A Touch of Autumn(37)

Then both old friends laughed uproariously.

They sat side by side as Mrs. Couch told her story. “When Hattie and I were girls, I had a terrible crush on the dentist who lived in the next county. One year we had what we called a play party. Nowadays they call them square dances. And he came. When one of the games was Spin the Bottle, I was determined to get to walk down the path with Grover the dentist. But another girl won that dubious honor. She ended up marrying him and from what I heard, didn’t get that great a deal. But it still stung that she got the fellow I wanted and I’ve always hated that game.”

By now laughter had washed away the strain. Soon, to Livvy’s relief, they were back to planning the Harvest Festival and Dance.

“Has anyone checked with Ezra Bines to see if we can use their old abandoned barn, as we did last time?”

“Yes, Reverend Shepherd spoke to him last week. He also agreed to barbecue if Selma will part with her sauce again.”

Livvy spoke up. “I’m sure she will, as long as no one tries to get the recipe from her. That was Virgie’s original recipe. She passed it on when she turned the kitchen over to Selma.”

“The best sauce I’ve ever eaten.” Actually, now that Livvy thought about it, other than her mother’s, it was the only barbecue sauce she’d ever eaten. She shot a quick glance at her mother and met her laughing eyes. She’d been caught, but Ma was a good sport.

Ma quickly spoke up. “And Selma has already promised jars of her canned jellies and preserves for the booths.”

Everyone began to chime in with details of their donations. The proceeds from all sales at the Harvest Festival always went to help the poor in the area for Christmas and the upcoming winter months. This year a couple of families, displaced by the fires, would need most of it.

“By the way, Livvy. I know we are off the subject of young love, but I’ve noticed a certain young man paying you a lot of extra attention lately. And he definitely has a gleam in his eye.” Mrs. Couch smiled, not unkindly, in Livvy’s direction.

Livvy’s face burned. Oh, dear. She hadn’t realized that people had noticed. She wasn’t sure whether to be glad or sorry. And how should she reply?

“I, for one, think he would be a nice catch,” Mrs. Brown said. “He’s a gentleman. He’s able to provide for a wife and he’s very kind. Look at what he’s doing for Jeremiah.”

“Well, Dr. Trent is helping, too.” Livvy glanced at Abigail.

Abigail smiled her thanks. “Yes, but Trent wouldn’t have known unless Charles brought it to his attention and Charles is right by his side at every turn.”

Livvy nodded, glad the subject had turned a little. “Yes. In fact, Charles and Trent are leaving for Rome again next week with Jeremiah and his mother to testify against the scoundrel who hurt Jeremiah and tried to steal their property. Everyone pray that he’s kept in jail where he belongs this time.”

“Perhaps we should also pray for that man’s soul, Livvy.” Ma bit her lip and gave her daughter a worried look.

“Yes, ma’am. Of course, we should.” I’m sorry, Lord. I hadn’t even thought to pray for that man. I’m so angry with him I didn’t even see the need. Please soften my heart.

“And now, I think we’d do best to get back to our planning. Have we decided on a theme for the dance?”

“I thought we should have a square dance.” Carrie Ann Brown glanced at her mother, who frowned.

“No, the skirts are too short.”

“Well, we could wear long ones, couldn’t we?”

The subject of a square dance took up the next half hour, and then Livvy interrupted, saying, “How about a fancy dress ball?”

Carrie Ann said, “I swear, Livvy. You are getting old in your thinking. Maybe it is time for you to get married.”

“Why, Carrie Ann.” The girl’s mother looked mortified. “That wasn’t nice at all. Livvy is only a few years older than you.”

“Sorry, Livvy.”

“It’s all right. And Mrs. Brown, I’m twenty-six and Carrie Ann is only nineteen. But I certainly don’t believe my thinking is old. After all, Carrie Ann, with those raven locks of yours, can you imagine what you would look like in the moonlight wearing a red ball gown? Or even royal blue to match your eyes?”

Carrie’s blue orbs widened at the thought. Her lips tilted in a smile. “You might be right at that, Livvy.”

Ma’s brow furrowed. “That might prove to be difficult. It’s such a short time to make fancy ball gowns.”

Mrs. Brown’s face also held a frown. “I agree. Although it would be beautiful. Not enough time, though.” She gave her daughter a glance full of regret.