by Betty Bolte
"Why Trent, what brings you here?" Emily set her china cup and saucer on the round table at her elbow.
"Miss Emily, I bring happy news to Miss Samantha."
"Please, have a seat." She waved him into the other chair. "Tea?"
He nodded at Emily and then smiled at Samantha. "Where is Thistle and the puppies?"
Emily shot him a look that shut his mouth with a snap of front teeth. Samantha closed her eyes and slowly shook her head, a tear sliding down her cheek. There he went, putting his foot in his mouth again. He must have hit a mighty big sore topic.
"As I was saying, after you left the slave hut, I investigated further into the woman's symptoms and those of her child. Then I shared my findings with my father, a consult if you will for another view of the circumstances of her death."
Samantha speared him with an intense gaze but remained silent, considering him.
He accepted the cup and saucer from Emily and added sugar, stirring quickly with a silver spoon provided for the purpose. Resting the spoon on the saucer, he returned his attention to Samantha.
Hope flared in Samantha's eyes as she raised her chin. "And what pray tell did you discover?"
"As far as we can determine, the ailment she contracted has no known cure." He sipped the fragrant tea. "And of course, her child died due to an unhappy cord accident. Both sad occasions, but I'm here to tell you, my dear, neither died as a result of your actions."
"How can you say that?" Samantha picked up her cup and saucer, the china clattering delicately in her fingers. "I should have seen the cord was tied about the neck and removed it sooner. I should have recognized Lydia had signs of a serious illness. She had told me she didn't feel right, but I dismissed her complaint as having no consequence."
"You did all you could. Of that I am certain. I spoke with Lydia's husband and he bears no grudge about any of your actions." Trent leaned forward, driven to relieve the unwarranted guilt lingering in Samantha's expression. Her green eyes should shine with hope and strength, not be dimmed with uncertainty. "You are not at fault. You must believe me."
Samantha shook her head, gripping the saucer with one hand, the cup tinkling in its place. "You were not there, Trent. You do not know."
Trent set his cup on the table and moved to stand by Samantha's chair. He removed the saucer from her hand and placed it on the table. Then he clasped both her hands in his, drawing her attention. Her delicate yet strong fingers chilled his hands. "You must hear me. I've investigated Lydia's death and her baby's. There was absolutely nothing any one could have done to change the sad outcome. You did everything possible, and even tried a few unusual remedies which likely eased her passing."
"You are certain?" Samantha gazed at him, the hint of tears making her eyes shimmer in the firelight. "I have felt such a failure on top of losing everything else of import in my life. Please do not jest with me."
Unsure as to what she meant about losing everything of consequence, Trent frowned but squeezed her hands. He knew she'd lost her parents, of course, and the house, but she retained much more. What else had happened in his absence? He'd inquire later, but for the moment, he could reassure her on one score as a minimum. "I am positive you did not cause either death. We do not always fathom why one treatment works and then does not on a different occasion. All we can do, my dear, is our best. Which is what you did."
"Thank you for saying so, Trent. And speaking of unusual, you remind me of an idea for helping Benjamin. It's rather uncommon as well, but after much consideration I can think of no other reason for his decline." Samantha pinned Emily with her gaze as she slipped her fingers free from Trent's grasp. "Please have Frank return the little silver box to Benjamin as soon as he can."
"The one with the pendant? But what purpose might the gem serve?" Emily regarded Samantha with a puzzled expression. "Frank planned to return it to the governor upon his return to town."
Samantha nodded. "In the mean space, let us see whether the legends are true about smoky quartz having healing powers."
"A piece of rock has some kind of ability to heal?" Trent gawped at Samantha and then closed his mouth when she raised a brow at his tone. The look told him to hold his tongue. She needed to rebuild her confidence if he would ever convince her to work with him. Instead of interrogating her further, he shrugged off his disbelief. It was time to put his faith in her experience and opinions without requiring proof before-hand. "I suppose it's worth the attempt."
