Healing of the Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel (Discerning God’s Best Book 4)

Chapter 3

August, 1871Teddy

“Have you seen him?” Birdie’s breathy words held a hint of wistfulness. It felt overly dramatic to Teddy, unlike the girl’s naturally stoic nature.

“Who?” Merriweather’s gaze roamed the room as if a man would be in their private quarters.

Teddy watched as Merriweather gave up the search and removed her shoes, tucking the laces inside before placing them in their proper place under the bed. “Exactly, Birdie. Who are you talking about?”

Birdie gave a satisfied smirk, knowing something the others didn’t.

There was the Birdie she knew. Teddy massaged her tight shoulder muscles and held in a sigh. She didn’t want to play the game Birdie had started. She’d had a miserable day at Les Madeleines, starting when she’d spilled water on one of the tables. One would have thought she’d poured scalding coffee on the woman’s silk dress.

Birdie huffed when no one asked for more information. “The new tenant. He’s across the hall. Tall, dark, handsome, and the most startling blue eyes.” She flung the back of her hand over her forehead and gazed up to the window before looking at Teddy, winking and exhaling a theatrical dreamy sigh.

“Who has blue eyes?” Josephine came in and bent to untie her shoes. The bustle of the dress lifted, then two shoes flew out from the skirt, landing haphazardly under the bunk.

“The new tenant,” Birdie and Merriweather said in unison.

Josephine snorted. “Well, if he’s living here, he’s not rich. He’s fair game, ladies. I have no interest. My Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome will be able to provide for all my needs.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and Merriweather gasped.

Teddy would settle for self-sufficiency and providing for her basic needs. Being dependent on a man for anything was not what she desired. She enjoyed working and loved nursing, but scrimping and saving to buy her own home was still a distant hope. It would be several more years of daily sacrifice until she could realize her dream.

“All I want is babies.” Merriweather’s sigh had Teddy rolling her eyes again.

Children would be the one thing she’d miss. They weren’t possible without a husband. Well, technically, they were. Birdie interrupted Teddy’s thoughts with a loud snort.

“I’m not having kids,” Birdie said. “They’re just trouble and cost too much.”

Merriweather sucked in a deep breath. “Birdie, children are a gift from the Lord. You can’t decide if you have them or not.”

“But you can decide if you keep them.” The wry smile that crossed Birdie’s lips garnered the desired effect.

Teddy reached for Merriweather’s arm and lowered her to the chair. Birdie missed the glare Teddy shot her way before changing the subject. “I believe I met the gentleman. I ran into him this morning.”

“You ran into him. Sounds like you.” Josephine crawled up onto her top bunk, legs splayed with her skirt tucked between them.

Was that dried dirt on her hem? They’d had no rain in recent days. Josephine closed her knees, hiding the discoloration. She tucked her arms around the sides as if to hold her knees together. Josephine stared at Teddy, her eyes daring her to ask.

Teddy was too tired to play this game as well. “Yes. I ran into him, as in literally. I was almost late for work.” Time to change the subject. “What a day. All those ladies talked about was how important the corset was to a proper lady’s attire, the size of the bustle, and whose hat had the best feathers. They keep the milliner happy.”

Birdie plopped onto Teddy’s bunk and pulled her down to sit beside her. “Milliners and hunters. Now, there’s a job. Back home, I could hit a duck from a thousand yards with my Old Reliable. Wouldn’t be much left of him, but I’d a got him. Would’ve signed up for the army if they’d let me.” Birdie positioned her arms as if holding the rifle and sighted on a bird flying past the window before jerking as if she’d fired.

Josephine shooed the make-believe gun away and took over the conversation, her boisterous voice making it impossible not to pay attention. “It’s ridiculous these hats they wear. I saw a picture of a whole peacock on a hat in Harper’s Bazaar.”

Merriweather perked up. “Where did you get a copy of that magazine? I love looking through them, but by the time I see one, it’s woefully out of date.”

Teddy scrutinized the woman on the top bunk. Josephine was hiding something. She watched her shrug, closing the conversation.

Birdie picked at a loose string on her stocking. “Stupid, if you ask me.”

Merriweather patted Birdie’s hand. “You’ll make that hole worse. Take it off, and I’ll mend it while we wait for dinner. And it’s not stupid. If I had money, I’d wear the finest dress with the biggest bustle. But I’d never put a bird on my head.”

Teddy marveled at the back-and-forth weaving as Merriweather worked her magic on the stocking. Where had Merriweather learned such needlework? Teddy knew how to darn but was mesmerized by the fluid, over-under motion.

Teddy knew these roommates as she saw them now but didn’t know much about their pasts, except for Merriweather, who had willingly shared. The lives Josephine and Birdie had led before were mostly a mystery.

