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Nurse
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2021-02-24 11:58:23Cordia was storing up a supply of bandages, as well as other medical supplies, in a little cupboard in the corner of a room off behind the staircase. Even though she didn’t feel it would be proper to shut the door, she didn’t think anyone would be coming back that way, and they would have a little privacy. She took one of the lanterns out of the foyer as she passed so that she could see to light the lamps in the room. For some reason, she felt a little nervous as she entered. She went about the business of lighting the place up and getting out her supplies.
“Where do you want me?” Will asked.
“Well,” she said looking around the room, “why don’t you have a seat on the table there so that I can see it a little better.”
He did as he was told, and she slowly walked over, setting her supplies and the original lamp down beside him.
“I was wondering how I was ever going to get you alone,” he said
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It was almost unbearable for Cordia to know that Will was in town but that she could not see him. She realized she could have found an excuse to go over to the Adams Farm. But she also thought that she should give Julia some time to spend alone with her brother. Likewise, she had found out the day before how extremely difficult it was to be in the same room with Will and just pretend he was a simple acquaintance, the brother of a friend, the cousin of her lost love.Instead, she spent the day with Susannah. Her friend had not been the same since her husband went off to war. Susannah had always been one to worry about every little thing, but now, she was sure that her husband had been killed or was going to be killed soon. Every day that went by without a letter from James brought more horrifying images to his wife. And it didn’t seem to matter how many times Cordia explained to her friend that the post moved very slowly these days, especially out of moving army camps, s
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Dinner was just as awkward as Cordia had imagined it would be. She spent what seemed like an eternity trying not to look at Will and could tell by his avoidance of making eye contact with her, he was trying just as hard. Finally, as the meal was ending, she suggested that she have a look at that bandage. Alas, Margaret chimed in that she had already changed it just a few hours ago. Cordia felt her heart sink, having no earthly idea how she was going to get to see Will alone now. She could see by the disappointed look on his face that he had not been a willing patient for his aunt either.“Well,” Isaac proclaimed, standing up, “That was a fine meal. Now, let us gentlemen retire to the study to finish our discussion of politics and warfare—ideas the woman can surely do without.”The men, including Zachariah who was nearly 15, all stood up to follow Mr. Pike into the study. It had occurred to Cordia that Margaret would not want to join them a
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Cordia gasped. Barely any light was coming in through her bedroom windows, making it difficult to see who she was looking at, but she thought the form and the voice were familiar. Finally, she said in a very meek voice, “Frieda, is that you?”The shadow shifted a little bit, and the voice boomed, “Yes, it’s me. Where have you been child?” She stood up now and reached over and lit the lamp next to Cordia’s bed, her face portraying she was unhappy with finding the girl sneaking back into her bedroom so late at night.Though Cordia was about as frightened as she had ever been, she suddenly became very aware that she was still wearing Will’s ring. She slid it off before Frieda turned back around and shoved it down the top of her dress. She decided to play nonchalant. “Oh, Frieda,” she said smiling, “don’t you know I sometimes like to go for walks? I was just out for a little stroll.”Frieda didn
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When Cordia arrived at the Adams Farm, Julia was sitting on the swing under the oak tree, a light blanket wrapped around her to help combat the cool March breeze. She looked pale; her eyes had dark circles under them. Cordia wasn’t sure she should even be out of bed, but she knew it was no use trying to tell Julia that. “Mornin',” she said as she approached. She sat down next to her friend who acknowledged her arrival with a smile. “How are you feeling today?”Julia peered off beyond the horizon for a few moments. Finally, she said, “I feel all right. I didn’t want to stay in that stuffy bedroom anymore. Aunt Margaret finally said I could come outside for a spell, but only if I stayed wrapped up.”Cordia could plainly see the agitation on the young woman’s face. She knew that Julia was a very capable person, and as hard as it was for Cordia to see her a prisoner of her own body, it must have been exponentially harde
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