“I don’t know,” he answered. “Aggie’s been looking after her.”
“She’s ill?”
“Seems so. She took to bed when we returned this last time.”
Therese pursed her lips.
Badan dropped his voice. “I don’t think it’s serious.”
Mr. Stephen held up an unlit lamp, and Badan said he’d take it to the kitchen and light it. Therese could see a soft glow through the window of the building and wondered if Aggie was in there or in the house with Mother. She’d soon find out. She told Mr. Stephen she’d have food ready tomorrow when they picked her up, and then she said farewell to everyone but Michael, who was still asleep in the back of the wagon.
Therese started up the back steps to the house just as Badan returned with the lantern. He was followed by Aggie, who called out a hello to Therese. The two young women hugged and then entered the house together.
“Is Mother in her room?”
“No. She’s in the parlor. It’s warmer in there.” Aggie stopped in the dining room. “I’ll wait here. Call if you need me.”
Therese hurried toward the room but then stopped in the doorway, gaping. Mother was in a bed that had been moved down from upstairs. Auntie Vera sat at her side. Mother wore a nightgown and cap and had a stack of quilts piled on her.
“What’s wrong?” Therese stepped to her mother’s side. Perhaps Badan underestimated the situation.
“Oh, I had this bed moved in here for Warner, and then soon after I arrived home, I started feeling poorly.”
“Did you get my letters?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you reply?”
“I couldn’t seem to manage it.” Mother’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ve felt so lost. Your father gone. My father. You. Warner wounded so badly. All I wanted to do was bring him home, but that doctor wouldn’t let me.”
“Now, now,” Therese said. Auntie Vera stood and Therese, still wearing her cloak and the blanket from Mrs. Galloway, slid onto the seat by her mother. Auntie Vera nodded toward the dining room and made her escape.
“I felt so helpless,” Mother said. “After you turned against me—”
“Mother—”
“You sided with that doctor, who seems completely smitten with you, by the way, and probably intends to take you back to Maine with him when he goes.”
Therese felt a flush of guilt for not addressing that particular situation before. She was about to respond, but Mother kept going.
“My whole life is falling apart. All I have left is River Pines, and you want to take Aggie to Richmond—and I’m guessing on north.” Mother glared at her. “Along with Badan, right?”
Therese felt shaky inside, but she took a deep breath and then her mother’s hand in hers, knowing she needed to choose her words carefully. She couldn’t deny that Alec wanted her to go to Maine—or that she hoped to take Badan and Aggie with her. Mother had guessed on the basis of rumors and her own speculation, both of which happened to be correct.
Therese sighed. Mother had been through hard times. She’d never been good in a crisis, and here she’d had to face a whole series of them. No wonder she felt so lost.
“I’m sorry you’re not well,” Therese said.
Mother nodded and swiped at a tear. “How did you get here?”
“The Talbots. Michael has an army wagon, and he gave Polly and me a ride. We picked up their father across the river.”
“Oh.” Mother struggled to sit up. “Did you ask them in?”
“I did, but they declined. They’re spending the night at their cousins’ and will come back to pick me up tomorrow afternoon.” Therese stroked her mother’s hand. “Do you feel up to going to church in the morning?”
Mother exhaled and then shivered. “Perhaps. I’ll see how I’m doing.”
Therese wouldn’t ask her about taking Aggie back to Richmond until tomorrow. The less Therese said tonight about anything important the better, although there were a few matters they would need to discuss at some point.
First, she gave Mother her wages from the Galloways and the hospital. Mother thanked her and quickly took the money. “Will you use it for Aggie and Auntie Vera? For boots for them?”
Mother shook her head. “I found some that worked, old ones in a trunk. I’ll save the money for an emergency.”
Therese asked about possible shoes for Eleanor. “There might be a pair that would fit her,” Mother said. “Look in the back bedroom. That’s where the trunk is. And take any dresses you think the girls could wear too.”
