A Lady's Choice

by Sandra Robbins

  Now it was Sarah’s turn to blush. She felt her cheeks grow warm, and she smiled at Ellen. “I hope so. I like Alex a lot.”

  “And he likes you too, darlin’.”

  “I’m glad.” Sarah grinned and bit down on her lip as she finished making the tea.

  Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Lancaster joined them. Sarah smiled and pushed to her feet to get him a cup of tea, but the expression on his face made her sink back into her seat. She tried to speak, but her throat felt paralyzed.

  He sat down across from her and exhaled. “I had hoped your mother’s condition would be better today, but it’s not. I can see a marked difference in her since the night of the party. I’m very concerned.”

  Ellen reached over and grasped Sarah’s hand. “Are you all right?”

  Sarah nodded and clutched Ellen’s hand tighter. “I—I don’t know.” She turned back to Dr. Lancaster. “Is there anything I can do to make her more comfortable?”

  He smiled and shook his head. “I’ve never seen anybody do more than you’ve done for your mother. See that she eats, and don’t let her overexert herself. She doesn’t need to climb those stairs. It might be a good idea to move her bed downstairs, maybe in the parlor, so she can look outside.”

  Ellen leaned forward. “I’ll get Alex and Augie to come do that as soon as Alex gets home.”

  “Thank you, Ellen.” She hesitated before asking the question she didn’t want to ask. “Do you know how much time she has?”

  Dr. Lancaster shook his head. “I leave those matters in God’s hands. I try to treat my patients as long as He sees fit to leave them here.”

  A tear rolled down Sarah’s cheek, and she wiped at it. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll be with her until the end.”

  “And we’ll be here helpin’ you,” Ellen said.

  Dr. Lancaster cleared his throat. “She said she’s been having trouble sleeping. I’ve given her a light sedative. Maybe she’ll sleep for a while. I hate to leave you on such a sad note, but I have some other stops to make this afternoon. So Ellen and I need to be going, but we’ll be back in a few days. If you find yourself facing an emergency you can’t handle, call for help right away.”

  Sarah’s eyes grew wide, and she turned a questioning look toward him. “And how would I do that? There are no telephones in Richland Creek.”

  Ellen laughed and patted her on the back. “I guess nobody’s told you about our distress call. Have you noticed that post with the big bell hanging from it out back of the house?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that’s what we call a dinner bell. The farm wives use it to call their family from the fields when it’s time to eat. But if somebody starts ringing their bell over and over without stopping, everybody knows it’s an emergency, and folks come runnin’ to help out. So if you need anything, you just pull the cord on that bell, and you’ll have neighbors here before you can bat an eye.”

  Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good to know.”

  She led them back through the house and to the front porch. They stepped outside and stopped just as another buggy rattled to a stop. Ellen’s face lit up when she spied her brother holding the reins.

  “Alex, when did you get back?”

  He grinned and climbed from the buggy. “Just a little while ago.”

  She turned to Sarah and smiled as he tied the horse to another limb of the tree where Dr. Lancaster’s buggy sat. “Didn’t I tell you he’d be over here as soon as he got back?”

  Sarah couldn’t take her eyes off Alex as he ambled toward them. His dark eyes sought hers, and he smiled before he glanced at his sister. “What are you doing here?”

  Dr. Lancaster laughed, met Alex at the bottom of the steps, and stuck out his hand. “I’m afraid I’m the cause of it. Your sister has been going with me on my rounds so she can show me where everyone lives in the community. She has really been a tremendous help.”

  Alex shook the doctor’s hand and smiled at Ellen. “I’m sure she was happy to do it.”

  “I was.” Ellen joined them at the bottom of the steps and smiled at her brother. “And I’m glad to have you back home. How did you make out on the exam?”

  He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I have no idea. It was two days of question after question, and I won’t know if I passed or not until October. I don’t know how I’m going to make it until then.”

