{"id":3875,"date":"2020-07-14T17:16:27","date_gmt":"2020-07-14T21:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/whitefire-publishing.com\/read\/?p=3875"},"modified":"2021-06-17T08:10:56","modified_gmt":"2021-06-17T12:10:56","slug":"turning-tide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whitefire-publishing.com\/read\/turning-tide\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning Tide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Turning<\/figure>
\n

By Melody Carlson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Legacy of Sunset Cove, Book 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Great War rages on, Sunset Cove continues to feel its impact. Running the small town newspaper, Anna McDowell can\u2019t escape the grim reports from the other side of the world, but home-front challenges abound as well. Dr. Daniel is serving the wounded on the front lines. And Katy, expecting her first child, with her husband in the trenches, tries to support the war effort with her Red Cross club. Even as the war winds down the costs are high\u2014and Sunset Cove is not spared.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Chapter 1<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Late October 1917<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Anna McDowell had always enjoyed scooping the latest news, she now cringed whenever anything came in over the wire at the newspaper office. Grim reports from the Great War seemed to dominate all else these days. Even Oregon\u2019s exciting prohibition tales of lawless bootleggers and illegal rum-running had been overshadowed by the grisly battles waging around the globe. And the numbers of dead and wounded were unfathomable and growing daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And knowing how her good friend and son-in-law Jim Stafford as well as many other young men from Sunset Cove\u2014not to mention the entire country\u2014daily risked life and limb by serving with the Allied Forces overseas\u2026well, it put a serious damper on Anna\u2019s usual heightened interest in the latest information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Anderson poked his head into her office. \u201cDid you hear about this<\/em>?\u201d Her lead reporter waved the paper in the air, his fair brows arched with obvious interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d She looked up from the copy she was checking, wishing he were about to announce the war had ended but knowing it was unlikely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust in from England. About Ypres.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill fighting in Ypres.\u201d Her tone sounded jaded even to herself. \u201cHow many battles have pummeled that region by now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSeveral.\u201d He came fully into her office. \u201cBut this story is different, Anna. Definitely front-page newsworthy, if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded, setting down her pencil. She was glad that she and Frank had finally arrived at a first-name basis\u2026and that he\u2019d finally come to respect her role as editor in chief of this newspaper. \u201cHow is this story different?\u201d She felt a trace of hope. \u201cIs the Kaiser surrendering? Is the war about to end?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d He frowned at the paper strip in his hand. \u201cSays here that thousands of troops from Australia and New Zealand were wiped out this week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, my.\u201d She sadly shook her head. \u201cWell, that\u2019s not very encouraging, Frank. I was hoping it was something more positive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou and me both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut why did you say this story was different?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s how<\/em> these troops perished that makes this newsworthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, please tell me it\u2019s not from a communicable illness.\u201d Anxiety surged through her. \u201cDaniel\u2014I mean Dr. Hollister. He recently wrote to me how diseases were spreading like wildfire overseas. He\u2019s grateful to be over there since medical help is so critical right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, these men didn\u2019t die from anything disease-related.\u201d Frank pursed his lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat then? Didn\u2019t you say they were killed in battle? Tragic, yes, but what makes it news?\u201d Anna wasn\u2019t eager to plaster another horrible defeat story across the front page of their small-town paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause this story is completely related to the weather.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 She felt confused. \u201cThe weather<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. It says that due to extra heavy rains over there, our Allied soldiers drowned. Right there on the Ypres battlefield.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn the battlefield? How is that even possible?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt seems that the rain-soaked ground turned into a quagmire of slippery mud. I\u2019m imagining it was similar to quicksand. The men became trapped in the muddy muck, and then they began to sink down into shell craters. Probably left behind from previous battles. And then they drowned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the mud?\u201d She shuddered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He nodded grimly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, Frank, that\u2019s so horribly gruesome.\u201d She cringed to think of Jim and Lawrence and AJ\u2026all the other young men fighting over there. She prayed their friends weren\u2019t in Ypres, and yet she knew they were in places equally perilous. And what about relatives and loved ones who\u2019d lost their men\u2026drowned in the mud like that? How would they be feeling right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStupid war.\u201d She slammed a fist onto her desktop. \u201cWhat a waste. A nasty, terrible waste. How many more brave young men must die before the madness ends? Kaiser Wilhelm is the devil himself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI agree.