Within the Candle's Glow (24 page)

“S’pose I ain’t bringin’ a basket?” She laughed, tucked her shawl about her shoulders, and went down the four steps. “Besides, where’d you dig up money? You been slippin’ off to the gold mines or pannin’ in the creeks?” She crossed her arms against the faint chill in the air and tilted her head. “You know, I heard a person don’t have to go far. A man found gold in Double Creek, west of here. If I were a man, I think I’d give it a try.”

“Honest?” He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yes. There’d be lots of things I’d do if I were able. I might be just like Duncan. I’d go hikin’ by myself and explore these hills and mountains.” She motioned at the wooded slopes.

He snorted at her last statement. “You do that now.”

“An’ I love it.” She playfully nudged him in the side. “So, did you pan for gold?”

“No.” Samuel pulled the door shut behind them. “I do odd jobs here and yon, and
sometimes
people pay me.”

“Sometimes, eh?”

They walked to the corral.

“Not often,” he muttered.

She patted his back. “Sorry. Times are tough. We can be thankful Konrad’s much better.”

“Yes. I stopped to see if he wanted any other school subjects covered. He’s in less pain. He’s breathing easier and resting better. They plan to make him a place to sit inside the barn so he can be at the dance.”

“I know. I visited with him two evenin’s ago. He’s usin’ a crutch to hobble around.”

“He told us he remembers stepping off the ladder and starting to climb. Then he slipped. He thinks a wood shingle broke under his foot. So, he wasn’t at the top, thank God.”

She shuttered. “I feared he’d never respond.”

“Granny thinks a bruise to his head had to heal. Lucky he landed on the furrows Miles plowed with his new mule. It was much softer than solid ground.”

“God arranged it ‘head of time.”

“Yeah. The Good Book says God knows our coming and going. He helps when we least expect it. I wonder if we always recognize that.” Samuel stepped inside a small corral and led his horse out the gate.

“I doubt we do.” She waited as he lifted the saddlebags into place.

“These bags hold schoolwork to correct and two books I borrowed for Peggy to study at home.”

“Konrad cain’t praise you enough.”

“Teaching is what I enjoy.”

Samuel led the horse and walked beside her on the wheel-rutted path. She realized how undemanding and comfortable their friendship had become over the years. When she was with Samuel, it didn’t matter what she looked like or how she felt. She smiled and glanced sideways at him, tossing her long hair over one shoulder.

“Why the look?”

“Never knew I’d have a friend like you.”

His face lit with pleasure. “We do get along. Don’t we?”

“Yes. Agatha says she’s never seen a pair like us.”

Samuel kicked at the clods of dirt in the path. “I hope we remain a pair.”

Laughing, she nudged his arm. “Like a pair of
old
boots? I’ll be the right one. You be the left.”

“You
always
have to be right!” he exclaimed. “I don’t think I like the comparison.”

She grinned. “By the way, I’m not sure I
like
that mustache.”

“Why? It’s not a horseshoe mustache like Walter’s.” A frown wrinkled his brow.

“His mustache connects with a beard, silly.”

“What’s wrong with mine? Jim wears one.”

“It hides part of your top lip. Trim it. You have … nice lips.”

Samuel fingered his mustache and shoved the hairs upward. Wiggling his eyebrows, he asked, “Is that better?”

She slapped his upper arm. “Stop bein’ silly.”

“I never do the right thing.” He tugged on the horse’s reins. “Come on, horse, we’re going home.”

“Aww, sorry.” She stopped by the steps of the store. “Be careful ‘long the way.”

“I will. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow? Hey, I bet your basket will sure be pretty.” His eyes reflected a mischievous glint. “Won’t it?”

“Yes, but I’m
not sayin’
what it looks like.” She shook her finger at him, all the while enjoying his curiosity. “I gave you a hint the other day, but it passed over your head like a cloud.”

“What was it?” Samuel frowned. “Ella Dessa, I don’t remember any hint. Give it to me, again.”

