Once filled, Mother capped the jars andplaced them in a boiling water bath. When she removed them, she setthem aside and added more jars.
Tillie packed the cooled jars in a box andbrought it to the dank basement, where she took her time storingthem in the food cupboard. When the beans were all jarred, shestarted cutting up green tomatoes. The cucumbers became pickles andrelishes.
Jars of fruit relishes and jams overtook thecupboard beside the cook stove. The intense preserving and picklingkept them working with very little conversation, but an easycamaraderie saturated the steamy room.
Knife in hand, Tillie reached with her lefthand to find the vegetables still waiting for preparation. She feltaround the table and then glanced over. She saw nothing but stemsand pieces of tomatoes, empty peapods, and green bean stems. Shelooked at Mother boxing up the last jars of relishes, then atMaggie wiping the counter near the stove. Tillie took a deep breathand rolled her head from shoulder to shoulder.
Mother pushed the box to the side, and thenpressed her sleeve to her forehead, sweeping away stray hair.“Well, that’s that.” She smiled at Tillie and Maggie. “Thank you,girls.”
“I can take Lady to Culp’s Hill on Saturdayto look for berries, if you’d like.” Tillie rose from the table andstretched her arms over her head. “She could use the exercise.”
“I should say yes, but right now, I’m tootired to agree.” Mother grabbed a rag from the counter and beganwiping the table. “You girls gather up the pots and utensils, andwe’ll wash everything after supper.”
“Yes, Mother.” Tillie wiped her hands on herapron, and then gathered her utensils to take to the washbasin asMaggie put water in the kettle to boil.
Tillie decided she’d ride up to pick berries.Perhaps if she gathered enough, Mother would let her make apie.
* * * *
Tillie skipped down the stairs. The vinegarsmell still tainted her hands and hair, making her grimace.
As she stepped around the landing, shegripped the handrail to keep from tumbling down the last steps.George stood just inside the parlor room door. She descended theremaining stairs, stopping on the last step. Should she go in andsay goodbye? They were probably discussing adult things. If shewent in uninvited, Father would tell her to get ready for school.She descended, intent on leaving the adults to themselves, whenGeorge raised a hand and waved her in.
“I’ve been waiting for you to come down.” Hestood straight and tall in his new uniform. Snappy gold trimtwirled down the front of the dark-blue wool coat, swirled aroundthe hem, and encircled each cuff. His light-blue cavalry pantssported a bold yellow stripe down the outside of the leg. Knee-highshiny cavalryman’s boots completed the uniform. He combed his blondhair down, and his blue eyes sparkled. He twisted his kepi in hishands.
Her heart lurched. He was handsome. Shestumbled over her feet as her face heated.
George held out his hands, and as if in adaze, she walked to him. He placed a quick, brotherly peck on hercheek.
“I’m leaving for Carlisle to join myregiment.” He squeezed her hands. “But I wanted to say goodbye tomy second-best girl.”
Tillie smiled, unable to look away.“Uh…M–Maggie’s going to write you so many letters you won’t havetime to read them all, but would you like to receive a letter fromme, once in a while?” She lifted her eyebrows, suggesting he mightthink the idea of letters from her ridiculous.
“I’d be devastated if you didn’t write to me,thinking in some way I’d offended you. That would break myheart.”
Her uplifted brows creased. He truly soundedsincere. As if to prove it, he gave her hands another gentlesqueeze.
Her throat constricted. Did he sense herresentment? Did Maggie tell him about their garden conversation?His tender grip warmed her, and searching his eyes, she found nosign of bitterness.
Breaking eye contact, he released herhands.
Did her palms sweat? She resisted the urge towipe her hands on her skirts, afraid he might think she dislikedholding his hands. She clasped hers behind her back and ran afinger across each palm to check for moisture. “Where’s yourrifle?”
“I’ll get arms once I reach my regiment inCarlisle.”
“Oh.”
An awkward silence filled the room. Did theadults want her to leave?
“Well, if you’ll pardon me, I need to getready for school. Goodbye, George. Take care of yourself.”
“Goodbye, Tillie, and thank you. I’m glad wecan be friends now.”
Fresh heat shot up her neck and explodedacross her cheeks. He did know. “I am too.” She smiled, crossed thehall to the sitting room, and entered the kitchen to getbreakfast.
* * * *
Maggie bore up well since George’s departurean hour ago. She didn’t put on a bit of the melodramatic behaviorTillie half-expected, no heavy sighs or hands thrown to herforehead in abject misery, accompanied by wails of displeasure. Notonce did Tillie want to slap Maggie in front of Mother and Father.Tillie’s bottom lip curled over her teeth to hide a smile, amusedby the idea of such a scene. Rising from the breakfast table, shebrought her bowl to the washbasin then paused when someone knockedon the kitchen door.
Mother’s calico skirts rustled as she movedto answer the door. “Good morning, Mr. Garlach.” She pulled thedoor wide. “Please come in.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Pierce. Don’t mind if Ido.”
The white-haired man shuffled in with astooped-shouldered gait. “Good morning, young man.” He ruffledSam’s brown curls as the boy hunched over his porridge bowl.
“Morning, sir.” Sam shoved a large spoonfulinto his mouth.
“When are you going to give up this idea ofbutchering and come to me to learn the Lord’s trade? Carpentry iswhere the real money is, boy, not in killing cows.” Mr. Garlachnudged Sam’s shoulder.
Sam’s blue eyes sparkled as he shoveledanother big spoonful of porridge into his mouth. He madeexaggerated chewing motions.
Mr. Garlach turned to Father chuckling. “Adiplomatic young man right there, James.”
Father laughed and shook Mr. Garlach’s hand.“Very diplomatic indeed.”
Tillie lifted a cup and saucer from the shelfand carried it to the table.
“Good morning, young lady.” He turned aroundwith slow, shambling steps and gave her cheek a gentle pinch. “Niceto see you alive and well. You gave me quite a fright the
