Rumors and Promises (32 page)

“Indeed? I have plenty of company with my family around. Not to mention Sophie and Caira. Although they won’t be around much longer.”
Thank the Lord.
Once Esther returned, he could be freed from what Sophie’s alluring presence did to him. He would miss them, certainly, but there was nothing else to be done.

The two men worked together as the planks clanked on top of the sawhorses to form makeshift tables.

“Aw, you’ll miss them both. Won’t it be a lot quieter without them?” Elisha was used to having five strapping sons around the house. Philip probably didn’t seem like he would be of much consequence.

“Easier to study.” Ian grinned.

The larger man moved alongside him and clapped a hand on Ian’s back. “Well, there’s more to life than sermon writing. I think she’s sweet on you,” he attempted to whisper, “and I heartily approve.” Elisha winked.

“Be assured, you can stop thinking on that, Elisha.” Ian bent over to hoist up another board. “God will bring me the right wife in time, so please don’t get any ideas.” An edge of gruffness tinged his voice.

“Well, all right.” The elder scratched his head and looked confused before he stooped to pick up his end.

How many more people had an idea that Sophie was sweet on him? He could only imagine the rumors that might be afloat. How was he going to protect Sophie’s reputation, let alone his own? And if any of them got wind of Sophie’s secret, Gertrude’s following would grow. Would Sophie run away again before she had a chance to confide in him?

Light laughter rang through the air. As the women carried out plates, along with heaping platters of chicken, bowls of beans, and other side dishes to the hungry workers, Ian feasted on the sight of Sophie. Her lips bowed into a complete smile. She had the most endearing upturned, freckled nose and dimpled chin. Then the warm gaze of her amber eyes met his and time ceased for a minute until she turned away, looking embarrassed.

His heart tripped in an odd way as it only had since he met Sophie. Ian could not deny, as he watched her work with the others, that this young woman was special to him. What else could explain why he would be jealous over a vase full of flowers? He swallowed and turned back to the work of setting up tables.

Elisha Whitworth chuckled and winked again. “Looks like a match to me.”

“But, I—”

“No need to explain, Reverend. It’s only the natural course God intended.” Which was a piece of wisdom Ian wasn’t sure he was ready to hear.

When Sophie turned away, her heart hammered at the awareness of Ian’s gaze on her. A napkin slipped from her hand, and she bent to retrieve the square of white linen. “How clumsy of me.”

“Perhaps you’re feeling a bit self-conscious today.” Gloria placed a gentle hand on Sophie’s back. Her eyes were bright with a knowing look.

Sophie shook her head with dismay and put a free hand to her hip. “Self-conscious of what?”

“Of
whom?
Would be a more appropriate question.” Gloria giggled like a schoolgirl.

Sophie busied herself setting out napkins and plates, trying to ignore what had been implied by her friend’s statement. Yet she knew the truth of it. The moment she and Ian gazed upon one another, she recalled the warmth she’d experienced while his arms supported her weight. How good it felt to fall into his embrace, though it had been an accident. In their closeness they had been almost one, but not quite. No, they never could be.

She loved Ian, she knew it for sure, and there could be no man to take his place. Sophie’s heart was heavy with the realization that she would treasure the secret of this unrequited love to her grave. Both his reputation as a minister of God and the reality of her hidden truth dictated this.

CHAPTER 19

“W
hoa!” Ian pulled on the reins as they drove up in front of the boardinghouse, which shone like a pearl in the sunshine with its fresh coat of white paint. Esther stood in the doorway with arms open wide. “Welcome home, dears.”

Sophie allowed Ian to help her down from the buggy. He lowered Caira to the ground.

“Farfy!” Caira’s shrill cry of happiness showed that she had not forgotten their kind landlady as she tore up the path and into Esther’s skirts. No matter how many times Sophie tried to teach her to call Esther “Mrs. Fairgrave,” Caira’s enduring term for her had stuck, much as “’Cowmick” had become Ian’s name.

“Slow down!” Sophie commanded to no avail. Though her daughter was still not much more than a baby, she was determined to steer her into the path of becoming a lady.

Sophie saw the tears in Esther’s eyes. She hoped they were tears of joy. Her employer clutched Sophie to her ample bosom. “I’m so happy to be home and have both of you here.” Esther wiped her cheek with a handkerchief. “And look at how big our little gal is.” She patted Caira on the head.

