Had she ever been this depleted and drained in all of her fifteen years? Fatigue was a heavy mantle to carry on such a young frame.

Two days earlier, she noticed two boys a little older than her looking at her and pointing. They had been coming toward her but changed their direction and lagged behind her several feet. They were ragtag and dirty. She tried not to show fear and kept her head down. She noticed a family walking ahead and decided to walk closer to them as if she were part of the family. It might provide some semblance of safety. Trying to dress and walk like a boy was no easy task for a young lady. However, she knew she must do this to survive.

The two teenage boys called out to her when she was walking alone. They teased her, Hey, kid. You dropped your money. Here it is.

She reasoned that she had not, in fact, dropped any money. That they just wanted to see where she kept her money. So she ignored them and traveled onward with her head bent low. The oversize hat she had grabbed kept sliding to one side of her head, but she knew she needed to hide her blond hair.

Then the two ruffians backed off again, and she hadn't seen them for some time. She was still on her guard though. She didn't wish to attract any attention, nor did she not want to be questioned by the authorities. She had not slept well for several nights. She imagined spiders and other critters that might be crawling on her as she tried to sleep. She was emotionally and physically spent. She felt as if she had nothing left to give. She was truly drained. At least she hadn't seen anyone on the road for the last couple of hours. No one appeared to be traveling in either direction.

Quiet blanketed the night, leaving her isolated and lonely. She was as alone as she could possibly be, she reasoned. Traveling during the day gave her a purpose, but the nights were nearly impossible to endure. The passing miles gave her some sense of accomplishment, but those dark hours stretched endlessly and seemed thrice as long as the daylight hours. Sleep had not been deep or long. She woke frequently and never felt quite rested. She had not been raised to shy away from difficulties, she reminded herself.

The brilliantly lit moon illuminated the earth and cast stark gigantic shadows, but she spied a large forest nearby and headed for it. She didn't think she had been spotted by anyone. She hadn't seen those two boys for the last few hours. Getting off of this well-traveled road was necessary. Physically exhausted with blistered feet and ill-fitting, borrowed clothes and emotionally emptied by her grief, Parker curled up into a small ball beneath an enormous oak tree that must have been at least one hundred years old by the size of its girth. She wanted to feel wrapped up in protective arms, so she pressed her back against it. Oh, how she longed for the loving touch of her mother's hand on her brow as had been her habit as she retired for the evening's repose. If she could only hear her mother praying for her one more time. She knew that was not going to happen. Mother was gone, and Parker's young life had taken a hard left turn.

Disguised as an orphan boy was proving to be a challenge for a young lady reared with manners and love. The overwhelming panic of running off alone and fear of being apprehended led her to bury herself in the leaves for comfort and warmth. She tried to pile a thick blanket of leaves over her. Parker whispered the words her mother would say to her as she tucked her in at night. Quoting her mother's aunt Judith Talbert, she would say, Sleep with peace and wake with joy. She fervently hoped that she could do both tonight. Her nightmares and fears crouched at the edge of her mind, which prohibited her from relaxing into a deep slumber.

The two boys waited like calculating predators to invade her fragile sense of peace. If she stayed awake, her mind ran wild with her vivid imagination. Each sound of the night was unfamiliar and made her heart race and her ears perk up. She needed to get herself under control. Her mother had always told her that worrying was like rocking in a rocking chair. One could work hard at it, but no progress was to be made. Praying to God that He would watch over her, blanket her with His peace, and heal her spirit, she finally succumbed to a deep sleep from sheer exhaustion.

Suddenly, rough hands grabbed her. She screamed and fought back with her fists. She kicked one boy in the groin and lost her loose right shoe when she did so. The other attacker grabbed her and pinned her arms behind her back. This boy was much larger than her and a great deal stronger. He loomed over her diminutive height and scowled as he looked her over. With a raw, coarse laugh, he yelled, Where's your money and food, boy? Then he spat a large wad of wet tobacco just over her right shoulder. Her attackers reeked of body odor and stale spirits. Parker screamed again.

The ground shook with the thunder of hoofbeats. Halt! The attackers quickly ran off and disappeared into the trees. An immense black horse was dancing in the leaves and huffing in his excitement. Parker glanced up to see the rider, but as she did, everything went black.

Her head gently cupped in his large hands, the uniformed officer said in a deep melodic voice, Hello! Hello, there. Anybody home?

Oh, my! What happened? Oh, dear, she thought, that didn't sound very masculine. She had better use a lower tone in her voice and drop the Oh, my. She looked up into a finely chiseled face on a large frame. This man exuded strength and power. For some reason, she felt she could trust him.

Son, I think you fainted! Had you been a girl, I would have said you ‘swooned.' He smiled. Why you are a young lad, aren't you—no facial hair and still a high voice. What's your name, son?

Parker, sir.

Well, I am Colonel Lucas Gibson. Where's your family? Are you traveling alone?

They are dead, Colonel. It's just me.

Oh, my deepest condolences. It is not safe for you alone. May I escort you, please? We need to get moving before more ruffians show up. Where you headed?

Parker had to think quickly. She had to think clearly. Charleston, West Virginia, to my cousin's.

Are they expecting you?

No, sir. They have no idea I am coming.

In that case, would you mind if we went to my regiment first? I need to report in to them.

That would be fine, Colonel.

Are you injured?

Uh, no, sir. No, just a bruised ego.

Well, I'm headed in that general direction. Let's mount up on my horse, Zion, here. You do realize it is dangerous to be traveling alone and unarmed, don't you?

Yes, sir. But I had little choice. Parker withheld the fact that she had a tiny pistol on her person.

Did they steal anything from you?

Parker padded herself and felt her money, her little pistol, and her food stash. No, sir. I just lost my shoe, but it didn't fit right anyway.

The soldier quickly located her oversize shoe and handed it to her. She watched the colonel stow his glinting saber into its sheath and easily swing into the saddle. He freed a stirrup, grabbed Parker's arm, and swung her onto the back of his horse behind him. Steady now, Zion, he calmed his horse. Might be a good idea to learn little fisticuffs, son. You must be what, eleven years old? How long have you been on your own? The colonel kept asking her questions as Zion moved out smartly. The moon lit the roadway beautifully.

You know, the colonel said, I believe that everything happens for a reason. So I believe that God put you in my path for a reason.

My folks used to say that no matter what happens, God is still in control.

Well, I believe that too. How long you been traveling, son?

A while now. I been on my own long enough, I reckon. Folks died in an accident.

I am so sorry, son. I understand grief.

You have a beautiful horse, Colonel!

"And he seems to know that! Zion is my best friend. I have learned a lot from this horse. I guess you could say he has taught me many lessons. The first lesson he taught me was to go wherever my master leads—even when I disagree with the direction chosen. My master would be the Lord. He also taught me to bring joy to others. Zion loves to hear me laugh and does comical things so I will laugh. He thinks up tricks all on his own. I try to bring joy to others too. He taught me not to quit when the going gets tough—just push on through. He taught me to put others before myself. When there is danger, run and get clear of it. Then you can strategize. Without thought of himself, he carries another's burden without complaining. A good example for all of us. I learned that there is safety in numbers and a herd of horses or a troop of men is a good place to be when there is trouble. He seems to sense my moods and knows how I feel. When I just need a good, hard run, he gives it to me. If I am having a tough time, he will sometimes just rest his head on my shoulder and lets me