Prologue

April 1861

The wind whipped through her hair, blowing the long blond locks around. She had finally finished touring her new home, exploring every singly inch of the Crane compound. It wasn’t nearly as large as their last home in Boston, but it would do, especially since she fully intended to be leaving soon.

Sapphire sighed. All of her life had been spent in her family’s Beacon Hill mansion, but when the news that the North was going to war with the South hit their home, Arden decided that his family needed to get as far away from the city as they could. She just wasn’t so sure she could get used to the smaller Crane compound in Harmony when she was used to the hustle and bustle of Boston society. The people were dreadfully boring in town and Sapphire was just too active of a sixteen-year-old for the sleepy little place.

The sun setting over the hill was rather beautiful, however, and Raven Hill did have some beautiful wild flowers growing near the forest’s edge. Of course, she was far too old to be picking flowers any longer.

With a sigh, Sapphire glanced over at the evening paper sitting on the nearby table. The headlines all the same from New York to Philadelphia: the North was finally going to war over slavery, though even she knew the truth. The north wanted to prove they still had power, which was fine by her. She was proud that they had decided to fight the evils of slavery for once even if pride was a factor. Then again, it hadn’t hurt that the Confederate Army had attacked Fort Sumter. Crossing her arms, Sapphire pulled her shawl tighter against her as another gust of wind blew.

“Sapphire! Oh there you are,” Katrina came outside. She wrapped her arms around her pride and joy in a hug. Her daughter was a gorgeous young woman, tall and thin with big blue eyes and long flowing blond curls. She was her Sapphire, her gem. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Mother,” Saph hugged her. “I was walking the grounds,” she replied wearily. “There’s nothing to do here. I miss Boston.”

“Nothing to do? Have you even ventured off the grounds?” Katrina asked. “Saph, this town is just full of history! Of enjoyment! You should see the ocean. It’s as blue as your eyes.”

“Mother, I know this was your birthplace, but it really isn’t as adventurous as you believe,” she pushed a white lock behind her mother’s ear. “Your hair is turning whiter every day.”

“Has since I was your age,” Katrina smiled. “Have you seen your siblings around?”

“No, last I saw of Mary-Anna and Jacob, they were climbing trees.”

“That sister of yours is quite a handful,” Kat shook her head. “Your Father requests your presence at dinner. Go and have Sophia help you change.”

“Yes, mother,” Sapphire sighed and headed for the door.

“And Saph?”

“Yes mother?”

“Give Harmony a chance won’t you. There’s a ladies society here that will be assisting in War effort. Perhaps you’ll find that it is as horrible as you believe.”

“Doubt it,” she shrugged and went into the house. She seriously doubted it. That was why she had already been to a meeting of the War society…and that was why she had purchased a ticket back to Boston to meet with its sister society: Daughters of the North.

“Logan! You can’t be serious! Going to war? Are you mad?” Harold Bennett asked as he jogged to keep up with his best friend. “Sure, we have done some absolutely wild thing before, but never would I consider going to war. Too many girls would miss me.”

Logan rolled his brown eyes. “This war is for our pride…”

“My life is a large sum to pay for pride!” Harold defended. “Come on, Logan, Bethany would be terribly lonely without you.”

“Bethany seems just find cuddling in your arms when she’s afraid, Harry. Besides, this war means reuniting the country! Releasing the slaves…you didn’t see what I did when I was down there last year!”

“No, but I also know that you aren’t thinking clearly.”

“I am so. Look, my brother Anthony and I are going to war! Are you joining us, Harold?”

“No,” the nineteen-year-old shook his head. “I want to see twenty.”

“May you live long enough to see what I fight for,” Logan stormed away, heading for his house. It hadn’t mattered if he didn’t wish to go to war any longer. After all, he had already sold his soul to the Union army. Besides, he believed in defending the defenseless. His great-great-grandfather Luke had fought in the Revolution, losing his life shortly after in a boating accident. But Logan fully intended to go to war and return.

“Though I have no idea why,” he grumbled, walking into their modest lower upper class house. He could smell the dinner cooking in the kitchen and looked around to see his mother and siblings in the parlor. “Evening.”

“Evening, Logan,” his mother smiled. “What are you doing home so late?”

Logan pulled his cap from his head. “Umm…well…Mother…”

“Is it true?” his father’s voice came from the doorway. “Is what Martha Bennett says true? You and Simon joined the war?”

“No!” his mother gasped, dropping her needlepoint.

“Yes, I joined the war,” Logan ran his fingers through his dark brown hair. “I’ll be leaving in the morning.”

“Oh Logan!” his mother broke down in tears.

“I’m sorry, Mother,” he looked at his father.

“Men in our position don’t join wars, Logan, they let others fight them…”

“Maybe that’s why they think we’re mice,” he growled in reply. “I refuse to watch others fight for the rights of men in a country where we say all are free and equal!”

“They aren’t equal,” his father left the room, heading for his den.

Logan’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’m going and not one of you is stopping me,” he stormed upstairs. Though he seemed un-phased by his mother’s sob, each one cut into his heart and soul. But Logan didn’t care. Defending others was his reason for living. He did it for his sisters, for his brothers, for his parents…

And now he was doing it for the slaves.

Chapter One

“Where do you think you are going?” her mother’s voice asked from the doorway, causing Sapphire to halt her packing, her shirt dangling in the air. Blue eyes met green ones, panic meeting pain. She hadn’t wanted her mother to find out this way. In fact, she fully intended for Katrina to learn via the letter she had left on her pillow. So much for planning ahead, she sighed, offering a weak smile to her mother.

“I am to leave this morning,” Sapphire replied, quickly breaking eye contact and placing another blouse in the trunk. “Mother, Harmony isn’t the place for me. I need to be in the thick of things. I have written Aunt Rebecca and she said she was willing to give me a room to stay in. I have also written a women’s society for the war effort, I am going to be trained as a nurse.”

“And be on the battle fields?” her mother gasped, rushing over to her. “Sapphire, please do not go. It is far too dangerous.”

Sapphire chewed on her bottom lip, her mother didn’t know the half of it. What she was planning to do was twice as dangerous as any field nurse. What she was going to do was bring down the traitorous Confederates before this war destroyed the country she knew and loved. “Mother, please, I am sixteen. I think I am old enough to decide my own fate. I want to aid in the cause, Mother. This is the only way I know how.”

Katrina sighed. “Darling, I know you wish to aid the country in its efforts to ensure freedom, but are you sure this is truly the way to do it? You yourself have grown around hired help…”

“Hired, Mother, these men and woman had no choice in their work. No pay with which to support their families. This is hardly the same thing as a hired hand.”

“Why must you be so stubborn?”

“My mother raised me that way,” Sapphire smiled. “I have to do this mother. I have to do something and sitting around in this creepy old place isn’t going to help anyone. Besides, how long could this war possibly last? The North is going to win, you know that.”

Katrina saddened. “I am going to miss you, darling,” Katrina cupped her cheek. “You’ve grown to be quite a young lady and I am so impressed with your compassionate ways.”

“I learned from the very best, Mother. I better leave or I’ll miss my train.”

“I’ll have the surrey hitched for you,” Katrina started to leave. She paused at the door and turned, tear filled eyes focusing on her daughter. “Promise me something, Sapphire.”

“Anything, Mother,” she replied.

“Promise you will return home before long, that you will be safe and well?”

“I promise,” she smiled. “And I shall write often.”

