Father nodded. “So I heard. My wife comes from Boston. She’s a Melville, one of the leading families in the area. Their line dates back to the Pilgrims.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of them.” Mr. Reid looked younger than Father maybe in his late twenties or early thirties. His full head of hair was dark and neatly parted. A small moustache sat above his upper lip.
“Ben, have you tasted the pudding yet?” Ivy’s voice brought Cora’s attention back to their table.
Ben turned to Esther. “I ate some pudding, didn’t I?”
Esther nodded. “Yes, you did. Remember, you said it tasted just like some your older sister made once.”
Ivy’s smile faded and a scowl settled in its place. Her hand shot out, knocking her glass of water across the table. Cora jumped out of the way, but Esther’s lap was drenched. She squealed and brushed at the puddle on her skirt.
“Ivy, what’d ya go and do that for?” Ralph frowned at his sister.
“I’m sorry. For real, I didn’t mean to.” Ivy’s large, blue eyes grew even wider. She shook her head and tears glistened in her eyes.
Esther stopped brushing her lap. “Ivy, don’t worry about it. Accidents happen. I’ll dry, and I’m not angry.”
Ben held out a napkin. “Here, see if this will help.”
Esther blotted her dress and held up the soaked cloth. A giggle escaped. She handed it back to Ben. “It won’t hold much.”
“Cora, don’t you have something Esther can wear?”
Mother’s question brought Cora out of her shock. “Yes, I think so. Esther, come with me. You’ll freeze that way.”
Ivy looked at Ben and smiled. He pushed his plate away, and watching Esther, stepped over the bench to join the men already heading back to the building site. Cora fell into step with her friend. Oh, dear. Ben really did care for Esther. What if she didn’t feel the same? She’d never be friends with a girl who broke her brother’s heart.
Chapter 8
“Jist can’t be good for a body.” Mrs. Stark shook her head. Her toe tapped the new puncheon floor in the cabin. “Dirt floor’s the best. Reckon the good earth was put under our feet for a reason.” Her head wagged back and forth. “Don’t ’spect to ever understand city ways. Lands sake, I was born and bred on a dirt floor, and I’ll be carried out over our’n feet first. Never was sick a day of my life, neither.”
Cora’s hand flew to her mouth to stop a giggle. Mrs Stark said the most outrageous things without the slightest hint of levity. Did the woman honestly prefer a dirt floor over even the crude wooden one in their new cabin?
Mother turned a pleasant face toward their guest. “I’m sure it’s all in what you’re used to. I’ve already found that a floor made from the good earth has its advantages, but I’m so used to having wood under my feet I’d hate to be without it.”
Mrs. Stark clicked her tongue, and Cora turned away before the urge to laugh won. She grabbed Esther’s hand. “Let’s go outside. You were right. The man from across the creek did bring his violin today.”
Esther hurried out the door with Cora. “If he brought his fiddle, there’s sure to be a dance.”
Cora laughed as Esther’s blue eyes moved from side to side and her head turned one direction and then another. “You wouldn’t be looking for someone to dance with, would you?”
Color mounted in Esther’s cheeks as she studied the ground.
“I’m sorry. I was only teasing.” Cora sobered. “Esther, do you really think you might like my brother?”
“Oh!” Esther’s hands flew to cover her face. “I’ve been much too bold.”
“No, you haven’t.” Cora touched Esther’s arm. “I’m sorry. I’m the bold one. If you don’t like him, that’s all right. I was only hoping.”
“But I do.” Moisture sparkled in Esther’s eyes. “I do, and I shouldn’t. I don’t even know if he’s a believer.”
“A believer?” What did she mean? “You mean of the Bible? We’ve attended church all our lives. Of course he is. We all are.” Cora laughed. “He’s hardly taken his eyes off you the two days you’ve been here.”
“Oh, don’t say that.” Bright color spotted Esther’s cheeks.
The lively dance of a resin-covered bow across fiddle strings filled the air with toe-tapping music. The girls hurried toward the sound. Mr. Stark stomped his foot and clapped his hands in rhythm. “Grab you a partner. Come on, let’s go.”
He kept clapping and stomping while Bill Reid’s fiddle sang. The married couples moved together first and formed a square.
