Using a towel, Nash shook the pot. “There’s some here, but it’s not fresh.”
“I’ll take it.” Hawk took the mug Nash filled and sat at the table.
All eyes watched him as he stared into the cup’s dark contents. He swallowed back three mouthfuls and set the container down with a hard sound that madeAddie jump. Then he leaned back, noticing everyone’s interest.
“Still raining.” The pounding on the roof made his observation unnecessary. “No telling when it’ll stop.” Again, nothing they didn’t all know. He turned the cup around twice. “The road’ll be a mess.”
Nash glanced at Addie. She appeared as confused as he about Hawk’s report.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide, and shrugged one shoulder.
He nodded. For a moment, they studied each other. When Hawk spoke again, Nash slowly, reluctantly shifted his attention back to the man.
“Everyone’s safe, including the animals.”
If he brought good news, why did he sound so morose? Was there something he wasn’t telling them? Maybe Nash could pull the man aside and find out.
“Someone will come looking for us.” A long sigh. “When the rain stops.”
“The biscuits!” Nash rescued them. “Perfect.” They had risen nicely. The tops were golden brown.
“The test is in the tasting.” Addie grinned at him.
“Then let’s eat so everyone can taste that they are good.” Seeing no platter nor the necessity of one, he put the tray of biscuits directly on the table.
Behind him, Addie hefted the pot of stew and set it on the wooden surface.
Together, he and Addie brought an assortment of bowls and plates, forks and spoons, and half a dozen knives.
Addie checked on her mother. “She’s a little feverish, but nothing that concerns me. Sleep is good for her.”
Nash slid along the bench so she crowded in beside him around the table. Her arm pressed to his side. Hegrinned at her and chuckled softly when pink stained her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes. He expanded his chest with pleasure at the sign that she enjoyed this as much as he, perhaps with as much caution and surprise.
At the way everyone looked toward Nash, he understood they expected him to ask the blessing, and he nodded, pleased to do so.
“We have much to be grateful for. Safety, a dry shelter, and food.”
Shorty cleared his throat. “You are making serious inroads into my supplies.”
“I’ll see that the company replaces them,” Hawk assured the man.
“I’ll pray.” They were too tightly packed for Nash to try to stand, so he bowed his head where he sat. “Thank You, God, for all Your blessings. For safety and sustenance. Bless this food, and may it taste as good as it smells. Amen.”
A muffled sound came from Addie.
He pushed his elbow tighter to her arm. Signaling he knew, she tried not to laugh.
Despite the circumstances, the persisting rain, Mrs. Stone’s illness, and their crowded conditions, Nash enjoyed the meal and the company, except for Mr. Bertrand’s constant complaining, which Nash ignored. He didn’t mean to let the man suck the enjoyment out of the moment.
Addie took a biscuit, broke it apart, and lifted a portion to her nose. She sniffed without revealing anything. She nibbled off a piece and chewed, nodding several times. Swallowed and drank a mouthful of water.
He nudged her. “Good, aren’t they?”
For a moment, she stared at her plate, her hands holding the halves of the biscuit.
What was wrong with them? He bit off a large bite and chewed. Tasted fine. Good, in fact. As good as he’d ever tasted. He tried another bite. Still good.
Addie watched him.
