Nine
“You look like you’ve traveled a thousand miles away,” Cleta observed as Lucy stared out the kitchen window while she dried the breakfast dishes.
“Hmm?” Lucy asked, barely aware that her mother had spoken. Since she had returned from the farm with Theo, she had spent far too much time lost in her memories of what a wonderful time she had experienced there.
She had appreciated the days spent with her grandparents and the joy of being at the farm, where she and Theo had both felt free to be themselves and not under constant scrutiny from people who came into the shop. Yet what had made the days so memorable was every precious moment with Branch.
Once he had confessed who he really was and what he really did, and shared about his nightmarish childhood, Lucy knew she could no longer pretend she didn’t hold feelings for him.
He had sat next to her at the Sunday church service the morning after his confession.
When he had covertly held her hand, hidden by the folds of her petticoat, she had felt almost wicked doing such a thing.
However, her grandmother was seated on her other side and didn’t seem to disapprove, although Lucy was quite certain the woman knew exactly what had transpired.
Her grandparents had encouraged her to spend time with Branch when opportunities had arisen.
He had been called away after only a few days at his farm, but returned the following Sunday to sit beside her once again at church.
Sarah and Nate had invited her grandparents, Theo, and her to their home for lunch.
Lucy had been delighted to see their house and listen to Sarah tell stories about Branch when he was a little boy full of rascally mischief, which he apparently had not fully outgrown.
Lucy rather hoped he never would.
It was one of the many reasons she loved him. Oh yes, she loved Branch with all her heart. She was certain he felt the same way, but as he had pointed out on numerous recent occasions, the war was not a convenient time for marriage or romance.
Her heart didn’t care if there was a war or not. Pure and simple, it wanted Branch Barton. It was everything else that seemed so complicated.
Such as the fact that Branch was doing his best to behave like a Loyalist merchant while trailing after Redcoat spies, getting messages to couriers, and keeping an eye on her family, because Lucy had noticed the two ruffians across the street again a few days ago.
She hadn’t mentioned their presence to Branch, but he seemed to already be aware of their lurking when he had stopped by the afternoon she had seen the men.
Yesterday, when Branch had joined them for a cold supper, her parents had granted permission for Lucy to sit outside with him on the bench in the garden after the meal.
Branch had been so exhausted, he had fallen asleep with his head tilted at an odd angle sure to cause him neck pain.
Lucy had retrieved a small pillow from their sofa, placed it beneath his head, and let him slumber undisturbed until dark had settled in for the night.
As he rested, Branch had looked so peaceful and young, and she could see remnants of the child he had once been in his face.
Her heart ached every time she thought of Branch as a little boy no more than Theo’s age, grieving both of his parents and forced into serving a horrid man who abused him for years. How had he endured it?
The fact that he had spoken to the strength of his character and spirit, as well as the truth that the heavenly father had always kept Branch in His care and always would.
Finally, her father had stepped outside and awakened Branch. He had given him a cup of cider to refresh him, then sent him on his way.
Lucy had no idea where Branch stayed when he was in Philadelphia, and it was for the best she didn’t. But it didn’t mean she fretted about him any less. He assured her he had adequate accommodations, where he could rest undisturbed.
Truthfully, she worried about all of them and what the war would bring to their world.
Living as she had in Philadelphia her whole life, she had naively assumed the British Army would never think about laying siege to the city, but she knew Branch was correct.
It was only a matter of time before they made an attempt to overtake it.
Right now, they were occupied in New York. Rumors ran rampant that battles would begin any day. Should the British win, Branch was convinced it wouldn’t be long before they turned their attention to Philadelphia.
What that would mean for her parents, her, and Theo remained to be seen.
At least they had her grandparents’ farm to go to if necessary.
Lucy had overheard her parents discussing plans to send Theo back to the farm to stay until the war ended.
Theo would be immensely pleased at the prospect, even though Lucy would miss her little brother if he were there and she remained in the city.
Then again, she did not know if her parents would expect her to accompany him or remain at the shop, and she had no notion of what the future might hold.
She knew only that she wanted to hold on to Branch and the love that had taken root between them. Like a tender plant, it would need to be nourished and fed, protected and sheltered. Branch was uncertain if he would remain in Philadelphia indefinitely or if he would be called to work elsewhere.
If he were ordered to leave, she fully intended to go with him. She knew some women followed the Continental Army—wives and daughters of those who had joined. She could be among them if it came to that.
First, though, she needed to convince Branch that setting their love aside until the war ended could mean months, if not years, of waiting.
To her, it seemed vital to make the most of whatever time they had together.
No one could predict what tomorrow would bring.
The time to seize happiness was now, no matter if it were in the midst of a war.
“Lucy? Are you quite well?” Cleta asked, bumping Lucy with her elbow since her hands were deep in the tin tub they used to scrub the dishes.
Lucy started, lost as she had been in her thoughts, and looked at her mother. “I’m well, Mama. I apologize for gathering wool instead of paying attention.”
Cleta offered her a smug smile. “If I were being courted by Branch Barton, I would likely be wool-gathering too.”
“Courted? Do you know something I don’t?” Lucy asked, setting down the plate she had dried and reaching for another.
Cleta leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I heard Branch speaking to your father, asking for permission to court you. Of course, Ward agreed, but only after tormenting your young man with ridiculous questions far longer than was necessary.”
Lucy wondered when Branch had spoken to her father. She certainly had no knowledge of it. Then again, things had been so busy since she and Theo had returned from the farm, she hardly knew which direction was up from down.
“Courted by Branch,” Lucy whispered. The wonder of it sent warmth curling through her that had nothing to do with the heat already shimmering outside.
Cleta grinned and kissed her cheek. “He would be a fortunate man to have you for a wife, my darling girl. And you could look a long time to find a man as good and kind as Branch Barton. Your father and I both think quite a lot of him, as do your grandparents. You never said, but did you enjoy making the acquaintance of Sarah and Nate? Father and Mother both speak quite highly of them.”
“They are wonderful. Branch told me about Sarah’s parents being killed in a house fire, and her barely surviving. He said her injuries from the fire are why she is unable to have children. She and Nate seem quite happy, though.”
“Such a tragedy, but I’m glad they’ve found happiness together, just as I hope you and Branch will, Luce.
” Cleta handed Lucy the last dish to dry and shook off her hands, then wiped them on a towel.
“Let’s see to our chores before it gets any hotter.
I’ll send Theo out to water and weed the garden.
Goodness knows what bug he’ll find out there today.
I’m half convinced Branch has been hiding bugs for him to find. ”
Lucy grinned. “It wouldn’t surprise me, but if he brought any, he would make sure they wouldn’t harm Theo or anything in the garden.
You should have been there the day Grandpapa found worms in the corn.
You would have thought Theo had been given a king’s treasure for the way he scampered to collect them.
In fact, we all grabbed buckets and joined the effort.
Branch happened by and challenged Theo to see who could collect the most. He let Theo win, but it provided much amusement to watch the two of them. ”
Cleta wrinkled her nose. “There are certain aspects to farm life I do not miss in the least. Pulling worms from the corn is one of them, but I imagine your brother had a grand time.”
Lucy helped her mother put the dishes away, then they both went about their chores. The shop was busy all through the morning. They had barely reopened after their midday dinner when two men, dressed in the attire of the wealthy, came into the shop.