Ben stepped in front of Esther. “Will you help me start a second set?”
Esther took his hand.
“How about you bein’ my partner?” Ralph grinned at Cora.
Cora’s gaze shifted to Aaron who leaned against the side of the new cabin. His arms were folded across his chest. The setting sun behind the cabin threw a shadow over him, but his face was turned their way. Was he watching?
She looked back to Ralph. “Please, will you ask Eliza?”
“Your kid sister?”
“Yes.”
“But she’s just a—”
“Let’s get a move on there. This poor man’s fingers gonna get mighty tired afore we get goin’ iffen ya don’t.” Mr. Stark’s booming voice cut into Ralph’s complaint.
“Please, just ask her.”
~*~
Aaron shook his head. Ralph didn’t have a lick of sense. Didn’t even know he wasn’t good enough for a girl like Cora Jackson. Weren’t neither of ’em good enough for her. Ever since she crawled from the old holler tree, he’d kept her on his mind. While he helped her pa cut timber, he thought a heap about her. But that didn’t mean he could hold her hand and dance with her.
Ralph shrugged and turned away. Didn’t surprise him none for Cora to send him packin’. Then she turned toward him and stood as if waiting. For what? He met her gaze and couldn’t look away. His pulse picked up the beat of the racing fiddle. Everything centered on Cora. He pushed away from the house and stood in front of her before he knew he’d moved. Her pretty, blue eyes grew round and unblinking as she looked at him. He held his hand out. She placed her small, soft fingers across his palm, setting off a hammer in his chest. They joined a set.
Cora’s arm brushed his sleeve when Pa called out, “All to your places, and straighten up your faces, all join hands and circle eight. Ladies face out and gents face in, and hold your holts and gone again.”
Cora stepped forward, hooking her arm in his as they swung around. She hooked arms with Gilbert, and then Ralph. A pang struck Aaron’s innards when Ralph grinned at her. “Havin’ fun?”
She nodded, then Ben swung her around and she came back to Aaron. Before he liked, the final call came. “Promenade and put her on a shelf. If you want any more you can call it yourself.”
Aaron took Cora’s hands and they skipped around the circle. His breath came quick as the fiddle sang the final bars of the song and stopped as if it, too, could take no more. Bill Reid stood to the side, grinning as several people complimented him on his music.
“Reckon a shindig like this wouldn’t be worth a hoot without some good corn squeezin’s.” Pa’s loud voice drowned out all the others.
Esther appeared beside Cora. “My parents are getting ready to go. Will you walk to the wagon with me?”
Cora nodded and looked at Aaron. “Thank you for dancing with me.”
He took in the soft curve of her lips and the shine in her eyes and couldn’t find the right words, so he inclined his head. She turned away and he felt more alone than he ever had.
~*~
As soon as they were away from the others, Cora took Esther’s arm. “What is it? Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
Esther frowned. “Just when we’re having fun, someone thinks they need to drink liquor.”
“Is that why your folks are leaving?”
No one had gotten rowdy yet. Father enjoyed a drink once in a while, but he wouldn’t put up with fighting or loud going
s-on.
“Yes, oh but Cora, it isn’t your family’s fault.” Esther’s eyes grew wide. “We’ve all enjoyed this time spent with you. In fact I can’t wait for another excuse to visit.”
“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.” Cora stopped by the Newkirk wagon. “When do you think we might have another excuse?”
Esther’s eyes sparkled above her smile. “The first snow we get, let’s go sledding. You’ve got a wonderful hill and we’ve got sleds. I’ll bring Rebekah, Gilbert, and Margaret.”
“That will be wonderful.” Cora hugged Esther. Already she felt bereft as her new friend climbed in the wagon with her siblings and her father snapped the reins over the horses’ backs.
Cora looked up at the dark star-studded sky. How long would it be before a snow deep enough for sledding would come? Tomorrow wouldn’t be soon enough. Then the lively music from Mr. Reid’s fiddle called to Cora again. A cool breeze swept her hair away from her face as she ran to join the others. Another dance with Aaron was what she needed.
“How about bein’ my partner this time around?” Ralph’s breath smelled of corn liquor. One of his father’s clay jugs dangled from his thumb.
