Page 15 of Choices of the Heart

The poor boy looked in need of an escape.

“I received a few apothecary jars in the last mercantile delivery,” Burke said. “They’re in a crate in the corner of my sitting room. If you have a few minutes to unpack those, I’d appreciate it.”

Aidan nodded eagerly and slipped back out of the inn.

“Is the boy truly sweet on Emma?” Miss Kingston asked.

Patrick shrugged. “I can’t say with any certainty. But they’re near in age and Miss Emma’s been turning a number of heads among that set lately. Couldn’t resist a little teasing.”

“I’ve known her since she was little and Joseph was making the trip back to Baltimore on his own with his daughters. I can hardly believe how much she’s grown up just in the last year or so.”

“How long have you known the Archers?” Burke never had sorted her connection to them.

“All my life, really. Though I’ve only lived with Mrs. Archer for a little over two years now.”

She lived with Mrs. Archer. So, likely an honorary daughter of sorts or an informal lady’s companion.

“Our families were friends in Baltimore. But my family now lives in Boston, and Mrs. Archer’s family is here. So, rather than being entirely alone, we look after one another.”

A family friend who was, if Burke were to guess, like family herself. And both claimed exalted positions in Baltimore’s high society.

Hope Springs was going to be quite an adjustment for them.

Andtheymight very well prove an adjustment for the people of Hope Springs.

“There’s nothing wrong with having a few peculiarities, but it’s best if you don’t indulge in them around those who would not understand.”

Sophie’s parents had issued that well-intentioned warning on more than one occasion. She didn’t think they’d been embarrassed by her tendency to jump at new things or throw herself eagerly into interesting pursuits. But neither had they appreciated the comments she’d received or the way her oddities had convinced people to reject her. She felt certain they’d suggested she hide her eccentricities for her own sake even more than theirs.

They would likely have a few things to say if they could see her just then, helping make a chair in a humble inn beside a tiny town out in the wilds of the west. She, however, was enjoying herself immensely.

She couldn’t sort out Dr. Jones, though. He had a friendly manner about him. He’d helped Mrs. Archer without hesitation and had accepted Sophie’s help, as well as Emma’s, without looking down on their lack of experience. He seemed a good sort, but there was an unmistakable discomfort about him when he interacted with her. And he’d warned her about being out of place at the town party so often and so pointedly that she couldn’t help but think he didn’t want her to attend. Why was that? What possible objection could he have?

He kept very quiet as they worked. Fortunately, Eliza wandered by now and then, and Patrick filled in a lot of the silences. None of the moments between them became truly awkward.

They’d only been at their work for a short time when a wagon came to a stop in front of the inn. The public room had large windows, offering a view of both the road and the distant mountains.

A woman climbed down off the wagon seat. She didn’t come inside the inn but went directly to the infirmary door.

“It’s likely she’s looking for you, Doctor,” Patrick said.

“She didn’t appear entirely calm about it either.” Dr. Jones had already stepped away from the chair and was making his way outside.

Unsure if she would be of any help but wanting to do what she could, Sophie followed. The moment they emerged on the porch, the man who’d been driving the wagon, and who was climbing down himself, spoke.

“We’ve brought the children, Doc. They’re feverish and sluggish. They ain’t talking much. We’re worried about them.”

Dr. Jones nodded. “You did the right thing, Lorenzo. Let’s get them inside and see what we can find out.”

Lorenzo took a child from the wagon bed. Dr. Jones fetched the other. The two men carried the children inside. Sophie hesitated on the porch, not wanting to cause trouble and wishing she knew what would be best.

Over his shoulder, the doctor said, “If you don’t mind, I could use your help.”

It was as unexpected as it was welcome. She followed through the doors and into a sitting room. Tucked up against one wall was a little table, beside which was a cabinet containing jars and tins and various instruments. She’d not seen this part of his house, Mrs. Archer having been taken directly to a room above to lie down.

The woman Sophie had seen climbing from the wagon was there, apparently having been talking with Aidan. They both turned to look as everyone entered.

“You found the doctor,” the woman said to Lorenzo, whom Sophie guessed was her husband.

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