Chapter 49

When Alice found Luke, she wasn’t sure who it was since she had grown used to him being angry, but now he seemed to be returning to his old self.

“Luke!” she exclaimed. “What happened to you?”

“I just had to be reminded what I was fighting for, that’s all. Well, that and a reminder that many other people live lives that are far worse than mine. Oh, before I forget, you might have a visitor this evening at our tent. I met a young soldier who doesn’t believe she can read because she is a she.”

“If she stops by, I’ll fix that!” Alice said with a smile. “What’s the lass’s name?”

“Private Madeline Baker.”

Luke then put his arm around Alice’s shoulder, held her close, and kissed the top of her head. Alice was so relieved Luke had returned that she shed more than a few happy tears.

That evening, Madeline did stop by. She had been fighting with herself all afternoon about whether she should and wasn’t all that sure. She wasn’t sure how she got there; one minute, she was in her tent, and it seemed like the next was asking for permission to enter the commanding general’s tent. There, she found Luke working on paperwork while Alice did some weird stretching. Luke had taught Alice yoga; she discovered she loved it, and Luke loved it for the breathtaking view. Neither was wearing uniforms; they were both in comfortable clothes. Luke looked up when she came in:

“Well, hi, Madeline. Welcome. Can I get you anything?”

“Ah, no. Thank you”

Madeline was extremely nervous.

“Relax, Madeline. I’m not nearly as rigid as I seem in uniform. Time for introductions.” Luke said, jumping up from his seat. “Madeline, this is Alice. Alice, this is Madeline. She’s the one I told you about.”

“So, you’re the one who doesn’t believe that women can read. Come in and take a seat. We have a lot to talk about.”

The ladies talked for the next few hours while Luke worked on paperwork. Once in a while, Luke would add his two cents worth without looking up from his paperwork. Finally, Luke finished all of his work. It was nice to catch up on everything for once. He could hear the ladies still talking, but he had to interrupt.

“Excuse me, ladies, but I’m going to bed. Madeline, you might also want to think about going to bed because we will leave early in the morning.”

“Seriously, Luke?” whined Alice.

“Seriously, Luke?” Luke said in a mocking voice, “Yes, seriously. I want to get the army back home before the weather worsens, and you need to return to your hospital. Since the rail depot is out of action, we must return to York on foot. Well, Madeline, what do you think now?”