Jamie raised an eyebrow. “He had a thing for you.”
Sophie smacked his knee. “He did not.”
He raised her hand to his lips and gave a gentle nip to her knuckles. “He absolutely did. I had to have a couple, “Come to Jesus” discussions with him.”
Sophie wrinkled her nose. “I wondered why he started to avoid me.”
Jamie kissed her hand again and then rose to his feet. “I really need to check in.”
She followed. “Will you come back for dinner?”
“I don’t know.”
“If you don’t, I’ll bring dinner to you.”
Jamie narrowed his eyes. “Make sure you bring someone with you. Topper or someone else of the male persuasion.”
Sophie pursed her lips. “I’ve been living with these men for months now. I’ve formed friendships with many of them. If someone tried to do anything to me, and you weren’t around, I’d have a dozen men defending my honor. And if Andrew’s around…” She waved her hand in the air. “…forget about it. The attacker would be dead, or maimed.”
He grasped her upper arms gently and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Bring Topper.”
She nodded reluctantly and he turned to leave the room. She couldn’t resist a gentle smack to his behind as he moved away from her.
* * *
Sophie woke the next morning and forced gritty eyes open. She stretched, her body sore, although not unpleasantly so, and sighed. “Jamie.”
Needing to see him, she pushed herself out of bed and dressed quickly. Relieved to find no one about downstairs, she grabbed a slice of warm bread and took her morning walk to see Samson. Arriving at his stall, she heard commotion going on near the arena and cornered one of the men who had stepped into the barn. “Is Lieutenant Emerson working with the horses?”
The private shook his head. “No, ma’am, the lieutenant left at dawn.
“Where did he go?”
He grabbed a halter from one of the hooks near the entrance and shrugged. “Trouble at the border.”
Sophie nodded and turned back to pet Samson, lost in her thoughts. She knew that the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River surrendered to General Grant at Vicksburg on July 4, which was yesterday. The anti-draft riots would happen in New York, but not until July 13.
Sophie kissed Samson’s muzzle. “He could have at least left a note, don’t you think?” Samson nodded his head and Sophie smiled. “I can always count on you to agree with me.”
She gave Samson one last pat, and then made her way back to the house to get ready to leave for the hospital. She decided to walk, and by the time she arrived, she had worked herself into such a mood, she was looking for a fight. Topper greeted her with a wide smile. He’d found himself a purpose, helping the soldiers, and his duties brought him to the hospital almost daily.
“Hi, Topper.”
“Good morning.” He handed her a note. “The lieutenant left this with me for you.”
Her frustration was replaced with guilt as she opened the envelope.
Baby, I’ll be back in a couple of days. Sorry this is in a note. I love you - Jamie.
Sophie sighed. I guess it’s something.
She found one of the other nurses who filled her in on the events of the morning and was relieved that for the most part, the day was slow. The men were all resting comfortably and no new wounded had arrived.
Sophie made her way to the cots and spent a few minutes with each soldier that was awake and lucid. She’d been in the tent for about thirty minutes when she arrived at Richard’s cot. He was awake and appeared to be watching her intently. “Good morning, Richard. How are you feeling? Is there much pain in your leg?” He just stared at her. “Richard? Are you in pain?”
“No,” he said bitterly and turned his head away from her.
“Is there anything I can get you?”
No response.
“Richard, are you having difficulty hearing me, or are you just being a jerk?” Sophie leaned closer to him. “Because if you didn’t hear me, I’d be happy to repeat the question. However, if you’re just being a jerk, then I’ll move on and help someone who will appreciate it.”
Another soldier overheard her comment and said loudly, “I appreciate you, Miss Sophie. You can come over here and help me.”
A few of the other men laughed and Sophie couldn’t help but smile. She started to move away, but Richard reached out and grabbed her hand. She turned around and sat down in the chair next to his cot. “Richard, I know a lot has happened, but I’d like to help you if you’ll let me.”
“I’d appreciate some water, Sophie.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” She brought it and helped him sit up to drink. “Do you think you could try to walk around a bit today? I’m sure your leg is killing you, but it would be good to get some circulation going.”
He nodded.
“Good. I’ll finish making the rounds and then come back and help you, okay?”
Sophie finished checking on the men and then made her way back to Richard. She helped him stand and handed him a pair of crutches. “Okay, bud, let’s get you moving. I’d like you to make one entire circle around the room, do you think you can do that?”
Richard hobbled up and down the main aisle of the hospital. He refused to let her walk with him, so she stayed by his bed and watched. Despite a nasty break, Richard was better off than some. Dr. Paxton had fashioned an impressive cast that would have rivaled modern day medicine in her opinion, and she figured Richard would regain mobility in a few weeks.
She had to give Richard credit, he didn’t complain, despite the fact that he must have been in a great deal of pain. He stopped a few times but seemed to be doing all right.
When he turned around to make his way back to his cot, Sophie noticed sweat pouring from his body and his face tight with pain. She quickly went to assist. “Richard, you did great. Let’s get you back to the cot. Are you in terrible pain?” He didn’t say a word but the grimace spoke volumes. “You’re incredibly brave, Mr. Madden. Let’s try and get you comfortable and then I’ll see if we can find you something for the pain.”
