Read Online Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan - Free Book Online Page A

it to Greta, then reached for the bread.
    Catharine waited until there was a lull in the conversation, then asked, “Peter, do you think you could make out a list tonight of certain chores you could assign to us?” She filled his water glass again.
    Peter blotted his mouth before answering. “Well . . . let’s see now, there’s milking to be done, meals to prepare, taking care of the house and laundry, gardening, cleaning the stables, caring for the livestock, wheat harvest—” He paused when Catharine squirmed in her chair. “But we can divide some of the chores between you three. I’ll be in charge of taking care of the wheat since it’s already planted, but I may need some help with that later on.”
    “Well, I was counting on finding a job soon, but there’s more than enough work around here,” Greta said.
    “Are you ever going to hire some help for the house?” Anna asked innocently.
    “Anna!” Catharine snapped. “I believe that will be left up to me and Peter.”
    “To tell you the truth, my mother had some help when she lived here, but I’ve not felt the need to. I’m sorry if that disappoints all of you.” Peter’s jaw tightened, causing his mustache to flatten across his upper lip.
    Catharine straightened her shoulders and passed the bread around. “We’ll be fine, Peter, but there may be a few things you’ll have to teach us.”
    “Nothing I do around here is hard to learn, really. Anything you want to know, just ask, and I’ll be more than happy to show you how it’s done.” He shoved his chair back. “I’d better get on back to work. I’m going to ride out to the fields and make sure there’s no break in the fence line. I’ll be back by supper. Thanks for lunch.” He clapped his hat back on but stopped when he got to the back door and came back to kiss Catharine on the top of her head. “By the way, there’s meat hanging out in the smokehouse that you can cook or make a stew with. It’s up to you. See you ladies later.” Then he was gone.
    “If I only knew how . . .” Catharine muttered, then she turned to face Anna, placing her hands on her hips. “You are so lucky to have a home and food in your belly! We need to do what we can here to show our gratefulness!” Catharine’s voice rose in irritation. “Anna, why would you have the nerve to ask for help? There are three of us and we will make do!”
    Anna’s lips trembled. “But we’ve always had servants. I should think you’d want them since you know absolutely nothing about farming.”
    Greta smothered a laugh, and Catharine faced her with a look of displeasure. “How do you intend to do all those things he listed?” Greta asked.
    Anna slipped in the middle of her sisters, her hands out to each side. “Please, let’s not argue, sisters. We can split the list. I could help Peter with the livestock.”
    Catharine nodded. “ Ja . That’s the attitude that I’m looking for, Anna.” She gave her a pat on the cheek. Anna was a nature lover, and she’d naturally want to do anything that wasn’t related to being indoors.
    Greta harrumphed. “You may say that now, but when winter settles in, you won’t be so compliant, little sister.”
    Anna stuck her tongue out at Greta. “Catharine, is it all right if I take my pencils and go do some sketching this afternoon before you list our assignments?” she asked, smiling up at Catharine.
    Catharine noted the enthusiasm in Anna’s eyes. Youth and innocence were a dear thing. “Yes, you may. But first let’s open the packages that Peter bought for us and see what he thought we needed so badly in order to work on the farm.”
    “They’re right here where he left them.” Greta grumbled under her breath as she picked up the brown paper packages on the counter, then placed them on the kitchen table. Catharine found the scissors in a kitchen drawer, and Greta quickly cut the string on the packages.
    Complete silence followed as the three of them stared down.