“I’ll try,” she replied, her heart fluttering a little.
She asked him about a patient, and he followed her to the soldier’s bedside to take a look. He was a drummer boy, not more than thirteen, with just the beginning of peach fuzz on his chin. His company had fallen under mortar attack, and a wound in his back was of particular concern.
Dr. Talbot prodded the patient’s abdomen for a moment. Therese watched as he did, realizing how much she’d grown as a nurse. She no longer felt sick to her stomach or at a loss in caring for the patients. She spoke to the boy softly, but he didn’t answer. His eyes were glazed with fear. She patted his hand. “You’ll be all right.”
Dr. Talbot concurred, adding, “Miss Jennings will give you something to help you sleep.”
The boy nodded.
“Give him another dose of morphine.” Dr. Talbot suddenly appeared tired. “Keep him comfortable.”
Therese gave him a knowing look and tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.
He nodded. “I’ve arranged for a driver to take you and Polly home after your shift. She told me what happened last night. I’m so grateful it was nothing more than a scare. From now on, the wagon master will take you home.”
As he passed by her, Therese answered softly, “Thank you, Alec.”
He smiled and then brushed against her arm. For a moment, she thought she’d imagined it, but then he glanced over his shoulder at her, a playful expression on his face. She smiled, longing to spend more time with him.
When she turned back toward the drummer boy, however, her moment of joy immediately vanished.
He moaned. She patted his shoulder and went to get the medicine. When she returned, she quickly gave him his dose and then sat and held his hand until he fell asleep. She doubted he’d live for long.
The next day, because Badan had left with Mother for River Pines, Therese and Polly walked to the hospital. When they arrived, Warner was asleep. Matron Webb said he’d had a good day and eaten more than before. “I think he’s on the mend,” she said.
Relief rushed through Therese. She knew not to get her hopes up, but perhaps he would make it after all.
She checked on the drummer boy, but as she expected, he had died that morning. She took a deep breath and said a prayer for his family.
As she collected more supplies, Dr. Talbot greeted her.
“Hello, Dr. Talbot,” she answered.
He stepped into the large closet with her and to the left, out of sight from anyone passing by in the hall. “Alec,” he whispered.
She smiled and then asked about the boy who had died. “We kept him out of pain,” Dr. Talbot answered. “It was inevitable.”
Therese nodded. She understood.
Dr. Talbot echoed what Matron Webb had said about Warner. She thanked him, knowing he took good care of all of the patients, but that he was especially looking after her brother.
“I’m wondering if you’d want to join me for church on Sunday morning,” he said. “I’d like to know what you think of our services.”
She cocked her head at him, intrigued. “What are they like?”
He leaned against the doorframe. “Members take turns with the teaching each week, except when we have silent meetings.”
“Oh?”
“For those, we sit and listen to God, especially seeking His ‘still small voice.’ Individuals share what He’s teaching them. It’s all very contemplative and reflective.”
“It sounds lovely.” Her father would have appreciated such a service.
Alec glanced behind him and lowered his voice. “We also focus on equal rights between the races and men and women. We take seriously the verse in Galatians that says we are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Yes, Father would have definitely appreciated the doctrine of the Quakers. Galatians 3:28 was one of his favorite verses.
“Here in Richmond, as I’ve said, we meet in members’ homes. This Sunday’s service will be at the Corbetts’.”
Therese sighed. “I would love to join you. I have no issues with the Quaker faith.” She hoped she was communicating her thoughts as to what the future might hold. “But I can’t go while I’m staying at the Galloways. I couldn’t explain it to them.”
“I’m sure you could.”
She shook her head. True, her father believed in equality of all people, but that didn’t mean the rest of the South did. Attending a Quaker meeting would be seen as being disrespectful to her employers and subversive to her community, plus it would bring attention to her. Sure, she could make up an excuse. Or lie and say she was working at the hospital. But she didn’t feel comfortable doing that. “I hope I can go to a Quaker meeting with you sometime soon though,” she added.
He frowned. “I’d feel better if you went with me now. It’s a big part of my life.”
She understood that. No doubt, his beliefs truly made him the man he was. “In time,” she said, and then she smiled as sweetly as she could.
“Why does it feel as if I’ve known you for years?”
Therese felt the same. His way of life appealed to her, as did his goodness and commitment to others.
“Perhaps it’s because I met your father and enjoyed his writings so much that you seem so familiar,” he added. “But I think it’s more than that.”
A shiver shot down Therese’s spine. She’d always dreamed of Michael until she realized how much she’d misjudged him. There was no misjudging Alec. He was exactly who he seemed to be.
“Dr. Talbot!” It was Matron Webb.
Alec smiled at her again and then slowly turned around. Therese resumed collecting supplies.
“Here I am.” He stepped out into the hall.
“I’ve been looking all over for you,” the matron said. Therese sighed in relief. The woman hadn’t seen her. She’d been positive about Therese’s growing relationship with Dr. Talbot—but Therese didn’t want to be found alone in a closet with him nonetheless.