“No laudanum,” Richard whispered
Sophie went to find one of the doctors. Lucky for her, Dr. Palmer wasn’t on duty today. She found Dr. Mickel, who came to check on Richard before deciding what to give him. While the doctor was examining Richard, Sophie went to check on a few of the other patients who were awake. After successfully changing several dressings and soothing a few frayed nerves, Sophie made her way back to Richard for one more quick check. “What did the doctor say?”
“He wanted to give me laudanum. I told him I’d rather live with the pain.”
“I don’t know if that makes you smart, crazy, or stupid.” Sophie sat in the chair. “But if you can live with the pain, then you’re a bigger man than most. Would you like me to read to you?”
He stared at her for several seconds before rasping, “What I’d really like, Sophie is for you to sing for me.”
“I don’t know if that would be a good idea.” She glanced around the room. “Several of the men are resting and I don’t want to wake them.”
“Please, Sophie, it would distract me from the pain,” Richard implored.
“You’re very good at the guilt trip, aren’t you?” She smiled down at him. “All right. Let me think.”
Sophie didn’t remember many songs of the era, or at least ones that would have been considered historic in the twenty-first century. She wracked her brain for something to sing; in the end, she decided to sing one of Jamie’s originals. The song was suited for either electric or acoustic, so she thought she might be able to pull it off a cappella.
It was a challenge for her not to do things to change history. It’s not like she could pull out a Trisha Yearwood tune. She’d end up feeling guilty of any impact it might have in the future. She finished singing and realized there was complete silence. With a grimace, she glanced around the room. “Sor
ry, gentleman, did I disturb you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Sophie. That was incredible.” Richard grabbed her hand.
“Yes, Miss Sophie. I’ve never heard anything like it,” one of the other patients called out.
Then, after a moment of silence, the room erupted in applause. Sophie blushed and then stood and took a curtsy. “You’re all very kind.”
“Will you sing for us tomorrow, Miss Sophie?”
“Yes, Miss Sophie, please sing for us again.”
“All right, gentleman. I’ll sing for you tomorrow.”
Christine arrived about an hour later and pulled her aside for a moment alone. “How is your day so far?”
Sophie sighed. “Jamie left.”
Christine ushered her away from the men. “What do you mean?”
Sophie made a point of studying the table of surgical instruments in front of her. “He took off early this morning, trouble somewhere. One of the borders, maybe?”
“Are you all right?”
Sophie nodded. “Yes, I’m just not good at the inability to find him on a second’s notice.”
“Stay busy. Did he say when he’d be back?”
“Couple of days…I hope.”
Christine dropped the subject and the girls got to work on changing dressings and soothing soldiers. Waylaid by one of the men who had a nasty infection and had developed a fever, they tried everything to bring his fever down but weren’t having much luck. Sophie sang quietly to him as Christine laid ice-soaked cloths over his body.
The day moved quickly and Sophie ended up staying later than expected. Christine offered to drop her at home so she didn’t have to walk. Sophie was relieved to have a ride, her exhaustion both physically and mentally overwhelming. That night, Sophie let out a sigh as she snuggled under the covers of her bed and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
* * *
Sophie spent the next two days simply trying to function, unable to stop worrying about Jamie’s safety. Without cell phones and the ability to find him quickly, she had to distract herself in mundane ways. She decided to check on Samson after her shift at the hospital one particularly hot afternoon, and Christine offered to join her.
They made the quick trip from the center of town and Christine pulled her buggy in front of the Wades home and secured the horse. Once the girls made their way out to the stables, Christine stopped at the arena to observe the training.
“Ahhh.”
Christine’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Is something amiss?”
Sophie giggled as she peered over the railing. “I wondered why you were so eager to join me today.”
Dr. Stephen Paxton knelt beside a young soldier who appeared to have been thrown from one of the larger horses.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Christine retorted. “I don’t even know that soldier.”
“Good one.” Sophie laughed at her deflection.
“If you happen to notice, my brother is also inside,” Christine said indignantly.
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes he is. And Andrew is the reason you came out to the stables with me.”
Christine huffed, so Sophie had mercy and left her friend to fawn over the handsome doctor.
“Sophie, wait!”
She turned to find Andrew jogging toward her. “Hi, Andrew.”
He smiled as he stopped beside her. “How are you?”
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Fine. Why?”
Andrew shrugged. “I haven’t seen the lieutenant around in a few days.”
She crossed her arms and droned, “You haven’t, have you?”
“Is anything amiss?”
She felt the prick of tears and scowled up at him. “You’re supposed to pretend you know nothing, Andrew. You aren’t supposed to ask questions like that.”
He pulled her into the darkness of the barn. “Questions like what, Sophie?”
“Questions that make me—” She wiped her cheeks in frustration.
Andrew pulled her into his arms. “Sophie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I simply wanted to ensure you were well.”
She nodded against his shoulder. “Well, you need to stop being so nice.”
Andrew chuckled. “Forgive me.”
She pushed away and took his proffered handkerchief. Wiping her eyes and blowing her nose, she took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I hate not knowing if he’s safe.”
