The service starts, but my thoughts are too distracted as I try to get a few glances at the man. It has been five years since he tried to steal our wheat. The memory of the day rushes back to me.
* * *
I was behind Pa, watching him scream at the young boy who had told us his name was Joel Adams. The boy was flailing in Robert’s grasp. He’d maybe been a year older than I was. He had a scar on his face and when his eyes meet mine, I’d looked away.
“Well… I uh…was going to sell it. Please, don’t hurt me! I was going to return any extra money after! The money, I was going to use it to help my ma get better. She’s sick and…”
I’d felt sad for this boy because his ma was sick. He still had no right to steal the wheat, though. Pa yelled at him to leave and never come back. Pa turned to me after the boy begun to run away. “Genevieve, take his wagon and empty the wheat back where it belongs.”
I’d watched as Pa and the rest of my family and neighbors make their way back to the field. As soon as they were out of sight, I’d run in the direction the boy went. As I was running, I wondered what I was even doing and if it was really a good idea.
All commonsense had left me, though. Maybe it was out of sympathy for his ma. I knew what it was like after all. I’d tried so hard to save my ma when she was sick. Of course, I didn’t steal anything.
Soon I found him sitting in the grass, his head buried in his knees. I could hear him muttering stuff under his breath.
I tilted my head and looked down at him. His black hair was covered in dirt. Or was it wheat?
“Uh…excuse me. Joel?”
I’d fallen back as he jumped up, his brown eyes seeming to be on fire. I’d try to crawl back, attempting to get my feet underneath me. That’s when I’d realized that going after him likely wasn’t a good idea.
“Are you here to mock me? Tell me to leave again? I assure you, I’m on my way and trust me—I won’t be back.” He’d shouted.
“N-n-no. I just-I mean I—” I’d stuttered, still trying to get up.
His face was now red and his fists were clenched at his sides. He’d moved closer to me. “Get on with it!”
“I-I’m sorry. I just…I felt bad for you so I-I thought I’d…” Tears were beginning to blur my vision as I looked up at the angry boy glaring down at me.
“Thought you’d what? Apologize that my mother is dying? That’s what they all do. And I don’t want your sympathy.”
The tears were running down my face by then. I was sure he was going to kill me.
“I know what it feels like when you’re trying to do what you can for your ma. I lost my ma over a month ago and I only wanted to help you.” I’d managed to shout back at him.
I’d waited for him to yell at me, but when I looked up, his eyes seemed to have softened, his mouth in a firm frown. “You lost your ma?”
I’d nodded, unsure what to do.
He’d sighed, sitting back down across from me. “It’s awful, huh? And my younger siblings are so worried. My father left us years ago. We’re not the richest of families, and I was going to use the money for my family to have when she dies. I was going to return some of the money. I know you think I’m a thief and that I’m going to kill you, but I won’t. I never wanted to be a thief. It’s just that sometimes, I get so angry. It’s like everything bad happens to me. And then I steal.”
I’d sat up, ready to run just in case. “How many siblings do you have?”
“Three.”
“I have four. We’re trying to get the field off so my pa can pay back the loan. Otherwise, the farm will be taken away from us.”
He’d sighed, putting his hand on his forehead. “Gee. I didn’t realize. I wouldn’t have tried taking it otherwise.”
I’d stood, motioning for him to do the same. “Come. I’ve got an idea.” I’d walked back toward his wagon. He’d followed and when we reached it, I told him to lie down in the back. “Get in.”
“Uh…why?”
“Just trust me. And don’t make a sound.”
After a few seconds, he’d shrugged and climbed in. I’d covered him with some loose hay and made my way to the front to take the reins. Slowly, I’d turned the wagon around, leading the horse back in the direction of the shed where the wheat pile once was. I’d stopped and opened the hatch. “Okay, you’re going to help me deposit all of this wheat back here. Then we’re even.”
He’d sighed. “Really? Is this just so you can have help?”
