Page 102 of Magnolia Summer

“Is Mother all right?”

“She’s well. She’s lying down in the back room, and your father went to speak with Judge Richardson.”

Soon he’d finished the last stitch and tied it off. He wiped most of the blood away, and Celia helped him bandage it.

“You make a good . . .” He paused, blinking as the room tilted. “. . . nurse.”

“Sit down.” Celia took his arm and led him the two steps to the bench along the wall. He sank down and stretched out, face first across the bench.

When he opened his eyes, Celia was bathing his face with cool water and a cloth.

Two men picked him up and carried him, and he was too weak to protest.

The next time Truett opened his eyes, he was lying on one of two cots in the back room of his office. His mother and father were standing nearby.

“Where’s Griff?” He tried to sit up, but everything started going black again, so he lay back down.

“I’m here, Truett.” Griff’s voice sounded calm, if not very strong. He was lying on the other cot.

“Are you all right, Griff?”

“Uh-huh, all right. Mama said you were sick.”

“I’ll be well soon.”

“I brought you some water.” Celia’s face came into view.

Father helped him sit up and he drank down the glass of water.

“Is Griff drinking enough?”

“Yes,” Father said. “He’s been up twice.”

“Walking?”

“Yes, but he’s still a bit weak.”

Truett was grateful for his father and mother’s presence, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Celia’s face. Could it be true that she loved him? Her expression certainly was different from her usual look. Kind of soft and sweet, kind of like when they had just kissed.

He reached out his hand to her and she took it, squeezing it.

“Your bandage needs changing.” Celia swallowed, as she was obviously thinking of the blood that had soaked through his bandage.

Although he’d rather have Celia help him, he was afraid of her fainting. Besides, of course, that it wasn’t proper.

“We shall help him with that, my dear.” Mother squeezed Celia’s arm and gave her a quick hug. “You go on home and get some rest.”

Celia opened her mouth as if to speak, but then she bit her lip instead. She nodded and gazed into his eyes as she walked toward the door and out of sight.

* * *

A few dayslater it was Sunday. Celia got herself ready for church, then helped get the twins ready as she urged Will and Lizzie to hurry—but gently, her heart feeling oddly peaceful.

The sky was gray and overcast, and Celia glanced around for Truett’s mother so she could ask how Truett and Griff were doing. Will had gone every day to check on them at their home, where they were convalescing, so she knew they were both improving, but it was a surprise to see Truett and Griff sitting side by side, with their mother and father next to Griff, when she entered the church.

Her heart tripped over itself. Did she dare? She strode right down the center aisle to their pew and held her hand out to Truett’s mother.

Mrs. Beverly took her hand, breaking into the widest smile, and stood and embraced her. “You sweet thing. Thank you for sending that soup to us. It was delicious. I think it had healing properties, because just look at Truett and Griff!” She pulled back and extended her arm to the two young men.