“Excellent! I wish I had my spyglasses,” John reported, at seeing the fleeing fowl. “I’m fascinated by fliers.”
“Do you wish for your red ones?’ Rachael asked, grinning, realizing he was still holding her hand.
“Yes,” he whispered, close to her, as if to keep Monty at bay. “We’ll take in sights with them.”
“I was wondering if Miss Hathaway would care to join me for a carriage ride?” the lieutenant asked.
Rachael was torn. “Do I have any duties to attend to this afternoon, Dr. Davis?” she asked.
“None,” he replied, glancing at Lieutenant Graham.
So, with no excuse, she accepted the invitation to see the nearby countryside.
“You know, the railroad will soon be here,” the lieutenant explained, minutes later, pointing with his left hand, after coaxing his carriage horses to a halt. “That will make it possible to see many things and also to travel to various distant places. It will open up the west and the entire country, really. New homes will sprout up in unexpected places. Foods and other goods will be easily transported, transforming lives.”
“I’m transfixed by the very thought of it. At home, we haven’t realized the depth of trains and railroads, yet,” she explained. “I’m anxious to write my family about this. Perhaps they will travel to visit me that way, someday.”
”We can send for them any time you wish, Miss Hathaway,” he informed her, surprising and reassuring her with his kind offer. “I’m sure John would agree to it and probably intends to do just that.”
“Why yes, he does. He said so. For the holidays, they will come to visit. But we aren’t yet certain just when our men will return home.” She glanced at him, studying his kind expression.
Watching the dragonflies of Dragonfly Pond made them certain they would soon fly to their own missions
“I’m not sure where I’ll make my home, yet. Being a Red Cross volunteer could take me anywhere,” he explained. “It’s a duty I can not deny, for now, especially since I have no wife at home.”
“Oh, I see. I did not know you were a volunteer, or a bachelor. I’m so very impressed.”
“I hope you are, Rachael. Yes, we volunteer. That’s one reason John, Buddy and I traveled to Washington recently,” he admitted. “It was more business than pleasure, I can assure you. Yet, there is a certain gratification in assisting others.”
She was shocked that he had called her by her first name. “I wonder if Dr. Davis will go again, with his wound and all. He’s said nothing to me of leaving.”
“Well, he’s a modest man. He doesn’t speak of his doctoring very often,” he explained, defending John. “Plus, you are correct. There is his wound to consider. It may very well keep him home for a time.”
“It should.” She looked down, pondering his words and hers. “I notice that he enjoys the widow Worthington’s company,” she blurted, half questioning, then was sorry for it and embarrassed beyond words.
He surprisingly took her gloved left hand in his. “Rachael, this is where your ring will go,” he said, lightly touching her ring finger and emphasizing the word ‘your.’ “There is not one from John yet.”
She pulled her hand away, not realizing his point. “Of course, there isn’t.” She was indignant.
At that very moment, the three ragged soldiers who had camped across from the Magnolia Gardens grounds sprinted to the carriage, surprising them. They were laughing joyfully, yet the lieutenant was not amused at being interrupted just now. Rachael was, however. Joy showed upon her lovely face.
“Jay, Jason, and Joshua at your service, sir,” Jay announced in introduction, breathing heavily.
“We thought you were half way home by now, since you left the church so abruptly, and I’m amazed that you finally gave us your names,” the young nanny quickly explained. “I’m glad.”
“No, Miss Hathaway,” Joshua began. “We were invited by kind folks to have meals with them.”
“A warm bed awaits us tonight,” Jay continued, happily conveying this bit of information.
“We have been invited for supper, too,” continued Jason, enthusiastically.
“That’s wonderful! The Magnolia Gardens kitchen staff will also prepare more food for your journey home,” Rachael informed the three. “My employer has said as much. Please let us know before you intend to depart the area.”
It was then that the lieutenant noticed blood dripping down the arm of one of them. “You must allow me to attend to your wound, young man,” he advised the victim. “I am an Army surgeon.”