Dong. Five thirty. Birdie thanked her roommate and replaced her stocking as the others put on their shoes for dinner. Josephine’s stomach growled, making Merriweather giggle. Teddy hoped whatever smelled good would be enough to hold her over until morning. Meat was still expensive after the war, and Mrs. Jones and Cook worked hard to stretch it as far as possible.

Smells of roast, potatoes, and freshly baked bread filled the hallway.

Josephine breathed in deeply. “Mrs. Jones is pulling out all the stops for her new tenant. Now I’m intrigued.”

Merriweather smoothed her skirts and hair before squaring her shoulders. She might be meek and mild-mannered, but Teddy knew the girl was hunting for a husband. Teddy planned to stay out of her way. A man was the last thing she needed. She wanted to focus on her career, not the needs of a man who required a woman. Let him hire a maid.

Teddy gripped the handrail harder than necessary as she descended the stairs. Being on her own would be challenging but not impossible. If she could ever get to that point, she’d prove it to those who thought her one spoke shy of a solid wheel.

The men rose as the ladies entered. Mr. Ferret pulled out a chair for Merriweather. The rest of the men settled themselves and continued their conversation.

Teddy tried to keep her focus on the portly man, who was new to the establishment and whose name she could not conjure up, sitting beside their newest resident as he continued the conversation the ladies had interrupted.

“The Harvard Summer School is going to bring more internationals every year,” the man said.

The new resident nodded politely but did not engage the man on his right.

Teddy had known immediately who her friends were discussing when they’d mentioned his eyes. Even at this distance, the blue shone like sapphire under intense light.

Josephine kicked her under the table. “Birdie wasn’t kidding. I may be back in the game after all.”

Teddy’s eyes grew, and her finger lifted to her mouth. Did the woman not know how to whisper? Mrs. Jones entered and took her place at the head of the table. Chairs scraped the floor as the men stood.

“Gentlemen, please be seated.” The woman’s erect frame didn’t bend even when she bowed her head. “Bless this food, O Lord, and the hands that have prepared it.” An unnecessary but ever-present sigh ended her prayer.

Teddy heard a strong amen above all the others from the other end of the table. Could the new resident be a believer? She watched the man more carefully, not that you could tell the status of one’s heart by their manners.

Mrs. Jones passed the plate of thickly sliced bread. “A special welcome to Mr. Thomas Shankel, the newest addition to our table and home. Judge Horace Pennypacker, Esquire, one of our town’s most outstanding gentlemen, recommended my establishment.” The woman’s pride made her sit straighter if that was possible.

“Thank you for your hospitality and this fine meal, Mrs. Jones.” Mr. Shankel put butter on the side of his bread plate.

Teddy glanced out of the corner of her eye. He was handsome, but his hairstyle was outdated, though the lock that fell over his forehead complemented his strong jaw. His suit was also several seasons out of date, if the length and size of the collar were any indication. But even though the fabric was worn in places, it appeared clean as if recently brushed. A slight yellowing showed under his collar, but the pressed shirt showed only signs of wear, not neglect. It would not have traveled well, so he must have done the pressing on his own.

Silver clinked on china as conversation flowed easily. Teddy listened but never commented as the men discussed the classes offered at The Harvard Summer School. When they began debating President Grant’s signing of the Ku Klux Klan Act, swallowing became difficult. She’d address the portly man and suggest a change of subject, but his name still escaped her.

The man continued, not noticing the discomfort of his fellow dining companions. “It might empower the federal government to protect the civil and political rights of individuals, but I’ve seen some of those wanting to do the protection, and I’m not sure this is going in the right direction.”

Birdie spoke with her mouth full. “Some protect better than others.”

Mr. Shankel’s fork clattered on his plate. He placed his palms on the table. “Mrs. Jones, wherever did you get such a fine cut of meat?”

The woman beamed. “I have my sources. Judge Pennypacker’s name carries a great deal of weight in this town. Please help yourself to more.” She dabbed at the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

Teddy captured Mr. Shankel’s gaze as he searched the table and thanked him with a quick nod for his help in changing the subject. “Might I pass the potatoes? They are especially creamy this evening,” she offered.

His lips pulled in for the briefest moment, causing dimples to form. Teddy felt a pang for what could not be. She desired a career over marriage. Not that she wondered if Thomas was available. But those blue eyes that remained on her sparkled, causing her heart to beat unnaturally.

“Thank you.”

It took Teddy a moment to realize his words were in response to wanting the potatoes. She lifted the bowl in front of her and passed it down the table. She didn’t miss the movement from Mrs. Jones, who looked as if she may have wiggled in her seat from the praise.

Mrs. Jones folded her hands in her lap. “Mr. Shankel, would you mind telling us a bit about yourself and what brings you to the City of Brotherly Love?”

“Thomas, please. Mr. Shankel is too formal.”

Teddy marveled at the effect he had on Mrs. Jones. The pink that flushed the woman’s cheeks made her harsh features soften.

