While she helped her mother prepare dinner, though, warmth crept up her face at how protective George had been. But if he cared so much about her, why had he left her in the first place?
She stirred the pot of beef stew, her mind on what to do about Madison. When she glanced up, she found her mother frowning.
“Is something wrong, Cassie?”
She shrugged. “Why do you think something’s wrong?”
“You’re distracted. I’d swear you were miles away.” Her mother pursed her lips. “You’re thinking about George, aren’t you?”
Cassidy scowled. “Why do you say that?”
“Mrs. Armstrong told me she saw the two of you together today, at the bakery.”
“Well...I was in town to look in on Miss Baker. You know, her stitches? And George is staying at the hotel. We ran into each other outside the bakery and stopped to talk. That’s all.”
She pinned her mother with a glare.
Her mother shrugged. “She just wondered if the two of you had reconciled.”
Cassidy propped her hands on her hips. “Is that what the whole town thinks?”
“It’s only natural, Cassie.” Her mother picked up two oven mitts and lifted one of the pots, draining the excess fluid in the wash pan. “You were planning to marry and after he left, you never allowed anyone else to court you.” She scowled. “For five years.”
Cassidy dropped her gaze. “What’s between George and me is our business. No one else’s.”
“You’ve lived in a small town all your life. You must know by now everything that happens here will spread around town like wildfire.” Her mother eyed her. “And she also told me she saw George speaking to another woman. One she didn’t recognize.”
Cassidy shrugged, but an uneasy prickle crept up her spine. “Must be someone new in town or someone staying at the boardinghouse. I met two men and a woman when I went to look in on Miss Baker.” The memory of the attractive woman caused her face to heat. She may have been the one George talked to. Memories of his flirtatious ways before the war added to her unease.
“She’s seen this woman around town for the past week. After George first arrived here.”
Cassidy’s shoulders drooped. “But they didn’t come together, I’m sure.”
“I only wanted to caution you. You know first-hand how fickle he can be.”
Cassidy scowled. “I don’t plan to reconcile with George anyway. I’m still not sure how I feel about him yet.”
Her mother brushed her arm. “Is he staying in town, or will he be leaving for the city again?”
Cassidy sighed. “I honestly don’t know, Ma.”
“Well, then, you’d best guard you heart.” She sucked on her lower lip. “Maybe you should find out his intentions and what he does for a living. He hasn’t married, has he?”
“No, Ma. He surely would’ve told me if he had.”
Maybe she should find out more about the woman at the boardinghouse.
****
George sat at the bar in the local tavern and sipped his bourbon. His teeth clenched at the idea of Cassidy working for Madison. She’d promised she wouldn’t, at least for now. But he had to find another way to flush the doctor out. He wouldn’t allow her to put herself in harm’s way.
After he’d downed his drink, the bartender approached. “Looks like you could use another.”
George shrugged. “Reckon I’ll have one more.”
“Very well, sir.” The thin man turned back to pour George another drink. After placing the beverage in front of him, he asked, “You plan to stay in town long?”
George wrapped his fingers around the glass and shook his head. “Not real sure.”
“I remember you. You left town just after the war.” The bartender leaned an elbow on the bar. “Where you been all these years?”
“Been living in New York City.”
The man whistled. “Must be exciting living in a big city like that. Nothing ever happens in a dive like this.” He glanced around the tavern.
“Sometimes a body longs for peace and quiet.”
“Maybe when I’m an old man, but I keep talking about getting out of this town. Ever since the war, I realized there’s more out there I’d like to experience. We were so starry eyed and full of dreams of glory back then.”
George took a sip of his drink, allowing the warmth to seep down his throat. “Reckon we were. Sure didn’t turn out like I thought, though.”
The bartender shook his head. “None of us expected what we went through. And a lot of us didn’t survive.” He turned away as another customer slid onto a stool at the other end of the bar.
Thoughts of the war, of Josh, of Cassidy and the hellish Reb prison camp left George longing for escape from his memories. Coming home had dredged up so much he’d tried for the past five years to forget.
****
Although Cassidy had promised George she wouldn’t be alone with Madison, it couldn’t do any harm to speak to him.
She had extended an invitation for him to visit her home Sunday afternoon on the pretext of reconsidering his offer.
Her mother was home when he arrived, and she found Quinn still in the process of unpacking after his extended stay in Harrisburg. She told him what she intended to do, although he didn’t like her plan any better than George.
“I don’t intend to actually work for him, Quinn. I just want to find out more about him. Promise me you’ll help and won’t give anything away.”
Quinn scowled but agreed to stay quiet on the subject. His main purpose in staying would be to keep Madison’s hands off her.
While her mother settled Madison in the parlor, Cassidy prepared a fresh batch of lemonade, then fixed a tray with a pitcher, four glasses and a stack of peanut butter cookies her mother had baked early in the afternoon, and carried them to the parlor. As she eased through the doorway, Madison rose and stepped to her side.
“Please, allow me to take that for you, Miss Stuart.” He reached for the tray. She allowed him to take it but avoided touching his hands. He inclined his head, and she preceded him in. She stopped in front of the settee and turned back to him.
