“Then they would agree to your leaving home—perhaps to work as a live-in housekeeper and cook? You do cook, don’t you?”
“Ya, I am good cook. Papa would agree. We need the extra money for the farm—to get another cow and some better tools.” She rubbed her fingers across a small stain on her skirt. “Could I come home to be with my family on Sundays?”
Macia didn’t know what her parents might say to that particular request, but she didn’t want to discourage Gerta. Besides, once her father talked to Gerta at length, Macia was confident he’d quickly agree to employ her. “I think that would likely be acceptable.”
Gerta beamed. “Is this position of housekeeper for you? Are you and Mr. Johnson to be wed?”
Macia shook her head vigorously. “No, we’re merely friends. My parents may need a new housekeeper. For the time being, however, I’d prefer you not mention this to anyone.”
“It’s a secret?” Her eyebrows furrowed into two thin question marks.
They heard men’s voices nearing the house.
“Yes,” Macia said quickly, “but I’ll send word to you as soon as possible. Promise you won’t say anything?”
Though her eyes were filled with confusion, Gerta agreed before the men entered the house. Macia nodded briefly in return, while what she wanted to do was squeal with excitement and skip to the buggy. Now to convince her father . . .
CHAPTER
13
Nicodemus , Kansas • Thanks giving Day , 1882
Truth’s feet hit the carpet on the bedroom floor early on Thanksgiving. Padding across the room, she glanced over her shoulder at Moses. He was sleeping soundly. The sight of him provided her with the extra layer of security she had longed for during his recent trip to Topeka. Rubbing her arms to ward off the chill, she peeked through the heavy bedroom drapes. A dull sliver of daylight danced upon the frosty ground and winked at her before she released the curtain and let it swing back into place. It was the dawning hour: that time of day when it seemed neither the moon nor the sun was in charge of the heavens. She sighed. Thankfully, yesterday’s gray skies and gusty winds had failed to produce the snowstorm
Moses had predicted. Today must be a special Thanksgiving, for who knew when the entire family would be together again. Truth wanted to believe they would be together for Christmas, but given all the recent surprises and changes in her life, she had quit surmising what the future would bring. Especially with Lilly’s persuasive nature added to the mix.
Lilly’s talk of walking the straight and narrow hadn’t fooled Truth. Lilly was still at her best when meddling in the lives of others. Hadn’t she already done so by flitting off to Topeka with Moses?
No. Stop thinking that way. This is to be a day filled with joy and laughter. Truth had invited her entire family to her home to celebrate the holiday, and she’d promised herself this day would not contain animosity or argument. Now she prayed she could keep her vow.
She slipped into an old navy blue skirt and cotton waist. Pappy and Grace had come into town yesterday and spent the night, and her father would be anxious for his breakfast. There would be sufficient time to change into her holiday finery once she and Grace had completed their cooking chores. While Moses and Lilly were in Topeka, she’d purchased fabric and made a new dress to accommodate her expanding waistline. Though it wasn’t particularly fancy, she’d added a fashionable standing collar and placed matching scarlet ribbons at the neck and down the sleeves. For a woman who had disliked sewing as a girl, she’d amazed herself with the final product. She doubted that even Jarena could fault her stitching.
The smell of coffee wafted down the hallway to greet her and she hastened her step. What kind of hostess remained abed and allowed her guests to prepare the morning coffee?
“Wondered when someone was gonna get up an’ fix some breakfast. I done set the coffee to boilin’.”
Truth startled at the sound of her father’s voice. He sat in the shadows on the far side of the kitchen, apparently ready for the day to begin. She lifted an iron skillet with one hand and waved it toward her father. “Bacon and eggs?”
“Um-hmm. Wouldn’t mind havin’ me some nice warm biscuits, too.”
Truth nibbled her bottom lip as she slid the skillet onto the stove. She’d have to move at top speed if she was going to make biscuits and prepare the pies before the kitchen filled with guests. Perhaps she should have baked the pies yesterday, but Moses liked his pies fresh and she wanted to please him. Especially since she’d not yet told him of her disagreement with Jarena.
