Trent stepped into the infirmary. Abigail stood on a stool dusting the top of a supply cabinet. Her hair was tied back with a blue bandanna, and her auburn curls cascaded halfway down her back. She turned and started when she saw him, but immediately she composed herself and her lips turned up into a smile. He caught his breath. He’d never seen anyone as beautiful as Abigail James was at that moment.
❧
Abigail was conscious of every stain and damp spot on her dress. She was a mess from straightening and scrubbing her classroom and cleaning up broken crocks of preserves, fruit, and pickles. She tried to compose herself as she placed her hand in Trent’s and stepped down onto the hardwood floor. She’d thought he was gone for the day. Otherwise she’d never have come into the infirmary and let him catch her looking like this.
“Thank you, Dr. Trent.” The laugh she attempted sounded more like a hiccup. “I hope you don’t mind me intruding into your domain. If I’d known you were coming back, I’d have waited.”
“On the contrary, I appreciate your doing this, although I certainly didn’t expect it.”
She blushed as he continued to hold her hand. Gently, she withdrew it.
“You must not have heard the supper gong. I think we’re both expected in the library posthaste.”
“The library?”
“Yes, because of the chandelier.”
“Oh, of course. I’d forgotten.” She gave a quick glance at her attire. “Please tell everyone I’ll be there in a few minutes and not to wait. You must all be famished.”
She slipped through the door and hurried up to her room, which had remained untouched by the storm. She unbuttoned her blouse as she walked toward the washstand. Bless Sally May. The pitcher was full of warm water.
Ten minutes later she crossed the foyer to the library in a clean, if slightly wrinkled, dress. Delicious aromas drifted through the door, but she was still flustered by the doctor seeing her dirty and unkempt and doubted she could eat a bite.
One table was set for dining, and the other held platters and bowls of food.
“Ah, there she is.” Charles looked up from his heaping plate. “We took you at your word, my dear, and did not wait. Please help yourself to supper. The kitchen staff is busy trying to get things back in order and said we must fend for ourselves. Although, as you can see, they still managed to prepare us a feast as usual.”
Trent rose from his chair and walked to the food table with her. He handed her a plate then got one for himself.
“Oh, you’re late to supper, too, Dr. Trent?”
“No, Abigail. He waited for you.” Charles sounded amused. “And I think he was rather upset that no one else did.”
She looked at Trent and saw him flash an annoyed glance at Charles.
He turned and looked down at her with a smile. “Pay no attention to him. I think he’s a little delusional tonight. More than likely from being frightened of the dark cellar.”
She shook her head and focused on her plate. She’d heard the two men engage in friendly banter before, but this was the first time she’d been the object of it. Was Charles implying that Dr. Trent was interested in her? She blushed and returned to the dining table with her plate. She glanced at Charles. He smiled. She frowned. He chuckled. She frowned harder.
“All right, all right. I’ll be good.”
She certainly hoped so. He was behaving like a twelve-year-old boy.
“You’ll have to excuse him, Abigail.” Helen’s eyes twinkled. “He’s so relieved that we got by with little damage and all the children are safe. I think he deserves to behave a little silly tonight.”
Helen was right. She felt a little giddy herself. It must be for the same reason—and not because of Trent Quincy’s smile or his deep blue eyes.
She smiled. “I’m ignoring him. Why aren’t Felicity and Howard here?”
“They’re eating upstairs. Trudy’s and Jane’s parents sent word they couldn’t help out tonight.”
Abigail nodded. The two neighborhood girls helped out part-time and sat with the children at suppertime, but she could understand their parents keeping them home tonight.
“Besides,” Helen continued, “some of the children are still frightened. Felicity wouldn’t have left them anyway.”
“I wonder if Lily Ann is all right. She didn’t want me to leave her.” Abigail bit her lip. “I had to force myself to go.”
“I know. I noticed that.” Helen threw her a sympathetic glance. “It’s good that she feels safe with you. But you need to remember you are her teacher, not her mother.”