“Any chance you have an extra needle?”
“Ask Auntie Vera. I think we still have five.”
Therese thanked her mother profusely. Because of the blockade, needles were hard to come by, but Auntie Vera must have had a good supply when the war started.
Next, Therese brought up the issue of food, quickly saying anything Mother could spare, above what she’d already given to the army once the harvest was completed, would go to the men Warner fought with. Mother pursed her lips, but then she said, “Talk to Badan about it. He has a better idea than I do. Perhaps there are still some hams from last year you could take. And some bacon.”
Therese’s mouth watered at the thought. People definitely ate better in the country than in the city. “Thank you.” Therese couldn’t help but take Mother’s generosity as a good sign. She hoped she’d feel as giving in the morning when it came to their discussion about Aggie—and Badan too.
Her mother’s eyes grew teary. “One of my brooches was missing when I returned.”
“Goodness,” Therese said.
“I asked Auntie Vera and Aggie about it, and of course they denied taking it. I had Mr. Porter search their cabin, but nothing turned up.”
“They wouldn’t take it,” Therese said. Her mother had probably misplaced it. A few things had gone missing when her grandfather was alive, one time even some cash, but it had never been determined one of the slaves took anything. Sometimes Grandfather found his missing items and sometimes not.
Once her mother fell asleep, Therese took a candlestick from the mantel and started toward the stairs, realizing Mother hadn’t asked about Warner and how he was doing. Not once.
Therese hurried up the stairs and into a cold back bedroom, where she found a pair of boots that would work for Eleanor, several old dresses that could be remade, and a bundle of her baby clothes, all in a cedar chest. If she were to go to Maine with Alec, there was no reason for her to save the garments for her own children someday. She’d be able to acquire new ones. She would give these clothes to Mrs. Galloway for her little one.
The next morning, Therese rose early, checked on Mother, who was still sleeping, and headed outside to the garden. The last of the pumpkins and squash still held to the vines as smoke from the kitchen house drifted above. Therese inhaled deeply. River Pines had once been a place of anxiety for her, and she hadn’t been looking forward to coming back, but she couldn’t help but take comfort from it now. It was the only home she had. She headed to the kitchen. Aggie stood at the stove, making a pot of porridge. Therese congratulated her on her marriage, and the young woman beamed. “I’m happier than I ever hoped to be.”
But her face went slack as Mr. Porter entered the dimly lit kitchen. “Hurry up, girl,” he barked. “I want my breakfast.”
Therese stepped toward the middle of the room, out of the shadow. “Hello.”
He grunted. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking in on Mother.” Therese stepped to the cupboard and retrieved a stack of bowls.
Mr. Porter sat at the table. “How about some coffee?”
Therese knew it was made of chicory root. No one had had coffee for the last couple of years. But it was hot. That’s what mattered.
Aggie poured the man a cup. The kitchen door opened, and Badan started to step inside, but then he retreated. A moment later, Auntie Vera entered.
“Miss Therese,” she said. “Your mother’s awa
ke and saying she’d like to go to church with you.”
“Wonderful.” Therese handed Aggie two bowls. “I’ll take her some breakfast.”
“I’ll send Aggie in shortly.” Auntie Vera gave Mr. Porter a loathsome look, which he didn’t seem to notice.
A half hour later, Aggie entered the parlor as Therese helped her mother dress. “Mrs. Jennings,” she said. “You look good today.”
Mother shook her head. “I don’t, I’m sure, but I am determined to go to church.” She patted Therese’s arm. “Just having you here has done me good.”
Badan drove them down the tree-lined Huguenot Trail Road to the church, where Therese and her mother quickly slipped up the steps of the white building, through the tiny foyer, and down the aisle to Grandfather’s pew. The sermon was about hope. Therese listened closely to the passages the priest chose from the Psalms he read, “ ‘I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.’ ” Next he read from Revelation, “ ‘God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ ”
Therese took her mother’s hand and squeezed it. God would sustain them. They needn’t fear. Someday this would all pass. She held on to Mother’s hand through the rest of the sermon.
