Return To Love by Susan Page Davis

Author:Susan Page Davis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

A fortnight later, as soon as the morning dew evaporated, Sarah and Christine went out to gather petals from the blossoms lading the rosebush at the corner of the parsonage. Christine had learned at the convent how to distill rosewater in a Dutch oven, and she had promised to make some for the pastor’s wife to use in her baking.

“It’s a pity to ruin all the flowers,” Sarah said as she held a stem carefully between its thorns and stripped off the pink petals.

Christine held the basket beneath Sarah’s hands to catch the colorful bits as they fluttered down. “We won’t need all of the roses. Let’s save a few of the best blooms and take them to Goody Jewett.” She glanced up and nodded toward the village street. “Yon comes your beau and his friend.”

Sarah looked over her shoulder and saw Richard Dudley and Charles Gardner approaching them. Her mouth went dry, but when she glanced at Christine, she realized her friend was even more uncomfortable.

“I’ll take this inside,” Christine murmured.

“Nay, stay here,” Sarah said. Richard and Charles had left the street, and by now it was obvious they intended to converse with the two young women.

“Good day, ladies,” Richard said, doffing his hat.

Christine lowered her gaze and nodded.

“Good day, Richard,” Sarah said. “Mr. Gardner.”

Charles pulled his hat off and stood, holding it and looking at the ground. Sarah took in their appearance. Both held muskets and carried full packs on their backs.

“Charles and I are heading to Quebec,” Richard said. “He will take me to the village where he redeemed you, and we will begin our inquiries there.”

At a loss for words, Sarah looked into the depths of his eyes, rich brown shot through with gold. She sensed a challenge in them, and the set to his chin told her that nothing she could say would deter him. She looked to Charles instead. “Mr. Gardner, can’t you dissuade him from this quest?”

“I’m afraid not, ma’am. And if he must go, then he must.”

She turned back to Richard. “You’ve asked your friend to tread again the fruitless paths he trod a few months ago?”

“Nay, Charles is the one who suggested I might like a companion.”

Charles nodded decisively, though his frown showed his disapproval. “I should hate to see my dearest friend undertake this unhappy mission alone, and so I’ve determined to go with him. At least I can translate for him among some of the tribes, and as you say, I’ve walked these paths before and can guide Richard. We will travel speedily, the two of us. We hope to be back before snowfall.”

“But, Richard, I thought you were going to wait until your father had his harvest in.”

“I cannot do that and hope to make this journey before winter. Father has agreed to trade work with some of the other men in my absence.”

With early August upon them, Sarah realized they had only three or four months of good traveling weather ahead, and it would take all of that for them to go on foot into the northern wilderness, make their inquiries, and return.

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