In exactly two weeks, it will be Christmas! It’s my favorite holiday. Here is an excerpt from my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, the first book in the Renegade Series. This glance into the past shows what a war-torn country was like in December, 1861.

The day of Callieâs Christmas party arrived. Rena and Josie had primped for a week, repeatedly trying on the five dresses they owned between them, until they finally came to a decision. David didnât give it much thought, since Callieâs charms had worn off with time, but he did carve a beautiful broach for her.
They reached the Copelandâs as dusk was setting in. It was an unseasonably warm evening, and Caroline remarked about how the weather seemed to be cooperating with the party. Pulling into the yard, they saw several other carriages and wagons parked outside. David directed Joe Boy to an open area. He jumped down, tied the draft horse to a shrub, greeted Percy, who was tending the horses, and after assisting his mother and sisters down from the wagon, he escorted them up the steps to the house. The stylings of festive violin music floated through the air. Caroline tapped on the door. Momentarily, Mr. Copeland answered, dressed in a waistcoat with matching black trousers.
âWhy, there yâall are!â he greeted them happily. âPlease do come in!â
Extending his hand to David, the two shook and followed the ladies into the parlor, which was aglow with glittering lights. Candles flickered on brass candlesticks, reflecting off blown-glass decorations that adorned an enormous pine Christmas tree regally standing in a corner. The women were attired in festive, colorful dresses, and the men wore fine suits. David thought the entire sparkling room was enchanting.
Josie and Rena saw some friends, so they went off to mingle. Mr. Copeland took Carolineâs arm and led her over to his wife, leaving David awkwardly alone. He gazed around for a familiar face, and finally found one. Jake ambled across the room in his direction, with Callie on his arm. She was radiant in a shimmering, bronze-colored, hooped gown. Her golden hair was drawn up and confined within a snood that matched the hue of her dress. Jake appeared similarly attractive in his best suit.
âGlad to see you could make it!â he exclaimed, giving his friend a playful punch on the arm.
âYâall knew we couldnât miss this.â
âWell, I should certainly hope not!â exclaimed Callie. âEveryone knows mine is the most extravagant party in the county this season. And we have cause for celebration, this beinâ the first yuletide since the start of the war.â Releasing Jake, she clamped onto David. âJake, would you be a darlinâ and go fetch me some punch?â
âIt would be my pleasure, Miss Callie,â he said with a smile. Giving David a wink, he strolled off into the crowd.
âNow, Mr. Summers, if you please, I would like you to come with me,â she said, giving his arm a tug, so he obediently followed along like a puppy.
The violinist, joined by a pianist, delved into a tender rendition of âSilent Night.â Callie stopped momentarily to listen, so David took his opportunity.
âMiss Callie, I made you a token,â he bashfully admitted. Withdrawing a small wrapped package from his pocket, he handed it to her.
âWell, I do declare! David, darlinâ, you shouldnât have!â She tore open the wrapping and pried open the box, revealing the broach he had painstakingly carved for her. âWhy, itâs absolutely breathtakinâ.â She pinned it onto the front of her gown. âI shall wear it always.â
Taking his hand, she leaned over to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek, barely missing his mouth.
He shied away, embarrassed. Clearing his throat while his face flushed, he muttered, âWhat did you want to show me, Miss Callie?â
âI would like to present you to some friends who are out back.â
He followed her to the garden, but immediately wished he hadnât, for as soon as they were outside, he saw several faces he recognized.
âDavid, you know Owen Ridgeway, and his brother, Lemuel.â
âHey, Summers,â said Lemuel in a friendly manner, but his older brother only glared.
âHey, yâall,â David responded genially, for Callieâs sake.
Jake arrived, and handed Callie a glass filled with sparkling red fluid. Seeing the tension, he said, âZeke, go on in and git yourself some punch.â
âDonât mind if I do,â he said, taking his chance to escape the scene. He knew Callie was unaware of the conflict, but he was riled, and he didnât wish to spoil her party, so he went inside to the food table.