She shook her head.

“You’re mean. I wish you’d reconsider and go with me.”

“No.” His horse nudged her shoulder, and she stroked its velvety nose. “Cain’t,” she muttered. She realized her answer would’ve been “yes,” if it hadn’t been for Josh’s raven eyes following her every move the last couple weeks. His calculated stares worried her. Was he capable of hurting someone?

“You could, if you would.”

“No.” She studied him, liking what she saw. Samuel’s shoulders were wide. His build had grown sturdy and tightly molded. His blond hair, although darkened some at the roots, had remained lighter on the ends. “I promised Carrie.”

“Carrie’d understand.”

She shook her head. “Do you know your skin is like mine? You don’t tan easy.”

A faint sprinkling of freckles touched the tops of his arms and hands, especially in the summers, when he tended to roll his sleeves. People sometimes remarked she and Samuel could be taken for brother and sister.

“What?”

Ella’s gaze traveled over his attractive face, the new mustache, and rested on his lips. She hadn’t forgotten that first kiss—her only kiss. She wondered if he had. They had willingly slipped back into their close friend relationship and ignored the fact the kiss ever happened.

“Lost in thought?” He tugged the fringe of her shawl. “Speak to me. What
are
you staring at?”

“Your puzzled and blue-tinted green eyes. A man shouldn’t have eyes like yours.”

“Well, your blue eyes don’t look so puzzled. They’re gleaming. What’s on your mind?”

She laughed softly and forced her thoughts in line with what was currently happening. With the flat of her hand, she gave the horse a final pat on the neck. “See you tomorrow night.” She wiggled her fingers in a wave, slipped inside, and unknotted her shawl.

Ella fought the tremendous urge to compare him to Jim. Dismay washed over her.
Why cain’t I fall in love with Samuel and forget what I feel for Jim?
The spin on her emotions would be—could be—so much easier.

Samuel cared about her, accepted her. His bold sense of humor
always reached her and drew her out of herself. He caused her to ignore the scars on her heart, along with the cruel ones on her neck. But a week or so after her mama’s death—a time when she felt alone—Jim had shown her sympathy. She lost her heart to him at the age of twelve.

“He’s going to be a good man. In fact—he already is.” Walter spoke from behind her.

“You frightened me!” She laughed, ducked around him, and tossed her shawl over a chair near the store’s fireplace. “Sorry, I’m late. I waited to walk with Samuel.”

“It’s all right. Things are slow today. You’re free to go to the house.”

“Thank you.” She snatched her shawl and slipped outside. Sighing, she thought about the barn dance. She knew Sophie would be at Jim’s side, but she hoped he’d notice her in the rust-colored dress and decide she was no longer a child with scars.

#

Carrie shivered, hung back at the double doors, and peeked into the barn.

“Lookin’ for Ethan Wald?” Ella whispered.

“No. I
hate
barns. Makes me think of the past—of my dead pappy whippin’ me in our barn.” The color in the girl’s cheeks heightened. “I’m thirteen now, but jest don’t know if I can do this.” Her light-gray dress had hand-stitched embroidery around the neckline and cuffs. Velma had done a black design with flowers and leaves intertwined. A black ribbon secured her long brown hair at the nape of her neck.

“Carrie, don’t be worried.” She took the girl’s cold hand. “You look lovely. Your woven basket of food will draw bids.”

“I cain’t believe Mama let me enter one.”

“Well, be happy she did and have fun eatin’ with whoever gets it. It’s for the school.”

Carrie wrinkled her nose with lack of enthusiasm. “What if it’s an … old man? I cain’t do that.”

“Don’t worry,” she replied, bumping the girl’s arm with hers. “Ethan will find out which one is yours.”

The girl’s face went crimson. “I think he won’t bid.”

“You don’t know. I’m fixin’ to go talk to the schoolmaster. Want to come?”

“I’ll go stand by Mama.” Carrie tugged on her hand. “Come with me?”

