Page 27 of A Letter to Carolina
“It’s our bed now,” he said as he helped her unpack. There were a lot of “theirs” being thrown around. Their practice. Their house. Their family.
She stepped out onto the porch in front of the clinic, her hands wrapped around a coffee mug. She would have preferred tea, but the coffee was left over from when Nate left, and she didn’t want it to go to waste.
Whit and Sam were sitting on the porch of the marshal’s office, rocking in wooden rockers while they drank their coffee. She gave a little wave and sat on a bench pushed up against the wall.
Maybe she’d ask Ranger Hardin to make her a rocker. She’d heard he was good at crafting furniture. A slate-colored sky and crispness in the air greeted her. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of anticipation for all that was to come.
Fall was here, and winter was coming. Carolina wondered how long it would be before the first snow would fall. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being trapped in one place with no way to get out. Then again, everything she needed was right here in the building she sat in front of. She’d have to remember to ask Nate about being able to go out to the ranch with all the snow. Surely, he wouldn’t just go months on end without seeing the others.
“Those look like some deep thoughts.”
Startled, Carolina shook her head, turning to find Libby standing next to her. “I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be snowed in, and how people spent their time during the cold winter months.”
“Mr. King from the livery has some sleds for rent, and most farmers have makeshift sleighs. It is just a wagon with flat metal pieces for wheels. I’ve always thought that it would be sweet to take someone out on a horse-drawn sleigh ride.” Her friend paused, a faraway look in her eye. “But that’s how. They just sort of glide on the top of the snow and ice.”
“Hmm, I do always learn something when you’re around.” Carolina grinned at the other woman, thankful for this opportunity to make a new friend. “Let’s go upstairs. I put the kettle on if you want tea.”
With a grateful smile, the two rushed indoors and up the steps to Carolina’s apartment. The kettle was almost finished boiling, so she took out two cups and the remaining slice of strawberry rhubarb pie that she had bought from the diner. She believed that whatever came out of this chance to make a new friend would go better if they had something sweet to snack on.
“Thank you for standing your ground the other day,” Libby spoke softly, taking a seat at the table and adding a sugar cube to her cup.
“You shouldn’t have to thank me for wanting to make things better for the people in town. I know it isn’t the best idea that the women from Miss Marcy’s must come in through the back door, but at least they are getting the care they need.”
“People think we chose our lifestyles, but most of us girls at Miss Marcy’s just had no other options. What you’ve done for Molly will make a tremendous difference in her life. Having someone outside of Miss Marcy’s defending them is going to create a healthy dose of chaos in town.”
“Do they not take part in anything in town? A situation like that does not exist without people wanting it to be that way. What about church? I can’t imagine they’re welcome at services if they’ve been shamed for seeking medical help.”
“Most don’t want to attract any more attention. Some sit outside the church on Sundays to hear the Word.”
“Sometimes we need to cause a little chaos. My mama insisted no one would marry a nurse. She said I would have to choose which was more important to me, helping people or having a family of my own. I wrote to a matchmaker to find out if there was even a chance that I could have both, and God intervened.”
“But why would He do that?” Libby’s brow creased, as if Carolina spoke in riddles.
“Intervene? Well, He knows where we’re supposed to be, and He has a plan for us. We have free will, you see, and sometimes things take longer than intended to come to fruition. I can’t regret writing my letter. It led me to Nate and to this little town. There’s this feeling of being right where I’m meant to be. I don’t know how to explain that better.”
“Do you think He has a plan for me, even though I’m barely acquainted with Him at this point?” Libby chewed on her lower lip.
Carolina could see whatever was weighing on her was causing much distress. “I don’t think that He judges us on how long we have known Him. It’s about what we do once we know Him and who we are.”
Both seemed to settle into their thoughts, and much like her quiet time with Nate, it was comfortable. Then the bell on the door jingled downstairs. Carolina looked at Libby with wide eyes.
“He is there when two or more people gather,” Libby murmured, rising, and nodding her head towards the stairs. “Come on, you’re not alone.”
“How bad can it be?” Carolina smiled at her new friend.
Arriving in the waiting area, she came face to face with an older, dark-haired woman who reminded her of a strict teacher she’d had in her first phase of nursing. “Can I help you?”
“Mrs. Chapman, how are you?” Libby greeted the other woman.
“I’m well. I’ve come to meet Nathaniel’s wife, as I understand that she’s made quite an impression this week.”
Carolina met Libby’s wide eyes and grinned. “I am Carolina Pickett, Nate’s wife.”
“Ingrid Chapman, most people call me Marmee.” The woman smiled, taking her gloves off and moving to sit in a chair.
“Carolina, I just remembered something I must do. Thank you for the tea.”
“Libby, I’ve come to get acquainted with the girl. Not to harm her. Unless I’ve interrupted something.”
