A Touch of Autumn(41)

“This is the closest a fire has come to the school. We can take no more chances. I hesitate to evacuate the school at this point. But until further notice, I’m canceling all riding classes and all nature walks. I don’t want to see a student or a member of the staff anywhere near the woods. Except, of course, for watchmen patrolling the area for more fires breaking out.”

Trent cleared his throat. “I’ll call a meeting for volunteers. No one in the community wants to see the school in danger.”

P.H.’s face cleared and she smiled. “I know that, Trent. The community is a great support for our school. I think it belongs to all of them as much as to the students and staff.”

Livvy drew a deep breath, pleased to hear the director’s comment. P.H. had only been here a couple of years and people were only recently starting to warm up to her. Not that she was snobbish, just a little more reticent in public than the folks around the community were used to.

Livvy leaned back in her chair and glanced at Charles, who returned her smile.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “P.H. is a good old girl at heart. Just a little hard to get to know sometimes.”

How did he always seem to read her mind?

As Livvy rode home, her heartfelt prayer was that the rains would begin soon and no one would be hurt or have their homes destroyed by more fires.





Chapter 16




“Here now! That wasn’t nice, Joe Ramsey.” Livvy frowned at the overall-clad young man who leaned against a ladder.

Joe gave the ladder another small shake. The eldest Bines girl, nearly to the top, squealed in terror. Or, at least, she sounded terrified to Livvy. But from the grin on the girl’s face, maybe not.

The young people either didn’t hear Livvy, or they ignored her. She shrugged and carried a box full of pinecones and autumn leaves to Carrie Ann, who was supposed to be decorating the back wall. But just now, she was gazing wide-eyed up at Clark Bell who grinned down at her from his towering height.

Livvy sighed. Young love, everywhere she looked. Was she destined to miss out on that part of life? Surely not. Surely Charles would declare himself anytime now. But what if he didn’t? What if she’d just imagined his interest?

She blinked back the sudden tears that sprang to her eyes. In that case, she’d have to settle for being single forever. She couldn’t, in good conscience, marry someone else, when she would always love Charles.

The barn door swung open and Charles sauntered in carrying three boxes, stacked one on top of the other. Livvy blotted her eyes. Had he seen her tears? She stuffed the handkerchief into her sleeve.

A moment later, Charles was at her side. “Livvy, where should I put these jars? They’re an additional, last-minute offering from Selma.”

“Oh, spiced apples and plum preserves. We don’t have any of those yet.” She motioned toward the middle of the room, where two tables were quickly filling up. “Put them over there for now. We’re going to sort them all out later.”

He carried the boxes over and deposited them on one of the tables, but was back in a hurry. “Hey, you’ve been crying.”

“I think I got smoke in my eyes.”

He ran a thumb over her cheek, a glance of concern scanning her face. “Are you sure? Has someone said something to hurt your feelings?”

“No, no, I’m fine, Charles. I promise.” And it was true, for suddenly the world seemed bright again. Charles was here. And he cared.

While Charles went to help some of the other men build a stage for the musicians and the dance caller, Livvy left the decorating to the young people and helped sort out the jars of donated foodstuffs.

The promised pies and other baked goods would be brought fresh in two weeks, on the day of the festival. A shiver slid down Livvy’s skin. She’d always loved parties and dances, but this one held a promise and hope she hadn’t experienced before. She felt it deep inside her. Something wonderful was going to happen.

Mrs. Brown set a jar of spiced peaches in a group of the same and nudged Mrs. Couch. “Told you he was sweet on her.”

Mrs. Couch gave a little laugh and glanced at Livvy. “It’s no use, dear. We can see with our own eyes. That young man is befuddled. He’ll be down on his knees, asking that important question, before long.”

“Yes.” Mrs. Brown put her hands on her hips and gave Livvy a serious look. “I certainly hope you don’t turn this one down as you did all the others, Miss Picky. You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

“Mama!” Carrie Ann’s horrified exclamation rang in Livvy’s ears.

But Livvy was already halfway to the doors. That woman was getting more and more insufferable.