“Melody is going to be working here at the boardinghouse and helping me with a variety of things,” Mrs. Cooper offered.
“I’m glad to meet you, Miss Doyle. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some things to attend to.”
Melody nodded as the man hurried by and headed upstairs. Faith chuckled, causing Melody to look at her in question.
“I was just thinking of your father’s bargain. Maybe you should consider becoming a pastor’s wife.”
Melody laughed and headed down the street. There really didn’t seem to be any problem finding single men, but finding one her father approved of was an entirely different story.Still, the day was going quite well, and Melody wasn’t going to worry about her need for suitors.
It had been her good fortune to run into Mrs. Cooper. She wasn’t sure what Da would think of her taking a regular job, but maybe if he saw that Melody could support herself and had a place to live, he wouldn’t worry so much about her finding a husband. Not that she minded the idea of finding a man of her own. But she preferred to fall in love with someone rather than marry for convenience. She had been certain that Da would rather she do that as well, but he didn’t seem to think it a problem to interview men for her to go out with. The entire matter was something of a curiosity, and the more she talked about it with her friends, the more it caused Melody to wonder if she was making the right decision.
After seeing Marybeth, Melody headed back to the tent. Children played outside, enjoying the closing of the day. It had been a clear day, and while a cloudbank had formed in the west, there wasn’t yet any real threat of rain.
“Da?” Melody said as she walked into the open tent. Her father had tied back the flaps to let in the fresh air.
He came from around the curtain they used to divide the living area from the sleeping space. “I’m here.”
“I’ve brought our supper. Let’s eat while it’s still hot.” She set the basket down and drew out the bowl of chicken and dumplings.
Melody placed the bowl on their tiny table, then retrieved the plate. Marybeth had cut two large pieces of apple pie, and Melody knew her father would enjoy the treat. She’d give him one now and save the other for tomorrow.
“I have some news,” she said, putting the pie on the table.She hurried to retrieve bowls and spoons. “Do you want me to make coffee?”
“I just made a pot. That on the stove is fresh.”
“Wonderful.” Melody found his coffee mug and filled it. “Ready?” she asked, placing the cup beside his bowl.
“I am.”
Da prayed a blessing over the meal and then waited while Melody dished up the food. “Smells mighty fine,” he said. “Sorry I wasn’t up to going to the Vogels’ for a visit.” His Irish brogue sounded all the thicker when he was tired.
“Oh, they completely understand. Edward was just waking up for his evening shift when I was ready to leave. He said that he hopes you’ll be feeling better soon and that he’ll come by another day to check up on you and maybe get that game of checkers.” She paused and gave him a long look. “Da, you look tired. Did you not rest while I was gone?”
“Oh, to be sure, I did. I’m fine.” He smiled. “Ya worry over me like yar ma used to. Now tell me about Marybeth’s little one. How was she doin’?”
“Growing like a weed. Marybeth said that Carrie has shot up at least two inches in the last couple of months.” Carrie was being raised as Marybeth and Edward’s daughter, even though she was actually the woman’s little sister. Carrie’s mother had died shortly after giving her life, and both girls had lost their father the previous year.
“She’s a precious one, to be sure. One day ya’ll be havin’ a houseful of your own young’uns.”
Melody chuckled and finished serving the food. As an afterthought, she went to the bread box and brought the bread and butter to the table. Taking her own seat, she gave her father a nod. “And you’ll be teachin’ them all to play checkers and shoot marbles.”
“And what would be wrong with that?” Da’s eyes twinkled with delight. “I’m thinkin’ it would be a fine thing for a grandda to do.”
She nodded. “It would be, at that.” She picked up her spoon. “Oh, as I said, I have news.”
“Well, get on with it, then.”
“I met Mrs. Cooper on the street, and she told me their house is now full with six full-time boarders, and she needs help to keep up with the work. I told her I would love to come and ease her burden. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. What will ya be doin’?”
“Washing up and cooking, a little gardening and such. I’ll head over about five thirty and help get the breakfast on and go from there. I thought if you wanted, I could fix you something first and leave it warming on the stove if you weren’t of a mind to get up early.”
“I can be fixin’ me own breakfast. Ya’ll have enough to worry with. I’ll get up in the mornin’ and walk ya over. It’s not that far, but it’s still dark in the wee hours. I’ll feel better goin’ with ya.”
“That’s kind of you, Da. I’ll feel better having you along too. Things are already calming down, but there’s no sense taking foolish chances.”
“To be sure.” He pointed to the bowl. “This is a mighty fine bowl of soup. Marybeth makes a dumplin’ as light as yar mother’s.”
