Tariana set the table for six. Frances was upstairs, starving in preparation for the Frost family supper later that evening. It had become a weekly event ever since the couple had shown signs of finalizing the courtship and preparing for their wedding day. Of course, Frances already had the event all planned out in her mind. Putting feet to it would take but a month in her estimation. They’d likely speak their vows before the summer ended, and Tariana would sign up to join the convent the day after. Given his credentials as a Protestant Baptist minister, wouldn’t Father be impressed with his daughter hiding behind the walls of the Roman Catholic Church? The irony of it seemed like a good solution, as she viewed too many loopholes in any strategy that she could imagine to win Michael’s affection for herself.
Ada Gracin interrupted her daughter’s escalating thoughts: “The entire family has been invited to dine with the Frosts at their home after church on Sunday.”
“Michael invited us?” she said in a pitch too high and excitable.
Her mother cast her a warning glance.
“His parents did, and I expect you to be on your best behavior.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“I believe Michael and Frances are announcing an update regarding the coming wedding. I need a date soon, so we can begin to organize the affair. They’ve dragged this courtship out far too long.”
“Only because Frances is fickle, and she couldn’t choose from all the suitors groveling at her feet.”
“Well, Michael has moved to the top of the list, and the others are backing off.” When she heard Tariana’s exasperated sigh, she continued, “And you, young lady, will guard your tongue and speak kindly of your sister. You can be so annoying at times. It will be a wonder if any decent man comes calling when your turn rolls around.”
“You needn’t worry about a man for me. There are none that measure up.”
“And what makes you think you are such a rare catch?”
“I am unique, and I deserve a man who appreciates such qualities.”
“Heaven, help us,” Ada mumbled. “I fear we shall have our first spinster in the family.”
“Better alone than miserable,” Tariana said.
“There is some truth to that. Let’s tackle one romance at a time,” Ada said. She passed Tariana a bowl of mashed potatoes. “Bring these to the table. It’s time to serve.”
Cherise and Samantha talked non-stop about the upcoming July fourth themed celebration at the church. There would be flags, music, food, games, and a parade of sorts, honoring our forefathers – the items on the agenda were endless.
“Do you not care?” Cherise asked.
“I do,” Tariana said in her most enthusiastic voice. “I was listening. Just trying to catch up with all the headway the committee made on the event while I was unavailable. I love parties.”
Cherise patted her sister’s hand. “I know you do, Tariana. A party is exactly what you need to snap you out of the doldrums your recent indiscretion has caused. You must come to town this afternoon – a bunch of girls are meeting up for tea and pastries at the café. Everyone’s been asking after you.”
Tariana weighed the alternative – an afternoon at home with her mother – and she nodded her consent. “Thank you. I’d enjoy that. I can see if the old town is still standing.”
“Oh, my,” Samantha said. “A new shop is having its grand opening. There are discounted prices on their entire stock of fashionable dresses. We should shop.” She cast an eye toward her Father. “May we buy something to wear to the July picnic?”
Father laughed. Samantha always seemed to amuse him. “You must have seen that the rich Widow Parks came to bless me with a donation for the family fund. She said my girls needed to be at their finest during these important years when they are finding lifelong partners.”
Mother shrieked. “Neither Samantha nor Cherise are even close to that age. Perhaps you should save the money for the wedding, or allow Tariana a small portion as she prepares her hope chest.”
A hope chest was the farthest thing from Tariana’s mind. It was her understanding that novices could not bring one earthly thing inside the door once they’d entered their period of training and preparation, prior to taking religious vows. They were expected to brush the dirt of the world off their feet and enter their lives of prayer.
Tariana sighed. It all sounded so noble. Could she endure life without fishing, hunting, and running wild and free in the great outdoors? Her life took another bleak turn when the spontaneous consideration of a life of solitude turned sour in her mouth.
Chapter 3
She was pinning up her stubborn strawberry locks when a thought hit her and almost sent the mass tumbling down her back. Sunday had arrived, the appointed day when her dreams – as she knew them – would go up in a puff of smoke, like a sooty residue escaping from a chimney, suffocating those who breathed it in. Her throat released the negative build-up as another plan formed.
A tiny grin spread across her face as she leaned an elbow on the dressing table and tapped her fingers against her cheek. It was imperative she stop the announcement before Michael sentenced himself to years in a tortuous marriage.
Yes – it would work!
She would not surrender this final opportunity to fate. Tariana hurried through the rest of her grooming, grabbed her parasol and bag, and headed for the door. Sunday morning breakfast was never an organized meal – too many obligations and places to be other than sitting around the kitchen table. And Frances was predictable, always the last to
