Seven

In spite of his best efforts not to express vexation, Christopher slammed the door on the way into the kitchen after he arrived home. Instead of his usual crisp voice, Grandpa’s words sounded muddled.

He eyed his grandfather, sitting at the table and swallowing. “Sneaking a piece of pie?”

“Don’t tell your mother. She’s been trying to get me to cut back on desserts, but I won’t stand for it. I’ve lived this long without watching what I eat too close. I reckon the good Lord will see fit to let me live a few more years. And if He doesn’t, then I figure I’ll be with your grandma sooner than I thought.”

Grandpa shuffled to the sink pump and rinsed the dish, washing away evidence of apple pie crumbs. He turned to his grandson. “But you. Well, you’re young and another matter altogether. So why are you so angry?”

Christopher tried to think of a way to avoid admitting the truth. “Who says I’m angry?”

Grandpa wiped the plate with the dry dish towel and slid it into its proper place in the kitchen cabinet. “Look here, young man. I’ve known you since you were nothin’ but a little red thing squallin’ at the top of your lungs. I know when you’re mad. Besides, I slammed a door or two in my day myself.” He winked. “So does this have something to do with that sweet little Katherine and the competition from South Carolina she imported for you?”

“Competition? He’s no competition for me.”

“That bad, huh? Well, I know a thing or two about women. They haven’t changed all that much since I was a young buck. You’ve just got to get in there and show her what’s best for her, that’s all.” He shuffled to his seat, plopped down, and situated himself in comfort.

Christopher took a nearby chair. “And just how will I do that when I’ll be singing along with his piano playing?”

“Say what?” Grandpa twisted his index finger in his ear.

Christopher wasn’t sure whether to laugh or get even madder. He decided to take the middle road and keep his unwelcome emotions in check. “I got roped into performing with him at the talent show.” He relayed the rest of the story.

Grandpa thought for a moment. “Well, I’d normally observe that a situation like that would put him in a superior position. He could be tempted to flub-de-dub on the piano so you would stumble in your singing.”

“Oh.” Uneasiness visited Christopher’s stomach. Such a thought hadn’t occurred to him.

Grandpa lifted his forefinger to get Christopher’s attention. “But he won’t do that. Not with Katherine playing along with him. So I think you came out on top after all, my boy.”

Grandpa’s encouraging words gave Christopher pause to consider what other good could come out of the situation. “At least Otis won’t have Katherine all to himself.”

“True. Except when he is teaching her the piano duet.”

“Oh, yes. I hadn’t thought of that.” Christopher’s depression returned.

Grandpa winked. “But there’s not a thing in the world to stop you from being at every possible practice. So what if that means you might have to hurry through your chores. Skip supper, even. But maybe if she has to feed you, she’ll feel sorry for you and pay you more mind. That mothering instinct comes out real quick. It worked with your grandma.”

Christopher laughed. “That’s what you always say.”

“And you can believe it.”

“I don’t know how much mothering Katherine wants to do. I’m thinking I would have been better off if I had agreed to go along with her plan of deception.”

“Now wait just a minute here. It’s not Katherine’s plan of deception but Miranda’s. She’s the one who’s keeping the pressure on Katherine to make her keep on going along with this silly game.”

“You’re right. Katherine is not a deceiver at heart. And she never will be. She’s too good for that. Too kindhearted for her own good. Every time she tries to wiggle out of the ruse, Miranda cries. She makes Katherine feel really bad. It makes me mad just to think about it.”

“What do you think made Miranda decide to tell all those stories, anyway?”

Christopher thought for a moment. “I don’t know, but I have a feeling Miranda never thought Otis would make the journey all this way to see us. She thought she’d never get caught, I suppose.”

“I’ve seen Miranda in action. Now she doesn’t think I’m looking. She thinks I’m too old to notice or to be noticed. Maybe she’s got a point there.”

“Grandpa, that’s not so.”

The older man held up his hand. “Don’t you go arguing with me, son. I’m just saying that people say things in front of me they wouldn’t dare utter in front of their parents. And I’ve seen that Miranda friend of yours brag within an inch of her life. Gets carried away, she does. I suppose she can’t help it. Don’t know why she feels she has to brag so much, though. She’s a right pretty girl. Well off, too, judging from all the jewelry she likes to wear all the time. Guess she just wants attention. But to drag poor Katherine into it, that’s just wrong.”

“I know. And I wish she hadn’t,” Christopher said.

“Well, she’s trying to do a good turn for a friend, and I suppose I can’t fault her so much for that. But as for you, two wrongs don’t make a right. You’re doing the right thing not to be a part of a scheme. They’ll all learn. But I have a feeling they will have to learn the hard way.”

“As much as I don’t like this Otis guy. . .”

“Yep, I never much cared for competition either. He seems nice. Too nice.”

“That’s just it. I can’t find anything wrong with him. He’s charming. And there he is, right in her house. She doesn’t stand a chance.” Christopher sighed. “Maybe they should be together. Maybe I’m the one interfering in God’s plan.”

“I doubt it. Just be sure to be around when she falls. You only have a short time left before he has to go back to where he came from. Those days will pass much sooner than you think.”

