Page 376 of Conveniently Wed
“For heaven’s sakes, is there ever a moment when you do as I say and don’t argue with me?” She threw up her hands. “Go.”
Katie dropped a half-peeled potato into the basin and huffed out a deep breath. She wiped her hands on her apron and headed for the only room with privacy.
“And change out of that old work dress. I’ll bring your Sunday?—”
“Mr. Richardson saw me on the porch when he arrived.” She faced her mother. “If my dress was good enough then, surely it’s good enough now.” She slipped into the bedroom before Ma could say another word.
After she’d fixed her bun, Katie returned to the kitchen, where Ma and Aunt May stood side by side at the sink snapping off the ends of fresh beans. Little Gracie and their second-youngest sister, Lucinda, were running around in a game of tag with their youngest cousins, Jacob and Nathan. Jeanette—the middle daughter—sat in a chair with her nose buried in a book she had read many times over, and fourteen-year-old Amelia was surrounded by material draped over the kitchen table. She had her ears covered with both hands.
“Ma, can’t these kids play outside?” Amelia said. When Ma didn’t answer or even indicate that she’d heard, Amelia threw her hands in the air. “I’m trying to concentrate on my sewing, and there’s so much noise.” She sent Katie a look that pleaded for help.
Katie nodded and moved closer to get Ma’s attention.
“We can’t live here much longer.” Ma kept her voice in a low murmur as she spoke to Aunt May. “We’ve imposed upon your family enough. This house barely fit the four of you without adding the seven of us, and now that you have another young’in on the way?—"
“God will provide, Doris. Maybe, just maybe, provision sits on our front porch as we speak.”
“What does that mean?” Katie asked.
They jumped apart and whirled around.
The light of excitement in Aunt May’s eyes faded. “Katie girl, you scared us sneaking up like that.” Her forced laughter filled the room. “You always did have the stealth of an Indian brave.”
“I don’t need stealth in this chaos. Can’t the kids play outside?”
“We’re trying to keep the noise contained while the men talk.” She motioned toward the counter. “The tray is ready to go. Could you be a dear and take that out?”
Katie frowned, but picked up the tray. Maybe she could rush in and out without notice. She swung open the screen with her head high and a charge in her steps. Unfortunately, she miscalculated the weight of the door and it crashed against the house before slamming shut. Not exactly the invisible presence she planned to project.
Pa and Mr. Richardson stopped talking. She could feel their eyes upon her, though she refused to look up. She set the tray gingerly on the small table between them.
“Thank you, Katherine,” Mr. Richardson said.
She chanced a look his way, and he boldly captured her attention with a full smile that showed off a row of straight white teeth.
Propriety demanded she answer. “You are most welcome, Mr. Richardson.” She forced a slight upward curve to her lips.
“Can you pour us each a cup, Katie girl?” Pa asked.
This was something she had done a thousand times before, yet a fluster pressed in. She lifted the pot and spilled a bit of the first pour onto the saucer. She gave that one to Pa, hoping Mr. Richardson hadn’t noticed. One sideward glance told her his eyes were still pinned on her.
Determination held her steady as she poured and passed the second cup. Their hands brushed, and the slightly rough skin ofhis work-worn fingers felt far too intimate. She pulled away as if she had touched hot coals and started for the door.
“Come sit with us for a few minutes,” Pa said.
She kept walking. “I have to help Ma with supper. You know how she is when I shirk my work.” She slipped inside before he could protest.
Soaking in the safety of the cabin, she blew out a deep breath as the door slammed on its hinges behind her. There was something about Mr. Richardson’s familiarity that unnerved her. Not to mention the breadth of his wide shoulders over his thick, barrel chest. He was tall. And big.
Too big.
Ma and Aunt May were huddled together in the far corner of the kitchen area as close as an apple to its skin. They stopped their chatter as she reappeared, and Aunt May moved toward her.
“I think you have an admirer, Katie,” Aunt May said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Katie’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious. He’s almost as old as Pa.”
“Don’t look so surprised, girl,” Ma said. “Why, with your comely looks, what man wouldn’t be interested?”