“It is good to be back.”
Though things won’t be the same without Ian around.
How Sophie had loved watching Caira’s delight over
the books Ian read aloud to her. And at bedtime she took joy in how he willingly let Caira ride up the stairs on his shoulders. They had been given a sweet taste of what could never be, and she would always cherish the memory.

Esther stepped away but held tight to both of Sophie’s hands. She frowned. “We have to do something about that hair. I hate Psyche knots.” Once the older woman released Sophie and exchanged greetings with Maggie, they went inside the house.

“Good to see you, Mrs. Fairgrave.” Ian inclined his head as he carried a crate of items Maggie insisted Sophie could use.

Esther exclaimed as she swept a plump arm through the air, “You orchestrated all of this, Sophie?”

“Of a certainty, it was the love of the people of Stone Creek in response to your years of kindness and service to them. I could never have done all the repairs and painting, inside and outside, on my own.”

The older widow’s eyes watered again. “This must be the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

Sophie sighed with relief at Esther’s proclamation and listened to her chatter about the vivid green of the parlor walls, the loveliness of the new lace curtains and comfort of the reupholstered settee.

Sophie turned toward Maggie. “Thank you again, Maggie, for everything. And you really didn’t need to have Ian bring all this. I don’t expect such charity.” She pointed to the crate of gently used clothing and various other household things.

“When you’re part of a family, it isn’t plain charity, but the kind of love God wants us to show one another. And you’ve spent enough time under our roof to qualify for that.”

“I hope I can be that much of a blessing to you someday.” Sophie glanced over her shoulder.

“You don’t realize how much of a blessing you already are.”

Fearing the catch in her throat would betray her, Sophie only nodded. While relieved she was returning to Fairgrave’s, she would miss the sort of family they’d become each evening.

“Your help has been invaluable to us, Maggie, Reverend. I don’t know what my daughter would have done without me!” Esther paused. “And would you believe of all things, the new rocking chair doesn’t bode well with Mr. Graemer? He missed the rickety old chair so much, I had to ask Mr. Spitzer to bring it out of the attic and put it in his room. The only thing is that darling old man spends too much time up there, where it’s draftier. Perhaps you can help me find a way to entice him downstairs, short of bringing that chair back with him.”

Sophie smiled and patted Esther’s arm. “I’ll bet a batch of gingersnaps would do the trick. I’ll start them as soon as I can.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. Oh my, I almost forgot.” Esther sauntered to the secretary in the corner of the parlor and retrieved an envelope from the top. “I have something for you from the Myleses. It came in the mail today.”

Sophie took it from her. “Hmm, what could it be?”

“Wan’ see it!” Caira jumped and pulled on the corner of the piece of mail.

“Hold on, Caira.” She sat on the settee and took the child in her lap. “Let’s see. It says: ‘
You’re invited to a luncheon picnic at Apple Blossom House. 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.’
It’s just a few weeks away. And, what do you know? She wants me to bring all of you, as well.”

“Oh, my. I come back to a new home and a party. How lovely.” A look of panic swept away the blissful expression on Esther’s face. “I must think of something extraordinary to bake. I can’t go empty-handed to Apple Blossom House.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to.” Maggie had made herself at home next to Sophie on the chaise and read over her shoulder. Caira moved from Sophie’s lap to hers. “It says here that they only
request the pleasure of your company. They’ll provide refreshments and beverages.”

“You’ll have other chances to bake something for the Myles family. It’s not something worth fussing over.” Sophie smiled while she reached over and tousled her daughter’s hair.

“Oh dear, Apple Blossom House. What will I wear?” Esther smoothed her skirt over her plump hips.

“It’s just a picnic.” Sophie shook her head and chuckled. She couldn’t understand what all this trouble was. Though Gloria was an elegant woman, she never snubbed those who had less. She saw them for the good souls they were.

“You don’t understand. Even a picnic at Apple Blossom House is an event.” Worry lined Esther’s brow. May 19th couldn’t come soon enough.

With all the talk of the upcoming picnic luncheon at Apple Blossom House, one would think Helena’s soiree might be forgotten. Or perhaps Sophie wished it had been. While she realized she belonged with her true friends, who were several years older than she, sometimes she found herself feeling like an outcast. The last thing she wanted to hear about was how the spring social had gone without her. For once, Sophie decided to mail in her Sears and Roebuck catalog order for more sewing patterns, rather than order them through Neuberger’s. She could at least avoid Cecilia’s smugness for one day.