“Good,” she blew her daughter a kiss and left the room to order her a surrey and have someone carry her bags down to the carriage.

Logan packed his duffel, his little sister Tessa watching him pack. She sat quietly, her porcelain doll wrapped tightly in her arms as large crocodile tears rolled down her cheeks. Tessa loved her eldest brother, Logan, and the second oldest, Anthony, and didn’t wish to see them leave. Anthony, of course, had been given their father’s blessing because he wasn’t truly the eldest child and would inherit nothing when their father died. But Logan, he was to be the man of the house.

“Do you have to leave?” she whimpered as he tied the strings on the duffle and slung it over his shoulder.

“Yes,” he replied, stopping in front of her and cupping her tiny cheek. Wiping away a little tear, he placed a kiss to her head. “I shall be back before you know it, Tessa. Anthony and I are going away for a little while and we are going to help some nice people and be home in no time.”

“But I shall miss you so,” she cried, throwing her tiny arms around his neck. “Who will read to me?”

“Mother promises to read to you daily,” Anthony appeared in the doorway. “Come on Logan, the train leaves soon. I want to receive our orders.”

“All right, go say goodbye to Mother and the others while I finish with Tessa.”

He rolled his eyes and walked away, leaving Logan and Tessa alone again. “I shall write you, Tessa. Daily.”

“Promise?”

“As always,” he kissed her cheek. “Take care of everyone for me. I’m leaving them in your hands.”

“All right,” she sniffled. “And Wolf?” she asked about their dog.

“All yours until I return.”

One last hug and he left the room, Tessa’s sobs following him the entire way. Logan didn’t let him bother him, he couldn’t. He had to get to train depot before the train left for Boston or else he lost his only chance at joining the war.

He made it to the front door before his mother’s arms encircled his neck and she sobbed in his chest. “Please don’t go, Logan, please.”

Logan patted her back gently. “Mother, I shall return.”

“But it is so dangerous at war. Please, consider the family, Logan!” She sobbed, her fists clutching his coat. “Please!”

“Mother, I would not be following my heart if I stayed. Mother, I am a man of honor that keeps his word. I must go and I must fight for these people.”

She sniffled, tears still rolling down her cheeks. “You always did defend others,” she cupped his cheek. “Come home soon, Logan.”

“I will,” he promised, kissing her cheek.

His father just watched him leave, without saying a word to him, but Logan didn’t care. He walked outside into the breezy early morning air and followed his little brother down to the train depot. It was time for them to grow up and act like the men of honor they said they were.

Logan jogged to catch up to his brother. “What is your rush, Anthony?”

“The fact that I don’t want to miss the train, Logan, come on all ready,” he kept his fast pace. “This trip is destiny!”

“Have you been reading fairy tales with Tessa again?” Logan laughed, finally catching up and grabbing his brother’s arm. “We’re going to be on time. Trust me.”

“I trusted you when you said we’d leave before Patricia got up. You didn’t have her sobbing in your lap.”

“No, I had Tessa,” Logan sighed. Ahead he saw the train, the steam curling as it rose from the engine. “We’re almost there.”

“I can hardly believe we’re going,” Anthony whispered.

“Me neither,” Logan smiled slightly. “Me neither,” they started running to get to the train. It would be their last ride together.

Chapter Two

Logan sat beside his brother in their train compartment, the swaying of the train causing them both to yawn. It was almost like their mother’s arms were holding them, rocking them in that old polished oak chair before laying them beneath the cool sheets on a warm summer night. He smiled, thinking about his mother’s soothing voice as she sang to them. She was always singing, be it in the kitchen or as she tended a wounded knee. Even in the morning when she woke to the crowing of a rooster off in the hills, she had a song on her tongue.

But not this morning as she watched her sons leave the house. She had been somber and tearful, her eyes downcast as they kissed her cheek, her arms loose as they hugged her one last time.

“Come back home soon,” she whispered, their hands slowly parting. She hadn’t wanted them to go. She begged them to change their mind. They promised instead a short war, three months with the army, and soon they would be home.

Both hoped it was a promise they could keep.

“Logan?”

“Yes?” he asked, pretending to fiddle with something. He put his feet on the red cloth seat across from them, enjoying the feel of an entire train compartment to themselves.

“Are you thinking about Mother too?” Anthony asked, brushing some of his hair from his forehead, long unruly hair that his mother had threatened to cut off while he was sleeping.

“Yes. And you?” Logan asked, taking a moment to look at his brother.

“Yes,” he sighed, looking at his older sibling. “I was remembering the time she caught us playing Roman soldiers with our horses…”

“Ah,” Logan smiled, even chuckling slightly. He could easily remember the warm summer day. He had just turned seven, his brother six, and they were outdoors on wooden rocking horses from their Aunt in New York City. She had sent them the toys, their names carved into the fine cherry wood, as Christmas gifts. They would go outside, toy swords from their father in their hands, and pretend to battle the invisible enemy. Many a summer had be spent in the tall grass, wishing they had real horses and swords…

Wishing they were Army men.

“Do you remember that summer?”

Logan nodded. “Mother was pale as a ghost thinking of her little men joining the ranks of others and leaving home to fight a battle. I thought for sure she would tan our hides.”

“And she very well might have if Father hadn’t been home, watching us proudly from the back door. He thought it nothing but a game…” his voice faded away and his eyes, which had glazed over as he pictured the scene, cleared. “This isn’t a game, Logan, you know that.”

“I know,” he nodded. “But we will still be together, Anthony. I shall be at your side like I always have been and we’ll defend each other; protect each other for the cause. I shall bring you home safe, Tony, that I promise.”

“You shouldn’t make promises you cannot keep, Logan.”

“I truly intend to keep this one. If it is the last thing I ever do, I shall make sure we are home in time for Christmas…home with Mother and Tessa.”

“Sure, sure,” Anthony turned away, looking outside the window at the trees flying by. “Home for Christmas…with Tessa.”

Logan sighed. “Are you hungry? I could find something in the dinning car…”

“No.”

“Would you care to play a game of cards? I brought one for the trip…”

“No,” Anthony’s eyes remained focused on the outdoors. Out there seemed so much freer than their near future. Three months was a long time to be in the army, especially when the only combat one had ever seen was drunken men arguing in the city streets as they exited pubs and saloons. Occasionally Tony had a fist fight with his brother, but never would a gun be drawn as they fought in the evening air over some girl or some chore. Petty little arguments they all were, but now they were fighting a man’s war against injustice…against secession…again hate.

“Tony, come on,” his brother nudged him. “Look, if you want to turn back, I’ll make up some excuse for you. You’ve taken ill or some such nonsense. We have money, Father will certainly pay your way out.”

“And leave you to be the hero, you would like that, wouldn’t you?” Anthony shot him a look. “Oh yes, Mother’s bravest son, the one that went off to make a name for himself, to right the world of every wrong! And me, the little one that never quite grew up, that chased his brother down the coast like a playful puppy, only to return home with my tail between my legs and branded a coward!”

“I never said you were…”

“No, Logan,” he stopped him. “You have always been the strong one, the one that defended the weak. Whenever I would fight in school, you would be sure to take on any boy that dared insulted me.”

“Family pride!”

“What about my pride? What about letting me fight my battles? This time I am going to be shoulder to shoulder with you, fighting against a common cause and this time I shall be fighting or die trying!”