“You can walk that far by yerself. Of course, you might hav’ta run
from all the boys.”

“You’re bein’ silly. Find me an’ talk later?”

“I will.”

Carrie gave her one more pitiful glance and scurried for the food tables.

Ella caught sight of her own decorated basket resting on one of the tables and smiled. Earlier, she had Scott spirit her basket and Carrie’s into the barn, before he disappeared to join his friends in the loft. In amongst the clump of colorful leaves adorning her basket, she had woven a single thin strand of material from the same fabric as her dress. She fervently hoped Jim would be observant enough to notice the connection and bid on her basket. Unlike some events, Miles had said no one was supposed to know on whose box or basket they bid. It would be a surprise, and all monies raised would go for the new school.

With a tinge of anxiety, she stepped into the new barn. Lanterns hung from the crossbeams, and the scent of fresh hay was thick. She hesitated, held her back straighter, shoulders high, and imagined the confident image she hoped to portray. She had designed the collar of her dress to cover her unpleasant scars.

There’ll be no stares tonight.

Konrad reclined in a chair at the opposite end of the barn. His leg was propped on folded grain sacks, which padded a wooden box. Grace stood beside him with Emma in her arms. Ella smiled as she approached them. She liked the way her gathered skirt moved in soft rustles about her ankles. She felt grown-up and pretty.

“Ella Dessa!” Konrad motioned for her to bend close, and he whispered, “Dear cousin, you’re going to make all the young men stumble in eagerness to be your partner.”

Heat rushed up her neck. His compliment brought the blush, but hearing him call her “cousin” prompted her to place a finger against her lips. “It’ll be a mess if they do stumble and clutter up the dirt floor.” She couldn’t keep a giggle out of her voice.

“Ah, my
cousin
, I’m proud of you. I’m still astonished, still in shock, but
proud
.”

Only Miles, Leona, Konrad, and Grace had facts of the past relationship. She figured they couldn’t keep the secret much longer, but she still struggled with the fear of letting everyone know her mama and Miles had never married. She also wondered how people might view her once the news filtered throughout the secluded settlement. Would
they snub her?

The new connection to Konrad was difficult to assimilate without an inner struggle. He was her teacher, the schoolmaster, and married to her friend. Now he was
family.

Grace hugged her with one arm and cradled the sleeping girl on the other. “You’re gorgeous! I like your hair coiled on top of your head. Turn around and let me see your dress. Oh, I love the ruffles around the cuffs. Hmm, I need you to sew for me!”

“No, you don’t.” Ella laughed. “I ain’t …
won’t
do this too often. It worried me to death while I cut it out and sewed it. I was afraid I’d ruin it.”

“You did a perfect job.”

“Walter gave me the dress goods as an early birthday present.”

“That’s right—next month is your birthday. That color brings out the reddish tints in your blond hair. You’ve inherited your mother’s talent for designing patterns. It’s
truly
lovely.”

“Thank you.” Her heart swelled at the thought of being like her mama. “I hope to be just like her in all ways.”

“You
are
.” Miles approached with his arm around Leona. His attentive, warm eyes searched her face. “You have her beauty and her poise. Meara had a tender spirit. I recognize it in you.”

“Thank you. Hearin’ it from you makes her feel close to me …
alive
.” She blinked away grateful tears.

The scent of newly sawn lumber, freshly cut grass, hay, dirt, and corn stalks, along with heated apple cider, stirred through the interior. A lively fire crackled and snapped in the outside autumn air. Its flames glowed beyond the partially opened barn doors. Iron tripods supported kettles with delicious contents simmering over the hot coals. Makeshift tables lined the inside walls of the barn, weighted with food and bread. One table supported all the decorated baskets the girls and women had brought.

The tentative practice notes of a fiddle rose and blended into the first song. Ella saw Walter leave Velma’s side and lift his battered fiddle. He drew his bow across it three times and did a quick sideways kick—being funny and acting younger than his age. People clapped and cheered as he stepped on the homemade stage to join the other men.