Carrie kneeled beside the prone man, realizing he could die. She sandwiched his left hand in hers as they stared at each other. “I’ll pray with you.”
He gripped her hand and closed his eyes.
They were only given a moment of silent prayer before the soldiers came for him.
Before the men reached his side, Adam placed his good hand on her shoulder and drew her closer until their lips met. His lips clung to hers in a sweet, gentle caress.
The kiss held sadness as if at a parting. Fear swept through her as the realization struck that Adam believed this to be a final goodbye. He didn’t expect to live. “You’ll be fine, Adam. Dr. Hastings is an experienced surgeon.” She prayed it was true.
As they lifted him, his hand slid from her shoulder. “Thanks, Carrie. For everything.”
She gave him a trembling smile. “I’ll have supper waiting for you.” Following them to the doorway, she saw the doctor put some liquid on a cloth before the door closed in her face.
“Save him, Lord.” She didn’t care if anyone else heard her whispered prayer as long as God answered.
Carrie soaked dried vegetables in water before preparing vegetable soup. Undoubtedly the men would be hungry when the surgeon finished removing the bullets. The meal would stretch further with wedges of cornbread from breakfast. Unless the soldiers brought coffee with them, she’d serve water with the meal. A plentiful supply of milk and eggs should satisfy all appetites at breakfast.
Once a full kettle of soup heated on the stove, she carried bedding into the old bedroom she once shared with Aunt Lavinia, making a pallet for herself on the floor since her mattress was still in the cave. After she built a cozy fire inside the heat stove, it removed the chill from the room.
Where would the soldiers sleep? In the main room in front of the fire or in the barn? She hated to think of them sleeping in the cold barn, but it would make her feel more comfortable to have the strangers there. The surgeon would decide whether to keep Adam in Papa’s old bedroom or move him to a spot near the fireplace.
Since she didn’t know how to prepare for sleeping arrangements, there was little else she could do. Wandering aimlessly back to the kitchen, she stirred the soup with a long, wooden spoon. How long did it take to remove two bullets anyway?
Patience had never been her strongest virtue. The longer she waited, the more tense she became.
Baker came out of the room a few moments later. “Pardon me, Miss Bishop. The doctor’s asking for a kettle of water to heat on the stove inside the surgical room. Also, he’s asking to use the pitcher and bowl for …”
Carrie paled at the thought of the blood.
“What he needs.” The private kept his eyes on the floor as he finished the request.
“Of course. I’ll get the water. The other things should already be inside the room.”
The man’s cheeks flushed crimson. “We couldn’t seem to find the usual items in the room.”
Carrie shook her head in humiliation at the oversight. The only set was in her old bedroom, along with the chamber pot. She could visit the privy behind the house, but Adam would require this convenience. What else had she and Jay forgotten? “Please bring the items from the other bedroom while I fetch water from the well.” She picked up a bucket and started for the door.
Baker reached for the bucket. “If it’s all the same to you, Miss Bishop, I’ll fetch the water while you gather the other items.” He went outside, letting in a cold draft which caused Carrie to shiver.
She added two towels to the items requested. The simple tasks were accomplished all too soon. Carrie returned to the stove to stir the gently-bubbling soup after the soldier returned to Adam’s room. The surgery had already taken a couple of hours. What could be taking so long?
Doubts began to creep inside her heart. What if Dr. Hastings didn’t have enough knowledge and experience to help Adam? This seemed unlikely as the man had to be at least forty. If he had practiced medicine all these years, surely the war years would have provided the necessary experience by now.
What if the bullets couldn’t be found? Would the arm be removed? Would this be enough to save Adam’s life or would it further endanger him?
The door opened and Baker emerged. He tried to hide the contents of the bowl in his hand, but it was too late. Carrie paled at the sight of bloody water. He rushed outside with the bowl.
She crept toward the open door where Dr. Hastings bent over Adam. “How is he?”
