Luke raised the shades and opened the door to let people know the store was now open for the day. Another wonderful Sunday had come and gone. Again he’d sat next to Dove in Sunday school. Better yet, Sarah’s plans had worked out, and they’d enjoyed a wonderful Sunday dinner at her home. Sarah’s family proved to be just as talkative as she was, so he hadn’t had any time alone with Dove. But he’d enjoyed the laughter and chatter of the group, and Dove’s smiling face told him she did as well.
Luke went outside to sweep the walkway. Even with the dirt hard packed from no rain, the dust was still bad and covered the entrance to the store every morning. The noise from the construction across the way no longer bothered him as it had when they first began. As soon as the town business building was complete, the post office would move and the land next door would belong to the Anderson family to expand the mercantile.
With his head swimming with ideas on how to organize the new space, he put away the broom and went to look over the ledger book.
“You’re certainly buried in your work early in the day.”
Luke jumped. “Martin. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You have the door open, so the bell didn’t sound.” He leaned on the counter. “Those your records for the month?”
“Yes, and something bothers me. Our farmers are having a hard time paying their accounts, but Pa doesn’t want to deny them food. Their debt just keeps growing.”
“I know. Same thing is happening at the bank. My father is afraid he’ll have to foreclose on many of them before fall. Usually he’d wait until after the harvest, but it doesn’t appear that there will be much, if any, harvest this year.”
Luke understood. His father held to the same practice, but a summer without rain didn’t bode well for crops. “Wish there was some way we could help. I haven’t seen it go this long without substantial rain since we’ve been here. A few showers now and then, but we need a steady downpour to soak the ground.”
“It has been a strange summer; I will say that. But I think we may have a solution to help the farmers with their bills. I heard Ma, Mrs. Haynes, and Aunt Clara talking about it yesterday. They want to hold some kind of big party or such and raise money to put toward their debts.”
Sounded like a good idea, but Luke had seen firsthand how stubborn some of those men could be with pride and not wanting any handouts. “What if the farmers don’t want the money?”
Martin laughed. “Aunt Clara thought of that. She said if we put it all in two funds, one at the store and one at the bank, your pa and my father could divide the money up among the accounts and help pay the bills.”
Luke stroked his chin. “That might work. That way they wouldn’t have any money to give back. It’d just be done. When do they want to do it?”
“I don’t know about that. I only overheard that bit of their conversation, but I think the ladies are planning a meeting of the Women’s Mission Society to discuss it.”
“I hope it’s soon. Don’t know how much longer we can carry these bills.” The figures on the page before him told the grim story of the hardships for the homesteaders. “At least Fowler hasn’t been up to any of his tricks lately. I’ve worried that he may act on the threat he made.”
“That’s the last thing those farmers need about now, but Sheriff Claymore should be able to handle it.” He turned to leave. “I’ve got to get on to the bank. Just wanted to let you know what I heard.”
Luke stored the ledger book under the counter. If the ladies did have a social, perhaps he could convince Pa to donate some of the supplies. That could be their part in helping out.
His mother entered the store pulling on her gloves. He’d never understand why women wore hats and gloves in this heat. Her skirt swished as she walked to the door.
“I’ll be at the church for the Women’s Mission Society. Marie Fleming has called a special meeting this morning. Pa is resting. Alice will be down shortly to help you. She’s making sure Will is dressed in his old clothes before he goes out to play.”
She stepped outside at the same time the first customer of the day entered. Luke smiled and welcomed his patron. At least the ladies of Barton Creek didn’t let any grass grow under their feet when they had a project in mind. The results of the meeting should be very interesting.
Bea made her way down the aisle of the church. A number of the other members were already gathered, including Emily Morris. Bea hesitated then turned and sat on the opposite side of the aisle. If she kept her distance, there would be no need to have conversation with Emily.
A few minutes later, Charlotte Frankston called the group to order. “Ladies, we’ve called a meeting this morning because Marie Fleming and Mellie Haynes have come up with a wonderful idea for a town social sponsored by the church. Marie, you have the floor.”
Marie stood and nodded to Charlotte. “Thank you.” She turned to the group. “We all know what a horrible summer this has been with the heat and no rain. Well, the thought of those families, especially the children going hungry, hurts me deeply. Mellie Haynes, along with Aunt Clara, and I have come up with a plan we think will help them and not take away their pride.”
Heads turned, and women around Bea murmured. Marie raised her hand. “Let me elaborate. We are going to have an ice cream social where we will sell bowls of ice cream along with cookies, cakes, and pie donated by our townspeople. The money will then be put into a fund at the bank then distributed in equal amounts to each account at the Anderson’s and each loan at the bank.”
Bea’s mouth gaped open. Those past-due accounts had worried both her and Carl this past month, but they didn’t know what to do about it except to keep giving them credit. This plan would help not only the homesteaders but also their own store. She raised her hand, and Marie recognized her to speak.
