My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley

by Andrea Boeshaar

  “I will protect you.” His gaze wandered the landscape behind her. “Hide up there on those rocks. Jonah won’t see you there if he crosses the bridge.” His voice held a tender note that Lily hoped she’d still hear later today and tomorrow … forever. Had their kisses meant as much to him as they did to her?

  Mac melted into the water, floating to the middle of the creek. Only his shoulders, neck, and head were exposed to the dappled sunlight spilling through the treetops.

  “Ahoy, Captain Albright.” Jonah must have instantly seen him.

  “Greetings, Master Jonah.”

  “I see you decided to make use of our swimming hole and wash your clothes at the same time. That’s what Jed and me do too.”

  Mac’s chuckle reached Lily as she climbed the bank to shelves of uneven rocks, inhibited only by the muck that was certain to stain her white stockings for good. An ever-present reminder of lingering in Mac’s embrace and passionate kisses.

  Was it wrong to wish for more?

  “I’m looking for my sister,” Jonah called. “Have you seen her?”

  She froze, hoping the leafy birch tree sufficiently shielded her from her brother’s keen vision.

  “Now why would I know where your sister is?”

  Lily cringed. The bite in Mac’s tone sounded all too familiar.

  “Aye, Captain, I figured you’d say that, but I had to ask anyhow. Mr. Everett’s at the house and wants to speak with Lily—and he brought her a bouquet of flowers. Right in the middle of the afternoon.”

  “Did he now?”

  “I’ll bet he’s gonna ask Lily to marry him.”

  Her stomach pitched.

  “Marriage, huh?”

  “Yeah, so if you see Lily, tell her to keep hiding.”

  Lily smiled at her brother’s attempt to protect her.

  “Well, I suppose I can make an exception and talk to her today.” Mac’s casual gaze flitted to her then back to where Jonah had to be standing at the end of the stone bridge.

  Her smile grew.

  “I’d misbehave on purpose and get rid of him like I usually do, but Mr. Everett is taking me and Jed to Alexandria with him. We’re gonna see some ships—maybe even like the ones you used to command.”

  Mac floated on his back once more. “I wish you a good time, lad,” he said, sounding like a sailor.

  “Aye, sir, but I’ll see you before we leave. We’re coming to your party Saturday night.”

  “Ah, yes, the party. Tell your sister she may attend in case she’s had a change of heart. In fact, I will be personally offended if she doesn’t.”

  “I’ll tell her. She’ll be happy. Lily loves the reels and country dances.”

  “Is that so?” Mac sent a discreet glance across the water, and Lily guessed he was having a bit of fun with her younger brother. “A pity I don’t dance.”

  “A shame for sure. Plenty of girls in Middletown are squabbling over who will dance with you.” A pause. “Personally, I think I’m a good dancer.”

  “I gather you enjoy high-stepping with members of the fairer sex, but is there one girl in particular you like best?”

  “Yes, but don’t tell Lily.”

  “I won’t say a word.”

  Lily strained to hear Jonah’s response.

  “Evie Ashton is my girl, but Lily can’t know, because Evie’s older brother broke her heart.”

  “Something tells me your sister has moved beyond her infatuation with Mr. Ashton.”

  Her cheeks grew warm with his subtle reference.

  Moving higher onto the rocks, Lily tried to get a glimpse of her brother. Surely he’d be on his way soon. Then again, if he was on a mission he didn’t care about, he might decide to loiter with Mac until suppertime.

  Her wet stockings caused her foot to slip, sending her careening forward. She caught herself by grabbing onto the upper plateau of rocks. It felt warmed by the afternoon sunshine, and Lily climbed higher up the bank. Had Jonah heard her? She still couldn’t see him.

  Sudden movement to her right claimed her attention. Only too late she spotted the thick coppery-brown viper. It sat coiled and ready to strike, its eyes fixed on her, copper with black vertical black slats. She jerked her hand away, but the creature lunged, and its fangs sank deep into her forearm. Lightning-white pain shot up her arm while her terrified screams flooded her ears.

  When Lily screamed, Mac rushed toward the creek bank with a hunch she’d encountered a snake. What else could make her thrash about? Reaching her, he spied the two-foot copperhead clinging to her flesh.