The spread temporarily distracted him from a possible confrontation. Ham, turkey, stuffing, cornbread, pickles, garden vegetables, bread pudding, and assorted pies were displayed on gold leaf china. His mouth watered as he absorbed the sight.
Rena appeared beside him. âAre you enjoyinâ yourself?â she asked, taking a plate.
âI was, till Callie took me outside. That scoundrel Owen Ridgeway is here.â
âHe is?â
âYeah, and so is his brother. I donât have a quarrel with him, though.â
âJist avoid him, David,â she advised.
He looked over to see the seriousness in her gaze. âIâll be on my best behavior for Maâs sake, but if he tries to make a fuss, well âŚâ
âJist donât.â Rena glared insistently at him before moving on.
Once he had filled his plate, he walked across the kitchen, sat at the table, and began eating. Soon, several guests joined him, and struck up a conversation about his father. Isabelle scurried about to accommodate the partygoers, as did the Copelandâs five slaves, and a few others the neighbors had brought along to help support them.
After lingering for half an hour, David excused himself. He walked into the parlor, where he saw Jake and Callie talking to Alice Walker, so he joined them.
âOh, David, Miss Alice has jist informed us of the most dreadful news!â Callie leaned against Jake for support.
âWhat is it, Miss Alice?â he asked.
âWeâre movinâ to California,â she announced. A broad smile spread across her young porcelain-like face.
âCalifornee is a right far piece away!â Jake exclaimed with a chuckle.
She nodded. âMy pa has an uncle out that way who struck it rich, so weâre fixinâ to go next year sometime. Perhaps after spring thaw.â
David smirked through a flash of jealousy. âI wish I could go out to Californee and strike it rich,â he muttered.
Callie smiled at him. âPerhaps we can all go out for a visit later on,â she suggested hopefully. Turning toward the wall, she decided to change the subject. âDavid, have you seen the paintinâ my ma jist acquired?â
âNo.â He drew closer to have a look.
âPa bought it for her for Christmas. Ainât it magnificent?â
âIt surely is.â He gazed at the landscape, noticing how the bluish-purple colors of twilight were accurately represented.
âMy ma says that itâs right fittinâ and all. She says that this paintinâ, Twilight, symbolizes the transitions weâve all been goinâ throughâthe new Confederacy and two new presidents, talk of freeinâ the slaves, and the country splittinâ in two. Itâs like the dawninâ of a new day.â
David stared at the painting, reading her description into the swirls left by the artistâs brushstrokes, and reckoned she was right.
Mrs. Copelandâs high-pitched voice cut through the din. âMay I have your attention, please?â
Callieâs father tapped on a crystal champagne glass with a piece of silverware, causing it to ring out. The participants grew quiet.
âWe would like for all of our guests to please assemble out back in the garden!â she exclaimed, and motioned invitingly, so the partygoers followed her.
As David walked outside, he noticed the entire backyard had been redecorated. Paper lanterns strung across the length of the yard illuminated the setting, and musicians were gathered on a platform near the back. The violinist had transformed himself into a fiddle player. He was joined by a banjo player and a percussionist, who sat poised atop a stool with spoons in his hand.
âFor our first song,â the banjo player announced, âweâre playinâ a fine tune by Stephen Foster, called âO Lemuel.ââ
Owen guffawed at the reference, jabbing his little brother with his elbow. The music started, and the crowd coupled up. Walking out into the center of the straw-covered yard, they began swirling to the music. The chill in the air seemed to dissipate as the dancers moved in synchronized harmony across the makeshift dance floor.
David watched while a schoolmate, Thomas Halsey, escorted Rena. Jake and Callie took to the floor, as did their parents, even though Mr. Kimballâs injured leg prevented him from dancing with much elegance. Like he usually did at gatherings such as these, David partnered with his mother and younger sister, dancing to the lively melodies of âThe Yellow Rose of Texasâ and âJim along Josie.â He danced with Alice, and once, timidly, with Callie, who complimented him on his stylish grace. When the music changed to a waltz, she stated that she thought he would easily fit into high society with his fancy footwork.
