“Where am I going to get goats or sheep for that matter?” Cecil asked.
“Bruno might be willing to bring his sheep out there for a while.” Polly grinned.
“You don’t think Janine will mind?” George grinned.
“She’s doing fine on her own and with her father and new step-mother close by, I’m sure she won’t mind. Bruno can always find a boy to watch the sheep at night anyway.”
“I’ll be happy to pay,” Cecil spoke up, as Polly moved to the stove opening the door to check on the roasting chicken inside.
Mrs. August sat silently sipping her coffee at one end of the table. She looked completely exhausted.
“Polly,” the young woman from the night before stepped into the kitchen, smiling at the assembly.
“Becky, I’m glad you’re here. I thought perhaps you might be willing to help out at the Rally house tomorrow. I’ll manage here for a day if you can spare the time. Is Grady coming for dinner?”
Becky Gatlin nodded a greeting to the people around her. “Hello,” she smiled. “Yes, Grady is planning on joining us. Is everyone staying again tonight?”
“Yes,” Mrs. August said quickly, her eyes wide. “Please tell me there is room.”
Becky smiled, tucking a strand of her ginger brown hair behind her ear. “There is plenty of room, and you’re beds are all made up,” she smiled kindly. “I’d be pleased to come out and help tomorrow,” she turned meeting Mr. Payton’s eyes. “Before you offer, I will not expect any pay. After all we are neighbors now.”
“Can we have cookies?” Jonas asked marching to the table and taking a seat.
“Only a few,” Hester agreed. “Miss Polly has dinner nearly done.”
“Who’s Grady,” Beverly leaned toward Mark who had snatched a cookie from under his grandfather’s hand.
“He’s the school teacher and Becky’s husband. You’ll like him.”
Beverly took a seat waiting for a break in the conversation to tell the adults that she had gotten them a cat, but they were so busy discussing supplies, cleaning, and how to get the Rally house in order she didn’t want to interrupt. She also didn’t want anyone to tell her no. She already loved the mother cat and her tiny kittens. If she had to scrub every room in their new home to keep them, she would.
As a brief snack progressed into a hearty dinner, the children were introduced to Mr. Grady Gatlin, the town’s teacher..
“I’ll be pleased to see you in school soon,” the big man with the kind smile offered as he passed the mashed potatoes. “Our little town is growing, and it’s a treat to have more children in town.” His dark eyes strayed to his lovely wife who nodded.
“I’ll be glad to help any time I’m needed,” Ernie smiled. “You might even consider asking Mary Ellen Bannon to help as well. I think she would enjoy doing some teaching again.”
“We’ve been discussing it with the school board,” Grady agreed. “It might be nice if she could take the lower grades and give me more time with some of the more advanced students. I like to see them stretch themselves a bit.”
“I’m planning on getting top grades again this year,” Alyssa said. “English and History are my favorite subjects. She shot a knowing glance at her brother, but said no more.
“I don’t like Math or English,” Jonas said.
“You will with Mr. Grady,” Mark grinned. “He helps it make sense.”
Hester sat quietly listening to the conversation. Ellery offered to join them at the Rally house the next day and help clear away some of the bigger trees and ferry Becky back and forth to the house as well. It was apparent that the people of Biders Clump were determined to do what they could to help Mr. Payton settle in to the community. In time she wouldn’t be needed to help with the children at all.
Lifting her eyes she looked at her uncle, wondering what they would do when that day came. Would they return to the city or perhaps find a place here in this small but welcoming town.
Hyke winked at his niece, enjoying the noise and bustle around him. He felt like that he was part of something again and had a purpose.
“Are you feeling unwell,” Cecil leaned in taking note of how pale his companion looked. “You’ve been very quiet tonight.”
“I’m well,” Hester offered, smiling to prove it true. “There is just so much to take into consideration.”
Cecil tipped his head studying Hester. She had been a godsend the day she had turned up at his house. He was so ill equipped to deal with the children and now, suddenly, he felt like he was coming to know them as people.
“Hester,” Mrs. August spoke as Polly and Becky served hot apple tart for dessert. “I have a list of things we will need from the general store if you’ll take it down. I believe Mrs. Olson indicated that they will be open a bit longer.”
“Yes, Mrs. August,” Hester nodded, pushing her chair away from the table.
“I’ll walk you,” Cecil stood as well, reaching out for the list his housekeeper held. “Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Gatlin, thank you for a wonderful meal. If I could ask that you save our dessert for when we return.” He smiled around the table warmly.
Polly waved the young man away. “Of course, now you’d better hurry before the store closes. I’m sure everything will be ready in the morning.”
Mrs. August's hard eyes glowered at Hester as Cecil offered her his arm and left the room. She had hoped to quell the growing attachment the two younger people seemed to be developing for each other, not toss them together again.
***
Hester stepped out into the cool air of a burgeoning evening and sighed at the sudden silence.
“You don’t need to accompany me,” she offered, giving the man the chance to return to his dessert.
“To be honest I needed a break.” Cecil smiled starting toward the store. “I have so many
