Bittersweet (16 page)

“Ivy, we’ll make up a plate for you to take home to your father. Would he rather have liver or roast?” Mrs. O’Sullivan asked.

“Liver, ma’am,” Ivy lied. She didn’t dare look at Ishmael. He was gone most days and didn’t know how mean-drunk Pa was nearly all the time. With the still fired up and going, Pa managed to wet his whistle liberally. Ivy didn’t want Ishy to know how bad things were. He already fretted about the “partners” who came to fetch the who-hit-John whilst he was away at the farm. He couldn’t do anything about it, so she made a point of pretending everything was fine.

“Liver?” Mrs. O’Sullivan sounded vaguely surprised.

Ivy nodded emphatically. “Liver.” Remembering what her brother had said earlier, she tacked on, “Much obliged.”

“You’ve been a tremendous help today. We wouldn’t have gotten this much done without you.” Mrs. O’Sullivan patted her arm. That little action made Ivy’s heart skip a beat.

“You gals shore got a bunch of work done,” Ishmael said with a smile. “I thunk ’twas crazy to be totin’ in that many jars this morn, but hooo-ooo-ie, you done went and filled every last one of ’em.”

“Did you go through all of the sugar, too?” Galen craned his neck and gaped at the neatly folded sugar sacks over by the windowsill.

“Twenty-five pounds of sugar in each batch, Plowboy,” Hilda said. “Now pass me the corn.”

“O’Sullivan corn is the sweetest-tasting I’ve ever had,” Laney said.

“Not from the looks of yore plate.” Ivy stared at the single skimpy spoonful of each item Laney had taken. “Hilda done tole us you don’t like liver. If ’n yore tryin’ to fool us by nibblin’ ittybitty forkfuls so’s all you had to take was three measly bites of liver, ‘tain’t a-gonna work.”

“I’m afraid I’ve made a mess of things.”

“No you didn’t.” Josh pointed his chin toward the other side of Laney’s plate. “Please pass the butter.”

Ivy seriously doubted Laney’d ever gotten messy. Why, at lunch, she’d had the tiniest speck of sauce on one cheek when everyone else had big smears across their face. Even after a whole day of working in the kitchen, Laney’s apron looked just-washed fresh. At least Ruth had stuff slopped all over the front of hers.

“Miz Ruth,” Ishmael said, “you’ll be able to start workin’ on that quilt you were talkin’ ’bout now that you gals emptied out all them sugar sacks.”

Ruth spread pear butter on a slice of bread. “Laney feels this green won’t work—she has such a good eye for color.” A few crumbs fell from Ruth’s bread and sprinkled the bib of her apron. She set down the bread and impatiently flicked off the crumbs. “I’ve changed my mind about the pattern again, though. After looking at all of those quilts at the fair, I decided not to do any appliqué on this one. I’m starting to lean toward the flying geese pattern.”

Laney set down her cup so gently the coffee in it didn’t even slosh. “I think the quilt would be very handsome if you simply changed the green to browns. Galen, didn’t your mother make you one last year?”

He nodded. “You’ve a good memory, lass.”

“She sure does.” Ruth took another bite of the bread.

Ivy watched crumbs tumble onto Ruth’s apron bib again.
If ’n
I didn’t know better, I’d reckon she ain’t one of them rich gals. She spills and
flubs pert near as much as me
.

Mr. O’Sullivan took stock of his plate. All the food had gone around once, but he’d managed to wolf down a lot in a few minutes. “Please pass the meat.”

“Liver or roast?” his ma asked.

He grinned. “Both. I have to make up for what Laney doesn’t eat.”

Laney tilted her head to the side like a little bird choosing the tune she wanted to sing. “All of this talk about sewing makes me want to do more. Could we visit Friday to sew together?”

“Ma,” one of the littler boys piped up, “your pink dress is on the scarecrow. With all the green sacks, there’s gotta be enough to make a new one. All your dresses are ugly black ones now. Are you gonna make a pretty dress for yourself, then?”

