July 5, 1943
Doctor Gibson pulled the stethoscope from around his neck and carefully shifted items around before placing it in his bag. Medical supplies bulged from the opening. When he finished, he tilted his head and stared at Lainie.
“Young lady, I’d say you’re very fortunate. It appears your heart is unscathed, though we won’t know for sure until you start your normal activities again.”
Lainie slumped forward at the news. She’d braced herself for a far different prognosis. For the first time since the storm, she inhaled a breath and her lungs filled. His encouragement echoed freedom to her.
“Now you can return to work next Monday, but I want you to stop the moment you feel a flicker of weakness.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do I need to send Mrs. Babcock with you to ensure you obey my orders?”
“No. I promise I’ll follow your instructions.” Lainie clutched the neck of her nightgown, eager for him to leave.
“No more riding in rain storms. In fact, you should avoid anything strenuous for a bit. At least two weeks. We’ll ease you back into the world with church and your job.”
Her pulse raced at the thought of returning to church. With the last week in bed and the parlor, she’d pondered Roxie’s life-giving letter. She couldn’t wait to join her voice with others Sunday as she thanked God for sparing her. She still didn’t understand the whys, but she knew Who. And for now, she’d rest in His goodness. Even if He never showed her why she’d suffered, He deserved her love and worship.
Doctor Gibson grabbed his bag and stood. “Call me if you need anything else. Glad you’re back on your feet.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Lainie watched him go and wanted to twirl with her arms up in the air. Instead, she dressed and stumbled downstairs to the kitchen. Esther looked up from a pie she crimped.
Lainie leaned against the counter. “Which kind are you making today?”
“Strawberry rhubarb. I love the pucker of flavor the rhubarb adds.”
Lainie grimaced at the memory of the last strawberry rhubarb pie she’d carried. Mason’s image flashed in her mind. “Doc Gibson says I’ve recovered. Maybe I can find out what’s happened to Mason. See if anything’s changed.”
Esther eyed her. “That’s not exactly what he said.”
“Maybe, but if I can leave, why not go there? Much as I like my room and appreciate your patience with me, I’m ready to see something else.” Anything else, really.
“Then you can eat down here tonight.” Esther’s jaw set in a determined line, and Lainie sighed. This Esther she couldn’t cross or persuade. She might as well accept that she was stuck here until next Monday.
Lainie smiled at the invitation. Maybe a special soldier would stop by. She’d heard Tom Hamilton came to check on her periodically. He’d been the only soldier to do so, and the action made her value him even more. He was unlike the other men she’d grown up with or met here. He cared and wasn’t afraid to show it, yet somehow it didn’t diminish him at all. Indeed, he seemed stronger because of it.
She wondered at her reaction. How could she care so much about a man she’d known less than two months? No man had ever caught her attention like Tom, yet many had tried. Somehow none had interested her enough to get a second or third look. No, she enjoyed dancing with and entertaining soldiers the best. Until she’d arrived at Fort Robinson, she’d never had to consider more than a fleeting moment with a man. Even here, most only stayed the eight to twelve weeks training with the dogs required. Then there was Tom and the rest of the cadre that stayed.
“You need something else right now, Lainie?”
She jerked, startled from her thoughts, and looked at Esther. The twinkle in Esther’s eyes could power the lights in town tonight. Heat climbed Lainie’s cheeks, and she shook her head. “No, I think I’ll sit on the porch for a while. See you at supper.”
“See you then.” Esther’s chuckle followed Lainie as the woman went back inside.
This was it. Tom wiped a stream of sweat from under his helmet and then adjusted his pack. Even after six weeks, it rested heavy against his back and pulled at his shoulders. They were knotted tight as cords of wood.
Boots pounded the hardened trail. Scorching heat from the sun pounded against his helmet, and another trickle of sweat slipped down his face. He squinted up the trail to gauge the remaining distance to the Wood Reserve. Tom tried to focus on the trail and God’s creation that dotted the path. Pockets of late-blooming sandwort stacked claims among the rocks. He stepped around a stand of plains pricklypear that had edged onto the trail. The bright-yellow flowers couldn’t hide the long barbs of that cactus, one he’d learned the hard way to avoid.
The men entered a clearing and pulled to a halt.
“Ten-hut!” Sarge Maxwell strutted to the front of the group. “You’re some of the sorriest excuses for soldiers I’ve seen, but I guess you’ll do. You’ve completed basic training and are now free from the hikes and packs until sent elsewhere. But you’re not quite free of me.”
A murmur moved through the ranks, an echo of the relief Tom experienced. He’d earned his marksmanship badge and looked forward to getting back to the routine and avoiding senseless drills. Tomorrow, he’d wear his cowboy boots rather than the standard-issue ones he had the blisters to prove he’d worn the last six weeks.
