"Dr. Howard, thank you so much for your kindness," Corrie exclaimed, shaking his hand.

"Of course, Miss Walker," he answered with a tight-lipped smile.

With Dr. Benjamin assisting Christina, the five of them boarded the train bound for Irvington amidst the burning heat of early August. Christina was now able to stand and, with assistance, take a few steps at a time. The medicine, while not bringing about her full recovery, had renewed her strength and alleviated her fever and chest pain.

Corrie and the others found seats inside the train, listening to the hiss as the locomotive released steam and lurched into motion. This return trip was marked by a far different attitude among the band of friends than the original trip to Richmond. Corrie remembered the desolation and hopelessness she'd felt when bringing Christina to see the doctor, the knowledge that this may be Christina's last hope. Now, Dr. Walker had given Christina a second chance.

Hannah sighed. "I'm so glad we're finally going home."

"Me too," Christina added wistfully.

Corrie leaned her head against the window, her breath fogging the glass. Home. She wasn't sure if she really understood the term--home was not Irvington or New York City. Home was when she had hidden in a tree as a child with a book and read for hours in the middle of the day. Home was the smile on Christina's face that transformed her into a beacon of delight. Home was even becoming Aunt Jack's antics, Hannah's impassioned soliloquies, and Dr. Benjamin's quiet kindness.

"I'm so anxious to get back to the newspaper," Hannah declared with an impatient huff. "I'm sure Mr. Booker's done a fine job without me, but I've missed it."

With a mischievous light in her eyes, Christina asked, "Are you sure the newspaper's all you've missed? What about your Mr. Fletcher?"

Warmth glowed on Hannah's face and she swatted Christina's arm playfully. Corrie nearly laughed aloud at the way Dr. Benjamin's ears perked up at the mention of Hannah's beau.

"You're just anxious to get your letters from David," Hannah grumbled back at her.

Christina without embarrassment nodded. "I can't wait. Plus, I need to catch up on what's happening in the war now that I'm feeling better."

Corrie frowned. "You're not going to throw yourself into the war like you did before. We can't have you getting sick again."

"Fine, but I'm still going to help Hannah as much as I can," Christina said with an eyeroll.

"I, for one, am anxious to get back to work at the munitions factory," Jack announced.

"Why?" Hannah asked, wrinkling her nose.

"With all of our sitting around in Richmond, I've grown weak. I need to get back to work; I'm sure they've missed me. I was their second best employee after all."

More seriously, Corrie added, "I saw signs all through Richmond recruiting women to take over jobs for the men who've been drafted. I suppose we'll all be put to work."

"Well, I already have the newspaper, and Jack works at the factory, so you're the only one without a job, Corrie," Hannah teased.

"Yes, we all know how lazy my sister is," Christina goaded and Corrie just laughed.

She realized that a job might do her some good, give her something to preoccupy her restless thoughts.

"I was hoping Miss Walker would help me in the hospital, with Hannah otherwise occupied," Dr. Benjamin said, his face grave and his eyes trained on Corrie.

Corrie swallowed the sudden fluttering in her chest and straightened her shoulders. "I'm more than glad to help wherever I'm needed."

Hannah, however, laughed and took the opportunity to torment her brother. "Oh, Alex, you don't even have any patients yet, so I'm not sure you have an excuse to keep Corrie around! You'll have to relinquish your dear Miss Walker so she can serve the rest of Irvington."

The words brought an instant flush to Corrie's cheeks at the insinuation, and she stuttered for words without saying anything. Dr. Benjamin as well appeared flummoxed, and he ran a hand through his hair, leaving it as tousled as always.

"Hannah, that's enough," he said sternly, and Hannah's face fell.

Corrie turned abruptly to avoid the doctor's gaze, instead observing the field of corn they were passing. She took a deep breath to still the trembling that seemed to overtake her every time the thought of her and Dr. Benjamin beset her. Though she had managed to keep her feelings in check, the two months they'd spent in Richmond had only affirmed the validity of her feelings for Dr. Benjamin. Corrie recognized how much the young man deserved a woman to love him for every one of his admirable qualities, but she was not that woman. Sometimes she wished she were.

