Benjamin approached Katie who waited with the rest of the girls from Howard House and held out his arm. “I was informed I could escort you home. May I?”
“Certainly,” she replied and linked her arm with his. They strolled behind the rest of the small group heading down Adams Street enjoying each other’s company and small talk.
Benjamin asked, “Will one or more of your sisters accompany us today as chaperones?”
“No need,” Katie replied. “There’s a nice spot to picnic at in view of the house. Someone will keep an eye out.”
“Michael told me that when he and Ella Grace picnicked near the house, Miss Ethel sat on the upstairs back porch with a rifle and when they took a walk out of view, Rosie and Ivy ran up to see what they were doing?”
Katie bit back a laugh. “I remember that, and I doubt today will be much different, but don’t worry, unless I scream Miss Ethel won’t use her rifle.”
Benjamin smiled down at Katie, her blue eyes dancing with mischief. “I promise not to do anything to make you scream.”
“We should be all right as long as I don’t see a snake. They make me shudder and I can’t promise I won’t scream.” Katie stopped and opened the gate. “You can follow me into the kitchen, I have the basket nearly packed.”
Benjamin tried to follow Katie but was stopped by a gaggle of small girls in the parlor all asking questions. When he did finally break free, Katie was waiting with the packed picnic basket and a brown blanket draped across the top.
“Ready?” she asked smiling. “My sisters like you.”
“I can tell. The three youngest asked me if I can build doll houses.”
“A doll house,” Katie said her eyes looking wistful. “I always wanted one as a small child.”
“You never know what can happen,” Benjamin answered as he opened the door and silently vowed to make the biggest most detailed doll house for the girls. Maybe he could fashion it after the large Victorian they lived in and Katie would enjoy it, too.
They strolled out the beautifully landscaped back yard filled with flowers and the remnants of a huge summer garden. Benjamin stopped at what he thought was a well and glanced in. “You have fish in the well?”
Katie laughed. “That’s the old well. When the water turned, Mr. Edward dug a new one and after the earthquake, one of the sides collapsed. We had it filled in so none of the girls could fall in, but the brick work was so lovely, Miss Edie decided we could keep it and fill it with fish. The younger girls love it.”
“I’m sure they do,” Benjamin said as they walked through the rear gate and into what looked like a small barren field with dead flowers and small crosses or stones scattered about. “What is this?”
“Our pet cemetery,” Katie explained.
“What?”
“It’s a bit of a story. I’ll tell you as we walk to the pine trees. Miss Edie loves animals and would never harm one. We used to have chickens when I was small, and she would toss extra feed out by the trees, so the squirrels could eat, and the chickens would still be fed. One day coming home from shopping, she heard a small animal whine across the street. It was near the saloon and she investigated. She found a small dog apparently kicked by someone. She brought him home, but it was too late. The little dog died a few hours later. Miss Edie buried him in the field. Word got around town as they do in all small towns and soon children brought their pets and buried them here. We have several dogs and cats, a few birds the children found in their yards, and one fish caught by a little girl who refused to eat it once she caught it.”
“That’s a nice thing to do,” Benjamin agreed. “But why is it so rundown?”
Katie shrugged. “My guardians were going to fence it in with white pickets to match the house, but a small boy was burying his puppy and asked them not to. He said his dog wouldn’t understand being somewhere with a fancy fence. They decided to just let nature take care of the field and occasionally, some child will visit and pull out weeds or bring flowers, but it stays pretty much wild.”
Benjamin nodded and wondered as they continued their walk to the pines just what kind of family Katie grew up in. It wasn’t the first time he wondered, but he was beginning to realize that although eccentric, her guardians were good women with large, caring hearts. Katie was perfect, and he was not going to let her get away if he could help it. He just needed to convince her.
Katie stopped at the shady edge of the pine trees and Benjamin helped her spread out the blanket. He placed the basket in the middle and helped Katie sit on one side and he sat on the other. He took a deep breath enjoying the smell of pine, fresh air, and the lady across from him when he suddenly sat up straighter and squinted.
“Is that Miss Ethel out on the porch? Is she holding a rifle? I thought Michael was joking. I truly don’t wish to be shot,” Benjamin stammered.
“You won’t be, don’t worry. It’s her way of letting you know to act like a gentleman. I’m sure she won’t stay on the porch long, but she might sit inside near the window to keep watch,” Katie said as she straightened the wrinkles in her skirt and smiled at the look on Benjamin’s handsome face.
Benjamin wasn’t as sure