\u201d Frank leaned forward with an intense expression. \u201cAnd it makes me want to do something\u2026. Anna, I think it\u2019s time I joined up too. I\u2019m sure they need more help over there and I\u2019m\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re exempt, Frank. You\u2019ve got a wife and children and you\u2019re over\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean I can\u2019t enlist and go over and do my part.\u201d He stood up straight as a soldier, narrowing his eyes with determination. \u201cThey need me, Anna.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat may be true, but you\u2019re needed here too. Besides your family<\/a>, this newspaper needs you. We\u2019re already shorthanded with Jim and Lawrence\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, I know.\u201d He sighed, his shoulders slumping. \u201cIt\u2019s just that it makes me feel so\u2026useless. Sitting over here while others are\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrank.\u201d She locked eyes with him. \u201cThink about your wife and three young sons\u2014what if you\u2019d been over there, and what if you\u2019d been drowned in the mud like those other men? What would Ginger do without you? Imagine how your sweet wife would struggle to raise those rambunctious boys on her own. And please forgive me, but I don\u2019t see how the presence of one newspaperman in his late thirties would make much of a difference anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He sighed deeply. \u201cYes, I suppose you\u2019re right. It\u2019s just so hard to stand by and watch\u2026even from this distance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut consider this\u2014we still have some young unmarried men in our town, men who\u2019ve claimed exemptions but who appear fit and able. I\u2019ve mentioned it to Chief Rollins, and he said he might look into taking legal action.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard those rumors too. It\u2019s ironic when you consider that a couple of those so-called exempt <\/em>fellows might actually be running rum along the coastline.\u201d He scowled. \u201cNot brave enough to fight for their country, but stupid enough to risk their lives to break the law for a few bucks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had similar thoughts.\u201d Anna rolled a fresh sheet of paper into her typewriter. \u201cWe need to run some pieces that illuminate this problem. Without naming names, of course. But we could pressure them to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou really think they\u2019d take notice?\u201d Frank looked doubtful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTheir friends and relatives might take notice. Maybe they\u2019d put their feet to the fire.\u201d She pointed her pencil in the air like a beacon. \u201cIn fact, I\u2019m going to attack this head-on in my next editorial. I\u2019ll challenge those heel-draggers to step up. I\u2019ll remind them that their friends and brothers are over there struggling\u2014and that more soldiers, coming from all corners of this country, could help turn this thing around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good plan. And I\u2019ll angle my war article in that same direction.\u201d Frank\u2019s eyes lit with renewed enthusiasm. \u201cMaybe the pen is mightier than the sword after all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anna wished that were true as Frank exited her office, but she knew that the pen alone wasn\u2019t going to bring this awful war to an end. If only it could. Oh, she knew that good journalism helped. It informed people and brought just causes to the forefront. And being a responsible newspaperwoman had always been important to her\u2014even now as she hammered away at her typewriter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone needed to do their part. All needed to make sacrifices, to contribute according to their abilities. If they wanted this war to end, they\u2019d all have to pitch in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was just finishing her piece when the telephone jangled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour daughter just called,\u201d Virginia told her. \u201cShe sounded a bit excited. She wants you to call her back at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the hospital? Why is she at the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKaty didn\u2019t say. Just asked you to call her as soon as you were free.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, of course.\u201d Anna quickly hung up and then dialed the hospital\u2019s number. But the woman on the other end didn\u2019t seem to know anything about anything. Anna considered asking to speak to Sarah Rose, since she was the bookkeeper there, but instead, she snatched up her hat and gloves. It would probably be simpler and quicker to just go over there\u2014and only ten minutes if she walked fast. Plus the fresh sea air would do her good. As Anna walked, she prayed that nothing bad had happened to her daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katy could be a bit reckless at times. She was known to zip around in Mac\u2019s Runabout like she thought she was participating in a motor race. She\u2019d boast about how she picked up a special delivery at the railroad station then dropped off a customer order\u2014making it back to the dress shop in record time. But what if she\u2019d been involved in a crash? Anna took in a calming breath, reminding herself that Katy was an excellent driver. Much better than Anna. Also\u2026Katy was expecting. That alone should make her more cautious when driving. Anna hoped so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katy\u2019s baby wasn\u2019t due for about six months, but could she be experiencing a problem with her pregnancy? That happened sometimes. Anna sincerely hoped not. Despite Katy\u2019s initial reluctance to have a child so soon after marrying Jim, she\u2019d come full circle on it. She now eagerly looked forward to becoming a mother. She\u2019d even gotten serious about knitting\u2014and not only army socks. Most recently, she\u2019d been working on a lovely robin\u2019s egg blue baby cardigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Anna entered the new hospital, she tried not to feel overly anxious\u2014or agitated at the receptionist. She glanced around the vacant waiting area as if searching for clues and hurried up to the front desk. \u201cI just called about my daughter Katy Stafford, and I was told she wasn\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry about that,\u201d the woman told her. \u201cYou spoke to me, and I wasn\u2019t aware at the time that Katy was here at the hospital, but I just learned that she\u2019s upstairs in the maternity\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaternity<\/em>?