Later, as Therese fed a soldier too weak to feed himself, she thought more about Alec. If he truly cared for her as he seemed and she returned his affections, she would have to move to Maine. She was surprised to find that the thought encouraged her. She would put all of the worries of her family behind, along with the horrible injustices around her. In Maine she wouldn’t have any financial concerns. She could focus on being a wife and, God willing, someday a mother. Have a bunch of little Talbots running around, as Warner put it.
She shivered a little and then chastised herself for thinking of such things. Perhaps that wasn’t what Alec had in mind at all. On the other hand, it seemed possible that was exactly what he intended. Why else would he be so eager for her to visit a Quaker service? The thought of sharing her life with a kind, intelligent, and caring man warmed her soul.
Later, not too long before she and Polly needed to start home, Alec stopped her in the hall. “Do you remember me mentioning my cousin Ruth?”
Therese nodded.
“I just received word that she’ll arrive in a couple of weeks. I don’t have the time to tell you now, but I have a story concerning her and a lacerated liver. Remind me to tell you before she arrives.”
“All right.” Therese’s pulse surged.
“Good.” He smiled, his brown eyes shining. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
She spent the last minutes of her shift by Warner’s bed, overcome with exhaustion—and gratitude that Alec had arranged a ride home for her and Polly.
The next day sped by as she taught the girls, trying not to yawn too much as she helped them with lessons she’d hastily planned before breakfast. That afternoon, when she and Polly arrived at the hospital, Alec was in surgery. Polly immediately went upstairs to assist him while Matron Webb, an anxious expression on her face, cornered Therese in the hallway.
“There are rumors of the hospital closing down,” she said.
“I see.” Therese’s heart nearly stopped at the thought of it. She knew Alec would be leaving not long a
fter Ruth arrived, but she’d still been hoping he’d change his mind. If the hospital closed, he wouldn’t have a reason to stay.
And where would Warner go? To Chimborazo Hospital, where many of the Virginia soldiers ended up? Polly had told Therese it had three thousand wounded, compared to three hundred at their own hospital. Mother would be more determined than ever to take him home if the Institute Hospital closed.
She stood frozen in the middle of the hallway as Matron Webb continued on down the staircase. A moment later, she realized Michael stood in the doorway to the east ward, holding his cap in his hands with his haversack across his shoulder.
Therese stepped into the supply closet, wondering about the hospital closing and what it meant for her family.
When she came out with a basin filled with water and a sponge, Michael stood in the hallway as if waiting for her.
He swept his hair, which now fell to his shoulders and across his forehead, away from his eyes and gave her a questioning look. “What was Matron Webb saying?”
Therese explained there were rumors the hospital might be closing down soon.
As Michael rubbed the dark stubble on his chin, a concerned expression settled on his face. “Does Polly know?”
Therese shook her head. “Although Dr. Talbot may be telling her as we speak. She just went to assist him.”
He rubbed his chin again. “How’s your brother?”
“Better.”
“Has your mother arrived?”
“Yes, and thank you again for telling her about Warner.”
“She was pretty upset, and justifiably so.”
“She’s already gone back to River Pines. She’s getting it ready for Warner.”
Michael raised his eyebrows. “So soon?”
Therese shrugged. “She’s determined to move him.” She changed the subject before he could say anything more. “What are you doing here?” It didn’t seem he’d brought any patients.
“I’m after supplies for the field hospital. We’re out of ether and bandages. Linens. Pretty much everything.” He grimaced. “I thought I’d start here first and then go begging, from hospital to hospital, asking for a little at each.”
That sounded like an arduous task. The blockade at sea had stopped the shipment of supplies and medications from Europe, although a limited amount was still smuggled in.
He took a step toward the stairs and then stopped, turning back around. “Therese?”
“Yes?”
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know you again. The circumstances are horrible, but seeing you every once in a while is the one bright spot in all of this.”
Therese’s face grew warm. “Thank you,” she answered. She couldn’t honestly say she’d enjoyed getting reacquainted with him in light of how troubling his new way of thinking was, so she didn’t respond in kind.
“As far as the rumors about the hospital closing—perhaps there’s no truth to them.”
She nodded in agreement, and he continued on up the stairs. She followed, ready to get back to her duties, knowing it wouldn’t do any good for her to confront Michael about his flawed ideas. She had another Talbot to consider. One who shared her hopes and—God willing—her dreams.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Nicole
On Friday, I felt grateful for all the mundane elements of my job, including stalls to muck, water buckets to scrub, hay bales to stack, and more. That’s because the harder I worked, the less my mind wandered back to everything Maddee and I had learned the night before at Nana’s with Harold and Gabe. There was just so much to process that my brain needed a break. For the time being, I would set all that aside and focus on my tasks and on these beautiful four-legged creatures, who were grace and strength personified.
Speaking of grace and strength, Nate was around all morning. He spent a lot of time working with a horse out in the exercise ring, and there was something about the way he moved that was almost mesmerizing. After sneaking more than a few glances, I realized what it was. He had the kind of fluidity that came with a lifetime spent around horses. For such big and intimidating animals, they could spook so easily that one had to learn not to make sudden movements or broad gestures. Everything this guy did was like one long, smooth motion.
