The Bride Price

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  Sophie would have to figure out a way to get the hospital ready for the wounded that would be coming through the doors – or tent flaps, as the case may be. She’d have to get Christine and the rest of the nurses prepared for the onslaught.

  Gripping Jamie’s arm, her eyes filled with tears as he turned toward her. “Jamie, please be careful. I’ll pray for you. Just know it will be over in three days, and I want you home immediately.” She pulled him closer and whispered. “This is my battle. The one I spent the most time reading about, working with the team to reenact, and the one I never shut up about. Please try to remember what I told you. Do you hear me?”

  He kissed her. “I promise.”

  Sophie took off running back to the house. Letting herself in the front door, she headed for the dining room. Michael, Nona, and Christine were sitting at the table eating breakfast.

  “Sophie? Is everything all right?” Michael stood, a look of concern on his face.

  “General Lee is attacking Gettysburg. All cavalry have been called up. Jamie and Richard have gone to help.”

  “Oh, my,” Nona exclaimed.

  Sophie looked at Christine. “We have to get the hospital prepared for the wounded. We need to make sure there are clean linens and boil all of the instruments. We should have fresh water and get together whatever medication we can.” She used her fingers to check off the things she thought they would need. “We need to call in every doctor we can find, same with the nurses. Make sure the icehouse is packed—we can treat the minor injuries with ice.”

  “Sophie, slow down. I can’t keep up with you,” Christine said.

  The next two days were spent preparing the hospital. Even Dr. Palmer joined in. He tried to fight her on some of her “insane ideas” but Sophie didn’t care. If, God forbid, Jamie came in wounded, she was not going to let anyone butcher him.

  Beyond tired by Friday night, Sophie was thankful she was able to sleep; however, she woke on Saturday morning with a feeling of dread. This would be the day the wounded and dead would arrive. Sophie got up, got herself dressed, and ate a quick breakfast. Opening the front door, she saw Christine coming up the driveway in her little carriage and barely waited for her to stop before jumping in.

  “Good morning. Are you ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. Do you mind if we pray?” Sophie asked.

  Christine shook her head and they said a quick prayer. Sophie would find herself praying several times over the trying day.

  The wounded started trickling into the hospital at ten o’clock. They poured in at eleven. Sophie was frantic. She hadn’t seen Jamie or Richard, and she was having a hard time concentrating on what was going on around her not knowing if they were safe.

  She spent her time comforting the wounded and trying to keep the instruments as clean as possible. She knew it would be impossible for some of them to keep their limbs but tried to suggest splints whenever she could, for those soldiers who hadn’t already been amputated in the field.

  By four o’clock she was beside herself. It was so hot, the hottest it had been, some would say, and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to stand up straight much longer. She felt sick to her stomach from not only the heat but also the worry. She told Christine she needed a break and had just walked outside when she saw Jamie walking towards her. She ran, throwing herself into his arms, uncaring that his body was filthy and covered in blood.

  “Oh, God, Jamie? Are you all right? Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.” She started giving him the once over, looking for bullet wounds.

  He smiled. “I’m fine, Sophie.” He grabbed her hands. “Sophie, the blood’s not mine. I’ve been helping to gather up the wounded. How are you?”

  She threw herself back into his arms. “I’m okay now that I know you’re safe. Where are Richard and Samson?”

  “Let’s find somewhere to talk, all right?” Jamie said.

  Sophie’s terror grew as Jamie drew her over to one of the smaller tents set up for the doctors. Sophie grabbed the lapels of his jacket. “Jamie, tell me. Please.”

  “Richard was riding Samson, and a cannonball went off a few hundred feet from them.” Sophie’s hand went to her mouth. “Samson sustained a nasty wound. Not only that, but Richard’s leg was broken from the impact of Samson falling on him.”

  “Why was Richard even there? He’s not a soldier!”

  “He wanted to help.”

  “Did they shoot Samson?” Sophie’s eyes filled with tears. The thought of such an incredible animal being killed was heartbreaking.

