barn, sheâd been careful to school her expression, not wanting him to read anything into her words or actions. Sheâd tried to look cool and unconcerned, as if the night theyâd shared had never happened.
âYou two will have to excuse me.â Weary amusement turned up the corners of his mouth and Rorie realized heâd readily seen through her guise.
âOf course,â Kate said. âIâll see you later, sweetheart.â
Clay nodded abruptly and departed with firm purposeful strides.
Kate started walking toward the yard. Rorie followed, eager to escape the barn and all the memories associated with it.
âClay told us youâre a librarian,â Kate said when she reached the Ford parked in the curving driveway. âIf you want, I can take you to our library. We built a new one last year and weâre rather proud of it. I know itâs small compared to where you probably work, but I think youâll like what weâve done.â
âIâd love to see it.â Libraries were often the heart of a community, and if the citizens of Nightingale had seen fit to upgrade theirs, it was apparent they shared Rorieâs love of books.
âIâll pick you up around ten tomorrow, if thatâs convenient?â
âThatâd be fine.â
âPlan on spending the afternoon with me and weâll meet Clay and Skip at the dance later.â
Rorie agreed, although her enthusiasm was decidedly low. The last thing she wanted was to be at some social event with Clay. Never mind how Dan would tease her if he ever discovered sheâd spent part of her vacation square dancing with the folks at the Grange.
âBye for now,â Kate said.
âBye,â Rorie murmured, waving. She stood in the yard until Kateâs car was out of sight. Not sure what else to do, she wandered back into the house, where Mary was busy with preparations for lunch.
âCan I help?â she asked.
In response, Mary scurried to a drawer and once again handed her a peeler. Rorie started carefully whittling away at a firm red apple sheâd scooped from a large bowlful of them.
âI donât suppose you know anything about cooking?â Mary demanded, pointing her own peeler at Rorie.
âIâve managed to keep from starving for the last few years,â she retorted idly.
The merest hint of amusement flashed into the older womanâs weathered face. âIf I was judging your talents in the kitchen on looks alone, I think youâd starve a man to death within a week.â
Despite her glum spirits, Rorie laughed. âIf youâre telling me you think Iâm thin, watch out, Mary, because Iâm likely to throw my arms around your neck and kiss you.â
The other woman threw her a grin. Several peaceful minutes passed while they peeled apple after apple.
âI got a call from my sister,â Mary said hesitantly, her eyes darting to Rorie, then back to her task. âShe âs coming to Riversdale and wants to know if I can drive over and see her. Sheâs only going to be in Oregon one day.â
This was the most Mary had said to Rorie since her arrival. It pleased her that the older woman was lowering her guard and extending a friendly hand.
âIâd like to visit with my sister.â
âI certainly think you should.â It took Rorie another minute to figure out where Mary was heading with this meandering conversation. Then suddenly she understood. âOh, youâre looking for someone to do the cooking while youâre away.â
Mary shrugged as if it didnât concern her one way or the other. âJust for the evening meal, two nights from now. I could manage lunch for the hands before I leave. Itâs supper Iâm worried about. Thereâs only Clay and Skip who need to be fedâthe other men go home in the evenings.â
âWell, relax, because Iâm sure I can manage one dinner without
Philippa Ballantine, Tee Morris