Part One, Chapter Twenty-Two
The Journey Home
...
Courtney, Katie, Zoey and Tyler were under a bridge as it stormed. Zoey was holding a blanket over Tyler.
...
The next day was hot and they traveled through a sight that had been battleground as there were many bodies littering the ground.
"Oh," said Zoey trying to shade the baby with her hand. "Oh, my poor baby."
"Don't worry, Zoey," said Courtney slightly reassuringly. "Mother'll take care of him when we get home."
"Miss Courtney, I's powerful hungry," Katie complained. "We's got to have something to eat."
"Oh, hush up!" Courtney snapped. "We're nearly at Twelve Oaks. We'll stop there. Go on," Courtney added whipping the horse, who was foaming at the mouth.
...
They reached Twelve Oaks that night. It looked nothing like it did the day of the barbecue. It was now all in shambles. Courtney walked inside and looked around, looking lost.
Zoey looked out of the carriage and saw a tombstone. It read:
Owen Wilkes
1864
Zoey looked like she was about to cry as she sunk back into the carriage.
Courtney grabbed on to the banister of the stairs and looked around again. This time, she was crying.
"Oh, Mike," Courtney sighed. "Mike, I'm glad you're not here to see this. The Yankees! The dirty Yankees!"
Courtney heard something. She turned and she saw a cow.
"Katie, come tie up this cow!" Courtney called.
"We don't need no cow, Miss Courtney," said Katie. "We'll be home soon, and I's scared of cows."
"Tear up your petticoat and tie her on to the back of the wagon," Courtney ordered. "We need milk for the baby, and we don't know what we'll find at home."