Sophie

The next couple of days went by in a blur. Sophie was still really upset by what she saw in the woods. She had expected to hear Jeremiah's voice again but there was nothing, silence. She was currently lying on her bed in the governor's house for a reprieve from Willard's incessant company. He never left. Ever. He was constantly in the living room or lurking behind her as she wondered the small town.

She wanted to go for another horse back ride, but she was scared. When she built up enough courage to do it in the future, she would never ride in that part of the woods. She went to the stables at least once a day to brush a feed Maddox. Unfortunately, Willard caught onto her schedule and he started joining her. He never said much. He just lurked in the corner, his hands folded in front of him, watching her.

The black dress was keeping most of the other men at bay. They would wink at her and tip their hats but they kept their distance. She suspected that Thomas might have something to do with their distance as well.

She sighed, she missed her friends. She sat up quickly an idea suddenly springing to mind. She could sneak out the back and ride Maddox to Sarah and Kathryn's farms. She was so excited she couldn't wait. She could handle this. The farms were nowhere near the woods where she saw Jeremiah.

She quietly opened the door and tiptoed down the hall, the floorboards creaking underneath her toes. She slipped through the back door and ran as fast as she could around the house and through the town center. Thomas looked up and she saw his puzzled look as she dashed by. She waved at him quickly, flashing a smile and she dashed into the stables. She was so excited. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she saddled Maddox.

She looked down the street, making sure Willard was nowhere in sight before she climbed onto Maddox's back. She gave Thomas a hearty wave as she and Maddox trotted by.

When she reached the Castro farm she saw her friend in the field with her husband and other workers scattered around. Sarah waved at her excitedly when she saw her. Sophie swung her legs off Maddox and slid off his back. Sarah ran up to her and they embraced.

"So good to see you!" she cooed.

"I've been needing some girl time so bad," Sophie said excitedly.

"Well, we are harvesting. Does that still sound fun to you?"

"Yes, absolutely, show me what to do!" She was, in all honesty, very excited to have a task.

Sarah guided Sophie out to the field and showed Sophie how to harvest the tobacco leaves off the stalk. It was hard work. Who knew leaves were so heavy? They stacked all the leaves and then carried them to the cart. Sophie was sweating and panting but she was so happy. Sarah talked continuously and Sophie was just happy to listen.

"So Elizabeth's baby was up, all night last night!" Sarah said her voice layered in irritation. "There is nothing less romantic than a baby screaming bloody murder. And then, when I tried to give her a helpful suggestion this morning she snapped, practically taking my head off. Yes, of course I am not a mother and I don't know a lot about children but I have a lot of siblings and I just wanted to help." she rolled her eyes. "Philip said she was just tired and I shouldn't think anything about it but it's hard you know?"

Sophie did not know but she really liked listening to her friends' totally normal problems.

"So, she bites my head off when I try to help but then bosses me around and expects me to hold her baby all day long," she scoffs. "I'm trying not to make a big deal about it but my goodness! Even Phil has started talking about how difficult it would be to move our cabin further away from theirs."

Sophie looked at Elizabeth who was a few rows down, the baby slung to her front like a little pepos. "It must be very difficult to have a brand new baby though," Sophie said reflectively.

"Yes," Sarah agreed. "Difficult for all of us," she grumbled.

Sophie wouldn't admit it right out loud, but she was jealous of Sarah. She had a place, a home, and a family. She had acceptance. Sophie felt lost, like she was cotton blowing in the breeze.

"Still," Sophie said with a sigh. "It has to be nice to have people," she said wistfully.

Sarah looked at her, her eyes softening. " You still have me Sophie, you have a place."

"Thank you," she half smiled. "But I don't. I don't belong anywhere. I am at the mercy of the governor's charity. Once Frida figures out there is no way I will marry Willard she will kick me out for sure." Just saying it made Sophie's chest tighten with stress.

"Well, how is it going with Thomas? He seems like he is very fond of you," Sarah offered hopefully. "Surely he will propose marriage," she offered.

Sophie felt her face turn beat red. "Oh Sarah," she said her voice cracking.

"What is it?" she asked tenderly.

"I asked him to marry me and he said no," she admitted.

Sarah's eyes looked immediately sympathetic and it made Sophie feel even more embarrassed.

"Oh Soph, " she said softly, dropping the leaf of tobacco she was holding. "I'm so sorry are you okay?"

Small tears dripped down her cheek. This was incredibly embarrassing. She wiped them away quickly.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said hurriedly. "We're fine, we are still friends. He just isn't interested in me like that." She shrugged. "So, I have to find another solution."

"I have no idea why anyone would refuse you," Sarah said honestly. "I'm going to talk to Phil though and we will help you. You will not be at the mercy of Frida forever," Sarah said earnestly.

"Oh I can' t ask that of you Sarah, I will be fine. Don't worry. Everything will work out."

'Don't dismiss her so quickly. Let her help you." Sophie inwardly jerked as Jeremiah's calm voice ricocheted through her mind again. She swallowed hard and smiled weakly at Sarah, trying to look as "normal" as possible.

A movement out of the corner of her eye jerked both Sarah and Sophie out of their moment. Thomas was approaching on horseback.