Christopher remembered Otis’s hint that he’d like to remain in Maryland longer. “I don’t know. I’m afraid he’s taken such a liking to Katherine that he wants to extend his visit. What’s wrong with that man? He told Katherine he had a business to tend to. But I don’t see how he’ll get anything done playing around here forever. Doesn’t he ever do a lick of work in his sorry life? Of course,” Christopher ranted, “he’s using the excuse of the church people and the appeal of the countryside as reasons to stay longer, but I can see right through him. The snake.” He cut his glance to his older relative, who had always been his mentor. “Can you take a guess, Grandpa?”

He shrugged. “Maybe he’s independently wealthy.”

“Maybe so.” Christopher remembered the expensive-looking suit he wore to the gathering that night. “He certainly dresses in clothes that look like they were store bought. And not from just any store but a fancy city tailor.”

“Yes, I have to admit, Otis cuts a fine figure. But you look better than he ever could even when you’ve got on dungarees with pig slop all over ’em. Of course you do. You take after your old grandpa.” He wagged his forefinger. “Not that your mother was any slouch in her day, either. Don’t tell your father I said so, but she had quite a few offers before he came along and stole her heart.” Grandpa rocked his chair back on its hind legs. “But your daddy has made her happy, and they gave me and your grandma you and your brothers and your sister. I’ll always be grateful to him for that.” He nodded. “Yep, one day I hope you can look back on your life with as much satisfaction as I have in mine.”

“I’m not sure I will if Katherine decides to abandon me for Otis.”

“Maybe you should speak up now before she sets her mind for good.”

“Why bother? I can’t compete with Otis.”

“With that kind of attitude, you never will win at anything.” Grandpa’s frankness caused Christopher’s heart to skip a beat. “Unless all she wants is money. And you won’t be giving her a whole lot of that out here on the farm.”

“Maybe not, but she’ll always have plenty of fresh air and enough to eat. Besides, Katherine isn’t like that. Money never interested her. Sure, I know she wants enough so she won’t have to worry, but she never seems to care about fine things like some other women. Like Rosette Sims, for one.”

“The flirty little brunette who likes to wear her dresses a little lower than she should on top and a mite too short on the bottom?”

“Grandpa! I didn’t think you’d notice such things.”

“I might be old, but my vision’s still good.”

“As a matter of fact, she did come to mind. She always wears the most elaborate hats and too much jewelry for all occasions. Even more so than Miranda.”

“I see you’ve noticed her too, then.” Grandpa chuckled.

“I don’t mean to be prideful, but Rosette has sent interested glances my way more than once.” Christopher cleared his throat. “I’ve never paid her any mind.”

He knew why. He was still too much in love with Katherine.

❧

The evening of the harp solo arrived. Vera had planned the small gathering of friends as a way to entertain her sister who was still in her confinement, so she had asked the guests to bring dishes to share as well.

As Katherine crossed the threshold of the Sharpes’ kitchen, lap harp in hand, she couldn’t remember a time when she had felt more nervous. Well, maybe during the play in her senior year of high school, when she blanked out on her lines and had to ad lib, thereby adding new meaning to the word comical. Too bad the skit had been written as a drama.

“Are you ready, Katherine?” Vera greeted her. “You certainly look splendid enough to perform at a real theater!”

“Thanks.” She looked down at her dress. “So do you.”

Vera blushed. “Hardly. But thanks for the compliment.”

Otis entered behind Katherine, carrying a load of food. “Good evening, Miss Vera.”

She sent him a pleasant smile. “Good evening, Otis.”

“Pardon me for getting right to the point, but I confess this load is a bit heavy. Where shall I put all this food?”

“Over on the table in the dining room, if you’d be so kind. I’ll arrange it later.” She pointed to a table where other guests had already placed many succulent dishes.

“I’m surprised you couldn’t follow the aromas, Otis,” Katherine chided. “Everything smells so delicious, Vera. You must have prepared your famous chicken casserole.”

“Indeed I did.”

“And everything does smell scrumptious,” Otis agreed.

As he hurried to comply with Vera’s instructions, Katherine whispered to her friend, “I wish I felt as confident as you say I look.”

“You have no reason to fear.”

Katherine wasn’t so sure, and the anxiety in her voice betrayed her sentiments. “What will happen if I falter? I’ll look like a fool in front of Otis and Christopher. . . .” She shook the thought from her head.

“I wouldn’t worry if I were you. Most people don’t know enough about playing the harp to realize any mistakes.”

“I don’t know.”

“You have learned your song well. We certainly practiced enough!” Vera looked toward the door. “Besides, judging from the looks of what Otis brought in, you outdid yourself on the quantity of food. No doubt quality as well.”

“I hope so. I cooked all day. Cherry pie, nutmeg cake, vegetable salad, potato salad, even fried chicken. Otis did a lot of taste testing, and he approved all the dishes.”

“I can’t wait to try everything. Come, let’s go greet the others.”