  “The General was ready to, but Richard and I convinced them not to. We’ll try and patch him up over the next few days and see how he does. We didn’t shoot Richard either, although it was tempting.”

  Sophie gave him a sarcastic grin. “Thank you. So, where are they?”

  “They’ll be here. Don’t worry.”

  “Did Samson get up?”

  “Yes. He did remarkably well. However, he’s limping severely and not happy to have anyone near him. We found a young private that Samson didn’t object to quite as much, so he’s leading him home.” He smiled down at her and pulled her into his arms. “Let me hold you for a minute.”

  She buried her face in the rough wool of his jacket as his arms wrapped around her. “I was so worried, Jamie. Tell me everything that happened.”

  “Later.”

  Before Sophie could say anything, she saw Samson being led up the hill by a young man, a very young man. Samson’s limp was severe, but it looked as though someone had tried to bandage his leg. He was giving the young soldier a devil of a time, so Sophie pulled herself away from Jamie.

  “Samson,” she called.

  Samson turned his head toward her and trumpeted a greeting as she rushed toward him. Stopping in front of him, she put her palm out, and he nuzzled her hand as she crooned to him and moved her hand up his face. “Shhh, what a big brave horse you are. That’s a good boy.” She moved her hand down his neck and started moving her body to the rear of his to have a looked at his injury.

  Jamie startled her, and the horse, as he grabbed her from behind. “Sophie, what are you doing? He’s already kicked two men while they were trying to bandage him. You need to stay back. We’ll have Michael look at him and then you can visit when he’s all fixed up.”

  The horse nickered, almost in disagreement.

  “Jamie, he’s not going to hurt me, he knows me.” She moved back to the horse’s side and slowly moved her hand down his rear leg, crooning sweet words to him the entire time. He lifted his hoof automatically, but rather than kicking out as everyone expected, he held it still for her to look at more closely.

  “Good boy.” She pulled the bandage off and took a closer look, scrunching her nose up at the sight. Shrapnel and dirt were encrusted in the deep wound and a flap of skin peeled itself away from the leg, which would more than likely need to be stitched back. It looked painful and her heart broke for him as she took a deep breath and stood slowly.

  “Sophie,” Jamie warned.

  “What?” she snapped in irritation. “He is not going to hurt me.” She moved to his neck again and then around to the other side of his body. Other than the wound on his leg, the other injuries were somewhat superficial and would heal on their own. “Samson, you are such a brave boy.” She stroked his nose as she kissed his cheek. “We’re going to get that cleaned out and fixed up so that you can heal properly.” The horse nuzzled and pushed at her shoulder. Sophie raised her eyebrow at Jamie in triumph. “I’m going to get some warm water and get this cleaned out so that Michael can suture it. Can you help me, or do you need to tend to the men?”

  Jamie grinned reluctantly. “I’ll help you. I’ll check in with the doctors first and then we can look Samson over. I’ll find Michael as well. It’s his horse, so he’ll probably want to know what’s going on.”

  Sophie led Samson over to one of the smaller tents. She found Topper carrying bandages to one of the doctors. “Top
per. You weren’t fighting, were you?”

  “No ma’am.” A rare smile framed his face. “I have been assisting with the wounded. I heard Samson’s injured.”

  Sophie nodded. “He is. I need to get a few things, but he won’t tolerate anyone holding him.”

  Topper set the bandages on a table set up outside the tent. “He likes me, Sophie. Lieutenant Emerson and I have been working with him.” He reached his hand out, and Samson didn’t bite him, which in Sophie’s opinion was good enough.

  “Great. Could you stand with him for me, then?”

  He nodded, so she handed Topper the reins and made her way to the larger hospital tent. She noticed Christine standing over a patient, her face red with apparent anger. Sophie moved toward her. When Sophie saw who she was speaking with, she wasn’t surprised. It was Dr. Palmer.

  As Sophie approached, she saw that the patient was an unconscious Richard. “What’s going on, Christine?”

  “He wants to amputate Richard’s leg.”

  Sophie frowned. “You can’t take his leg, Dr. Palmer.”

