The Bride Price (13 page)

Della dropped the bandages with a thud. “Miss
Amelia!”

“Della, he’s trying to keep them from the
Rebels, not the Union. I think if Lieutenant Emerson needs one,
Daddy should give him one.”

James chewed the inside of his cheek to keep
from laughing at Della’s expression. “Don’t worry, your secret’s
safe with me. Mr. Powell need never know we had this
conversation.”

Della pushed Amelia toward the door. “Shoo,
missie. I nee’ to change his bandages.”

Amelia left the room and James slid the sheet
down just enough for her to work. “Does you nee’ me to get my son
to help you dress?”

James shook his head. “No, thank you. I think
that once you have me all fixed up, I can manage.”

“Yessuh.”

Once his bandages were changed, Della left
the room and James climbed from the bed. His freshly washed uniform
had been laid out on the chair next to the fireplace, so he pulled
on his pants and paused to catch his breath.

Even though the bullet had caused a small
hole and settled just under his skin, the wound the doctor created
removing it was worse. He guessed the scar would be unsightly. He
dragged his hands down his face, surprised by the prick of stubble.
He was used to being clean-shaven.

Am I?

He glanced in the mirror and vaguely
remembered the face staring back at him. His beard seemed entirely
out of place, but he couldn’t pinpoint why. Shaking away the
confusion, he put his shirt on and awkwardly pulled the suspenders
over his shoulders.

On the dresser lay an unfamiliar chain with
two diamond rings and the intricately carved ring he’d been
wearing. Della had insisted he remove the band two days ago,
concerned that if he caught a fever or his fingers swelled, he’d
never get it off. He’d read the inscription half a dozen times in
the last two days, trying to jog his memory.
“I love you
more.”

Who loved him more? He couldn’t remember and
whenever he tried, he ended up with a nasty headache. He figured
the best he could hope for was to heal quickly and get to wherever
it was he needed to go. Maybe that would make him remember.

* * *

“Baby, where have you been?” Jamie trailed
kisses down her neck as he whispered, “I have missed you.”

“I can’t find you,” Sophie said. “Where are
you?”

“I’m here, sweetheart.” His hand stroked her
cheek as he leaned over to kiss her. “Have you even looked, or have
you forgotten me already?”

“No, never. Tell me where you are.”

He drew her lower lip into his mouth and
sucked; the familiar warmth pooled in her belly as he said, “I’m
here, baby. Why can’t you find me?”

A groan escaped at her frustration. “You are
not
here, Jamie. Where are you?”

“Right here.” Jamie slid the buttons on her
nightgown and slipped his hand inside.

Sophie’s body reacted instantly and her
breath came in short bursts as his hands seem to be everywhere –
and then nothing. She woke with a start.

That’s all I get? SERIOUSLY?

Frustrated—on so many levels, Sophie punched
her pillow. It was the middle of the night and she was dreaming of
things that would never come to pass again. She needed to get a
hold of herself. It was difficult enough to know she was no longer
in the twenty-first century. Now she was dreaming of a life once
lived, fully and in love.

Not fair!

* * *

Sophie woke the next morning with a plan
forming in her mind. She would not wait another minute to find him.
She had to get back. Jumping from the bed, she dressed quickly,
foregoing the corset, and rushed downstairs.

“Good morning, dear.”

“Hi, Nona.” Sophie tried to keep the
frustration from her voice.

“Breakfast is ready. Will you join me?”

“I need to get over to the barn.”

“Nonsense. Nothing’s more important that a
good meal, dear.” Nona slipped her arm around her waist and let out
a gasp. “Mrs. Ford, are you not wearing a corset?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “I was in a
hurry.”

“Well, that is absolutely no excuse to appear
in public unclothed. Come. I’ll assist you.”

“Thank you,” Sophie grumbled and followed her
up the stairs.

Sophie forced down breakfast and a cup of
coffee, her smile tight in an effort to keep from snapping in
frustration at her hostess.

“Why don’t I walk out to the stables with
you?” Nona offered.

Sophie took a deep, calming breath and forced
another smile. “That would be lovely.”

“Sophie! Thank goodness you’re here.”

They turned to see Christine bustling down
the hallway.

“What’s amiss, Teeny?” Nona asked.

