The following week they traveled through the Blue Ridge Mountains and crossed into the splendor of Tennessee. From the train’s oversized windows, Caroline watched as they sped past fields of cotton, rye, and tobacco. Lumbering cattle grazed in pastures, followed by endless stretches of lush forest. The president spoke at the state capitol, and they were all guests of honor at a Scottish festival featuring bagpipes, traditional games, and highland dancing.

Mrs. Foster took the opportunity to sneak in a dig at Caroline. “If you can’t land Agent Trask, perhaps you can settle for one of those men in kilts,” she said.

For some reason, Mrs. Foster delighted in Caroline’s unrequited crush on Nathaniel and called attention to it at every opportunity. In Nashville, they threw pennies into a wishing well, but Mrs. Foster threw a quarter. “I’m throwing an extra big coin in hopes you can land Agent Trask,” she giggled.

When they boarded carriages to return to the train, Mrs. Foster noticed an empty spot beside Nathaniel and flagged Caroline down. “Yoo-hoo, Caroline!” she called out with a broad wave to attract the attention of the entire party. “Look! There’s an empty seat beside your young man.”

Caroline ignored the invitation, sending Mrs. Foster a sidelong smile as she joined the McKinleys in the president’s carriage. She tried not to let Mrs. Foster get under her skin, but it was hard, and they were only a week into the tour.

When their itinerary turned south, they visited a felting mill and toured Fort McPherson, where they dined with the troops. Then they headed toward Atlanta, where the president met with leaders of the burgeoning textile industry, then toured a Jewish synagogue.

It was at the synagogue that Caroline hoped to find someone who could help her make sense of the final passages of Luke’s letter.

Both McKinleys were fascinated by the synagogue, admiring the ornate cabinet that held the Torah scrolls. In honor of their visit, the candles in all the chandeliers had been lit. With great care, the rabbi opened the gold-embossed ark to lift out the Torah and carry it to the dais. The scrolls were unwrapped and unrolled. To Caroline’s delight, the rabbi read in Hebrew, his rich voice speaking the ancient language in a manner that filled the air. Then he sang the passages, the words lifting and falling in a delightful cadence.

She must get this man alone! It was impossible to know what Luke had written in the Hebrew passage, but her deepest fear was that he might be guilty and was using Hebrew to confess something shameful. She didn’t want anyone else to witness what the rabbi had to say.