“No, you start doing that. And I’m going to run to the house. You can flee if you want to, but I promise if you stay and do this, you won’t regret it.”
I’d felt him watching me as I rushed toward the house. In the cupboard, I’d pulled out the box and set it on the table. Prying it open, I’d taken out five dollars. It would have been more than enough for some food and supplies for Joel.
I’d put the box back exactly where it was and rushed outside again, the five dollars clutched in my hand.
I’d been relieved to see Joel pitching the wheat out of the wagon and onto the ground.
“Okay, I think this will be enough to be of some use to you.” I held the money out to him, and he shook his head.
“No. No. I can’t. I already feel bad. We’ll be fine.”
“Take it.”
“No.” He’d paused, looking down at the money in my hands, as if he was contemplating the offer. “No, you need it more.”
“Take it or I’ll scream.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “What?”
“I will scream. And then everyone will come running from the field.”
He’d sighed, smiling. “Fine. But let me finish helping you with this wheat.”
We worked away at moving all the wheat from his wagon. When we were done, I’d smiled at him, handing him the money. He’d grinned and stuck it in his pocket, then wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
“Take your wagon. I’ll tell my father that when I finished unloading the wheat, the horses got spooked and ran off, dragging the wagon behind them.”
Joel smiled as he jumped up into the seat of his wagon. “Oh. What’s your name?”
“Genevieve.”
“I’ll find you someday, Genevieve. And I will repay you for this kindness.”
I’d laughed, squinting to look up at him. “Like you’ll remember me.”
His face had gone serious. “You’d be pretty hard to forget.”
And with that, he’d cracked the reins and the horses pulled away. I watched as he and his wagon slowly disappeared over the hill. His last words kept replaying in my mind. I realized I’d made friends with a thief. But maybe a not so bad thief.
Chapter 4
Finally, the service is over and I rush to the door, desperate for air. I run to our wagon, leaning on it, trying to gather myself. Soon, my family all come out, and Polly makes her way over to me. “Once again, a lovely service.”
I nod. Please don’t let him come this way. Please don’t let him come this way.
“I miss being able to see you every day. Isn’t it strange being out of school?”
I smile, clearing my throat. Clearly, he’d gone home, wherever that may be. “Yes, I miss seeing you too, and everyone else.”
“Well, I’ll see you around. If not, then for sure next Sunday. Bye, Genevieve.” Polly smiles, pulling me into a long hug.
“Goodbye, Polly. It was nice seeing you again.” I say as she waves, and walks away with her husband at her side.
“Well, what do you think about going to see if Adeline is home?” Pa asks, climbing into the wagon.
Lydia, Hazel, and I instantly agree. Bradley and Douglas however, let out a much too loud sigh.
We make our way to Adeline’s anyway. As we’re climbing out of the wagon, the door opens and Adeline stands in the doorway with a bundled baby in her arms. “Oh. What a lovely surprise!”
Pa rushes to the door, leaning in to see the baby. Making my way to the door, I s
mile at Adeline and she rushes us inside, telling us to sit while she gets some cookies.
Lydia is holding Isaac, and Pa is smiling at Charity in his arms.
I sit in the chair beside August. “Hello, Genevieve. Was church good?”
“Yes, I suppose.” I fake a smile. I don’t remember a thing that was said at church. I’d been too busy reliving the memories of that day and hiding myself from Joel.
“Here. Everyone, help yourselves.” Adeline quickly sets a plate of cookies down on the table. I smile when I see they’re oatmeal raisin—Adeline’s specialty. I reach for one and bite into the soft cookie. Delicious.
I watch as Douglas picks up a cookie and smells it, his nose wrinkling up in disgust.
He takes a bite and instantly spits it out on the table shrieking. “Ah. Gross! I hate raisins!”
I look to Adeline. She opens her mouth, but closes it, her eyes seeming to harden.
