“It is going rather well. The land is good and only needs some cleaning. The problem is that I am unsure what to use it for. I hoped you might have a few ideas,” her father replied.
“I would either get a tenant who would pay to use the land, and if he plants crops, we could use the portion we would get to further save on expenses. Or you could use this land to plant feed for the horses. What we do not need, we could sell to other land owners,” Gemma offered.
“Both of those are truly fine ideas. My idea was simply to plant vegetables,” her father said, laughing and rubbing the back of his neck with his palm.
“It is not a bad idea, Father,” Gemma said.
“Perhaps, but I prefer yours. You have a wonderful mind for things like this,” he said with a proud smile.
“I must go see mother about attire. Why not walk with me? I believe it should be tea time soon,” Gemma offered.
“A good cup of tea right now would be just the ticket, I think,” he replied, as they started to walk back to the house together. Her father went to wash up while Gemma went to find her mother. Margaret was in the sewing room fighting with large rolls of fabric.
“Mother, why did you not ask for help?” Gemma said with frustration.
“I should be able to carry a bit of fabric, should I not?” Her mother said, offended. Then she smiled. “I know I am not as young as I used to be. It is why I want to see you settled.”
“Not you as well, mother. Grandpapa was just asking me if he would ever see a great grandchild from me,” Gemma said.
“And what did you say,” her mother asked.
“I said that I was fine the way I am,” Gemma replied.
“Not even Lothar?” her mother inquired.
“Mother, I have only met him once,” Gemma replied.
“That is once more than you have mentioned any other man. I thought there may be a chance, is there not?” her mother pressed on.
“He seems a good man. But his heart belongs to another,” Gemma declared, disliking how much the fact hurt her.
You do not know him. He could be a completely unpleasant human being!Gemma thought.
“Is he married or about to be? “Her mother asked.
“Not that I know of, but Mrs. Baker said that he has loved the same woman for years,” Gemma replied.
“That does not mean a thing. You should give him a chance at the very least,” her mother suggested gently.
“If he wants to, then yes, I will give him a chance. Does it not bother you that he might not ever love me?” Gemma asked.
“My girl, love can be a fine thing, but it does not always guarantee happiness. I would like you to be happy,” Margaret answered with a smile. “Now, what do you think of this blue fabric?” Margaret asked as she showed Gemma a swatch of fabric. “I just know it will bring out your eyes. I just worry it is too thin for our winters.”
“If we sew in a sheepskin, it should be well warm enough,” Gemma replied.
They both looked up as the bell was rung.
“A cup of tea is just what I need,” Margaret said.
They went to the study where her grandmother had brought in tea with sweetmeats. She had taken her place next to her grandfather. Her mother went to sit next to her father, and Gemma sat next to her parents. She looked at her family and could not help but smile. They had raised her with love and care. Unlike the friends she had gone to school with, her family valued her opinion.
Her grandmother chose food for her grandfather. He had told Gemma that it always tasted so much better when she dished his food for him. Gemma believed it would as she watched her grandmother. After more than fifty years of marriage, they still acted as newlyweds.
She would make sure he would eat and dress warmly in the winter. Her old hands may have shaken a bit, yet she refused to buy her husband clothes. She sewed every shirt and jacket with love. Her parents were also deeply in conversation. As lonely as Gemma should feel being the only singleton at the table, she instead felt more surrounded by love than she thought possible by having a family of her own.
“Your mother tells me that you may have met someone,” her grandmother turned her attention to Gemma.
“Well, I have, though he seems to have affections for another, grandmamma,” Gemma answered.
