Along a Storied Trail by Ann H. Gabhart

Author:Ann H. Gabhart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;Love Stories;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2021-04-21T00:00:00+00:00

twenty-two

LIVVY, DON’T CRIMP THE PAGE like that.” Tansy swooped down on the little girl to scoot the book away from her before she could dog-ear it.

Livvy burst into tears and ran to Ma. “My book.”

Tansy wasn’t bothered by her tears as she smoothed down the page. “You have to treat a book right, Livvy.”

Ma looked around at Tansy from the stove. “They aren’t your books, Tansy Faith. The book woman left that here for Livvy.” She emphasized the book woman as she hugged Livvy.

“I am the book woman.” Tansy stared at her mother.

“Friday you were the book woman. Today you’re Livvy’s big sister, and there ain’t no call in you acting so mean.”

“All right. I’m sorry, Livvy.” Tansy held the book out to Livvy. “But lots of other little girls will want to read this book too, and I didn’t want it messed up.”

Livvy sniffed. “Don’t want it now.”

Ma gave Tansy another hard look but didn’t say anything as she patted Livvy’s back. Being youngest, Livvy was some spoiled, but at the same time Ma was right. Tansy shouldn’t have grabbed the book like that.

“Looks like somebody must have had grouchy beans for breakfast,” Aunt Perdie spoke up from her chair. Prissy stood up in Aunt Perdie’s lap, gave Tansy the same disapproving glance as her owner, then turned around and settled back down again.

It was true. Tansy hadn’t gotten up in the best mood. Yesterday afternoon before she and Damien had parted ways, he had asked her to go down to Booneville today for that promised ride in his motorcar, but she had to say no.

She’d promised Caleb, but they could have gone to Aunt Perdie’s cabin anytime. Who knew how soon Damien might move on to another town? She had ridden in a car before with Mrs. Weston to pick up some books last fall. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t like to ride in another car. With a fellow who looked like a character out of a book.

Damien hadn’t acted disappointed when she told him she had other things to do. Tansy didn’t know what bothered her most. Not getting to ride in Damien’s car or that he didn’t seem to care whether she could or not.

She pushed that out of her thoughts and attempted to make up with Livvy. “I didn’t mean to make you tearful, Livvy. Here, I’ve got something for you.”

Tansy fetched her saddlebags to find the bookmarks they’d made last week out of old Christmas cards. A few of the cards were so pretty, Mrs. Weston said they shouldn’t cut those up but give them to children on their route if they turned in their books in good condition.

Tansy pulled out the very best card. She ran her finger over the picture of a cat sitting in front of a Christmas tree. The cat’s black fur had a velvety feel, while the red ribbon around its neck felt like an ice-slicked rock. Tansy couldn’t even imagine how much a card like that might cost. Probably as much as some books.

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