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

Both Patrick and Jefferson got a kick out of the duet.


I dug out my sketchpad before dinner and convinced Patrick to pose for me. It was already after ten P.M. What was another thirty minutes, I figured. We’d done plenty of snacking on the road, anyway.


“I’ve never modeled before,” he said.


“You should. You’re very handsome.” I cringed. “Sorry.”


“For complimenting me? I’ll take it and thank you. How should I sit?”


“Just get comfortable. It takes a while, especially without an assistant.”


“An assistant?” Patrick asked. “I never thought of drawing as a collaborative effort.”


“I hadn’t either, not until very recently.”


I was partway through the sketch before we spoke again.


“Do you believe in ghosts?” I asked.


“Hmm. I guess it depends. Scary, mean, out for revenge ghosts? No. Do I believe people have spirits that can come around when we need them? I hope so.”


Chapter 39