After a reenactment weekend, Goose Tucker inadvertently brings home Civil War soldier Jefferson Eaves’ diary and is shocked to discover Jefferson’s spirit has come along, too. Through the diary, Jefferson tells Goose about his true love, Calvin, who was a former slave who fought for the Union. With no record of Calvin’s death or service found, Goose figures Jefferson might not want to cross over until Calvin receives due recognition. Jefferson also speaks of an acorn planted as a sign of commitment to their future. When reenactment leader Patrick O’Hanlon calls looking for the diary, he tells Goose about his plans to return down south to protest the chopping down of an old oak tree. Is this the tree that grew from Calvin and Jefferson’s acorn? Goose, with Jefferson in tow, decides to go with Patrick to find out. What happens between the four men once there is a lesson in healing and love.

Ghost Writer

Even Charlotte was still where she’d lighted, beside the torch-style wall light glowing against paper that felt like fabric.


The lights flickered. All of them, and I jumped.


“Not funny, Jeff.” I knew it wasn’t him. “Stupid storm.” It had quieted for a bit but seemed to be coming around again.


This time, I jumped higher than Simone Biles. “Jesus, Rip. You scared the crap out of me.”


“What, you thought I was a ghost or something?”


“Maybe.” I stuck the diary down the back of my shorts. “Actually, I thought you were sleeping.”


“I got worried about you.” Rip looked down at his shoes.


“You don’t have to do that. Really.” I looked at his shoes, too. They were ugly—slip-on black walking shoes with white socks and cargo shorts. I couldn’t take him anywhere.


“Patrick said you might be in here.”


“You should sleep,” Rip said. “We’re going to be awake over twenty-four hours straight.”


Chapter 8