After the musicians took a break, he strolled into the house for refreshment. Owen followed, confronting him in the kitchen.
âThink youâre quite the rooster, donât you? Dancinâ with every gal at the party.â He stared provokingly with penetrating green eyes, his blond hair tussled atop his head.
David whirled around to face him. Owen had always been a showoff, and was constantly teasing him because he was left-handed, and trying to outdo him at every opportunity.Â
âThat ainât none of your concern. Savvy?â
Owen snorted. âYouâre worthless. You ainât nothinâ but a weasel. All you can do is hide behind them skirts!â
Rena entered to see her brother bristle at his adversary. âDavid âŚâ she warned.
âNot now, Rena,â he growled back.
âRecall what we discussed.â She could see from across the room that her brotherâs eyes were darkening from hazel to brown, which to her was a bad indication.
âI want to have a word with you out on the veranda, Ridgeway,â David stated.
He tromped off through the house. Owen grinned, traipsing behind. David heard his motherâs voice as she entered the kitchen.Â
âWhatâs goinâ on in here?â she asked.
âDereâs âbout to be trouble out front, Miss Caroline,â Isabelle explained as she gathered a trayful of dirty dishes.
âItâs Owen Ridgeway again, Ma,â added Josie.
Caroline growled, âIâll put a stop to this.âÂ
âNo, Mrs. Summers,â Jake intercepted. âAllow me.â He sauntered through the house as voices outside escalated, and went outside to see David and Owen glaring intensely while throwing verbal spears at each other.
âI know it was you who killed my dog last winter!â David roared. âYou did it jist to spite me, because you were jealous!â
âWhy would I be jealous of you?â Owen mocked a laugh.
âBecause Iâm smarter than you, and you know it.â
âYou cheated on those school exams so you could graduate! You lied about your pa fightinâ at Manassas, too! Youâre spoiled and soft!â
âIâll have you take that back!â
âNow, boys,â Jake interrupted, âthere ainât no need forââ
Suddenly, Owen lurched at David, who threw a punch into his attackerâs face. They were immediately wrestling on the veranda, tumbling over each other while grunting, cursing, and yelling. Members of the party dashed outside, alarmed by the commotion. Jake managed to break the two apart, and held his friendâs arms behind his back. Lemuel seized his brother in the same manner. The two opponents snorted like bulls, their faces red with vehemence. A trail of scarlet blood trickled from Owenâs nose.
âTake it easy!â Jake hollered.
Mr. Copeland stepped in. âWhat is the meaning of this?! I will not have you two behave this way at my gatherinâ!â He stomped over to Owen and took him by the ear. âIâm throwinâ you out, young man! Youâre no longer welcome here!â Leading Owen to the steps, he thrust him toward the yard. Lemuel meekly scurried after his brother. âOff with you now, and donât come back!â
The brothers staggered toward their wagon, climbed in, and rode off down the lane.
Turning toward David, who was panting to catch his breath, Mr. Copeland sighed. âDavid, I thought better of you than this.â He walked past him and went inside.
The words stung more than any expulsion could. Frowning, he looked at his startled family, at Jake, who simpered at him, and at Callie, who scowled at him. He knew what he had done, although it was unintentional, and he felt deeply ashamed. He had ruined Callieâs Christmas party.
Soon, the family decided it was best to leave. Barely speaking to each other, they returned home and retired to their bedchambers. The next morning, on their way back from church, Josie broke the silence.
âHow come Owen Ridgeway donât like you?â she asked straightforwardly.
David shrugged. âHe never has, and I donât cotton to him, neither.â
She chuckled faintly. âI reckon you would if he was nice to you.â
He shrugged again. It was a situation he assumed he would likely never know.
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