Mrs. O’Sullivan’s eyes welled up with tears, and she shook her head.

Laney turned to Ivy. “Ruth and I just made new dresses for ourselves. Would you like the sugar sacks?”

“Yeah, sis. You’d look fine in green.”

Scarcely able to breathe lest she say anything to make them snatch back their offer, Ivy gulped.
Here I was thankin’ Laney’s a spoilt
brat with her fancy manners and rich-lady clothes. And she up and give me
purdy green material so’s I cain have me a real dress!
Ivy ignored most of the conversation bouncing around her.
This gotta be the bestest day of
my life. I et near to busting my seams, and I’m a-gonna get me a new dress!

“Sis, we’d best get home.”

Ivy popped to her feet.

“You worked hard today, Ivy,” Mrs. O’Sullivan said, waving at all they’d put up. “Take a dozen jars back with you.”

“Thankee, ma’am. If ’n ’tis all the same to you, cain I tote six home tonight and take t’other after we sew on Friday?”

On the way home, Ishmael held the jars like a litter of kittens in his arms. They clanked and jangled. “Have a care, Ishy. Don’t want none of ’em to break!”

“Why’d you only take half tonight?”

“’Cuz Pa’s gonna splavocate ’bout me goin’ back on Friday. I cain’t come home empty-handed, and if ’n what I bring back is a new dress, I’ll be switched.”

“All that food on the plate thar’ll help convince him that you goin’ to the O’Sullivans’ is all right.”

Ivy nodded, but she doubted it. Suddenly, she wished she’d told the truth and had roast to give Pa instead of liver.

Galen approached the McCain stable, the rising sun warming his shoulders. “What’s wrong?” Josh called out as he hurried toward him.

“Nothing. Nothing a-tall.” Galen dismounted.

Brows furrowed, Josh asked, “What would pry you off your land in the middle of your morning chores?”

“Not what. Who.” Galen rested his hands on his hips. “Laney.”

“Aww, Galen.” Josh heaved a loud sigh. “I’m sorry. I’ll ask Ruth to—”

“Nay, Josh. I’ve been a fool.” He paused, then said, “I opened my eyes and realized our wee little Laney blossomed into a lovely young lady.”

Josh dusted his hands off on the sides of his britches. “She has. I’m not even sure when or how it happened.”

“I’m counting my blessings that another man hasn’t swept her up. I realize this may surprise you, but I’m asking your permission to court your sister.”

Instead of readily agreeing, Josh chewed on his lower lip.

Galen’s mouth went dry.
All this time, I thought he was doing me a
favor by discouraging his sister. Could it be he doesn’t think a poor farmer is
good enough for Laney?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

L
isten up, Galen.” Josh folded his arms across his chest and stared at him. “I don’t want you to pay attention to Laney if it’s just going to be a fleeting fancy. I know the reason behind a courtship is to see if the gal and guy suit one another, but Laney’s already wearing her heart on her sleeve for you. If you’re not dead certain you’re planning to marry her, don’t mess with her now.”

“I didn’t think it wise to ride over here and ask to court her and also seek your blessing on our marriage all in the same day.

But ’tis the truth, I’m aiming to marry the lass.” He nodded once to emphasize his point. “I love her.”

“This is quite a change of mind.”

Galen shook his head. “Nay, Josh. To say ’tis a change of mind would mean that my affections could change with the wind. ’Tis a change of heart—and once my heart accepted the truth, there’s no going back. I’ve always considered Laney to be a child. In the midst of all life’s brought in these last months, she’s shown maturity and strength. Instead of wanting to avoid her, I’ve longed to seek her company. She’s the woman for me, Josh.”

“You’re sure?”

“Knowing Laney’s felt fond of me all this time—well, ’tis clear where her heart lies. Once I came to my senses, I saw what a wondrously fine young lady she is.”

