Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell

Author:Miralee Ferrell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780781412421
Publisher: David C. Cook
Published: 2014-10-01T07:00:00+00:00

Steven edged toward the door. It was time he got out of here and back to the bunkhouse. He gripped the knob and inched open the door, hoping Leah wouldn’t try to stop him. Stepping outside, he almost collided with Buddy. He attempted to sidestep, but the older man grabbed his arm.

“Hold on there, son. What’s the hurry? Thought I saw someone coming up the lane with a bag slung across his back, but my old eyes aren’t what they used to be. He stop at the house?”

Steven nodded. “He did, at that, and your wife informed everyone they should come to the kitchen for coffee.”

Buddy peered at him. “Then why you slipping away instead of joining us? And who was the feller?”

“It was Tom Pape, Leah’s brother.”

Buddy jerked as if shot. “I know who Tom is. You say he came home?”

“Uh-huh.”

“That don’t answer why you’re leaving.” Buddy clamped a firm grip on Steven’s elbow and propelled him across the threshold and into the entry, then drew the door shut behind him.

“Guess I figured this is time for the family to get reacquainted,” Steven hedged. “I’m not family.”

“Sure you are. You live here, eat your meals with us, and work side by side with us when you aren’t at the bank. That makes you family. If Millie said everyone should come for coffee, that includes you. Let’s go.”

Steven wasn’t sure if he should duck out of the man’s grip and dash for the door or go quietly into what he knew had the potential to be a difficult scene. All of a sudden, he knew. How could he abandon Leah after she’d collapsed in his arms less than an hour ago, especially after he’d seen her expression of horror as her father had bellowed at Tom? “All right. Another cup of coffee sounds good.”

They trekked down the hall and paused in the doorway to the roomy kitchen, which held a round table and six chairs off to the side. The larger dining table was in the next room, but Millie often served the meals or snacks and coffee here when the group was small. Leah, Tom, and Charlie all sat at the table, avoiding one another’s gaze, while Millie puttered between the stove and the table, carrying over mugs of steaming coffee.

Leah swiveled in her chair, her face showing relief. “Buddy, Steven, come take a seat. Millie’s got fresh gingerbread.”

Charlie glared at the two of them. “Don’t you have work to do?”

Buddy grunted as he dropped into the chair. “’Course we do, but a man’s got to take a break once in a while. I’m not passing up Millie’s gingerbread. Besides, I wanted to say howdy to young Tom.” He leaned across the table with his hand extended and his face solemn. “You’ve grown up some, young man.”

Tom hesitated, then reached across and gripped Buddy’s hand. “I suppose I have. Good to see you, Buddy.”

“Same to you. What brings you home after six years? Or have you already hashed that out?”

Charlie thumped his palm on the table, making the coffee mugs rattle.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.