Faith appreciated all the encouragement but knew they were unaware of the real reason she’d been dismissed. “How is Alma?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“All but healed,” Mrs. Weaver said. “She was impressed by how quickly the illness faded after your healing touch. See there? You don’t even need a certificate. God has given you a natural ability.”
Again, the topic had been brought back to Faith’s situation. She supposed there was no hope of getting the women onto another topic. This was understandably a concern to each of them. They cared about her and wanted good things for her. She had spent many a night in study only to have one of the ladies slip into her room with a cup of hot tea and cookies. They always asked how her classes were progressing—especially Clementine and Mimi. They were all so good to her, and she couldn’t blame them for wanting to figure out a way to help. However, she just didn’t feel up to the conversation.
“You have all been so kind, but I need to be alone.” Faith pushed back from the table and stood. “I appreciate you all more than I can say.”
With that, she left for the solitude of her room. She couldn’t bear to discuss her lost dreams. She wasn’t even sure she could pray.
Andrew gave his men the order to secure the load before making his way from the ship with Major Wells.
“My men removed all of the firing pins, as you clearly saw,” Major Wells said, “with exception to those rifles on top. That way if someone insists on checking the quality and firing ability of the weapons, they won’t be disappointed.”
“I feel better knowing the pins are missing. I’d hate to think of a real war breaking out.” His grandfather had told him many times of the terrible wars of days gone by. Andrew knew war took its toll on both sides, but inevitably it would be the Indians who lost the most.
“We’ve got all the information we need from you. We’ll wire ahead to have the boat under observation via various ports and checkpoints. Don’t fear, you’ll be under constant monitoring.”
“I understand.”
Wells paused when they reached the end of the dock and extended his hand. “Good sailing, Captain. Our prayers and best thoughts go with you.”
Andrew nodded. “Thank you. I’m hopeful we can put an end to the threat of an uprising.”
Wells looked grave. “As am I. Many of the soldiers under my command are just boys. They aren’t old enough to have seen the Rogue River Wars. Some were even too young for the Nez PerceWars.” He shook his head. “They’re all fired up and anxious to confront what might come, but they don’t understand what they’re facing. I’d rather they never know.”
Andrew couldn’t agree more. Grandfather always said there was nothing like war to alter the heart of a young man.
He left the major and signaled for his men to cast off. Next stop, Portland. It seemed like forever since he’d seen Faith. The last time he was with her, he’d done the unthinkable.
How could he have kissed her? He knew there could never be anything between them. Not legally, and he wouldn’t have a more intimate relationship with Faith unless it was legal. He loved her too much. He would never shame her by lying to her.
He frowned and made his way to the wheelhouse. No matter how much he wanted her for his own, Andrew knew he would have to forget her. It would be best never to see her again, but now that he was entangled in this mess, it was inevitable that they would encounter each other at some point. When they did meet again, Andrew couldn’t imagine what he’d say to her.
“You all right, Captain?” Denny asked, looking up from his paperwork.
“I’m fine,” Andrew growled. “Just head us toward Portland.”
Denny’s eyes narrowed, but he did as Andrew ordered while Andrew released his clenched fists. He wouldn’t go see Faith. He would deliver what was ordered for Portland and leave. Leave before she could learn that theMorning Starwas even in port. Leave before he could make a fool of himself ... again.
CHAPTER20
By mid-April the rains had tapered off and the temperature had warmed. Faith tried not to think of Andrew’s long absence or the kiss he’d given her on that night so long ago. It was useless to pretend it never happened, even if she knew nothing could ever come of it. Instead, she tried to keep her thoughts on the medical college’s graduation, which was taking place on the twenty-seventh, despite her inability to participate. She had met with her friends on several occasions, usually in secret. No longer did they feel they had the luxury of public gatherings, and because of Lakewood’s threats, they had decided to postpone their lecture series until after graduation. Still, each one assured Faith that they were committed to helping the Indians. She was glad for that and for the fact that their lecture had made it possible to send a large supply of medicines to the reservation. Added to this, Mrs. Jackson and Mr. Singleton had both responded to her letters with assurances that they would do what they could to help. With the aid of a celebrity such as Mrs. Jackson and a government official, Faith felt confident they could put Mr. Lakewood in his place. She would just have to be patient.
Faith was the one who had driven home to her friends that nothing was going to change overnight and it was important that they do nothing to interfere with their own graduation. She could see the relief in their eyes at the understanding that they could move toward graduation without fear. She didn’t blame them at all. She only wished it had been true for herself.
As her cousin grew larger and her pregnancy progressed, Faith felt a certain degree of responsibility to watch over her and be available should she go into labor. Nancy’s mother was slated to come in May and stay with them until the baby was born, and Faith knew once Grace Armistead arrived, she would have far less responsibility. But until then, Faith was in charge, and the women of the boardinghouse were very protective of both her and Nancy. They didn’t want Faith leaving the house for any reason.
It amused Faith that the ladies were all growing more and more anxious. None of them had children, and they were nervous about Nancy’s condition and whether she might give birth at any moment. Faith tried to reassure them that first babies generally took their time being born and that they needn’t worry. But worry they did. Even Clementine was more focused on the birth of the baby than her upcoming wedding.
But then on the sixteenth of April, Grace and Alex Armistead appeared at the front door of the boardinghouse, suitcases in hand.
Faith was nearest the door at the sound of the knocker and had opened it to the joyful expressions of her aunt and uncle. She couldn’t help but be excited by their arrival.
“I didn’t know you were coming so soon. How wonderful!” She embraced them both.
“I asked them to come early,” Seth said behind her. “I wasbeginning to worry that the ladies were going to chain you up so you couldn’t leave the house.”
Faith laughed and pulled back from her aunt’s embrace. “I feared the same thing myself. I thought maybe Nancy had taken pity on me.”