Rachael placed one hand over her mouth. “Oh, no,” she said, sympathetically, when she saw the blood. Yet, she was impressed that the lieutenant also had surgical skills.
He immediately jumped down from the carriage and reached for a black satchel in the back. Within moments he cleaned and covered the wound. “That warm meal and rest will do you good tonight.”
“Thank you ever so much,” Jason replied, thanking him profusely, inspecting his bandaged arm. “I must have caught it on a fence. I’ll make it up to you, doctor, someday. I promise on the moon.”
“Well, that’s a pretty special promise, I must say. Here, take these supplies, please. Clean it every day and change bandages,” he advised, offering him some much needed help.
Rachael’s heart was touched by this compassion. On the way back, she spoke of it, but the lieutenant remained mostly silent, except for when he told her he hoped that she would not leave before telling him of her impending departure. He also handed her a telescope, so that she might view deer, antelope, an occasional red fox, rabbit, or red-tailed hawk in the distance. At times, he stopped the carriage, pointing, until she spotted an animal and had a good look at it. Occasionally, he’d pick up the pace again when she nodded and smiled at recognizing each animal or bird. Others were out in carriages, also, or walking, enjoying the day, which made her feel a part of this community.
“Oh, Emery is here and Mrs. Worthington,” the lieutenant announced, as he stopped his carriage near Emery’s in the half circle drive in front of John’s manor, and saw Amber’s shawl draped over the seat.
A scowl touched Rachael’s face, revealing her displeasure.
“Should we go inside or feed the squirrels?” he asked with a grin.
“Never before have I been asked if I wished to enter an abode or feed the squirrels, instead, sir, nor shall I be asked it again, I presume,” she laughed. Turning serious, she then asked, “How do you know that Mrs. Worthington is here?”
“Her pink shawl is there. See it? So, let us go feed the squirrels, shall we, for I assume that is what you would prefer to do, Rachael.” He pointed to the rock path running parallel to the house.
“We give squirrels apples, nuts, and corn at home. Did you know that Johnny Chapman planted rows of apple trees for people to enjoy, and squirrels, too, I would imagine? He was quite a horticulturist.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of him,” he informed her.
“He is really quite a legend. Some call him Johnny Appleseed,” she happily told her escort. Monty helped her down from the carriage, yet did not let go of her hand as he escorted her.
“It was very generous and caring of him to do so, I would say,” Rachael further explained.
“Yes, because by planting those trees, that nurseryman showed others how to plant orchards.”
She agreed. “He may have even saved the lives of some hungry pioneers.”
“Yes, that’s possible. Now, come with me, please. Let’s not wait for Crane to answer the door.”
Instead, they traversed the front path, though it was somewhat narrow and rocky.
“Actually, I find you quite handsome, yet secretive, which intrigues me,” she bravely explained.
“Do you? Around this corner and to the adjoining Kitchen Garden Path we go,” he instructed.
&n
bsp; “You’re really quite bossy, you know, Dr. Graham,” was her retort.
He stopped short and took her into his arms. She pulled away. Silently, he knocked on the door. “Yes, Monty?” The cook greeted him with a questioning twinkle in her eye.
“May we have some bread?”
Rachael thought him to be a little too short with her. “It’s for the birds and squirrels, Miss Callie.”
“I see,” the cook answered. “I’ll be right back.”
“Fall in love with me, Rachael,” Monty advised, after Miss Callie left, as Rachael studied a bird.
“Doctor, you’re impossible, and daring,” she declared. “But, I’m too young to fall in love.”
“Nonsense,” he whispered, stepping close to her again.
Miss Callie appeared to offer them a bag of breadcrumbs, walnuts, and apple slices.
“She feeds them, too,” he informed Rachael, as he took her hand again to walk the circle path.
“I know,” Rachael laughed, thrilled, because she liked animals, and apparently he did, too.