Warmth surrounded her hand as Aaron’s fingers closed around it. “You got a partner already, Ralph.”
The depth of Aaron’s look stirred emotions within Cora that belonged to George. Certainly not to this tall, rugged backwoodsman who didn’t even speak proper English. Then his expression relaxed and he smiled, causing her lips to curve in response.
“Mind if we join your set?” John and Vickie stood beside them, waiting. “There isn’t enough for two now, and the old folks decided to sit this one out.”
“Sure, you can take my place since I don’t have a partner.” Ben grabbed the jug from Ralph. “I’ll keep company with this while you dance.”
Ralph laughed and turned to Eliza. “Reckon you’re stuck with me agin.”
Eliza grinned at Ralph while Ben walked away with the jug raised to his lips. If he knew why Esther left, he wouldn’t touch that corn liquor. Cora shook her head. She’d have to tell him first chance she got.
Ivy stopped Ben. “I’d be proud to be your partner, Ben.”
He turned a lopsided grin on her. “Sure, why not?” He lifted the jug and looked down the neck. “Say, this stuff’s got a real mean kick.”
Cora’s face burned. What was wrong with Ben? He never acted foolish. No wonder Esther didn’t like spirits. “Come on, Ben. Put that jug down.”
“Why? You want some, Cora?” Ben turned his grin on her. He took a wobbling step toward her.
~*~
Aaron stiffened. “I’ll take care of it.” He left Cora and took hold of the jug.
Ben resisted. “There’s more in there, Aaron ol’ buddy.”
“We’re ready to dance. Ivy’s waitin’. You get in place, ’cause Pa’s about to start.” Aaron tugged, and Ben let go of the jug. Cora didn’t want her brother drinking the stuff, and he planned to see that he didn’t.
Ivy took Ben’s arm, and Aaron carried the jug to his pa, setting it at his feet. “Pa, better keep a close eye on this. It ain’t settin’ so well with some of the young folks. We don’t want to make our neighbors sick or mad at us.”
Pa nodded. “Reckon it’s ’bout done for, anyhow.”
Aaron returned to the set, satisfied he’d taken care of Cora’s problem. Bill Reid sawed his fiddle to life, and the first call rang out. “Swing those ladies to the center and back.”
Aaron led Cora to the center and started back. He owed her an apology. “Pa shouldn’ta brought that stuff. But you don’t havta worry none. Lots of fellows act kinda strange if they ain’t use to it. Ben’ll be all right by and by.”
Her hand felt small and warm. He didn’t want to let go.
She smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“Gent’s to the center with right hands across and left hands back.” Pa clapped his hands while his right foot stomped. The men all put their right hands into the center of their circle. Ben wobbled, but Ivy grabbed his arm and steadied him.
Pa kept a steady rhythm as he called, clapped, and stomped. Bill’s fiddle sang for all it was worth, filling the night air with a catchy, heart-pumping melody. The dance went on until Pa called out a stop, and the last note died and drifted away with the breeze. Aaron’s heart pounded, but he figured being near Cora was the cause.
Cora laughed and clapped her hands. “That was fun.”
“Yes, I could dance forever.” Eliza’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Ralph.
“Well, maybe we can plan another outing before long.” Cora’s blue eyes shone in the moonlight. “Esther suggested we have a sledding party the first big snow we get. She said they have some sleds she’ll bring, and we can sled on our big, long hill that goes down to the creek.”
Ivy frowned. “How will we know when to come?”
“She said first big snow.” Ralph raised his eyebrows and gave his sister a pointed look. “Reckon we’ll just hoof it over then.”
“Yes, I think that’s what Esther had in mind.”
“Esther’s awful purdy—pure-ety.” Ben grinned. “That’s it. Pure-ety.”
Ivy’s frown deepened. “You’re drunk.”
“Yep. But not too drunk.” Ben nodded toward Aaron. “Good stuff, my friend. Real good. Got a kick to it.”
John took Ben’s arm. “Too much of a kick, I’d guess. Another guess is that this night has come to a close. We’ll plan on the sledding party, though. You kids will need a chaperone, right, Vickie?”
