Leah sat at Caleb’s side, counting the hours until the train pulled into Newport Station. Caleb was not yet the healthy, robust man she’d met on her wedding day, but the combination of fresh air, good food, and her honey concoctions had restored some of his strength and vigor.
She longed to see Olivia and Stephen. How their faces would glow when they saw their father again. But she dreaded giving Uncle Abram and Aunt Cynthia the news that Matthew had stayed in Washington. He’d chosen to work as an orderly at the same hospital where Caleb had convalesced, and although she carried a letter he’d written to his mother and father explaining his need to do something to help the cause, Leah knew it would be little comfort to her aunt Cynthia.
Caleb closed the book he’d been reading for the last hour and passed it to Leah.
“Finally finished?” she asked. “How was it?”
“Very good. There’s an unexpected twist in the story and redemption in the end, but I’ll say no more, lest I spoil it for you.”
“Redemption in the end? That’s a worthwhile promise. I’ll start on it tonight.”
Caleb stretched his arms above his head. “We’ll be pulling into the Newport depot in less than an hour. I can smell it.”
Leah grinned. “I didn’t know thy nose had such power.”
“It’s the smell of rich Indiana farm land. Makes me eager to get back to the fields. I’ve missed the apple harvest, but there’s still plenty of work that needs doing.”
“I hope thee doesn’t push thyself too much. Thee doesn’t make a good patient.”
Caleb returned her smile. “I don’t?”
“No thee doesn’t. Cranky. That’s the word for thee.”
“Humph.” Caleb’s mouth drew downward, as though he was considering her words. “There are worse affronts. Besides I would find it difficult to refute that description.”
Leah threw her head back with laughter, and Caleb joined her.
“But didn’t you enjoy some part of your trip to our nation’s capital?” he asked.
“It was an adventure, I have to admit. I can’t wait to tell the children we saw President Lincoln’s pet goats.”
Caleb shook his head slowly. “One has to wonder at the nature of our president. What type of man is prepared to wage war to keep the Union together, and yet is tenderhearted enough to keep goats as pets?”
“Does thee really believe this fighting will continue?”
“Who knows? But the Southern states show no sign of coming to their senses, so I fear our nation is headed for a true civil war.”
“I’m glad thee is finished with fighting.”
“Don’t be so sure, Leah. I’ll go back if my regiment calls me.”
Leah’s chest hurt with the thought of Caleb leaving again. During the past three weeks, she’d come to care for him, to appreciate his kindness, and to tolerate his impatient nature.
She placed a hand over her aching heart. “But how can thee? Thee knows what battle is like, I heard thee shouting during thy fevered dreams, yelling orders to invisible soldiers, and cursing the death of thy comrades. And thee would go back to that?”
“If I’m needed, I’ll go back. I know we differ on this, Leah. Quakers are well known for their pacifist beliefs. But I’m not a Quaker.”
But he was her husband, and she’d vowed to obey him. She had many more arguments against war stored in her mind, but she’d keep quiet for now. Keep quiet and pray for Caleb.
Caleb nudged her with his shoulder. “Was there anything else you enjoyed about Washington? Other than the president’s goats, that is.”
“The hotel was an eye-opener. So many people! The chambermaid told me the Willard had space for a thousand guests. Can thee imagine it? A thousand people in one place?” Leah shuddered at the thought.
Caleb chuckled and slid his arm across her shoulders. “Anything else, Leah?”
What was he hinting at? “The food was very good. I’d never eaten at a hotel before, but it was very appetizing.”
Caleb moved closer, until his chest nudged her arm. “Wasn’t there anything else you liked?” He pulled the strings of her prayer cap. “Maybe in the evenings?”
“Is thee referring to the concert we attended? That was most interesting. We Friends avoid music since it is a worldly pursuit, but I have to admit the concert was a wonderful experience.”
Caleb frowned. “I’m glad you enjoyed the orchestra, but I wasn’t referring to the concert.” He moved closer.
What did Caleb want from her? “No?” she whispered.
“No.” He caressed her jaw. “I was thinking about the nights, Leah. Lying side-by-side, whispering in the dark. Did being near me please you?”
Leah straightened her body and took a deep breath. What should she say? How could she answer him? Should she admit how difficult it’d been to stay on her side of the bed? Could she tell him she’d longed to lay her head on his shoulder and feel his arms around her?
Caleb’s finger brushed her lips. “Must I speak to your uncle if I wish to renegotiate the agreement, or may I discuss the matter directly with you?”
Leah looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Did he want her to be a true wife? Was that what he meant? He was so close she could barely think. “There’s no need to speak to Uncle Abram. I can speak for myself.”