I glare at Douglas who is now wiping at his tongue. “Well maybe you should’ve asked before taking it. And you don’t have to make such a scene about it.” My voice rises. “You could’ve just silently put the cookie in the garbage. You are the most spoiled rotten child I’ve ever…”
I stop, feeling my face instantly heat up. My stomach lurches. I did it again. My mouth started talking before I had a chance to think it through. I feel everyone’s eyes on me and that’s when Douglas starts to cry. I can tell that his cry is clearly fake. However, everyone falls for it.
Pa’s eyes slowly meet mine. A warning. “Genevieve. Apologize. Right now.”
“For what? Saying the truth?” Dang it. Not again. Instantly I stand. “You know what? I think I’m going to have to excuse myself for a minute.”
And without saying another word, I will myself to walk to the door and out onto the streets of Riverbend. I would’ve liked to have stayed and yelled at the kid some more. Maybe even try to talk some sense into him. But I know Pa loves Freida, and I’m sure even he finds the boys annoying. I refuse to be mad at Pa. It’s those boys who are tearing our family apart.
When he’d acted like that to my poor sister, I couldn’t control myself anymore. He could’ve just nicely eaten the bit he had and set the cookie down. But no, he had to act like it was the worst thing he’s ever eaten.
I sigh, making my way over to the mercantile. Maybe browsing there will calm me down a bit. He sometimes opens the store after church briefly for those who’ve come a long way to be able to pick up some supplies.
I nod at Mr. Conair when I come in the door, and he smiles at me. I soon find myself at the fabric section. I run my fingers along all the different kinds of material. One fabric catches my eye. It’s a mix of light blue and dark, a beautiful color, with a silk feel to it. I stop and glance down at the price tag. No way would Pa ever buy this.
I run my hand down it once more before continuing on. I look at the different candies next. I know I won’t buy any, but it’s always nice to have a look. Soon, I see the person I want to see the least. Well, maybe third least, because Bradley and Douglas would be worse.
But standing at the counter is Joel Adams. I turn my back and find myself making my way to the back of the store. If I try to walk out the door I’m sure he might recognize me. So I now find myself hiding behind a stack of crates. As time passes and I’m left standing there, I begin to question why my life has become one that I’m left hiding behind crates at the back of a store.
I can hear him talking to Mr. Conair. I wish he’d just go already so I don’t feel so uncomfortable hiding behind these crates. I cringe as an older woman walks past. She gives me a look before continuing on.
“Goodbye, Mr. Conair,” I hear him say and soon after I hear the door close.
Nonchalantly I walk out and make my way to the front counter. I peer out the window, but can’t see him. How’d he disappear so fast?
“Are you looking for anything Ms. Carter?” Mr. Conair brings me out of my thoughts.
“Uh yes some— Actually, no. Thank you.”
Embarrassed, I rush out the door only to be startled when I find Joel standing up from where he’d been sitting on the bench against the wall. He’s got something in a big bag.
“Hello, Genevieve.”
With those words, I lose my balance and fall straight down onto the hard, wooden deck outside the mercantile. And Joel Adams leaps forward to try and stop me. I almost wish I’d just have passed out.
Chapter 5
“Are you all right? Let me help you.” Joel holds out his hand, but I just smile, pushing myself up and leaning on the railing, unsure whether my legs are stable.
“Are you okay?” His eyebrows are slanted and he takes a step toward me.
“Yes. I’m fine. Now I must be going.”
He steps in front of me so I can’t get past. “Wait. I just found you. What’s it been? Five years?”
I fake a smile, stepping back a bit. “Uh yes. I believe so.”
“Well I told you I’d repay you, so I bought you this.” He reaches into the bag and pulls out a large chunk of the beautiful blue fabric I’d been looking at only a few minutes ago.
“Joel.” I let out a breath. “Oh. This is too much.” I put my hand out to stop him from handing me the fabric.
“Actually, it was only $3.50 of what I owe you. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough to buy you five dollars worth but…anyway. Take it or I’ll scream.” He chuckles, throwing the fabric at me.
I catch it in my hands, unable to not laugh too. “Oh dear. How’d you know it was me?”