“Anthony!” Logan grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t be a fool! No one thinks you a coward for seeking help! The smarter man knows his limits!”

“But not Logan, the god given to the Fitzgeralds! Logan has no limits! Knows no bounds! He is brave and strong! Handsome and pure! Any woman would be lucky to have such a lover! Such a husband!” Tony shoved his brother’s hand off his shirt. “Even Bethany.”

“Tony…”

“No! I am quite tired of living in your shadow, Logan Fitzgerald, and I fully intend to have my day in the sun! If I must die for my country, I shall, but I shall not do it as Logan’s little brother! When we come to Boston, we part ways…”

“Tony!”

“Leave me be!” he turned away again.

Logan sighed, rising and heading for the door of their compartment. He glanced back at his brother for a moment, watching the younger man heave a heavy sight. Wonderful! Just wonderful! Two hours on this blasted train and already they were arguing! They hadn’t even made it halfway to Boston!

Stepping out of the compartment and into the little side hall, he allowed the door to slam shut behind him. “Blasted brother!” He grumbled, heading towards the delicious smells rising from the dinning car. It was almost unbelievable how rich the aroma was and, despite his poor mood, he couldn’t help but salivate at the thought of a plate of his mother’s corn-beef and cabbage. After all, that dish wasn’t only her specialty, but his and Tony’s favorite…

Tony! What an insufferable excuse for a brother! The man was about as welcome as a gnat in the warm summer’s heat! Sometimes, Logan couldn’t even believe that Anthony could possibly be his brother! And then he remembered just how much his brother was like their father, a true Fitzgerald through and through.

“Yes, a royal pain in the…” he bumped something, sending it to the floor.

“Do men EVER watch where they are going?” Sapphire growled, waiting for his offer to help her up. Ever since she arrived on this train she had been gawked at, ogled and touched! She swore men were swine!

Logan extended his hand. “Sorry, Miss,” he replied, not really looking at her. “I was just…”

“Just what?” she demanded, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet. She was surprised to feel the electric in his touch and her eyes shot up to meet his. Obviously, he too had felt it.

He quickly pulled his hand away, swallowing hard. He couldn’t believe how blue her eyes were or the way they sparkled like the ocean on a clear spring day. Even the sky would envy the perfect blue of her eyes. His fingers itched to brush her snow white skin, or to touch the tendrils of gold that formed ringlets on her head. “I was terribly stupid not to watch where I was going with such a beautiful woman in my presence.”

She snorted, her lips forming a smirk. “Very nice,” she applauded him, her gloved hands making a low tapping sound. “I have yet to hear that one.”

He rolled his eyes. “I see your parents forgot to teach you manners…”

“Oh and yours sent you to charm school?” she asked in a huff.

“Touché!” he shrugged. “Where were you rushing to anyway?”

“That is none of your concern! Besides! You practically ran me down the way you dashed through this tiny hall! If anyone has explaining to do, it would be you!”

“Brazen woman!”

“Is that really the best insult you can muster?” she crossed her arms. “My little brother has said better!”

His eyes filled with rage. “How dare you!”

“Oh, shut up,” she shook her head. “I wish to find my car! Two more hours of that old biddy complaining about the war and I would have cried,” she started off.

He grabbed her arm. “We were hardly finished!”

She glared at the hand on her arm, then met his eyes. “Unhand me you cad!”

“Cad!” he laughed. “Oh I am wounded, fair maiden,” he teased.

She slapped him…

Hard.

Cupping his cheek and freeing Sapphire, he glared at her. “Wench!”

“Rotten scoundrel,” Sapphire laughed. “And the name is Sapphire,” her eyes twinkled merrily. “Tata,” she ducked into a compartment.

“Sapphire,” the name rolled off his tongue. “Definitely the name for a gem…but for that woman?” He paused, smiling. “Yes…yes. Sapphire. A fine name for her.” He sighed. “And a fine arm she has there,” he rubbed his cheek as he journeyed on.

Sapphire laughed, watching him walk away. “Sorry to have bothered you,” she replied to the couple in the compartment she had entered. Looking at her ticket number she continued down the hall. Hopefully she would never have to deal with that man again!

Chapter Three

Sapphire checked the numbers above the compartments, finally finding the one she was searching for. She was tired of dealing with the old women on the train and was more than ready to find a seat in the back and relax until they reached Boston. Personally, she hated trains and preferred her horse, Diamond, more than anything else. But this trip was too far for her little horse and she had to stay behind.

Sighing, Sapphire pushed aside the curtain that acted as a door and found a handsome, but melancholy, young man sitting on the plush brown seats and gazing out the window. She cleared her throat. “Mind if I have a seat here?”

His blue eyes swept across the seat she motioned too, finding her gloved hand and slowly making its way up her arm to her own blue eyes. He smirked slightly, a soft sigh escaping his lips before he nodded and returned to looking out at the woodlands.

“Beautiful scenery, no?” Sapphire asked, adjusting her skirts to have a seat.

“Yes,” he replied, looking at the tall pines and proud oaks.

“Almost too beautiful sometimes. Makes you want to be outside instead of riding in a dreadful train car or inside a stuffy house.”

He smirked again, wistfulness filling his blue eyes. “Yes. My mother once insisted we not move from the porch or we might soil our suits. It was quite frustrating.”

“I’m sure,” she smiled. “My name is Sapphire…Sapphire Crane. Yours?”

“Anthony. Anthony Fitzgerald. I believe I know your mother. Katrina, no?” he looked over at her and not at the countryside any longer.

“Yes, that is my mother,” Sapphire smiled brightly. Her mother’s name was always like music to her ears. It wasn’t until this moment that she realized she was so far from home and might never see her mother again.

“I do not believe we have ever met though. I would remember your face.”

Sapphire blushed. “So, Anthony, why are you heading to Boston? Family there? A woman perhaps?”

He chuckled. “I wish it were for a simple vacation. My brother and I signed up for the war. We are going to be Union officers as soon as we get our backsides there.”

“Sounds thrilling,” Sapphire’s blue eyes sparkled. “I am traveling to be a nurse,” she fiddled with her plain navy skirt. “I want to aid in any way I can.”

“I would be more than willing to take a bullet knowing you would be there to take care of me when I arrived.”

Sapphire’s cheeks grew red. “Thanks you. So where is your…”

“Tony, they had chocolate cream puffs! I brought you one…” Logan spotted Sapphire. “What is she doing here?”

“Oh Heavens no, you cannot be in this compartment, that is not remotely possible!” she rolled her eyes.

“I see you have met my older brother, Logan,” Anthony laughed.

“Brothers?” Sheridan looked the two over, noticing that they were as different as night and day. Luis had darker hair and eyes with a near olive complexion while his brother was fair with light brown hair and sparkling crystal blue eyes. “My goodness, I have never head such foolish nonsense! Brothers indeed…”

“Miss, I am his older brother,” Logan grumbled. “Logan Fitzgerald, at your service,” he nodded slightly.

“Sapphire Crane,” she pushed a lock of lose blond hair behind her ear. “I would love to say it is a pleasure sir, but I would most definitely be lying.”

“Wench.”

“Ass.”

Anthony snorted.

“Oh shut up,” they both yelled at him.

He fell back silent.

“You are nothing but a rich spoiled princess! You would not know the first thing about the pleasures for friendship!” he placed his food on his seat and took a step closer to her. He heard all about the Cranes, the new occupants on the Raven Hill home. Her family had been nothing but bad news for the Fitzgeralds and most of the other Harmony occupants. He expected nothing different from the little heiress.

