"Am I going to get better?" Sara asked the doctor.
The doctor loaded up his black bag and smiled down at her. "You're going to be just fine in nine months," he said.
Gil and Sara had called on the doctor in town when Sara started to feel nauseated and couldn't hold her food down. Even though her uncle was once a doctor, she didn't want to worry her family.
"You mean… I am going to have an infant?" she asked.
The doctor nodded. "Yes you are. I recommend a lot of rest and try to eat as much as you can. The nausea is a symptom, but you will learn to cope with it," he said as he let himself out of the house.
Sara smiled and Gil, who had been standing to the side, came to stand beside the bed. He had been worried about his wife and never expected a baby this soon. He had never been around many children, so he had no idea what to expect.
"I don't want to leave you now," he said as he took her hand.
Sara shook her head. "I don't want you to, but you won't be gone for very long and I will be fine," she said as she kissed him.
"I think you should quit working for Mrs. Larson. I make us plenty of money and we are comfortable," he said.
Sara pondered on this. She knew that she needed her strength, but she also didn't want to be a burden on Gil. She had always been working, one way or another, and didn't want to feel useless. Still, her husband had asked her not to work, and that was what she must do.
~0~
"Oh, Sara," Aunt Catherine sighed when Sara told her of her condition. "you'll be a wonderful mother."
Sara smiled. "I am so excited. I have half a mind to start knitting clothes," she said.
Aunt Catherine nodded. "I felt the same way. Is Gil still going off?" she asked.
Sara nodded sadly. "I could see in his eyes that he did not want to go," she said.
Aunt Catherine put her hand on Sara's arm. "Your uncle and I are here. You will not be alone," she said.
Sara wiped her eyes with her kerchief. "I know, but Gil is my husband and I ache for him already," she said.
"I understand," Aunt Catherine said. "but you have to be strong. He will surely be back in time to see the child be born."
Sara wanted to believe that Gil would be home for the birth of their first child, but inside she wasn't sure. Ever since she had found out she was with child, she felt like her skin contained two people that she was responsible for. Aunt Catherine was right, she had to be strong because the baby was depending on her.
~0~
July 1779
The days were growing hotter and hotter. A night it was nearly impossible to sleep for all the mosquitoes. Gil bought screens and put them over all of the windows and he also made a screen door for the front door. Every night Sara and Gil tossed about, slapping at mosquitoes. The sleepless nights took their toll on Sara and she felt exhausted during the day time.
"Go on back to bed, Sara," Gil would say to her after he ate his breakfast.
Sara refused and retired to the rocking chair to knit, but soon she drifted off and slept. Her dreams were always odd when she slept now. She dreamed that she was holding a little wiggling bundle and she was running through the woods. It was day out, but something black was in the sky. All of the animals in the forest were silent as she ran. Branches clawed at her arms and legs, but she didn't quit running, nor did she drop the bundle. Soon she came to the creek and didn't know how she would cross it with her unusual package. She couldn't put it down because it was important, but she couldn't swim because the current was too swift. Finally she saw a tree with a large hole in it and climbed inside as carefully as she could. After she was inside the sound of galloping horses drew near and she ducked her head.
"She came this way," an angry voice said.
The sounds of boots hitting the ground was hear and Sara knew that the men were dismounting their horses. The little bundle started to wiggle and make noises, so she unwrapped it and saw a baby. It had small blue eyes and dark hair. The baby looked back at her and she was taken by the look of trust and love that it's eyes seemed to have. A sense of protection came over her then and she knew in her heart that she was it's mother.
"Well she has to be somewhere," the angry voice said. "look for her!"
Sara tried to crouch lower into the tree hallow, but it was narrow and small. Her back ached fiercely and her legs were pinched by something. The baby whimpered and Sara began to cry. She didn't know what these men wanted or who they were, but she did know that they meant to kill her and the baby.
"Shhhh," Sara said to it.
The baby didn't understand and it began to wail. Sara pressed it close to her chest and knew that it was over, the baby had given them away. Not too long after a hand grabbed her and dragged her out of the tree.
