Mercy Road
Page 26
“Loving,” I said for him. “I never stopped loving you, either.”
He glanced at his watch. “I have to go now. This was the last thing on my list before I went back, and I almost didn’t come. I didn’t know if I had the nerve. I had no clue . . . how bad it has been for you. You’re right; I should’ve written, and I’m sorry.” I had the sense that he had more to say, but it would have to wait. “I have to catch a train; I can’t miss it, and by tomorrow, I’ll be at sea.”
“Do you have to go back?”
“I do. I have a business with my buddies, and I’ve made commitments. I have a lease”—a little grin—“and a motorbike, and I can’t just simply fail to return. I have to go back, even if it’s just to tie things up there now.”
So Jimmy would disappear again as quickly as he had arrived. But I perceived the plea in his perusal of me, and I knew exactly what he asked.
“You waited for me for years, ever since we were kids,” I said. “And you let me find my own way to you. It’s my turn to do the same. I’ll wait for you now.”
I watched a mix of emotions form on his face—some fear and doubt still there—but the most powerful and evident one was love. And then an understanding came together between us, although we had no time to discuss it further. We knew no details, had made no plans, but we would figure it out.
Jimmy had once said something along those lines to me in the woods. We would figure it out.
For the time being, it was enough. The train whistle called; the ocean liner waited. I had to let him go for now. But not without a kiss.
As I stood on my toes, my legs still threatening to give way, our lips and mouths met. Still just as warm and open and sweet and soft and filled with love and desire. After we untangled, I opened my palm and lifted the locket, letting it dangle by its chain like a pendulum, and said to Jimmy, “Please take this back with you.”
He didn’t move, didn’t blink.
I turned to the locket and spoke to it in a whisper. “You brought Jimmy back to me once.” I lifted it to my face, kissed it, and said, “Please do it again.”
Then I let it fall into Jimmy’s open hand.
Epilogue
Twilight and I jumped the fence and landed, fleet-footed, in our far meadow. The sun was setting and painting the western sky in swaths of orange, salmon, and pink. Twilight’s coat twitched; he wanted to jump the fence at the far end of the field, but I wouldn’t allow it. He was my responsibility now.
I let my eyes roam over Favier lands. Jimmy had left for now, but he would come back. My father’s presence, however, was here in every blade of grass, every stone, and every crumb of rich soil. And then my father was gone, too, as he had come, free now to leave it all to me. Free now to find endless peace.
When I turned back toward the stables, Twilight panted from the effort of his run, and I reached down and patted his neck. Tomkins had said, You just might have your father’s gift. And I finally believed it.
In the dream Jimmy waited for me outside the stables. Of course he had made his way back. He would help me with my wishes and goals as much as he’d made his own come true. Now we knew how foolish it was not to seek all that our lives and time on earth offered. We also knew how other things and other people could step in and tangle everything up. Together, we would make sure it didn’t happen again.
I drew closer. Jimmy held a cigarette, and a burning scent seeped into my brain. I opened my eyes to sudden consciousness. I was not riding Twilight; I lay in bed, in the middle of the night, curled up against Jimmy, who slept deeply, peace and contentment on his face.
I lay still, quietly breathing, then turned my face to gaze up at the ceiling. The smell of smoke came from the dream—or from here?
No. Only a few traces of other scents—paint, varnish, sawdust—from a new house that, along with some luck and love and work, I had built.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
The women of the American Women’s Hospital believed that their service to the people of France did not end on Armistice Day. They continued to serve the needs of the homeless, poor villagers, and refugees until the spring of 1920 and left behind a fully equipped hospital. Before leaving France, the members of the American Women’s Hospital were awarded the Médaille de la Reconnaissance Française (Medal of French Recognition), in recognition of those who, without military obligation, had come to the aid of the ill, injured, and disabled of France during World War I.
In the 1920s, the work of the American Women’s Hospital continued in Greece, the Balkans, and the Middle East.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, my thanks to my agent, Lisa Erbach Vance, for her ongoing support and belief in me. My gratitude also goes to my editor, Jodi Warshaw, and the entire team at Lake Union, who with each novel, continue to make my writing dreams come true. And thanks to my developmental editor, Christina Henry de Tessan, who helped me make the story stronger.
I received generous help from many others, including Ed Vasser and Lynn Kustes for their expertise in historical railroad travel, and Stephen Headley for his assistance with Cincinnati history. Thanks to the guides at the lovely Claiborne Farm for information on horse breeding, Abbe Kesterson for guidance with equine terminology, and Perrine de Seze for her proficiency in the French language and culture. I’m grateful for public access to the Harris and Ewing collection at the Library of Congress, where I ran across the 1917 photo of an ambulance driver used as the cover of this book. Numerous other resources aided me in learning about World War I history in France.
