A Touch of Autumn(5)

“As a matter of fact, I bought a couple last week. Didn’t really need them, but they were being mishandled so I made an offer and the owner grabbed it.”

“You know, the care of two extra horses will be more work for Albert.” Their stableman and all-around handyman was getting up in years.

“Already thought of that. The boys who want to take the class will have to agree to help Albert.”

Charles nodded and grinned. Seemed the doc had thought of everything. “Bring them on over. I’ll start signing boys up tomorrow.”

Thank You, Lord. This could be just the thing to help Jeremiah. What boy can resist a horse?





Chapter 3




Olivia walked across the still-green lawn from the parsonage to the back of the church where the men had set up a number of tables. The churchyard bustled with people who’d been arriving in buggies and wagons since midmorning. The community was more than ready for a get-together and celebration after the long, busy summer. Of course, most of them were in the beginning stages of harvesting their crops and the women were already busy canning. But for this day, they would put aside their labors and have a good time.

Several women spread spotless white cloths on the tables. More than likely, they wouldn’t be spotless for long. Squeals of laughter rent the air from the direction of the river. Apparently, some of the children were already having fun. The memory of wading in the cold river and being splashed by other children washed over her. She could almost feel the chill on her toes.

She set her heavy basket on a bench and began unloading jars of bread-and-butter pickles, okra pickles, peach preserves, condiments, napkins, plates and silverware onto one end of the table. Most families would bring their own table settings, but Mama always set out extra in case anyone forgot theirs. And someone always did. Not to mention the single men who never thought to bring anything but hungry appetites.

Abigail came around the corner of the building. Several girls converged on her and took the almost year-old baby girl, Celeste, from her arms. Olivia grinned. They’d be bringing her back soon enough when she needed a fresh diaper. Trent followed his wife with a huge basket in each hand. And Carrie, their cook and housekeeper, carried another.

“Trent, just set them on one of the tables. I’ll have to sort things out.” Abigail waved at Olivia. “I see you’re already busy.”

“I’ve hardly started yet. Something in your basket sure smells good.”

“Carrie and I baked chicken with peaches. I figured there would be more than enough fried chicken to go around.” Abigail bent over one of the baskets and started pulling out goodies.

“I love your peach-baked chicken. Mama does, too, but she never makes it because Pa doesn’t care for it.” Olivia picked up her basket. “I’d better get another load. See you later.”

When she reached the kitchen, Mama was handing a full basket to Jake. “Now be careful. The pecan pies and my chocolate layer cake are in this one.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jake said. “I sure wouldn’t want anything to happen to that cake.”

“Oh, go on with you.” Mama waved him away and turned to Olivia. “Both those covered platters are full of fried chicken. Why don’t you put them in the small basket and carry them out? I’ll fill up the other baskets.”

“All right, Mama.” Olivia reached for one of the platters. “Where’s Father? I thought he’d help carry things.”

Mama scurried back and forth from the cupboards to the kitchen table, her hands filled with food. She paused and laid the back of her hand against her forehead. “Oh, my. I forgot to tell you. Old Mrs. Waters is ill. Her grandson, Dewey, came and got your father. The poor old dear told Dewey over and over she was about to die and needed her pastor. Finally, he took her seriously.”

“Oh, no. I hope she’ll be all right.” But she hated for Papa to miss the picnic. A twinge of guilt bit at her conscience when she realized she was being selfish.

“Well, dear. She’s suffered for a long time. It would be merciful if the Lord would take her on home.”

Olivia nodded and bit her lip, then finished loading her basket. As soon as she stepped out the door, three of the girls from the school came running over. Molly Flannigan and her friend Trudy took the basket from her.

“Well, thank you, girls. I could have carried it. But since you want to help, I’ll go back and get more things to take over.”

“No,” the three girls chorused.

Olivia eyed them. Okay, maybe they weren’t just being helpful. “Is something wrong?”

All three girls were totally deaf but excellent lip-readers, and although their speech was different, most of the time Olivia could easily understand them. But when they all began to talk at once, the noise totally obscured any semblance of understandable speech.