“That sounds very profound,” Hester sighed.
“No, it ain’t profound. It’s just sense. If more people would look at others, thinking about how we all have good days and bad, joys and sorrows, strengths and weaknesses, the world would be a better place.
“Thank you,” Hester said simply.
George gave Hester a smart salute then headed down the stairs to the cellar.
“You’re up,” Rebecca Gatlin walked into the kitchen through the back door, smiling at Hester. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, I just wish that I could be helping.” To Hester’s surprise Becky pulled out a seat at the table offering her a kind nod.
“Sometimes we have to have the sense to stop and look after ourselves if we ever hope to help others. I’ve struggled to learn that over the years. Grady helped me come to grips with that reality.”
“I seem to be hearing a good deal of wisdom in this kitchen today.” Hester laughed, cheered by Becky’s smile.
“Are you glad you came to Biders Clump?” Becky asked.
“I think I am. I don’t know how things will go here, but I think it was a good move for this family. Mr. Payton and the children will have room to grow into the people they need to be.”
“But what about you,” the other woman pressed.
“Me? I’m just the hired help.”
“If you say so,” Becky laughed softly. “Though watching the way the children depend on you and how Mr. Payton defers to you with them, I’m not sure that’s true.”
The brief kiss in the late hours of a long day flashed into Hester’s brain, and she felt her cheeks heat. “I’m only trying to do my job the best way I know how.”
“As long as you’re honest with yourself,” Becky said. “Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do.” She looked up pushing her chair back and preparing to leave as Mr. Payton stepped through the back door. “I’ll go check on Polly,” Becky finished disappearing as quickly as she had come.
“You’re feeling better,” Cecil smiled pleased to see Hester sitting up. “Can I get you anything?”
“No thank you. I am feeling much better though. It feels good to be sitting up, though I’m as useless as a chocolate tea pot.”
Cecil walked to the stove grabbing a mug and filling it with coffee. “So what do you think of the folks here in Biders Clump?”
“To be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed by everything and everyone,” Hester felt the tightness growing in her throat as she met the man’s eyes. “This move seems to be so much more than I expected it.”
Cecil reached out taking Hester’s hand in his. There was something on her face that compelled him to want to comfort her. He was thrilled that so much was being done to make his new house into a home. There was so much work to be done, but he suddenly felt like he was a part of a community.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll be here to help you with anything you ever need.”
Chapter 24
Hester didn’t know what to say, she had felt a strange admiration for Mr. Payton, even attraction, but she was sure that was only a result of her relief in having a steady job.
“Thank you,” she spoke, pulling her hand away, as her heart picked up its pace. “I’m so grateful to you for all you have done for me and Uncle Hyke. I don’t know how long we would have been able to manage without this job.”
“I hope it has become more than a job.” Cecil wrapped his hands around his coffee mug, gazing into the depths of the dark brew. “I’d like to think we have become friends.”
“Friends,” Hester felt her heart swoop then sink. “I’m not sure I had thought of it like that.”
“I wish you would.” Cecil looked up meeting Hester’s beautiful eyes. “You’ve helped so much with Beverly and Jonas. I was completely lost in what to do with those children.”
Hester smiled. It had been all too evident that Mr. Payton had been overwhelmed by the two little people in his life. “I’m sure you would have figured it out.”
Cecil laughed. “I’m really not sure that is true. We had been through nine caregivers in the three months that I was there. I knew the children were grieving and confused, but even to me that seemed excessive. You seem to be made of stouter stuff.”
“Children are children,” Hester smiled, feeling more comfortable. Around them they could hear the ring of hammers, the swish of brooms and a variety of activity, but at that moment it seemed they were the only two people in the world. “They just needed something to occupy them, and to know that someone realized they were a part of the household.”
“I don’t think I realized that until you came along. When the children arrived at dinner the night of the big shareholder’s meeting, I was positive it would all fall apart. You pulled it off and made me realize how much the children wanted to be a part of my life. Now, being here, I feel like I’m a part of something important. Putting this house back together, making new friends, getting to know you, it is changing me in ways I don’t even understand.”
Hester reflected the smile on Cecil’s face, surprised when he reached his hand toward her once more.
“Friends?”
“Friends,” Hester nodded taking his hand and squeezing it, as muddled emotions rolled through her fuzzy brain.
***
As the sun began to sink toward the horizon, make-shift tables were spread in the trampled yard and a variety of food, drink, and dessert was spread out for all to share. The children, freed from the restraint of sitting at a formal table, gobbled up everything insight, chatting and getting better acquainted with others of their age.
Mrs. August brought out every place setting in the cupboards to feed the number of people who had trickled to the house throughout the day.
Hester couldn’t keep track of all