  “Mrs. Ford, the leg is too far gone to save. It will be kinder just to amputate. If we don’t, he’ll be in pain for the rest of his life and probably walk with a limp.”

  “Please, Dr. Palmer. Think of Richard as your friend, rather than a patient. You have known each other for a long time, and you know he’d rather have you try everything, right? Can’t you do that? What harm is there in doing everything possible to save it, and then if that doesn’t work, you can amputate later.” Sophie was a little desperate for him to see her point of view, holding her breath in anticipation.

  “All right, ladies. We can wait.” Both Sophie and Christine let out a collective sigh.

  Sophie stared down at Richard. He looked so peaceful. His beard now completely full, he was dirty and bloody, but at least he was alive. She turned to Christine. “I have to tend to Samson, but I’ll come back as soon as I’m done and help you with Richard, okay?”

  “Yes, that’s fine, Sophie. I’ll sit with him for as long as I can. We seem to be slowing down now with the influx of wounded. I’ll come and find you if that changes.”

  “Thank you. I’ll see you later.” Sophie gathered up several of the supplies she would need, trying to juggle them somewhat unsuccessfully. Jamie met her at the tent entrance and took her burdens from her, carrying them over to the horse. He appeared calmer than he had before and Sophie smiled as she thanked Topper.

  Jamie and Sophie started to work on Samson’s leg. At first, Sophie held him and tried to speak to him as Jamie went to work on his leg but he kept trying to kick him. He wouldn’t let Jamie near him.

  “Let me try,” Sophie said.

  “Sophie, he’s in too much pain, he’ll kick you.”

  “Or, maybe he’ll let me near his leg because he knows me.”

  Jamie stood for a minute considering her argument. “All right, I’ll hold him, but be careful. If he tries to kick you, even once, Sophie, that’ll be it. Understand?”

  She walked up to Jamie, reached up, and drew his head down for a quick kiss. “Yes, my big strong protector, I understand.”

  Stroking Samson’s nose quickly, she moved her way slowly to his injury with a bucket of warm water and a soft rag. She was going to try and clean the wound out as much as possible, but she knew it would hurt. As she made her way to his back leg, Samson bent his head towards her and watched her intently. Jamie tried to pull him up straight.

  “Baby, let him look at me. It might help him accept the pain he’s going to feel.”

  Jamie let the reins slack slightly but appeared ready to grab Samson if he tried to kick out. Topper stroked Samson’s neck, also in an effort to keep him calm.

  Sophie poured the warm water over the horse’s wound and was able to get a lot of the debris out. Looking up at Samson, she said, “I have to clean this, boy, which means I need to get closer.” She waggled a finger at him. “Do not kick me.”

  “Sophie!”

  Ignoring Jamie, she climbed under the horse’s belly, soaked the rag with clean water, and gently cleaned the rest of the dirt out. It wasn’t as bad as she originally thought, which meant it would heal quicker. When she finished, she climbed out from under and chuckled when Jamie let out a long breath. “I was fine!”

  Before Jamie could comment, they were both distracted as Michael rushed over to them. “I heard he has a nasty gash.”

  “He does. I just cleaned it, and he was an absolute champ.” Sophie patted Samson’s neck. Michael moved to the horse’s side as Sophie stayed by his head and felt Jamie brush against her as he stood vigil. Samson skittered slightly the closer Michael got to his leg, and Sophie felt Jamie tense as Samson’s ears went flat.

  “Shh, boy,” Sophie crooned, but the horse wouldn’t calm and kicked out. Jamie grabbed her arm and pulled her roughly away.

  “What are you doing?” she screeched.

  “He’s kicking out.”

  “At Michael. Not me,” she snapped as she pulled her arm away.

  “Soph, stop.”

  She ignored him and rushed back to get Samson under control. Michael avoided another hoof, but Samson grew increasingly agitated, even with Topper trying to help. Ears back, eyes wild, and snorting as though he were a bull ready to strike.