“I would have thought her parents would have come to check on her. They don’t live that far away.” She cringed at the harshness of her voice.
Trent laid his fork down. “Perhaps something has detained them.”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Of course. I didn’t mean to criticize.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. But let me assure you, Lily Ann’s mother and father love her very much.”
“Yes, I know they do. My words were uncalled for.” When would she learn to think before she spoke? What must he think of her?
“We all speak hastily at times. Please don’t think I was reprimanding you in any way.”
Oh dear, this was becoming very uncomfortable. One minute he was acting almost like a suitor and the next he was proving he owned the school. And everyone in it. No, that wasn’t fair. She was being overly sensitive, as always. Maybe she was overtired. She should excuse herself and go to bed.
Helen pushed her chair back and stood. “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m exhausted. Good night, everyone.”
As both men stood, Abigail rose. “Yes, I was thinking the same thing. I’m almost going to sleep at the table.”
She walked to the door, but as she slipped through, her dress caught and she heard a rip.
Trent was at her side before she could see what was holding her. “Here, let me. I believe a splintered piece of wood is holding you captive.”
He freed her skirt then leaned slightly toward her. “Abigail, I had intended to ask you to sit with me for a while on the front porch. Perhaps tomorrow?”
“Oh.” Was he going to chastise her for insinuating his friends weren’t good parents? Even though she’d apologized, and he’d said everything was fine? “Dr. Quincy, if you wish to speak to me about something important, of course we can talk now.”
“No. It can wait. I know you must be very tired. As we all are. I’m staying tonight in order to go over some things with Mr. Carter. Perhaps if you have some free moments between classes tomorrow, we could talk.”
“Very well. Good night then.”
❧
Trent watched Abigail sail up the stairs. Or maybe she floated. She was the most graceful creature he’d ever seen. In spite of getting caught on splinters. Now what was he going to talk to her about tomorrow so she wouldn’t know he’d been so desperate to spend another few minutes with her, he’d lied just to keep her there?
He brightened as a thought came to him. He’d ask to observe one of her classes. Lily Ann’s. That would be a reasonable request.
Behind him, he heard a low chuckle and turned.
“Man, you’ve got it bad.” Charles walked over and slapped him on the shoulder. “Why don’t you just tell the girl how you feel and put the both of you out of your misery?”
fourteen
Abigail hid a smile as the class erupted with laughter. The children had challenged Trent to a signing contest, and they were far ahead of him. He’d just tried to finger spell puppy and had made the sign for K instead of P.
“You’re funny, Dr. Trent.” Sonny chortled.
Trent gave an exaggerated sigh. “I know. You’ve all beat me. I suppose you want to collect your prize soon.”
“Yes!” The word resounded across the room.
“All right. An ice-cream party at the creek on Saturday. But you all have to help me crank the freezer.”
“Can we have c
hocolate?” someone called from the back of the room.
“No. Banana.” Lily Ann frowned and plopped her hands on her hips.
Abigail stepped forward. Time to intervene before an argument broke out. “We’ll take a vote. Everyone write your favorite flavor on a slip of paper, and I’ll gather them up. Lily Ann, you may whisper to me.” A thought came to her. “No. On second thought, whisper to Dr. Trent. I’m sure he’ll be kind enough to write it down for you.”
A strange look crossed his face then he smiled and bent over so Lily Ann could whisper in his ear. Good, it had made him think. At least for a moment. He certainly needed to think. It was ridiculous to make the child wait while he chased around trying to find a cure for her. That might happen tomorrow or next year or never. But in the meantime, there was a way for Lily Ann to read and write. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to say another word on the matter.
She gathered the slips of paper and placed them on the desk, motioning for Trent to do the same with Lily Ann’s.
Trent put the votes in four separate piles then looked up, a gleam in his eye. “Vanilla, two! Peach, two! Chocolate, two! Banana”—he held his arm up high—“is the winner with three votes!”
