War of Hearts, A Historical Romance Read Free Page B

nothing to numb the pain, his suffering
was great. Sarah entered the gloom and stood at the man’s head,
reaching out for his hand. Leaning down next to his ear, she
whispered words of comfort and encouragement. The man quieted down
to listen and was silent until the treatment was over.
    Shaking from his ordeal, he spoke
cautiously. “Are you an angel?”
    “No, I’m a friend.”
    His eyes closed, and he went still. Sarah
panicked thinking his life had left him at last.
    “He’s just resting. He will heal much
quicker now. Excuse my manors, I am Dr. Radcliff, but please call
me Robert,” the man replied.
    “Miss Fanum; what happened to him?” she
asked, her relief seeping into her voice.
    “He lost his leg in Princeton; it wasn’t
healing. To save his life, we had to remove the rest.”
    Sarah looked down at the man on the blood
soaked cot. He looked so young to her, barely a child. She prayed
he would survive.
    “What will happen to him now?”
    “When he’s strong enough, he’ll be sent back
home.”
    Her eyes glanced around the large barn at
the rows and rows of makeshift beds, each one with an ill or
injured soldier.
    “There are so many.”
    “And more come each day. The army pays well
for nurses. I would accept all the help I can get.”
    “A nurse?”
    “We have a shortage, as you can imagine. The
able men are needed in the field. You are strong. You have a
calling.”
    Sarah shook her head. “I’m anything but
strong.”
    Dr. Radcliff chuckled. “Do you know how many
men have fainted from less than you have witnessed today? I need
you; they need you.” Her eyes followed the movement as his hand
swept over the barn full of weary soldiers.
    Sarah looked around uncertainly. “How many
nurses do you need?”
    “As many as you can bring me.”
    Sarah returned back to Margaret with a
lighter step. The older woman lifted her eyebrow at her
approach.
    “I am not sure why you’re cheery, but I am
glad for it.”
    “I was offered a position with pay.”
    Margaret’s smile faded and her eyes
darkened. “I know darning socks is for naught, but at least it is
respectable!”
    Sarah’s cheeks turned pink, the meaning of
Margaret’s words sinking in. “Margaret! It is nothing of the sort!
I was offered a position in the hospital. As a nurse, and I think
you should sign on as well.”
    “A nurse? Have you gone daft? Heart
wrenching and back breaking work that is, let me tell ya.”
    “I know, but there are so many men who need
help. You took such good care of Homer, ‘til the very last.”
    “Wasn’t good enough was it?”
    “I wasn’t able to be there for Silas, but I
can be there for these men. I need to matter. You said it yourself;
you stayed with the army to help them win. They can defeat the
British much sooner with healthy men than lame.”
    Margaret sighed and sat down on a stool. Her
eyes took in the huge pile of laundry before they lifted to meet
Sarah’s. “Looks like you finally found your spirit. And who I am to
rebuke that?”
    “You will join me?”
    “Someone has to keep an eye on you.”
    Sarah and Margaret registered as nurses the
next day. They now officially worked for the Continental Army. They
were given monthly pay as well as rations.
    Margaret was right; the work was
disheartening at times. What kept her going was knowing that she
brought hope and peace to men in their darkest time. She spent
countless hours reading stories to soothe them, and writing letters
home on behalf of those who could not.
    Sarah learned much during that winter. She
had lost her entire family due to this war for independence.
However, in her loss she had gained a deeper appreciation for life.
What Silas had fought and died for was freedom. Her freedom. She
would rise to the occasion and carry the flag in his stead. Sarah’s
future was still unknown; however she was no longer afraid.
     

Chapter 3 Bitterness of Winter
    Blood showered upon her face. Sarah ignored
it and moved to put pressure