“Oh that is rich!” she stood up to face him. “I am sure I know just as much as you do, Mr. ‘I am just five minutes short of being a deity’! I have many faithful friends…”

“All paid to be there I’m sure,” he huffed.

“Bastard!”

“Nag!”

The train jerked, sending Logan backwards on top of his food. He grabbed Sapphire as he fell, pulling her atop him as he came to a thudding stop. They bumped heads, remaining pressed against each other as the train jerked again before it continued its steady moving. Blue and brown eyes connected and they gazed heatedly at each other.

Anthony cleared his throat. “I think it’s safe for you to move, Logan.”

Logan just looked at Sapphire’s sweet pink lips as her hand pressed against his chest. Both moved slightly closer until Anthony coughed again.

“I said it is safe for you to remove your hands from her, Logan!!!”

Logan’s arms fell from around her waist as Sapphire stood up, smoothing her wrinkled dress. “You have some nerve, Logan Fitzgerald! Grabbing a girl so!”

“I’m sorry, Miss Crane,” his eyes flashed. “I was off balance. I would hardly waste my time on such a biddy as yourself.”

“Biddy! Why I never!”

“Perhaps that is your problem,” he scoffed.

She smacked him again.

“Damn it woman! You lay one more hand on me I shall…”

“You shall do WHAT?” she glared at him, pulling back her fist.

“All right, all right!” he put his hands up in defeat. “I meant nothing by it. Now would you kindly stop hitting me?”

“I suppose I can,” she smiled proudly, sitting back on her seat. “But Logan, you might want to get up and find some way to clean your trousers.”

“What? Why?”

Anthony started laughing. “Because you landed on our cream puffs.”

Logan blushed, standing and turning around. Attempting to look over his shoulder, he found the two cream stains from where he landed on his dessert. “Blast it all. I’ll have to change my trousers,” he reached for his duffel.

“Not here!” Sapphire’s eyes widened as he started to remove his belt as well.

He smirked. “Why not, Miss Crane?”

“It’s improper!!” she squeaked.

He laughed. “Relax, would you. I would receive no pleasure in having you see me without my trousers. I shall find elsewhere to change,” he left the compartment.

“Rotten…”

“Now, now,” Anthony laughed. “He truly is not so terrible. He is only a little…”

“Annoying? Insensitive? Stubborn? Demanding? Shall I continue?” she huffed, crossing her arms and glaring at Anthony.

“Not necessary,” Anthony laughed, a twinkle in his eyes. “Now if you do not mind, I think I shall nap.” He closed his eyes.

Sapphire sighed. This was going to be a longer trip than she expected. Much longer than she expected!

Chapter Four

Sapphire watched Logan intently as he flipped through the pages of the Harmony Herald. He seemed disinterested in most of the news, his brows creasing and his fingers turning to the next page. Not that there was much to read in the Herald; most times it was re-reported news from the Globe or the Times. But Logan’s brown eyes scanned line by line as his strong hand covered the headline for April 16th, the one that shook her to the core:

Lincoln Issues Proclamation: 75,000 men summoned!!!

From what she could see of the headline, there would be a special Congress in July and training procedures would begin for the militia that was to be formed. Men were going off to war and as much as that excited her, it frightened her as well. Sure, she had joined the women’s league in Boston and she was prepared to face whatever job came her way, but she also had no one that would care about her either way. Her mother wouldn’t mourn the loss of her wild daughter; she would see it as an unselfish act of service to the country. Her father, he would be content just knowing that the one burden he had, the daughter that was only physically attractive, would be taken care of. One less problem to rid the world of…

Wrapping her arms around her waist, Sapphire leaned her head against the cool glass of the train. Her blue eyes filled with tears as she watched the scenery blur by, much like she had for the last few hours on the train. She closed her eyes, wishing she could feel differently about what was happening in the world she lived, the life she lived. Nothing was going to change, though, and she knew she would always be alone and always be wishing for something different.

Logan lowered his paper slightly, peering over the edge to watch the blond in the seat corner. Her eyes were closed, her pale skin pressed against the window and her arms wrapped around herself in a hug. He felt slightly attracted to the woman sitting across from him, even if she was a Crane, but he shrugged if off, forcing his eyes back to the news. Just as he was about to read an article on the war plans, he caught a tear rolling down her cheek.

“Something wrong, Miss Crane?” he asked sincerely, lowering the newspaper to his lap.

Her eyes opened only a sliver and she shook her head. “Everything is fine,” she whispered, brushing a tear from her cheek. “How much longer do you think we will be traveling, Mr. Fitzgerald?”

“An hour, two at the most,” he looked her over curiously. “Are you sure that you are well?”

“Yes,” she replied, offering something of a weak smile. “Thank you for your concern…”

He nodded, moving back to his paper and praying that the sway of the train would lull Sapphire to sleep. Though he disliked her terribly, he couldn’t bare to see any woman cry, especially one with such beautiful blue eyes. He prayed those tears would stop soon…

Though prayers had odd ways of being answers. With a sudden jar, the train rumbled, the metal of the wheels squealing in their attempt to hold the track. The steel from the other cars crunched and hissed as the high-speed train fell from the track. Panic stricken passengers, their bodies being injured in the fall, screamed as they were jostled about. Logan felt the car shake, his hands reaching to take hold of something as the car began to turn, and the world around him spinning out of control. Sapphire’s cry stabbed at his heart, twisting his insides into a knot that would have rivaled that of the train. The movement stopped as quickly as it started and Logan tried to find the door.

His hands slid along the walls, reaching for the knob and trying to twist it open. With all his might he tried, shaking the stubborn door. He slammed his fist against it when the door wouldn’t give, crawling over to the upside-down windows and kicking out the glass with his leather boot. Crawling out, he felt his brother close behind, the two running through ash and smoke, arms shielding their face as they headed for the woods where they could finally breathe…

Logan stumbled, tripping on the bodies of injures, hands grabbing at his ankles and legs, begging for water and help. Their faces and bodies burned from the flames that were ravaging the cars just ahead of theirs.

“Logan…Logan!” Anthony called, sputtering as he chocked on the ash in the air.

“Anthony!” Logan’s brown eyes searched the landscape. “Anthony, did you see Miss Crane?”

Anthony arched an inquisitive brow at his brother, but he looked around, trying to distinguish people through their darkened, dusty appearances. “No, Logan, I haven’t. I’m sure she was able to get out…”

He didn’t sound sure. “I have to find her!”

“Logan, don’t be foolish! The train is on fire!” He grabbed his brother’s arm.

“I have to find her,” he growled, pushing his brother off and running back into the darkened train. The heat of the flames stung his face and hands as he crawled towards the charring wreckage of their train. His hands ground into the broken glass of a window, blood starting to trickle down his palms. He gritted his teeth against the pain, his half closed eyes trying to see into the blackened clouds.

“Sapphire!” he cried, crawling into a nearby car.

“Logan?” she whispered, her voice a pain-filled gasp.

“Sapphire, hold on,” he crawled towards her, his hands coming in contact with her skirt and slowly feeling along the edge towards her waist. He found a piece of something pinning he down, the heated object burning his hand. Pulling his hands inside the sleeves of his coat, he tore the object from her body and let the coat fall away from his arms. When he finally touched her abdomen, she whimpered, pain shooting through her midsection.

