A Touch of Autumn(30)
“I’m sure the other ladies of the community will bring things, too. Don’t you worry.” She held up a hand. “Oh, I forgot. Be right back.”
She hurried to the buggy and removed four quilts. She offered them to Maude. “Mama thought you might need these until you get a chance to wash and air out your own.”
Maude took one of the soft quilts and sank to the top step. She held the coverlet to her nose and breathed in deeply. Tears spilled and ran down her cheeks.
“Oh, Livvy. Don’t think I’m not grateful to God for sparing our place. Because I am. But the constant soot and smoke are about to make me despair.”
The sound of hooves and wagon wheels drew their attention and Maude jumped up, wiping her tear-filled eyes and making a sooty smear across her cheek.
Two wagons pulled up. Solomon and Carrie hopped down. Carrie scooped up an armful of rags from behind the seat and Solomon grabbed two large baskets.
“Doc Trent thought maybe Mr. Jenkins could use some help so Solomon came. And Abigail said she could manage without me today, so I came along to help you. She sent a load of food along, too.”
Solomon unhitched one of the mules. “Doc said tell you he’d like to be here helping, but got to make rounds today and check on some sick folks.” He mounted the mule and took off toward the woods.
Maude grabbed Carrie by the shoulders. “Girl, you are a sight for sore eyes and I do mean sore.” She laughed and motioned to her eyes, which were red and watery from smoke and more than likely made worse by crying.
Within an hour, several neighbor ladies had arrived. Even with all the help, the work was tedious, filthy and slow, but they’d begun to see progress by midafternoon. The sound of hooves announced the appearance of another horse and rider.
* * *
The sight of Charles sitting tall and strong in the saddle caused Livvy’s heart to lurch. He smiled down at her. “I’d have been here earlier, but I had to corral boys all day. I think Jeremiah came early to help Jenkins. I thought I’d better come get him. His mother’s getting worried.”
Livvy nodded and smiled. “Last time I saw him, he’d finished dinner and was heading back to work with a drumstick in one hand and a fried pie in the other.”
Charles threw back his head and laughed. “Is it all right if I come over tonight after supper? Trent heard some news from his lawyer.”
“Oh, please do. I can’t wait to hear.”
Charles waved and rode away and Livvy, with uplifted spirits, went to help clean soot off the Jenkinses’s parlor wall.
By the time the day was done, Livvy’s muscles screamed with pain. She sighed with relief as she headed home. When she arrived at the parsonage, her mother had a tub of hot water waiting in her bedroom.
“I figured you’d be good and dirty. You run along and take a nice, long soak while I finish up supper.”
“How is Mrs. Waters today, Ma?”
“Her rheumatism was acting up a little, but otherwise she had a pretty good day. She even sat at the table to eat her dinner instead of having a tray in bed.”
“That’s an improvement over last week.” Livvy shook her head. “She wanted me to get Pa to read a ‘final’ scripture over her.”
“Well, poor old soul. She’s getting up there in years and she knows it.” Ma’s brow furrowed and she sighed. “You run along now. And take your time.”
Livvy went to her room and removed her smoke- and soot-covered clothing, then sank into the still-steaming water. She inhaled the faint aroma of rose water in appreciation and sank lower into the sudsy bath.
Not wanting to leave her mother with all the work, Livvy didn’t linger for long. A half hour later, she stepped into the kitchen, clean, refreshed and smiling.
“There. That looks more like my girl.” Ma patted her on the shoulder as she sailed past with a platter of hot bread.
“Umm. That cornbread looks so good. Is that chili I smell?”
“Yes, I thought it was a good day for something hot and tasty. Besides, I could simmer it on low all day.”
Livvy laughed. “Well, whatever the reason, I’m all for it.”
“Why don’t you slice the apple pie while I get the chili on the table and we’ll be ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Livvy sliced the pie and covered it with a tea towel. She stepped over to the large kitchen table where they ate most of their family meals.
“Charles is coming over after supper. They’ve had some news from Trent’s lawyer.”
“That was fast.”
“Well, telegrams do make things swifter.” Livvy smiled.
“I hope they can do something for that poor lady and her boy. It would be a shame if they lose their farm.”