“I’ll stay out here.” Now that everyone was no longer interested in his leg, he didn’t feel awkward.
She pulled up the small table to the chair. “When you’re done with the lemonade, I’ll get the glass.”
He thanked her and then took another drink of the lemonade as she went back into the house.
Chapter Seven
“I can’t believe we have someone famous in our family,” Tom said during supper.
“Believe it,” eighteen-year-old Mark replied. “A reporter in Chicago heard about the article in the paper, and he wants to come out here to interview my father and me.”
Mark’s twin brother, Tony, looked up from the fried chicken he was eating. “The reporter doesn’t want to interview you. He only wants to interview our father.”
“I’m a part of the business,” Mark replied. “I might not have created it, but I’m helping to construct buildings.”
Tony rolled his eyes. “You’ve only been working at Larson Construction Company for two months.”
“Two months is better than no months,” Mark said.
“Boys, that’s enough,” Richard told them. “It’s just a newspaper article, and the Chicago reporter only wants to do an article in a magazine. You’re making a bigger deal of this than it really is.”
“You’ve always been humble,” Dave’s father began, “but you should be honored. With the exception of Rick, no one’s been asked about their jobs.”
Sally, who was sitting next to Rick, took the opportunity to say, “That was a big deal, too. Rick had to preside over a trial where a man was accused of murdering several people. You remember that, don’t you?” she asked Rick.
Rick chuckled. “I was there during the trial, so I hope I do.”
Sally gave him a playful swat on the arm. “Oh, you know what I mean. That was five years ago, and you handled the whole thing beautifully. I saved that article. I keep it in my jewelry box. I like to take it out and read it from time to time.”
“We know,” Joel spoke up. “You tell us this a couple times a year.”
“Did you read the article about Richard?” Dave’s father asked Dave.
Dave nodded. “I read it before I came in here to eat.”
“Jessica told us Maureen Brown and Connie James suggested the idea,” Dave’s father said. “It was that day Mary was in town with Sally and Jenny.”
“Pa, I’m always in town,” Sally replied. “I live there.”
“I think he was mostly talking about Mary,” Joel said.
“Mary was there when Maureen and Connie talked to us, but I was the one who asked if Jessica would propose the idea to Margaret since Margaret’s married to the editor of the newspaper. The article might not even exist if it hadn’t been for me.”
Turning to April, Joel said, “See what I mean? No matter what it is, Sally ends up making the topic about her.”
Sally gasped. “I do not!”
“Kids, stop fighting,” Dave’s father said. “You’re at the adult table. If you keep it up, I’ll send you to eat with the children.” He looked across the table at Dave’s mother. “You’d think that since they have children of their own, they would behave.”
“Your pa’s right,” Dave’s mother spoke up. “If you continue, we have a few chores we’ll make you do while you’re here.” She glanced between Sally and Joel. “I seem to remember how much you two hated mucking out stalls.”
Sally grimaced, but it was Joel who said, “I am a doctor. I save people’s lives for a living. You can’t make me go into the barn and clean out stalls.”
Dave shook his head. Ever since Joel could speak, it seemed like he didn’t know when to stop. Joel was just asking for trouble.
As Dave suspected, his father glared at Joel. “When you’re in this house, you live by my rules. I don’t care what you do for a living. You still have to mind your manners around here. After you eat, you’re going to the stalls.”
“Ha ha, Joel,” Jenny called out. “You always did know how to get into trouble.”
Dave’s father turned his gaze to her.
Jenny’s eyes grew wide. “What? I didn’t argue with Sally.”
“You don’t need to give your brother a hard time,” Dave’s father replied.
“I’m glad I get to clean stalls with Sep,” Joel said. “It’ll give us a chance to find out what’s new at his farm.”
Sep, who’d been minding his own business, asked, “Did you just volunteer me to serve your punishment with you?”
Joel put his hand on his chest. “I’m shocked you would suggest such a thing. April’s been worried about you ever since she and I moved to town. You can tell me everything that’s happening to you while we’re in the barn. Then I can set her mind at ease.” He gestured to April. “You’ll be doing this for her.”
“Let me guess,” Sep said. “I’ll get to do all the work while you stand around and pretend to be doing something.”
Dave hid his snicker. That was exactly a move Joel would make. Growing up, Joel had done everything possible to get out of farm work. There were times when their parents wondered if he’d ever find a job he could devote himself to.
“I’ll help,” Tony volunteered.
Everyone turned their gazes to him.
Tony picked up another piece of fried chicken and scanned the table. “I like working outdoors.”
“But you’re volunteering for something that’s supposed to be a punishment,” Tom said.
“It’s not a punishment to me,” Tony replied. “I like the way a stall looks when it’s cleaned out.”
“Sep and I will be happy to have you with us,” Joel said with a satisfied smile. “Anyone else want to join in on the fun?” Since no one else offered to help, he added, “Alright, but you’re going
