Faith continued. “I went to see Andrew just before the storm struck. I left the boat thinking I could make it home but instead got waylaid. Andrew found me and took me back to theMorning Star, where I recuperated until it was safe to come home.” She turned as she pulled the scarf from her head. “See, I have a bandage on the back of my head. Ben no doubt had to cut away some of my hair to stitch me up. Won’t that make for an interesting obstacle to overcome when arranging my hair?”
“He was very careful. I think you’ll be impressed,” Andrew countered.
“We’ve been so worried,” Nancy admitted. “The police are insisting people remain home, and Seth has tried twice to getto the school to see if his sister and Mimi are all right. We’ve seen nothing of them.”
“We encountered the police and soldiers,” Faith acknowledged. “Once they realized we were headed home, they weren’t quite so harsh. Maybe if Seth pretends he’s on his way home instead of going to the school, they’ll let him pass.”
“I was just waiting for dark to try again,” Seth admitted.
“I could go with you,” Andrew volunteered.
“Thank you. That would be helpful. Especially if they’re trapped.”
“Perhaps we should bring some tools.”
“That’s a good idea.” Faith turned to Seth. “If you have, say, an ax and shovel, you can even tell them you’re going there to help clear the debris.” She glanced around. “Is everyone else all right?”
“Mr. Trent from next door died. The storm upset him so much that he had a heart attack. We tried to help but couldn’t get him to the hospital because of the debris.”
“I wished I’d been here.” Faith shook her head. “Perhaps I could have helped.”
“I wish you’d been here so you might not have been injured,” Andrew threw in.
“I’m sure folks have plenty they wish was different tonight,” Nancy added.
Seth turned to Nancy. “I’m going to try again. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He donned his coat and hat, then gave Nancy a peck on the cheek.
Faith looked to Andrew and smiled. “Thank you for getting me home safe and for helping my family.”
He nodded but said nothing more.
Once the men were gone, Mrs. Weaver and Alma, who hadbeen sitting on the back stairs, went back upstairs. Faith closed the front door and turned to Nancy. “What a day. I’ve never seen anything like it. I feel I should be out there helping, but with my head wound, I know I should rest.”
“I’m so glad you’re safe. Mrs. Weaver and Alma and I hid in the pantry. I thought the entire house would fall down around us.”
Faith noted that Nancy looked pale. “You’re exhausted. Why don’t I help you get to bed? Have you eaten?”
“No. Seth only just got around to checking the flues and chimneys. He believes we’ll be all right to cook.”
“Good. Then while you rest, I shall do what I can to make something.” Faith put her arm around her cousin. “We have leftovers, and I’m sure we won’t starve.”
Nancy started to say something, but all that came out was a moan. Her knees gave way, and Faith barely caught her before she fell.
“Mrs. Weaver! I need some help.” Faith struggled to lower Nancy to the floor. “Nancy? Can you hear me, Nancy?”
She was out cold.
Faith frowned. “Mrs. Weaver! Come quickly and bring Alma.”
It was less than a minute before both women arrived. Mrs. Weaver’s eyes grew wide at the sight of Nancy on the floor. “Goodness. What happened?”
“She fainted. I need help to get her to her bed.”
“We can help. If you can get her upper body, we can get the lower,” Mrs. Weaver declared, nodding toward Alma.
Faith had her doubts that the two women were strong enough, but they quickly proved themselves more than able. It was Faith who struggled with the weight of her cousin. Itwasn’t that far down the hall to Nancy’s bedroom, but Faith felt her head pound with each step. She should be resting right alongside Nancy, but she knew that wasn’t going to be the case. Someone had to take charge.
They managed to get Nancy up on the bed. Faith sat beside her for a moment, pretending to feel her pulse when in truth she was waiting for a dizzy spell to pass. “I’ll get her changed and tucked in. Could you put on some tea? Nancy said Seth had checked the stove and flue. We should be fine to light some fires as well.”