Caleb touched her cheek with the back of his finger. “And what do you say, Leah?”
She turned her head to look at him, but his lips were on hers before she knew what was happening. His mouth, soft and warm and tender, touched hers with exquisite gentleness, and her body sang in response. She relaxed into his embrace, and the rest of the world disappeared. There was nothing except this man, his lips and his arms, and his desire for her.
How could it be true?
Caleb pulled away, and the world rushed in where his lips had been. The matron seated behind them cleared her throat, and a wide-eyed young girl watched with interest. No one kissed in public, not even couples who’d been married for decades. What had Caleb been thinking?
Leah covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers and looked at Caleb. He was waiting for an answer. Was she ready to be a real wife? She opened her mouth to speak, but could only produce the barest of whispers. “I—”
Why had her voice failed her now?
“I—” Why could she never say the important things that needed to be said?
Caleb slid away from her. “I trust you’ll let me know your answer when you have one.” He removed a watch from his pocket. “We should be home in an hour or so. I think I’ll stretch my legs and get some fresh air.”
Leah watched him walk to the back of the car and step out onto the observation platform. Her lips still tickled from the kiss, and her heart still danced with joy, but her mind feared to believe. He hadn’t wanted to marry her, but now he wanted to change their arrangement. What did that mean? She’d been wrong on her wedding day. Did she dare to hope now?
Happiness surged through Leah’s heart when she spotted Rose and the children at the station. Thank goodness the telegram Caleb sent from Columbus had reached them. Caleb stepped off the car and turned to help Leah do the same, but she held back. Stephen spotted his father, and she wanted to watch the reunion.
“Papa!” Stephen yelled as he tore through the crowd and threw himself around Caleb’s legs.
Caleb lowered to one knee and embraced the boy.
“Oh Papa,” Olivia cried as she reached the pair. “What’s happened to you?”
Caleb held out one arm to include his daughter in the embrace. “I’m fine, Olivia. Just fine. Nothing a few weeks at home won’t cure.”
Rose came up behind the children, her hand over her mouth in obvious shock at Caleb’s altered appearance. Rose’s gaze found Leah. “Oh my dear,” she said, holding out her arms to Leah. “Thank you for bringing our Caleb home where he belongs.”
Leah descended the steps and returned the older woman’s embrace. “I’m glad to be home.”
“Even though you wrote of Caleb’s injury and illness, I admit I’m taken aback,” Rose said. “He’s lost so much weight. And his beautiful black hair has begun to turn gray.”
Caleb stood and embraced his aunt. “I don’t want to hear another word of concern about me. I’m home, and before you know it, I’ll be starting the spring planting.”
Rose dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Thank the Lord for your safe return.”
A woman’s voice called above the crowd. “Leah?”
Leah turned to see Aunt Cynthia standing on the platform.
“Oh yes,” Rose said. “I sent word to your aunt and uncle that you and Caleb would be home today.”
Leah rushed into her aunt’s embrace. “Oh Aunt Cynthia. It’s so good to see thee.”
Happy relief shone from her aunt’s kind face. “Thanks be to the Lord thee has returned safely. Where is Matthew?”
Leah stepped back and looked into her aunt’s eyes. “He decided to stay in the capital.” Leah removed her cousin’s letter from her reticule and placed it in her aunt’s hand. “He’s working at Seminary Hospital.”
Aunt Cynthia clutched the letter to her chest and gazed questioningly at Leah. “Has he joined the army?”
“No. Fear not.” Leah felt a tug on her skirt and looked down to see Stephen’s ecstatic face.
“Let’s go home, Leah!” Stephen said. “Joseph says he’ll come back and get the baggage. Let’s go!”
Leah turned to her aunt. “Matthew is fine, Aunt Cynthia. He said he’d found a way to serve his country without raising a weapon to his fellow man.”
Stephen interrupted the women again. “Let’s go, Leah! Papa is waiting for you.”
“Thee should go with thy family,” Aunt Cynthia said. “I will read my letter. No doubt I’ll need time to pray about my son’s decision.”
Leah squeezed her aunt’s hand. “Come to the house soon. I’ve missed thee, and I have much to talk to thee about.”
Cynthia nodded and turned away while Stephen continued to tug on Leah. “I’m coming, Stephen. My goodness, thee pulls like a mule.”
“Aunt Rose said the same thing,” Stephen replied. “Except she said I kicked like a mule.”
How like Stephen to consider the comparison a compliment. Leah laughed, took the boy’s hand, and joined Caleb and the others in the surrey. As Joseph drove away from the station, Leah looked for Aunt Cynthia. She would need time to accept Matthew’s decision, but at least he hadn’t broken the Friends’ Testament of Peace. Leah prayed he never would.