Finally, my inspiration for this novel came from the unsung heroes of the American Women’s Hospital and their service during World War I. This group of remarkable women funded, planned, organized, trained, and equipped all-female medical teams to serve in France during the war. Almost unknown and unrecognized, these brave women put themselves at risk, not for personal glory or gain, but simply to help.
RECOMMENDED READING
Paris at the End of the World: The City of Light during the Great War, 1914–1918 by John Baxter
Kentucky and the Great War: World War I on the Home Front by David J. Bettez
Château Thierry & Belleau Wood 1918: American’s Baptism of Fire on the Marne by David Bonk
In the Soldier’s Service: War Experiences of Mary Dexter, England, Belgium, France, 1914–1918 by Mary Dexter
Three Soldiers by John Dos Passos
Gentlemen Volunteers: The Story of the American Ambulance Drivers in the First World War by Arlen J. Hansen
Battlefields of the First World War by Tonie and Valmai Holt
American Battlefields of World War I: Château-Thierry—Then and Now by David C. Homsher
The Doctor’s Duffel Bag by M. Louise Hurrell
Mobilizing Minerva: American Women in the First World War by Kimberly Jensen
Certain Samaritans by Esther Pohl Lovejoy
The House of the Good Neighbor by Esther Pohl Lovejoy
Wounded: A New History of the Western Front in World War I by Emily Mayhew
The Americans in the Great War, Volume I: The Second Battle of the Marne by Michelin and Company
Into the Breach: American Women Overseas in World War I by Dorothy and Carl J. Schneider
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
Before reading this book, had you ever heard of the American Women’s Hospital? Do you feel you learned something valuable while you read this book? Can you think of any other groups serving others today in a similar manner?
Tragedy in the form of fire strikes Arlene during the opening of this book; soon after, she faces financial ruin. How would you characterize her responses to the life-altering events early in the book? What about her background and nature gave her the strength to persevere? Were you ever angry at her, or did you ever feel as though her life before had been too sheltered and pampered?
When Arlene is presented with an opportunity to go to France as an ambulance driver, she accepts immediately. Was the prospect of earning a lot of mone
y her biggest motivation? What else gave her reason to go? Do you think you would’ve made the same decision?
Cass’s friendship quickly becomes important to Arlene. Why do you think they became close? What did they have in common or not have in common? After Cass’s revelation toward the end of the novel, do you feel as if they had been close friends all along or not?
Brohammer is almost a typical and total villain in this book. Did you ever feel sorry for him? Or wonder why he was the way he was? How well do you think Arlene handled his advances? How did you feel upon learning of his death in the last chapter?
On the other hand, Jimmy is presented as one of the best of men. But he also had weaknesses. What about his personal history and place in society made him doubt that he and Arlene could be happy? Did he want to protect her or protect himself? Or both? How did he deal with his doubts, and how did he try to overcome them?
Although completely fictitious, the two female doctors/leaders of the American Women’s Hospital first medical team have very different personality types. How did their different styles affect the rest of the team? Was Beryl Rayne a good leader? Was Herberta Logan a good leader? Which style of leadership do you prefer?
Near the end of the book, Arlene faces a profound decision. She chooses to protect others she cares for, and it turns out to hurt Jimmy and her in ways she’d never expected. How do you feel about her decision? Would you have made the same one?
The novel concludes on a strong note of hope, although few details have been worked out. How do you envision the future for both Arlene and Jimmy? Will they be able to get past future obstacles based on the fortitude they developed from serving in the war? How will they deal with problems going forward?
What do you see as the theme of this book? Resilience in the face of tragedy? Courage under pressure? The transformative power of love? Or something else?
As of this novel’s publication date, just over one hundred years have passed since the end of World War I. At that time, women in the US still did not have the right to vote. How have things changed for women over the past century? How would Arlene’s life have been different if she’d had the rights women have now?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2015 Whitney Raines Photography
Ann Howard Creel is the author of the Kindle bestselling historical novel The Whiskey Sea, and her novel The Magic of Ordinary Days was made into an award-winning CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.
A former registered nurse, Ann writes about strong women facing high-stakes situations and having to make life-changing decisions. Her historical settings have ranged from Victorian-era Galveston to World War I France to World War II New York City. Besides writing, Ann loves renovating old houses, hiking, and all things cat. For more information, visit her at www.annhowardcreel.com.