  Pulling a knife from his boot, he killed the reptile and disengaged it from where it had gotten stuck in Lily’s arm. He flung its body into the brush. Lily’s shrieks subsided, but her knees gave way. Mac caught her before she landed on the stony creek bank.

  “Lily, you must stay calm. You’ve been bitten by a poisonous snake.” He tucked his knife back into the top of his wet boot. “The more upset you become, the faster the venom will take hold of you.”

  Jonah came nearer, his expression one of fear mixed with curiosity. But there was no time for explanations now.

  “Jonah, run and tell your aunt that Lily’s been bitten by a copperhead.”

  “Aye, Captain.” He took off running.

  Mac scooped Lily into his arms and hiked up the bank. He called on his experience in order to gauge his next move. Lancing the bite and bleeding the area would affect nothing and risked infection. Wrapping the limb must be done at once before it swelled.

  Reaching the orchard, Mac gently set Lily down beneath the canopy of apple trees.

  “Stay sitting up and take slow breaths.”

  She held her arm. “It hurts, Mac.”

  “I’m sure it does.” He retrieved his knife and made a cut in the bottom of his shirt. He then tore off a swath of material, large enough to bandage her arm. Immobilization was paramount. Soon her arm would swell and she’d not be able to move her fingers and elbow until the poison left her system.

  If she survived.

  He wrapped the wet cloth tightly around her arm until he reached her wrist.

  “Am I going to die?” Tears glistened in Lily’s large blue eyes.

  “No, of course not.” He cupped her sweet face, wishing he could promise her the world. The truth of it was he couldn’t promise her next breath. “This particular snake’s bite is rarely fatal for adults,” he said, more to assure himself than to calm her. “I’ve seen many a sailor get snake bit. Vipers often hide in cargo holds and feast on fat rodents. Sailors find them when they unload.”

  “Rodents and snakes? What awful passengers.” Lily wrinkled her pert little nose, and Mac grinned.

  But all humor quickly died away as he finished bandaging. “I will be forthright and predict that you will be ill for a while. Ten days, I’d guess. It depends on how your body reacts.”

  “I’m strong and healthy.”

  “Yes, you are.” Mac stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “And that is to your advantage.”

  “My head hurts, Mac.” She brought her hand to her forehead. The color in her cheeks drained away. The venom was already at work.

  Please God, let her survive this …

  Mac chided himself as he gathered Lily in his arms and stood. Why would God deign to hear from a sinner such as he?

  “Stop. I’m going to be sick.”

  Mac set her feet on the grass and held her around the waist as she vomited. When she finished, he wiped her mouth with the remaining ends of his moist shirt, keeping one arm firmly around her midsection.

  “You would make a fine doctor, Captain.” An audible breath left her. Her eyes rolled back, her lashes fluttered closed, then her legs gave way.

  Mac held her close for a few precious seconds. “You’re going to be all right, Lily,” he whispered against her forehead. How lovely she looked even as the snake’s poison wound its way through her veins. How delicate, even fragile she appeared, resting in his arms, her long, gold
en hair cascading over his arm—and how very unlike the woman who flung taunts at him not even an hour ago.

  Delicate and fragile, yes, but, Mac chose to park on Lily’s remark about her strength and good health.

  He lifted her limp body and carried her across the meadow and to the house. As he reached the entrance of the kitchen, he found none other than Silas Everett waiting for them, arms folded, his toe tapping impatiently. The man’s darting gaze traveled from him to Lily, taking note of her damp hair that lost its pins somewhere in the creek. Jonah and Jed gazed at their sister’s unconscious form with worried lines creasing their foreheads.

  “Is she dead?” Jed pushed past his brother to get a closer look.

  “No, she merely fainted. She’s had quite a shock.” Neither boy seemed appeased, so Mac added, “She’ll be very sick for a time, but then she’ll be all right.” He wanted so badly to believe it.

  Mrs. Gunther entered the kitchen, a glint of purpose in her gaze. “Bring her to the daybed in the sewing room. I’ve prepared a poultice and found a splint to immobilize her arm to control the swelling.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I see you managed to bandage it.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Relief washed over him. Mrs. Gunther obviously knew what she was doing.

