“You welcome.” Carrie grinned and handed her sack over to Melody.
“I’m glad you found the Hendersons’ already had these drying. That saves a lot of time,” Melody said, coming to take the sack from Marybeth as well.
“Edward and I planted quite a few hills. Should have a large crop just for ourselves. I told Mrs. Cooper that we would definitely have plenty left over if she wanted them.”
“With the boarders, they use a lot of potatoes. We have them most every evening and sometimes with breakfast.”Melody took the bags to a wooden table and deposited them. “What else are you and Miss Carrie doing today?”
“We’ve been quite busy,” Marybeth replied. “Sorry we missed your birthday last Monday. Carrie and I have been making you a present.”
“Oh, you didn’t need to do that. Da and I celebrated by eating out, and it was quite good. Then Da surprised me with my gift. He always comes up with unusual ones. This year he gave me stock in the UP. He said it wasn’t worth a lot just yet, but it would be, and I should hold on to it and even add to it if I have the chance.”
“And how goes the search for a husband?” Marybeth asked, her expression showing doubt.
“I have no idea. Da told me he had been approached by quite a number of gentlemen. He’s still making his choices.”
“Oh my. Doesn’t that make you nervous?”
Melody shrugged. “It did at first, but then I remembered that I don’t have to pursue any of the men. If none of the men Da deems acceptable strikes me as a match, then I’ll just move on with Da.”
“But I want very much for you to stay here.”
“I want that too.” Melody had never wanted anything more.
“I wanna dig,” Carrie announced.
Melody went to the gardening table and took up a small gardening shovel. She brought it to Carrie. “Here you go. Dig all you want.” She glanced over Carrie at Marybeth. “Oh dear, I forgot to ask if that was all right with you.”
“It’s fine,” Marybeth laughed. “She’s quite good at digging.”
As if to prove it, Carrie immediately went to work. Melody watched for a moment, then clapped her hands. “Very good, Miss Carrie. You dig very well.”
“I dig and dig,” Carrie replied, never stopping in her work.
Melody couldn’t help but chuckle. “She’s very helpful. May you have a dozen more just like her.”
“Not a dozen, hopefully, but I’d settle for a few more. What about you?”
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother,” Melody admitted. “I figured by twenty-six I’d already have three or four, but it hasn’t been what God had planned. I’m trying my best to be content with how things are, but I have to admit there are times when I feel quite empty at the sight of others with babes in their arms.”
“Me too.” Marybeth met Melody’s gaze. “I’m so hoping we’ll have children.”
“I know, and I’m praying that for you as well.” Melody knew that Marybeth had raised her little sister since she was an infant. But it wasn’t the same. Marybeth wanted to have Edward’s children and to know what it was to carry that life inside of her own body. Carrie was special, and would always be so, but Melody understood how Marybeth felt.
For a long moment neither woman said anything, but the unspoken longing seemed to wrap around them.
“I’m praying for just the right husband,” Marybeth said. “Someone you can love and who will love you as you deserve. I know you want to stay behind when your father moves on—I want that too—but even more I want love for you. I want you to fall in love with the right man and for him to love you as you deserve. You’ve become like a sister to me, and I can confide in you that a marriage of convenience is not nearly as satisfying as one of true love.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Melody glanced away to where Carrie continued her labors. She had prayed for God to send just the right man and for his love to be sincere. She wouldcontinue to pray for God’s grace to make her the right woman with the amount of love that her husband would need. The proposition Da had recommended wasn’t a simple one, to be sure, but Melody trusted both her earthly father and her heavenly one. Neither had ever let her down.
“And why would ya be wantin’ to marry me daughter,” Clancy Doyle asked Jefferson Lane.
Jefferson hadn’t been sure he even wanted a wife, but with Melody’s hand up for grabs, he thought it couldn’t hurt to consider the matter. After all, the Doyles had a considerable amount of money in the bank that he hoped would be used for a dowry, and Jefferson needed a thousand dollars to prove to his father that he was successful so that the man would match it. Just the thought of having that kind of money at his disposal was enough to make Jefferson consider marriage to Melody Doyle.
“I find Melody a very amiable person. She’s kind to everyone she meets, and my mother taught me that such a quality was important. God calls us to love one another, and you certainly cannot do that without kindness. Not only that, sir, but she’s beautiful, and when I see her, my heart beats a bit quicker.” He smiled. “I’ve long been moved by her grace and beauty.”
“And for sure I’d be wantin’ me son-in-law to find his wife appealin’,” Mr. Doyle said, his expression quite stern.
Jefferson sat only inches from the tent flap opening, but every muscle in his body felt ready to spring if the older man so much as made a threatening move. He supposed Mr. Doyle sensed his uneasiness and probably used it to his advantage. Folks all around town knew Mr. Doyle was quite capable ina fight. He had a reputation for putting men much bigger than himself on the ground. But only with cause. It was often conceded that Mr. Doyle was never one to be fighting just for the sake of fighting. With that in mind, Jefferson didn’t intend to give the man any reason to want to fight him.
