Christmas at Carnton (Carnton 0.5)(43)

CHAPTER 17

Jake awakened early the next morning, eager to see Aletta. With everything that had happened yesterday and her retiring earlier than usual last night, they hadn’t had time to talk, just the two of them, about what had happened once the initial shock had worn off.

He’d been so proud of her. The way she’d handled the discovery at the hospital with such graceful strength, how she’d comforted Emmett Zachary even though her own heart was clearly breaking. The way she’d spoken to the other wounded soldiers as they’d left the hospital, tenderly touching a shoulder here, wiping a brow there. She’d insisted they go immediately to Kate Zachary’s house so that the woman’s grief could be turned to joy. And it had been.

On their way back to Carnton, Aletta had asked him to drive by her former home in town. He’d stopped the wagon out front, and she’d simply stared at the house for the longest time, silent tears falling. Then, giving a soft nod, she’d turned and faced forward, the resolution in her spirit nearly tangible.

He closed the cabin door behind him, and as he neared the house, he spotted her through one of the kitchen windows and paused. She was cutting Andrew’s hair. And from the looks of things, the boy was talking a mile a minute.

He watched mother and son for a moment, so grateful that God had brought him to Carnton, and so honored that a woman as fine as Aletta not only would look twice at a man like him, but would open herself up to him. Maybe even entrust her heart to him. A heart he would guard and cherish, and solemnly vow before God Almighty never to disappoint.

But one thing remained . . .

He needed to tell her the truth about his injury. The bullet he’d taken in the shoulder was nothing compared to his other wound, and she had a right to know.

His close-up vision hadn’t changed in recent weeks. Which was good news, according to what the army doc had said. Because if his close-up vision hadn’t changed by now, it likely wouldn’t. But the bad news . . . He could no more see through that rifle sight today than he could a month ago.

Movement from inside the kitchen drew his attention, and he spotted Andrew waving at him. Jake opened the kitchen door and stepped inside, and he felt a slight pang in his chest at the way the boy’s eyes lit.

“Hey, Captain Winston! I’m learnin’ more about stars in class! Miss Clouston, she gave me this to read.” Andrew held up a book with pictures of stars on the front, his grin spreading from ear to ear. “Come spring, me and Winder, we’re gonna have us a sleep out in the field and look up at the stars all night long.”

Jake nodded. “That sounds like a fine plan.” He finally managed to catch Aletta’s gaze, though it took a bit of work. “Morning, Aletta,” he said softly.

“Good morning.” She offered him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and he wondered if she hadn’t slept well. Understandable, if that was the case.

He gestured to a bowl of eggs. “Want me to get breakfast started?”

She shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I’m about done here with Andrew.”

“Mama, how come Captain Winston’s hair can touch his collar and mine can’t?”

Jake eyed her, wondering how she was going to respond.

“Because Captain Winston is a grown man, Andrew. And grown men can decide for themselves how long they want their hair to be.”

Andrew frowned as he climbed down from the stool. “But boys with mamas can’t?”

Jake could tell Aletta was trying not to smile. “That’s right. Once you’re older, then you can decide for yourself how long you want your hair to be.”

Andrew seemed to let that settle in, then turned to Jake. “Has your mama died, Captain Winston?”

Jake nodded. “Yes, Andrew. She has.”

“Your papa too?”

“Yes,” he answered softly. “And my only brother.”

“Do you miss ’em?”

“Every day.”

“I miss my papa too.” Andrew bowed his head.

Jake knelt beside him. “You know, as the years have passed, I can still feel my family with me. In here.” Jake touched the place over his heart. “Just like you’ll do with your papa . . . who was a very wise and good man. And you’ll grow up to be just like him someday.”

Without warning, Andrew launched himself at him, and Jake hugged him close, the little boy’s arms around his neck about the best thing he could ever remember feeling.

“It’s going to be okay, buddy.”

“You promise?” Andrew whispered against his neck.

“I promise,” Jake whispered back, praying he could be part of keeping that promise in the boy’s life. And in his mother’s. He caught Aletta’s gaze and saw tears rising to her eyes. He saw something else there too. Something he couldn’t define but that didn’t feel particularly comfortable to him.

“Can I go check on the kittens, Mama?”

Aletta nodded. “You may. But don’t stay long. Breakfast will be ready soon. And wear your coat!”

Andrew grabbed his coat from the peg in the hallway, and Jake was grateful for the chance to talk with Aletta privately. Then Tempy entered the kitchen carrying a pail of fresh milk.

“Mornin’, Captain Winston!” Tempy grinned. “Oh, Andrew. Look at your hair! So handsome!”