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many battles with Leah.
That s right, Leah said. Now just quit being silly and let s get
you dressed, and we can all skedaddle back home and get warm and
dry. By the time she was finished talking, she had the leg strapped
onto the stump and was reaching for Phillip s pants.
Sarah caught Lindsay s gaze and winked. A connection between
Phillip and Leah seemed increasingly possible. Maybe some good
would come of the ordeal after all.
Once Phillip was ready, they all got into the buggy for the trip
home. Leah insisted on driving. She pointed out that she was in better
shape than either Sarah or Phillip, and besides, they would be warmer
in the back. Lindsay, still holding Jessie, sat with Leah to keep her
company, and Phillip and Sarah sat opposite each other in the back,
with Amy huddled up against Sarah.
When Sarah mentioned she would get wet, Amy answered, I
don t care. You almost died. Sarah put an arm around her and pulled
her even closer.
Quite a day, Phillip remarked.
Sarah gave him a tired smile. This time it was Phillip to the
rescue.
Not so, he said. I was the second tier. If it hadn t been for
you, those children would be dead.
You mean if it hadn t been for Benjamin, they would be dead.
Phillip threw his hands in the air and laughed. All right, so I m
the third tier. He leaned in to reach for Sarah s shoulder and
squeezed it. I m proud to know you, Sarah Coulter. I saw you had to
make a quick choice out there. You never hesitate to do the right
thing, even when it s difficult.
Sarah was irritated at the tears that spilled over onto her cheeks,
and she slapped at them. Let s just forget about that, shall we? I still
can t believe Jessie is all right.
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NANN DUNNE
I m going to tell you something you ll find hard to believe.
Well? Sarah said, when he hesitated.
He sat back and his face creased into a smile. That little girl is
cut from the same cloth as her Aunt Sarah. She didn t give up for one
second. When I got to her, she was swimming.
Tired as she was, laughter bubbled from Sarah, and Amy
giggled. She is just like you, Aunt Sarah. Mama says you never give
up.
Phillip agreed. And she never does, Amy. That s one of the best
things about her. His grin turned wicked. And sometimes, one of
the worst.
The next morning, Sarah waited as long as she could before
appearing on Faith s doorstep at what she hoped was an acceptably
decent hour. She had refused to show up using crutches, even though
the pain in her leg was excruciating. She stood on the porch, hesitant
to knock. Just as she raised her fist to rap on the door, it opened to an
unsmiling Faith.
Come in, Sarah.
Sarah gritted her teeth against her pain and stepped in. Faith took
Sarah s hat from her hands and hung it up. Then she stepped forward,
embraced her, and laid her head on Sarah s shoulder. It didn t feel
like a lover s embrace, but it loosened Sarah s fragile hold on her
emotions. She held fiercely to Faith while struggling to recover.
Oh, Sarah, no matter what doubts I have about your feelings for
me, you saved my son, and I ll be forever grateful for that.
Doubts? The word pushed Sarah closer to the edge, and her
words leaped out without thought. Your son saved my daughter. As
soon as she uttered the words, she realized her slip.
Faith stepped back, and her head snapped up to meet Sarah s
distressed gaze. She whispered, Jessie is your daughter?
Sarah didn t answer. She didn t have to.
Oh, my God. Faith gasped and lifted her fist to her mouth as
her eyes widened. Of course, she is. From the soldiers who attacked
you.
Please, forget I said that. Lindsay and Scott are Jessie s parents
now. I have no claim on her. Saying those words hurt Sarah more
than she expected. But she knew they were true, and she needed to
accept that.
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THE WAR BETWEEN THE HEARTS
Faith moved her hand to cup the scarred side of Sarah s face,
stepping forward as Sarah stepped back. How awful for you. No
wonder you hated me.
When they heard Benjamin s voice, Faith s hand dropped like a
heavy stone. Why do you hate Mama?
Benjamin, Sarah said, relieved that he had interrupted a
distressing subject, I m so glad you re all right. You were so brave
yesterday, just as brave as any soldier could be. You risked your life
for Jessie. She reached out to him and shook his hand, then she
pulled him to her and embraced him. Thank you for saving her.
Benjamin s tanned cheeks glowed with his blush. You re
welcome, he said, always mannerly. But as soon as Sarah let go of
him, he repeated the question. Why do you hate Mama, Miss Sarah?
She never does anything bad.
Oh, God, Sarah thought. How can I explain without lying to
him? I can only try my best. Maybe Faith will admit her guilt and get
it out into the open.
Benjamin, remember you said you saw the Union soldiers take
me away from your home?
Yes, ma am.
Faith s face was as closed as a slammed door. She waved her
hand toward the couch and chairs. Perhaps we should sit down, she
said, and the Pruitts waited until Sarah limped to one of the chairs.
Faith took Benjamin s arm and led him to a seat next to her on the
couch. She looked at Sarah. Are you sure you want to pursue this?
Sarah ignored her and addressed Benjamin. No one saw me
come to your house, and no one but the doctor knew I was there. But
the soldiers said someone had told them about me. She stopped to let
Benjamin absorb this information before she continued. Was it the
doctor and I don t think it was or was it someone else? I think
your mother knows who it was, and she won t tell me. That s why
I ve been upset. She threw a glance at Faith. But I don t hate her. I
could never hate her.
Benjamin frowned and turned to Faith with a child s directness.
Do you know who it was, Mama?
Sarah had to strain to hear the low answer.
I m not sure, Benjamin.
In contrast, Sarah spoke too loud, with an edge to her tone. The
soldiers said a woman with red hair told them.
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NANN DUNNE
Benjamin turned toward Sarah as she spoke, but his gaze swung
back to his mother. He looked puzzled. The only lady with red hair
is Mrs. Spain, William s moth
He stopped and stared at Faith. Sarah watched, appalled, as his
young face crumpled. He pushed his hands against the sides of his
face as though trying to hold it together, and Faith put her arm around
his shoulders. It was my fault, he said. He turned to Sarah and
repeated it, almost shouting. It was my fault. Sobs made his chest
heave as tears ran down his cheeks. I told William when I ran to get
the doctor. Then when Mama said not to tell, he promised me he
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