  He carefully maneuvered the turns in the hallway until reaching a femininely papered room. Lily had told him it doubled as a ladies’ drawing room for formal affairs.

  Mac laid her gently on the divan. A soft moan escaped her despite his efforts not to jostle her afflicted limb. After smoothing Lily’s hair off her face, he stepped back so her aunt could take over.

  “Will you need the doctor?” Mac placed his hands on his hips.

  “No, Captain, I’ve tended to plenty of snakebites in my life. Only one was fatal.” Mrs. Gunther met Mac’s stare. “You’re sure it was copperhead and not a water moccasin? The latter’s bite can be more severe.”

  “I’m sure. I killed the snake and got a good look at it.”

  She gave a nod.

  “You both are wet and disheveled.” Everett’s tone could grind stone. “What on earth happened, and how did Lily acquire a snakebite?”

  “It’s a long story.” Mac remained focused on Lily’s care. He’d feel much better if she’d awaken.

  “How dare you return Lily in such a state?” Everett arched a brow as he looked her over. “Her stockings are ruined. Her hair is a tangled mess. And she is wet from her head to her muddy feet.”

  Lily’s eyes opened. She stared at Mac and he breathed easier.

  “I demand to know how this occurred!” Everett’s fist came down hard on the sideboard, rattling the lamp.

  “Yes, Captain, do tell,” Mrs. Gunther said, unwinding the makeshift bandage.

  Jonah and Jed had taken places beside Mac. “It’s very simple, really.” He sent Lily a wink. “Lily fell in the creek.”

  “Was she on the stone bridge?” Jed asked. “She does lots of thinking there.”

  “She probably fell over the side—or slipped.” Jonah folded his arms, looking as though he’d solved all of life’s mysteries.

  Mac concealed a grin. The boys were making his alibi easy. “When she didn’t resurface, I assumed she’d struck her head and needed rescuing.” That much was true.

  “Aw, Lily never needs rescuing.” Jed chuckled.

  “Yes, so I discovered.”

  Lily’s face contorted with pain when Mrs. Gunther moved her arm. “Forgive me, dearie. I’ll be done soon enough.”

  Lily’s pained features dissolved into her smooth complexion, so Mac continued the tale. “When I learned she was all right, I decided the water felt nice and cool on this hot, muggy day, and that’s when Jonah found me. I was merely taking a quick dip before returning to my work.”

  “By then Lily was coming up the bank, right Captain?”

  “Right.” Mac clamped Jonah’s shoulder in the manner offered to a few favorite sailors.

  “Is that where she got snake bit?” Jonah asked. “On the creek bank?”

  “The very place,” Mac said. “So you boys take extreme care next time you go fishing.”

  “What happened to her shoes?” Everett folded his arms and shot a glare Mac’s way.

  The question caused Mac to remember his boots were filled with water. He glanced down at the puddle accumulating beneath his feet.

  “Well? No answer for the loss of Lily’s shoes?”

  “Did they fall off when she fell in the creek?” Jed asked with wide, innocent eyes.

  Mrs. Gunther cast Mac a doubtful glance, but didn’t voice her suspicions. He would be more than happy to reveal the truth—most of it, anyway—once Everett was gone. However, it struck Mac as odd that Lily’s well-being didn’t take precedence with Everett. Instead, he was consumed by her bedraggled state.

  Except she looked as lovely as ever to Mac.

  “I should stop dripping on your floor, Mrs. Gunther, and get my boots off before my feet start pickling.” His remark sparked chuckles from the boys.

  Lily’s gaze, however, pinned him in place. Questions filled her eyes.

  He guessed her thoughts. “I will return to check on you.”

  “Don’t bother,” Everett grumbled. “I have severe doubts about your character, sir, and I dislike your poor influence on my wards.”

  “My apologies.” Mac dipped his head then turned to Jonah. “Will you please mop up the puddle I made?”

  The lad snapped to attention. “Aye, Captain.”

  “Thank you, sir, for rescuing my niece,” Mrs. Gunther said while smearing the muddy-looking poultice over Lily’s forearm. “You have our undying gratitude.”