  Sophie tried everything to get him under control but he seemed too far-gone, so she tried something she’d never done before. She sang to him the song she wrote with Jamie. Although Samson threw his head a few times in frustration, she wouldn’t give up. She continued to sing quietly until he lowered his head and nuzzled her shoulder.

  “Good boy.” She turned to Michael. “Try again.”

  The doctor sidled up to him, and this time, Samson let him examine the leg. Michael was efficient and smiled as he made his way back to Sophie. “Well, that doesn’t look so bad. However, we are going to have to stitch him.”

  Sophie shook her head. “He’ll never tolerate a needle. What if we bind his wound tight? Could the skin fuse back together, do you think?”

  “I suppose that’s a possibility. I’ll make a poultice and we’ll bandage him up. The leg isn’t broken, so we’ll watch it over the next few days to see if we need to go further.”

  Sophie stayed close to Samson as Michael prepared the special medicine and then they wrapped the wound tight. When Michael was finished, he went back to the soldiers.

  “Can you come back to the house, Jamie? Then stay for dinner?” Sophie asked.

  He nodded. “I’ll check in with my men and meet you over at the house. Give me an hour or so.”

  Jamie left her and Sophie decided to check on Richard one more time. He was sleeping comfortably, and as several other nurses arrived to take over for the ones who had been there all day, Sophie found Christine, attached Samson’s reins to the back of her carriage, and they made their way back to the Wades.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  After making sure Samson was cared for, Sophie went back to the house and found that Christine had organized cool baths for the both of them. After almost twenty minutes of soaking, she didn’t want to get out of the water, but knew Jamie would be by to see her soon. She climbed out of the tub and found the coolest gown she had in her wardrobe and dressed quickly.

  Making her way straight to the kitchen for a snack, she chatted with Mary who allowed her a fresh peach, and then she settled herself in the library. She’d been reading for less than an hour, when he heard Jamie in the hallway.

  “She’s probably in the library, Daniel. I’ll find her.”

  Sophie closed the book and set it aside. Rising to her feet, she arrived at the door just as Jamie opened it. “Hi.”

  Jamie wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

  “What happened?”

  Jamie straightened with a sigh. “We lost Ash and twenty of his men.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. Any of yours?” He shook his head. She raised an eyebrow. “Because
of…”

  He nodded. “Yes.” He rubbed her back and then pulled her back to her favorite chair. “I remember you and two guys playing with model horses and watching you argue about the position of fake soldiers.”

  Sophie clapped her hands. “Oh, I remember that day. Wow. That’s when we first met. Um, we had an assignment in history class to see if we could have done something different in any of the historic battles… we got to choose…and we had to chart it out and reenact it using models. I chose Gettysburg and forced Seth and Connor to team with me.”

  He rubbed his forehead as he sat on the hearth facing her. “Didn’t Hannah choose Iwo Jima?”

  “Yes.” Sophie grinned. “You remember Hannah! That was a while after I graduated, but she and Emma worked on it together. Emma didn’t do as well as Hannah, but she got into the code cracking side of it.” She reached for his hand. “Baby, you’re remembering.”

  Jamie sighed. “Little bits here and there, but I remember your presentation, because I ran your scenario with my men.”

  “You did not!”

  “I did.” He smiled. “No one even received so much as a scratch.”

  Sophie let out a little squeal. “That’s so unreal. Do you think we changed history?”

  Jamie shrugged. “It’s certainly a possibility, but I don’t feel as though I had much of a choice.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He leaned forward, forearms on his knees. “If we are here for a reason, then I imagine we’re supposed to survive, right?”

  Sophie chewed her thumbnail. “Probably a good assumption.”

  “I mean, just being here is a change in history anyway. So, maybe we’re supposed to do something really big…and maybe we’re not. Until it’s clear, and until I can remember everything about life together, I’m going to focus on staying alive.” He pulled her thumb gently away from her teeth. “And loving you.”

  She leaned in for a kiss. “I’m all for that.” When he broke the kiss, Sophie leaned back and grinned. “I feel so vindicated right now! After the ribbing I got from Seth, and I was right after all.”