Christmas at Carnton (Carnton 0.5)(50)

Aletta made a face. “I certainly don’t feel that way, but you’re kind to say so.”

“Tell me,” Kate continued. “How are you feeling?”

As the women stepped to one side to talk, Jake saw an opportunity. “Corporal, how about some hot apple cider? And maybe a slice of pork roast?”

“Sounds good to me, sir.”

Zachary reached to push the wheels of his chair, but Jake beat him to it.

“I don’t mind driving, Corporal, if you don’t mind riding.”

“I don’t mind, Captain. Thank you, sir.”

Jake steered the wheelchair over the rough terrain and closer to the fire pit where a roasted pig hung on a spit. With one of the ladies helping them, they had plates and cups in no time, and Jake enjoyed talking to a fellow soldier about the war, about where they’d fought, their various encampments, and the latest news. What little there was with the recent lull in fighting.

“So . . .” Jake laid aside his empty plate. “How are you doing, Zachary?”

The man didn’t answer at first, then shook his head. “Not too good, Captain.”

“Call me Jake. We’re two soldiers at a Women’s Relief Society event. I think we can stand a little informality.”

Zachary laughed, then began to talk. About details obviously difficult for him to speak about, based on the ebb and flow of his words. And details also difficult to hear. But Jake wanted to listen, wanted to help. And by the time Aletta and Kate found them, he felt the flicker of an idea taking hold inside him.

An idea that hadn’t come from him. But that was meant for him, he was certain. Now . . . what to do with it? That was the question.




“You could come on the sleepout with us too, Mama. If you want.”

Aletta helped Andrew put on his coat, then buttoned it up. “I don’t think Colonel McGavock would appreciate having me along. I think this is intended to be only for boys. Of all ages,” she added, giving him a quick hug from behind.

What she didn’t tell him was that she was eager to spend an hour soaking in a warm tub Tempy had offered to heat for her. Every muscle in her body ached from the long weekend of baking and cooking—Sunday’s attendance equal or more to what it had been on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—and she couldn’t wait to sink down into that hot, sudsy water. And to wash her hair would be sheer heaven.

“Do you have your binoculars so you can see the stars up close?”

Andrew whipped out one of two pairs of paper binoculars that he and Winder had made in class with Miss Clouston, then eyed her. “Mama, these don’t really make the stars bigger. They just—” He thought for a moment. “—focus my attention on whatever I’m lookin’ at.”

“Ah . . .” She smiled. How she wished Warren were still here to see this, to watch their son growing up, to teach Andrew all he needed to know about being a man, lessons she couldn’t begin to teach him.

But would have to. Somehow.

“What about your gloves, sweetheart?”

He pulled them from his pockets.

“And your scarf?”

“I’m not cold. I don’t need it.”

“But you will need it later when you get cold.”

“I’m not gonna get cold. I’m already gettin’ hot.”

She grabbed the scarf and hurried him on downstairs to the entrance hall where the table clock was chiming the nine o’clock hour. And just as they heard Winder and Colonel McGavock’s footsteps on the staircase, a knock sounded at the door.

Aletta answered. “Jake. Good evening.”

He smiled and stepped inside. “Evening, Aletta. Are my campers ready?”

“Your campers?”

He eyed her. “Did . . . no one tell you?”

“Tell me wh—”

“Oh, my dear Mrs. Prescott—”

Aletta turned to Mrs. McGavock and Winder descending the stairs.

“It’s my fault. I forgot to say anything to you about it. The Colonel was called to a meeting in town this afternoon and won’t be back until quite late tonight. He didn’t wish to cancel on the boys’ special outing, so he asked Captain Winston to stand in for him.”

“Oh . . .” Aletta nodded. “That’s very kind of you, Captain Winston.”

“Isn’t it though?” Mrs. McGavock nodded. “Well, you three boys have fun now. And when you get too cold later on tonight, the front door will be unlocked, so come on inside.”

“Get too cold?” Jake made a face that drew a giggle from the boys. “We men will be having too much fun to get cold.”

“Yeah, Mama.” Winder grinned. “We men’ll be havin’ fun!”

Andrew parroted the same, his face bright with anticipation.

“Andrew, be sure and keep your coat on, honey. You don’t want to get sick.”

But Aletta knew he didn’t hear her. He was too busy talking.

The threesome left by way of the front door, and Mrs. McGavock closed it behind them with a sigh. “They’ll have a marvelous time together and will come back with tales they’ll regale us with for a week. Meanwhile, you get some much-needed rest, Mrs. Prescott. Enjoy this rare time alone.”

“Oh yes, I will, Mrs. McGavock. Thank you.”