“What decision?” Vicky asked, standing in the doorway leading into the dining room.
I turned quickly, sharing a glance with Spencer before meeting her questioning eyes. “Nothing—at least, nothing important. Is there a spot for Spencer?”
Vicky nodded. “Of course. We always have room for one more. You can sit by me, Spencer.”
I had been sitting next to Vicky, which meant that I would have to move. I wouldn’t mention that to him, but I saw the triumph in Vicky’s eyes when she motioned for him to enter the dining room.
There were fifteen people already seated around the large table, and one more wouldn’t make that big of a difference, but somehow the house felt fuller with Spencer there.
Vicky showed him to his seat as everyone welcomed him with warm greetings.
He beamed as he answered questions from the children and thanked Mama for the invitation, apologizing for being late and forcing everyone to make a fuss. He seemed a little overwhelmed by the attention but was handling it better this time.
Grace was sitting on the other side of Spencer, and she motioned for me to take her spot as Papa jumped up and grabbed an extra chair and Julia went to the kitchen to get another place setting. Things were moved and readjusted like a well-timed orchestra, no one missing a step.
I sat next to Spencer, and he offered me a smile, though there was apprehension in his eyes.
“You’re doing just fine,” I told him. “No one bites.”
“Are you sure? That little one over there looks scary.” He pointed to Julia’s youngest child, Grettel, whose big blue eyes and dimples were the cutest thing I’d ever seen.
I laughed and shook my head as her cheeks turned pink from the attention. She seemed just as smitten with Spencer as everyone else.
“Do you have everyone’s names memorized?” Julia asked as she sat next to her husband, Peter. “There will be a test.”
Spencer’s face went blank, and he looked panicked, but everyone laughed. I touched his hand. “She’s only teasing.”
Vicky’s gaze lingered on my hand, and I slipped it back onto my lap. The last thing we needed was another scene like the one in the park.
“Let’s say grace,” Papa said as he reached for Mama’s hand on his one side and Grettel’s on his other.
Spencer had eaten with us once before, but he still seemed surprised as he awkwardly looked between me and Vicky. I offered my hand as Vicky offered hers.
He took them both, bowing his head.
His hand was warm and strong as it held mine, and I wondered what Vicky was thinking. I had tried talking to her about what had happened at the park, but she refused to discuss it.
When Papa finished, Spencer gently squeezed my hand before letting go. Had he squeezed Vicky’s?
The meal was lively and filled with laughter. There were many compliments about the food, and Mama beamed when she said I had done more of the cooking. Besides the roast beef, there were mashed potatoes, peas, a green salad, fresh bread that I had baked, and spiced apples. For dessert, Julia had brought cinnamon cake with cream cheese frosting. So different from the quiet meal of beans Sam and I had shared the night before in 1849, yet somehow no less enjoyable.
The realization caught me off guard.
It was strange to find myself thinking about Sam more often lately.
“Well,” Papa said as he set his napkin down at the end of the meal, capturing my attention. “I don’t know why it’s taken Ally this long to find her love of cooking, but I, for one, am thankful.”
There were more compliments, and my cheeks warmed. Spencer had praised the food all throughout the meal, and he grinned at me now.
The women rose to start clearing the plates, and I joined them, but Mama said, “You and Spencer should go on a walk or get out of the house for a while. You’ve been itching for some peace and quiet. Now’s the time to get it.”
Vicky must have heard, because she heatedly pushed through the swinging door into the kitchen and didn’t look back.
“Do you want to go on a walk?” I asked Spencer.
“I have a better idea.” He smiled at me, then winked at Mama. “I’ll have her back in a couple of hours.”
He took my hand and led me out of the house, several children trailing after us.