He set the tray on the table in reach of everyone and gestured for her to take a seat. Her gaze rose to his and he smiled. The last thing she wanted was to sit beside him, but her mother and brother had taken the two chairs and made no move, so she gathered her skirts and sat. He settled beside her. She made a conscious effort not to shirk away.
She leaned forward to serve the lemonade. After everyone had a full glass, she sat back. “Well, I hope you’ve all been getting acquainted.”
“Yes, Miss Stuart,” Madison said. “Your family is very cordial.” His gaze traveled over her mother, then settled on Quinn.
Quinn raised his brow. “I was just telling Dr. Madison about my internship.”
“Yes,” Madison put in. “Your brother is building quite a diverse medical background. He also told me he served as a steward during the war.”
“Where were you during the war, Doctor?” Cassidy pinned him with a glare.
“I...I served in a hospital. In Washington.”
“So you were never in the field?”
“Cassie,” her mother reprimanded. “You’re being rude to your guest.”
Madison raised a hand. “It’s quite all right, ma’am. I can understand your daughter’s ire. After all, your two sons served with the infantry, and I saw first-hand the suffering of the brave soldiers who passed through our doors.”
“Cassie served as a nurse during the war,” Quinn put in. “In the hospitals with Pa and on the battlefield.”
“Ah, a woman after my own heart, courageous and caring.” Madison wriggled closer. Cassidy fought the urge to slide away. When the doctor’s hand rested on her arm, she noted her brother’s narrowed gaze.
Please don’t do anything to alert him.
But Quinn didn’t say a word, and her mother hadn’t caught the gesture.
“That’s
why I’ve asked your sister to take on the position as my assistant,” Madison said. “But she told me no.”
Her mother raised her brows, but to her credit, didn’t comment.
“Perhaps we could talk about the possibility,” Cassidy said. “After all, Quinn’s back for good now, and we don’t have that many patients. The experience of working alongside a schooled physician might be beneficial to me.”
Quinn cleared his throat.
“You object to your sister working for me?” Madison asked.
“No, sir. I think it might be a good match. She can learn from you while I reacquaint myself with our situation and we could share her...” He glanced at Cassidy. “If it’s all right with you, Sis.”
She spread her hands. “Give me a few more days, Doctor. I’ll give you an answer then.”
****
Monday afternoon, Cassidy stood at the kitchen counter slicing carrots and potatoes for stew. Her mind drifted to thoughts of George. He wouldn’t be happy about this turn of events, but how else could they get anything on Madison, if Miss Baker refused to talk?
The doctor was handsome and charming, but knowing his background, she shuddered at the memory of his proximity to her yesterday. When he’d settled his hand on her arm, she’d had the urge to slap his face and bolt from the room. How could she go through with this? Maybe George and Quinn were right, and she should just stay away from the man.
Her mother strode into the room, humming a dance tune. “Oh, Cassie, I didn’t know you’d already started.” She pulled out an apron and tied it around her waist.
“I thought I’d get the vegetables cut up, since I’ve finished cleaning the examining room.”
“Well, I was planning to do this as soon as I returned from town, but Mrs. Bigsley, she’s such a gossip, held me up asking about Dr. Madison.”
Cassidy glanced up, the knife suspended in her hand. “What did she ask about him?”
Her mother placed a pot on top of the stove. “Well, like everyone else in town, she’s considered going to him, instead of you. She wanted to know if you’d be folding up your father’s practice.”
Cassidy pursed her lips. “And what did you tell her?”
“Well, I told her Quinn is back and plans to take over, and you’d go back to assisting like you did for your father. She also asked me about George. Wanted to know if the two of you would get back together, or is he involved with that new woman staying at the boardinghouse.”
“I can’t believe this town.” Cassidy cut up another carrot and scooped vegetables into the pot, her blood heating. “Maybe he was just being polite and talking to her, as he did when he saw me in town.”
“Well...” Her mother looked sidelong at her. “You two have a history, no matter how badly it ended. And George does have a reputation with the ladies.”
Cassidy sputtered. “That was a long time ago, and they were girls then, not ladies. And I don’t even know how long George will stay in town. Why would I want to get involved with him, knowing he might leave again?” Or still flirted with other women.
Her mother sighed. “You’re right of course. You shouldn’t get involved with him again. You should set your sights on someone new.”
“Who, Ma?” Cassidy shook her head. “The one new eligible man in town besides George is Dr. Madison.”
“Well, he’s a handsome man, and he’s asked you to work as his assistant.” Her mother’s eyes narrowed as she struck a match and lit the stove. “Something may come of it.”
“I don’t know.” Cassidy shrugged. “Something about him just doesn’t sit right with me.” As the water started to heat, she lifted a long wooden spoon and stirred the vegetables.
Her mother wiped her hands on her apron. “I know how you felt about George, but it would be wise of you not to stir up that pot again. The man’s a born drifter. He’ll never be content to hold down an honest job and raise a family.”
Cassidy turned away. She didn’t want to hash all this up with her mother again.
“Cassie,” her mother said, “you know I’m right. He left you two days before your wedding.”