I could’ve watched him all day.
Fortunately, I had to spend the afternoon in a mandatory equine first aid class, which took me into the main building and far from the ring. Unfortunately, as it turned out, Nate was to be our instructor. I couldn’t get away from this guy.
“Hey, boss, wouldn’t you rather be at the racetrack right now?” one of my coworkers asked as Nate entered the room.
“Yeah,” he replied, setting one of the bright-red equine first aid kits on the table up front. “But I’m stuck here teaching you dummies instead.”
“We won’t tell if you won’t,” the guy said, looking around with a grin for others to back him up.
“Uh-huh. And what happens when your horse goes lame or develops a fever and you miss the symptoms?” Nate asked.
That earned a few whoops from the class and an embarrassed shrug from the guy.
Frowning, I leaned toward the girl next to me and whispered, “The racetrack?”
She nodded. “Powhatan Downs. Nate’s over there like twice a week.”
I thought about that as the class commenced. Powhatan Downs was a thoroughbred horse racing track about half an hour away. Was he going there in some professional capacity? Or did he just play the horses?
I didn’t have much time to ponder the question because the class started then. Nate unzipped the large red bag and then began walking along the rows, getting each person to reach inside and pull out two items. When he came to me, I stuck my hands in and came out with a rubber tube and a disposable baby diaper. Great. If this was some sort of contest, I’d just won the booby prize—or maybe the poopy prize would be more like it.
Next, he went around the room and had each person stand up and show their items one at a time and explain its use and purpose in first aid—even though he’d had yet to teach us a thing. That was fine for those who’d pulled stuff like thermometers and rubber gloves, but for the ones with more specialized items, it was a bit of a guessing game. Still, as students did their best, giggling self-consciously, Nate used the moment to explain and elaborate. It turned out to be a fun way to learn—at least until it was my turn, and I stood up to find all eyes on me. Luckily, I knew the first one, only because I’d once seen a horse run into a hornet’s nest.
“This is a rubber tube,” I said, holding it up and modeling it as if I were on a TV game show, “which can be inserted through a horse’s nose to aid breathing.”
Nate nodded. “And why would a horse ever need you to do that?”
“If he had an allergic reaction, like to a bee sting or maybe a snakebite, and his airway started constricting?”
“Good,” my teacher said brusquely. “And?”
“And…” I said, setting down the tube and picking up the diaper with a flourish, which caused a chuckle to ripple through the room.
“Well?” Nate urged impatiently. What was this guy’s problem? He’d been a lot nicer to the others.
“Well,” I said slowly, thinking, “this diaper can be used in a variety of ways. First, if you have an extremely tiny foal and you don’t want it to make a mess, you might be able to put it—”
One of the students made a buzzer sound, cutting me off.
“Try that one again,” Nate said, not smiling.
“Well, uh, you can…” I was about to make another joke but, seeing the glare on Nate’s face, I refrained. “I suppose it might be useful for packing hooves.”
“Good. What else?”
What else? “Maybe if a horse is bleeding, you could—”
“Correct,” Nate said, cutting me off. “Diapers are highly absorbent and can be used to staunch blood flow from wounds. Okay. Gabby?”
And that fast, he was done with me and on to the next person.
I sat, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. If this guy wasn’t ignoring me entirely, he was being rude to me. What was up with that?
At the end of the day, I had just reached my car in the parking lot when I saw him ahead of me and decided to find out. I put my things in the car and then kept going, catching up with my boss just as he reached a big black truck.
“Talbot?” he asked when he saw me, his expression a mix of irritation and confusion. “Do you need something?”
“What is your problem with me? I know you’re the boss and all, but I can’t deal with this attitude of yours.”
He studied me for a long moment before replying that he had no problem.
I wasn’t buying it. “Look, I’m a hard worker. I’m good with the horses. I’m more than earning my pay.”
“For now.”
He tossed his duffel into the bed of the truck and stepped to the car door, as if we were done.
“For now,” I repeated. “What does that mean?”
He gave a frustrated sigh. “It means I don’t like wasting my time or the farm’s resources training employees who are only going to end up ditching the job after a couple of weeks.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Ditching the job?” I asked, incredulous. “Why would I do that? I happen to love it here—well, except for this really mean guy who has it out for me. But I’m not going anywhere.”
He shrugged. “We’ll see. I’ve heard that plenty of times before, from other…” His voice trailed off.
“Other what?”
He blew out a breath. “Other… friends of Bill W?”
My mouth dropped open. “Friends of Bill W” was a euphemism for alcoholics and, by extension, drug addicts. “First of all,” I managed to say, “my past isn’t any of your business. In fact, I think you just violated some law by even bringing it up.”
He shrugged and then surprised me by jingling his car keys in front of me so I could see the key tag. It was a familiar rounded triangle, with the letters NA on the front.
Oh great, so this guy was an addict too.
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