Truth mixed the biscuit ingredients and then dropped the dough onto the pastry table. “While I’m rolling out the biscuits, would you knock on Grace’s bedroom door and see if she’s out of bed, Pappy? Tell her I could use her help.”
Her father nodded and shuffled toward the stairs while she cut several slices of bacon. Although Truth had invited her father and Grace to stay with them for a few nights surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, she’d excluded Jarena and her family. She knew Jarena wouldn’t accept; too much animosity remained between them. Besides, with Lilly in one of the guest rooms, the bedrooms were full.
The scent of the frying bacon made her stomach roil, and she swallowed hard as she stepped back. For some reason, the smell of meat continued to bring on bouts of nausea. The undulating bacon sizzled and popped, and the fatty edges slowly rippled and curled. They reminded her of the ruffled edging she’d sewn along the hem of her dress only days earlier.
Her father soon returned and helped himself to a cup of the strong-smelling coffee. Keeping a vigilant eye, he watched as Truth cut the dough into even rounds and dropped them into a square baking tin.
“Is Grace coming down soon?” Truth asked.
“Soon as she finishes her Bible readin’. That sho’ is one restful bed you got in that room I used last night. Slept like a baby.” He took a swallow of the coffee. “I woke Lilly up, too. Ain’t no reason she needs to be layin’ in bed. Tol’ her to get down here to the kitchen an’ lend a hand.”
Truth shuddered. She didn’t want Aunt Lilly parading around the kitchen and getting underfoot. Besides, she knew that the woman wouldn’t want to cream peas or peel potatoes, even if she did know how. Although Lilly knew how to stir up trouble, Truth doubted whether she’d stir up much of anything else this day. Maybe her aunt would roll over and go back to sleep.
Truth turned at the sound of footfalls on the stairs and smiled when she saw her twin. Not needing instruction, Grace immediately came alongside to assist her. The two of them worked in concert, knowing instinctively where the other would be. They moved about the kitchen with the precision of two synchronized timepieces—until Lilly entered the room. Then all activity shifted to chaos.
When she could take it no longer, Truth said, “Why don’t you sit down over there with Pappy. When I need some additional help, I’ll let you know, Aunt Lilly.”
Looking as if this was what she’d been planning all along, Lilly poured herself a cup of coffee and plopped into the chair opposite Ezekiel. She sliced a piece of the bread and smeared it with a dollop of apple butter. When she’d finished her breakfast, Lilly wiped the corner of her mouth and tapped one of her freshly painted fingernails on the table. “I assume you all want to hear the news from Topeka.”
Grace bobbed her head like an overwound bedspring, and Pappy pulled his chair a bit closer. Though Truth would have preferred hearing the news from Moses, she realized her father and Grace would be disappointed if they had to wait any longer.
Moses and Lilly hadn’t returned until late last evening, and though she’d asked her husband to tell her about their trip, he’d promised a full report in the morning. Now she wished she hadn’t agreed to the delay.
Lilly didn’t wait for any response from Truth before launching into the details of their journey. She announced the first order of business had been finding a house for Moses and Truth. “I must say that it’s good I was along, for I don’t even want to think wha
t Moses would have chosen without me.” She proceeded to vividly describe each of the houses they’d inspected. When she finished the litany, she filled her coffee cup and declared herself ready to tell them about the house she’d finally chosen for Truth. With a sultry chuckle, she mentioned there were sufficient bedrooms in case she decided to live with them.
A knock sounded at the front door, interrupting Lilly’s story.
“Don’ bother runnin’ out here to the door. We’s already let ourselves in.” Miss Hattie’s loud voice echoed down the hallway.
Though Truth had hoped none of her dinner guests would arrive this early, she was pleased for any interruption—even Miss Hattie. And where was Moses? Surely he couldn’t be sleeping through all of this noise and activity. Moments later, Miss Hattie trundled into the room, ordering Calvin to put her several pies and cakes in the pie safe.
