Everyone was a little stunned by Michaela's words until she explained. "What I mean is that it's too dangerous for you to go. You know the army's looking for you. Probably the Confederate army too. Sister Ruth has hid people before, so I know she won't mind hiding you. Or the pup," she said, shooting a smile at the young wolf going around and curiously exploring his new surroundings.

"Of course, I won't mind," Sister Ruth said, glancing towards her husband who nodded his agreement.

"That's awful nice of you both, but I wouldn't want to put you all in any danger. I'm a deserter, and I killed a prominent Georgia businessman. Like she said there's danger for me on both sides, and you all don't even know me."

"I wouldn't know what it's like not to live in danger," Kid said.

"And the way I see it is God knows what He's doing when He puts people in our path. He must want us to help you. The Lord is our shield and fortress always, so I'm not worried about it."

"Please," Michaela added. "You helped me. Receive some help in return."

"I guess they won't think of looking in a Confederate home," Sully agreed. "I'll stay for a time until I can make a plan to escape."

"Which is going to be hard," Kid said. "The Yankees got all our waterways blocked to keep us from trading with other nations. It's like having a giant anaconda wrapped around you, but maybe something'll present itself with time."

The Coles had a spare bedroom which Michaela took, while Sully took the couch.

The next morning Michaela went with Sister Ruth and Kid to Andersonville, and Sully stayed behind. They paid for her train ride. Michaela fully intended to compensate the older couple for their kindness when she got back to Boston.

Michaela shuddered when she saw the squalor David had been living in firsthand. It was bad enough imagining anybody living in this wretched poverty, sickness, and filth, but when it was the man you loved, it made it all the worse.

"Back so soon?" one of the guards asked, immediately recognizing Sister Ruth. "Where are you getting all these donations from? Are you robbing banks or something?"

"There are none today. I wish there was. We're just visiting."

"Oh, she with you?" he asked, looking at Michaela.

"Sure is. She's got some medical skill that's going to come in handy, and you remember my husband?"

"Good to see you again, sir."

Kid gave a nod of acknowledgement for he couldn't honestly say there was anything good about seeing this place again.

They didn't wait for Father Whelan this time, knowing the way to David's tent. They stopped short of the flap.

"Do you want us to go with you?" Sister Ruth asked.

Michaela did feel jittery. She didn't know whether it was from excitement or nervousness. "No, it's best I speak to him alone."

When her eyes adjusted to the dark, she gasped at the change in his appearance: the patch on his eye, the beard, the bone thinness, his manner. War had aged and changed him beyond recognition. She wouldn't have known him had she passed him on the street.

He looked at her as if he were seeing an apparition. Then anger marred his features. "What are you doing here? Never mind. I already know. Sister Ruth."

"You didn't want her to tell me?" she asked, pain stabbing her heart. Sister Ruth had warned her it would be like this. After all, he had known she was there in Virginia and had hidden behind the bandages, but it didn't keep it from hurting to hear his tone.

"Oh, David. What have they done to you?" she said, crouching down beside him, taking his hand in hers, tears glistening.

"Did she also tell you I can't move? I can't feel my legs. I'm nothing but a useless invalid now. I won't even get to complete my medical training."

"Don't say that. There are things you could try. I hear there are doctors using electrotherapy on those with paralysis."

"And I guarantee you, they haven't made one person walk again using electricity. Michaela, I am a doctor. Don't you think I would know if I could walk again? I've been this way for almost 2 years now. You're fooling yourself. Holding out hope where there is none. Would you tell another patient in my situation not to come to terms with his paralysis?"

"Well, then you can get a wheelchair. I still want to marry you. Nothing's changed."

"Are you mad? Everything's changed." He gave a quick glance to the ring he'd given her, the ring she still wore. "In fact, I'm breaking off our engagement."

The final blow to her heart. She felt it stop beating for a moment. "You're just upset."

"Don't presume to tell me what I am. I know my own mind. We were kids when we made our promises to each other. I wish you hadn't found out I was alive, but you have and that's the truth of it."

"I love you," she said, tears now running down her face.

"And I'm very sorry about that," he dropped her hand.

He'd never not returned the sentiment before. Who was this man? Her David was passionate and sweet. This other version of David was cold and indifferent. How could he break off their engagement when she had traveled all these miles to see him? How could he not show the slightest emotion when she declared her love for him?

She got back up on her feet to go. She needed distance and time to think. She was going to fall to pieces if she heard anymore from him.

"Don't come back," he warned. "I don't want to see you anymore."

A strangled cry came from her throat as she escaped to the waiting Sister Ruth.

Michaela poured her heart out to the Ruth on the way back to Savannah, telling her everything. How it felt as if she'd had her heart ripped out of her when she'd learned of David's death, and how it had just happened again to learn David was alive and didn't want to be with her now. Only this pain was even worse. A person couldn't help dying, but if he'd really loved her enough, he wouldn't let anything stand in their way.

"You shouldn't take anything he says personally. It's the pain talking," Sister Ruth advised when she'd gotten it all out.

She knew she was right, but she thought their love could survive anything. How could he push her away when he needed her most? If she were in the hospital, unwell, the first person she would ask for would be David.

Sully could tell something had gone wrong just judging from her appearance. "Is everything alright? Did you get to see your fiancé?"

"He won't let me help him. I love him with all my heart. Why won't he let me help him?"

Sully radiated sympathy. "Men are like that sometimes. We think we can do things on our own, and we forget women were made for a reason."

Michaela was in tears again and before anyone could say anything else, she'd found her way into Sully's arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Sister Ruth and Kid Cole went into the kitchen together.

"I don't know that she ought to be doing that," Sister Ruth commented as she started pulling out pots and pans for supper.

"Why? She ain't married to David," Kid pointed out.

"No, she ain't."

"And he did just break their engagement."

"I'm just afraid this is all going to end in heartbreak for David. He's going to realize he still wants her and then it'll be too late. She'll have moved on. And that's a nice man out there, kind and handsome."

"It was just a hug," Kid said, looking through the crack in the door. Michaela and Sully had already moved apart, looking embarrassed by their actions.

"I know it ain't the same as being in love, but that's how it starts. With a kind word and a touch. But I reckon what will be will be. God has a way of getting people where He needs them to be. It's just sometimes the course ain't always easy. Sometimes it hurts."

"I still think you're overreacting," he said, reaching over her shoulder and sticking a finger in the jar of preserves she'd pulled out.

She smacked his hand away playfully. "Time'll tell."