  Pain swarmed in Lily’s eyes—pain Mac wished he could take on himself. He’d rather have received the bite than see her suffer.

  “Take your leave already, man!” Everett’s face reddened.

  “Of course.” With one last glance at Lily, who gave him a brave smile, Mac left the room. His boots squeaked and squished with each step.

  However, despite Everett’s request, Mac didn’t intend to stay away for long. He would be back.

  The sound of her own whimpers awoke Lily. She opened her eyes and drank in the familiar papered walls of the sewing room. A small fire glowed in the hearth, and moonlight as bright as lamplight spilled into the chamber. She tried to sit, but pain exploded through her right arm and spread through her entire body. Every muscle rebelled at even the slightest movement.

  The snakebite. Lily recalled it vividly now. All her life in the Shenandoah Valley and she’d only glimpsed the slithering reptiles from afar. The closest she’d been to a viper was when that black racer slithered across the tips of Mac’s boots. Never had she been eye to eye with a snake before it struck, and she didn’t think she would ever forget its soulless stare. Ever since she could remember, she had swum in the creek with sheer abandon, never bothered by dangerous water snakes or those like the coppery serpent that bit her. Her brothers, of course, had caught garter and king snakes and shaken the wiggling bodies at Lily, hoping for a startled reaction. But she’d always pretended not to be afraid. This last encounter, however, made her fear snakes all the more.

  Especially since God had allowed it. But why?

  “Are you awake, dearie?” Aunt Hilda appeared from out of the shadows. She laid her cool palm on Lily’s forehead. “Your fever seems to have passed.” She let go of an easy breath. “Glory hallelujah! I can’t tell you how relieved I am. Goodness, you’ve been in and out of consciousness nigh unto two days now.”

  “Have I?”

  “Indeed.” Aunt Hilda leaned closer to Lily’s ear. “The captain comes by to check on you every thirty minutes or so.” She snorted a laugh. “He’s as bad as a clucking hen.”

  “He is?” Lily found it even hurt her jaw to push the words from her tongue. “Why does every muscle pain me, Aunt?”

  “It’s the venom. It affects muscles, especially those close to the bite. ’Tis why I’ve bound your arm to your
midriff. It seemed the most suitable position for it to heal in. The less movement the better, so be still.”

  Lily wasn’t about to argue. Aunt Hilda sifted a spoonful of white powder into a tin cup. “What is that?”

  “Laudanum for your pain, mixed with my blackberry cider.” She put the glass to Lily’s parched lips. “Take a drink.”

  At first Lily didn’t want it, but after a sip, a powerful thirst grew and could no longer be ignored.

  “Easy now.” Aunt Hilda pulled the glass away and replaced it with a tiny bit of biscuit. “Here, eat this. You love my butter biscuits, Lily, now don’t you?”

  Lily attempted to bob her head while baked deliciousness dissolved in her mouth. Its buttery, rich flavor brought her appetite to life. She opened her mouth like a baby bird awaiting another morsel.

  “That’s my girl. You get something substantial in your stomach and the laudanum won’t come back up on you.” Aunt Hilda urged her to drink the rest of the drug-laced cider. “You’ll be feeling no pain soon enough.”

  “Thank you.” Lily’s voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. Coziness enveloped her like Mac’s embrace.

  “Did he really come to check on me?” Lily wanted to hear it again.

  “The captain? He certainly did.” A smile punctuated Aunt Hilda’s words. “He was particularly concerned, as were we all, when you didn’t wake up after twenty-four hours. But now I’m feeling like dancing a jig.”

  Lily smiled.

  “Do you hear the music?”

  Aunt Hilda strode to the window and lifted the sash. The faintest musical notes wafted in on the cool breeze.

  “Mac’s party … Then it must be Saturday night.”

  “That’s right. John said the captain’s got a fine turnout.”

  “Which means Cynthia Clydesdale is most likely there.” Envy nipped at Lily’s conscience like a rabid pup. “Why, she is an expert at batting her lashes at poor, unsuspecting men.”

  “Captain Albright is hardly unsuspecting.” Aunt Hilda chortled while tidying the room. “You needn’t worry about him, dearie.”