"Sara," Gil said as he gently shook her awake.
Sara's eyes snapped open and she looked around. She found that she wasn't inside the hallow of a tree, but in her little house that Gil built for her. She looked down and saw that she had dropped her knitting and noticed that her back was aching from leaning at an odd angle.
"Oh Gil," she gasped. "I had one of those terrible dreams!"
Gil nodded. "It was just a dream," he said.
"I dreamed I had our baby and I was running away from these men on horses. I tried to hide, but they find me," she said.
"Darling, nothing is going to hurt you when I am here to protect you. Even when I am gone your uncle will protect everyone. This is a safe valley," Gil said to her.
Sara was not satisfied. "Gil, what if my dreams are trying to tell me something. What if we are attacked?"
Gil shook his head. "There has already been a battle in Brandywine. Why would the kings men come back?"
Sara shook her head. "I don't know, but someone is always chasing me. I always get found," she said.
Gil pulled Sara close and held her tight. "If anyone ever hurt you I would kill them. I wouldn't care about God's wraith because he would agree with me. I promise you that you will be safe," he said to her.
Sara hugged Gil back. She felt so safe with him and she knew that no one would hurt her when he was around. Her fears was for what would happen when he was away. It was a fact that Brandywine was good place to live, but a few uprisings in town had her a little scared.
She let out a sigh and stood. "I'll get supper on," she said.
~0~
The next day Gil started to pack, for he was leaving the next day. Sara had mended his shirts and trousers, so that he wouldn't catch a cold. The place where Gil was going was called Stoney Point and was in New York.
"Traveling will take at least three days, " Gil explained as he cleaned his gun and put it away.
Sara baked loaves of bread and dried out meat for his trip. She didn't want him to go hungry like he did when he was in Valley Forge. When she had heard of the conditions of which Gil and Nick had both been living in, she was afraid. She had half a mind to follow the troops, as some women did. Sara had tried to convince Gil to let her follow him, but he was firm and demanded that she stay home.
"You are with child," he explained to her. "I know you want to help, but I will worry more with you there. I would be afraid of every gunshot and noise because I would fear that you had been hurt."
Sara didn't want to be a burden to him, so she reluctantly agreed to stay behind. Bright and early the next morning, when the dew was still on the grass, Gil packed up his horse. Sara stood to one side, saddened to see him go. Suddenly she cried out and clung to him.
"Don't go, Gil!" she said as she cried.
Gil held her. "I can't leave my men," he said to her. "I promise that I will come home soon. I may even be home in a couple of months."
Sara cried. "I am so afraid that you will die," she said.
"I won't leave you, I promise," he said.
Sara still clutched his shirt, but soon Gil had to pull himself away. Without another word he mounted his horse.
"You will write to me?" Sara asked.
Gil nodded. "I will always write to you," he said.
Gil chirruped the horse and it started over the hill. Sara wanted to walk alongside it until he was out of Brandywine, but she knew that Gil would get angry at her. So she stood and watched as he rode over the hill and disappeared. After a few moments, she couldn't take it. She ran over to the hill and looked out to see him riding down the dirt road into town.
"Gil!" she called.
Gil turned and she waved at him. "I love you!" he called.
"I love you too!" she called back.
Soon Gil was just a white dot, but Sara still waved to him. When she couldn't see him anymore, she still stood and looked out.
~0~
With Gil gone the house was quiet. Hank seemed to understand that Gil had gone and wasn't his playful self. At noon she left to have lunch with Aunt Catherine. It was good to talk to someone to take her mind off of the pain, but Gil was first in her mind.
"You are welcome to stay here," Aunt Catherine offered.
Sara declined. "I thank you, but I want to stay in our home," she said.
Aunt Catherine handed Sara another sandwich. "You have to eat for two now," she explained. "Gil will want a healthy family."
Sara ate slowly, but she finished her lunch. John came home before supper. He had been helping Uncle Jim check the animal traps. Sara entertained him with a game of checkers, but she soon felt fatigued.