“Logan,” she chocked.

“Hold on, Sapphire, hold on,” he gently slid a hand beneath her. “Sapphire, can you crawl out the window with me?”

“No,” her tiny hand clutched his shoulder. “Logan, go,” she whispered.

“I’m not leaving you in here to burn to death!” he insisted, trying not to shake her too much.

She coughed, her head falling against his shoulder as he shifted her into his arms. He could feel the flames coming for them, the heat making the metal too hot to touch. With his boot, he kicked out the remnants of the windows and slowly crawled out, holding Sapphire’s body to his own. “We’re almost out, Sapphire. Don’t let go.”

“Why are you saving me?” she coughed into his neck, tears rolling down her filthy face.

“I don’t know,” he replied honestly, carrying her away from the train, her grip slowly releasing his shirt. “Don’t stop talking, Sapphire. Come on, stay with me.”

“So tired,” she felt dizzy, the darkened landscape spinning around her. She felt his pace quicken, the bouncing of her body sending numbing pain through her system. Tears poured down her cheeks, cleaning away the ash in streaks of black water. Her head buried itself beside his strong neck, her unstable breaths brushing against his ear.

“Don’t go to sleep!” he insisted, dodging a giant flame that shot out from the wreckage. “Sapphire!”

She didn’t reply. He quickly found a clearing, laying her on the cool grass and looking for something to clean her face with.

“Logan?” his brother called.

“Over here! Anthony!” Logan reached for her petticoat, tearing the smooth material. “Come on, Sapphire, yell at me. Anything!” he begged, his voice hoarse from the smoke.

“Logan, what happened?” Anthony fell to his knees beside Sapphire’s body, a glass bottle of water in his hands.

“She was trapped in the car,” he grabbed the bottle from his brother and poured some onto the clothing. Washing her face gently, Logan watched the creamy white skin begin to peak from her dirty face.

“Is she?” Anthony hesitated.

“I don’t know,” Logan replied. “Find a doctor or something! Anything!”

“All right,” Anthony ran off.

“Come on, Sapphire, wake up,” he begged. “I’ll let you slap me if you just wake up. I know you can, Sapphire, I know you can wake up. I know you want to slap me for tearing your clothing, for touching you so intimately. Please?”

He continued to beseech her, using every ounce of strength left in his body to wake her. But she didn’t respond, didn’t even so much as show she was breathing beneath the tight corset she wore. Tears rolled down his cheeks and Logan felt a stirring in his chest. Three years with Bethany and he had never felt this way, but barely a day with Miss Crane and suddenly his world was upside-down…

And his heart was gone…

With her.

Chapter Five

Logan sat in the stiff wooden chair of Boston Medical, his hands stinging and dirty. He tried making fists, feeling the glass grind further into the deep slashes in his flesh. Waiting was the worst and he had done more than his fair share of it. He wanted to see Sapphire, feel the heated gaze of those stunning blue eyes again. They had been separated before coming to the hospital and when he finally had found her ambulance he was pulled away. Sapphire was in the ward and he in the small room by the front door where minor cases were being brought and that’s when the waiting began.

Nurses had brushed by numerous times, their hands laden with tins of salve, rolls of bandage and bottles of water. None looked all too concerned about his case, glass in the palms was nothing compared to burns. Still, he had other places to be and was about ready to tend to himself when a petite little thing showed up.

“Hello,” she said bashfully, carrying over a pan of water. She was about five-foot-two, with big green eyes and long braided brown hair. As far as age, the nurse couldn’t be older than eighteen. “Mr. Fitzgerald, right?” she placed the pan on a nearby tabletop.

“Right,” he sighed, watching as she gently lifted his hand and started to clean it with a towel.

“These aren’t terribly deep,” she replied, clearing them of ash as best she could before placing his large hand into the bin and letting it soak a minute or two. “Do you think there is any glass remaining in your hands, sir?”

“I believe so.”

“Oh,” she frowned, trying not to look at him. Logan could tell he was making her nervous and would have laughed had his mind not been preoccupied with thoughts of Sapphire.

“Oh?” he queried. “Is something wrong?”

“We don’t remove foreign objects from the flesh, sir. Even the doctors won’t,” she squeaked, removing his hand and brushing away the visible shards of glass. She could see some were still buried deep within.

“Well I demand for the glass to be removed, Miss,” he insisted, looking at the clean palm. “I have training missions and I shall not be able to hold a gun with glass in my hands!”

“It isn’t done!” she replied, frightened green eyes meeting his. “There’s no training…and the chance of infection!”

“I said to remove the glass, Miss, or I certainly shall have no problem doing so myself!” he growled, dark eyes staring her down.

“I can try, sir,” she whispered, quickly bathing the other hand and leaving it to soak as well. “Excuse me, sir, I shall look for something to remove it with.”

“Thank you,” he replied, watching her scurry off. Sighing, he leaned back in his chair, leaving his hand in the bin of fluid. Closing his eyes, he could see Sapphire that morning, blue eyes filled with hatred as she glared at him and that devilish smirk on her face when she saw him sit on the pastries. Their bickering had been stimulating, making his heart beat faster…

But when the train derailed and he heard her cry out, the pain in her voice when he found her trapped, his heart stopped and the blood in his body turned icy cold. He could feel her slipping away, feel her life leaving her body as he cradled her in his strong arms. He wanted to see her now, touch her and be sure she was alive. How he wished for her to wake and smack him! Anything that would bring back the beautiful Ms. Crane…

Beautiful? His eyes shot open at the realization that she was indeed a beautiful woman, one he could get to know better if the war were not in the way. He knew their families sought a merger that would bring the families more wealth and power, but Sapphire?

He shook his head silently; lifting his left hand from the water and watching the beads collect before dropping slowly, like the tear rolling down Sapphire’s cheek. Slow, steady drops of crystal water, muddied by the ash that had touched Sapphire’s face. He would always remember the flames that teased his skin, the head that radiated from the burning metal pinning Sapphire, the way she felt in his arms.

“Sir?” the nurse waved her tiny hand before his face. “Sir, is everything all right?”

Logan shook his head again, trying to clear the thoughts from his mind. “Yes, fine. Have you brought something to clean my hands with?”

She nodded, revealing a pair of tweezers. “Are you sure about this? I could lose my job…”

“You could very well lose it if you do not complete the task,” he thrust his palm upward at her. “Begin.”

She trembled as she removed the embedded bits of glass, her tiny fingers carefully brushing the cuts to find more. Her bottom lip was tucked between her teeth as she nervously fumbled with the metal tweezers. Piece by piece she sought the sparkling bits of broken window that hid beneath his skin. Minutes later she finished removing the glass from both hands and smiled proudly; she hadn’t even worsened one single gash!

“Nice work,” he complimented, balling his hands into fists and then flattening them again.

“Now if you’ll let me bandage your hands, you can pay the nurse up front and then you are free to leave,” she smiled.

“No bandages,” he dropped two bits onto the tray. “Tell me where the passengers from the train were taken,” Logan stood, heading for the door.

“The second floor, sir,” she pointed above them. “Is there a particular patient I can help you find?”

“No,” he shook his head. “Thank you,” he walked out the door, heading for the grand, marble staircase that led upstairs. Looking around, he noticed no one was watching and jogged up the stairs, his showed tapping softly on the white stone. At the top he saw an angry looking nurse, her face frowning.

