"No, thank you." She stared straight ahead. "I'm used to taking care of myself."
"As you wish, ma'am." He suppressed a grin at her disapproving expression as he opened the door and watched until she disappeared toward her shop.
* * * * *
Danny was restless all day, but John said that was a good thing because it showed he was feeling stronger. He had eaten part of a hot biscuit soaked in honey, but afterward felt sick. Later in the afternoon, he began coughing hoarsely and wheezing between bouts.
She remembered what John had said about making a hole in his little throat to let him get his breath. Please, God, spare him that. She thought about Albert and how he died. She was comforted by the knowledge John Oldham was here to keep that from happening to Danny.
A pot of beans simmered in the kettle over the fire and two sweet potatoes baked in the ashes. When they were done, she would make cornbread in the iron skillet over the coals. Dan used to enjoy this kind of meal and she thought John would like it too. He had gone out to shovel a new path to the privy and from Miss Lily's shop to their door. He'd been at it a long time and she wondered what was keeping him. It was nearly dark.
She heard a door close downstairs and waited for his footsteps but heard nothing more. Finally, curiosity got the better of her and she opened the door to the landing. She could just make out two figures in the shadows below and her breath caught in her throat.
"So what they're saying is true." She recognized Clyde's raspy voice as soon as she heard his words. "I didn't believe it until I checked it out with William Pierce. Now I see it with my own eyes. A Yankee sleeping here, in a decent widow's house. And don't tell me she condones it. Caroline is a fine woman, or was, until you sullied her reputation."
"Now look here, whoever you are. I'm a doctor and there's a mighty sick little boy upstairs. I'm trying to keep him from dying of diphtheria."
"Don't talk to me about diphtheria. It took my boy, and I know there's no cure for it. You lied about that and somehow weaseled your way in here to take advantage of my wife's sister. And from what I heard, you've been doing some mighty strange doctoring. If you are a doctor."
"Now, wait just a minute, mister. I think you'd better let Caroline explain—"
"So, she's Caroline is she? Well, I don't need any explaining from her or you either. I'm telling you to get your belongings and get out. Now!" He pulled a Colt .45 from his holster and leveled it at John Oldham. "I'd just as soon shoot a Yankee right here as look at you. And not a damn court in the country would hold me guilty for defending my sister-in-law's honor."
Caroline stepped back and grabbed the repeating rifle that stood just behind the door. She cocked it and slipped back to the landing then took aim at her sister's husband. "Throw the gun down, Clyde."
Startled, he wheeled toward the stairs, straining to see the woman standing there. "Caroline. It's all right. You're safe now. I'll take care of you. Just throw the Yankee's things down and he'll be out of here on the double."
"Doctor Oldham is not going anywhere, Clyde. But you are, unless you want a bullet in your hand." She said the words evenly without a quiver in her voice, though she was quaking inside.
"Caroline," he wheedled. "What has got into you? Has the bastard got you hypnotized? You and Danny are not safe with this lowlife Yankee in your house, but he's the same as gone. Just you put the gun down now and get back inside with your boy."
"I said, throw the gun down!"
"Now, Caroline, be—"
"Clyde, my patience is wearing thin."
Clyde Harper slowly began to raise his pistol to take aim at the man who faced him. John dived for his arm and knocked the Colt to the floor where it discharged, grazing Clyde's foot.
"Damn, I'm shot," Clyde screamed.
John grabbed his collar and forced him to the floor. Blood spurted from his superficial wound and he thrashed and groaned as if he were dying.
"Caroline, you can put the rifle away now. Bring a lantern and my satchel. Your brother-in-law is going to need patching up before he goes back where he came from."
She leaned against the door and caught her breath, then did as John asked. Holding the lantern close, she watched as he staunched the flow of blood that had already soaked Clyde's trousers.
Caroline thought again how lucky she was John Oldham was here.
Chapter Seven
It was mid-afternoon when John Oldham made a final check of his bulging saddlebags and prepared to leave. He had already made a trip to the stables and settled his bill with William Pierce. The mare was tethered outside, waiting impatiently to start the journey.
