When the Heart Heals (14 page)

“I know.” Cassie kissed her cheek. “I miss you,” she whispered.

Tears swam in Rosemary's eyes. As brusque as Mrs. Bingham seemed, she loved her daughter.

A longing for her own mother shuddered through her. She drew a deep breath and forced her thoughts to her questions about Dr. Stewart. Faith and Cassie both suggested he might be interested in her herbal remedies. Maybe he was. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

Dr. Stewart returned after the dinner hour. He gave Rosemary a broad smile when he greeted her and then strode into his office. After dropping his hat on top of the skeleton's head, he settled in his chair and opened the book resting on his desk.

Taking courage from his cheerful expression, she stepped to his doorway. “I notice you're reading Mrs. Kilbourne's
Compendium.
” She strove to keep her voice neutral. “Are you finding her information helpful?”

“You know this book?”

“I have a copy at home. My mother gave it to me when I turned twenty-one.”

He leaned back in his chair and regarded her with a puzzled expression. “A strange gift. Perhaps a ring or a brooch would have been more appropriate for such an occasion.”

“At the time, her expectation was I'd follow in her footsteps and help people with her herbal remedies.”

“And then the war came?”

“Yes.” She flinched when she realized she'd revealed her age, something a lady never did.

He rested his hand on the open pages. “I'm only reading this out of curiosity. These little treatments are interesting, but I'm far from convinced of their effectiveness.”

She bristled. “I've seen them succeed where doctors fail.”

“Miss Saxon—” He raked his fingers through his hair,
making the curls stand on end. “For once, can we still the debate? When I've finished reading Mrs. Kilbourne's theories, I'll make up my own mind. Then we'll talk more.” He used the same voice he reserved for calming agitated patients.

“I'll look forward to the discussion.” She hid a pleased smile. Their relaxed conversations had come to mean more to her than she liked to admit.

B
roken clouds scattered a mosaic of sunlight over the boardwalk as Rosemary set off for Sunday supper at Faith's home. Much to her disappointment, the week had passed without Dr. Stewart mentioning the
Compendium
again. She shook her head to dislodge him from her mind. She wouldn't allow his opinion, or lack of it, to spoil time with her family.

Bodie frisked around her legs as they walked. She smiled down at him. “You enjoy Sunday supper as much as I do, don't you?”

He woofed and disappeared under a lilac bush that frothed with lavender blooms. Rosemary slowed her pace to savor the fragrance. Lilacs always blossomed in time for her mother's birthday at the end of April. With a pang, she pictured a bowl of the flowers gracing a table in her home.

A moment later, the dog burst forth in pursuit of a gray and white cat. Fur bristling, the feline darted across the street and under the porch of the brick house Faith and Curt shared with Judge Lindberg and Amy.

Her jaw tightened when she recognized Sheriff Cooper's chestnut gelding tethered to the hitching post in front of the
house. She wouldn't have come if she'd known he'd be there. One day she'd have to forgive him for his misguided persecution of her brother. She knew that. But not today.

Faith opened the door at her knock. “Welcome. Grandpa's been looking forward to your visit.” She glanced down as Bodie scampered past them into the parlor on her left. “Good. You brought the dog.”

“He's anticipating a plate of table scraps.” She chuckled.

“Cassie couldn't join us?” Faith spoke over her shoulder while leading the way to the parlor.

“She sends her regrets. She's fretting about her mother. Mr. Bingham still isn't well.”

“The poor girl. Wish we could think of a way to improve her situation.”

“I wrote him a letter. I'm hoping he'll respond favorably once he recovers.”

When Judge Lindberg saw Rosemary, he pushed himself up from his green wing chair and crossed the room, his cane tapping the polished wood floor.

“Always a pleasure, Miss Rosemary.” He bowed over her hand.

“And you, Judge.” She smiled at his courtly manner. He greeted her in the same fashion even when he saw her more than once a day. She suspected he forgot she'd visited, so each occasion was fresh in his mind. What a blessing Faith had Amy to stay with him while she operated the family business.

