“So now I sew for the pure joy of it—which I gather you share.”
It was Barbara’s turn to smile broadly.
“It is designing I adore. Draping fabric so the individual for whom it is fitted seems to have a perfect shape, adapting current trends so they are flattering to the wearer.”
“When Pastor Joe shared your information with me, I was praying you’d at least be a competent dressmaker. You are clearly more than that and I think the women of Green River will be lucky to have you.”
A frown marred Barbara’s smooth brow; Dorothy laughed gently.
“Your Mother Evangeline sent a note sharing a few words about the sort of work for which the training and background of each girl seemed to be best suited. Your description mentioned that you were her amanuensis—she apologized that this letter was in her own handwriting as you were otherwise occupied—and had taken over the wardrobe function for the entire orphanage.”
A wave of pain swept Barbara’s face but passed so quickly that had Dorothy not been watching the normally placid features before her so carefully she might not have noticed. Taking a deep breath, Barbara’s voice started to come out in a whisper. She cleared her throat, glanced around, and started again, still softly.
“Mostly I remade the donated castoff clothing into wearable gowns for the older girls. The younger all wear simple uniforms.”
Dorothy also glanced around them, startled to see so many people whose interest was trained on the pair of them. They had been speaking in low tones and of nothing particularly private, as the note she’d mentioned had seen wide circulation, but really!
Catching Barbara’s eyes, she deliberately looked over to where Julia was in conversation with Mother Evangeline and a nice looking gentleman.
“Why don’t I check to be sure you can be spared tomorrow, and then send a buggy for you to come see me at the house,” she paused meaningfully, raising her voice slightly on the last word, “privately.”
Hard pressed to suppress her smirk at the number of hastily averted gazes, she noted Barbara, too, was having trouble keeping a straight face.
“I would be honored to join you there.” Barbara’s eyes dropped down to her hands and then back up.
“May I bring . . .”
But Dorothy had beaten her to the mark. “Won’t you please be sure to bring your darling niece? Harmony had a delightful time with her last night.”
In fact, Dorothy had noted, Harmony and her younger sister Melody had ridden over early this morning, despite last night’s late hours, and taken charge of Mrs. Barnett’s nursery which, in addition to her own daughter, Chrissy (short for Christmas Noelle, her birth having been on Christmas Day), contained Emilene plus a few infants and toddlers belonging to ranch hands. It seemed once Chrissy was old enough to start walking she proved a bit of a handful in church, and the ranch ladies had elected to rotate child minding among them so the remainder could enjoy a peaceful worship service.
Today, however, Dorothy’s youngsters had volunteered to do the child watching so all the women could meet the brides-to-be.
“It is just so romantic,” Harmony had sighed as she waved them off.
Advice
“I look forward to meeting with you again tomorrow, but if you will excuse me, I had promised Billy, um, Mr. Stuart . . .” Barbara trailed off as Dorothy casually waved her away, smiling.
“Tomorrow!”
As she stood, Barbara was again made aware of eyes following her every move. She mentally shrugged, hoping that soon all the girls would become part of the fabric of the town and no longer a “seven-day wonder.”
Sam came bustling up to her, intent on conversation.
“Miss Barbara, may I speak with you?”
Barbara smoothly cut him off.
“Oh, Sam, how good of you to come over to escort me to the lemonade. I find the heat has made me a bit thirsty.” She waved her hand languidly in a fanning motion, and he quickly took the hint, offering his arm with a smile.
The pair strolled off as Barbara murmured, “Unless you want your doings broadcast into the next county, you might wish to speak a bit more softly.”
“Oh!” he replied, chagrined, suddenly aware of all the eyes following him. His hand reached for his shirt collar as if to loosen it, but dropped when Barbara gave his arm a subtle jerk. “I didn’t think of creating gossip.”
Laughing softly, she chided him, “No, you fellows usually don’t.” At his surprised look, which she correctly interpreted, she continued, “I have no brothers but many of the other girls do, and as their orphanage was next door to ours, we were able to visit together regularly, so I do know about boys.”
“Well, you just reminded me of one of my sisters, is all. You are right, we are mostly just ‘go and do,’ not ‘think, then act,’ as Ma always says.”
“Your Ma is a wise woman. So let me do a little of your thinking for you and suggest you make a point of talking with as many different ladies as you can today, not only among us but among the local girls as well. That will keep everyone guessing. And be sure to keep it light and polite so you don’t inadvertently raise hopes as you get to know all of us better.”
“And that sounds just like something my sister Bessie would say.” His face dropped for a moment, missing his family, then brightened as the object of his interest came into view.
Barbara followed the direction to which his attention had strayed and laughed to herself. She’d suspected he was interested in Anna, based on