At the end of the service, several friends welcomed Therese and then reached out to Mother, asking about Warner. Therese looked for Polly and found her speaking to the deacon as she took a book from him. The girl was a regular lending library.
Therese searched for Michael, finally finding him in the churchyard with his father, talking with a few men. He looked so much more at ease than he did when he came into the hospital. And rested.
Therese linked her arm through her mother’s. “I have an idea. Why don’t you come back to Richmond today and stay until Warner can come home? Bring Aggie—she can nurse Warner, like we talked about. And Auntie Vera too. I’m certain both of them can stay at the hospital.”
“I can’t do that,” Mother said. “What about River Pines?”
“There’s not much to be done, is there? Can’t Mr. Porter see to it with Old Joe’s and Sonny’s help? I’m sure the Corbetts would be happy to have you stay again.”
“I don’t know…”
“You should be close to Warner and me at a time like this. Not isolated from us. Then, as soon as Warner is well enough, the two of you can return home.”
“What about you?” Mother asked.
Therese quickly responded. “I’ll visit when I can.”
“What about that doctor?”
“Here comes Polly,” Therese said. Michael and his father were right behind her. They greeted Mother warmly, and then Mr. Stephen asked how she was doing.
“All right. Although I’m reeling a little. Therese is proposing that I return to Richmond.”
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Polly said. “We’ve missed you since you left.”
“Yes,” Michael said. “I think that would be better for everyone, especially Warner.”
Mother turned toward Mr. Stephen. “What do you think? Should I abandon River Pines?”
“Helene, you wouldn’t be abandoning it. Mr. Porter can easily manage, and I’d be happy—once I return from helping Michael—to look in on things from time to time.”
“Oh, goodness,” Mother said. “That would make me worry less.”
Surprisingly, perhaps under the cheerful influence of the Talbots, Mother decided to go to Richmond and take Auntie Vera and Aggie with her. But she also decided that Badan, after transporting them to Richmond, should return to River Pines.
“I trust him more than I do Mr. Porter,” she whispered to the Talbots.
Therese balked. “Mother, you’ll be left in Richmond without a buggy or a driver. Whatever will you do?” She hoped her protest sounded reasonable. Badan had to stay.
Mother pursed her lips but didn’t answer Therese. She simply turned her attention back to Mr. Stephen and asked after Miss Amanda, who hadn’t ventured alone across the river for church that day.
The change in plans meant rushing around once they reached River Pines, but by the time the Talbots arrived to pick up the food for Michael’s unit, Mother and the others were packed.
As Badan loaded the buggy, Mr. Porter came out of his cabin without his hat, looking as if he’d been napping. “Where are you all off to in such a hurry?”
“Richmond,” Mother said. “Hopefully, I’ll return with Warner soon.”
“Who’s going with you?”
Mother answered as Auntie Vera motioned for Aggie to climb in the back of the buggy. Mr. Stephen jumped down from the wagon and began helping Badan load crates of cabbages and apples. Michael jumped down too and stood beside the team, his arms crossed.
“Goodness, woman, leave someone to cook for me. You don’t expect me to do it myself, do you?”
“I’m sure you’ll manage,” Mother said. “The cellar is full, and the chickens are still laying.”
He crossed his arms. “Leave me the young one or I’ll quit.”
That would present a problem. Mother couldn’t leave Old Joe and Sonny at River Pines by themselves. On the other hand, Therese suspected Mr. Porter was bluffing. Chances were he’d end up in the army if he left. Badan hung his head, and Aggie slumped down in the front seat of the buggy.
Finally, Mother said, “If you feel that’s what you must do, I won’t stop you.”
Therese wanted to applaud, but of course she stayed silent.
“Then at least leave the old one.” Mr. Porter took a step forward.
Therese bit her tongue, glancing from Mother to Auntie Vera, who stood on the other side of the buggy.