Josh crooked a brow. “My sister was trained to be a fine lady. But even with your mother teaching Laney, I’m sure she has a lot to learn.”

“Even so, she’s not afraid to work hard. But before you think I’d wed her to have help about the farm, you should know ’tisn’t the labor of her hands I’ve considered. A more loving woman I’ll never meet. We’d make each other happy, and God willing, we’ll grow old together.”

A sly smile spread across Josh’s face. “If all you wanted was help around the place, you could always ask Ivy Grubb.”

“I’m wanting Laney to be my bride. She and Ma are more than welcome to have Ivy over to help out around the house and garden.”

“I’ll talk to Laney,” Josh said.

Galen looked his best friend in the eyes. “Don’t. Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. I’d rather Laney see the change in my heart. That’s the kind of wooing that will convince her of my sincerity.”

“I won’t tell Laney, but I don’t keep secrets from my wife.”

“Fair enough. But just as I’ve gotten your word that you won’t say anything, I assume Ruth will hold this in confidence, as well.” When Josh nodded his agreement, Galen dared to be bolder still. “I’m not feeling patient in the least. Seein’ as you’ve already established I have honorable intentions, come Christmas, I’ll be asking Laney to marry me.”

“You’re supposed to ask for her hand, not to tell me you’re claiming it.”

“Joshua McCain, I love your sister from the top of her pretty head clear down to the hem of her dress. My plan is to sweep her off her feet. I’m trusting the Lord to make her mine, but I’d surely appreciate it if you’d stop hanging on to that sweet little left hand of hers.” Galen grinned. “I’ll even wait till Christmas Day so you can get used to the idea.”

“Was that Galen I saw talking to Josh?” Hilda asked Toledo as she reached for the milk pail.

Laney stopped refilling the sugar bowl. “Galen’s here? Now?”

Toledo stayed on the veranda by the kitchen door and nodded.

“Does it ever occur to you to talk?” Exasperation tinted the housekeeper’s voice. “Compared to you, a hermit is downright chatty.”

Ruth smiled but didn’t say anything.

Two loaves of zucchini bread sat in the center of the kitchen table. They looked like a good excuse to tempt Galen into coming in. “So Galen’s talking with my brother?”

Toledo started to nod and stopped. “Yep.” He winked at Hilda.

“You rascal.” She tried to take possession of the pail.

He pulled it backward. “No use you lugging this when I can set it on the table.”

Eyes wide with shock, the housekeeper stood there and stared at him.

Laney slid up next to Hilda. “I’ll go offer him some coffee.”

“You do that, Miss Laney,” Toledo said with a chuckle.

She’d managed to get halfway across the yard when Galen and Josh came out of the stable. Josh had an arm slung around Galen, and the two of them seemed to be deep in conversation. Josh looked up.

Skidding to a stop, Laney suddenly felt embarrassed. A woman shouldn’t pursue a man. She knew better. But this wasn’t exactly pursuing Galen. After all, he’d come to their ranch. She would simply extend the Broken P’s hospitality.

Galen followed Josh’s gaze. Even from this distance, the power of his blue eyes made her heart skip a beat. He studied her for a moment. “Good morning, Laney.”

“It’s a pleasant surprise for you to pay a visit. Is everyone at home okay?”

“Right as rain. I needed to discuss a matter with your brother.”

Josh slapped him on the back. “How about some coffee?”

“Sounds good.”

Laney slipped her hands behind her back and pinched herself. It hurt, so she knew she wasn’t dreaming this. Feeling giddy, she told Galen, “There’s fresh zucchini bread to accompany the coffee.”

“And will I be lucky enough to taste some of your grape jelly on it?”

“Grape jelly on zucchini bread?” Josh let loose of Galen and looked at him as if he’d taken leave of his senses.

“She won second place at the state fair with that jelly. I’m sure it’ll taste grand on anything.”

Josh jabbed him in the ribs. “Hilda’s bucket of lard took first place. Do you plan on smearing it on your food, too?”