A Simple Singing by Leslie Gould

Author:Leslie Gould
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Fiction;Amish—Fiction;Lancaster County (Pa.)—Fiction;Christian fiction;FIC053000;FIC042040;FIC042000
ISBN: 9781493414765
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

13

Annie

Kate stood and thanked Annie, who had retreated to the shadows of the room, swaying the baby. Then she leaned on the table and met George’s eyes. “Please discuss this with Annie and listen to her. It would be good for me to have someone to travel with, and her skills would be put to good use. The Lord commanded us to care for the sick and dying. All of us are called to serve, according to our gifts, in a time like this.”

George crossed his arms and shook his head. “It’s bad enough that men in our communities have been drawn into the fight. My sister won’t be supporting this war, not in any way.”

Kate stood up straight. “Didn’t you sell the Union hay?”

George’s face grew red. “That was different—it was better to sell it than risk having the Confederates steal it. I’m responsible for Annie while she’s in my home. I won’t allow her to go to a battlefield.”

Kate smiled at Annie, as if George hadn’t just spoken, and then grabbed her bag. “I’ll be riding the stagecoach to Hanover Junction tomorrow, and then I’ll catch the train to Gettysburg. Come into town in the morning if you want to go with me. I’ll have a pass for myself and for you too.”

Annie nodded as the baby began to fuss. She moved him to her shoulder and continued bouncing him.

“Do you think the trains are even operating?” George asked. “Don’t you think the Confederates probably destroyed what they could?”

Kate shook her head. “I heard the tracks were to be repaired by now.”

Annie spoke up. “What about going east, past the river, toward Lancaster?”

“I’m guessing a ferry has been put in place,” Kate said. “They’ll have to get soldiers from Gettysburg to every hospital in the area, including across the river, as soon as possible. Thousands and thousands are dead and more are injured.”

Annie shuddered at the thought again, trying to imagine how horrific some of the injuries might be.

Harriet walked to the door with Kate and thanked her for coming. After she closed the door, she turned toward George. “What about those soldiers? What if Cecil is injured? What if others we know are? What if Ira is?”

George kept his arms crossed.

“And don’t tell me they shouldn’t have gone off to war. If you were younger and not married, you might have gone.”

He shook his head. “Never.”

She gave him a pathetic look. “What if it was one of our sons? Wouldn’t you want someone like Annie to go care for him?”

George shook his head.

“If you won’t let Annie go, then I will,” Harriet said.

Annie gasped. A wife was to be submissive to her husband.

Harriet marched toward Annie. “I’ll take the baby with me and accompany Kate in the morning.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” George said. “Both of you are being unreasonable. This is none of our concern.”

Harriet, without saying another word to George, headed to the bedroom.

Annie stepped to the table and gathered up the mugs. “I’d like to go,” she said to George, speaking as calmly as she could.

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