"I think I'll go lie down," she said as she excused herself.
~0~
In a few weeks news of the Stoney Point battle was in the Boston Gazette. It read that 15 men were killed in the continental army and more were wounded. Sara had not received a letter from Gil, but she knew in her heart that he was alright. Everyone in Brandywine was celebrating the victory in Stoney Point. Sara had hoped this meant that Gil would be coming home. Finally, the postman came with a letter from Gil. She didn't hesitate to open it up and she sat in the warm grass to read it.
My Dear,
I arrived safely in Stoney Point, but didn't have time to write because the battle soon took place. I want you to know that I am fine. Nick was injured, but he is now well. I miss seeing your face. I dreamed about you the other night. In my dream you were beautiful, like you always are, and you had our baby in your arms. I suppose I am getting excited over our first child, but I don't mind sounding foolish. The conditions here are fine, not at all like in Valley Forge. The day are not as hot here, and I am surprised. I also am afraid to tell you that I may not be home for a while. One of our other captains were killed and I have taken on his responsibilities. I know that you and our child are my responsibility as well, but I beg you not to worry. I have been thinking, my dear, of moving you south after the baby comes. The battles are not as big in the south and you will be away from harm. Next stop for the troops is Newton. I am hoping that this letter finds you well and that I can see you soon. I am enclosing my wages to you and if you want for anything please write me. My nights are lonely without you and I sometimes find myself reaching out for you in the dark. I miss the way you smell of clean grass and sunshine. Your smile always makes me feel strong. I miss you dearly.
Your Loving Husband,
Gil
Sara set down the letter and dabbed at her eyes with her kerchief. In the envelope was money, just like Gil had said. She didn't want to spend any of it, because she had everything she needed. Gil had stocked the pantry up and her clothes were all fine. She retreated into the house and sat down at the table to write Gil.
My Love,
I am so relieved to hear from you. I ache for you every night. Your letter did find me well, but I am still sick sometimes from the baby. I eat well and I take my walks by the creek like we used to do. I am so sorry to hear that you won't be coming home. I thought that with the victory at Stoney Point that you would come home to me, my love. I am putting your wages aside, for I do not lack anything. I miss you as well, dear husband. The bed smells of you and every time I turn I expect to find you standing there. Where about in the south will we move? I don't want to leave my valley, but if it is safe then I suppose I must. The nights here are getting cooler, but the days are growing hotter. I am almost as brown as an Indian from the sun. I am dreadfully lonely without you and miss the sound of your voice. I have nearly finished all the books that you gave to me and when I am finished I will start them all over again. Well, I suppose I better wind down this letter before it gets to be to heavy. I love you so much, my dear.
Your Loving Wife,
Sara
Sara sealed the envelope and tied her bonnet on. She knew that she could just give the letter to Uncle Jim, but she wanted to walk out in the sun.
~0~
August 1779
To fill her days Sara started to make ready-made shirts for people. She told her friends in town and they seemed all for the idea. Everyone met at the town square and knitted. Orders for shirts came quick and Sara found that it eased her loneliness and her ache for Gil, but it did not disappear. Two of her sewing friends had husbands in the service. One young girl, named Wendy, had a husband who was serving in Newton like Gil. Her husband was named David and was planned to return home soon. There was one unmarried lady in the group name Amanda. She was youngest of all and Sara thought she was the prettiest.
"So, I remember your cousin Nick," Amanda said as they knitted.
Sara stopped knitting. "He is away. Maybe you can write him," she said.
Wendy smiled. "She is smitten with your cousin, Sara," she said.
Amanda blushed. "Hold your tongue, Wendy," she said.
Sara laughed. "I think that Nick needs to court. He has been alone too long," she said.
Amanda went back to her knitting. "Nick would never notice me," she said.
Silence fell on the group and they continued to knit. In her mind she was already thinking about what to tell Gil in her next letter. She had a devilish plan and she smiled to herself.