"It shall be my last attempt at healing any one." She smiled weakly and then relaxed against the back of the settee, her hands folded in her lap. "I've been thinking about my future. I've decided to find another occupation for my time and talents."
Trent scowled at her. She couldn't stop being a healer if it was her calling. He'd been wrong to not trust her, to equate her with her mother. He had to make up for his error. "Why? You've demonstrated you have significantly more training than one might expect of a woman. You needn't forego practicing as a midwife solely due to your patients dying from an unknown ailment you couldn't cure."
She contemplated him for several moments, her mouth opening and closing several times before finally choosing her words. "I've given the matter considerable thought. There is nothing more to say."
He splayed his hands across his hips as he regarded her. He had more to say, if he could convince her to listen. "I was hoping you'd consider working with me at my new hospital. Our town needs the compassionate touch and approach you have shown to each of your patients, no matter whether they have recovered or not. Your caring is important." He enclosed her hands in his again, their slender strength pleasant in his grip.
Samantha huffed a laugh and tried to withdraw her hands. He held on, grasping for words to convince her of his earnestness. He needed her by his side. He'd realized exactly how much she meant to him when he saw the angst on her face the day Lydia and the babe had passed on. After that day, he'd wrestled with the depth of emotion her situation caused within him. Why did her reaction hold such consequence? Finally, he understood.
"Do not joke about such serious affairs." She tugged on her hands. "Release me if you're going to make fun of my grief."
He shook his head, his short queue rubbing the collar of his coat. He must make her believe his sincerity. "I am serious. Your happiness and wellbeing are my first and utmost concern."
She frowned, a delicate drawing together of dark brows. "And why might you say such a thing?"
"You've bewitched me, my dear." He grinned at her and then kissed the back of her hand. Focusing once more on her startled eyes, he squeezed her fingers. "You may not believe me, after my prior grievous behavior. Sorting out exactly why your actions and reactions have meant so much to me took a great deal of consideration to resolve. But now I can say with all honesty that I love you, Samantha McAlester. I wish to court you in order to prove the depth of my feelings for you."
Samantha laughed, a throaty bark of sound. She tugged on her hands again and this time he let them slide from his surprised grip. "Now I know you're in jest."
"I've never been more serious in all my twenty-five years."
Emily coughed lightly as she flowed to her feet. "I believe that's my cue to exit for a brief while. I'll see about supper." She pinned her gaze on Trent. "I shall return in five minutes."
He nodded, waited for Emily to leave the room, and then recaptured Samantha's hands. Gazing into her mirthful expression, he knew what he must do. He pulled her up with him, standing toe to toe in the confined space between table and settee. Without considering the myriad possible reactions to his next inappropriate but necessary move, he kissed her. After her sweet cry of surprise, he stifled any further attempt at speech. Explored her lush lips and tempting mouth, their tongues dancing to an ancient rhythm. She resisted for a heartbeat and then leaned into him. He released her hands to wrap his arms around her, pleased when she pressed her fingers against his back.
Ending the buss, he lifted his head to examine each
lovely feature including the dazed expression in her eyes. "We make a good team, both in healing others and in private matters. Please permit me to call on you, to convince you of my sincerity." He waited, searching her eyes for the answer he desired.
She blinked, a happy grin easing onto her face, and then moistened swollen lips with the tip of her tongue. "I shall consider your offer."
"Do not force me to wait, my dear." Trent winked at her, squeezing her fingers at the same time. "Your answer is of extreme importance to my peace of mind."
She searched his face. Her eyes widened as she let her gaze move from his eyes to his nose to his mouth and back to meet his gaze. "Pardon me for mistaking your intent. Why, you are serious?"
He nodded, not taking his eyes from her. "With all my being."
"I daresay you do not know what you are getting yourself into." Her somber expression lightened as a brilliant smile emerged on her lips. "I appear to draw trouble to my person."
"Then call me 'trouble' from here on." He whooped with glee and a sense of victory. "You shall never regret putting your faith in me, my love. We can do anything as long as we're together."