“Oh, definitely.” Vickie laughed.
Ivy smiled at Ben. “I hope it snows real soon. G’night, Ben.”
“Night.” Ben lifted one hand halfway before it dropped back to his side. His eyelids drooped and he weaved on his feet.
John slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Can’t hold your corn liquor, can you?” He laughed. “I don’t know how you swallowed that stuff. It smelled like rot and tasted like fire. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
John and Vickie turned toward the new house with Ben between them. Eliza pulled Ralph away and Ivy followed them, leaving Aaron and Cora standing alone in the yard. Aaron shuffled his toe in the trampled grass. What could he say to Cora? “Thanks for dancin’ with me. I’m real sorry about your brother. Pa was just tryin’ ta be neighborly.”
“That’s all right.” Cora’s smile brightened the night. Her golden hair gleamed in the meager light from the moon above. Her eyes met his, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away.
Mr. Reid rode past toward the creek on his horse. “Night, folks.”
Aaron turned at his voice. “Night. Good ta see ya.”
“Yep. Take care now.” The older man disappeared into the darkness.
“Aaron, ya comin’?” Pa’s deep voice called him.
“I’ve gotta go.” Aaron stepped back from Cora. “See you when it snows.”
~*~
Cora stood where Aaron left her while Mr. Reid’s fiddle sang in her memory. Five Starks as dark silhouettes moved toward the woods until the night swallowed them from her sight. All at once, the yard became dark and lonely with the only light coming from the new cabin. She turned and ran toward it. Tonight would be the first time in almost forever she’d sleep in a real house. One of the mattresses had been carried up the ladder to the loft room she’d share with Eliza.
Cora slipped on her warmest flannel nightgown before climbing into bed beside her younger sister. A candle burned on the floor beside her. Ben’s snores coming from the second loft room sounded loud.
“Did you have fun tonight, Cora?” Eliza’s soft voice came in a whisper.
Aaron’s dark, tousled hair and intense blue eyes filled Cora’s mind. She’d had more fun than she’d ever tell Eliza. “I suppose so. Why? Did you?”
“Oh, yes. More than ever before.” Eliza’s light brown eyes sparkled in the candle light. “How would you like to do something Rebekah told me about?”
�
�I don’t know. What is it?” Cora yawned. “Do we have to do it right now?”
“Yes, before we go to sleep. When you move into a new house, you name each corner of the room after a different boy. Then whichever corner you see first in the morning is the boy you’ll marry.”
Trust Eliza to come up with something silly. “All right. I’ll name them all George.”
“No, you can’t.” Eliza spoke aloud then whispered. “That’s cheating.”
Cora smiled. She might as well play along if she wanted to get any sleep. “All right. Starting in the corner behind us to our right is George, Aaron, Ralph, and Joshua.”
“Joshua Browning in Saint Louis? He’s shorter than I am.” Eliza snorted and clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, Cora, what if you see his corner first?”
“I won’t marry him even if I do. It’s just a game.”
“A game that might come true.” Eliza pointed at one corner and another as she named them. Mine are Henry, Bob, Aaron, and Ralph.”
Cora laughed. “Henry and Bob? And you think Joshua is a bad choice. Besides, why’d you say Aaron?”
“You said Ralph. And you shouldn’t care anyway since I didn’t say George.” Eliza frowned at Cora. “You’d better not see Ralph’s corner, either.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll turn away from that corner.” Cora turned her back to Eliza and blew out the candle.
Darkness brought silence until Eliza’s whisper reached Cora. “I think Ralph is the best looking boy I’ve ever seen and the most fun. Good night, Cora.”
“Night.” Cora lay staring into the dark while visions of Aaron and her dancing played through her mind. Ralph wasn’t the best looking man around. Maybe, if she wished hard enough, they’d get a big snow real soon.
Chapter 9
Cora opened her eyes to find Eliza sitting on the floor beside her.
“You’re not supposed to look at me!” Eliza frowned. “I can’t believe you did that.”
Cora laughed. “If you don’t want me looking at you, why are you sitting right in front of me?”
“I wanted to see which corner you saw first. Oh, Cora, now we’ll never know who you’re going to marry.”
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