Chapter 5 #3
She laughed. “I do. We all enjoyed Swiss Family Robinson, but Goody Two-Shoes was a favorite of mine. I asked to have it read over and over.” She turned to him, her eyes brimming with warmth.
“It’s a fable about Goody Two-Shoes, the nickname of a poor orphan Margery Meanwell, who has only one shoe.
When a rich man gives her a complete pair, she is so happy that she tells everyone that she has ‘two shoes.’ Later, she becomes a teacher and marries a rich widower.
” A sigh breathed from Amelia’s churning insides.
“She had such a happy-ever-after ending.” Her throat clogged, so she couldn’t continue.
Amelia Pressly had led a good life. Didn’t she deserve her own happy ending?
But she would settle for Poppy’s acceptance and security for them both. Something she’d thought to find here with Zach and his family.
To divert herself, she knelt amongst the flowers, admiring them one by one.
In the time it took to do so, the sunset streaked the sky with a riot of colors. At length, she pushed to her feet.
Zach sat on the slope, watching her.
“We need to get back.” She crossed to his side. She’d lingered too long and enjoyed the time far too much. She couldn’t be building dreams in the clouds here. They must be saved for the Dakota farmer, should he be interested.
They fell into step as they returned to the house. She thanked Kat for watching Poppy.
“Gil and Pa have both gone to bed.” Kat yawned.
“Thanks, Kat.” She patted the girl on the shoulder, knowing from the way Kat leaned toward her that she longed for loving touches.
Amelia would gladly give them for the time she was there.
Then what? Kat would have to grow up the same way Amelia had without a father’s or mother’s hugs.
Regret and wishes twisted together into a knot in the pit of Amelia’s stomach.
Though Grandmother had done her best, she was not affectionate.
Just do what needed to be done. Her pragmatic ways served Amelia well after Callie arrived and the baby was born.
“Girl, you need to take the child where people don’t know the circumstances of her birth.” She’d thrust a copy of Matrimonial News into Amelia’s hands. “I suggest you consider this. Marry someone who has never seen you, nor your friendship with Miss Callie.”
The advice had seemed wise at the time, although it was born out of desperation. There was no hiding the truth back in Righteous.
However, the home she’d expected here was not to be.
“Good night,” she murmured and fled up the stairs before the tears pushing at her eyelids could escape.
In her bedroom, she sank to the edge of the bed and took slow, deep breaths.
Life wasn’t easy. No one had promised it would be.
She found the Bible Grandmother had given her for Christmas the year she turned sixteen and opened it to the story of Joseph. All sorts of bad things happened to him, yet the Scriptures said the Lord was with Joseph.
“The Lord is with me, too. I will trust Him to bring me to a place of permanency for Poppy and me.”
The next day was Friday. Zach left right after breakfast. She expected he would be gone all day. Determined that when she left, he, Pa, Gil, and Kat would notice her absence, she set to work cleaning.
She finished the sitting room, thankful Gil had at least emptied the bucket of dirty water yesterday. Speaking of Gil, he’d gone to the bunkhouse after breakfast. One could wish it wasn’t in search of a bottle. Having no intention of trespassing into his quarters, she’d have to wait and see.
In one of the letters she’d received, the author had mentioned Zach’s fondness for a certain boiled raisin cake that Gil didn’t make.
The author had sent the recipe, saying he’d copied it from his ma’s notes.
She’d made it several times in anticipation of making it for him.
Her plans had been to do it as his wife and to earn gratitude that he would express with a kiss and maybe by sweeping her into a big hug.
Her cheeks burned at how wild her dreams had been.
How far removed reality was from her dreams.
However, she still intended to surprise Zach, and it was perfect timing with Gil missing.
She mixed up the ingredients and put the cake into the oven to bake. The scent of cinnamon and cloves drifted through the air.
Kat wandered into the kitchen as if drawn by the aroma. “Smells good. Whatcha making?”
“Boiled raisin cake.” She waited for Kat’s reaction and wasn’t disappointed.
The girl blinked, stared hard at Amelia, then jerked away, but not before Amelia caught the glisten of tears.
She longed to hug Kat, but she’d have to bide her time, or Kat would withdraw into herself.
“Ma used to make a boiled raisin cake.”
“Did you like it?”
“It was my favorite. Zach’s too. And Pa’s.” Kat brought her gaze back to Amelia. “Funny that you decided to make it.” She narrowed her eyes. “Bet it’s not as good as Ma used to make.”
“I wouldn’t expect it would be.”
Kat’s expression hardened. “Why not?”
“Because your mother made the cake with love. Love for you and Zach and your father. That makes all the difference.” Amelia touched Kat’s elbow and felt her shudder. “But perhaps I can offer it as a memory of her love.”
Kat shuddered again, then bolted for the door.
No. Life wasn’t easy. People playing cruel tricks made it even harder.
Amelia blinked back tears, determined not to think about her disappointment nor all the people she’d had to say goodbye to, either through death or departure. She would not mourn Debra, who was still alive but gone so far away.