A Lady's Choice (7 page)

Sarah tiptoed into the room, stopped beside the bed, and stared down at her sleeping mother. Just as she'd promised, Ellen had sent Alex and Augie the next day after Alex returned from Memphis to move her mother's bed downstairs. After two weeks, though, it didn't seem to have mattered. Her mother grew less spirited each day, and when she was awake she did little more than lie on her side and stare out the window next to her bed. Whereas she hadn't been able to sleep before, now she spent long hours unable to stay awake.

Today Sarah barely recognized the pale face and frail body of the sleeping woman. Just a few weeks ago her mother had accompanied her to a party, and now she struggled for every breath she took. Her mother shivered, and Sarah tucked the cover around her before she sat down on the parlor sofa.

Dr. Lancaster and Ellen had continued to come, and Sarah could tell her mother's condition troubled him. Sarah realized his cheerful attitude was his attempt to keep her from being frightened. It hadn't worked. She'd never been as scared in her life. When they'd first come to Richland Creek, Sarah thought she was prepared for what lay ahead. As the time grew nearer, she realized there were some things in life one could never be ready to experience. Perhaps the worst was becoming an orphan. She wiped at her eyes and picked up the needlework that lay on the table beside the sofa. Before she could take a stitch, she heard the whinny of a horse from the front yard. She rose and walked to the front door. When she opened it, she smiled at the sight of Alex tying his horse to the tree in the yard.

She stepped on the front porch and watched him as he strode toward her and bounded up the steps. When he stopped beside her, he gave her a swift kiss on the cheek and looked past her to the door. “How's your mother today?”

“Not good. She's been sleeping most of the day.” She pointed to the chairs on the porch. “Let's sit out here where we can talk and not disturb her.” She sank down in one and closed her eyes as a cool breeze swept over her. “That feels good. Mama stays so cold I have to keep the house closed up. Sometimes I think I'm about to roast.”

He reached over and covered her hand with his. “I'm sorry you're going through such a hard time. Do you need anything?”

“No. I'm fine. I'm just taking it day by day.” She settled back in her chair and ran her hands down the front of her dress to smooth out the wrinkles. “How's Ellen?”

A grunt of disgust rumbled in his throat. “She's acting like a schoolgirl. Every day she's off with our good doctor, and I don't see her until nearly suppertime. Then he's there to eat with us. You'd think the man didn't have a home of his own.”

Sarah giggled and shook her head. “Alex, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

“What are you talking about?” His wide-eyed expression only made her laugh harder.

“You should be happy for Ellen. She has a nice man showing her some attention, and she looks happy. You'll be leaving soon, and she'll be alone. I'm glad she has Dr. Lancaster to keep her company.”

“Well, that's what bothers me,” he grumbled, “Dr. Lancaster keeping her company.”

“You like him, don't you?”

Alex shrugged. “He's okay, I guess. But I don't think he's Ellen's type.”

Sarah leaned forward and grinned. “And what type does she need?”

“Somebody like, uh…” His forehead wrinkled as if he was trying to think. “Somebody like…your Uncle Charlie, for instance.”

Sarah's mouth dropped open, and she stared in disbelief at him. “Uncle Charlie? Whatever made you think of him?”

“Because they were engaged once.”

Stunned, Sarah fell back in her chair and gaped at him. “Engaged? I never knew that. When?”

“She was awfully young at the time, just seventeen.”

Sarah frowned and tried to digest what Alex had just told her. “You told me that's how old she was when you were born.”

He exhaled a long breath. “Yeah. When my mother died, Ellen promised her she would always take care of me. Ellen wanted her and your uncle to raise me together, but he didn't want to start married life with a ready-made family. So Ellen broke the engagement.”

Sarah shook her head slowly from side to side. “I can't believe I've never heard this story.” A thought popped into her head, and she sat up straight. “Is that the reason Aunt Clara was so rude to you the night of the party?”

“Yes. I think she has a fear that deep down Charlie still loves Ellen, and she takes it out on both of them. Of course it's ridiculous, but that's what Clara thinks.”

Sarah thought about all Alex had said for a moment before she crossed her arms and directed a smug smile at him. “Now I understand why you're upset about Ellen and Dr. Lancaster. Ellen gave up the man she loved for you, and it's always just been the two of you together. You're jealous Dr. Lancaster may take your place with her.”

He frowned and jumped to his feet. “I'm not jealous. I just don't want her to be hurt.”

She rose to face him, grinned, and wagged her finger in a mocking manner. “Protest all you want, counselor, but you won't change my mind.”

He raked his hand through his hair and grimaced. “Sarah, you are the most exasperating woman….”

Her gaze strayed to the road, and she held up her hand to stop him. “Hold that thought, Mr. Taylor, I see the mailman coming. I'm hoping to get a letter.”

She whirled and ran to the side of the road just as the buggy pulled to a stop. Mr. Wardlow, the mailman, leaned out and smiled at her. “Afternoon, Miss Whittaker. How's your mama today?”

Sarah looked past him to the stack of mail lying beside him on the seat. “She's not doing too well.”

Mr. Wardlow pushed his hat back on his head and stroked his long, white beard that hung to his chest. “I'm sorry to hear that. She able to be up much?”

“No, not much.” She cleared her throat. “Do you have any mail for us?”

