“My goodness, Martha, you’re fast. Thank you for your help.”
“Of course, Daisy. I'm not much of a cook, but I'm glad to help in any way I can. You fill them up, and I'll start serving.” Martha leaves and begins handing out cup after cup to the twenty women, young and old. Some refuse the brew, but Martha is insistent that this is for the community. “Just one drink in honor of this day. Lest we forget how fortunate we’ve been and just how important this task that Ms. Coltrane has given us.”
Once Daisy finishes handing out the glasses, Martha sighs with relief.
“Proverbs 19:17 says, ‘Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed,” Clara says. ‘Father in heaven we ask that bless this day so that we may do your work. Amen.”
“Amen,” the women chorus.
“Cheers,” Martha says, encouraging everyone to drink.
All the women are soon sipping away and munching happily. Lunch is served, and Anika is aware the moment Glenn enters.
Flushed from the heat, she happily fills plates for the men who move down the line and smiles at Glenn as she hands one to him.
“Are you having a good time, Ms. Coltrane?” He asks as she hands him a plate and sips on her second cup of cider.
“Oh, my yes.”
Glenn can't help but notice the blush on her cheeks and the way she smiles at him has his mouth watering, though, not for the food. “You're holding up the line, Son.” Allen teases and nudges him. The plates are filled with fried chicken, biscuits, and pickled beans.
Martha glares from her seat and makes her decision. Perhaps it wasn’t enough? She slips back into the kitchen, finding to her surprise the bottle is no longer where she left it. The old bootlegger obviously didn’t know what he was talking about. Even if it is found no one will know it was hers.
“If three pours did nothing, but make her giggle, then let's see her handle a full bottle.” She pulls the bottle from her bodice, removing the cork, only to jump at Savannah's voice outside, coming closer. Panicked she dumps the whole bottle into the pot. She quickly shoves the cork on and stashes it back in her bodice.
“Are you lost, Martha? Or just looking for some unsuspecting man to ensnare?”
Martha laughs and grabs a spoon to stir, just as Savannah walks up behind her.
“Daisy asked me to grab a tray of cookies. Men have large appetites, at least your old fiancé did if I remember correctly.” She pushes past Savannah with a laugh and carries the cookies straight to Glenn standing next to Anika’s chair.
“I heard you liked sweets, Mr. Ward. “Perhaps you'd like to try one of these?” Her dress is cut to draw attention to her body. Any other man would have jumped at the opportunity.
Glenn looks at her and wonders at her audacity. For one so beautiful, she comes off as desperate. His stomach drops at her insinuation. He steps back and tips his hat.
“No, thank you. We are just returning to work on the fence, and my appetite is quenched.” He turns and marches outside.
“I bet it is,” Martha hisses glaring at Anika before she stomps to the table and slams the tray down.
Anika watches Glenn leave, barely aware of Martha, she shakes her head feeling slightly dizzy. “I think I need to eat something,” she grabs a plate and loads it with food and quickly finds a chair near the door. “So hot,” she murmurs as she nibbles on a piece of chicken.
Martha glances around the barn at the women fanning themselves and panic starts to set in. This was only supposed to get Anika drunk, not all the women from the church.
Her mother walks over to Martha and whispers, “Do something!”
“We need to go now. I did something stupid,” Martha hisses and whispers in her ear explaining about the bottle.
“They all think they are better than us. What will happen when Glenn returns, and you are the only sober one left,” her Mother cackles.
Martha’s eyes fly open wide, “Mother, you’re a genius!”
“Of course. I think it's too cold, Martha. Get them hotter, and they will drink more,” she suggests.
Martha smiles and turns on her heel to follow one of the stable hands outside. “Excuse me, you look like just the sort I need. I mean with all your muscles,” her hand covers her mouth in a pretend blush, “It’s just that the women are cold, and we were wondering if you could add more logs to the stove.”
“Of course,” he slides his sweat-stained hat back and grins at her. “Anything for such a pretty lady.”
Martha giggles and hurries back inside, to wait. “It will take about an hour for it to warm up in here, keep filling their cups, mother.”
“Do we have a count on the number of quilts?” Savannah asks Daisy.
“I’ll ask Anika.” Daisy looks around and finds her attempting to sew a panel.
“Blast it!” Anika hisses as she misses and pokes herself again.
“Perhaps you should take a break, Anika.” Mrs. Flannagan says with a laugh.
“Would you mind getting a count of the finished quilt, Anika?” Daisy asks.
Anika sighs and wipes at her brow before standing up. Swaying on her feet, she grabs onto Daisy. “Is the floor moving?” All sound ceases as the blood rushes to her ears. Three women jump up to help.
Martha hurries to help, “Here drink this. It’s hot in here.” Pressing a cup of cider into her hand.
One-woman fans her as Anika sips at the drink. “Perhaps I should’ve eaten my lunch. Thank you, ladies, I’ll be fine.”
Daisy returns with a plate of food. “Here, eat something. Clara and I will count.”