Katherine nodded. She managed to relax as she talked to her old friends and got caught up with their lives. Though life moved slowly on the farm and proved predictable, she still enjoyed hearing about each person’s joys and mourned with each sorrow. She tried to make her way over to Christopher, but he spent most of the evening with the men, most likely talking about the latest market numbers and other details of running a farm. Though she found the talk fascinating, the men considered numbers and such more their domain, so she tried to look as though she wasn’t paying them much mind.

She caught Christopher’s eye once or twice, and he looked congenial enough, but he never did manage to finagle his way near enough to her to share a thought or two. Funny, she had missed him while he was away at school, but his chatty letters always kept her informed, so she didn’t think much about his expected absence at gatherings. Now that he was always in the same room, she realized how much her fondness for him had grown over the years. Too bad he considered her nothing more than a childhood friend.

Where did that thought come from?

“Why, Katherine,” Miranda noted, “if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were blushing.”

“You must really like Otis a lot,” Lily observed.

“He is nice enough.” Katherine didn’t want to be ebullient about her guest. Otherwise, her friends might get the wrong idea. On the other hand, she didn’t want to be too harsh. Why invent a failing just to show them that her heart refused to flutter when he entered the room?

“Maybe you’ll be moving to South Carolina before you know it,” Lily speculated.

“Now, now, let’s not jump to conclusions,” Katherine said. “I have no thought in my mind of making any such decision. Otis and I have become acquainted through the exchange of letters. That is all, and that is all I think it ever shall be.”

“He hasn’t hinted at more?” Miranda’s eyes were wide.

Katherine shrugged. For the first time, she wished Otis had flirted with her. Then she would have a story to share amid blushes and shy whispers. But as it was, she did not. She swallowed. “As I said, he is a kind houseguest. He will be returning to his home soon.”

“I see.” When Miranda turned her head to eye Otis, her pearl earrings dangled in stride. She fanned herself with a much higher degree of energy than the weather required.

Even Katherine had to admit he cut a fine figure in his tailored clothes.

“He is quite stylish,” Lily noted. “But he has nothing on my Wilbur.” She sent her fiancé a smile that caught his attention. He smiled back.

Katherine held back a chuckle. Only Lily would say that Wilbur appeared superior to Otis. She looked over at Christopher. He held his own against every man in the room. Every man she knew, for that matter. Even Otis.

“Well.” Vera approached from the kitchen and looked at the overburdened table. “It looks like everyone is here. I say it’s high time we ate.”

Alice’s husband offered grace, and they began.

Katherine wasn’t worried about dinner. She knew she could hold her own in cooking. For once, she felt relaxed and took time to relish the feeling as she sampled the dishes her friends had brought.

“This cherry pie is mighty good,” Christopher remarked later over dessert. “I’m told you made it?”

“Yes, I did. I’m glad you like it.”

“I sure do.” He grinned. “Your cooking certainly has improved since your teen years. I remember when you brought rock-hard biscuits to a church potluck dinner.”

She groaned. “Did you have to remind me?” Still, she cherished his memories. Christopher’s observation only brought to light the history they shared, something she never could have with Otis.

Seeming to sense her thoughts, Otis interjected from his perch on the other side of the divan, “Yes, this pie is wonderful, Katherine. I don’t remember a time I’ve tasted better. And Christopher, you must try the nutmeg cake, too. It’s absolutely splendid. I had the privilege of being with Katherine as she cooked, so I have already sampled every foodstuff she made. I can assure you, each dish is absolutely exquisite.”

“I’m sure.” Christopher didn’t look too happy.

“What amazes me, Miranda, is that you never told me about this particular skill. Frankly, I think cooking well is much more useful than being able to sing and dance. Much more practical, certainly.”

“Katherine is talented in a number of areas, as Miranda told you,” Christopher said. “Katherine is much too modest to boast about her skills and talents. Then again, I’ve known her a long time, and I am well aware of her many gifts.”

“Thank you,” Katherine said softly. Christopher’s kind words meant so much more than any flattery from Otis could have.

Dinner passed all too quickly. Wariness returned later as Katherine went before her friends. Since they were show-offs, the friends played and sang for each other to rousing applause. Miranda took the opportunity to sing an opera tune that impressed all, even Katherine. Upon the song’s completion, Otis clapped the loudest. Miranda curtsied several times to resounding applause.

“I know you brought that harp for a reason,” Christopher said to Katherine. “Let’s hear you play.”

“I agree!” Otis said. “She’s been practicing with Vera, and I haven’t heard her pluck the first note myself.

Katherine swallowed but obeyed their prodding and took her place in front of them.

Father in heaven, I know I don’t deserve Thy mercy, but I ask for Thee to stay with me as I perform tonight.

Once Katherine hit the first few notes, she remembered the rest of the song with ease. She even forgot she had an audience of almost everyone in the world she cared about, and as she plucked, she enjoyed listening to the music she created. She almost couldn’t believe it when the end of the piece was greeted by unstinting applause and smiles from her friends. She felt pleased and relieved. Vera had been right after all. Learning the song was much more rewarding than pretending to learn it. And her conscience was clear.

Father in heaven, I thank Thee for seeing me through.