Not now, Rooster.” Emmie scooted away from the rooster attempting to snuggle with the hem of her skirt. She had Landon’s spectacles in one hand and a letter from her mother in the other. Rooster would have to wait. “I’ll bring you some corn when I leave.” She bolted through the screen door, letting it bang behind her. Granny and Walter sat at the table slicing peaches.
Walter pushed back the chair and popped up.
“Emmie, you know better than that. I’ve taught you not to let the door slam.” Granny’s face held a tinge of pink. What did that mean?
“I think I’ll see if Milton feels like a game of checkers.” Walter sped past Emmie.
“I’m sorry. I stopped at the post office, and there is a letter from Momma. I rushed home so we could read it together.” She set her reticule and Landon’s glasses on the table.
“Looks like Landon’s eyesight is not as important to you.”
“No, not now. He’s gone two weeks without them and a few more minutes won’t matter. We have a letter from the family.” She handed the envelope to her grandmother. “Hurry, open it and see what it says.”
“Not so fast, missy. Things like this must be savored. How about you pour us a glass of tea? Then, we’ll go sit on the porch, and see what’s happening in the great state of Kansas. Though, it might be even more exciting to make you run back to town and give Landon his spectacles first.” Granny set her knife next to the bowl.
“No, please don’t. He’ll be all right. Cyrus is there, and not one soul has come into the store today.” She folded her hands together in a prayer position. “Please, don’t make me wait.”
“All right. Get the tea.”
Emmie, holding the tall glasses, followed Granny through the front door and set them on the small wicker table between two rockers. Her heart raced. Would her mother have good news?
Granny settled in her chair. “Stop fidgeting and sit down.”
She doubted that would stop her toes from tapping, but she did as ordered.
Granny ripped the end of the envelope with care and pulled out the paper. She unfolded it, then smoothed it against her apron and read aloud.
Dear Mama and Emmie,
We all miss you! Living in the city at first was entertaining, but the fun ran out. Knowing I wouldn’t be living here, I haven’t made close friends. I miss those I have in Trenton more than I thought. Postage money for letters must be used to purchase other items. Please tell Mrs. Diekman I haven’t forgotten about her and will write.
Robert has been working hard to prepare a place for us, and we’ll be moved in by the time this letter reaches you. We’re hoping our letters cross in the mail, and you have sold the boardinghouse by now. It would be best if you could be here before September to enjoy some of the fall season before winter arrives.
Emmie, there is little room to store clothing, so please give away some of yours. Anything you wear for social occasions won’t be needed here. Mama, there is no need to bring all your aprons. Two would be best.
Father says he thinks he has found a good man for Emmie to marry but will respect her decision after they meet. He has the adjoining farm. He is a widower and has six children that need a mother. It would be best, Emmie, if you found you could look upon him with favor as we have so little room, and it is time you were married. You’d make a good mother.
Six children. The words repeated themselves as Emmie walked back to the store. Was that the life she wanted? It certainly wasn’t the one she’d been working so hard to achieve. In her dream, the family would be together, planting crops and building their house. Marriage, yes, but not right away. Mother’s letter made it sound like the minute she put foot on Kansas soil, she’d be whisked off to the church and back home in time to make dinner for six children and a husband. Did he have a home big enough to hold her clothing if she brought it?
“Miss Mueller.”
Emmie stopped mere inches in front of Alma Pickens.
“Is everything all right?” Alma arched her eyebrow.
“Yes, I’m sorry I almost knocked you down. We had a letter from Mother …” Alma had married a man with children and, as far as Emmie knew, she loved being their mother. Maybe this was God’s way of telling her not to worry.
“Is everything okay with them? Roy and I were surprised to hear they’d left to start over in Kansas.”
“Yes, they’re fine. Mother misses her friends, of course. There is no stopping my father when he decides to do something. This time, he said Trenton had grown too big. He wanted to walk miles before seeing anyone.”
“How sad for your mother, she being sociable and all.”
Mother must be lonely. She’d always enjoyed her friendships and knowing almost everyone in town. So did Emmie. Moving to Kansas appealed to her far less today than ever. “Have you been to the Knipp Emporium yet?”
“No, I heard it has unusual items for sale.”
“Our newest boarder owns the store. You would like it. Why—”
“Miss Mueller!”
Cyrus ran up to them. “There you are. Do you have pie? Is that why you’re late with our lunch?”
Emmie laughed. “No, no pie today, Cyrus, but I’ll bring some tomorrow. Why don’t you take the basket and head to the store?
“Cyrus?” Anna looked closer. “Isn’t your name Duck?”
“No, ma’am. And now Mr. Knipp says people need to start calling me by my real name. And that’s Cyrus.” He took the basket. “I need to get back. A customer came in when I came out the door. I hope it’s not to complain because I almost knocked her over.”
“Go, then. Hurry up, and tell Mr. Knipp I’ll be along in a little while.” He ran off. The milk in the jars might turn to butter the way the basket bobbed in his hand.
“Mr. Knipp must be a good influence on the boy. I’m glad he’s using his name. It always felt odd calling him Duck.”
“Mr. Knipp is teaching him to read as well. Why don’t you walk to the store with me? I have some questions, if you don’t mind answering.”
“I’m on my way to my father’s, but I’ll pop in soon when Roy is with me. What do you have on your mind?”
“What’s it like to take care of children when you’ve never had any? My father has a husband picked out for me. He is a widower with six kids. I don’t even know his name. Mother didn’t think to include it.” Emmie couldn’t swallow. A new home in a new state and now, marriage. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Julia?” Landon forced her name past his lips. “What are you doing here? Did Harry send you?”
“I had to get away for a while. I saw your mother at church, and she told me about this town, that you liked it.” She did a slow turn. “It’s not as big as your father’s store, but I like it. Simple surroundings for extravagant things.”
“But, why come here?” His mind processed thoughts like boots wading through the mud. The woman he once loved now stood in his store wearing black. Black. Gone were the colorful satins she’d preferred. “Julia? Harry?”
“He passed a month ago. I thought your mother would have let you know.”
Her words punched his lungs. His breath escaped. Harry, his best friend until he’d stolen Julia from him, now gone. “What—what happened?”
“Runaway carriage. Please, I don’t want to talk about it. I’m lost without him. I’m sorry, I know that hurts you, but he was my everything.” She sniffed.
Landon pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “Here.”
She took it and wiped tears from her eyes. “I know you’re angry, and you don’t want to see me. I had to go somewhere. I knew if I came here, I could be assured to know one person that I could trust if I needed help. I knew you would look after me.”
“Julia—”
“Only as a good friend, Landon. My heart still wants Harry.”
Her eyes filled with tears and snared him. He would take care of her. He wished he hadn’t been so angry with Harry. He thought there would be time once he had a wife of his own for him and Harry to be friends again.
“Where are you staying?”
“I checked in at White Hotel yesterday, but it’s lonely eating by myself, strangers giving me sideways glances and wondering where I came from. And saying how sad it is that I’m a widow.”
Feelings he thought dead now sparked. Should he fan them? They had a history together. She’d always hated that he traveled, but maybe now that he was staying in one place? But what about Emmie? Her sunny smile tugged at his heart.