“He had a hard time during the war, Ma. And the time in that prison camp...”
“He’s not marrying material and don’t you forget it.”
“I already told you; I haven’t.” Cassidy moved away from the stove and glanced out the window to avoid her mother’s gaze. She couldn’t help but allow her thoughts to drift back to George. He’d grown more handsome than when he’d left her five years ago, and he wanted to protect her. But after his business with Madison finished would he leave again?
She had to control her emotions around him. She and George had no future.
Chapter Thirteen
Tuesday afternoon, Cassidy sat in the parlor reading one of Quinn’s medical texts. The sound of female squeals alerted her that Sarah had returned.
Wesley had to travel to California on a business trip and didn’t want to leave his pregnant wife home alone. So, Sarah would be staying with the family until he returned. While Cassidy loved to see her sister on occasion, the idea of her living here again, with all the disruptions she caused, left her uneasy.
Sighing, she closed the text, placed the book on the table, then strolled out to the hall. Her mother enfolded Sarah in her arms. Wesley stood behind them, a suitcase in each hand.
“Please, Wesley,” her mother said. “Put them down here. I’ll have Matt take them to the guest room.”
Wesley set the cases aside and pecked her mother’s cheek. “Ah, Cassie.” Wesley turned toward her, and she allowed him to kiss her as well.
Sarah ran into her arms. “Oh, Cassie, I look so forward to staying here. It’ll be like before the war.”
Cassidy hugged her sister. “Yes, it will.”
“In fact,” Sarah said, breaking away from her and looking at their mother. “I’d like to stay here when the baby’s due. Cassie has agreed to deliver my child.”
“I—ah.” Cassidy’s face burned. “I said I’d attend the birth...if you needed me, that is.”
“Oh, but I do. I’ve already discussed this with Wes.” She glanced at her husband. “He said it would be all right if I stay here in my last trimester and have the baby here.”
“That’s wonderful news,” her mother said. “We’d be more than glad to have you stay here to have the baby.”
“Yes,” Cassidy agreed, although she felt like bolting from the room. “You do have a few more months to go yet, though.”
“About a month and a half, so the doctor says. Isn’t that right, Wes?”
Wesley nodded. “I can bring her back here the first of June. We’ll both stay if that’s all right, Mother Stuart.”
“Of course, Wesley. I’d be thrilled to have you both. And we have more than enough room for you and the baby.”
Although Cassidy nodded, she wasn’t sure she liked this idea at all.
****
Wednesday morning, Cassidy had her arms up to her elbows covered in dough. She planned to get the loaves kneaded and in the oven before setting up for her first patient. A moan alerted her she wasn’t alone. Glancing toward the kitchen doorway, she spotted Sarah, clothed in her wrapper, her chestnut hair loose around her shoulders.
“Where’s Ma?” she asked.
“I told her to sleep in for a bit. She’ll be down shortly to get breakfast started.” Cassidy glanced at the doughy loaves. “I wanted to get the bread in the oven early. I’m seeing a patient today.”
Sarah waddled into the kitchen, pulled out a chair, and thumped down into the seat. She set her elbows on the table and settled her head between her hands.
Cassidy peered at her. “Are you feeling poorly?”
“It’s my stomach.” She pressed her hands against her growing abdomen. “I’m feeling sick. Don’t know if I can eat anything.”
“Why don’t you go on back to bed for a while?”
“I wanted to talk to Ma.”
“Well, just sit
there, until she comes down.”
Sarah groaned again. Cassidy finished shaping the loaves and shoved them into the oven. She stirred the embers then turned to her sister. “Can I make you a cup of tea?”
Sarah raised her head, her blue eyes bleary. “Would you, please?”
“Of course.” Irritated at her altered plans to finish up and get to the office, she gritted her teeth and filled the kettle, using the jug she’d topped off with fresh water earlier from the pump outside.
“I hope I’m not causing you too much trouble,” Sarah said.
“No. Don’t be silly. This will only take a few minutes.” She set the pot on the stove to heat.
“That new doctor in town is very charming, don’t you think?”
Cassidy glanced at her sister. “You’ve met Dr. Madison?”
A smirk replaced her sour expression. “Not exactly. Bessie Mae heard I was in town and invited me to the ice cream parlor to catch up on things. It was after Wes left, and you were busy with patients. She told me all about him. She’s been to see him several times.”
Cassidy narrowed her gaze. “She has?”
Sarah lowered her lashes. “Well...she thinks he’s very handsome. On the way back she pointed him out to me. He was leaving the mercantile. She took me over and introduced me to him. He is a dashing and well-dressed man and is obviously doing quite well.”
Cassidy scowled. “I reckon so.”
“He’s one of the most eligible men I’ve seen here in town for quite a while, and Ma told me he paid a visit on Sunday and seems to have taken an instant liking to you. He’s also very handsome. You should set your cap for him.”
Cassidy scooped crushed tea leaves into a tea ball and inserted it in a cup. “I don’t plan to set my cap for anyone. At least not right now. I’ve the practice to think of.”
“But if you wait, it might be too late.” Sarah’s brows rose, her morning sickness apparently forgotten.
Cassidy's War Page 9