He pressed his lips to hers again, sweet happiness filling his heart and soul.
Samantha's smile left her face. "Except perhaps help Benjamin."
Damnation. They'd tried so many possibilities with no positive result. Why did she have to spoil the moment with the reality they both may fail their friend?
* * *
Samantha quick-stepped down Bay from the Sullivans' house to Benjamin's apartment. Amy's urgent summons so early in the morning shot fear deep inside, shredding her composure. After all she and Trent had attempted to help the man improve, nothing seemed to make any difference. Trent's insistence on bleeding their patient so frequently weakened him ever more, but they knew not what else to attempt. Emily had ensured that Frank returned the gem, and it hung about Benjamin's neck, with no evident change. Now this. The imperative to attend Benjamin immediately, delivered by a breathless, young slave minutes before, left her shaken. Racing up the back steps, she burst into the dimly lit kitchen. Gasping to a stop, she let her eyes adjust, ascertained the room stood empty, and then ran into the bedroom.
The sight that greeted her made her stumble to a halt even as she smiled.
Benjamin sat up in bed, grinning at her. The mass of blankets and ears of corn had been replaced with a lone quilt. The beautiful smoky quartz heart reflected the morning light from where it hung about his neck. "Good morning, Miss Samantha."
She chuckled at his formality. "After all we've been through, please, call me Samantha." Relief swept into her heart. She strode to check his temperature, peer into his eyes searching for any symptom of ill health. She inspected the bullet wound, detecting only pink edges instead of red or black, an amazing sight after the weeks of worry. No signs of ill health were visible. She found clear eyes and relaxed features. No pain. No stress. She would never know exactly which change evoked the miraculous healing, because they'd made two at the same time. Was it the Cherokee sweating or the mysterious gem that had worked magic to heal Benjamin? She couldn't explain it, but she could celebrate the results. "I'm happy to find you feeling so much better."
Amy crossed the room from the window and grabbed Samantha into a bone-bending hug. After a long moment, she broke it off, grinning giddily. "I'm sorry I doubted you, my friend. Without you and Trent working together to cure this awful ailment, I know not what I'd have done."
Pounding footfalls warned of Trent's sudden appearance beside them. "Benjamin, what a relief." He repeated Samantha's movements, checking for any signs of illness. His expression shifted from concern to relief, mirroring her own emotional progression upon seeing Benjamin. His impressive shoulders impeded her view of Benjamin while Trent performed his lightning fast examination. He'd not even taken time to fashion a queue before answering Amy's summons. As a result, his sandy blond hair hung loose between his shoulder blades. Enticing her to touch the silky strands. She tucked her hands into her apron pockets to control the impulse.
After a minute, Trent straightened and patted Benjamin on the shoulder. "I'm pleased to see you looking yourself."
Benjamin threw off the quilt and swung out of bed. "As am I." He stood on shaky legs, one hand braced on Amy's shoulder. "I have lain here far too long. There is much to be accomplished ere the Britons embark."
"Samantha's idea to use the gem has turned the tide in your favor. I never would have guessed some truth might actually exist to the legends we hear." Trent swiped a hand through his hair.
Must he tease her so blatantly? Should she tell him about the sweat? She didn't know whether it had done any good, in the event, so she stayed mum. She withdrew her hands from the pockets and clasped them together, interlocking her fingers to deny the temptation to feel the silky textures. His words brought a swell of pleasure to her heart. Crystal blue eyes darted a look her way, his smile broadening to fill every aspect of his face. Could he be any more alluring if he tried? Imagine his lips touching hers, his hands exploring her in ways she'd not experienced in years. The thought sparked a sudden urge she quickly forced back. Benjamin's quarters were not the place for such a reaction.
Samantha tore her gaze away from Trent to focus on Benjamin. "Captain Sullivan believes they sail tomorrow with the tide."
"So my timing is perfect for finding my feet again." Benjamin tugged his nightgown into place, a sheepish look marring his washed out countenance. "Where are my garments?"