“Who are you?” she asked, crossing her plump arms over her chest.

“I…I am Logan Fitzgerald,” he eyed her curiously. She surely could snap him in half if she tried and he could tell she would love the chance.

“What do you want?”

“I would like to see Sapphire Crane. She was brought here from the train wreck…” he looked around.

“Friend or family?”

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“Friend or family; only immediate family is allowed in the patient rooms up here,” she insisted, standing to her full height and glaring at him. “So are you friend or family?”

“Family,” he hastily replied. “Her fiancé.”

“Right this way,” she stomped loudly, like an elephant through the jungle, towards the doors on his immediate right. She pushed one open, whispering something to a scrawny older nurse inside, before pushing the oak door completely open.

Logan had never seen the inside of patient rooms at a hospital before; Harmony barely had a small clinic to treat the small population of people living there. He stepped past the ogre of a nurse and looked around, about sixteen patient beds were lined against the walls, only a chair sitting beside each one. There were three nurses tending to the cases in here with one Doctor who continuously entered and left through another door. He could see Sapphire lying beneath the clean white sheets of the bed furthest away.

“Ms. Crane is on the end,” the smaller nurse pointed. “You must limit your stay for a brief amount of time.”

“Has she regained consciousness?” he asked, taking only a step towards her bed.

“No sir,” the nurse brushed past him to tend to another.

Logan hurried across the room, almost dashing to her bed. Once he neared it, he could hardly breath. She had been bathed, her beautiful blond hair and creamy white skin glistening in the light from a nearby lantern. Her head was bandaged, as was her left hand, and she looked so peaceful against the clean white sheets.

“Oh Sapphire,” he whispered, going as close as the chair beside her bed, but instead falling to his knees beside her bed. “How I wish I could take away your pain.”

A tear rolled down his cheek and for his life he couldn’t tell why. He brushed it away, taking her small right hand into his. “Please, Sapphire, I am asking you to wake up. I know of your family and I am sure some of them miss you. I believe we could be allies one day, perhaps even friends. I know we had a terrible start, but we can always start anew. Just open your eyes and tell me to shut up.”

Sapphire made not a sound as he talked and he continued talking for hours, telling nurses to leave him be with his fiancée and, when that failed, buying his time with her. Even big Bertha outside had left him alone when he threatened to wake the other patients by singing. The nurses and doctors brushed by constantly, but none said a word to him for fear he would make good on his threats.

The day wore on to night; lanterns dim lights casting golden hues across her face. The room grew darker, more and more patients waking in their beds and calling for water to moisten their parched throats. Still, nothing woke Sapphire as she slept peacefully, shallow breaths that were hardly visible beneath the tight white cloth bandage around her chest.

Logan began to doze, having moved into the wooden chair beside her bed without relinquishing her hand. The nurses had asked him not to speak too loudly, allowing other patients to rest. Logan didn’t mind; he was running out of promises to make and things to say. Instead, he simply held her hand and closed his eyes, praying that she would wake soon because he was starting to miss their terrible bickering.

Some time in the early morning, while the starts still twinkled in the predawn sky, Sapphire groaned. Her body shifted slightly in the cool room, her hand squeezing the large one holding hers. She didn’t try to open her eyes, the throbbing of her head making her queasy. Still she whimpered, her mouth parting in attempt to speak.

Logan stirred, feeling the second squeeze of her hand. “Sapphire?” his eyes flew open, drowsy brown orbs looking to her face.

“Kindly shut up,” she said hoarsely, digging her nails into his sore hands.

He smirked, wincing at the pain. “Would you like some water?”

“No, I rather prefer sounding like a bear,” she mumbled sleepily.

“Such a wench even in your condition,” he stood, grabbing a pitcher and glass from the nightstand and pouring her a drink. “Are you always so rude to those that save your life?”

“Only you,” she replied, feeling the mattress shift to her right as he sat on the bed. “Logan?”

“Hm?” he asked, sliding a hand beneath her neck and helping her sip the cold water from the glass. He allowed her to drink for a moment before returning her body to the pillow.

“Thank you.”

“For the water?” he asked.

“No,” her eyes opened a sliver, the light too bright against the pain in her head.

“For what then?”

“For saving my life,” she looked into his eyes. “For being a hero.”

“No need to thank me for that,” he replied, slowly leaning in as he was drawn to her soft, sweet lips. Sapphire’s breath came in quick gasps as she excitedly waited for what would happen next. Closer and closer he inched...

“Ahem, I’m glad to see you’re awake Ms. Crane. Your fiancé was afraid for your life.” Bertha was back!

“My fiancé was worried, was he?” she smirked, arching an eyebrow.

“I was dreadfully afraid for your life, darling,” he winked.

Sapphire laughed, groaning from the pain. “Bastard.”

“See? We are deeply in love,” he told the nurse, kissing Sapphire’s hand.

“Indeed,” the nurse rolled her eyes and walked away.

“If I were not exhausted, I would ask you to tell me the story. But I believe I would prefer the dreams instead,” Sapphire yawned, closing her eyes again.

“Sapphire?”

“What is it, Logan?” she grumbled.

“I am glad you survived…”

“I am glad I had someone to save me,” she whispered, taking hold of his hand.

He smiled softly. “I am too,” he kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, Princess,” he settled back in his chair to return to sleep.

Chapter Six

Logan ran his hand through his hair, the shiny black locks falling into place around his fingers. Nervous butterflies danced in his stomach, making him feel tingly and afraid as he stood outside the door to the patients’ quarters. In his other hand was a bouquet of wildflowers he had plucked from their home beside the Charles River after signing for the first troop to be trained for combat. He had two weeks before they would begin and he decided that he would spend most of it cheering up the recovering Sapphire Crane, even if he didn’t particularly like her.

Well, perhaps he did like her, not that he would admit it. Logan knew that now was hardly the time to become involved with a woman, especially when the future stood a chance of being so bleak. There was a chance he could die in battle, though he had no belief he would, and he could never hurt someone like that. He could, however, offer her friendship and fully intended to befriend her.

Straightening to his full height, Logan pushed open the door and peeked inside. He easily spotted Sapphire’s bed; his eyes finding her body lying prone, milky white skin peeking out beneath the chemise she wore. Her arms were tucked beneath her chin as the head nurse, Bertha, washed her back with a sponge. Her breasts were barely hidden beneath the loose material, each breath making him shiver from the provocative view she offered. Her skin glistened, her hair flew about her freely and he thought she looked like an angel without wings.

Moistening his lips with his tongue, Logan took a shaky step inside towards her bed, finding her bottom half now in view. Her pantaloons, which should have been worn loosely, were soaked and clinging to her skin, her behind and legs revealed to his hungry eyes.

“I know you are looking at me, Logan Fitzgerald. Are you seeing something you would enjoy?” one dancing blue eye opened a sliver, looking at him from her place on the bed.

Logan blushed, looking away from her cot and focusing on a vase above the fireplace in the room. “No, Miss Crane. I was simply astounded that you are brazen enough to lay about like that.”

She smirked, sending Bertha away and rolling onto her back. Instead of reaching for the sheet, she remained the way she was and checked the bandage that lay across her midsection. “I did not expect you back so soon, it seems like mere minutes since you last left.”

“It has been two days since I have had time to visit,” he replied. “I brought you these,” his eyes met hers as he handed her the flowers.