As much as she'd tried to suppress her feelings, Corrie still struggled to fight the pull between them. They had so much in common--their love of poetry, their responsibility for their families, and their quiet, earnest temperaments--that it was no wonder they felt drawn together. Corrie, however, had been careful to avoid being alone with him as much as possible and had forced herself to refrain from comparing Dr. Benjamin to Edwin, the beau to whom she had not written in two month, the beau she scarcely missed.

~~~~~

"Oh, Cornelia, I'm so glad to see you!" Anita declared when Corrie walked in, ensconcing her in a hug.

Corrie smiled and embraced her mother, encouraged by the genuine relief in her features.

"How is Christina?" Anita asked when they pulled apart, squeezing Corrie's hands.

"She's a little better. The treatment worked, at least partially, and she's regained some strength," Corrie answered. "Will you and Father go visit her?"

"I'll go in the morning," Anita reassured her. "But I'm not sure about your Father; he's been very busy lately. Another set of men left this week to join the army, and he's been working constantly to convince some of the older men and even some women to serve the community. Mr. Fletcher, that nice young man we tried to introduce to Christina, has agreed to serve as sheriff, but there are still many vacancies to be filled. Oliver may be too busy to visit Christina right away."

Corrie brushed away her annoyance with her father; at least this time he had a decent enough excuse for neglecting his paternal duty. "Can I help? I've volunteered to serve at the hospital when the injured soldiers are brought in, but that may not be for some months. Perhaps Father could use me elsewhere?"

Anita nodded. "Perhaps you could oversee the post office? It's near enough the hospital that you could keep an eye on Christina, and the milkman has already agreed to deliver the mail if you'll sort it."

"I'd be glad to," Corrie nodded, surprised by how much the prospect of a job appealed to her. She needed something to occupy her thoughts and time besides Christina and her handsome doctor. "It will be wonderful to have something to do besides fret by Christina's bedside."

Anita smiled, but her emerald eyes appeared concerned. "This will also be a chance for you to put some space between you and that young doctor."
Corrie felt her face burn red and smothered the instinct that wanted to defend him. "What...what do you mean?"

With a sigh, Anita explained, "You must be aware, darling, that your behavior has incited rumors ~about you and the doctor--all the time you've spent at the hospital, your departure the evening of Oliver's party, and your lengthy trip to Richmond. Spending less time with the doctor would lower suspicion and hopefully silence speculation. You don't need another shade of impropriety tarnishing your name."

For a moment Corrie struggled to summon her composure, knowing her mother was unable to see beyond local censure. Anita's words had a measure of truth though it related less to the doctor's behavior and more to Corrie's own rebellious heart. Perhaps some distance would do her good.

"I understand," she responded, voice grave and eyes on the ground. "Has there been any word from Edwin?"

Confusion flooded Anita Walker's face. "We've only received one letter from him here. I assumed he was writing to you in Richmond?"

One letter. I was gone for two months, and he sent one letter. While perhaps she should be surprised, saddened, or enraged, Corrie only felt disappointed. Anita fetched the letter and handed it to Corrie.

Upon opening it, she only found a few scrawled lines in messy print detailing a party he'd attended and promising to write again soon. Corrie was afraid that his promises were as empty as his compliments.

~~~~~

I love how Hannah and Jack are all aboard the Corrie and Dr. B. train. Haha. Can they really work side by side at his doctor's office without some FEELINGS coming to light? Stay tuned to find out!

In other news, Sharing Corrie won 2nd place in the Mist Awards! It means a lot to know that others are enjoying the story, so thanks so much for reading and voting! 

In search of another good historical fiction read? Check out "A Lady Should" by IndieGantz. If you like Jane Austen, the Regency period, satire, or humor, I guarantee you'll enjoy it. If you don't understand sarcasm, perhaps steer clear. 

~ Hannah