As he stood before the fire, soaking up the last measure of warmth before facing the blowing snow, Caroline returned from the kitchen. "I've filled your canteen with hot coffee, and I've wrapped a loaf of bread, if there's room for it."
"I'll make room if there's not. Your cooking has spoiled me, Caroline. The army fare will be poor eating after what I've had here."
"Don't forget Miss Lily's contributions. She brought us something every day."
"Yes, she did. Even though she disapproved of a Yankee's presence here." He turned and faced her, taking in how good she looked in her blue dress that fit her curves in all the right places. "I'll miss you, Caroline. And Danny too. But with him so much better today, I can't justify staying any longer."
"Are you sure he's out of danger now, John? What if—"
He shook his head and put a finger to her lips. "Now, don't you worry. He's had no fever since yesterday and his hoarseness is almost gone. Just keep him indoors and see he gets plenty of rest. He will be fine."
Caroline glanced toward the bed where Danny lay curled under the quilt sound asleep. "He still tires so easily. He seemed glad enough to take his nap today, and he's slept two hours already."
"That's perfectly normal. I wouldn't worry if he seems under the weather for another week or so. But he should be in fine fettle by Christmas Eve, when I will be coming back to check on him."
"John, would you have dinner with us when you come? It won't be as festive as a holiday dinner should be, but we can celebrate it together. And I'll ask Miss Lily too."
"I'd be honored, Caroline." He stepped closer and took her hand in his. "Well, this is goodbye. I need to get on the road if I'm to make camp before dark." Her hand was soft and slender and he brought it to his lips.
She met his eyes and he read her silent message and put his arms around her. She raised her face to meet his hungry mouth and matched his passion with her own.
Stepping away from him, she said in a breathless voice, "I can never thank you for what you've done for me, John. I won't even try."
"You've thanked me, Caroline. Being here with you and Danny these past few days was thanks enough."
"Safe journey, John Oldham."
"Until we meet again." He turned, stopping by the sleeping child to touch his cheek, and picked up his saddlebags.
When he was astride his mount, he glanced up at the second floor of the building where Caroline stood in silhouette at the window. He knew she would be watching until the snow obscured him from her sight.
John rode slowly, not wanting to overtax his mount in the inclement weather. His thoughts were on the woman and child he left. Caroline Ross was a woman to cherish. She was all any man could ever want. He didn't believe in love at first sight, but in the few days he spent with her and her little son, they had stolen his heart and made him want to claim them for his own.
He had nothing to offer her but his training as a doctor, and he knew the town was without one now. The downstairs space at the store was suited to be an office for his practice, and surely, he could make a decent living when the war was over.
But would she be willing to promise herself to a Yankee doctor? There was only one way to find out. He'd heard it said that if you don't ask, the answer is always no.
Chapter Eight
Carolyn hummed a variety of Christmas tunes as she set ab
out preparing dinner. Her heart beat faster when she thought of seeing John Oldham soon. It had been a fortnight since he left them with the promise of returning on this day. What if he changed his mind? No, he wasn't the kind of man who made empty promises. She knew he could be depended on to keep his word.
She had kindled a fire in the cookstove for this occasion and pots were simmering there now. Two fresh loaves of bread were keeping warm on the oven door. Miss Lily was bringing a spice cake, made with the last of the sugar she'd been hoarding for a special time and a jar of peaches. The table was spread with her best white linen cloth and treasured china plates were set for four.
In the corner by the fireplace stood a somewhat lop-sided pine tree William Pierce brought a few days ago. She and Danny had spent happy evenings stringing popcorn and cranberries to drape its thick branches.
Danny sat on the floor beside it, playing quietly with an overturned cardboard box and a stack of wooden blocks. As he lined the blocks in an uneven row, he asked, "Mama, know what I'm building?"
She made a pretense of studying his creation. "A house?"