The sergeant met her with an expression of concern, closing the door behind him so she couldn’t see the patient. “I’ve never assisted a surgery before.” He wiped his face with a big white handkerchief. “The first bullet came out easily. The other one was harder to find.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Have both bullets been removed?”
He took another swipe at his forehead. “We found two pieces. Doc Hastings is sewing him up right now. I best not say any more than that.” He glanced at the stove, sniffing appreciatively. “Is that vegetable soup in that pot?”
• CHAPTER ELEVEN •
Sergeant Young carried the mattress that Adam had been using and placed it onto the bed frame in Papa’s room. Then he and Baker lifted the still sleeping Adam from the table to the bed. Dr. Hastings covered him with a blanket.
“Do you have any lye soap, Miss Bishop?” The polite sergeant blocked the doorway so Carrie couldn’t see inside.
“Yes. I’ll get it for you.” She turned her eyes away from the table as she went to the kitchen area of the main room.
The soldiers took the table outside while Carrie rummaged through a basket she’d brought from the cave. Young promptly returned.
“Here it is.” She gave the sergeant the soap and a towel.
“We’ll wash your furniture before bringing it back inside.” He didn’t look at her, alluding to the blood stains from Adam’s surgery.
Carrie swallowed hard. “Thank you, Sergeant Young. I’ve made supper for everyone, but I only have two bowls.”
“Oh, that’s no problem, miss. We brought our own.” He grinned as he left with the cloth and soap.
Moving slowly as if exhausted, the doctor finally emerged.
Carrie rushed to his side. “How is Adam?”
He took one of the two unbroken seats and moved it near the fire before relaxing his tired frame on it. “That’s a good question. I believe all of the bullets are out, but I’m not certain. There were a couple of bone fragments. He was weak and feverish before I arrived and he's still very sick. I’m afraid we won’t know for days if he’ll …” He moved his hands, palms upward, in a gesture of uncertainty.
“What?” What did he imply? Horrified, she covered her face with her hands. She forced herself to ask what she most feared to hear. “He’s not going to ...” The words died on her lips.
His eyes filled with compassion. “He’s very sick, Carrie.”
She gulped at his repeated warning. “How about his arm? Did you save it?” Her heart pounded fearfully to hear the answer. Adam loved serving as a soldier.
“For now. The bullets and bone fragments have been removed. We’ll just have to see if the muscles can heal.”
Carrie closed her eyes briefly, praying for strength for Adam and her. “Thank you for trying to save his arm. I’ve made supper. You’re welcome to serve yourself. The men will return with the table shortly. Remember to save some for Adam.”
She went in to see Adam. His pale face scared her as he had been red and feverish when she last talked with him. His skin felt hot and dry.
Baker brought the porcelain bowl back to the bedroom and replaced it with fresh water. She bathed Adam’s face and hands with the cold water. Then she retrieved a chair from the main room to sit beside Adam. As soon as he woke up, she’d give him a nice refreshing drink from the well.
She held his good hand while staring at his face. God could pull Adam through this. She’d certainly made her wishes known in her frequent prayers for him the pas
t week.
It didn’t matter what side of the war he fought on. He had to live. He must live.
Her world would never be the same again without him.
A little before dawn, Adam opened his eyes. Carrie, who had been watching for the slightest change, immediately bent over him. “How do you feel, Adam?”
His left hand went immediately to his right arm.
Touching his slightly cooler forehead, she smiled tremulously. “Yes, you still have both arms.”
Her words woke the doctor. She stood as he approached the bed.
“My dear girl, perhaps you could give us a moment alone? And do send the good sergeant in to help me.” All of Dr. Hastings’ attention focused on his patient.
Chagrined at being pushed aside this way, she could only stare at Adam.
“I’m fine, Carrie. Please rest yourself.” Although his words seemed to come with an effort, he managed a weak smile.
Carrie nodded and left to awaken Sergeant Young as he and Baker slept on opposite sides of the fireplace. After the young officer had joined the doctor and shut the door, she went inside her bedroom. Lying on the pallet she had prepared the evening before, she listened for any signs of being needed. Hearing none, exhaustion eventually overcame her, and she slept.