She accepted them, her tiny hand brushing his and causing electric sparks to tingle their skin. Neither pulled away, both holding onto the connection for as long as they could and still waiting for the other to say or do something. Finally she removed the flowers from his grasp, bringing them to her nose and inhaling their intoxicating scent. “They are beautiful, Logan. You did not need to do this.”

“I wanted to. This place is quite dreary and since there is little to brighten your stay…”

“I shan’t be staying long,” she smiled. “In fact, that is why I was being bathed. I convinced the warden over there,” she motion to Bertha, “to let me out of here before I have my father sent for. No one ever wants to deal with him. You understand, of course, Cranes are terrible people.”

“Not you,” he interrupted, his cheeks burning red when he realized what had been said.

“You have changed your opinion of my family, have you?” Sapphire asked, placing the delicate flowers in her lap.

Logan shook his head. “Not the family, Miss, just you.” He sat on her bed. “You, Miss Crane, genuinely intrigue me.”

“That was always my strong suit, interesting people. And please, Logan, after saving my life I do believe you earned the right to call me Sapphire. If it suits you, you may even call me Saph.”

“It’s an odd name, Sapphire. How did it come about?” he asked, unconsciously taking hold of her hand and resting it on his leg.

She smiled. “My mother said that the first time I opened my eyes to look at her, they were as clear as the sky on a sunny day. The color, she said, slowly darkened into the perfect color of sapphire gemstones and, seeing as how I was her first born, she considered me her little gem…her baby Sapphire. I guess it stuck, because she forwent calling me Megan, her intended name, and instead called me Sapphire. Father hates it, he thinks it sounds too odd or even like something our Negro help would have called their children, but it suits me. It is something different, you know, and I am definitely a different type of girl.”

“So I have noticed,” he smiled. “I wish my name had a story as emotional to it. Logan happens to be a family name. My great-great grandfather was Logan and now I am as well.”

“It is still a special name, Logan,” she squeezed his hand gently. “Because someone that you love has had it. Perhaps that Logan was a great man and did amazing feats! I know that even if he was not, you will make all Logans proud. You’re joining the war! That in and of itself is quite amazing to me.”

“You think so, Miss Crane? Just because I wish to free those who cannot free themselves?”

“Of course, Logan. Why do you think I’m here?” she asked. “I intend to aid in the best way I can. I think we all should.”

Logan looked panicked. “Nothing dangerous, I hope.”

Sapphire thought back to the reason she was in Boston and chewed on her bottom lip nervously. As of yet she hadn’t been able to meet with Mary Edwards Walker, the woman she was told would help establish her in the right circle to find a position during the war. Dr. Walker would only be in town for a short time and Sapphire feared she would miss her chance to join the cause, which was why she had to leave today. “I will do anything for my country,” she replied. “I have no fear of death, Logan. I have nothing to live for.”

“Sapphire…”

“No. My family would mourn me but briefly,” she signaled to the nurse that she was ready to dress and leave. “Logan, you have no reason to fear for me. What I am doing will not be near the battles, I promise.”

He sighed, relaxing slightly. “Good,” he smirked. “I would hate to have saved your life in the train wreck only to watch you lose it on the battle field, Saph. I do wish, however, that you were not in such a rush to leave the shelter of the hospital.”

“Why?” she asked, waiting impatiently for clothing. “I would think you would be happy to walk me along the Charles, or at least to the home I will be staying in.”

“Without a chaperone?” he asked, raising his eyebrows in question. “Miss Crane, I do believe you are being quite unlady-like. Where are your morals?”

“My father claims I was born without them and I am afraid he is correct,” she giggled. “Logan, if I cannot trust a man that is to be a Union soldier, whom should I trust? Besides, you’ve practically seen me nude, what would a walk hurt?”

“How can I argue with such justified logic?” he asked with a shrug. “Besides, my mother always told me that a lady is always right, no matter what she wants. If the lady wants a walk along the riverbank, who am I to argue?”

“It is settled,” she stood when the nurse came by, dropping her blue skirt and white blouse off. Her hair fell over her shoulders, barely covering her nipples beneath the white of her chemise.

Logan swallowed hard, his eyes focused on the beauty of her body, which was hidden beneath the thinnest of material on earth. “I think I should leave,” he rasped.

Fiery blue eyes met his. “Logan, you are staring,” she blushed slightly, embarrassed not only by her sudden change in attitude, but from the sheer heat his brown eyes radiated against her body.

“I cannot help but to ogle beauty, Sapphire, and you are quite beautiful,” his eyes met hers. “I am sorry for being so forward, but you must understand, never before has a woman been so…”

“Brash?” she supplied. “Never before have I wanted to be.”

His eyes met hers in understanding, both knowing that they had never felt the way they did when they were around each other. The warmth that flooded their bodies was fueled by their desires, both to love and yet to hate each other. It was like liquid lava flowing through their veins, warming their very centers and spreading from head to foot. Before dressing, Sapphire rounded the bed and neared him, attracted to his eyes and body. Her breathing was ragged as she slowly joined him on the bed, planning in her head to kiss him before she lost her nerve. Logan looked as ready as she felt, his hand coming up to caress her soft, pale cheek. The creamy skin feeling like silk beneath his hand.

Both slowly leaned in, closing the distance inch by painful inch before their lips were just a hair away. Sapphire closer her eyes, preparing herself for what were to come next. “Logan,” she whispered, her warm breath brushing his lips.

“Sapphire,” he replied raggedly.

Just as Logan was about to place his lips to hers, Bertha, who had impeccable timing, arrived. “Are you ready to be dressed, Miss Crane?” she asked, crossing her arms over her massive chest and staring Logan down.

Both groaned, pulling away and opening their eyes, angry to have been interrupted. Sapphire looked at him apologetically, brushing her hand over his cheek before walking over to Bertha. “Yes, I am ready.”

“I shall be outside,” Logan choked, fixing his own attire and standing. “I shall be waiting, Sapphire…for that walk I promised you.”

“I shall join you momentarily, Logan,” she smiled, blowing him a kiss and winking. “Do not stray far.”

“I shan’t,” he quickly left the room.

Sapphire glared at Bertha. “You did that on purpose you old hag. You knew he would have kissed me.”

Bertha just shrugged, the tell tale grin on her face giving away her thoughts. “I’m only here to serve, Miss.”

“Right,” Sapphire grumbled, beginning to dress. In her mind she continued the scene, sans interruption from Bertha. She could almost feel his soft lips against hers and the taste of his mouth as it pressed closer. She sighed again, chewing on her bottom lip and closing her eyes. One thing Sapphire knew for sure, before Logan went to war she would have his kiss and savor it for the remainder of her life…

However long that would be.

Chapter Seven

Sapphire sighed, looking out across the sunset dancing on the gently bobbing waves. Pinks and purples danced across the blue water in a harmonious fashion and she felt completely at peace. Glancing at Logan, she couldn’t help but smile. It had been so late when they finally left the hospital, after noon even, and Logan had taken her to the quaintest Café for lunch, ordering her anything she liked from the menu. They had sat in amicable silence for a time, finally starting to talk about family and Harmony, trying to stay as light hearted as possible. She completely enjoyed the way his eyes lit up when he spoke about his sister Tessa. They had spent three hours just laughing and talking, earning the looks of many angry patrons, before paying their tab and leaving the place hand in hand. Finally, they had arrived at the Charles River near sunset and decided to wait just a little longer before parting company, as inappropriate as that decision may be.

