Mary and Cade by Annie Boone

Author:Annie Boone [Boone, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sweet River Publishing
Published: 2018-08-10T04:00:00+00:00

Eleven

The time leading up to Wednesday, the day Mary would join them for supper was agonizing. Socializing was a new experience for Cade, one that he wasn’t certain how he felt about it. For one moment, he would be excited to see her again, and in another he would be thinking only of his Joanna who hadn’t been gone that long.

When the day finally arrived, he looked around at his children and then realized he hadn’t told them about their supper guest.

Setting his cup down, Cade slowly looked around at his children. Drumming his fingers across his knee, he frowned. All four of them were eating their porridge quietly, still asleep and not arguing or even speaking. Or singing, as Claire had lately decided was the only way she would speak.

“I have something to tell you,” he said finally. It was loud enough that only Caleb continued eating. The other three glanced up with sleepy and curious gazes. “We will have a guest for supper tonight. A friend will be joining us.”

Cole wrinkled his nose. “A friend? You don’t have friends, Papa.”

Cade raised an eyebrow. “I don’t?”

“You have us, so you don’t need friends.” Cole offered a pointed gaze that surprised Cade so much, he almost laughed.

Clearing his throat, he ruffled his son’s hair. “Right. Well, even fathers and mothers can have friends who aren’t their children. And tonight, one of my friends will be joining us. This means I want everyone on their best behavior, is that understood?”

The children nodded.

“Does Anne know?” Hannah asked in a tone that he didn’t recognize. It was hard and stiff, and she wouldn’t look at him. Cade realized that she was mad at him, most likely for refusing to allow her to help in the shop. For a minute he tried to decide how long this would last, how long she would hold out. Surely, she was getting tired of this?

He shook the concern from his mind. “Yes, Miss Anne knows. We have enough food to make a delicious meal. And she’s even promised to make pie if the four of you behave,” he added.

Claire gasped. “Can it be apple?” She sung in a high clear voice. “Or maybe with berries?”

“But I could make the pie,” Hannah retorted. “I’m easily capable and certainly willing.”

“And if she still needs assistance after school,” Cade nodded, “you are more than welcome to help. She should be arriving any minute and you’ll need to help her decide which sort of pie to make. But she is going to make sure you’re all clean and well dressed before I get home. And I don’t want to hear that you’ve caused any trouble. Clear?”

Every one of them nodded, even little Caleb. Cade straightened his tie and took a deep breath. It was going to be a good night, he tried to convince himself. Not a single thing could go wrong. His children would behave like angels and Mary would be talkative and relaxed. Yes, he was nervous but excited.

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