Read Online Bending Toward the Sun by Mona Hodgson - Free Book Online Page B

coffee.
    “I found it puzzling. At first, he looked happy to see me. Then he glanced this way and made an excuse to take his leave in haste.”
    Studying his plate, PaPa moved the food around with his fork.
    “PaPa?”
    He raised his head.
    With PaPa feeling better today, there was no reason not to ask him if he’d said something to Quaid while they unloaded the wagon. “What did you say to Quaid?”
    He straightened in his chair. “I told him you were completing your education.”
    “Did you forbid him to see me?”
    “No.”
    Emilie crossed and uncrossed her arms, refusing to look away.
    “I asked him not to encourage your affections.”
    She gripped the seat of her chair. “How could you?”
    “It’s my duty to protect you.”
    She leaned on the table. “And what will become of me when you’re gone? Will I be trusted then to know what is best for me? And what of God, that you need to do His job?”
    Her hands shook. She’d never spoken to her father that way. Why wasn’t he yelling at her, defending his right to choose her companions? At the very least she expected a hefty scolding for disrespecting her elder. But he didn’t have to reprimand her.
    The knots in her insides were discipline enough for speaking to him in such an insolent manner.
    She looked across the table. PaPa sat still, his hands cupping his coffee mug. “I’m sorry, PaPa. I know I’m all you have.”
    Sadness rimmed his eyes.
    Emilie wiped her mouth with her napkin. “It’s good this happened.” She made a show of smoothing the napkin over her lap. “Anyone who could give up on me so easily isn’t a true friend, after all. Quaid’s avoidance of me is a sure sign he didn’t care about me in the first place.”

Eleven
    T he new lumber still lay in the wagon as Quaid carried two cups of coffee to his father’s office. Quaid had been greasing hubs ever since his return from the lumber mill. He didn’t trust himself with a saw right now.
    He stepped through the open door. His father sat at his desk, bent over a ledger. “You’ve been chewin’ on the bookwork all afternoon?”
    Chuckling, Father waved him toward the desk. “Mostly. I’m hoping one of your sisters’ll take to working sums. And soon.”
    He remembered that Emilie did her father’s bookwork. There wasn’t much lately that didn’t bring her to mind. Quaid set a cup at his father’s right hand. “Thought coffee might help.”
    “Might not help with the numbers, but it’ll warm me insides.” Smiling, Father nodded for Quaid to sit across from him.
    “You’re a hard worker, Son. Glad you came back to be part of the business.”
    “Thank you. I’m enjoying makin’ the rounds and catchin’ up with everybody.”
    Father lowered his cup. “I’m proud of you.”
    Quaid swallowed the lump of emotion forming in his throat. “What for?”
    “For one, letting me make the deliveries to Heinrich’s. I’m proud of you for honoring his request, even though it’s a difficult one.”
    “I saw Emilie in town today.”
    “Aaah.” Father sat straight.
    Quaid gulped strong coffee. “I greeted her and her friends, then made an excuse to leave. One of the hardest things I’ve had to do.”
    “I can’t think of one thing worth havin’ that’s easy to come by. Not freedom. Not land. Not love.” He rested his forearms on the desk. “If that’s what you’re feelin’.”
    “Emilie makes me smile more than I ever did. It hurts not to be able to spend time with her.”
    Father looked past him and stood. “Miss Heinrich.”
    Quaid rose from the chair, nearly upsetting it. Emilie stood in the doorway dressed like an angel in a dress the color of peaches and cream. A dainty reticule hung from her gloved wrist.
    “Mr. McFarland. Please forgive my intrusion … I need to speak to your son.”
    “Of course.” Holding his coffee mug, Father made a quick exit, pulling the door shut behind him.
    Emilie looked at her gloved hands.
    “This isn’t a comfortable