Summer of Promise by Cabot Amanda

Author:Cabot, Amanda [Cabot, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042040, FIC027050
Publisher: Baker Book Group
Published: 2012-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

“You look happy.” Charlotte laid down her sewing and smiled at Abigail. This was the second time they’d returned home as soon as baseball practice ended rather than spending the rest of the evening with the other officers’ wives. Charlotte was putting the finishing touches on a new gown, while Abigail worked on her lesson plans and Puddles dozed at their feet. As happened most nights, Jeffrey had remained with the men.

“I am happy,” Abigail agreed. It was true that she still worried about Ethan and wished there were something she could do for Leah, but she had taken Charlotte’s advice and had left those problems for God to solve . . . at least until she started teaching. “The post school has proven to be a blessing.” Abigail had investigated it the previous day and had been encouraged by the supplies she’d found there. Though she had been skeptical when she learned that the building had previously been a bakery, she had been pleased to discover that it no longer smelled of bread. The last thing she needed was to have her students distracted by thoughts of food. “Some of the children’s books will be perfect for teaching the men to read.”

“McGuffey’s Readers?” Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “I used to hate them.” As Puddles stirred, Charlotte bent over to pat his head, then winced as she straightened. “Moving isn’t so easy anymore.” When she looked down at her stomach, Charlotte’s smile turned sweet. “The little one is active now.”

Before Abigail could reply, there was a knock on the door. Puddles jumped to his feet and began to bark, a bark of excitement rather than alarm, telling Abigail that the visitor was someone they knew. “I’ll go,” she said, not wanting Charlotte to have to rise. Her sister’s ankles had begun to swell, and walking was no longer a pleasure for her.

As Abigail opened the front door, she smiled. His hair was still damp, making it obvious that Lieutenant Seton had attempted to wash off the dirt and sweat of baseball practice. The one evening when he had not bathed, Puddles had spent the entire time sniffing his boots and trying to chew on his pant legs.

“Good evening, Mrs. Crowley and Miss Harding.” Oliver accompanied his greetings with a warm smile. “I was hoping I could have the pleasure of your company this evening, but if I’m interrupting . . .”

Charlotte laid her sewing aside. “We’re happy for the distraction. Come in.” She gestured toward one of the comfortable chairs.

Though Abigail would have preferred to finish her lesson plans, she knew Charlotte enjoyed Oliver’s visits, for he alone of the fort’s officers seemed to share Charlotte’s love of song. Remembering her manners, Abigail smiled at their guest. “May we offer you some refreshments?”

Oliver shook his head and addressed his words to Charlotte. “I must admit that I was hoping we’d sing another duet.”

“Not ‘Old Folks at Home’ again.” Charlotte feigned pleading. “I was singing ‘way down upon the Swanee River’ the whole next day, and Puddles hates it.

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