Hattie lifted the rolling pin lying atop Truth’s worktable. “You ain’t gonna be needin’ to make no pies, gal. I done brought enough dessert to feed all of us for days.”
“She’s speaking the truth,” Calvin said as he began to unload the pies, “and she wouldn’t even let me have one piece with my supper last night.”
“Is Nellie with you?” Truth asked.
“Course she is, gal,” Miss Hattie answered. “She’s helpin’ the young’uns out of the wagon.”
Miss Hattie shooed Calvin from the kitchen, telling him to go help his wife, and then watched Grace work, hands on her hips. “You’s chopping them onions way too big. Move over and lemme show you how. What you doin’ sittin’ over there like you’s somethin’ special, Lilly? Plenty of work needin’ to be done.” She pointed to the pile of potatoes and a knife.
Miss Hattie had taken control of the kitchen. Truth and Grace exchanged a look of disgruntlement, for they knew there was nothing to be done except heed the old woman’s orders. Even Lilly picked up the knife and did as she’d been told. When Nellie joined them, Miss Hattie put her to work immediately, as well.
Truth wiped her hands on her apron and patted Miss Hattie on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you in charge, Miss Hattie. I’m going to check on Moses.”
The old woman raised her brows. “He ain’ here. We passed him in the hallway. He said to tell you he was going down to the office for an hour.” She chuckled loudly. “I tol’ him that was a good idea, ’cause he wasn’t comin’ in the kitchen and gettin’ in the way.”
Truth longed to take Miss Hattie to task for failing to deliver Moses’s message earlier, as well as for banning her husband from the kitchen. But she returned to peeling the yams without a word.
Miss Hattie glanced at Lilly while breaking up pieces of stale corn bread for the dressing. “I hear you’s movin’ to Topekee, Lilly. What kinda mischief you plannin’ to stir up there?”
Lilly slammed a lid on the pot of potatoes and skewered the old woman with a piercing glare. However, Miss Hattie was concentrating on her chopping and dicing, circumventing the effect of Lilly’s intended wrath.
“I’m going to open a new business, Miss Hattie.” The words hissed from between Lilly’s teeth.
Hattie swiped the back of one hand across her forehead. “I’s almost afeared to ask what kinda business.”
“A millinery shop that will also offer jewelry and other ladies’ accessories.”
Miss Hattie looked heavenward. “You’d know ’bout them fancy things, so I s’pose you done made a good choice.”
“Why thank you! I was concerned you wouldn’t approve.” Sarcasm dripped from Lilly’s words like honey sliding off a hot biscuit. The words were directed at Miss Hattie, but Lilly’s attention was focused on the kitchen door. Her scowl disappeared when Jarena and young Jennie arrived at the kitchen doorway. “Jarena and Jennie! How wonderful to see you.” Her green-striped dress swished softly across the floor as she hastened to embrace them.
Lilly led Jarena to the kitchen table, where she delightedly boasted of the brilliant contract she’d negotiated for her shop while in Topeka.
Truth was sure if the woman puffed up any more, the green and white buttons would burst from her dress.
“And are your rooms above the shop?” Truth asked. Knowing where Lilly planned to live was far more important to Truth than the bargain her aunt had struck for the purchase of the building.
Lilly arched her brows ever so slightly. “There’s an unfinished second floor. I’ll stay with you and Moses until I can have it made into a suitable living space.”
Truth gave her a hard stare. Lilly hadn’t asked if she could live with them. Instead, she’d made the pronouncement as though her presence would be welcomed.
Jarena placed Jennie on Lilly’s lap and crossed the kitchen at a hurried pace. She lightly grasped Truth’s arm. “There’s a matter I’d like to discuss with you in private if you have a moment.”
What Truth really wanted to do was to tell Aunt Lilly she couldn’t live with them in Topeka, but instead Truth motioned for her sister to follow and led her upstairs to the master bedroom.
After closing the door behind them, Truth turned on her heel. “We’d better talk fast. I have a meal to prepare.”
Jarena loosened the ribbon that circled the neckline of her dress.