Lily Ann and two other children cheered.
Abigail felt something akin to joy as she watched him play with and tease the children. Trent was a good man, kind at heart. God would speak to him, and he’d do the right thing about Lily Ann. She was sure of it.
The bell rang, and she dismissed the class, except for Lily Ann. She took the little girl’s hand. “Dr. Trent is going to be with us for our lesson today. What do you think of that?”
“To our special place in the woods?” Lily Ann frowned then nodded. “I guess that will be all right.”
Abigail detected surprise on Trent’s face as he glanced from Lily Ann to her. He was one of Lily Ann’s favorite people. Abigail was sure he still was. But she and Lily Ann had a special student and teacher bond.
They walked across the lawn to the woods with Lily between them, holding their hands. When they reached the woods, she tugged her hands loose. She could feel her way from here. Abigail watched Trent’s obvious amazement as she went ahead of them, making her way from one familiar tree or bush to the next.
“How does she do that?”
“Her sense of touch is very strong. It’s as though she sees with her hands. Her senses of smell and hearing are extra sensitive as well. Hadn’t you noticed?”
“Hmmm. I guess not. But we’re usually playing or teasing each other when we’re together.”
She smiled. “Yes, I’ve noticed. She’s crazy about you, you know.”
“Well, it’s mutual.” He grinned. “She’s my girl.”
Abigail’s heart did a flip-flop as his eyes sparkled. She glanced away. “Oh, here we are. And your girl is waiting by our special tree.”
“Ah yes. This is probably one of the oldest live oaks on the property. I used to climb it when I was a boy.”
“You did, Dr. Trent?” Lily’s mouth dropped open. “I didn’t know it was that old.”
Trent laughed. “Well, it’s much older than I am, Lily Ann, if you can believe it.”
As Abigail began Lily Ann’s spelling lesson, she sent a silent prayer up to God to open Trent’s eyes without a word from her.
Lily excelled in her spelling and signs. When they were finished Lily Ann reached over and found Trent’s hand. “Now it’s story time. Have you ever heard of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ?”
“No, I don’t believe I have. Is that the story Miss Abigail is reading to you?”
Lily nodded. “Uh-huh.”
Abigail opened the book. “Do you remember what Alice was doing when we left off, Lily Ann?”
Lily Ann’s face went blank then a frown puckered her forehead. “I can’t remember. I’m sorry. It’s been two weeks.”
“Oh Lily, it’s all right, sweetheart. A lot has happened to us since then. I’m not sure I recall very well either.” She patted Lily’s hand. “Why don’t I read the last chapter over?”
Lily nodded. Abigail tried to make the chapter as alive as possible as she read it again.
Soon Lily seemed to forget her disappointment. After every paragraph she’d say, “I remember now.”
By the time they returned to the school, Lily was laughing with Trent and seemed to have forgotten the incident.
After Lily Ann had disappeared into the dining room, Abigail stood in the foyer with Trent.
“Are you joining us for dinner, Dr. Trent?”
He shook his head. “I received a telegram inquiring about the director’s position. I need to reply and let him know what information to include on the application.”
“Well, at least you have one person interested. I hope it works out. Mr. Carter will be leaving in a few days.”
“I probably won’t be here tomorrow. I need to check on some folks getting over the measles. So I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Oh yes. The ice-cream party.” She laughed.
“I’ll ask Carrie to mix up the ingredients, but she’ll probably make me mash the bananas.” Suddenly he sobered. “Abigail, I want you to know I’m considering your request to teach Braille to Lily Ann. But I still haven’t made a decision.”
She nodded. “Thank you for letting me know.”
She smiled as he walked out the door. She had a feeling Dr. Trent’s decision would be yes. And the sooner the better.
❧
Trent dressed and ate a quick breakfast. He’d seen most of his recovering patients over the past two days. He planned to visit the last two families today so that he could spend tomorrow at his office in Mimosa Junction. Once Carter left on Monday, he’d need to be at the school most of the time. Unless, of course, a medical emergency occurred.