“I know there are plenty of apples for just such a purpose, because John and I always keep the apple barrel well stocked, especially now that we’re tending him,” Monty explained to her with a chuckle.
“You do?” she asked, as he steered her to the wooden resting bench. “Did you know my cousin brought a box, also, when he visited me recently? Do you have an orchard at home?” She accepted some of the breadcrumbs to scatter, and then watched as he placed some near a bird bath. Soon, to their delight, birds flocked there, plus a squirrel, a chipmunk, and her kitten, which was chasing a butterfly. She picked her up and watched as creatures took food to eat or store.
“Yes, yet, I believe I’ll plant more apple trees after watching these hungry critters,” he quietly chuckled. “Listen to their voices, Rachael. Watch their mannerisms and how they interact together, and you will soon learn what their hearts are trying to say,” he advised her in a whisper, without looking at her, still scattering some of the mixture. “You may even learn what my heart is trying to say, and no, I did not know your cousin visited you.” The lieutenant seemed very serious.
“Are you referring to the birds or the squirrels and chipmunks?” she asked, laughing, trying to lighten the mood, while she petted her kitten.
“Rachael, you know exactly what I mean. Watch us, John, Emery, Miss Worthington, and myself.” He took her hand. “Shall we go inside and observe, or stay here and share a kiss and bliss?”
“Well,” she huffed. “We shall absolutely go inside. Let us check your theory by merely watching people.”
So, they did. “Amber, I’m taking Miss Callie and Miss Mariah to help bring Lily home. You needn’t come,” John was saying, as Monty and Rachael neared the fireplace room. Monty placed a finger on his lips to indicate silence. Then, he winked. They stopped at the threshold to hear Amber Worthington’s retort.
“Really, John?” Amber questioned. “I thought you’d take your nanny with you,” she suggested, as if encouraging the idea.
Monty and Rachael grinned, dropped hands, and said nothing as they entered. It was then decided that Monty would stay at Magnolia Gardens while the three traveled to get Lily. Mrs. Worthington left soon thereafter, not staying for dinner. Yet, surprisingly, she hugged Rachael on her way out.
While John and his help were away the next day, the lieutenant and Rachael took a walk on Town Road. Diligently, she was searching for a particular tree and she told that to her companion. “It must have a high hollow where I can place something to protect it from the rain and wind,” she explained.
“How mysterious,” was his reply, while he studied her instead of looking for the proper tree.
“Well, you must not tell anyone.” Whispering, she then explained, “It shall be our secret.”
Her companion crossed his arms across his body. “Do you know how very intriguing that is, Rachael, a secret with you? May I ask for more information about this Magnolia Gardens mystery or not?”
“Well, I must say, you are mysterious, too, lieutenant.” She pointed to an oak and they headed toward it. “You shall receive more information only if you promise not to breathe a word of it to anyone.”
“I promise, Rachael, for I am charmed by the idea of keeping a secret with you, about anything.”
“It’s not much of a secret, I assure you. This is it! This shall be the hiding place!” She had found the perfect niche she was looking for in a tree not far from the manor. Scooping dry leaves and three acorns from a hole onto the ground, she laughed. “This will shelter the botanical stationery which I shall be creating.”
“Oh, you’re making stationery, are you?” he asked, watching her intently. “Now, I understand.”
“No, you don’t. Yet, I’ve already found buyers and intend to raise funds for our coffers, since…” She changed the subject because she felt he should not know of John’s finances. “I enjoy doing it.”
He turned to gently place his hands upon her lovely shoulders. “I understood more than you think I do, and I won’t, tell, Rachael. But, I will propose marriage. Then, I shall take you home to Fernhaven.”
“What?” To her surprise, he studied her lips. She saw a gentleness in his face and actions that pleased her, while thinking he might wish to kiss her. She whispered, “Monty, no,” admonishing him, and it seemed to be all the incentive he needed. Slowly, carefully he leaned toward her. Their lips touched. His kiss was warm. Afterward, Rachael looked away, confused. Actually, she felt close to him and thought he could be trusted. Still, she had not quite expected this display of affection, or her reaction to it.