  Ellen gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine, and I’m sure you passed. You studied hard enough for it.” She inclined her head toward Dr. Lancaster. “I’m going with Edmund on the rest of his rounds, and then I’ll be home to fix supper. Edmund’s gonna eat with us.”

  Alex smiled. “That’s nice. You’ll get to see what a good cook Ellen is.”

  “Oh, I already know. I’ve eaten supper with Ellen and Augie every night this week. I’ve never had such wonder-ful meals.”

  Ellen blushed and shook her head. “You’re gonna make me have the big head if you don’t watch out. Let’s go. You got patients waitin’.”

  Sarah struggled to keep from smiling at Alex’s bewildered look as Ellen and Dr. Lancaster climbed into the buggy and pulled out of the yard. When they’d driven down the road, he turned to Sarah. “Did I miss something?”

  She laughed. “I think while you were away Dr. Lancaster and Ellen became interested in each other.”

  His eyes grew wide, and his mouth dropped open. “What? She can’t be interested in anybody.”

  “And why not?”

  He climbed the steps to the porch and shook his head. “Because… Because she’s too old to be thinking about stuff like that.”

  Sarah burst out laughing. “Oh Alex, don’t be ridiculous. You should be happy for her. She’s probably lonely, and she’ll be even lonelier after you leave for Memphis.”

  “I asked her to come live with me.” He glared at her, which only made her laugh harder. He turned and stared in the direction of the buggy. “I can’t believe it. I’ve been gone all week, and she barely has time to say hello before she runs off with another man.”

  Sarah grabbed his hand and pulled him toward one of the chairs that sat on the front porch. “Quit acting like a spoiled child and come tell me about your week in Memphis.”

  He started to say something else, but then he grinned at her and allowed her to lead him to the chair. He dropped down in it, and she sat next to him. “Well, like I said, the bar exam was tougher than I thought it would be. I don’t know….”

  She held up her hand. “I want to hear all about how the exam, but I’m dying to know if you found out anything for me.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “Now who’s acting like a child?” He reached over and chucked her under the chin. “Only interested in what concerns you, Miss Whittaker?”

  “Oh Alex, quit teasing and tell me.”

  He swiveled in his chair so that he faced her. “All right. I won’t keep you in suspense. I found your father’s cousin at the bank where he worked. Since he’d set up the account with your money at the same bank, I confronted him about why you hadn’t received any checks lately. At first he denied any wrongdoing and ordered me out of his office. I went back to the law firm, and Mr. Buckley called the bank president, who happened to be a friend of his. He checked into the matter, and it soon became evident your cousin had been taking money from the account.”

  Sarah’s mouth dropped open. “But why? I thought he had money of his own.”

  Alex shook his head. “He did, but he’d about spent it all. He’d started frequenting the illegal gambling back rooms down on Beale Street and had lost nearly all of his. Not only was he taking your money, but he was embezzling from the bank as well. Fortunately for you and your mother, he had just started dipping into your funds, so most of it’s still there. But if we had waited much longer, it would all be gone. He’s been arrested on the embezzlement charge and will probably go to jail for a long time.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. “So we have
our money back?”

  He grinned. “Well, most of it. It should be enough to take care of you and your mother for a long time.”

  She gave a squeal of happiness, threw her arms around him, and hugged him. “Thank you, Alex, for helping us.”

  His arms tightened around her. “Mr. Buckley suggested that the bank put your name on the account. You can manage your money as well as anybody else can.”

  His words brought tears, and she pulled back and stared up into his eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help. I feel like you’ve saved us. I’m very grateful to you.”

  His eyes narrowed, and he pulled her closer. “I don’t want your gratitude, Sarah. I just want to be with you and know that you want to be with me too.”

  “I do,” she whispered. “I thought about you the whole time you were gone.”

  He was so close she could feel his warm breath on her face. She closed her eyes and tilted her face up as his lips descended on hers. In his kiss she could sense he’d missed her as much as she had him. She curled her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck. After a moment he broke the contact and pulled her against him.

