Clementine placed the pot of coffee beside Gabe. “She’s such a sweet old woman. I wish she felt more open to joining us.”
“She’s made great progress since she first arrived last summer.” Nancy allowed Seth to help her into her chair. “In time I’m sure she’ll be dining with us more and more.”
Seth took his seat. “I’ll bless the food, and we can begin.”
Gabe helped Clementine with her chair. “The aroma’s so grand, it’s almost as good as eating.”
Nancy glanced heavenward. “Then I won’t serve you any food, and you can just sit and sniff all you like.”
“Hardly, sister dear.” Gabe threw her a wink. “I happen to know you’re an amazing cook.”
“The sooner I pray, the sooner we eat.” Seth bowed his head, not waiting to see if Gabe heeded his comment. “Father, we thank you for this abundance and for the hands that prepared our meal. Bless all who live here and those who visit. Amen.”
“Amen,” the others murmured in unison.
Nancy handed her bowl to Seth. “If you pass your bowls around the table, I think it will be easier than trying to pass the stew. As you can see, I used my very largest tureen. Seth can fill each bowl and pass them on. Meanwhile, we can pass around the bread and butter and peas and potatoes.”
It wasn’t long before everyone was amply served. Nancy couldn’t help but sigh. She loved managing the boardinghouse. It gave her a sense of satisfaction that she couldn’t explain.Everyone dug into the meal with gusto and complimented her as they ate. She knew she was a good cook but appreciated hearing it from her guests. Seeing that everyone was content, she picked up her spoon and began to eat.
“How’s everyone back home?” Seth asked.
“Doing good.” Gabe picked up a knife and buttered his bread. “They’re doing a lot of fence repair before winter sets in fully. Pa wanted everything done well before Christmas so that Mama would relax. But you know her.”
Seth nodded. “Well enough. I don’t think any of the women in your family sit still for long.”
“Except for Meg. She would sit and read all day long if she could.”
Nancy smiled at this. Their little sister was always borrowing books from the library, even though the selection was limited. She didn’t care if it was a novel or a studious text.
“Are you all planning to come home for Christmas?” Gabe asked before stuffing a good portion of the bread in his mouth.
Seth shook his head. “I’m not sure. It’s hard to get away from work. A lot of folks want to straighten out legal matters at the end of the year, and this year has been no exception. Nevertheless, we hope to be there.”
“Well, I know they’d love to see you. Clementine and I are both planning to go back.” Gabe turned and grinned at the redheaded woman beside him. “Especially now.”
Nancy looked up. “Why especially now?”
Clementine’s cheeks flushed as she turned to Gabe and grinned. “Because we’re engaged.”
“You are?” Seth looked at Nancy. “Did you know about this?”
She shook her head. “Not at all.”
“I stopped by your folks’ place before coming to Portland.I asked your father’s permission to marry Clementine, and he eagerly agreed. He was so quick about it,” Gabe said, giving his bride-to-be an endearing glance, “that I feared perhaps something was wrong with her that I hadn’t yet learned.”
Seth shook his head, smiling. “No, I’m sure it was their desire to have another Armistead in the family. No one has a better name in the community than your family. Your folks’ reputation alone would be enough reason to want her to marry you.”
Gabe’s brows came together. “Hey, I was kind of hoping it was because they wanted me as a son-in-law.”
Seth laughed. “I’m sure it was. I know I’m delighted. Brother and sister married to brother and sister. That will simplify things. Our children will be double cousins.”
Nancy sipped her soup and listened to them go on about the future. She was thrilled by the news and could clearly see how happy Gabe was about the situation.
“Where will you live?” Seth asked.
“I talked to the family about that. Pa wants me to take charge of the sawmill here in Portland, so I guess we’ll be living here.”
Nancy was delighted at this prospect. Over the last few months, she and Clementine had renewed their childhood friendship, and Nancy hated the idea of losing her so soon. “How wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that. I will enjoy having you close by. Perhaps we can attend events together.”
