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Authors: Judith Miller
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for home. Likely she wanted assurance nothing would be reported to Jeb.
When they heard Fern’s footsteps retreating down the back stairs, Lucy carefully fingered the pieces of broken porcelain. Tears glistened in her eyes and then slowly trailed down her cheeks. “Why does she have to be so mean?” The words were a mere whisper.
Macia opened her arms and Lucy leaned into her embrace. “Don’t you worry, dear. I can find you another piece of chinaware every bit as pretty as that one.”
Lucy sniffed. “She doesn’t like me, Macia. She wants Jeb, but she doesn’t want me. After they’re married, I’m afraid she’ll be unkind to me all the time. Then what shall I do?”
Lucy once again rested her head against Macia’s shoulder, her thin frame wracked with hiccoughs as she wept. The girl’s fresh tears dampened the shoulder of Macia’s shirtwaist, and she pulled Lucy closer. She longed to say or do something to relieve the girl’s pain and fear. But for the moment, it seemed what Lucy needed most was the warmth of an embrace and the knowledge that someone truly cared about her.
Reaching up, Macia stroked Lucy’s flaxen hair. “You will always be welcome wherever I am, Lucy, and you know that Jeb loves you more than anyone in the world. He would never let anybody hurt you.” It was true. Jeb had cared for Lucy ever since their parents had died. He would do anything to protect his little sister.
Lucy drew in a shaky breath and released Macia from her hold. Pulling a handkerchief from her pocket, Macia tenderly wiped Lucy’s face and then tucked an errant strand of hair behind one ear.
“I’d best get home before Jeb begins to worry.”
Lucy’s voice warbled as she spoke, and Macia hastened to lighten the mood before fresh tears began to flow. “Let me gather your gifts together. I believe I have a small basket you can borrow to carry them.” Macia patted the girl’s shoulder. “It will give you an excuse to return for another visit.”
Lucy’s lower lip trembled. “I’ll try to come back when Fern isn’t here.”
Macia placed a light kiss on the girl’s cheek and reminded her of Fern’s earlier admonition. “Best you stop by the kitchen on your way out of the house. Fern’s expecting you. It will only make matters more difficult if you slight her.”
A short time later, she heard the familiar bang and click of the front door as it closed. Her thoughts wandered back to her earlier discussion with Mrs. Johnson. Even if the German girl wanted to accept a position as their housekeeper, she must still locate work for Fern. This could prove nearly impossible, yet she wouldn’t give up hope. She opened the door of her bedroom closet, one of the delightful concessions her father had granted when they’d built their new house. Macia hadn’t wanted her gowns stuffed into wardrobes or hanging on pegs gathering dust. Her fingers trailed across the various fabrics until she reached the pale green silk dress. Pushing aside the gown on either side, she removed it from the closet, gave it a vigorous shake, and spread it upon her bed. Velvet tucks covered with beige lace lined the bodice and gave the dress a special look that she particularly liked. Just today Garrett had selected the dark green silk fabric at his aunt’s store, so perhaps he would think this gown comely. She would wear it for their supper engagement this evening.
After giving the gown one final look of approval, Macia peeked in on her mother. The older woman’s soft snores were evidence Macia would not be taking tea with her mother this afternoon. Careful to avoid the squeaky floorboard outside her parents’ bedroom, she softly closed the door. It might be a good idea to pay a visit to her brother at the newspaper office. Harvey might know someone who had need of a housekeeper. Fern was a good worker, even if she was no longer a good choice for their household—at least not so far as Macia was concerned.
Stopping by her room,
When they heard Fern’s footsteps retreating down the back stairs, Lucy carefully fingered the pieces of broken porcelain. Tears glistened in her eyes and then slowly trailed down her cheeks. “Why does she have to be so mean?” The words were a mere whisper.
Macia opened her arms and Lucy leaned into her embrace. “Don’t you worry, dear. I can find you another piece of chinaware every bit as pretty as that one.”
Lucy sniffed. “She doesn’t like me, Macia. She wants Jeb, but she doesn’t want me. After they’re married, I’m afraid she’ll be unkind to me all the time. Then what shall I do?”
Lucy once again rested her head against Macia’s shoulder, her thin frame wracked with hiccoughs as she wept. The girl’s fresh tears dampened the shoulder of Macia’s shirtwaist, and she pulled Lucy closer. She longed to say or do something to relieve the girl’s pain and fear. But for the moment, it seemed what Lucy needed most was the warmth of an embrace and the knowledge that someone truly cared about her.
Reaching up, Macia stroked Lucy’s flaxen hair. “You will always be welcome wherever I am, Lucy, and you know that Jeb loves you more than anyone in the world. He would never let anybody hurt you.” It was true. Jeb had cared for Lucy ever since their parents had died. He would do anything to protect his little sister.
Lucy drew in a shaky breath and released Macia from her hold. Pulling a handkerchief from her pocket, Macia tenderly wiped Lucy’s face and then tucked an errant strand of hair behind one ear.
“I’d best get home before Jeb begins to worry.”
Lucy’s voice warbled as she spoke, and Macia hastened to lighten the mood before fresh tears began to flow. “Let me gather your gifts together. I believe I have a small basket you can borrow to carry them.” Macia patted the girl’s shoulder. “It will give you an excuse to return for another visit.”
Lucy’s lower lip trembled. “I’ll try to come back when Fern isn’t here.”
Macia placed a light kiss on the girl’s cheek and reminded her of Fern’s earlier admonition. “Best you stop by the kitchen on your way out of the house. Fern’s expecting you. It will only make matters more difficult if you slight her.”
A short time later, she heard the familiar bang and click of the front door as it closed. Her thoughts wandered back to her earlier discussion with Mrs. Johnson. Even if the German girl wanted to accept a position as their housekeeper, she must still locate work for Fern. This could prove nearly impossible, yet she wouldn’t give up hope. She opened the door of her bedroom closet, one of the delightful concessions her father had granted when they’d built their new house. Macia hadn’t wanted her gowns stuffed into wardrobes or hanging on pegs gathering dust. Her fingers trailed across the various fabrics until she reached the pale green silk dress. Pushing aside the gown on either side, she removed it from the closet, gave it a vigorous shake, and spread it upon her bed. Velvet tucks covered with beige lace lined the bodice and gave the dress a special look that she particularly liked. Just today Garrett had selected the dark green silk fabric at his aunt’s store, so perhaps he would think this gown comely. She would wear it for their supper engagement this evening.
After giving the gown one final look of approval, Macia peeked in on her mother. The older woman’s soft snores were evidence Macia would not be taking tea with her mother this afternoon. Careful to avoid the squeaky floorboard outside her parents’ bedroom, she softly closed the door. It might be a good idea to pay a visit to her brother at the newspaper office. Harvey might know someone who had need of a housekeeper. Fern was a good worker, even if she was no longer a good choice for their household—at least not so far as Macia was concerned.
Stopping by her room,
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