Pale morning light brightened the shadows in her room before she arose. After changing into a fresh dress, she brushed her hair, pinning the single braid in a circle on top of her head. She hoped to look her best for Adam. The only mirror remained in the cave, so there was no way to check her appearance.
Worried about Adam’s condition, she stepped into the main room. The other bedroom door remained closed. No sign of the soldiers. They must have stored their knapsacks and weapons in the ambulance.
She peeked out the window at the impressive pile of chopped wood in the front yard.
A dog barked nearby. With all the neighbors gone from the mountain or in hiding, it was an unusual sound in the past three months. She hoped it wasn’t Star. He was supposed to be safely inside the cave with Jay.
The frantic barking grew closer. It was Star. The obedient dog didn’t bark incessantly without good reason. Something must be wrong with Aunt Lavinia. Something Jay couldn’t deal with.
The possibility spurred her into action. Her heart in her throat, she grabbed her cloak and ran into the yard. The ambulance was gone. She stared without comprehending. Had Baker moved the vehicle into the barn? Where was everyone? Didn’t they hear Star, too?
Rushing back inside she burst into the closed bedroom to check on Adam. His mattress lay empty.
With rising terror, she stared at the empty bed. Had he grown worse during the night? Where was he?
The room was empty. The house was empty. Dr. Hastings and his men were gone.
Where had they taken him?
Growing more fearful, Carrie ran outside to meet her dog.
She raced to the cave with Star at her side. As she drew closer she saw the limbs used to hide the entrance had been removed. Carrie stepped into the cave, her heart thudding even faster.
Baker stood with his back to her, hands raised. For a moment the darkness of the cave and the man’s frozen posture confused her. Then, as her eyes adjusted, she saw Aunt Lavinia standing in the front room with a loaded rifle aimed at the Union soldier.
• CHAPTER TWELVE •
Star immediately began to bark at the stranger inside the cave. Aunt Lavinia, clad in a faded purple dress, never took her eyes off the man as Carrie entered. Jay stood near his aunt, a frightened look on his face.
Carrie had never seen her little brother so scared. “Star, hush up.”
The dog stopped barking, but remained watchful of the soldier.
“Aunt Lavinia, lower that rifle!” The wild look in her aunt’s eyes scared her worse than the sight of the mountain crawling with soldiers. “This man is with the Union Army. He brought the surgeon to help Adam. He’s a friend, Aunt Lavinia.”
“He has no right to be here!” The hatred in her eyes chilled Carrie.
“I heard a rooster this morning while I was out hunting for downed trees to chop up for firewood for your family.” His eyes darted from the rifle directed at him to the woman who held it. “I saw eggs in Carrie’s basket last night, but didn’t find any hens or farm animals in any of the buildings on the property. I figured chickens ran wild on the mountain. After I drove Adam and the doctor up to camp at dawn, I asked Sarge for a few minutes to find the chickens.”
It felt as if all the air sucked out of Carrie’s lungs. Adam was back at the camp.
“He didn’t care as long as I shared. I wanted some eggs.” Baker’s flushed face betrayed his fear.
Aunt Lavinia’s eyes narrowed. “I know what you wanted.” One of the cows lowed from the back of the cave. “You wanted to steal our animals, take our food. Admit it!”
“Please, I meant no harm.” Baker kept his gaze fastened on the loaded rifle as if contemplating his chances of taking control of the weapon. “I won’t tell anybody you got cows and chickens.”
Carrie took a step closer to her aunt. “See, he won’t tell anybody about our animals.”
“Pah! You’d believe a thieving Yankee?”
“Perhaps I can suggest a better plan.”
Carrie swung around to face Sergeant Young as he entered the cave. “Sergeant! Yes, please, what is your suggestion?”
He took a couple of steps closer to Baker, his gaze fastened on the woman who held the weapon. “The army is in need of milk, eggs, and butter. We’d pay a good price for a continuous supply.”
