Free Another Dawn by Deb Stover Page B

thing.
           "I just don't get it."   She shook her head and shrugged. "I think you're the one who's dressed weird, Mrs. Fleming."   She took a step toward the back of the kitchen, but paused to look over her shoulder at the woman's shocked expression. "No offense intended."
           "Well, I never..."
           Trying not to dwell on the woman's bewildering disapproval, Sofie gathered a stack of clean rags from the cupboard and walked toward the kitchen door. "Let me know when you're ready to talk to Jenny," she said. "I'd like to be there, since I promised her I'd ask about her mother."
           Mrs. Fleming drew herself up to her full height and nodded, grudging respect showing in her faded eyes. "Please, forgive me for snapping at you so. Worry and exhaustion are my only excuses for such ill manners."   She heaved a weary sigh. "You're an enigma, Sofie, but I do admire your...uh..."
           "Sass?" Sofie arched a brow and gave Mrs. Fleming a crooked grin, though she felt more like crying.  
           The older woman smiled and nodded. "Perhaps."
           "And I admire everything about you, Mrs. Fleming," Sofie said with complete sincerity, holding the door open for the older woman, "except your taste in clothes."
           Mrs. Fleming shook her head and sighed. "I don't know who you are or where you came from," she said passionately, "but I'm glad you came to us, child. Very glad."
           Warmth spread through Sofie as she followed the woman from the kitchen. She knew somehow that Mrs. Fleming's approval mattered to the citizens of Redemption, and to Dr. Wilson.  
           And, for some reason, it mattered to Sofie, too.  
           With a little more confidence than she'd felt earlier, Sofie returned to Dr. Wilson's side with the bandages. The burned man thrashed around on the cot until Ab managed to tie him down with leather straps.
           "I hate to restrain you, but you're doing yourself more harm than good."   Dr. Wilson's voice was soft as he spoke to his patient and washed away some of the mud caked on the side of his head. "All we can do is try to keep you comfortable and pray."   Muttering, he added, "Dear God, I haven't seen burns like these since Vicksburg."
           Sofie stared at the back of Dr. Wilson's white head, admiring his gentleness and dedication. Vicksburg ? The vaguely familiar name reverberated around in her mind for several minutes. Something wasn't right. Who was she kidding? Nothing seemed right.
           "You look tired," Mrs. Fleming said, touching Sofie's shoulder. "You've had a long day and taken quite a bump on the head, too. You'll do us and yourself more good tomorrow, after you've had some rest."
           Sofie sighed and nodded. "Maybe after I sleep, I'll remember something. Anything."   She rubbed her throbbing temples.  
           "There's a nice clean cot in the room off the kitchen, dear."   The older woman nudged Sofie in that direction. "Sleep while you can, and I'll bring you some hot water for a bath and clean clothes in the morning."
           A bath sounded like heaven. Sofie waited for Dr. Wilson's approval, but he was too busy with his new patient. "All right."   She glanced toward Jenny, relieved to find the girl still sleeping quietly.
           Sofie had been exhausted for what seemed like forever. All the urgency here in Redemption had kept her so busy since her arrival, her physical needs had taken a back seat until now. Suddenly, her body refused to be ignored another second. She'd eaten earlier, and now she had to sleep.
           Her feet and legs were like lead weights as she trudged back through the kitchen and into the quiet room off the pantry. Rubbing the back of her stiff neck, she yawned and stretched, closing the narrow door behind her.
           For the first time since she'd awakened this morning in the dark cave, Sofie was alone. Completely