“First, form up. Time to show us some drills.”
The men marched in tight formation around the field until Maxwell grunted his approval. He stuck an unlit cigar between his teeth and grimaced. “Form up for inspection.”
Tom swiped a drink from his canteen and then fell in between Sid and John. Maxwell dragged out the inspection until Tom’s muscles tensed with fatigue. Maxwell seemed to delight in finding something, anything, to nag each man about. Tom wouldn’t miss him one moment after the man finally left Robinson, taking his anger with him.
Eventually, Maxwell dismissed them, and Sergeant Lewis replaced him at the front. Sarge considered the ranks in front of him carefully.
“At ease.” He paced in front of them. “I have to say I’m pleased with the way you have performed during basic. Despite Sergeant Maxwell’s bluster, he’s given me favorable reports of many of your efforts and improvements. Congratulations. Tomorrow, we’ll return to our routine. Today, however, break into your platoons for field events.” He grinned at them. “Don’t forget, the winning platoon will be wined and dined by the rest tonight.”
Tom groaned; he’d hoped to slip by Mrs. Babcock’s and check on Lainie. He thrust his pack into the growing pile by one of the trucks and entered into the events. The balance of the day flew past in a series of races and contests. At the end of the competition, his platoon fell a bit short.
“The officers judging the long jump really need new glasses.” Sid grumbled as he marched toward the roaring bonfire.
“And what about the dash? Come on, all you have to do is operate a stopwatch.” John rolled his eyes. “Guess we’ll have to remember I was the fastest man on the field today.”
Tom walloped both men on the shoulder. “It’s over now. Let’s enjoy our freedom.”
In no time, they joined the men gathered around the fire. Soon a soldier launched into a song, and others joined. Stress leached from Tom as he watched the hundred or so men around him kick back and celebrate. Now each was ready to serve wherever the Army determined they’d make the most difference in this war. He knew he would trust his life to any of them. They were trained and primed, even though many would serve out the war at Robinson.
The wood smoke filled his nose, and Tom’s thoughts wandered to the many nights he and his father had sat around a fire, staring at stars too numerous to count. Dad had often been busy with his practice, but at least twice a year, they’d retreat to the mountains to hike. Each day had ended like this one.
“Hey.” A voice cut across the singing. “We’re under attack. Grab your weapons!”
Tom rolled out of the way as the men around him erupted to their feet. He looked through the lowering light. Where was the truck with his pack? He sprang up and dashed across the space.
He unfastened his rifle and tried to remember if it was loaded. There hadn’t been any shooting drills today, so no need to load. He grabbed a box of shells from the pack and cast the pack aside. He loaded the gun as he ran to find the rest of his platoon. They formed a perimeter around one flank of the fire.
Tom searched the darkness for any sign of whoever assaulted their position. The sound of scuffling filled the air from pockets outside the light of the fire. Gunfire erupted, and Tom dove for the dirt and landed next to Sid.
“What?”
“I don’t know.” Sid’s pupils were dilated, and his face held a crazed look. “Keep looking. We can’t be the weak point.”
Tom turned back to the perimeter. The explosion of an artillery shell shook the ground, and he started digging a foxhole with his bare hands. He scanned the horizon as he dug, throwing the dirt in front of him.
He stopped and the shadows rushed across the edge of the trees, but he couldn’t find a clear line of sight. As the sun sank behind the buttes, the actions of the platoons became more organized as a messenger ran between them with instructions. Tom’s blood pounded an intense beat in his ears, and his finger trembled on the trigger.
“I see someone.” John Tyler bellowed in Tom’s ear.
“I’ve got him.” Tom followed the shadow’s progress down the barrel of his rifle and then more shadows appeared. The gun was loaded with live ammunition, and he didn’t want to injure a friend. This had to be part of a drill. Taking a deep breath, Tom considered his options, then aimed over the encroachers’ heads. He eased back on the trigger and grinned when they startled and dove for the ground.
A shrill whistle pierced the air, loud enough to drown out intermittent blasts.
“All right, men.” Corporal Hill’s voice blasted through a megaphone. Tom’s shoulders relaxed. The drill was over. “Congratulations on defending your posts and completing basic training. Enjoy the rest of your evening, but don’t forget reveille sounds at 0530.”
Groans mixed with whoops sounded as the men regathered around the fire.
Tom stowed his rifle back with his pack and then leaned against it as he watched the fun. Now maybe life could return to normal. Now he could show Lainie how much she meant to him. A smile grew on his face. He knew just how to do it, too.