Tillie entered to the sitting room, where herBible lay next to Maggie’s chair. She sat and picked it up.
Private Reed, one of Colonel Colvill’sattendants, wandered in.
She put the Book down and started to rise.“Can I get something for you, private?”
“No, no. Sit down, please.” He waved her intoher seat. He dropped onto the sofa and rested his hands on hisknees. His fingers drummed on his pants, index finger to pinkie,nonstop. He opened his mouth to speak, stopped, and for somereason, his face flushed.
What was the matter with him? Tillie bit herlip to keep from smiling.
“Uh.” He ran his hand through his red hair.“The colonel is resting, and your mother and sister are suchdevoted caregivers. I decided to come down and see if you neededany assistance.”
A flirty sounding giggle escaped her. Sheclamped her lips shut, her face heating faster than a cook stove.“I could have used your help when I first got home, but now itdoesn’t take much time to clean up down here. Father spends most ofhis time out at the butcher shop with Sam, and everyone elseremains upstairs.”
Private Reed nodded. He looked about him,still drumming his fingers on his knees. “This is a nicehouse.”
“Thank you.” She rose. “I think I’ll maketea. Would you like some?”
“Yes, please. Tea would be wonderful.” Hespoke fast and started to rise, but she waved him back down.
Returning a few minutes later, she carried atray. He left the sofa and joined her.
Tillie placed a cup and saucer in front ofhim, set the creamer and sugar bowl near his hand, along with aplate of gingerbread baked earlier in the morning. She pouredsteaming brown liquid. “May I ask you a question, private?” Shetook a seat to his left and balanced her teacup in both hands.
“Please, call me Walter—Walt.”
She smiled. “May I ask a question, Walt?”
At his inviting glance, she told him aboutBarney. “I don’t know how to reach him. His life isn’t over becausehe can’t use his arm, but he thinks so. Of course, I don’t know howone feels when they lose a limb or are in so much pain. I’m afraidI’m not being sympathetic, and I want to be.”
“Give him time. I’m sure he’ll come around.My mother likes to say the Lord’s grace is sufficient for today. IfChrist lays a trial at our feet, He will lead us on the path to getthrough. I think that’s true. What does your Good Book say?” Heinclined his head to her Bible on the side table.
“I’m reading Ephesians. The passage from 4:29to 5:2. However, I don’t think throwing verses at him is the answerright now. Still, I pray them for myself before I tend to him, so Idon’t say something unkind or reflect his bitterness back athim.”
“I can’t think of a better passage. You’reright, of course. Spouting verses at him is not a good idea.Reflecting Christ’s words is.”
He smiled at her, his even, white teethshining out of a freckled face both boyish and charming. He pusheda shock of red hair from his face, but it fell back across hisforehead. He gave a small, unconscious shake of his head. His deepgreen eyes, though now resting on her, seemed interested ineverything going on around him.
Tillie started and turned her attention toher hands wrapped around her cup. He caught her staring, and sheprayed he didn’t think less of her. Reaching for the teapot, sherefilled her teacup as though it might save her from drowning inhis presence. “Where are you from, Walt?” She liked saying hisname. Tillie held the pot out, offering him more.
“Hamline, Minnesota. Milt and I joined uptogether.” He pushed his cup closer to her.
“You two have been friends a long time?”
“More than friends. He’s my cousin. Hismother is my mother’s sister.”
“That explains why you two get along sowell.”
Walt laughed, and his green eyes sparkled.“Well, most of the time we do.” He lifted his teacup and took asip, then put it down. “What about you and Miss Maggie? You twoseem to get on well, too.”
Tillie giggled. She gave him a sidelongglance and let a coquettish smile curve her lips. “Well, most ofthe time we do.”
They both laughed.
* * * *
That afternoon began a new routine for Waltand Tillie. Claiming they didn’t need him upstairs, Walt helpedTillie. He chopped wood and brought water, and together theyplanted and tended a winter garden. After completing those chores,they enjoyed tea before he rejoined those upstairs.
“How is your patient in the room next door?”Walt sat at the table in the sitting room while Tillie poured forboth.
She set the teapot down. “He can still getsulky about his arm, but most of the time, I don’t allow him to.We’ve talked a great deal about occupations he might do without hiswound interfering, so I think he’s making progress.”
“Good news.” Walt’s voice sounded vague anduncertain. He drummed his fingers.
She eyed his nervous gesture. Did she say ordo something inappropriate? Trying to think, she handed him the cupand saucer.
The cup rattled in his hand. Tea splashed thefront of his uniform. Grabbing a napkin, he mopped up the hotliquid and swiped at his coat, muttering the entire time.
She stared at him, mouth agape. “Are you allright?”
“Yes, yes. I’m fine.” Again, his voicesounded vague and unfocused. He scowled at his uniform and dabbedat his chest again. His eyes darted about the room as though hewanted to be anywhere but there.
“Are you sure?”
“Hmm, what?” He blinked seeming to come backto reality.
A flash of insight hit her so hard she almostcouldn’t breathe. He came to tell her he loved Maggie and wouldn’tbe sharing tea with her anymore. Tillie made a small noise in herthroat as she struggled to suppress the jolt of pain like a bayonetto the heart. She blinked fast several times and gripped her teacupuntil her knuckles whitened. “Walt? Is something wrong with ColonelColvill?”
“No. He’s fine. He’s mending so well, infact, they don’t need me here.” He sat, refilled his cup, andsipped.
That explained his