“I think this plan is wonderful. We won’t be giving the money to them directly, so no one of them will know exactly who gave it. In fact, Carl and I will donate ingredients and supplies for the ice cream. We also have several freezers on order, and they should be here in time.”
The ladies clapped and nodded their approval. Bea’s heart swelled with satisfaction. This was a way to show their goodwill from the store as well as return some of the care the people had shown her and Carl the past few weeks.
Marie asked for quiet again. “Now, ladies, since Mellie Haynes and I had the idea, we’ve come up with a committee we think will do a wonderful job of organizing it all. Of course Mellie and I will be on it with her as chairman. We will also include Clara Haynes and Emily Morris. To spark the interest of the young people we chose Lucy Starnes, Dove Morris, and Sarah Perkins.”
A moment of silence followed the announcement. Bea fought to control her feelings. She’d have to work with Emily and Dove. She swallowed hard. Lord, what are You doing to me?
At that moment, Charlotte Frankston stood and puffed out her chest. “I don’t know why as the mayor’s wife I was not consulted as to the purpose of this social you ladies proposed. The farmers have brought this on themselves. Why should we spend our hard-earned money to pay their debts? And I’m even more insulted to think you’d choose those two women over me.” She pointed at Dove and her mother. Charlotte’s cheeks burned with anger, and she marched from the meeting.
Bea’s eyes opened wide. To feel that way was one thing, but to voice it in public like this was something else. Bea glanced over at Dove and Emily. Several others had gathered around them and offered their sympathy. She didn’t feel led to do the same, but public criticism like that was uncalled for. If Charlotte’s husband wasn’t such a good mayor, she’d have ruined his chances for reelection for certain.
Marie Fleming stood at the front with disbelief written across her face. Bea hastened to her side. “I’ll stand by what I promised earlier and take care of all the ingredients we might need for the ice cream.”
“Oh, thank you, Bea. I had no idea Charlotte would cause such a scene.”
“I’m sure your committee will do a wonderful job.” Bea almost bit her tongue. She could say the words, but she didn’t mean them. “Now I need to get back to the store. Let me know what date you decide on.” She really didn’t need to go, but she had no desire to finish out the meeting with Dove and Emily there.
When she arrived back at the store, several customers waited for Luke to handle their orders. Bea removed her hat and gloves and then tied an apron around her waist. She patted Luke’s shoulder. “You finish totaling up, and I’ll package these for our customers.”
Luke expelled a relieved breath. “Glad you’re back. We’ve been busy. Alice had to take Will upstairs to keep him out of trouble. He wouldn’t stay out of the candy jar.”
“I’ll have to speak with him about that. He knows better.” Bea turned to talk with each customer as she handed them their parcels, but her mind continued to return to this morning’s meeting. Charlotte Frankston had been outright rude, making a scene like that.
Then a swell of realization overcame her. Rudeness didn’t always take the form of unkind words. She’d been just as rude as Charlotte with her silence.
She took out a rag and began to polish the counter. She didn’t want to think about that right now.
Dove walked out of the meeting with Lucy and Sarah. Charlotte Frankston’s words had hurt, but the fun of working with Sarah and Lucy dulled the pain. As the other two girls discussed how they might organize everything, Dove’s mind rested on Mrs. Anderson. Today she had not sided with Mrs. Frankston, and she had not gone back on her promise to help supply the cream and eggs needed for the ice cream. That was a small miracle in itself.
Luke and Martin would probably be enlisted to help crank out the ice cream. They’d be a good choice too. These days, Luke was never far from her thoughts, and the idea of working with him at the ice cream fund-raiser filled her with anticipation.
Lucy grabbed her arm. “Dove Morris, you haven’t heard a word we’ve said. You have that dreamy look in your eyes again. Are you thinking about Luke?”
Dove grinned and nodded. “Yes, I am. Sunday’s dinner was so much fun. I can’t thank you enough, Sarah.”
Sarah winked. “My pleasure.”
Dove glanced up and realized they were on the walk in front of the store. Dove stepped back as Sarah and Lucy walked through the door.
For a moment she paused. Then Dove squared her shoulders and marched in behind her friends. She had just as much right to be here as anyone else.
Mrs. Anderson was greeting Sarah and Lucy, but her smile disappeared when her gaze rested on Dove. “How can I help you ladies today?”
Lucy said, “We want to thank you for volunteering all the supplies for the ice cream. That will go a long way to help us have more money for the farmers.”
“You did that, Ma?” Luke wrapped an arm around his mother’s shoulders.
Butterflies danced in Dove’s stomach when he turned to lock gazes with her.
This time Mrs. Anderson’s eyes were not as cold as earlier. She beamed under the compliments of her son and the thanks from Lucy and Sarah.
“It will be our pleasure to help, and I’m sure you three young ladies will do a very fine job on the committee. Mrs. Haynes and Mrs. Fleming are bound to have wonderful ideas.”
This time Mrs. Anderson included Dove in her statement. Dove swallowed hard. Perhaps just a tiny, tiny crack had penetrated that wall built around Mrs. Anderson’s heart.