\u201d Anna gasped and, without waiting to hear more, rushed for the stairway, which she knew would be swifter than the pokey elevator. But by the time she reached the maternity section, she was breathless and shaky. \u201cI\u2014I\u2019m looking for Katy Stafford,\u201d she explained to a recently hired nurse. \u201cIs she\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRoom 204.\u201d The nurse pointed down the hallway and, before she could say another word, Anna took off. Ducking into Room 204, she nearly knocked down her own daughter. \u201cOh, Katy!\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katy smiled. \u201cYes, of course, Mother. I\u2019m perfectly fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI tried to call back, but I couldn\u2019t get you, so I came. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing is wrong. Not really. It\u2019s Ellen.\u201d Katy guided Anna out of the room and down the hallway. \u201cShe\u2019s going to have her baby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s right. Ellen\u2019s baby is due, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, and she\u2019d hoped to have her baby at home to save money,\u201d Katy quietly explained. \u201cBut she was having some troubles and her mother insisted she come here. Fortunately, I was in the dress shop and had the Runabout. Otherwise Clara was going to call for that new ambulance to fetch her. You know that Doc Hollister has been bragging it up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo I\u2019ve heard. Mac was complaining about the expense, but JD insisted it was needed to reach the outlying places that the hospital wants to serve. Apparently it\u2019s very similar to what they\u2019re using on the battlefront. Daniel has written about how those Red Cross vehicles are saving lots of lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, Ellen actually thought an ambulance ride would be exciting, but Clara thought we should come by car. And so we did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood for you.\u201d Anna glanced around. \u201cIs Clara here now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, she\u2019s with Ellen. I only called you to let you know what was happening.\u201d Katy linked her arm into Anna\u2019s. \u201cI thought you\u2019d like to know. But I didn\u2019t expect you to leave work just to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I was due for a break. Besides, this is newsworthy.\u201d Anna smiled in relief. \u201cMuch happier news than writing about the gruesome old war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katy stopped walking and turned to her mother with fearful eyes. \u201cIs there more bad news\u2014about the war? What is it now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anna regretted her words. \u201cWell, it\u2019s a war, Katy\u2026of course, there\u2019s always going to be some bad news. But we can\u2019t obsess over it. We must maintain hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I suppose you\u2019re right.\u201d Katy sighed deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow about a cup of tea?\u201d Anna suggested. \u201cWe\u2019ve been like ships in the night ever since you moved in with Ellen. I\u2019d love to catch up with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019d love some tea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before long they were seated at a small table in the tiny cafeteria located in the hospital basement, and Katy was explaining how Ellen had begun having labor pains early this morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe thought it was indigestion at first. We had spaghetti for dinner last night.\u201d Katy giggled. \u201cI doubt Dr. Hollister senior would approve, but it\u2019s what Ellen was craving, and I made it for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anna smiled. \u201cWell, maybe you shouldn\u2019t admit this to old Doc Hollister. He\u2019s such a stickler about diet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a stickler about everything.\u201d Katy shook her head. \u201cI sure wish Dr. Daniel would come home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do too, honey.\u201d Anna patted Katy\u2019s hand. \u201cBut I\u2019m glad he\u2019s helping those young men over there. And maybe the war will end by the time your baby comes into the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope so.\u201d Katy stirred her tea. \u201cNot just so Dr. Daniel can come home, but I so want Jim to come home\u2026to be with me\u2026here to welcome his child.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, April is still a ways off,\u201d Anna reminded her. \u201cAnything could happen by then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Katy still looked uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s the latest you\u2019ve heard from Jim?\u201d Anna asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI received a letter sent from England just yesterday.\u201d Katy brightened. \u201cHe sounded good. He was happy that his unit was preparing to move. I know he\u2019s been longing for active <\/em>service.\u201d Katy bit her lower lip. \u201cHe\u2019d complained before about the endless training and waiting in England. But yesterday\u2019s letter was two weeks old, so I suppose he could actually be on the European front by now. Naturally, he can\u2019t give out specific details.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNaturally.\u201d Anna wondered if Jim\u2019s unit was in Belgium since it was a hot spot for the European front. And she tried not to dwell on today\u2019s news\u2026or that Jim might possibly be in Ypres. She was aware of the numerous battlefields on the European front. And just because all those poor soldiers had perished in Ypres didn\u2019t mean that Jim would be among them. Hadn\u2019t Frank said it was Australian and New Zealand troops involved in that muddy mess? Anna sure hoped so. She didn\u2019t want to think about Jim leading his troops into something like that\u2026or dying on any battlefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the idea of Katy becoming a widowed mother at such a tender age was deeply disturbing. It would be like history repeating itself. Anna lost her husband when Katy was a baby\u2014and she felt certain she couldn\u2019t go through that much sadness again. Especially where her daughter was concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n