Sheriff Cooper unfolded his rangy form from the sofa. “Good afternoon, Miss Saxon.” His sandy hair appeared freshly barbered, and he'd waxed his drooping moustache so that it formed a straight line along his upper lip.

“Sheriff. This is a surprise.” She took a chair as far across the room from him as possible.

“Thaddeus here is courting our Amy,” the judge said. “He's getting to be a regular fixture at suppertime.”

To Rosemary's amazement, the sheriff blushed. “Amy's a fine woman, and a good cook to boot.”

Faith spoke from the doorway. “Our good cook has supper ready. Please come and eat.”

Curt stood at the head of the table in the dining room, slicing a crusty baked ham. He waved a greeting at Rosemary with the carving knife and then resumed his task.

Amy's fourteen-month-old daughter, Sophia, toddled in Rosemary's direction. “Romie, Romie!”

She swooped the child up and kissed her button nose. After hugging Amy, she took a seat next to Judge Lindberg, her mouth watering at the fragrance of the savory baked ham. A parade of side dishes, including sweet potatoes mashed and baked with a pecan crust, beets swimming in vinegar sauce, and a platter heaped with golden biscuits, moved from hand to hand along the table. She suspected Curt and Faith made sure she had a sumptuous meal once a week to balance out her own simple fare.

Between bites, Rosemary's gaze traveled between the sheriff and Amy, then to her brother. Judging from their easy conversation, Curt appeared to bear the sheriff no ill will. She wondered how he'd managed to forgive the man who'd treated him like a criminal after the mercantile was robbed the previous year.

The grudge she bore the lawman threatened to choke her. She crossed her knife and fork over her half-finished meal and stared at the napkin in her lap.
Lord, please take away my anger.

After clearing the supper plates, Amy served slices of Dolly Varden cake. As soon as she returned to her seat, Sheriff Cooper cleared his throat. “Miss Amy and me have news.
Come July, we're fixing to have the preacher marry us. Right here in the parlor, just like Curt and Faith was.”

Amy lowered her lashes. A pink flush bloomed on her heart-shaped face.

Stunned, Rosemary paused in mid-bite of the jam-filled dessert. She remained silent through the wave of congratulations. Amy said yes to the sheriff?

The beaming girl met Rosemary's eyes. “Would you put flowers around the room for us? You made everything look so pretty when Faith married your brother.”

The sheriff placed one of his broad hands on Amy's shoulder and leaned toward Rosemary. “You don't have to. I know you don't care for me much.” His tense expression reminded her of a little boy facing punishment.

She focused her attention on Amy's hopeful face. “I'd be happy to. My garden should be in full bloom by then.”

Faith rose from her seat at the foot of the table and smiled at Amy. “Why don't you and Thaddeus enjoy a stroll together? Rosemary and I will look after Sophia.”

While Curt and Judge Lindberg played chess at the dining room table, Sophia sat on a braided rug nearby, playing with carved wooden animals. Dishtowel in hand, Rosemary watched them from the kitchen doorway, her mind circling the image of Amy married to Sheriff Cooper. She turned to Faith. “He's at least a dozen years her senior. Do you think she'll be happy?”

“She's come to love him. He treats her like she's made of spun sugar, and he's very fond of Sophia.” Faith shook dishwater from her hands and dried them on a corner of her apron. “The marriage will be a blessing to all three of them.”

Rosemary lowered her voice. “I certainly hope so. Amy was shattered when Joel was killed. She deserves to be happy.”

“You're allowing your dislike of Thaddeus to influence you.”

“He's Thaddeus now?” Irritation spiked her tone.

Faith placed her hand on Rosemary's shoulder. “Let it go. Please. For your sake.”

“How did Curt—?”

“You'll have to talk to him. I think Reverend French helped somehow.”

“Did I hear my name taken in vain?” Curt stepped inside the kitchen. He slid one arm around Faith's waist and kissed the top of her head. “Did you ask her?”

Rosemary looked up at her brother. “Ask me what?”

