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they celebrated a subdued Christmas and ushered in the new year. The crisp morning air energized her as she watched the brown bank sliding past them.
    A modest frame house perched on the western side of the river caught her eye. It amazed her how much the river had changed in the years since she’d first traveled its length as a young girl with her parents. Houses like the one they were passing dotted the landscape in ever-increasing numbers. She smiled and waved at a boy and girl who stood watching from the front porch.
Lord, please bless us with children of our own.
    A picture of the family’s dinner table formed in her mind, the boy on one side of the table, his sister on the other. Their parents would be situated at either end. She could imagine them joining their hands as the father asked God to bless their meal. Then they would laugh and recount the day’s adventures, perhaps even mentioning seeing
Water Lily
steam northward on the Mississippi River.
    “You look awfully pensive on such a fine morning.”
    Lily jumped at the unexpected sound of her husband’s voice. “Where did you come from?” She took a moment to study his masculine good looks. It never ceased to amaze her that such a wondrously handsome man had fallen in love with her, plain as she was. He could have turned the head of any female along the wide river, but he had chosen her to become his bride.
    “I saw my beautiful wife standing out here all alone and came to see what might be on her mind.” Blake pulled her into his arms and planted a warm kiss on her lips.
    Lily melted against him as always, lost in the tender devotion he lavished on her. He was the best husband anyone could hope for—a man who sought God earnestly and worked hard to follow His leading. When they first met, he had not been as admirable in his outlook, but God had worked a miraculous change in Blake. He had taken a hardened gambler, a man who thought he didn’t need anyone, and changed him into a thoughtful, kind, and generous disciple. Blake was always ready to tell anyone they met about Christ’s death and resurrection and the difference His sacrifice made in the lives of all who accepted His free gift.
    When he finally released her, Lily’s cheeks burned in the cool air. “I love you.”
    “Of course you do.” His eyes, bluer than the sky on a cloudless day, teased her. He wrapped her in his arms once more, this time resting his chin on her head. “I love you, too … more than I could ever have imagined.”
    A sigh of pure bliss filled Lily’s lungs. She closed her eyes and thanked God for blessing her beyond anything she’d ever dreamed might be possible.
    Their embrace lasted for several minutes before the long whistle of an approaching steamer separated them. Blake leaned against the rail, and she raised a hand to shade her eyes as the vessel drew nearer.
    It had once been a merchant steamship much like the
Water Lily
, but unlike their boat, this one had become a warship. Steel plates covered the lower decks, featureless except for the cannons protruding from narrow openings along the side. Even the pilothouse and the great paddle wheel at the end of the boat were covered with shielding. The twin smokestacks belched black smoke, and cinders fell on the gray-suited soldiers who sat, walked, or lounged on the upper deck, their weapons close at hand.
    Lily waved, even though her heart was heavy at this reminder of the terrible struggle that had been going on for nearly a full year. A few of them saluted or waved, but most of the group ignored her gesture.
    She and Blake watched the boat until it disappeared around a bend in the river. “Where do you think they’re going?”
    Blake shrugged. “To defend one of the southern ports, I imagine.”
    “I’m so worried about letting Camellia attend school in New Orleans. I hate the idea of being unable to reach her.”
    The color of Blake’s eyes seemed to change as a cloud briefly obscured the sun. “You’ve