The Scarlet Coat by Angela Couch

Author:Angela Couch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2017-08-11T04:00:00+00:00

21

Rachel stole a glance across the table at Andrew. He’d been quiet this morning and was hardly putting a dent in his noonday meal. Not that she fared much better at clearing her plate—nor had she given him much opportunity for conversation. It was easier to simply avoid him. The coarse swatch of his uniform was not proving as effective as she’d hoped. She stood and moved to where the empty pails waited near the door. “I need to get some fresh water for the dishes.”

“Don’t be long,” Joseph called after her.

It was a Sunday afternoon. Everything that absolutely had to be taken care of had been finished before they’d sat down to eat. They wouldn’t be harvesting today, so why would she need to hurry? Not bothering to ask, Rachel stepped into the sunshine. Unfortunately it did little to penetrate the shadow that embraced her as she walked to the well.

After drawing water, she remained perched on the wooden base, staring into the deep hole. Its bottom glistened. With two fingers she slipped the red scrap of cloth from her collar and sighed. She could never regret bringing Andrew from the battle field that night, or that he recovered...but why did he have to be so good, so genuine? Why did his eyes have to captivate her, or his voice penetrate her? Why did she have to fall in love?

She loved him.

The realization swelled within her eyes. How was she to give her life to Daniel, or any other man, when the British captain already possessed her heart? What an impossible situation. She had to fight it—to not feel anything.

“Rachel?” Joseph hollered from the cabin.

She fortified herself with a deep breath and then slipped the snippet of red out of sight. Hefting the pails of water, Rachel carried them inside. She stopped short.

Joseph sat with the Bible open on the table.

Andrew pushed himself to his feet, a gesture he was making a habit of.

Her attempts to dissuade him seemed to fall on deaf ears, so she didn’t bother saying anything. Still, it would be better for his thigh if he put etiquette aside until he got back to England.

Her brother glanced up. “I’ve been doing some thinking. It’s well past time we had a Sabbath meeting. The way we used to.”

Rachel released the pails near the fireplace, the contents sloshing over the brim. It was too soon. “Let’s wait until the snow falls. I have so much that needs doing. I mean...what with...”

Joseph held her gaze, a look of fascination and disbelief forming a furrow on his brow. Could he so easily see through her?

“Fine.” She slumped in a chair across from him.

With a “good,” Joseph motioned toward their British captain. “I already invited Andrew to join us.”

Rachel glanced at his pleasant smile and attempted a civil one.

The devotional began with a short prayer, offered by Joseph, and then he turned to the Bible. “I’m afraid I don’t know quite where to begin,” he confessed to Andrew. “Before our Ma died, we read daily.

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