Mary stared at Maureen for a long moment and decided Maureen was telling her the truth. “Alright. I’ll bring an apple pie with me next time I go to town.”
Maureen grinned. “Thank you!”
“I hope you won’t be upset if your pie isn’t like mine.”
“I will be, but there won’t be anything to help that. I’ll just have to manage with the results.” She patted Mary’s hand. “You’ve always been such a thoughtful person. I appreciate that about you. It’s why I never get too upset when you keep winning cooking contests. To be honest, I’m a little bit relieved you’re too busy out here with your family to do much of them anymore. The more children you have, the better things are for me.”
Mary chuckled. “Then you’ll be delighted to know I’m expecting again.”
“I am delighted! And not just because it means you’ll be even busier but also because I know you love children. You’re a fine mother.”
Touched by the sincerity in the woman’s words, Mary thanked her.
Maureen took a drink of her coffee, and the two spent a half hour talking before she headed on home.
Dave glanced at Mary as she waved to Maureen who was already down the path leading off the property. “Do I want to know why she came over?”
Mary turned her attention to him and grinned. “She wants me to make one of my apple pies and take it to her store so she can compare her apple pie with mine.”
“Why does she want that?”
“She wants to see if she can get a recipe that’s like mine.”
“She’s not still trying to buy your recipe, is she?”
“No. She’s given up on that. I’ll never reveal my recipe to anyone but Rachel and any other daughters we have.” Noting his relief, she added, “I’ve learned how to say no and stick to it. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I just don’t like it when people take advantage of you.”
“I know you don’t. Maureen isn’t like that. She might joke around from time to time, but she respects my wishes.” She glanced at the yard where Isaac and Rachel were playing with Jasper. The poor dog was going to get worn out before the day was over. He was no longer a puppy who had boundless energy. But there was no denying he was having fun. If he could talk to her, she was sure he’d tell her he was just fine with the children exhausting him.
“Adam’s not due up from his nap for another twenty minutes,” Mary said. “Would you like some company for a while?”
Dave nodded. “I was hoping you’d offer.”
She gave him a warm smile and rubbed his shoulder. “I’ll return with some lemonade.” Then she slipped back into the house.
***
“Are you sure you feel like going to a luncheon at Richard’s home?” Mary asked Dave two weeks later as he put a tie on in their bedroom. “We can always tell your family that someone got sick.”
Dave turned from the mirror so he could look at her. “I don’t mind going. The children are looking forward to seeing their cousins. Besides, the harvest will be in a couple of days, and there won’t be time to relax until it’s over.”
Mary almost didn’t say anything. Dave hadn’t brought up the topic of Isaac and Richard since she had returned from town after Isaac had gotten his special pen.
But Mary thought she had to say something because Sally had told her that copies of the magazine were at Richard’s home. Amanda had already given Sally a copy, and from what Sally said, there were enough copies for everyone else in the family.
“Sally said that the magazine came in the other day,” Mary began, “and there are plenty of copies for everyone. I have a feeling Isaac will want one.”
“I know, and I’m fine with that. Isaac and I worked things out.” He grimaced as he adjusted his tie. “I wish I could say the same for this tie.”
“Let me help.” When he turned to her, she straightened it out for him. “I don’t know why you have such a hard time with this thing. It’s a straightforward piece of clothing.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sure, it is.”
She giggled and kissed his cheek. “There. All done.” She went to Rachel’s room and saw that her daughter was putting on her shoes. “Are you excited about today?”
Rachel nodded. “I get to wear my prettiest dress.”
“You like that, don’t you?” Mary asked.
“I feel like a princess,” she replied. “It’s fun to dress up.”
Mary overheard Dave mutter something about hating to wear his tight dress shoes and hid the urge to chuckle. Not everyone would agree with her about dressing up. From his bedroom, Isaac called out for Mary to help him with his tie. She shook her head in amusement. Perhaps Dave and Isaac were more alike than she’d realized.
“Go downstairs when you’re done with those shoes,” Mary said.
Since Rachel promised she would, Mary went to Isaac’s bedroom. A happy Adam was bouncing on Isaac’s bed.
“When is he going to have a big boy bed?” Isaac asked. “He thinks my bed is his.”
“He’ll be getting a bed after the harvest. Your pa will use some of the money he gets from the crops for the material to make a bunk bed.”
“What’s a bunk bed?”
“It’s two beds where one is on top of the other,” she replied as she fixed his tie for him. “Your grandparents have a couple of them.”
“That’s what that bed is called?”
She nodded and finished his tie. She handed him a comb. “Yes, that’s what it’s called. It’s time for you and Adam to have
