A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner

Author:Susan Meissner [Meissner, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-307-45886-5
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2011-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

By ten o’clock that morning, Marielle and Caroline had moved the long table into the family room and brought in Adelaide’s sewing machine and notions baskets. They had also spread out the uniform pieces, all in varying stages of completion. Adelaide said the old drawing room would give them all more room to move about, but Marielle wondered if there was another reason they weren’t going to be sewing in the parlor.

Her ponderings were proven correct the moment Pearl stepped into Holly Oak’s foyer at ten thirty, her arms full of cake, a sewing basket, and past issues of Southern Living. “We’re not in the parlor, are we?” she asked as Marielle welcomed her inside. Marielle told her they’d be working in the old drawing room.

“Oh, thank heaven! Lordamercy, I almost didn’t come!” She handed the magazines to Marielle. “These are for Adelaide, sweetie, so she doesn’t go plum crazy with boredom watching us sew. Where’s the injured little darling?”

Pearl swept past Marielle into the family room, where Adelaide and Caroline sat on a leather sofa. Caroline had her legs tucked up underneath her, and Adelaide had a couple of bed pillows under her arm. Marielle followed her inside. Pearl set the cake and the basket on the long table and then dashed over to Adelaide with barely a nod to Caroline. “Oh, my dear. And how are we doing today?”

“We’re doing fine, Pearl.”

“Oh, lovely. I brought my Southern Livings for you, dear. I cut out the recipes, of course, but you don’t like entertaining anyway so you won’t miss them.” She turned to Caroline. “Hello there. I am Pearl Sibley, Adelaide’s oldest and dearest—well, not oldest because I’m only seventy-nine, but—”

Pearl clamped her mouth shut. When she opened it again, one word fell out. “Caroline.”

“Hello, Pearl,” Caroline said with a gentle nod of her head.

“Lordamercy. It’s Caroline.” Pearl turned to Marielle, who stood a few feet behind her. “Marielle, it’s Caroline.”

“Yes. We’ve met.” Marielle said.

Pearl turned to face the couch again. “My stars! Caroline!” She rushed forward and pulled Caroline to her feet to embrace her. Then she stepped back with her hands on Caroline’s shoulders. “Look at you! Why, you don’t look a day over fifty. Maybe fifty-five. You know, I saw you at poor Sara’s funeral, and I thought to myself, that girl is finally looking her age. But not today. Why, today you look near radiant. Doesn’t she, Adelaide?”

Adelaide opened her mouth—to agree or disagree, it was impossible for Marielle to tell. Pearl went on before Adelaide could speak.

“Are you here for more than a day? Because if you are here for more than a day, you should come to my jewelry party Friday night. That’s in two days. Marielle, you should come too. You should both come. Adelaide, dear, I’d ask you but I know you’ll just say no.”

“Yes, I’m here for more than a day, but I’m not sure I’m ready for a jewelry party yet. Thank you for the invitation, though. That’s very kind.

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