“I know.”
Just before she reaches the door, she turns back to Anika, “You may want to wear your hair down for a little while. You have a mark,” she points to her collar bone.
Anika blushes, and her hand flies up to cover it.
“Do you need to talk about anything else?” Savannah asks gently.
“No, I, uh, we…” she glances at Savannah who starts laughing.
“That's what I thought. Don't judge Glenn too harshly, Anika. Give him a chance to prove he's a good man. I imagine he'll be mortified when he remembers all of this.”
“If he remembers it,” she murmurs. Memories flash, of Saul stumbling, hands fumbling, followed by pain. Anika takes a shaky breath and wipes at her eyes.
“He can be better than this, Give him a chance. We’ll be back.”
She doesn’t respond as Savannah leaves.
Anika lays Quinton down and pats him while Allen coos at her. “Who's a good baby, yes you are.”
Daisy walks in and smiles down at the boys. “They’re growing so quickly. I can’t believe they three months old. If only we could freeze time and keep them safe.”
Anika hugs her, knowing she is speaking of Glenn. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but Glenn will get through this. He has an amazing family.”
“How did you survive it, Anika. So much loss?”
“I had no one to fall back on, and that would leave Delaney alone in this world. I turned to my Heavenly Father to guide me, and Glenn has you. This family is his safe place, he'll come around soon enough.”
“I pray you’re right. In the meantime, we should start planning the food for the Quilting Bee. Its only two days from now and we’re going to have a big turnout.”
“I can’t wait to see the children’s faces when they realize that people do care. The community cares.”
Chapter 16
“Mama, why are we sewing Bee's?” Delaney asks while helping stack squares of material that Mrs. Flanagan had sent over earlier in the week.
Daisy laughs and hugs her close while Anika stops and stares at them with a smile.
“No, sweetie, it’s just an expression. We are going to work like Bees in a group to accomplish one goal.”
“Exactly, and when the sun sets, we’re going to have a party, with music, food, and dancing!” Savannah sings.
“I love parties!” Delaney spins in a circle before stopping. “Will we have cake?”
“Of course, and I made your favorite, apple cake.” Anika teases.
“I can’t wait for the party, but I don’t like to sew.” Delaney frowns at the stacks of material that are piled on two tables in the barn.
Savannah picks her up, “We shall suffer through it together dearest, then we shall party until the sun rises!” The women laugh at Savannah’s dramatic tone and Delaney squeals with laughter.
A dog runs through the barn crashing into one of the tables as he chases the cat.
“Allen Wade!” Daisy yells for her husband and sets off after the animals while Anika and Savannah rush to straighten the table.
“I’ll help,” Delaney chases after them leaving the barn almost ready.
“How many quilts do you think we can get done,” Savannah asks Anika.
“I’m not sure. Each one is two by four feet long. It will go much quicker with so many hands. I’m hoping for quite a good turn out, but I don’t know how many will show up.”
“I think you will be surprised. They’re all curious about you and any reason to get together and share food usually brings a crowd.”
“That reminds me, I've got to get the apple cider off the fire, so it can start cooling, I've never made such a huge batch before.” Anika rushes out of the central bay of the barn and into a small galley kitchen in the back. It's a simple mudroom slash kitchen for the workers. A black cast iron stove sits in the corner with a cabinet beside it. Above the cabinet are a set of wooden shelves, with spices on them. The massive black pot is at a rapid boil, filling the kitchen with smells of fall. From cinnamon and nutmeg to ginger, and all of them are boiling with apple slices and peels. She hurries to stir it.
“Mmm, smells like heaven in here,” Glenn says from behind her.
Anika’s heart leaps at the sound of his voice. She managed to avoid him for a few days, attempting to let her anger cool. When she struggles to move the pot, he quickly offers to help and grabs it for her.
“Let me.” Glen slides the pot to the countertop where it can cool. The oven will remain warm to help heat the barn.
“Thank you,” she murmurs. “It will have to cool for a few hours, but it should be ready just in time for the festivities, excuse me,” Anika avoids looking at him and tries to step around him, but he stops her with a hand to her arm.
“You and I need to talk soon,” he says softly. “I don’t remember much of the other night and what I do remember is a blur, if I did anything that made you feel threatened, I would never forgive myself.
“No, of course not,” she pulls away from his touch and puts distance between them. She blushes and wishes it were that easy for her to forget. “Think nothing of it.”
“I would feel better if you were angry, not this distant,