“Sorry, Nona.” Christine held her hand out to
Sophie. “I need Sophie to come with me, if you don’t mind me
stealing her away.”

“Not at all.” Nona turned to Sophie. “I’ll
see you at lunch, dear.”

“Yes. Thank you. I look forward to that,”
Sophie answered somewhat stiltedly as Christine took Sophie’s arm
and guided her down the hallway. “How did you know I needed your
interference?”

Christine chuckled. “I promised you that we
would look for answers, so here I am.”

“Thank you. Let’s hurry.”

Sophie rushed toward the stables, but the
snow crunching under her feet slowed the attempt. Her feet began to
tingle, and she stopped briefly to stomp her feet in both an effort
to circulate the blood and allay her frustration.

“The buildings aren’t going anywhere,
Sophie.”

“I need to know, Christine. I need to find
something, anything.”

Christine led her to where she had been
found, per Nona’s information, and they began to push snow aside
and kick anything that might be in their way. There was no sight of
a disturbance in the ground and no apparent change in the air
surrounding the area. Of course, Sophie didn’t really believe she’d
find something so obvious as a trap door that opened to the future,
but she thought perhaps there might be something to give her a clue
at least.

“Ladies?”

Straightening her spine, Sophie pasted a
serene expression on her face. “Andrew! What a lovely
surprise.”

Andrew crossed his arms, and his mouth turned
up in a half-smile of suspicion. “What are you doing?”

“Sophie thought she may have lost a button,”
Christine said.

Sophie nodded. “Yes, exactly. A button.”

“May I assist?”

“No!” Sophie rushed to say. “I mean, no,
we’re fine, Andrew.”

“Thank you, Drew, but I don’t think it’s
here.” Christine pushed at the snow with her foot. “We were just
getting ready to go back to the house.”

“We were?” Sophie asked and then turned
quickly back to Andrew. “Right. We have been unsuccessful, so we’re
going back to the house.”

Andrew shook his head with a chuckle. “You
two have been acting quite strange lately.”

Christine linked her arm with Sophie’s.
“Drew! What a strange thing to say.”

“The truth is a strange thing to say?” he
challenged.

“No, no, we’re fine, Andrew. Really.” Sophie
smiled. “Just looking for my button. Nothing untoward or strange
going on.”

Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Very well. I’ll
leave you to your button search. Find me if you require
assistance.”

“Thanks, Andrew.” He stood for several
minutes before finally walking away, and Sophie let out a sigh of
relief. “That was close.”

Christine frowned. “He’s suspicious.”

“Well, it’s not like he could possibly guess
what we’re looking for, Christine, so I think we’re somewhat safe
from discovery.”

She giggled. “True.”

“Do we really need to go back to the house? I
feel like we should look more.”

Christine shook her head. “Sophie, there is
nothing here. I’m not certain what we should be looking for,
anyway.”

Sophie sighed. “You’re right. It’s useless.
I’m never going to find a way home, am I?”

“Perhaps you aren’t meant to return.”

“Christine!”

Christine laid her hand on Sophie’s arm.
“Would it be so terrible? To stay here? You have a place to live,
and we are committed to helping you.”

“I know. Don’t think I don’t appreciate it,
really.” Sophie’s eyes filled with tears. “But I need Jamie. I
can’t live without him. I’m not strong like you.”

“I’m not saying we have to give up entirely.
I just think you should try to relax and see what you can make out
of your time here. Is that too much to ask?”

“No,” Sophie whispered. “It’s not too much to
ask. I’ll try. But I’m not going to stop looking for a way back to
him.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help you. I
promise.”

Sophie nodded and followed Christine back to
the house. Christine linked her hand in Sophie’s arm. “Why don’t we
visit your soldier?”

“When did he become
my
soldier?”

“When you insisted Michael take over his
care, which in turn usurped Dr. Palmer’s orders, which in turn,
made him puff up like a peacock and challenge Michael.”

Sophie’s hand flew to her mouth. “He
didn’t
!”

Christine giggled. “He did. However, Michael
handled it beautifully, and your young soldier is now under careful
watch and attention.”

“Oh, dear. Did I make it difficult for
Michael?”

