“We’re going to see Uncle Richard,” Isaac told Carl and Emma. “The reporter is going to write about him in a magazine.”
To Mary’s surprise, Isaac was the only one who seemed impressed with this. The other children were more interested in saying goodbye to the dog that was trying to get up into the wagon.
“Down, boy,” Jenny called out to the animal. She looked over at Jeremy who was stacking wood into a neat pile. “Jeremy, get the dog. I don’t want to accidently run over him.”
Jeremy hurried to pull the dog away from the wagon.
Everyone but Isaac seemed disappointed that the dog was no longer trying to jump into the wagon. Isaac, Mary guessed, was too excited about seeing his uncle to care about the dog. She released her breath and faced forward. Dave was probably going to hear about today’s visit with Richard from either Isaac or Rachel before she had a chance to warn him. Every time she returned from town, she had to change Adam’s diaper right away or he ended up leaking through his clothes. That would give the other two children plenty of time to talk to Dave.
“Are you alright?” Sally asked Mary.
Unaware she’d been wincing, Mary relaxed her face. “I’m fine.”
Mary was sure Dave didn’t want anyone else to know that he was insecure about Isaac’s admiration for Richard. Glad Adam was squirming in her arms so she could avoid looking at either Sally or Jenny, Mary pulled a piece of candy from her pocket and gave it to him. Adam settled down and leaned into her as the wagon moved forward.
“We should probably see Richard and Amanda before we see how Maureen and Connie are doing,” Sally said as Jenny guided the wagon off the property. “It sounds like they’re going to show the reporter around Omaha after the interview. The reporter’s never been here before, so I’m sure he’s interested in seeing what we have to offer, though, I doubt he’ll find anything as exciting as what they have in Chicago. Chicago’s a lot bigger than Omaha.”
“That might be true, but Omaha is a nice place to live,” Jenny said. “It’s grown a lot since we arrived here.”
Sally nodded. “It’s too bad you didn’t see it back when we came here in 1864, Mary.” She gasped. “That was twenty years ago, Jenny.”
Jenny grinned. “It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? I don’t miss New York.”
“Neither do I. I never would have met Rick if we’d stayed back there. And you wouldn’t have met Owen, and,” she glanced at Mary, “Dave wouldn’t have been here when Mary came.”
“And our children wouldn’t be here, either,” Jenny added.
Figuring she’d better say something since Sally and Jenny would start to wonder what was preoccupying her thoughts, Mary jumped in with, “My life has been better off with you two and Dave in it.”
Sally shot her a teasing glance. “I notice you put us before David in that comment. Don’t worry. We won’t tell him.”
Mary chuckled, and the mood eased somewhat. She still couldn’t get rid of the gnawing feeling in her stomach that told her she’d be better off telling them they should take her, Isaac, Rachel, and Adam back home right now. She knew that was the best thing to do, but she didn’t know how to do that without making them wonder what was going on.
So, in the end, she kept her mouth shut and did her best to pretend that nothing was wrong. When Jenny pulled the wagon up to the front of Richard’s house, Isaac was the first to hop down from it. Mary released her breath. This was going to be an interesting day.
Once the others were all down, Mary held Adam and followed the others up to the house. Not surprising, Isaac was the first one at the door. He was peering through the vertical window by the door in unbridled excitement.
“Do you think the reporter’s here?” Isaac asked Sally.
“He might be.” Sally pulled the small pocket watch out of her drawstring purse. “It’s almost noon.” She winced. “This might be a bad time. What if they’re eating lunch?”
A spark of hope shot through Mary. “Maybe now isn’t a good time to interrupt them.” Then they could see Maureen and Connie, and afterwards, Richard and the reporter might be out around town. Then Jenny would have to come back another day to see Amanda’s hat.
Before Mary could suggest seeing Maureen and Connie, Jenny said, “We’ll knock on the door. If they’re busy, the butler will tell us to come back later.”
She frowned in disappointment, but no one noticed.
Jenny used the doorknocker and stepped back.
Mary silently prayed the butler would tell them Richard and the reporter were already gone.
Unfortunately, her prayer was for naught. The butler opened the door and encouraged them to enter the house.
“Mr. Larson and Mr. Conway haven’t left yet,” he said as he led them to the large parlor. “They’re in the den at the moment. I’ll let Mr. Larson know you’re here when they’re finished in there. In the meantime, I’ll tell Mrs. Larson that you’re here and bring in some refreshments. Have a seat and make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thank you,” Jenny said.
Resigned, Mary sat with Rachel and Adam on the couch. Isaac was too busy standing in the center of the room so he could keep an eye on the doorway. Sally sat beside Mary, and Jenny instructed her children to sit in the chairs.
“This is kind of exciting,” Sally whispered to Mary and Jenny once Jenny sat with them. “I can’t believe Richard’s going to be in a nationwide magazine.”
“It feels like we’re related to someone who’s famous,” Jenny agreed. “I’m