“No,” Mother said. “You can fend for yourself. You only have a handful of chores to do as it is.”
“I’ll have to think about it,” he said.
“Send me a message at the Institute Hospital if you decide to go,” Mother said. Therese doubted she worried about Old Joe leaving, but Sonny was still young, and without the overseer here, he could try and run off. Mother added, “If there’s an emergency, send for Mr. Talbot. He’s going to check on you now and then.”
That didn’t seem to make Mr. Porter any happier, but finally he slunk away. Therese asked Badan if Old Joe and Sonny would be all right with Mr. Porter.
“Yes, Miss Jennings. He’s all bark and no bite to them.”
Therese hoped so. Once the men loaded the food into the wagon, Michael and his father led the way, and the journey began. Mother, Therese, and Polly rode in the backseat of the buggy, while Auntie Vera sat up front with Aggie and Badan.
As they passed River Pines at the end of the lane, Therese felt a wave of compassion for her mother. Everything had changed. Mother had stood up to Mr. Porter.
Michael and his father stopped a couple of times at farms and purchased more food. By the time they reached the city, the sun was setting. All were exhausted, but mostly Therese was relieved that she’d managed to get both Aggie and Badan to Richmond. She wasn’t sorry to have Mother along too, nor Auntie Vera. She hoped all of them would be better off in the city than at River Pines, despite the shortages in Richmond. Mother wouldn’t be isolated. Aggie and Auntie Vera would be away from Mr. Porter. If only Mother would allow Badan to stay.
Badan stopped the buggy at the hospital and helped Therese, Polly, Auntie Vera, and Aggie down. He was going to take Mother on to the Corbetts’, while Polly and Therese found accommodations for Auntie Vera and Aggie.
Michael and his father pulled the wagon into the driveway and around to the back. Therese and Polly hurried up the steps, followed by Auntie Vera and Aggie, and entered through the front doors. Alec stood in the foyer, speaking to Matron Webb, but he stopped when he saw Therese.
“You’re back.” He smiled as his eyes stayed on her.
“We�
�ve brought two more nurses,” Polly said. “They’ll need to board here.”
Matron Webb’s face lit up. “Perfect timing. We’ve been given an extension. At least another month.”
Therese met Alec’s gaze and smiled. He nodded. He seemed happy enough about it, but Ruth wouldn’t be. That put them home well past Christmas.
“Show the women to the room down in the basement,” the matron said. “Then you can give them a tour and basic training.”
“Of course.” Polly pointed toward the hallway.
“You managed to get Aggie to Richmond,” Alec said once they were gone. “Well done.”
Therese explained what had happened, and that Mother and Badan had gone on to the Corbetts’, and Badan would be returning to River Pines in the morning. “I haven’t spoken directly with Mother about sending Badan and Aggie north, but she’s guessed what my intent is,” she said. “I’m going to have one last conversation with her about it before it’s time for you to go, I promise. And if she still refuses to grant their freedom, then I’ll need to figure out a way to get Badan back to Richmond on my own.”
Alec ran his hand through his hair. “I see.” He inhaled deeply and then exhaled. “And how about the conversation about you and me?” he asked. “Did you manage to broach that topic with her?”
Even in the drafty foyer, Therese’s face grew warm. “No,” she said. “She brought it up, though. She guessed what we’re planning. She was so out of sorts, so fragile. She’d taken to her bed when I got there.” She turned her face up to his. “I didn’t have the heart to force the discussion further. We have to take this step by step.”
As they talked, Michael and his father came in through the back of the hospital. Mr. Stephen and Alec greeted each other warmly and spent a few minutes catching up on the doings of various relatives throughout the South and North.
Finally, Alec excused himself, saying rounds awaited him, and he headed up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. Michael and Mr. Talbot followed at a slower pace. Therese paused for a moment in the foyer. Mr. Stephen glanced back at her and then continued on with Michael.
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