Carrie breathed a silent prayer at the possibility of a steady income. “See, Aunt Lavinia? They’ll pay us.”
As Aunt Lavinia stared at him, obviously wondering whether to trust his word, the young officer introduced himself and Baker.
“Please, Aunt Lavinia, we trusted Adam. He’s a good man. We’ll be treated fairly, won’t we, Sergeant Young?”
Her aunt wavered, obviously aware of their desperate need for cash.
“You have my word on it.” He spoke quietly, but with conviction. “I’ll speak with the lieutenant. He’ll see to it.”
“It’d be just like me selling to our neighbors.” Jay’s green eyes pleaded with his aunt. “Please, Aunt Lavinia? Can’t we sell to them?”
When she met her nephew’s gaze, something relaxed in her expression. Loosening her hold on the rifle, she lowered it to the ground. “If Carrie agrees to a price, we’ll do it.”
Sergeant Young touched his cap respectfully. “Thank you, Ma’am.”
Carrie walked across to the distraught woman. “How do you feel Aunt Lavinia?”
“Can you help me back to bed, child? I’m all done in.” All signs of anger vanished. All that remained was a woman in poor health, old before her time.
“Of course.” Reaching out for her still shaking little brother, she hugged him closely with one arm while extending her other to her aunt. “I’ll take care of you.”
By the time Carrie had calmed her aunt and brother, it was midday. Drained of energy by her almost sleepless night and the dreadful scene at the cave, she could barely speak. Worried about Adam's recovery and the continued decline in her aunt, circumstances beyond her control threatened to weigh her down.
When she entered the main room of the cave, it surprised her to find the soldiers sitting near the entrance. Both men stood upon sighting her.
“Sergeant Young, I thought you both were back at the army camp by now.” She flushed. “I apologize for what happened earlier. My aunt is ill. In fact, her health has noticeably declined in the past two months.” She sighed. “I’d like to think she didn’t plan to shoot you. She’s not normally like this.”
The sergeant listened respectfully. “Please, there’s no need to speak of it again.” He exchanged a glance with Baker, who nodded. “We did leave earlier. We went back to camp and retrieved the ambulance.”
Hope of seeing Adam again caused her heart to beat faster. �
�Oh, did you bring Adam back? I’m happy to follow any instructions the doctor leaves for his care.”
He shook his head regretfully. “Sorry, the doctor is concerned about Adam. He requires more care than you can give him in your home.”
His words struck dread. “I didn’t make him worse, did I?”
“I’m not a doctor, miss.” The sergeant looked at her compassionately. “But it looked to me like Adam received very loving care.”
She flushed. Did the sergeant guess her love for his fellow comrade?
“No, we brought the ambulance to help you move back to your home.”
The suggestion shocked her. With Union soldiers less than three miles away, that wasn’t possible. Surely he realized it, too.
“Now that the army will be purchasing milk, eggs, and butter from you, there will be no reason to hide your livestock.” He gestured the stony ceiling of the chilly, dimly lit cave. “Surely your aunt’s health is affected by these surroundings. Your little brother will be happier, not to mention the livestock.”
He made it sound so easy, but she knew it wasn’t. “Even if the cabin is safe, I can’t move Aunt Lavinia. She can only walk a few steps in her condition.”
“Nothing could be simpler.” He smiled. “We’ll take the ambulance over until the path thins out too much. Items can be moved from the cave to the vehicle and your aunt can ride back, too.”
It seemed like a lot of trouble. “Why do you want to do this for us?”
“You and your family might have saved Adam’s life. It’s still too soon to know if he’ll recover from his wounds and live, but if he were healthy he’d do this for you. I know it.”
He was right. Adam wouldn’t want her hiding in this cave any longer than necessary.
It didn’t take long to convince her aunt to return to their log cabin. The men worked quickly to transport the family’s belongings from the cave to the farm. Meanwhile, Carrie and Jay escorted the livestock back to the barn and chicken coop.
A Stranger On My Land - A Civil War Romance Page 7