Christine shook her head. “No, as a matter of
fact, it was a beautiful sight. I’ve never liked Dr. Palmer, and
watching him get set down by Michael was exceptional entertainment
for us.”

“Us?”

“The nurses.”

Sophie nodded. “Ah.”

“So, why don’t we visit him and you can see
for yourself.”

“Sounds great.”

Sophie followed Christine back to the house,
and they climbed into her buggy and drove to the hospital. Sophie
tried to hide her surprise when they pulled up to a different area
than previously and entered through a separate door, surprisingly
more substantial than the tent flap she’d entered in before.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Warmth greeted her and she surveyed the
freestanding fireplace and chimney built in the middle of the large
tent, reminding her of a teepee. A hole had been cut into the roof
of the canvas for the brick and the heat from the fire warmed the
space quite adequately.

“This way, Sophie.” Christine pulled her
toward one of the rows of neatly set cots.

“Mrs. Martin?”

The ladies turned to see a handsome man
moving toward them and Sophie felt Christine stiffen next to her.
“Dr. Paxton.”

Sophie noted that Dr. Paxton, tall with light
blond hair and a clean-shaven face, only had eyes for Christine.
His smile was quick and deep, and Sophie felt instant comfort. She
glanced at Christine and raised an eyebrow.

Was that a sigh from my very proper friend?

Sophie watched Christine closely and nearly
laughed out loud. She suddenly had a dreamy expression covering her
face.

“You aren’t on the roster today, is anything
amiss?” he asked.

Christine shook her head. “No, not at
all.”

A moment. A sigh.

“Sorry, where are my manners? Dr. Paxton, may
I introduce Mrs. James Ford? Sophie, this is Dr. Stephen
Paxton.”

Sophie reached her hand out and shook his.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Paxton.”

“Nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Ford. Is
there anything I can assist with?”

“We came to visit the young soldier moved
here by Dr. Wade.”

Stephen smiled. “Ah, yes. He’s just come out
of surgery.”

“Is he awake?”

“Not yet. I believe he’ll be out for a
while.” Stephen smiled in Sophie’s direction. “You must have made
quite the impression.”

Sophie blushed. “I hope I didn’t cause any
trouble.”

Stephen leaned forward and whispered,
“Anything that will bring Grant Palmer to his knees cannot be
construed as trouble.”

Christine let out a quiet gasp. “I didn’t
know you had an evil side, Dr. Paxton.”

Sophie’s head whipped up.

Is she flirting with him?

“Dr. Paxton? Oh, doctor.”

The group turned at the sing-song sound of a
woman moving toward them. Sophie heard Christine groan, albeit
under her breath, as the pretty young woman waved at the
doctor.

“Miss Sylvester? Is something amiss?”

The woman stalled briefly. “Uh, no, nothing
amiss. I had but a simple question.”

“I bet you did,” Christine muttered.

Stephen smiled. “I’ll be happy to answer it
later, if that’s agreeable.”

“Of course,” she said, although Sophie
noticed her frown when she looked in Christine’s direction.
“Christine, you’re not on the roster today.”

“No, Lila, you’re correct. We are here to
visit with a patient. This is Sophie Ford. Sophie, this is Lila
Sylvester. She’s one of our volunteers.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Sophie said.

Lila nodded but didn’t repeat the sentiment.
A minute of awkward silence ensued before Stephen turned his focus
back to Christine, effectively ignoring Lila, and Sophie nearly
snorted at the look of derision the woman sent Christine.

“I’ll take you to the young man,” Stephen
offered and turned Christine towards the cot.

“Do you know his name?” Sophie asked.

“No, he hasn’t spoken, mostly due to his
state of consciousness. Even when he seemed awake, he wasn’t
coherent.” Stephen stopped at the bed closest to the fire. “Here he
is.”

“Oh!” Sophie said.

“Something wrong?”

Sophie shook her head. “No, not at all. He
looks so peaceful and very well cared for.”

Stephen smiled. “We were given strict
instructions.”

Sophie sat in the chair Stephen pulled up
next to the bed and inspected the young man’s wounds. “His eye
looks much better.”

“Without going into detail, we were able to
repair it without cutting, which lowers the risk of infection.”

Sophie gently stroked her fingers over the
soldier’s forehead. “Remarkable. He looks so well. How is the wound
at his wrist?”