“He’s probably fine.” Andrew crossed his arms. “Is there anything I can do?”
Sophie sighed. “No. But if he’s not back in a few days, I might feel differently.”
“Whatever you need, you let me know.”
She grinned up at him. “You’re good at being an overprotective brother.”
“I’ve had lots of practice.”
Sophie let out a quiet snort. “Yes, you have. I’m fine. I’m going to hug my horse now.”
“Your horse, huh?”
Sophie shrugged. “A girl can dream.”
Andrew left her, and Sophie made her way to Samson’s stall. Thinking a little exercise would do him some good, and wanting to have a closer look at his leg, Sophie grabbed a halter and let herself into his stall. Singing quietly to him as she slipped the leather over his head, she patted his neck before leading him out of the barn and into the open.
She didn’t want to tie him down, so she loosened the lead and moved to his rump. Running her hand down his leg, she felt light heat, but the swelling appeared to be dissipating. She slid her hand along his side as she made his way back to his head. “What a clever boy you are,” she crooned as she stroked his nose.
Despite her quiet voice, he was still a bit skittish. His eyes widened, wilder than she would have liked. Without warning, she heard a whistle and then a loud crack. Sophie spun around to find what had hit the side of the building. But before she could react with any kind of urgency, Samson’s ears went straight back and he pulled away from Sophie. She tried to calm him, and a soldier rushed over to try help. However, he only managed to spook Samson even more and Sophie got caught up in his lead.
Samson went into the air, and as he came down, his hoof caught Sophie in the head. She went down hard and fast, letting go of the rope and setting Samson free. He bolted before anyone could stop him.
* * *
Christine watched the scene unfold in front of her too fast to react.
“Andrew!” Christine screamed and then made a run for her fallen friend, kneeling beside her and cradling her head gently in her hands. “Sophie? Sophie, wake up.”
Sophie’s skin, now a grayish pallor, alarmed Christine, not to mention the nasty bruise forming on her temple. Tenderly moving Sophie’s hair aside, not an easy task with the blood from the wound caking it to her temple, Christine let out a sigh of relief when Andrew and Stephen rushed toward her.
“What happened?” Stephen knelt as he removed his jacket and folded it for a makeshift pillow.
Christine glanced up at the doctor. “I heard a loud crack and then Samson spooked. His hoof grazed her temple.”
Stephen nodded. “All right, we need to get her out of this dirt.”
Andrew made his way to a group of soldiers who stood vigil over Sophie. “Was it a rock? Did someone throw it?” His voice was low and lethal.
No one knew—or admitted that they knew.
“We need to get her away from here,” the doctor called.
Without further discussion, one of the men grabbed a small wagon and hitched a horse to it. Dr. Paxton bent down and picked Sophie up, laying her gently in the back. “I’m going to take her over to Michael’s house.”
“Would someone please try and find her horse? I’ll return as soon as I know she’s all right,” Andrew added.
Christine sat with Sophie in the back of the wagon as Stephen maneuvered it back to the house. Once he set the brake, Christine held her head as Andrew lifted Sophie and carried her through the front door, yelling for Nona. Stephen followed close behind wit
h his medical bag.
“Oh, no. Drew, what happened?” Nona bustled into the foyer.
“Samson kicked Sophie and she won’t wake up.”
Nona pointed to the stairs. “Please take her up to her bedroom. It’ll be more comfortable to examine her there.”
Andrew gingerly carried his burden up the stairs and entered Sophie’s bedroom. After he laid her on her bed, he stepped outside so that Stephen could examine her. Stephen poured water from the pitcher into the bowl and found a soft cloth. Christine loosened her clothing and then stepped back. Stephen laid the cool, wet cloth on her forehead, making sure not to put any pressure on her bruised temple.
Rummaging in his medical bag, he located the smelling salts and Sophie jerked when he waved them under her nose. Nona entered the room with fresh water steeped in ice, just as Sophie tried to push Stephen’s hand away.
“Sophie. I need you to wake up for me. Can you hear me?” Stephen lifted her into the sitting position.
“Sweepy. Want to sweep,” Sophie slurred.
Christine helped Stephen get Sophie up and off the bed as she called for Andrew to help. Stephen lifted her arm and settled it around his neck so that he could steady her. “Sophie, you need to stand up. Can you try for me please?”
Andrew rushed through the door and moved his sister aside in order to assist Stephen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Sophie slowly slid off the bed as Stephen and Andrew held her from each side. She was confused, her head hurt, and she felt sick to her stomach. The men lowered her onto the chest at the end of the bed.
“Gonna be sick,” Sophie rasped.
Christine grabbed the bowl and put it under her chin. Just in time.
She rubbed sore eyes. “I’m so tired. What happened? I want to sleep.”
“Samson kicked you and you have been unconscious. It’s important to stay awake. Can you do that for me?” Stephen’s voice was soothing and brother-like.
“Samson kicked me? He wouldn’t do that. What happened?” Sophie slurred.
“He got spooked. He didn’t do it on purpose.” Andrew squeezed her shoulder. “Sophie? Sophie, wake up. You can’t go to sleep.”
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