"Do not rush so." Amy grabbed him about the waist, attempting to detain him from jumping into his clothes. "You've only begun to recover."
Benjamin shook his head in denial but the motion threw him off balance, and he flopped back onto the bed, dragging Amy onto his lap in an unladylike sprawl.
Samantha helped Amy to her feet. "Benjamin, behave. Sit there and think about your next actions. You've been ill far too long to spring up like a jack in the box."
Trent offered Benjamin a hand. "Slow and easy now..."
"Very well." Benjamin had the good grace to heed the advice as he stood up and steadied himself by placing one hand on Amy's shoulder. "But I shall stand on the street to bid adieu to the British and welcome our new governor and our valiant and victorious men."
"We shall all turn out for such a glorious event." Samantha crossed her arms. "I must say, though, how happy I am you'll be able to attend after all of your efforts for the cause."
Amy shifted under the weight of Benjamin's hand but held firm. "I imagine the entire town will bid the Britons be gone and welcome our boys upon their return."
"It's been a long and arduous journey to arrive at the brink of true freedom." Trent folded his arms and aimed a smile at Samantha. "We've had our travails arriving at our own victory with regard to Benjamin's health, have we not, Miss Samantha?"
"My goodness, we certainly have." She shook a finger at Benjamin and then grinned. "It may have taken two of us, but we managed to save your life. My debt to you is now repaid."
Benjamin laughed. "You owed me no debt, Samantha."
"Indeed I did, for saving my life from the renegades." She gave Benjamin a quick hug, aware his ordeal had left him smelling of stale sweat. "Thank you."
"We must always watch out for our friends and family, especially as we forge our country." Benjamin squeezed her upper arms and then stepped back. "It's powerful good to be on my feet again."
"Powerful indeed." Amy cleared her throat and caught Samantha's eye. "I believe I'll fetch some hot water so Ben may freshen up."
Taking the hint, Samantha turned to Trent. "Shall we leave them so Benjamin may prepare for emerging into public again?"
Trent offered her an arm. "I'd be honored if you'd permit me to escort you home."
They strolled along the bustling street, avoiding the growing crowds of people who dared to venture out of their homes during daylight for the first time in months. An air of celebration overhung the beleaguered town. The
scars after six years of fighting and deprivation would take time to fade. Burned buildings, broken roads, and skeletal people only touched the surface of the mars and wounds left behind by the British.
When they arrived at the Sullivans', the house sat silent in the early morning sunlight. Once safely inside, Trent gazed down at Samantha, his expression soft and open. "The place is very quiet this morning."
She nodded. "Emily planned to be at Frank's at first light, and the Captain said he had urgent business to attend prior to the British embarkation."
"We're alone?" The crystal depths of his eyes snared her attention and refused to relent. Her pulse throbbed in her ears loud enough to distance all other sound.
"For a little while. I'm sure Emily will return before long." She blinked and his lips seemed closer, parted ever so slightly, as he watched her moisten her suddenly parched lips.
"Samantha, my dear, I cannot thank you enough for all you did for our friends." The bright blue of his eyes deepened to the color of a twilight sky. "My relief proved great upon seeing him this morning."
"As Amy said, our working together enabled the positive outcome." His nearness, so close she could feel his breath upon her cheek, muddled her brain. She permitted him to take her hands and hold them gently, as though he held quail eggs in a nest. Her fingers appeared fragile compared to his. "I should tell you that I set up a fever sweat yesterday, one I learned from the Cherokee. I hope you will not be upset, but it was urgent to do something before he grew worse."
Trent inclined his head, looking directly into her eyes as he did. "I'm certain you did what was in the best interest of our patient. My respect for you and your expertise is exceeded only by my feelings for you." He pressed a kiss to each palm. Then he gazed at her, not a swift survey but a slow consideration of each element of her face, ending by searching her eyes. "I no longer have any doubt whatsoever."
She moistened her bottom lip, aware of a growing desire awakening deep in the center of her being, spreading lower as he continued to smile at her. "Doubt about what, pray tell?"
