Mama frowned and gave Olivia an uncertain glance. “But I meant to make hot biscuits to go with the stew.”
“I’ll make them. I don’t mind at all.”
“Well...if you’re sure. I could do with a breather.”
“I’m sure.” Olivia smiled and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I’ll call you and Papa when supper’s ready.”
* * *
Charles tried to focus on the reverend’s sermon, but his gaze kept drifting to Jeremiah, who sat in front of him and right next to Sonny.
Jeremiah had only been at Quincy since the previous year and had had no prior formal education. He’d had trouble learning signs, but his lip-reading had improved since his mother had enrolled him. Perhaps, as his communication skills improved, his attitude would, too. The bullying could simply be an outlet for his frustration. If only something could be done before the boy got himself expelled.
Charles stood with the congregation and sang the deeply moving hymn, “Just As I Am.” When Reverend Shepherd prayed the closing prayer, Charles added his own silent petition that God would give him the wisdom to help Jeremiah.
When he stepped out of the church, he spotted Olivia standing across the churchyard with Abigail Quincy and walked over. He tipped his hat. “Ladies.”
Abigail grinned and cut a glance from him to Olivia. “Well, I need to go rescue my baby. She was being passed around hand to hand a few minutes ago.”
Charles frowned as she walked away. Why had she given him that odd look? As if she knew something he didn’t but should. He shook his head. Women.
“Are the students settling in all right?”
Charles glanced down at Olivia’s waiting smile. “They aren’t going to settle in too well until the parents leave. A few are staying over for the picnic tomorrow but most are heading home today after dinner.”
She nodded. “I’m looking forward to the picnic. We’ve been baking for several days.”
“So has Selma. The whole place smells like peaches and cinnamon.”
She laughed. “The children must love that.”
“Hey, I love it, too. She’s served peach cobbler for the past two days because she knows it’s a favorite with the students and teachers.”
Her laughter trilled pleasantly, and he grinned. He could make her laugh, too. “Did your mother tell you I dropped by one day last week when you were in town?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I missed you.” She glanced up at him, her eyes sparkling.
Charles started. “I never noticed the color of your eyes before.”
“Blue?” Confusion wrinkled her brow. “You’ve known me for years and never knew my eyes were blue?”
He laughed. “Of course I knew they were blue. But I just noticed they’re more like deep sapphire. Almost the color of our pond back home. Very pretty.”
A blush deepened the pink of her cheeks. “Thank you, Charles. That’s a nice thing to say.”
He cleared his throat. “I’d best help round up the boys. Selma won’t like it if her dinner gets cold.”
“Yes, I need to go, too. I’ll see you at the picnic tomorrow.”
“Maybe we can find a quiet place to eat so we can talk?” He wanted to get her opinion about Jeremiah.
“Yes, of course.” Those beautiful sapphire eyes sparkled again.
“Good. I’ll see you there.”
He headed toward the wagon where the boys and some of the staff were already loaded up and waiting for him.
Trent Quincy stood by the wagon. “Charles. Good. I want to run something by you.”
“Sure, Doc, what is it?”
“What would you think of adding a horseback riding class to the school curriculum?” He leaned against the wagon and pushed back his hat, a satisfied look on his face.
Dr. Quincy’s grandmother had donated the mansion and land for a school for the deaf many years ago, after her own deaf child had died of an illness. She’d turned over the responsibility of establishing and running the school to her son, Trent’s father. A few years ago, the ownership and responsibility for the school had passed into Trent’s hands. Other than the medical needs of the students and staff, Trent left most decisions concerning the school in his director’s hands. So Charles knew he would have checked with her first.
“What does P.H. think?”
“She thinks it’s a great idea. But since you’re the one in charge of the boys’ outdoor activities, she said it should be your decision.”
Charles thought for a moment. It would be extra work and time, but the benefit to the boys would be more than worth it.
“Where will we get the horses? The carriage horses won’t do.”