“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Once Joel headed down the porch steps and Tom threw the dirt into the trashcan, Jessica relaxed. Thank goodness Connie James wouldn’t cause her any more problems. And she got a proposal from Tom.
She smiled widely and glanced at her mother who mouthed, “Spring.”
“Before planting,” Jessica mouthed back.
Her mother rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she said, “Since we’re all here, let’s eat. Supper’s getting cold.”
Jessica winked at Margaret before she turned to Tom. “I even made apple pie. I hope you like it.”
“I sure do,” Tom replied, returning to her side. “Apple pie is a favorite for us Larsons.”
Jessica hoped she did a good job on the pie. At least it hadn’t burnt. Well, she was about to find out. She glanced at the letter. “Margaret, you’ll have to tell us about this one. Is he the first one who sent a reply?”
“Yes. He’s twenty-two and never been married. He’s been looking to come out west to farm.”
“There’s plenty of good land here,” Tom said. “It rains just fine and there’s plenty of sun too. The only thing he’ll have to worry about is the wind. Sometimes that can be unforgiving. One year, my pa lost some good corn from wind damage. But there are good and bad things no matter where a person goes.”
“But if you like the one you’re with, it makes it all the better,” Jessica added.
He grinned at her. “No truer words were ever said.”
Blushing, she returned his smile.
Her mother headed for the kitchen. “Well, come along. The food’s not going to come out here to meet you.”
The others obeyed and followed her to the kitchen.