His eyes grew wide, and he chuckled. “Oh, I guess you're right anxious to see if that there letter came from Memphis you've been asking me about.”

Sarah glanced once more at the stack of mail. “I am.”

He laughed, reached down, and picked up a white envelope. He studied the front of it as if memorizing every word. “Yep, this one right here's for you. It's from a Mrs. Edna Simpson in Memphis. Is this the one you've been a-lookin' for?”

She held out her hand. “Yes, it is.”

He nodded. “Well, it came all right.” He looked at the envelope again. “Who is this Mrs. Simpson?”

“A friend. Now may I have my mail?”

A startled look flashed on his face. “Of course you can. That's my job, to deliver the mail.”

He handed the letter to her, and she clutched it in her hand. “Thank you for bringing it, Mr. Wardlow.”

He tightened his grip on the horse's reins. “You got anything to send?”

“Not today, but I may have tomorrow.”

He touched the brim of his hat. “I'll stop by then. Good day, Miss Whittaker.”

“Good day, Mr. Wardlow.”

Sarah waved the letter above her head as she raced back to the porch where Alex waited. He met her at the top of the steps. “What's the matter?”

She hopped onto the porch and held up the letter. “This is from the lady who runs the school where I was supposed to teach this year. Her name is Edna Simpson. I went there until I graduated. She has always liked me, and she kept in touch with me during the two years I was studying for my teaching certificate. When I graduated, she had a job waiting for me.” Sarah glanced back toward the house. “Of course I had to give it up.”

“So why is she writing you now?”

Sarah took him by the arm and led him to the far end of the porch away from her mother's window. She leaned close to him and spoke in a soft voice. “We've written back and forth since I've been here. Her letters have cheered me so much when I felt down. She's been my one link with the outside world, and I get so excited when one arrives. Do you mind if I glance over it quickly?”

“Of course not. Go ahead and read it.”

She ran her finger underneath the seal and pulled the letter out. As she read, her heart began to pound, and tears filled her eyes. When she finished, she looked up at Alex. “I can't believe it.”

He frowned. “What does she say?”

She sniffed and cleared her throat before she began to read.

“Who's Roger?” Alex interrupted.

“Roger Thorne, Mrs. Simpson's nephew. He's quite wealthy and owns the school. Mrs. Simpson runs it for him.” She directed her attention back to the letter.

When she finished reading, she looked up at Alex. “Can you believe that?”

He frowned. “I certainly can't. That letter sounds like she can hardly wait for your mother to be out of the way so you can come back to her.”

“No, no, you misunderstood her. She only wants to help me. I know I can't live on the money my father left me for the rest of my life. I will have to have a job to support myself. She's making that possible.”

Anger lined his red face, and he clenched his fists at his side. “And she's keeping a room for you in her house? Do all the teachers live there?”

“N–no, but she knows we sold our house. I'm sure she's trying to help me.”

“And what about this Roger? It sounds like he's more than a possible boss. He wants to bring nurses here, and you have a special place in his heart? He must really be in love with you.”

She didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh. She chose the laughter. “That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. He's fifteen years older than me. He always treated me like a daughter.”

Alex pointed to the letter. “The feelings she describes in that letter are far from fatherly. But what about you, Sarah? Is there a part of you that's in love with this obviously wealthy man who has special feelings for you?”

Now the anger won out. “No!” As soon as she shouted the word, she regretted her outburst. She didn't want to upset her mother. “No,” she whispered. “I'm not in love with him. I've never had feelings for any man until…”

He stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders. “Until when?” She swallowed hard and tried to pull away, but he gripped her shoulders tighter. “Until when?” he repeated.

“Until I met you.” She closed her eyes.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His lips brushed her hair on the top of her head. “And I've never had feelings for another woman until you. I'm sorry I overreacted to your letter. I didn't mean to upset you. Hearing how another man feels about you drove me crazy for a moment.” His husky voice sent a warm rush through her veins.

“You're so wrong about that. But none of it matters anyway. The only way I will ever go to Memphis is if Mama passes away, and I can't stand to think about that. I love her so much, Alex. “

“I know you do. Please forgive me.” He nuzzled her ear with his lips. “I have to leave for Memphis in a few weeks, but I want you to know I'll take the train to Mt. Pleasant every Friday afternoon so I can be here on the weekends with you. We'll face this together.”

She cuddled closer to him. “Thank you.”

They were silent for a moment. “Although there is one more thing about that letter that upsets me.”

She sighed. “What is it?”

“The part about the suffrage movement.”

She stiffened. “What about the suffrage movement?”

“You'll have to give up your involvement with them.”

She pulled back and stared up at him. “And why would I do that?”

He loosened his grip, and she stepped out of his arms. “Don't get upset, Sarah. I know you have strong feelings about it, but sometimes it's more expedient to keep your thoughts to yourself.”

She frowned and shook her head. “I don't understand what you're talking about.”

He sighed and directed a look toward her that made her feel like a child being reprimanded by her father. “We've only known each other for a few months, but in that time we've grown close. It's plain to see we care deeply for each other. But I'm about to start my career, and I have to be careful that I have the right kind of friends if I want to make partner in the law firm.”

“By ‘right kind of friends,' are you saying you can't associate yourself with the radicals who support suffrage?”