“I’m originally from Edgefield, South Carolina, but I’ve lived most of my life in Shumard Oak Bend, Missouri. I start classes at the medical school next week to earn my doctor’s degree. There’s not much more to tell.”

The portly man piped up. “Good. Good for you. Will you remain here to practice after graduation?”

“My home and family are in Missouri. I plan on returning and using my skills to help those in my community.”

Merriweather leaned in to see their new resident. “What an honorable goal.” A pretty flush covered Merriweather’s cheeks at her boldness.

Mrs. Jones looked from Merriweather back to Thomas. “Yes, very. Have you visited our fair city before, Mister—I mean, Thomas?”

“This is my first trip east since I was five, ma’am. I’m afraid I know little of city life.”

Mr. Ferret’s high-pitched nasal tone had everyone turning in his direction. “I’d be happy to show you around and help you get your bearings.” The man shrank back into himself as if surprised he’d made the offer.

“I’d be much obliged, Mr. Ferret.”

“Reggie. Please call me Reggie.” The man looked as if the words had been painful to speak.

Mr. Shankel looked at his watch. “Perfect, Reggie. I have an appointment this evening, but perhaps tomorrow?”

Teddy furrowed her brow. An appointment, already? And in the evening?

Josephine kicked her under the table again. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

The woman’s whisper was embarrassing.

“Do you like to read?” Mr. Shankel’s voice carried in their direction—his focus on Josephine. “Pardon me. You know my name, but I do not know yours.”

“I’m Josephine Blake. It’s a new age. Please call me Josephine. Read? Not particularly.”

One never knew what would come from Josephine’s mouth, so Teddy jumped in. “We share the room across the hall. This is Merriweather and Birdie. I’m Teddy. And yes, first names are fine.”

A burst of air came from Mrs. Jones’s nose.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies. Please, call me Thomas.”

Teddy breathed a sigh of relief as the others around the table introduced themselves by their first names and shared where they were from and what had brought them here. The portly man’s name was Crocket. Teddy suppressed a giggle. His shape, like the large earthenware jar, would help her remember his name. Conversation flowed as Mrs. Jones poured coffee and served thick slices of butter cake.

The sweet cake’s crispy edges were Teddy’s favorite. She loved the hint of vanilla in the crust, but tonight, the thick layer of vanilla-flavored, buttery filling was a delight on her tongue.

Thomas sat back in his chair, his hand resting on his stomach. “Did you make this, Mrs. Jones? I’ve tasted nothing quite like it.”

“I’ll give your compliments to our cook. She leaves at five each day for another position. Perhaps you can check in on her tomorrow. I understand she had a nasty cut this afternoon.”

Mrs. Jones did not mention Teddy or her involvement, not that she would have. The woman frowned on Teddy’s choice of profession, saying a young, single woman had no business being intimate with a man. If you could call cleaning excrement and wounds intimate, she didn’t want to know more.

“I’m not a doctor yet, Mrs. Jones. But if she’d like for me to look at the injury, I’d be happy to do so tomorrow. I do have some training from a local medicine woman.”

Mrs. Jones’s eyebrows nearly reached her hairline. A knock sounded at the door, and the matron excused herself, returning moments later, those brows now lowered into a scowl. “Mr. Shankel, you have a visitor. He will remain outside until you are ready to leave.”

Thomas’s polite tone did not match the new crease between his eyes. “Thank you. Meeting and dining with each of you this evening has been a pleasure.” His gaze scanned the table, ending with Mrs. Jones. “I don’t know how late I will be. Is there a curfew?”

Josephine snickered under her napkin.

“I lock the doors at ten, Mr. Shankel. But mind the company you keep. This town may be called the City of Brotherly Love, but it isn’t wise to wander the streets after dark.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you for that kind bit of information.” His chair creaked as he stood. “I bid you all goodnight.”

Teddy wondered who might be at the door. Perhaps a traveling companion, but why would Mrs. Jones require the visitor to remain outside? She wished the slurps of coffee and tinkle of silver would silence so she could hear if it was a man or woman.

Not that it mattered. She wasn’t interested. Her goals and dreams required her to stay focused. Merriweather, or Josephine, for that matter, could have him.

Crocket interrupted her thoughts. “Reggie, be sure to take Thomas to the grave of Benjamin Franklin at the Christ Church Burial Ground. He can throw a penny on the grave. Good luck, you know. I’ve thrown my fair share.”

“How’d that work for you?” Mr. Ferret asked.

“I’m still waiting on the right woman to slow down enough to feel the push of fate in my direction.”

Josephine leaned in, her voice blessedly quiet for once. “Fate probably saved the woman by pushing her off a cliff.”

Teddy used her napkin to cover the laughter that escaped. She didn’t believe in fate, but if she did, she’d certainly not leave her future in the hands of someone who’d tossed a coin on a grave.