Page 42 of Christmas at Carnton

“Hey, Captain Winston! I’m learnin’ more about stars in class! Miss Clouston, she gave me this to read.” Andrew held up a book with pictures of stars on the front, his grin spreading from ear to ear. “Come spring, me and Winder, we’re gonna have us a sleep out in the field and look up at the stars all night long.”

Jake nodded. “That sounds like a fine plan.” He finally managed to catch Aletta’s gaze, though it took a bit of work. “Morning, Aletta,” he said softly.

“Good morning.” She offered him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and he wondered if she hadn’t slept well. Understandable, if that was the case.

He gestured to a bowl of eggs. “Want me to get breakfast started?”

She shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I’m about done here with Andrew.”

“Mama, how come Captain Winston’s hair can touch his collar and mine can’t?”

Jake eyed her, wondering how she was going to respond.

“Because Captain Winston is a grown man, Andrew. And grown men can decide for themselves how long they want their hair to be.”

Andrew frowned as he climbed down from the stool. “But boys with mamas can’t?”

Jake could tell Aletta was trying not to smile. “That’s right. Once you’re older, then you can decide for yourself how long you want your hair to be.”

Andrew seemed to let that settle in, then turned to Jake. “Has your mama died, Captain Winston?”

Jake nodded. “Yes, Andrew. She has.”

“Your papa too?”

“Yes,” he answered softly. “And my only brother.”

“Do you miss ’em?”

“Every day.”

“I miss my papa too.” Andrew bowed his head.

Jake knelt beside him. “You know, as the years have passed, I can still feel my family with me. In here.” Jake touched the place over his heart. “Just like you’ll do with your papa . . . who was a very wise and good man. And you’ll grow up to be just like him someday.”

Without warning, Andrew launched himself at him, and Jake hugged him close, the little boy’s arms around his neck about the best thing he could ever remember feeling.

“It’s going to be okay, buddy.”

“You promise?” Andrew whispered against his neck.

“I promise,” Jake whispered back, praying he could be part of keeping that promise in the boy’s life. And in his mother’s. He caught Aletta’s gaze and saw tears rising to her eyes. He saw something else there too. Something he couldn’t define but that didn’t feel particularly comfortable to him.

“Can I go check on the kittens, Mama?”

Aletta nodded. “You may. But don’t stay long. Breakfast will be ready soon. And wear your coat!”

Andrew grabbed his coat from the peg in the hallway, and Jake was grateful for the chance to talk with Aletta privately. Then Tempy entered the kitchen carrying a pail of fresh milk.

“Mornin’, Captain Winston!” Tempy grinned. “Oh, Andrew. Look at your hair! So handsome!”

Andrew smiled and ducked his head. “Mama did it.”

“Well, maybe your sweet mama could get ahold of the Captain’s hair too.”

Jake curbed his smile. “I beg your pardon?”

Tempy eyed him as Andrew shot out the door. “You cut off that hairy old beard, but you ain’t done nothin’ yet with that hair.” She set the pail of milk on a table. “We got that auction comin’ up and you bein’ the only soldier and all . . . You might wanna tidy up a bit. Sit on down on that stool and let Missus Prescott fix you up.”