“For goodness sakes, I’m with child not ill. I can wash a few baby things. It isn’t like I’m trying to tackle a big heavy wet bed sheet.” Ella Grace insisted planting her hands on her hips.
Throwing up her hands, Katie shook her head. “Calm down, I was only trying to keep your husband happy.”
“He isn’t here. He’ll never know. Now, how about some tea and we can discuss what you’re going to wear tonight.”
Katie let out an exasperated sigh and set the cups on the table while the tea steeped.
Ella Grace ignored her best friend’s response and said, “I think you should wear that pretty blue dress with the tiny pink flowers on it. It brings out the blue in your eyes. I think Michael has told Benjamin all about you when he wrote to him and since the train arrived a short while ago, I think you are the major subject of their discussions right about now.”
“Now, wait,” Katie insisted as she dropped onto a chair at the table. “I thought he was coming to be a carpenter here in town. We certainly can use the help. He isn’t coming just for me.”
“Uh huh,” Ella Grace mumbled. “I think he’s coming for both and it’s a good thing he’s here before you receive any responses to your ad. After all, at least you know he comes from a good background.”
“I do?”
“Of course. He and Michael grew up together. I know Mother Karson would never let Michael have friends that were troublemakers.”
Katie raised her eyebrows. “They are both men which means they were both boys at some point and you know as well as I do that boys get into mischief.”
Ella Grace winked. “I know, and we were girls once. They couldn’t have caused much more mischief than we did. Remember, Miss Edie once told us we would end up in jail and threatened to send us to a convent.”
“I remember,” Katie giggled.
Chapter Six
Clara, busy dusting the furniture in Ella Grace and Michael’s parlor, noticed Katie and Ella Grace hurrying toward the house. She opened the door before Ella Grace could reach for the handle.
“Welcome back, Ella Grace. Katie, it’s good to see you,” Clara said as she pulled the door open wide.
The three women hugged and exchanged pleasantries before settling in the kitchen. Katie commented on the delicious aroma of chicken that greeted them.
“I’m making chicken and dumplings for supper. It’s Mrs. Donlinson’s recipe and Mr. Karson’s favorite,” Clara answered and stirred the pot of chicken.
“That’s perfect, but you need to change out of that black dress, Clara,” Ella Grace said. “Your white apron works fine, but I am so tired of black dresses.”
“I explained yesterday that this is my uniform.”
“Yes,” Ella Grace countered. “I told you that you don’t need to look like a maid here. You can wear one of your day dresses until we buy fabric. Tomorrow we’re going to the mercantile and buy enough fabric for three new dresses. You can choose the color and fabric. I know you want them to be serviceable, but please no black. Even Miss Edie and Miss Ethel have stopped wearing black. Today they were in brown and dark blue, but both are better than black.”
“I promise,” Clara smiled.
“Good, we can all learn how to use the sewing machine together. Katie, you can sew more baby things if you need them,” Ella Grace offered.
“We have enough baby things, but Ivy and Rosie need new dresses, and the ones Anna has outgrown are still a bit big for them. Using the sewing machine will help, and I can surprise them with identical dresses. Since they received the new dresses for your wedding, Ella Grace, all they talk about is wearing the same dress or at least the same color. They are helpful with the babies that I think they deserve a surprise,” Katie said excitedly.
Ella Grace crossed her hands across her slightly expanding stomach and said, “Enough talk about dresses. We need to talk about the handsome man Michael is bringing home for supper and how you are going to enchant him.”
“Enchant him?” Katie gasped.
Clara giggled.
“Of course, just smile and you’ll have him eating out of your hand.”
“And don’t forget to bat your eyelashes,” Clara offered.
“No, absolutely not.” Katie sat back and crossed her arms across her chest. “He’ll think I’m a loose woman.”
“Just be yourself. He’ll adore you. He and Michael are best friends so why wouldn’t my husband’s best friend not love my best friend?” Ella Grace asked winking at Katie.
The happy banter continued all afternoon until the three women heard the front door open. Katie bolted from her seat and headed for the back door. Clara grabbed her arm shaking her head no. Ella Grace just smiled and reached out her hand. Katie took it and felt her friend’s reassuring smile and took a deep breath.
Katie followed Ella Grace into the parlor and stood with her hands folded in front of her as Ella Grace greeted her husband and was introduced to his friend. When Ella Grace called her name, Katie finally looked up and stared into the face of the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was as tall as Michael and solidly built. His dark brown hair nearly matched Michael’s, and Katie could see why they were best friends. They were almost bookends, but while Michael’s eyes were dark brown, Benjamin’s were lighter. Katie wasn’t sure what color precisely because she was afraid to stare.
Michael brought his friend closer and said, “Benjamin Hunter, I would like you to meet my wife’s best friend, Katie Deidmann. Katie, this is my best friend from