"No, Mama. It's a fort. For the sodjers."
"Oh, and where is this fort, Danny?"
"Where my daddy lives."
Caroline swallowed the lump in her throat. He still missed Dan after all this time. A boy needed a daddy. And a woman needed a husband. She had been thinking about this ever since John Oldham said goodbye. Dan was gone, and he wasn't coming back. She and Danny were alone now. It would be better to have a good man to share their lives with them.
In her heart, she believed John could be that man. And she had reason to think he felt that way too. The only thing that stood in their way was the war. She knew people would condemn a widow of the Confederacy if she married a Union soldier. But, she reasoned, the war couldn't last forever. When it was over, people would soon forget who wore gray and who wore blue.
"Mama?" Danny's voice broke into her musings. "Will Santa Claus bring me a present?"
She thought of the new breeches she had made from a warm wool skirt she never wore and the shirt cut from the last bolt of cotton fabric on the store shelves.
"I'm sure he will, sweetheart. But you see, since the war Santa brings children mostly good things to eat and clothes to keep them warm instead of toys."
"That's all right, Mama. I hope he brings me a candy cane."
Caroline smiled, remembering the sack filled with small peppermint canes Miss Lily was bringing from her waning teashop supplies. "We'll see."
She glanced again at the clock on the mantel, bringing the arrival of John Oldham closer with each measured tick. She wore her best blue taffeta dress protected by a white apron, and her hair was swept up in a bun fastened with her treasured pearl combs. A shiver of excitement ran through her slender body as she waited for the man she hoped would ask her to be his wife.
The knock at the downstairs door came just as the clock struck twelve. Caroline hurried down the stairs to open it. John Oldham stood with his hand raised to knock again and stopped the motion in mid-air. He carried a large sack, bulging with mysterious contents.
She smiled as she asked, "A visit from Santa Claus?"
John grinned. "Have you been a good girl?"
"Most certainly, sir." She took his arm, and the touch of it sent a tingling through her fingers. "Come in and get warm. Dinner is almost ready."
He climbed the steps behind her and when she opened the door at the top, Danny was waiting to greet him. He set down his sack and encircled the little boy in a bear hug. "Well, look at you. All well again, are you?"
"Yes, sir." He peeked around him and pointed to the sack. "What's that?"
"It was at the front door, so I think Santa must have left it." John met Caroline's eyes with a conspiratorial grin. "But I don't think we are supposed to look inside it yet."
With a regretful sigh, Danny took John by the hand. "Come see my fort. I builded it for sodjers like my daddy."
"Then let's have a look."
As the man and boy knelt beside the crudely-built fort, Caroline watched them with a warm feeling in her heart. Yes, a little boy needed a daddy. She thought John Oldham would fill the job perfectly.
* * * * *
The meal had been a huge success and John insisted on drying dishes afterward while Caroline washed. Meanwhile, Miss Lily sat in the rocker by the fire with Danny in her lap reading to him from his favorite storybook.
'It's time to see what Santa brought," Caroline announced as she removed her apron and knelt by the Christmas tree. "John, would you like to pass the presents around?"
He knelt beside her and pulled a bulky bundle from the sack. "This one is for Miss Lily."
The woman drew a quick breath. "Well, forever more. I never expected anything—"
"Open it, Miss Lily," Caroline urged. "I'm dying to see what it could be."
Fumbling with the paper, Miss Lily finally pulled a large bag of coveted sugar from the wrapping. "Why, thank you." She beamed at John. "I used the last I had to make the cake today."
"Don't thank me, ma'am." John raised his hands in front of him. "I just brought Santa's sack upstairs."
"What did Santa leave for me?" Danny moved closer and peeked into the sack.
"Let's see." John made a pretense of looking for the right present and gave a square wooden box to the little boy. "I believe this one was meant for you."
Danny struggled with the string that held the top on until Caroline cut it with her sewing scissors. When he raised the lid, Danny squealed with delight. "Sodjers, Mama, look!" He held up one of the small wood-carved soldiers.