Every attempt to find a doctor who was free to cover his medical responsibilities had failed. He sighed. When had life gotten so complicated? At least the telegram was on its way to this P. H. Wellington. He hoped the man would prove to be qualified and of good reputation. And that he could start soon.
His first stop was the Benson farm. All three of Hattie and Bob’s children had come down with measles. They’d been well on their way to recovery when he’d visited last week. Both boys were outside playing and came running when he pulled up to the weathered frame house.
“Hi, Doc Trent.” Five-year-old Tobe’s gap-toothed grin met him at the front step.
“Hi, Tobe. You look like you’re feeling better.” He grinned at Tobe’s older brother, Sam, who had hopped up onto the porch. “You, too, Sam.”
The front door opened and Hattie stood there smiling, holding Mary, the baby, on her hip.
“Morning, Dr. Trent.”
“Good morning, Hattie. I can see by your smile that all is well.”
“That’s the truth. Thank the Lord.” Her smile faded. “But Bob’s sister Nancy’s been down with the miseries.”
“Nothing serious, I hope.”
“I dunno. We ain’t seen them for a couple of days. Bob’s been busy getting the harvest in, and I had the young’uns to tend to. She was feeling mighty poorly the day before yesterday though.”
“Maybe I’d better ride by there, just in case.”
Relief crossed her face. “That’d ease Bob’s mind a lot. He worries about Nancy, what with that no-account husband of hers. Were you wanting to come in?”
“No, since everyone is well here, I’ll be on my way and stop by Nancy’s before I finish my rounds.”
She glanced up at the sky. “Hope you don’t get drenched. It looks like something might break loose any minute.”
“Maybe it will pass over. See you at church on Sunday?”
“I’ll try, Dr. Trent.” She glanced away, avoiding his eyes. “You know how it is with three little ones.”
“I understand. Well, I’ll still hope to see you there.” He smiled and walked back to his horse. “You boys help your mama, now.”
He mounted his ho
rse then waved to the boys as he rode away. He’d been praying for the Bensons since he’d taken over this practice. Although they were nice, friendly folks, as far as he knew they never opened a Bible, and he’d never seen them in church. If folks could only realize what a difference a relationship with God could mean in their lives.
He reined Warrior in when he reached Nancy and Tom Williams’s cabin. Not seeing anyone in the yard, he stepped up onto the stoop of the porchless log house and tapped on the door. When he received no answer he tapped again. He heard a scuffling sound inside and something scratched at the door then a dog whined.
Concerned, he gave a push and the door swung open. Ten-year-old Frannie stood swaying in the doorway. Her bloodshot eyes peered at him imploringly. “Doc, we’re awful sick.”
He caught her as she fell. Her thin body didn’t weigh much. He glanced around and saw that Nancy was asleep on the big bed against the wall, with Tom sprawled out by her side. At least he hoped they were both sleeping. The odor in the cabin was vile, and ordinarily Nancy kept the shabby little home nearly spotless.
He laid Frannie on her cot on the other side of the room. Her pulse was a little rapid and her skin warm to the touch. He covered her with the ragged blanket that had fallen to the floor and went to check on her parents.
A quick look at Tom confirmed his suspicions. The man was sleeping off some heavy drinking. He turned his attention to Nancy, who lay still and limp. Her nightgown was stained and damp, and her skin hot. Trent put a thermometer between her lips and held it there. When he saw how high the mercury was, he took a sharp breath. He was pretty sure Nancy had more than what the folks around here called the miseries. It looked like influenza. And in her worn-out condition, that could be serious.
He got a dipper of water and poured it over Tom’s head. He’d need the man’s help, whether he liked it or not.
Tom gasped and sputtered. “What the. . .” He looked bleary-eyed at Trent. “What’d you go and pour water on me for, you. . .”
Trent ignored the filthy words that proceeded from the man’s mouth.
Whispers of the Wind Page 11