“Well, I saw someone who seemed to be hiding from me in church. I was visiting with some friends outside after the service when I saw you coming into the mercantile.” He smiles sitting back down on the bench. “Then I may have followed you and saw you looking at that fabric. I figured you must have spotted me, because you ducked down behind some crates.”
I feel my face heat up, embarrassed.
I’m not sure why, but I sit down next to him, folding the fabric in my hands. Not minutes before, I’d been hiding from him and now I’m sitting down to talk to him. It seems I’ve lost my common sense again.
“So…you live in Riverbend now?”
He smiles and looks over at me. “No, on a farm about a mile south. With my siblings.”
“Oh…so your ma…” I start, looking down at the fabric.
He lets out a breath. “Yeah.” He pauses for a minute before clearing his throat. “So…you didn’t have your farm taken away?”
“No, we still live there. We just come here for church. I was visiting my sister and her husband but then…uh never mind.”
“Oh…that’s nice. Look, I’m really sorry I tried to steal your wheat.”
I laugh, looking up at him. “It was five years ago.”
“Yes, I know. Did you ever… I mean…tell your family you gave me money?”
I sigh, looking at Adeline’s house across the road. “No, that’s why I was hiding at church. I was worried you’d recognize me and mention it.”
“Your pa…did he recognize me?”
I nod, not looking up. He stands up and holds out his hand. I take it as he helps me to rise. Immediately, he puts his hands into his pockets. “Well, Genevieve. I’d hate for your pa to see you talking to me. I don’t want to get you in trouble. I’ll see you again, and I’ll get you the rest of the money.”
“Joel, I don’t need it.”
“I’ll scream.” He laughs, starting to walk down the stairs.
I smile. “Okay well, thanks for the fabric. And I guess I’ll see you again.”
“I guess so.” He smiles and begins walking in the direction of the church. I continue to watch as he hops up onto a small wagon and drives out of town.
Panic runs through me when I look down at the fabric. How am I going to explain this?
I decide to hide it for now, so I climb into our wagon that’s parked outside Adeline’s house. Tucking it under the seat, I then slide a box in front of it.
&
nbsp; I realize I shouldn’t let Douglas ruin my visit with Adeline. So with my head held high, I walk in the door.
“Oh good, you’re back. Come here,” Adeline whispers, grabbing my wrist before I can even get all the way in the door. She pulls me toward the nursery, then shuts the door behind her and sighs.
“You were right.”
“About what?”
“Those boys. How do you live with it?” She pulls her hands through her thick, blonde hair. “After you left, that little one kept sobbing, he was an outright mess. Then he said the only way he’d feel better is if he got some candy on the way out of town.”
“Really? And Pa agreed?”
“At first he said no, but then the boy started wailing, and he had no choice but to let him. I think Pa is trying to keep the boys happy for Freida. I’ve just never seen young boys act like that.”
“Me either. It’s like this all the time. It makes me wonder if they’re trying to split up our family.” I cross the room to look into the empty crib.
“Where’d you go?”
I smile, thinking of the beautiful fabric I now have. “Just the mercantile. I was trying to calm myself down. Lately I just can’t control what comes out of my mouth.”
“Well, if you hadn’t have said something, I’m sure I would’ve chucked a cookie at his face,” she says with a straight face.
I giggle at the thought, knowing with her temper, she probably would have.
“Oh dear.” She sighs, sitting in the rocking chair next to the door. “Can you imagine me doing that?”
I chuckle, resting my hands on my sides. “Sadly, yes.”
“Maybe we should get back. Douglas might start crying again. If he does, though, don’t say anything. I want to throw a cookie at him.”
Laughing, I follow her out of the room and then silently take my seat again.
“Ma. Make her apologize.” Douglas sniffs, wiping his nose. I remind myself that he’s fourteen.
I watch as Freida hesitates. I sigh, deciding not to put Freida in this position. I don’t look at him as I mutter, “I’m sorry, Douglas.”
The Daisy (Carter Sisters Series Book 3) Page 3
