Theo looked at him as though he had lost his mental faculties. “Why do you think we came to the farm, Branch? She’s been tied in knots since we woke up to find you gone the day after you and Thomas were shot. She would have borrowed or stolen a horse if it came to that to ride out here to see you, but Papa told her to give you a few days to rest. We’ve been taking care of Thomas. He sent you a letter and said to tell you he’s doing well and in good care, and if you don’t make your intentions known, the loss is entirely your own fault.” Theo pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Branch. “What does that mean?”
“It means I need to speak to your sister soon.” Branch tucked the letter inside the book for safekeeping, then turned to Theo again. “Shall we enjoy some refreshment before we venture to your grandparents’ farm?”
“Sure!” Theo stood and pulled on Branch’s hand. “Miss Sarah said to come inside, and she would have cider and biscuits ready.”
Branch could hardly stand the wait as he and Theo enjoyed Sarah’s sweet biscuits and a cup of cider.
Inspired by idea, Branch stood and looked at Theo. “Would you mind telling Lucy I’ll be along shortly and to meet me in the garden by the summersweet bush?”
“I’ll tell her,” Theo said. He crammed the last bite of biscuit in his mouth, drained his cider, then stood and tipped his head to Sarah.
“Thank you, Miss Sarah, for the cider and biscuits. They are as good as the ones Mama makes. Bye!”
With that, the boy rushed out the door. Branch grinned when he heard Theo whoop as he leaped over the hedge again on his way back to the Danvers’ farm.
“What are you plotting?” Sarah asked, standing and placing a hand on Branch’s arm.
“A reunion with Lucy that I hope she will long remember.”
Sarah smiled. “I’ll gather some flowers for you to take.”
Branch went to the room where he stayed whenever he was at the farm and changed out of the clothes he was wearing into his Continental Army uniform. The occasions for him to wear it had been few, since he had almost immediately been put into service as a spy. He tugged on the sleeves, adjusted the white silk stock tied around his neck, then combed his hair back and tied a crisp knot to hold his queue. He settled his cocked hat on his head and returned to the kitchen.
“Are you sure you feel up for whatever amorous thoughts are twirling around in your head?” Sarah asked, handing him a small but fragrant bouquet of flowers she had snipped from her garden.
“No, but I need to see her, Sarah. I’ve missed her so much these past few days, I can hardly bear it. I must see her.”
“Very well, but if you’re going to linger over there for a while, send Theo back to let us know you aren’t sprawled face down in the pasture.”
Branch scowled at her, and Sarah laughed, then offered him a careful hug. “Go. Find your happiness.”
“Thank you, Sarah. You are much loved and appreciated.”
“I know, and the same to you, Nephew. No matter what may happen, you will always have a home here in this house and my heart.”
Branch kissed her cheek and then strode outside. He wanted to run and leap over the hedge as Theo had done, but he kept his pace sedate and followed the path through the pasture to the fence that separated his farm from John and Katherine’s place. He opened the gate and made his way through, closing it behind him, then walked directly to Katherine’s beautiful garden of flowers.
He saw Lucy waiting for him by the summersweet bush. She wore a simple gown of dark blue with white trim, and a white apron with flowers scattered across it, as though she had rushed out there without a moment of hesitation. No cap covered her head, and he feasted on the vision of her rich brown hair, curls piled in a jumble, glistening in the sunlight.
As though she sensed his presence, she turned and watched him approach with warmth glowing in her dark-blue eyes that made them twinkle like a night sky illuminated with stars.
She waited until he stood just a foot away from her before she reached for him, as though she needed to touch him and confirm he was real and not a dream.
“Sarah picked these for you,” Branch said, offering her the bouquet.
She took it and buried her nose in the flowers. “They’re lovely. It was so kind of her to send them.”
“I think her hope was that they would help.”
“Help?” Lucy asked, gazing at him over the blooms she still held close to her face, creating a vision so appealing Branch had to summon all his willpower not to haul her into his arms right then.
“I have no doubt I blundered greatly a few days past when I left your house without a word of goodbye. I do apologize, Lucy.”
“Mmm,” she said, turning from him and walking a few steps before she spun around to face him. Anger altered her previously sweet expression as she wagged the bouquet at him. “You are the densest man, Burwell William Barton! Is your head made of clay hardened in the summer sun?”
“Not that I am aware,” he said, suddenly pondering if coming to see her was such a grand idea. She looked infuriated as she set the bouquet on a small iron table just off the path, then fisted her hands on her hips. He had never seen a female look any finer or more appealing than she did in that moment.
“You listen to me, Branch Barton. When you leave me, you will say a word of parting. And a kiss would be nice too.”
