Handpicked Family. Shannon Farrington

shifted to a somewhat uncertain one. “Were you lookin’ for that man?”

      She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. “Which man?” Trudy asked, hoping he wasn’t wise to her actions. After all, men had been coming and going for the last two days, gathering supplies and seeking treatment for their families.

      “The one who makes the newspapers,” Charlie clarified.

       Oh dear. When am I going to realize that—

      “Will he be back?” he asked.

      That question eased her guilt a little, knowing she wasn’t the only one anxiously awaiting Mr. Carpenter’s return. Obviously the newspaper publisher had made an impression on Charlie. No doubt giving up his soup and frock coat are part of it.

      She offered the boy a smile. “Yes. Mr. Carpenter went over to Larkinsville today but he will be back.”

      The uncertain expression only grew. Trudy didn’t know why until Charlie then said, “My pa went to Larkinsville to ’nlist.”

      She could almost hear the rest of the sentence, though it remained unspoken...and he didn’t come back. Her heart ached for the little boy. Tenderly she stroked his dark hair. It was the color of coffee, just like her employer’s. “The war is over now, Charlie,” she said gently. “No one is enlisting anymore.”

      The sound of approaching hoofbeats drew both their attention back to the window. “Well, here’s Mr. Carpenter now,” she said.

      Charlie stretched to the glass, pressed his nose against the pane. “He looks hungry,” he said.

      No, she thought, he looks frustrated. His visit to the Federal garrison must have been less than satisfactory.

      “I’ll get him some tea!” Charlie proclaimed.

      Trudy was touched by his eagerness but thought it wise to rein it in. “Let’s give Mr. Carpenter a moment to settle.” The last thing she wanted was for him to think they had been waiting by the door, eager for his return. The boy, however, waited just long enough for her employer to dismount. Then he tore away from the window.

      “Charlie!” Trudy moved to catch him but it was no use. Mr. Carpenter hadn’t even time to step completely into the building before Charlie had commandeered a cup of hot tea, raced back and held it up to the man.

      His left eye brow arched. He looked at the boy, then at her. A frown came over his face. Trudy’s heart withered inside, partly for Charlie’s sake, the rest for her own. Does he think I prompted the boy’s actions? That somehow I’m trying to soften up his stance on children?

      He looked back at Charlie. “No, thank you,” he said.

      Trudy noted the heartbreaking expression on the boy’s face as he lowered the cup. Even though she knew it would only increase Mr. Carpenter’s perturbation, she stepped in.

      “I think what Mr. Carpenter means is that he appreciates your tea, Charlie, but would rather you give it to your mother instead.”

      She looked back to her employer. His hard expression softened. Apparently he realized how his words had come across to the little lad. “Yes,” he said quickly as he leaned forward on his cane. “You see, I had a meal in Larkinsville. In fact...” He reached into his pocket, drew out a biscuit. “Here. I couldn’t finish this. You take it.” He then offered Charlie an awkward smile.

      The boy was thrilled and quickly accepted the biscuit. With a smile of his own he tottered back to his mother. Mr. Carpenter then returned his look to her. His eyes were dark and probing. Trudy couldn’t quite decipher the emotions she saw in them but she could read a storm brewing, not one of anger necessarily, but something...

      “I didn’t put him up to that,” she said bluntly.

      The man blinked. Given the confused expression now on his face, Trudy decided it best to be completely forthright. “I am sorry for any inconvenience I have caused you in coming here, but I promise you my scheming days have ended.”

      He drew in a breath, hesitant to acknowledge the former feelings to which she was referring. She knew, however, he understood. She could read that in his eyes.

      “It’s over and done with now,” he said. “I have made my position clear. If you will accept it then we will speak no more of it.”

      Accept that he never wanted a family, that he didn’t want her? She would be lying to herself to say his rejection didn’t still sting, but yes, she had accepted it. “Very well,” she said.

      He offered her a curt nod in return.

      Remembering Robert, Trudy then told him about the information she had taken down for the paper. “I laid it on your desk,” she said.

      “Excellent,” he said. “I’ll wire the notice next time I return to Larkinsville.”

      She wanted to ask him how today’s venture had gone, but she knew him well enough to know that if he had received good news from the garrison commander, he would’ve proclaimed it. If the news was discouraging, he’d stew on it for a while, until he figured out a way to remedy the situation. So with no further business pressing, Trudy turned and went to check on Charlie and his family.