“Wouldn’t you like a bite to eat?”
“No, thanks.”
Pa climbed down from the wagon. “Let’s go inside, Livvy. I could use a cup of coffee, if there’s any in the pot.”
“Yes, sir. Mama insisted on keeping it hot. She’s getting food on the table for you now. Chicken soup and hot bread.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Livvy swallowed. “Pa, is everyone else all right?”
“Yes, we got the fire under control before it could reach the Jenkins’s house, but it was close.” Pa cut her a sideways look. “Everyone else is fine as can be. Just tired. He said to tell you, he’ll be over after classes tomorrow.”
Warmth rushed to Livvy’s cheeks. But she flashed a grin at her father. “Can’t fool you, can I?”
A laugh rumbled from his throat. “I don’t know when you two young people are going to realize you’re in love and get on with the business of romance.”
“Now, Pa. I’m just a friend to Charles.” She sighed. “That’s all I’ve ever been.”
“You think so? Well, if you could see the way he looks at you and hear the way he speaks of you when you’re not around, you might think otherwise.”
Livvy tried to resist the hope that rose in her at Pa’s words, but her stomach jumped with excitement.
“Stop dawdling, Livvy.” Ma stood in the doorway, her eyes glued to Pa. “Your father needs to get something hot into his stomach and get some rest. It’s well after midnight and he’s had a hard night.”
Pa stepped inside and placed a gentle kiss on Ma’s cheek. “You’re right, dear. I’m just going to get cleaned up a little first.”
Livvy lay in bed for a long time, her father’s words about Charles playing in her mind. Was Pa right? Livvy had noticed a change in Charles’s attitude toward her lately, but thought she was only imagining things.
Finally, she sank into a peaceful sleep, waking to sunlight streaming through her window and the faint smell of smoke and charred wood in the air.
Ma had two baskets of food ready to take to the Jenkinses’. “I don’t imagine Maude will have much time for cooking today with cleaning up the smoke and ash.”
“Oh, Ma. I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe I should go over and help.”
“That would be the neighborly thing to do and I’m sure she’d appreciate it.” Ma wiped a strand of hair from her brow. “I’d go myself but I promised to spend the day with Mrs. Waters, so her daughter can go to town for household supplies.”
Livvy changed into one of her oldest dresses, then carried the baskets to the buggy with a few things she thought would amuse the children and headed off to the Jenkinses’.
Four small children, covered with soot, played in the front yard. Dotty Jenkins, only six years old, tried, to no avail, to corral them back to the cleared space in front of the house.
“You kids better mind me, now. You know what Ma said.”
Livvy suspected the Dotty had been ignoring them until she saw the buggy pull into the yard. “Hi, Dotty. Have your hands full, I see.”
The girl sighed. “Oh, these kids. They never mind. Now look at them. Ma and I’ll have to do the wash early.” With hungry eyes, she gazed at the baskets as Livvy lifted them from the buggy.
Livvy smiled at the younger children who’d gathered around. “I brought picture books. If you’ll go scrub those hands good, perhaps we could find a place for you to look at them.”
“Aww. Who cares about books?” the only boy in the group retorted.
“Well, one of them has pictures of cows and horses. And one even has a horseless carriage. And if it’s all right with your ma to have one, I’m pretty sure there are cookies in one of these baskets.”
A gasp showed that he was impressed. He led the pack to the washtub at the back of the house, with Dotty in close pursuit.
The front door opened and Maude stepped onto the porch. Her thin face appeared tired, and discouragement shadowed her eyes.
“Good morning, Maude. I thought you might need some help today.” Livvy grinned at her neighbor. “I know I would in your place.”
Maude’s face lit up. “Oh, Livvy, you are a godsend. I sure can. Miz Wilson and Miz Frank are coming to help out later, but they won’t be able to stay long.”
“Well, I can stay as long as you need me.” Livvy lifted one of the baskets. “Ma sent some stew and cornbread so you wouldn’t have to cook dinner. And ham and cold meat loaf and other foodstuffs for later.”
“Bless her heart. That is good news. You be sure to thank her for me, now.”