A Basket Brigade Christmas (23 page)

Sarah clenched her hands. “So he’s agreed to send you to the front?”

“The front?” Jacob shook his head. “I didn’t ask to be transferred into battle. I met with him to see if I could be permanently assigned to travel with the hospital trains.”

Relief washed over her. “And?” Her heart pounded a new beat as she awaited his response.

“And he agreed.” His lips curved into a generous smile, and his eyes twinkled in the glimmer of the candlelight that brightened the depot.

Without thinking, she reached forward and grasped his hand. “When Private Nelson told me you were meeting with your commander, I was sure it was because you wanted to request a change in your assignment. I’m so relieved—and happy.”

He glanced down at her hand, and she immediately dropped her hold. “You’re not the only one surprised by my news.”

She arched her brows. “Who else have you told?”

He nodded toward the other side of the depot. “Matthew was in the café when I came inside the depot. He saw me and asked about my new orders—said Private Nelson had told him about my meeting with the commander. He seemed disappointed by the news and left me with the impression there was something more than friendship between the two of you.”

Sarah bristled at the idea of Matthew filling Jacob’s head with such a notion. Would he never cease with his interfering ways? Though she didn’t want to use their few minutes together talking about Matthew, she didn’t want Jacob to leave Decatur thinking she’d ever thought of Matthew as more than a casual friend.

When three short blasts suddenly sounded from the train, she knew she’d have to talk fast. “Matthew has wanted to court me for some time now, but I’ve told him in no uncertain terms I have no interest in him as a suitor.”

Jacob looked toward the train. “I have to go.”

He’d given her a slight nod, but he hadn’t said he believed her. She hurried along beside him. “You believe me, don’t you?”

“Yes, I believe you.” He cupped her cheek in his hand. “We’ll talk about our future when I return.”

All the way home, Sarah hummed a happy melody. Jacob’s parting words had planted a seed of happiness, a commodity in short supply. They didn’t know each other well enough to make a lifelong commitment yet, but knowing he considered her a part of his future was enough to quicken her senses.

Just as she’d done when she’d been a little girl, Sarah spread her arms wide, turned in a wide circle, and took pleasure in the wet snowflakes that dampened her face.

Jacob walked down the narrow aisle of the train, his thoughts hopscotching between what Matthew had revealed and Sarah’s parting words—her almost desperate plea that he believe her. When he’d said good-bye and stepped onto the train, he’d harbored no doubt she’d been truthful.

Now, with miles of train track separating them, his thoughts returned to Laura—the woman he’d expected to marry. The woman who had gone behind his back and married another. When he’d first heard rumors Laura was seeing another man, he’d quizzed her at length. For several weeks, she’d told him the gossip was unfounded. She, too, had begged him to believe her.

Back then, he’d set aside warnings from his parents and friends and had chosen to trust Laura. Two weeks later, she’d rewarded his faith in her with a broken engagement, a broken heart, and a broken hope for the future.

He wanted to believe Sarah but now wondered if her pleading words had been complete truth or merely words shaded by dishonesty. Was she, like Laura, hoping for someone better to come along while keeping him on a string? He wanted to believe that wasn’t true. He wanted to believe Sarah was a woman with high principles. A woman who wouldn’t toy with his feelings.

T
he following afternoon, with her father’s help, Sarah loaded their buggy with loaves of bread and fresh rolls.

“I think that’s the last of it. Thank you for your help.” She slid one last basket onto the seat before perching on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

Her father leaned into the rear of the buggy and rearranged two of the bread trays. “Drive slowly or you’ll have bread flying every which way. And make sure you return with all of the trays. I’ll need them before morning.”

“I know, Papa. Don’t I return them each evening?”

He chuckled and nodded his head. “Yes, but a reminder never hurts. There’s always a first time for everything. Besides, you would not be happy if you had to make a return trip to the train depot to retrieve them. Am I right?”

“Yes, Papa, you’re right.”

Her father assisted her into the buggy. She held the reins loosely in her hand, but before she flicked the leather straps, she met her father’s gaze. “I think you should have the doctor call on Mama again. She was making progress, but last evening when I returned home and again today, it seemed she wasn’t doing well.”

“I’m afraid you’re right. I think she pushed herself too much once the doctor said she was doing better. I’ll go over and fetch him once I close the bakery.”

Sarah hesitated. “I have time to go by his office before I go to the depot. Why don’t I see if he’s there? If not, I’ll leave a note on his desk and ask him to call on her when he returns.”

“That would be good.” Her father gave a quick wave before hurrying back inside to the warmth of the bakery. Though summers in the shop were brutal, the heat provided by their ovens during the winter months was welcomed by both the family and their customers.