  She pressed her cheek to his chest and felt the steady throb of his heart beating. It felt so right to be in his arms like this, and she wished the moment would never end. He bent down and whispered one word in her ear.

  “Sarah.”

  And with that one whispered word, she knew without a doubt her relationship with Alex had entered a new phase today. No matter what happened in the future or where she went, for the rest of her life, she would never be able to break the invisible bonds that tied her heart to his.

  Chapter Eight

  Sarah tiptoed into the room, stopped beside the bed, and stared down at her sleeping mother. Just as she’d promised, Ellen had sent Alex and Augie the next day after Alex returned from Memphis to move her mother’s bed downstairs. After two weeks, though, it didn’t seem to have mattered. Her mother grew less spirited each day, and when she was awake she did little more than lie on her side and stare out the window next to her bed. Whereas she hadn’t been able to sleep before, now she spent long hours unable to stay awake.

  Today Sarah barely recognized the pale face and frail body of the sleeping woman. Just a few weeks ago her mother had accompanied her to a party, and now she struggled for every breath she took. Her mother shivered, and Sarah tucked the cover around her before she sat down on the parlor sofa.

  Dr. Lancaster and Ellen had continued to come, and Sarah could tell her mother’s condition troubled him. Sarah realized his cheerful attitude was his attempt to keep her from being frightened. It hadn’t worked. She’d never been as scared in her life. When they’d first come to Richland Creek, Sarah thought she was prepared for what lay ahead. As the time grew nearer, she realized there were some things in life one could never be ready to experience. Perhaps the worst was becoming an orphan. She wiped at her eyes and picked up the needlework that lay on the table beside the sofa. Before she could take a stitch, she heard the whinny of a horse from the front yard. She rose and walked to the front door. When she opened it, she smiled at the sight of Alex tying his horse to the tree in the yard.

  She stepped on the front porch and watched him as he strode toward her and bounded up the steps. When he stopped beside her, he gave her a swift kiss on the cheek and looked past her to the door. “How’s your mother today?”

  “Not good. She’s been sleeping most of the day.” She pointed to the chairs on the porch. “Let’s sit out here where we can talk and not disturb her.” She sank down in one and closed her eyes as a cool breeze swept over her. “That feels good. Mama stays so cold I have to keep the house closed up. Sometimes I think I’m about to roast.”

  He reached over and covered her hand with his. “I’m sorry you’re going through such a hard time. Do you need anything?”

  “No. I’m fine. I’m just taking it day by day.” She settled back in her chair and ran her hands down the front of her dress to smooth out the wrinkles. “How’s Ellen?”

  A grunt of disgust rumbled in his throat. “She’s acting like a schoolgirl. Every day she’s off with our good doctor, and I don’t see her until nearly suppertime. Then he’s there to eat with us. You’d think the man didn’t have a home of his own.”

  Sarah giggled and shook her head. “Alex, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

  “What are you talking about?” His wide-eyed expression only made her laugh harder.

  “You should be happy for Ellen. She has a nice man showing her some attention, and she looks happy. You’ll be leaving soon, and she’ll be alone. I’m glad she has Dr. Lancaster to keep her company.”

  “Well, that’s what bothers me,” he grumbled, “Dr. Lancaster keeping her company.”

  “You like him, don’t you?”

  Alex shrugged. “He’s okay, I guess. But I don’t think he’s Ellen’s type.”

  Sarah leaned forward and grinned. “And what type does she need?”

  “Somebody like, uh…” His forehead wrinkled as if he was trying to think. “Somebody like…your Uncle Charlie, for instance.”

  Sarah’s mouth dropped open, and she stared in disbelief at him. “Uncle Charlie? Whatever made you think of him?”

  “Because they were engaged once.”

  Stunned, Sarah fell back in her chair and gaped at him. “Engaged? I never knew that. When?”

  “She was awfully young at the time, just seventeen.”

  Sarah frowned and tried to digest what Alex had just told her. “You told me that’s how old she was when you were born.”

