Claude joined them and said a quick grace. Bonnie passed around a platter of roast pork, a bowl of mashed potatoes, cooked carrots and thick slices of fresh bread.

“Oh, Mama.” Libby stared at her plateful of food. “This is like eating at Grandfather’s.”

“Better,” Eleanor added. “We’re allowed to sit with the grown-ups.”

“Girls, mind your manners.” Clara spoke quietly, and Blue thought she seemed tense.

Libby nodded. “I know we’re not supposed to tell people our business, but that was okay, wasn’t it?”

Clara smiled. It seemed a bit forced to Blue. “Just eat your meal.” She turned to Bonnie. “This is very good, and we’re most grateful.”

Bonnie looked pleased. “I love cooking, but there haven’t been many travelers through here of late. So nice to have you folks with us.” She paused thoughtfully. “Where are you planning to go? Is someone coming for you?”

Clara shot the girls warning looks before she answered. “We’re waiting for someone.”

Bonnie’s eyebrows went up with obvious curiosity, and Clara quickly added, “I’m afraid I can’t say anything more.”

A startled silence filled the room.

Claude cleared his throat. “Glad you’re going to make those pews, Blue.”

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“I’m looking forward to it.” He couldn’t wait to get back to the church.

They ate in strained silence for a few minutes.

Bonnie tried again. “Do you girls have enough to occupy yourself over there?”

“Mama’s reading to us from the Bible,” Libby said, edging forward on her seat as if eager to talk about what Clara read. “It’s the story of the Israelites. They’re running from—” She turned to Eleanor. “Who are they running from?”

“From Egypt.” Eleanor watched her sister as if amused at her intensity.

Libby nodded. “Just like we’re—”

Clara’s hand came down on Libby’s shoulder, making her swallow the rest of what she meant to say.

Blue studied the child. Libby merely sucked in a deep breath and started talking again. “I like your house,” she said to Bonnie. “It’s nice. I like the one you lent us, too. It’s—” Again she consulted her sister. “What is it, El’nor?”

“Cozy and warm.”

“Yes, warm. Mama, where are we going to sleep?”

“I explained that already. There’s plenty of room on the floor for our bedrolls.” She turned to Bonnie and then Claude. “I’m so grateful for your generosity. Is there something I can do to repay you? Help with meals, do laundry...?” Her voice trailed off as a glance around the room proved Bonnie didn’t need any help.

Bonnie touched the back of Clara’s hand. “If we were busier, I would gladly accept your help. But as you see, we aren’t busy. No, you accept the use of that little shack as long as you need it. You’ll be doing us a favor.”

Clara’s eyebrows rose in frank disbelief.

“Yes. You see, when we first came to these parts, I was so sick I couldn’t go on.”

“I was very worried about her,” Claude said.

Bonnie smiled gently at her husband. “Cassie—she’s Mrs. Jones now—had just built this house after spending many weeks in that shack you’re in. With four children if you can imagine it. Of course, it was summer and the children could run and play outside.” She smiled around the table. “She let us use that shack until I was strong enough to continue. So you see, you are allowing us to show our gratitude by extending the same courtesy to someone else.” Bonnie beamed as if the idea pleased her.

Blue saw by the set of Clara’s mouth that she was somewhat less pleased.

When the meal ended, Clara began to gather up dishes. “Let us do the washing up at least.”

Bonnie hesitated. “Very well, if it will make you feel better. I’ll go ahead and set the bread dough.”

Clara hustled about, carrying dishes to the pan of hot water that Bonnie had prepared. She handed drying towels to the girls, and they carefully wiped every dish as she washed it.

Blue wanted nothing more than to hustle back to the church and settle down in his own little world, but first he’d make sure Clara and the girls were safely back at the shack and the fire was banked for the night.




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