“Glad to hear that. She’s had it rough with your Pappy gone and deserves a dose of happiness.”
Davey looked up at Bernie his eyes glazed over. “Ma says you’ll be leaving and I ain’t supposed to cry, but I hear her sobbing low into her pillow at night. And I’m pretty sure she ain’t missing Pappy. She says when she thinks of him now, he leaves happy tracks in her heart and all the sadness is gone.”
“You think your Ma wants me to stay? Is that what you’re saying?”
“I know it. She admitted it once and when I asked her why we couldn’t ask you to stay she said something about a man’s dreams.” He scrunched his face. “You dreaming of another family, Mr. B?”
Bernie lifted the boy and swung him high in the air. “Nope. Only one Davey lives in my heart.”
The boy squealed and laid his head back as Bernie twirled him round and round. When dizziness overtook him, he set Davey back on his feet.
Davey staggered and grinned. “So, will ya think about staying on? It’s almost the middle of February and a month away from what the calendar calls spring.”
“I promise to think on it.”
The boys heard the horses pulling the Stewart sleigh up the laneway. “Looks like company has arrived. You go help Livvy into the house and send Henry to the barn with the wired cages.” Within twenty minutes the cages lay in wait for the big reveal and the Stewart horses were grazing on fresh hay and tucked inside the barn for the afternoon.
“How are things going out here at the farm?” asked Henry.
“Haven’t seen hide nor hair of that Sam character, if that’s what you’re referring to.”
“Glad to hear that, but actually I meant between you and Janelle. Has the woman mellowed any yet?”
“She is who she is, Henry. Not my place to change her even if I wanted to.”
“Wanted to tell you about the Sweetheart Dance at the Paradise Hotel in town. Might be a good place to invite the lady. Women always love that kind of thing.”
“Dancing? Been a while since I attended such an event.”
“Well, most likely Janelle ain’t been to one since she left the big city last year, so she should be ready to kick up her heels by now and won’t mind you stepping on her toes some.”
“Davey will support me inviting his Ma. He’s trying his best to get us together.”
“Then, bring him along. The Pettigrew sisters are setting up the schoolhouse for the young’uns. They intend to play while lovers dance the night away. Bring a blanket and pillow, because I’m told the lantern will go out long before the dance ends.”
“That’ll make the asking easier. Janelle bases most decisions on her boy and watches him like a mother hen.”
“As she should. Boys can be a handful.” Henry slapped Bernie on the back. “You ready to sing happy birthday and watch the woman blow out her candle?”
“I am.”
Inside the house the women sipped tea at the table. When Henry and Bernie entered, Janelle bounced to her feet. “Tea gentlemen?”
“I’ll have some with my cake,” said Henry as he pushed the round mound of chocolate cake toward Janelle.
Livvy quickly set the candle in place and lit it. “Are you ready to sing Happy Birthday, Davey?”
Davey began the melody off-tune but soon everyone joined in and the final line became recognizable despite the mish-mash of voices. When the song ended, she bent over the cake, closed her eyes and cast her wish to the wind. The flame on the candle blew out.
When her head raised it was beet red with excitement. Only Davey could match her enthusiasm. He wrapped his arm around her waist and squeezed. Lifting his eyes upward a mischievous grin covered his face. “Bet you thought I forgot your birthday?”
“It crossed my mind, but you were so down in the mouth I felt guilty to remind you of the good news.”
“I was, at first; ‘til Mr. B. agreed to come. Now you’re surrounded by all those that love ya, Ma.”
Her face reddened a deeper shade as she peeked at Bernie with a sideways glance. “Children,” she muttered. Wiping runaway tears, she pushed Davey toward the counter. “We need plates to serve up this feast to our company.”
The boy raced to the cupboard and carefully carried back five of her finest dessert dishes. “This is a good time to use the best china, right Ma?”
“Perfect time.” Janelle sliced big pieces onto the plates while Livvy poured four cups of tea and one tall cold glass of milk.
“What did you wish for, Ma?”
“If I told it wouldn’t come true,” Janelle said.
With streaks of chocolate plastered on his face, Davey could not sit still a moment longer. “We got presents, Ma.”
“You do?” she said in a surprised tone.
“What kind of birthday party doesn’t include presents? Of course, we do,” said Henry.
He pushed his forward. This is from Livvy and me. You can wear it to church or shopping.”
Livvy slapped him. “You don’t tell a woman what to do with her present.”
Janelle unwrapped the parcel and inside the box perched a new hat. “Oh, my, it’s beautiful.”
“And the colors go with your honey gold hair and everything that promises spring,” said Livvy.
“Thank you, so much. You’ve already done so much for my family. You are indeed good friends.”
Davey raced to his room and came out carrying the package. “This is from me and Mr. B.” He stood hanging over her shoulder while she