Sarah lightly flicked the reins, and when the horse didn’t respond with much enthusiasm, she slapped the leather straps with a bit more gusto. “Get along, Blaze. I don’t have time for you to move at that slow gait.” The horse hearkened to her command and changed from a walk to a trot. When they arrived at the doctor’s office a short time later, she tied the horse and hurried inside. She called out to the doctor, but the fading echo of the bell over the front door was the only response.

She had hoped to visit with Dr. Kirkland, but there was no telling when he might return. Instead, she used the pen and paper left on the desk for such purposes. Fortunately, no other notes requesting his ministrations littered the desk, so Mama should be his first visit when he returned to the office. Sarah uttered a silent prayer that he wasn’t delivering a baby. When those blessed events took place, the doctor could sometimes be away for several hours or even the entire day.

Her inability to visit with the doctor would give her a little extra time at the depot. For once, she hoped none of the other women would arrive early. She wanted to have a talk with Matthew. He’d created discord with his comments to Jacob, and she was going to be clear: Matthew must refrain from such behavior in the future.

After traveling the short distance to the depot, Sarah stepped down from the buggy and tied Blaze to one of the iron posts situated outside the depot before removing two of the bread trays. Learning to balance two of the trays at one time had saved her countless minutes in the cold weather.

In spite of her pleas that he leave her alone, Matthew appeared at the door wearing his heavy coat. “Let me take those for you.”

Sarah shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ve told you I don’t need your help.”

“Whether you need it or not, it’s a gentleman’s place to offer assistance to a lady in need.”

Sarah didn’t return his smile. “Is it a gentleman’s place to hinder and hurt a lady, as well?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’ve both hindered and hurt me by telling Corporal Curtis untruths.”

He reeled back as though she’d slapped him. “Are you saying I lied?”

She narrowed her eyes and gripped the trays harder. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. What’s more, I expect you to set matters aright when he comes through on the train this evening. You need to tell him that I have been consistent in my refusal to be courted by you and have been clear that I have no interest in you as a suitor. You know the truth, but you chose to mislead Jacob.” She pushed past him and strode inside with Matthew close on her heels.

“I stretched the truth, but I did it for your own good. I’m a much better choice than Jacob Curtis. You barely know him.”

Her eyes blazed with conviction. “You’re right. I don’t know him well, but in these past weeks we’ve learned a great deal about each other. Besides, how well I know him isn’t any of your business!”

They both looked up as Clara Wingard and Nellie Hanson bustled into the depot with a rush of cold air following them. Nellie’s gaze immediately settled on Matthew. “Since you’re just standing around, could you go out to my buggy and get my other baskets? They’re filled with jars of pickled peaches, and my rheumatism is acting up in this cold weather. Go on now.”

Matthew’s features creased in annoyance when he turned toward the door. He’d made certain neither Clara nor Nellie had seen his scowl, but Sarah hadn’t missed it.

He grunted and pulled his cap low on his head. “I’ll be going over to the hotel as soon as I bring your baskets inside, so don’t plan any other work for me.”

The depot door banged, and Clara rubbed her arms against the cold air as she stared after Matthew. “The way he slammed that door, I’m thinking he’s mad as a wet hen.”

Nellie chuckled. “That’s ’cause he doesn’t want to spend his time helping us old ladies. He’s wanting to impress Sarah.” She nudged Sarah’s arm. “We all know how jealous he is because of Jacob.”

Clara nodded. “She’s right on that account. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Matthew’s not one who can hide his feelings.”

Sarah’s features creased into a frown. “If Matthew’s said anything to make you believe there’s something between us, it bears no truth.”

Nellie winked. “Don’t worry. We know what’s what.”

Matthew returned with the baskets of pickled peaches slung over his arms and a pound cake in each hand. He placed the items on the table with a thud and stalked out of the depot.

Sarah watched as he snaked his way around the dining tables in the café and continued through the door leading to the hotel lobby. She’d no doubt angered him, but he’d overstepped his bounds. She’d had quite enough of Matthew Slade.

A
s the train belched and hissed into the station, Sarah’s anticipation reached new heights. Her stomach fluttered, and her heart pounded so hard she was certain anyone who came near would hear the thrumming beat. Her eagerness to hear what Jacob had to say about their future had monopolized her thoughts after she’d gone to bed last night. While she knew it was best to keep a level head in unknown circumstances, she wasn’t certain how one attained such a feat.

This evening, she was determined to make time for him. Though he hadn’t been wounded, Jacob was a soldier serving the Union and worthy of her uninterrupted attention. That’s what she’d told herself, though she doubted the other ladies in the Basket Brigade would agree. Still, she wouldn’t be deterred. The moment he stepped down from the train she exited the depot and motioned for him to join her.

His eyebrows dipped low and his features creased in confusion as he approached her side. “Are you not serving the men in my car tonight?”

“I’ll go and finish once we’ve talked, but I asked two of the other ladies to attend to your car and they agreed.”