“Amy will be living in Thaddeus's home when they're married. We're hoping you'd move in with us and take her place as companion for Faith's granddad.”

Companion for Faith's granddad.
Curt's words echoed as Rosemary strode along the boardwalk toward her home across town. How could she refuse? Judge Lindberg's mind had been failing for some time. He was most content among familiar surroundings.

Between managing the mercantile and caring for her grandfather, Faith had been near the end of her endurance before Amy's return to Noble Springs following her husband's death last year. Now, with Amy's departure, Faith had nowhere else to turn for help.

Rosemary's boots thudded with every new thought that assailed her. If she responded to Curt's request, she couldn't keep her house. She'd have to abandon her herb garden. And what would happen to Cassie?

She kicked at a pebble on the walkway. She didn't want to lose her independence or give up nursing. What had begun as her best option for earning her own way had grown into a source of pride as she'd come to see her job as a profession. There was no reason a woman couldn't care for the sick as well as a man did—maybe better.

No doubt Faith and Curt needed her. Then a vision of Mrs. Haggerty's gratitude for having Rosemary's help with the delivery of her baby crossed her mind, followed by one of Benny's mother thanking her for caring for her injured son. They had needed her too.

She paid scant attention to the buggies that rolled past, until one pulled abreast and stopped.

“Miss Rosemary?” Jacob raised his hat. “I'd be happy to take you wherever you're going.”

Startled from her reverie, she hesitated a moment before replying. In truth, she'd rather be alone to struggle with her decision. But the weight of her carryall packed with leftovers dragged at her arm, and Jacob's kind face beckoned.

“Thank you. A ride home would be nice.”

After helping her into the buggy, he stowed the carryall behind the seat. Bodie followed them as Jacob turned right at Courthouse Square. He slowed the horse when they rounded the corner onto King's Highway.

“Would you like to accompany me to Hartfield next Sunday? I need to see a farmer about supplying me with eggs.” His eyes met hers. “You might be interested in learning how the business is run.”

She had little interest in the operation of the grocery, but perhaps . . . “Could we stop along the way so I can call on a friend of mine? I won't stay long.”

“Be glad to.” He stopped the buggy in front of her house. “See you next Sunday.”

She sighed as he drove away. As attractive as he was, he wasn't the one who stirred her heart.
Admit it.
Dr. Stewart is another reason you don't want to leave nursing.

That evening, Rosemary and Cassie sat across the kitchen table from one another, each holding a cup of chamomile tea. When Rosemary explained her brother's request, Cassie's eyes grew wide, but she didn't utter a word. The oil lamp overhead tinted the steam rising from their cups into a golden mist that swirled upward and disappeared.

“I want to do the right thing—by both of you. I never dreamed I'd be faced with such a choice.” Rosemary's teacup clinked when she placed it in the saucer. “I know they wouldn't have asked if there were another solution.”

“There may be other unmarried ladies in town who could help.” Cassie's voice wavered. “The war left many of us with no prospects.”

“True enough. But Judge Lindberg's mind is no longer clear. I doubt he'd take kindly to a stranger.”

Cassie fiddled with the hem on the tablecloth for a moment, then took a deep breath and met Rosemary's gaze. “I'm not a stranger. Perhaps he'd tolerate my company. Then you wouldn't have to leave your house and your garden—and your employment.”

Rosemary studied her, taking in her pale hands with their smooth nails, her fashionable rose chintz dress, and her auburn hair arranged in the latest style. No one looked less like a domestic than her guest.

“There's more to do than keep him company.” She gentled her voice. “Amy prepares the noon meal and keeps the house tidy.”

Cassie's eager expression faded. “I can't prepare meals. I
never learned how. We always had help—even horrible Mr. Bingham has a servant.” She lifted her chin. “If they would hire a cook, I could do everything else. Keep him company, read to him, play chess. Whatever he might need.” She leaned across the table and clasped Rosemary's hand. “Please. You've done so much for me. I want to repay you somehow.”