“I will say nothing about our walk, your oak tree niche, your stationery, or our kiss,” he whispered, as he held her close. “Rachael, those will remain our secrets, because I have deep feelings for you,” he confessed. “Mark my words. I am quite serious.”
“I see that, although you hardly know me, lieutenant. Why did you kiss me?”
“I would follow you to the ends of the earth,” was his response.
His confession shook her to her very core. “Lieutenant, I don’t know what to say to you.”
“Say ‘Yes.’” He tucked her arm around his and nodded toward the manor. “Shall we go?” he asked, indicating that they should return to the house. “You shall know what to say, someday, dear Rachael.”
“I can’t say yes,” she whispered in return. “You’re confusing me, Dr. Lieutenant Monty Graham.”
For John, the trip was uneventful, though emotional. He held up well, however, as Miss Callie and Miss Mariah would later attest, quietly to Rachael. Upon their return, Rachael had waited for them at the door, while Monty and Crane stepped outside to tie up the carriage horses, temporarily, and help the passengers disembark. Crane then, as always, took the carriage around to the barn and stables, keeping the missing horses a silent secret, still.
A light breeze blew in from over the fields and nearby marshes. The scent of honeysuckle blossoms entered the hallway from Daisy Hollow and the Davis gardens. Rachael breathed in those heady scents, enjoying them, trying to steady her nerves after Monty’s declaration of affection and sweet kiss.
John was nervous. Lily kept calling ‘Mommy,’ then she would peek at both sides of the entry door, and finally studied the swag. Pointing to it, she giggled with excitement. Rachael liked the colorful, lace-trimmed ornament, too. At least they had that much in common. Soon, she’d find other ways she and the child could share things with enthusiasm.
“Rose made that swag,” he told Rachael. Then he knelt before his young daughter. “Lily, this is a new friend, Miss Hathaway. Say ‘Hello,’ please,” he instructed. But the child was shy, perhaps scared. She ran to Miss Mariah and Miss Callie, trying to hide in their long, flowing skirts.
Rachael knew it must be difficult for her. She would have to give Lily some time
to adjust, and she sincerely hoped her employer understood that. “Hello, Lily,” she quietly greeted the child.
“I’ll entertain her until dinner. It will give her some time.” Her father expressed his best wisdom.
“I think she will feel better after she eats something,” Rachael informed him.
“That’s a splendid idea! You are free to go, ladies. I’ll feed her.” He scooped up his little darling and headed down the long hall toward the kitchen, with a smiling Miss Callie, Miss Mariah, and Rachael following closely behind him, since they were a bit skeptical that his food offerings would be proper.
“The child needs soft, small bits of food, you know, doctor,” Miss Callie warned.
“We’ll help,” Rachael advised, smiling at the other two women, wishing to perhaps learn more about her young charge. Yet, things were no better in the kitchen between her and Lily. The little girl refused food when her nanny tried to give it to her and would only take bites from her father, the cook or the maid, people she already knew and trusted. Rachael, John, Crane, and the lieutenant realized that it would take time for Lily to learn that Rachael was really her friend.
Later, after Emery and Buddy arrived, John escorted his guests to see Butterfly Rest. There, he took Monty aside to ask if he would escort the men on a buggy ride to show them some scenery. The lieutenant was skeptical, reluctantly agreeing, knowing John needed some quiet time to himself, even though Monty thought John’s real reason was Rachael. As the group was leaving and Lily was being put to bed by Miss Callie and Miss Mariah, John asked Rachael if she would join him in the gardens.
Although she thought him sneaky for sending his friends away, she agreed. “Yes, of course, I will.” Disappointed by Lily’s attitude and actions, she tried to be understanding, and assumed they needed to talk. Certainly she hoped that this new development of the Davis daughter not liking her, nor accepting her, didn’t mean that her employment here would be terminated so soon.
Sanctuary Page 15