Chapter Thirteen
The gentle, late Autumnbreeze swept through the open window of the kitchen and caressed Summer’s face, stirring the few tendrils that had fallen loose from the stylish knot on the back of her neck. She sat at the table with Ma and Rosie, helping to prepare dinner. As she chopped the carrots and onions, the faces of two men appeared in her mind. The one she should love and one she hated to love. The more she thought about marrying a man she couldn’t love and Jesse’s stubborn hide, the harder her knife struck the cutting board.
The wedding was tomorrow unless she could convince herself that marrying Adam was the wrong thing to do. Unfortunately, it was what had to be done. When Pa died, who else would take care of Ma, and who else could hire men for the livery?
She prayed for a release of her turbulent thoughts, but her prayers went unanswered. The only thing good happening in her life so far was the miraculous improvement of her father’s attitude. He seemed chipper and more communicative. She’d even heard him laughing. But then, last night, Rosie hinted that this was the energy a person gets before they meet their maker.
Maybe she should try and postpone the wedding, at least until after Pa died. But her heart knew she must marry before his death.
Frustrated with what was happening in her life, she whacked the knife on the cutting board, totally missing the carrot. She hadn’t realized she’d made such a racket until she looked up and saw the horrified stares from Ma and Rosie.
Ma gasped. “My dear, what in heaven’s name is wrong?”
Summer laid the knife on the table and gave an innocent smile. “Nothing at all.”
Rosie tilted her head and studied Summer. “I’m afraid to ask what pictures are lurking in that head of yours.”
Summer laughed. “It’s nothing, really.”
Ma relaxed and smiled. “So, my dear, are you nervous about the wedding tomorrow? You and Adam haven’t really talked about it.”
Summer’s hand tightened around the handle of the knife, and her brows furrowed together. “It’s difficult to make plans when Pa’s health isn’t good.” She quickly laid another carrot on the cutting board and chopped it into uneven slices.
Ma frowned. “Yes, it’s hard times right now, but you know Pa would like to see his daughter wed.” She looked at Rosie. “Both of them.”
Summer glanced across the table at her sister. Rosie picked up a potato and quickened her hand as she slid the knife across it, peeling off the skin, her eyes downcast and her lips pursed together tightly.
“In fact,” Ma continued, “I wonder why Rosie and Jesse haven’t settled on a date yet.”
Rosie set her knife on the table and stared at her hands. Her chest rose, and fell into deep breaths. “Ma, there is something I need to tell you.”
“What is it, my dear?” Ma blinked rapidly.
Rosie squared her shoulders. “Jesse and I... have decided to break off our engagement.”
Summer held her breath and stopped the knife in mid-stroke as she stared wide-eyed at Rosie.
“What?” Ma’s voice lifted in panic.
Rosie took her mother’s hand. “Please, understand. Jesse and I grew apart, and well, we cannot get married if we don’t love each other.” She pushed away from the table and walked to the sink. “Jesse and I were in love at one time, or at least what we thought was love. I know now it was only a schoolgirl’s crush, and after a while of seeing each other on a regular basis, everybody just assumed we were in love. Pa even assumed, and that was when he asked Jesse when he was going to marry me. Jesse really wasn’t planning on it, but because Pa seemed so elated, Jesse couldn’t deny Pa’s wishes.” She paused, but only briefly. “I kept going forward with the wedding because I was too afraid to tell Pa. I didn’t want to break his heart, especially now.”
“Oh, my poor dear.” Ma moved to Rosie and hugged her. “You’ll never be able to break his heart. Your pa wants to see both of his daughters happy, and if it means breaking the engagement with Jesse, then he’ll approve.”
Rosie pulled away. “Jesse and I just don’t know how to tell Pa... orwhento tell him.”
Ma wiped a tear from her eye. “I suppose now is a good time since your father is in better spirits today.”
