Anger, rushes through her, hard and fast until she is trembling with the need to lash out at him. “God, that it was as easy for me.” She stomps towards him, flushed with fury and shoves him back away from her, “If I could, I would box your ears! Now is not the time for this discussion.”
Shocked, he stares at her and guilt rides him hard. “Then what? You have avoided me for two days.”
“Glenn, it isn’t my safety I worry about, but my daughter. If Delaney had seen you like that,” her voices goes hoarse and falls silent. She straightens her shoulders and meets his eyes. “I promised myself she would never be in that situation again, and you made me break that promise.” Fury has her blushing, “I will do the job you hired me to do, but I can’t... just leave me be.” She storms from the kitchen bumping Savannah on the way out, almost causing her to drop the linens she has brought.
“I’m sorry,” she calls as she passes her. Savannah sighs and watches her go before turning to him.
“You need to give her some space. After the way you treated her, I’m surprised she’s still here,” Savannah says and places the cloth down on the counter next to the pot. Picking up the large spoon, she mixes the apple cider while she waits for her words to sink in.
“The way I treated her?” Glenn tries desperately to remember, but the combination of moonshine and whiskey did a number on his memory.
Savannah taps the pot and places the spoon down on a plate before turning on him. “When she came to my door, she was looking a little… flustered Glenn. With swollen red lips and messed up hair, not to mention the bruise on her neck.”
“No,” horror fills his eyes, and he steps to the door to watch Anika laugh at something Delaney says. “I wasn't myself, surely she would have said something if I …” he drops his head and turns back to his sister.
“Glenn, what’s happening to you?”
“It’s the nightmares.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “I don’t sleep, and whiskey helps. They used to be of the war, now they are of Sue.”
Haunted eyes meet hers, and she almost weeps for the pain she sees.
“I drank too much, and you know the rest.”
“I see. After the bake sale, you were supposed to come to the homestead. Perhaps tomorrow we could try again.”
“That’s it? No yelling, or berating me?”
“No. You're doing enough of that for the both of us. You need to apologize to Anika.” She turns and stops at the door, “I'd do it soon. Dayton made it clear he was interested in her and I found her writing a letter today, and she was crying. I'd wager she's planning on leaving us.”
Glenn’s heart almost stops as his eyes harden at the thought of her leaving. “That’s not gonna happen.”
Anika watches Glenn leave and returns to the house to change into a new violet dress with dark purple trim and high collar. “Let’s have fun today, okay, Delaney.”
“Yes, Mama. Can I go play now?”
“Of course,” she laughs and gives thanks for the quick healing she sees in her daughter.
After she brushes her hair, she pulls the sides up, leaving the rest down, pulling a few curls to the front to cover her neck. Her heart pounds and her body reacts when she thinks of Glenn's hands and mouth on her. It is clear to her that he has no memory of the other night and thankfully she doesn't have to talk about it with him.
Nervous energy has her chewing her bottom lip. Dayton made it obvious he was interested in her. Anika never dreamed she would consider marrying a stranger, but he seemed kind and was amazing with Delaney. Her heart calls her a liar and her body agrees. “I am thinking only of Delaney and our future.” She opens the drawer by her bed and finds the unsent letter. It is for an advertisement for a wet nurse. With the wages they are offering it will not be hard to find a new post. Picking it up her hands tremble. A dog barks excitedly, causing her to jump and drop it back in the drawer. Wagons pull in with women and men loaded, children laughing and waving, and excitement builds. Today will be about making happy memories she promises herself as she heads outside.
Chapter 17
Dr. Parker and his wife Clara arrive with Mrs. Flannagan and some of the other women from the church, followed by multiple wagons. Each of the families brings a covered dish and soon the barn is humming with laughter. The men go to meet the new pony, Starlight and work with the horses. Glenn promises to return for food around lunchtime.
Martha Darlington arrives in Rhemi's prize carriage with her mother, and they offer special mason jars tied with festive ribbons. “Mrs. Ward, I hope you don't mind, but Mother and I brought these just for this occasion. To celebrate our first annual Quilting Bee for the Orphanage. I thought we could share some of that famous cider and toast to new beginnings.”
Daisy smiles, “That’s so thoughtful of you. Is Rhemi coming?”
“He couldn't make it. Unfortunately, he was called out of town on business, but he left us in charge of the carriage.”
“That’s nice of him. Please come inside, I’ll just take those to the kitchen.”
“Nonsense, you stay and welcome your guests, two more wagons have just arrived. Point me in the direction I need to go.” Daisy smiles and instructs her where the galley kitchen is and hurries to
