Unhurried, Olivia carefully tugged on a soft kid glove. “Have you really been driving since you were twelve, Sadie?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m from London, and many of us don’t drive at all.”

“Driving is the way to get around these parts unless you’re willing to walk or hitch.”

“How far is it to Charlottesville?”

“Twenty-plus miles, give or take.”

“Ah.”

Edward opened the kitchen door, allowing in a blast of cold air. He waited for Olivia and Sadie to pass before he followed, pulling the door closed behind him. “Ladies, let’s get you to the garage and see if Sadie is as good a driver as her brother says.”

Sadie was better, especially if she could reach the pedals, but she chose not to point that out. Her driving would put an end to Dr. Carter’s doubts.

As a cold wind careened over the hill from the river, the trio walked toward what looked like a barn. Dr. Carter’s quick steps set a fast pace, and though Sadie could keep up well enough, she expected to look back and see Miss Olivia lagging. She was surprised to see the woman a few steps behind, matching her step for step.

Edward pushed open the barn doors, but instead of horses inside, there was a row of three cars. On the right, a farm truck, and it was the plainest of the three but far nicer than her truck. Next to it was a blue Ford Deluxe coupe with a sleek polished body. Beside it was a green Pontiac station wagon with a big back seat and wood paneling on the side.

A thrill of excitement raced through Sadie as she thought about driving one of the Carter family’s fancy cars. Her brother had told her a car was a car, and if she could shift gears in one, she could in another. The main difference, he had mused, was that the fancier models did what they were told, whereas Old Blue had to be sweet-talked into starting sometimes.

These were the kinds of cars she had seen starlets driving on magazine covers. In Charlottesville, there were a few folks with nicer cars, but none were as new as any of these. She wiped the toes of her boots against her pant legs, wishing now she had been more careful to avoid the muddy spots as she walked around this morning. Good Lord, if Johnny could see her now driving such a fancy car, he would be tongue-tied.

“You ladies will take the Pontiac.” Edward fished a set of keys from his pocket. “Today, it might be wise to stay on the property and get used to the automobile.”

“I thought we were going into Charlottesville?” Olivia said. “I hoped to do some shopping.”

“Safety is more important. I don’t feel right about turning you two loose on these roads unless I’m certain you’ll be safe. Driving can be very dangerous.”

“Depends on how fast you go,” Sadie said. “Or the roads. If we take it slow and easy, it won’t be dangerous at all, especially in a fancy car like this.”

A hint of disappointment flickered in Olivia’s gaze. “See, Edward, there’s nothing to worry about. Sadie is going to treat me like I’m a fragile egg. We won’t take any unnecessary chances.”

Edward opened the car door and got behind the wheel. “I don’t have time to argue. I almost lost you once, and I won’t risk it again.”

She squeezed his hand. “We’re far from London and the bombs here in Virginia.”

A smile flicked the edge of his lips as he seemed to realize his beautiful wife was right, though he wouldn’t admit it. “I’ll show Sadie the basics of driving, and then I’ll leave you two to drive up and down the driveway. Don’t leave the property.”

“We shall observe all safety protocols,” Olivia said.

Sadie tugged off her glove and ran her hand over the cold metal. “Can I get inside?”

“I don’t see how you’re going to drive it if you don’t.” Edward got out of the car.

Sadie slid behind the wheel, amazed how polished leather smelled so good. Johnny kept his truck clean, but once a hound dog or chickens rode inside, there was no getting the smell out of it.

She smoothed her fingertips over the white wheel, wondering how far she could drive in a car like this. She bet she could make it all the way to New York City or maybe California.

Sadie pulled out the choke button to her right and turned the ignition key. The engine roared to life. It did not cough, sputter, or complain but hummed.

She climbed out and opened the back door. “Miss Olivia, why don’t you have a seat, and I can take us for a spin.”

Miss Olivia looked at the empty back seat. “I would rather ride up front. I shall be able to see better.”

“Sadie, you won’t drive too fast,” Edward warned.

“No, sir,” she said as she closed the back door. “I’ll drive her like I would my mama.”

“Very well; then I’ll observe for a moment and then leave you to it.”

Sadie was back behind the wheel and closing her door as Edward crossed around the front of the car and held Olivia’s door for her. He closed it carefully and then stepped back a safe distance.

Olivia settled in her seat. “I’ve ridden in dozens of cars. None ever felt too fast for me.”

Sadie released the brake, pushed in the clutch, and shifted into first gear. “Then you weren’t driving with the right person.”

Olivia laughed. “Try to be restrained around Edward, or he’ll never leave.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Sadie pressed the accelerator as she eased up on the clutch until the gear engaged, and they inched their way out of the barn. She kept on driving, shifting gears so smoothly she nearly giggled.

She drove around the house and past her old truck, which now seemed a little sad to be left behind. After going around the circular driveway, they made their way to the end of the long driveway.

After ten minutes of them navigating the driveway, Edward backed the coupe out of the barn. He pulled up beside them, and he and Sadie rolled down their windows. “You ladies look like you have it under control.”

“No need to worry about us. We’re fine. Don’t work too hard, dear.”

Edward’s gaze bore into Sadie. “Be careful.”

“Yes, sir.”

They waited as he drove past, the muddy earth spitting off his back tires.

“Give it a few more minutes,” Olivia warned. “Edward might double back.”

“Why?”

“To make sure we’re being safe.”

“We are.”

“I want to go to Charlottesville,” Olivia said.

Sadie downshifted, rolling around the circular driveway, back toward the long driveway. “We said we would stay.”

“I promised to be safe. I didn’t promise to stay on the property.”

“To the end of the driveway for starters,” Sadie said.

Annoyance pursed Miss Olivia’s heart-shaped lips. “We can at least go out on the main road. I want to see the open fields and the mountains in the distance.” She adjusted the folds of her skirt and folded her hands in her lap. “I’ve barely left the property in weeks.”

“I don’t know. Dr. Carter said to stay put.”

“We won’t go far.” And when Sadie hesitated again, Olivia added, “You aren’t afraid, are you?”