Despite the serene comfort around them, Sapphire had never been more confused in her life than at that moment. The way Logan had been that afternoon made her see the real man behind the family name. He had been gentle and patient, holding onto her when she felt the slightest bit dizzy. His eyes had warmed her body, his words her soul and Sapphire felt herself slipping even further into his grasps. She hated to admit it, but she was falling in love with Logan Fitzgerald, if she wasn’t in love already, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to stop it. Part of her still hated him, knew he still hated her name and remembered how horribly he had treated her because of it. But the rest of her, those insane places in her mind, told her that Logan was the man she was destined to be with and it frightened her terribly. She never planned to live a long life and she certainly never believed she would marry, but right then with Logan she thought anything was possible. What would happen if one of them didn’t survive this war?

“It is so beautiful here, so calm and placid. I always did love the water, especially the ocean,” she told him, eyes focused again on the waves.

“It truly is,” he looked at her, smiling the most dashing smile she had ever seen. “I have really enjoyed myself today, Sapphire. I never would believe that we could have so much in common.”

“I warned you,” she replied with a sigh, watching men row their lady loves to shore before the sun completely set. She wished she were out in a boat with a man that loved her so much. “I am not your typical debutant, Logan. I wish to leave a name for myself and if I marry it will for love, not for a good match. I want to be someone before my life is over.” She turned around, pressing her back against a nearby tree. “Logan?”

“Yes, Saph?” he asked.

“Do you…” she wasn’t quite sure how to phrase her question. “Do you believe that you can love someone the very first second you see him or her? Perhaps even just know a person the shortest time before…” she faded off, looking down at her hands.

Logan smirked, placing a finger beneath her chin so she would look into his eyes. “I would not have believed it, until I met you,” he told her, lifting her hand to his lips for a kiss.

She swatted at him playfully. “Very funny,” she blushed. “What happens now, Logan?” she questioned. “Do we part ways and hope that one day we meet again in Harmony? You are dedicating three months of your life to dangerous endeavors…we may never…”

“Shh,” he put a finger to her lips, stepping closer. “Sapphire Crane, I fully intend to make it out of this war alive. Besides, there is a chance we will see each other if you are a field nurse,” he smiled.

Sapphire chewed on her lip nervously, moving away from his body. She had no intention of telling Logan that her mission would be as arduous as his. “And you will write me?”

“Always. I shall find a way to write you, but you must write me first so I know where you are stationed. I shall tell you what company I am in so your letters will reach me. I shall not know until tomorrow, however, as I have been putting off my assignment date for you.”

She nodded, honored that her well being meant so much to him. “I should be getting back to the Warrington home. Surely they expected me to arrive earlier than now. They must be fretting.”

Logan understood, offering her his arm. “Come Saph, I shall walk you home.”

“Thank you,” she slipped her arm through his, smiling up at him. “Are you always this gallant, Logan?”

He led her out of the park, heading towards the homes on Beacon Hill where she was staying. “Hardly, my mother always insisted I was not much of a gentleman. She believed that if I were, I would not be so interested in fighting other men’s battles. You see where that has led me…”

“Indeed,” she laughed. “I, on the other hand, have always been perfect…”

He gave her a look, knowing all too well that couldn’t be true. “Why do I find that a rather difficult thing to believe?”

“Probably because it is not as true as I try to make it,” she giggled. “In fact, I lied to my mother about where I would be staying. My Aunt did offer me a room, but the league I will be working with has rooms for all the women involved. They notified me at the hospital that they have sent for more of my belongings and pooled together clothing for the time being from the other women. I do not know what I will do when Mother gets that telegram.”

Logan laughed. “You are wicked,” he teased, noticing that they had arrived at the home she would be residing in. “I supposed that this is the end of our walk, Sapphire. I wish it had not been so brief.”

“I as well,” she looked at the green door to the home, a feeling of dread consuming her. “This is it,” she shrugged, trying to keep a brave face.

He nodded. “Is it goodbye?” he asked.

“Do you want it to be?” she looked into his eyes.

“No,” he shook his head.

“Me neither,” she replied.

“Sapphire?” he took her hands into his, not breaking their eye contact.

“Yes, Logan?” she breathed.

“I am going to kiss you now,” he told her.

Sapphire whimpered as he pulled her into his arms, strong hands gripping her close. Slowly his lips descended, inch by agonizing inch until they were just a hair from her own. Her eyes fluttered shut, his warm breath brushing against her skin made her shudder. “Logan, please,” she whispered against his lips.

Answering her plea, Logan closed the distance, their lips meshing gently, sweetly, in a romantic kiss. His lips continued to brush against hers; once, twice and one last time before he slowly pulled away with a sigh.

“I need to go, Sapphire,” he cupped her cheek. “Tomorrow morning I shall leave you a letter stating where I shall be stationed.” He brushed his thumb across her lips. “Remember that kiss, Sapphire, for I shall remember it too. Let it keep you until we meet again.”

“I shall,” she lifted a hand to hiss cheek. “Be safe, Logan,” she kissed his cheek and rushed up the stairs, disappearing inside before he could say another word. She shut the door softly, learning back against it with her eyes closed and her chest heaving. She couldn’t believe she kissed him or allowed him to kiss her. Her insides felt like jelly but she never felt so alive in her entire life. There was no denying that she had feelings for him, none at all.

“That was a rather interesting display out there,” a soft voice called from a nearby doorway. “And a very handsome man. Your fiancé?”

Sapphire opened her eyes and cocked her head. “Who, may I ask, would like to know?” she straightened herself up, crossing her arms over her chest.

A woman stood before her, emerald green eyes shimmering brightly beneath dark lashes. She was about Sapphire’s height, perhaps slightly shorter, and had skin as smooth as porcelain with the slightest hint of a pink blush to her cheeks. Her flowing brown locks were loose, like Sapphires, but curled gently at the edges to caress her sides. She looked stunning in a dress the color of her eyes and Sapphire thought of the men that must have waited for her coming out gala. The girl had money; it was plain to see but instantly Sapphire knew she had met a treasured friend.

“Anya Leigh of Castleton, Maine. And you are?” she asked, pushing a loose hair behind her ear the blush on her cheeks deepening in color. Sapphire had to wonder if this girl had the potential to be a good spy.

“Sapphire Crane of Harmony, Maine. Why were you watching me?” Sapphire asked angrily.

“I…I saw you coming up the walk with that man and I was just interested on who you were. Call it a habit of a spy in training or just call it inquisitiveness, but I have always needed to know things. I am sorry if I angered you, I had no intention of insulting you.”

Sapphire sighed. “I suppose I am just nervous after the train accident.”

“I can hardly blame you,” Anya walked over to Sapphire. “We are to be sharing a room together until sent on assignment. They told me to expect you today from the hospital, I do hope you are feeling better.”

“Much, thank you, Anya. If you don’t mind showing me our room, however, I would like to get to bed early. I am quite tired and I believe that Dr. Walker is to meet with me in the morning.”

Anya nodded. “She shall be preparing us for assignments,” she explained, leading Sapphire up the grand oak staircase to the second floor. “Dr. Walker is an amazing woman, actually. She has already prepared many women for work and some are even joining the army. I do hope we make a difference in the war effort,” she took Saph to a bedroom with two four-poster beds. “This is our room. Anything you need is in the drawers and your trunk should arrive tonight. Welcome home, Sapphire,” Anya exited, letting her new bunkmate have some time alone.