“I realize we aren’t in agreement regarding several issues right now, some of them influenced by Lilly’s return.”
“All of them influenced by Lilly’s return would be a more correct statement. What is it you want to discuss?”
Sitting down on a chair near the window, Jarena glanced outdoors. “Since Lilly is going to be living in Topeka, I had hoped to stop you from saying something you might later regret. There is no doubt you’ll be living in close proximity, and it would be best if you started out in good stead rather than with anger between you.”
“It’s good of you to show your concern, Jarena. But perhaps you should direct your advice to Lilly—you two appear to have established a solidarity that no longer exists between us.”
“I know you’re angry, Truth, but it’s not my fault you’re being forced to move away from Nicodemus. Moses—”
Truth halted her by putting her arm out straight, palm facing her sister. “I don’t need you to explain what has happened or who has caused my difficulties. Suffice it to say that you’ve contributed your share, though I doubt I’ll ever hear such an admission from you.
However, the last thing I want is your advice regarding Aunt Lilly. I don’t want her living in Topeka, and I certainly don’t want her living in my house.”
“But Truth, she can be a help to you, if you’ll only give her a chance. I believe she’s made great changes since we last saw her. And she’s found you what sounds like a very lovely house. It wasn’t even for rent, yet she convinced the owner to sign a year-long contract renting it to Moses.”
“Apparently you know more about where I’m going to live than I do. I suppose you already know the number of rooms and amount of furniture needed to fill them.” Truth strode across the room and gripped the doorknob. “And for your information, I would guess the rental agreement had more to do with Moses and his position in state government than with anything Aunt Lilly did or said.”
“Please, Truth—just give her a chance. I don’t know why you’re so angry. You could have gone along to Topeka, but you chose to remain at home.”
Slamming the door behind her, Truth hurried downstairs, with her sister’s comments following her like a bloodhound on the trail of a strong scent. I don’t care how angry they make me, I’m not telling them why I chose to stay home.
As she descended the final stair, the front door opened. Truth heaved a sigh of relief when she saw her husband walk in. Before Moses could say a word, she took her cloak from a carved hook in the entryway and steered him back outdoors.
“Trying to take me captive or merely attempting to escape the Thanksgiving preparations?” His soft brown eyes twinkled.
Truth quelled his grin with a chiseled scowl. “Move over here, away from the windo
ws.” She pulled him along to a spot on the far side of the porch. “I don’t want anyone listening to our conversation.”
His forehead creased with narrow wrinkles. “The windows are closed, Truth. No one can hear us.”
“You’d be surprised what people can accomplish when they’re determined. Aunt Lilly is proof of that. I understand she’s secured quite a bargain for our living quarters, made an excellent deal on the purchase of a building for her new business, and will be living with us.” Truth folded her arms across her chest and jutted her chin—fair warning that she’d heard all that had occurred in Topeka and wasn’t happy about it.
“I don’t believe standing out here in the cold on Thanksgiving Day is the time or place to discuss any of these matters. Let’s—”
“When is the proper time, Moses? You asked me to wait until morning to hear about your trip, and so I waited. Then this morning you departed without even telling me farewell, and now I find that Jarena knows more about my future than I do.”
“I can’t change what’s already happened. If it will salve your disappointment, we can go into my library and I’ll tell you all that occurred.” He gently held her chin between his index finger and thumb and leaned toward her. “You could have gone with me; then you would have been able to tell all the news instead of Lilly.”
As they gathered around the table and bowed their heads in prayer, Truth felt her shoulders droop. She had vowed this would be a day without harsh words or petty arguments. She had failed. Instead of harmony, discord abounded with both her sister and her husband. And though Moses’s soothing words of encouragement in the library had temporarily eased her pain, she remained unhappy. News of the house-hunting journey should have come to her first—not Jarena. Jarena, who now favored Lilly above her sisters. Jarena, who wanted her to give Lilly a chance. Jarena, who now refused to care for their house in Nicodemus. Truth had failed to mention that particular fact to Moses during their private conversation. He would find out soon enough.
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