  He exhaled a long breath. “Yeah. When my mother died, Ellen promised her she would always take care of me. Ellen wanted her and your uncle to raise me together, but he didn’t want to start married life with a ready-made family. So Ellen broke the engagement.”

  Sarah shook her head slowly from side to side. “I can’t believe I’ve never heard this story.” A thought popped into her head, and she sat up straight. “Is that the reason Aunt Clara was so rude to you the night of the party?”

  “Yes. I think she has a fear that deep down Charlie still loves Ellen, and she takes it out on both of them. Of course it’s ridiculous, but that’s what Clara thinks.”

  Sarah thought about all Alex had said for a moment before she crossed her arms and directed a smug smile at him. “Now I understand why you’re upset about Ellen and Dr. Lancaster. Ellen gave up the man she loved for you, and it’s always just been the two of you together. You’re jealous Dr. Lancaster may take your place with her.”

  He frowned and jumped to his feet. “I’m not jealous. I just don’t want her to be hurt.”

  She rose to face him, grinned, and wagged her finger in a mocking manner. “Protest all you want, counselor, but you won’t change my mind.”

  He raked his hand through his hair and grimaced. “Sarah, you are the most exasperating woman….”

  Her gaze strayed to the road, and she held up her hand to stop him. “Hold that thought, Mr. Taylor, I see the mailman coming. I’m hoping to get a letter.”

  She whirled and ran to the side of the road just as the buggy pulled to a stop. Mr. Wardlow, the mailman, leaned out and smiled at her. “Afternoon, Miss Whittaker. How’s your mama today?”

  Sarah looked past him to the stack of mail lying beside him on the seat. “She’s not doing too well.”

  Mr. Wardlow pushed his hat back on his head and stroked his long, white beard that hung to his chest. “I’m sorry to hear that. She able to be up much?”

  “No, not much.” She cleared her throat. “Do you have any mail for us?”

  His eyes grew wide, and he chuckled. “Oh, I guess you’re right anxious to see if that there letter came from Memphis you’ve been asking me about.”

  Sarah glanced once more at the stack of mail. “I am.”

  He laughed, reached down, and picked up a white envelope. He studied the front of it as if memorizing every word. “Y
ep, this one right here’s for you. It’s from a Mrs. Edna Simpson in Memphis. Is this the one you’ve been a-lookin’ for?”

  She held out her hand. “Yes, it is.”

  He nodded. “Well, it came all right.” He looked at the envelope again. “Who is this Mrs. Simpson?”

  “A friend. Now may I have my mail?”

  A startled look flashed on his face. “Of course you can. That’s my job, to deliver the mail.”

  He handed the letter to her, and she clutched it in her hand. “Thank you for bringing it, Mr. Wardlow.”

  He tightened his grip on the horse’s reins. “You got anything to send?”

  “Not today, but I may have tomorrow.”

  He touched the brim of his hat. “I’ll stop by then. Good day, Miss Whittaker.”

  “Good day, Mr. Wardlow.”

  Sarah waved the letter above her head as she raced back to the porch where Alex waited. He met her at the top of the steps. “What’s the matter?”

  She hopped onto the porch and held up the letter. “This is from the lady who runs the school where I was supposed to teach this year. Her name is Edna Simpson. I went there until I graduated. She has always liked me, and she kept in touch with me during the two years I was studying for my teaching certificate. When I graduated, she had a job waiting for me.” Sarah glanced back toward the house. “Of course I had to give it up.”

  “So why is she writing you now?”

  Sarah took him by the arm and led him to the far end of the porch away from her mother’s window. She leaned close to him and spoke in a soft voice. “We’ve written back and forth since I’ve been here. Her letters have cheered me so much when I felt down. She’s been my one link with the outside world, and I get so excited when one arrives. Do you mind if I glance over it quickly?”

  “Of course not. Go ahead and read it.”

  She ran her finger underneath the seal and pulled the letter out. As she read, her heart began to pound, and tears filled her eyes. When she finished, she looked up at Alex. “I can’t believe it.”

  He frowned. “What does she say?”