Page 63 of A Late-Blooming Rose
With secret glee, Andre basked in the results of his meddling. He’d taken a risk, several risks in organizing today’s activities—the first being that Rose wouldn’t enjoy their outing, and the second that if she discovered the truth, she’d be upset with him, thinking he and Sam had lied to her.
When he’d written to the Flanigans of his plan, sent Sam off with the letter, and received their response, he’d merely hoped Rose would enjoy the company of the family and being away from the wedding commotion. But he’d had no idea how she’d quietly bloom in the warmth of these good-hearted people.
So far, this little trip is workingeven better than I could have hoped. Rose is interested in and comfortable with the Flanigans. We’ve found a welcome refuge here from society.
Trudy touched the cider jug on the table. “I’ll send some of these home with you.”
“That would be lovely,” Andre said, brought back into the conversation by her gesture. “I envy you your fruit trees.” He set down his mug. “We’ve planted some in the garden, but many years will pass before they bear fruit.”I probably won’t be alive to sample the results.He didn’t let the melancholy thought show on his face. “I’ll be glad to purchase several bushels of apples from you.” He scrunched his forehead, thinking. “Probably more than several. Better then buying from the mercantile, any day.”
“Certainly cheaper,” Trudy said, with a wry twist to her mouth. “Mrs. Cobb drives a hard bargain then turns around and sells our apples at quite a markup.”
Rose made a face. “Can you believe Mrs. Cobb told me she thought building a library is a waste of money? She thinks too much reading promotes idleness, and idle hands promote the Devil’s work. I must admit to being taken-aback by such sentiments.” She shook her head.
Except for Min, the Flanigans all stopped eating and looked at her with similar expressions of round-eyed horror. Even Sam and Jasper looked disturbed.
Andre hadn’t heard Mrs. Cobb’s opinion before, and he barely suppressed a growl. He didn’t much care what the woman said about the library, but he disliked how the shopkeeper was so rude to Rose. “Having a library will do much to promote literacy, educate, enlighten, and open new worlds to readers. Perhaps some of that will rub off on the Cobbs.”
“I doubt it,” Seth muttered with a shake of his head.
The adults laughed at the improbability of the Cobbs changing, and the rest of the meal passed with Andre and the Flanigans exchanging stories about the other inhabitants of Sweetwater Springs.
Rose, particularly, seemed to like hearing about the other mail-order brides, and to please her, Andre coaxed Trudy to tell them more. Being a gatherer of tales about the inhabitants of Sweetwater Springs, which he liked to horde and pass on, he’d already heard some of the stories, but he avidly added more to his collection.
When they finished, Rose offered to help with the dishes, but Trudy waved away the offer, telling Rose and Andre she’d take them to the attic. “We’ll leave the men and children to do the women’s work of cleaning up,” she said with a laugh.
Seth and Jasper didn’t look at all perturbed by having to do the tasks, and Andre supposed they were used to helping out in the kitchen.
Obediently, they folded their napkins and followed their hostess from the room.
Trudy led them up the staircase, pausing on the second-floor landing. She glanced at an open doorway. “The baby will be waking up any minute. If you hear Cliffie crying, pay him no mind. One of us will be up to get him. She climbed the steps to the attic and pushed open the door.
Andre ushered Rose upward before him, appreciating her feminine figure.
A large room took up the entire top floor, with a dormer window on each side, allowing in plenty of light. The space held the usual assortment of things found in an attic—trunks and crates, a dressmaker’s form, a broken-legged chair, some pieces of furniture that looked intact but wouldn’t fit in the already full rooms downstairs.
“I’ve been meaning to get up here to unpack and organize everything.” Trudy sighed. “I don’t even know what’s in some of the boxes. But we’ve been so busy I just figured I’ll work on it in the winter. Or one of these winters, anyway.”
“That’s understandable with taking care of your family and the farm,” Rose said. “We’re just grateful you’re willing to donate your books to the library.”
“You’re actually doing me a favor. I originally brought a lot of books when I moved out here.”
“Seth told us about storing them in the barn,” Rose commented.
“Yes, for several years, until we built this house. Then Seth made shelves in the parlor for our favorites and these here. That’s not all to the tale. Last year, my father passed away, and my stepmother didn’t want his remaining books, nor did my sisters. So out they came to me. As did other family items. Now this attic is far too full, and I want the space for the children to play in bad weather, as well as to put in a guest bed.”
“For times like this,” Rose said in a dry tone.
Trudy nodded. “Having the posse stay here, and then Dr. Angus and his two patients lingering for several more days, made me realize we needed space for company to sleep. Luckily, the attic is insulated, and with the money from my inheritance we added a radiator for heat. A bathroom on the second floor comes next. I can’t wait!”
Andre looked around with interest.
The long, low shelves of books tucked under the eaves and the piles stacked in front of them made his heart beat faster. He cocked an eyebrow and shot Rose a conspirator’s smile, knowing she’d share the same sense of treasure hunting.
We’ll certainly have plenty to do, which should keep us busy for today and tomorrow. Perfect for my plan.“Let’s get to work, shall we?”
* * *
The next day Rose, stood on the porch beside Andre and Sam and waved the Flanigans good-bye as they left for town, not at all sorry to miss the wedding. Then Sam, followed by the dog, went to help Jasper with the chores while Rose and Andre tackled more work in the attic.
