Callie said reassuringly, “This is Gordon, an old friend from Lancashire. He rescued me from Washington and escorted me here.”
Deciding that was a good enough recommendation, Sarah said, “Indeed I would like some fresh air. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Of course it isn’t.” He grinned at her. “I like sweeping lovely ladies away.”
Sarah laughed. “Your old friend is a sweet-talkin’ ladies’ man, I see.”
“We all need a skill,” he said as he bent to the bed.
“I’ll put a folded quilt on one of the long chairs,” Molly said.
Leaving the coverlet over Sarah, Richard carefully slid one arm under her back to help her sit up. Then he moved the other arm under her knees. “The worst thing about fevers is the way they leave a person feeling weak as a tired baby,” he said sympathetically. “I had one fever that left me almost paralyzed for a fortnight. I wondered if I’d ever recover.”
He punctuated his light sentences by carefully lifting Sarah, no easy feat when she was lying on the floor. Callie stood by in case help was needed, but he managed smoothly. That lean build concealed strength.
He carried her sideways through the door so he wouldn’t knock her against the frame. Molly held the door to the balcony open. Several of the wooden chairs had high backs and extended seats so legs could stretch out comfortably. With the quilt for padding, the one Molly had prepared made a cozy nest.
Once Richard settled Sarah into place, Callie smoothed the coverlet over her and adjusted a small pillow behind her head. “How is that? Are you comfortable?”
Sarah sighed and leaned her head against the high back of the chair. “Oh, yes. The fresh breeze from the harbor is so fine.”
Molly came out on the balcony carrying a tray with a pitcher and several small, dented pewter cups. “Grandma, here’s some of that cool mint tea you like.” She set the tray on the table and poured a cup, then handed it to her grandmother.
“Thank you, Molly.” Sarah was now strong enough to hold a cup and sip. “You’re such a good girl.”
“I try. Here, there’s enough for all of us.” Molly poured three more cups and passed them around.
Callie accepted hers and settled into one of the plain wooden chairs. The tea was cool and sweet. Richard accepted a cup with every evidence of pleasure and chose a chair by Callie. She sipped her tea, relaxing into this moment of peace.
“There’s quite a view from here,” he said. “We can see all the way to Fort McHenry.”
He was right about the view. She just wished that so much of the activity wasn’t war related.
For several minutes, they all silently savored the peace. Then Molly stood and looked over the railing. “Look, Trey and Grandpa are coming this way! Wait until they see you, Miss Callista!”
Callie also stood, drinking in the sight of the men in her family. Josh looked muddy and tired, but he was his usual strong, utterly reliable self. Dear God, Trey was the young soldier beside him! In his uniform jacket, he had the confidence and swagger of a man. She bit her lip, proud but also sad that her beautiful little boy was only a memory.
Molly called, “Grandpa, Trey, look who’s here!”
The two men raised their heads and Callie waved to them. Josh grinned widely and Trey gave an exuberant shout. “Miss Callista, you made it here safely!”
“Yes,” she called down. “Now get up here so I can hug you!”
In just a couple of minutes, she was doing exactly that. Hugging Trey felt so right and good. When they released each other, he smiled mischievously. “You’ve become just a bit of a thing, Miss Callista.”
“I’m average height!” she retorted.
“And we Adamses are all above average!”
It was sadly true; she was the shortest person here. In Washington, she’d not really noticed. With a twist of her heart, she realized that there she had been the linchpin of their household. She owned the house and earned most of the money that supported them. But everything had changed, including the patterns of her family.
While she’d been hugging Trey, Richard had introduced himself to Josh, offering his hand. She saw that they were doing the male measurement ritual of sizing each other up. Approval seemed to be mutual.
Josh said, “Miss Callista, have you snuck a British soldier in here? He talks just like you.”
She laughed and introduced Richard to Trey. His easiness with the Adamses spoke to how varied a life he’d lived.
“So you rescued Miss Callista?” Josh said.