"And you have already built a fort for them." John met Caroline's silent question. "A soldier in the camp hospital does carving."
"There is only one thing wrong with them," Miss Lily said, picking up one and studying it intently. "It's wearing the wrong color."
"Oh, here is one more box." He smiled at Caroline and held it out to her. "This one is for you."
Caroline opened the box slowly and gasped in surprise. Inside laid a pair of black leather boots, which looked to be just her size. "How did you ever—"
"I have a friend in camp who cobbles and does a right fair job of it."
She bent to untie her lace-up shoes.
John said, "Here, let me." He removed her shoes and carefully replaced them with the shiny new boots, remembering a time not so long ago when he had held her chilled feet in his hands and answered her plea for help.
She stood and took a few steps. "They are a perfect fit. Oh, John, thank you for such a lovely present." Then touching her forehead she added, "My goodness, I've just remembered. Santa left something in the bedroom too."
She walked to the door and went inside, returning with her own gifts to share. A knitted scarf and gloves for John, a flowered apron for Miss Lily, and new clothing and a spinning top for Danny.
Miss Lily said her goodbyes amid Christmas wishes all around. At the door, she touched John's hand in an apologetic gesture. "I guess I was wrong about your doctoring, Lieutenant Oldham. Danny is living proof of that."
"No, Miss Lily," John answered in a humble voice. "I only brought the miracle you asked for. To God goes the glory." He bent and kissed the surprised lady on her wrinkled cheek. "It's gotten dark outside. May I walk you home?"
She gave him her arm, "Why thank you, Lieutenant. I don't mind if you do."
When John returned from escorting Miss Lily to her shop, Caroline sat by the fire holding a sleepy little boy in her arms.
He cleared his throat, tried to form the words he had practiced but said instead," I guess I ought to be getting back to camp, Caroline."
She nodded, but Danny sat up and looked at John. "You could stay with us."
"I don't think so, Danny. You see, you are well now and don't need my doctoring anymore."
"Could you stay if you were my daddy, sir?"
Caroline flushed and dropped her eyes, saying nothing.
&nb
sp; "Yes, I could, Danny. But that would make me your mama's husband and she would have a say in that." His eyes sought Caroline's.
She returned his solemn look. "Is that a proposal, Lieutenant Oldham?"
"Only if you want it to be, Mrs. Ross."
She pretended to think about it for a long moment before she spoke, "Well, Danny wants a daddy and I want a husband, so if you're willing to take the job, it's yours." Then she gave him a radiant smile and opened her arms to include him.
He knelt and encircled them both. Yes, it's definitely a season for miracles.
The End
About the Author
Linda Swift divides her time between her native state of Kentucky and Florida. She is an award-winning author of published poetry, articles, short stories, and a TV play. Linda holds an Education Specialist Degree from Murray State University with post-graduate work from U. of Alabama and was a teacher, counselor, and psychometrist in the public schools in three states.
Linda's first two books were published by Kensington. She currently has twelve E-books (also in print) and seven short stories available at major online book retailers. Her Civil War novel, This Time Forever, has been adapted for a short film titled Clarissa's War which will soon be available through Vimeo.
Visit her website at https://www.lindaswift.net
OTHER WORKS BY LINDA SWIFT
* * * Novels & Novellas * * *
This Time Forever
Mistress of Huntleigh Hall
Maid of the Midlands
Charlotte's Resurrection
Let Nothing You Dismay
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Take Five (Speculative Story Collection)
Full Circle
That Special Summer
Single Status
Humanly Speaking (Prose Poetry)
Song of Every Season (Haiku)
* * * Short Stories * * *
Give it All You've Got
The Good News
Winner Take All
Three to Make Ready
Nathan, the Buttercups Are Blooming
A Time To Give
Bergman, Rossellini, and Me
* * * Multi-Author Anthologies * * *
2014 Christmas Collection ~ A Season of Miracles
Fated to be Yours 2015 ~ A Season for Love
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