To Walk In Sunshine by Sally Laity

Author:Sally Laity
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-02-11T05:00:00+00:00

Eight

The storm clouds that had been building all that day let loose as the family gathered around the supper table.

“Aw, fiddlesticks,” Tim muttered. “Rain. Now we won’t get to go to Kirby Park an’ see the Fourth of July fireworks.”

“I think we’ll live through it, Runt,” Ken cajoled. The family always looked forward to the annual event held at the Kingston Armory, but somehow the disappointment seemed of little importance today. Claiming his chair, he silently thanked God for the time he’d spent with Rosalind.

Before their paths had crossed, a rainy Saturday meant only that he wouldn’t be able to hike up the mountain. Now, wet weather shut out the possibility of seeing her, visiting with her. He wasn’t sure exactly when he’d started counting on her presence and eagerly looking forward to the next encounter. But somewhere along the way, the enchanting gypsy had danced right into his heart, making Saturday the high point of his week.

“Would you ask the blessing tonight, Timmy?” Ma asked, her voice drawing Ken back to the present.

Trying unsuccessfully to focus on the prayer, he heard scarcely more than a few words before the kid uttered the amen. He gave himself a mental shake.

Accepting the platter of fried chicken that Hannah passed his way, he noticed something different about her. Very different. Heightened color on her cheeks, a smile that wouldn’t quit, shining eyes. She must have had an unusually good day housecleaning! “So, Hannah,” he probed. “How was your day?”

She rested her forearm on the table, fork in hand. “Quite good. The MacNamaras gave me a nice bonus for what they termed ‘exceptional work.’ I think they were afraid I’d quit on them and they’d have to train a new girl in my place.”

“I would imagine it’s hard to find loyal, trustworthy help these days,” their mother said. “Everybody’s looking for greener pastures elsewhere.”

“Well, I enjoy working for them,” Hannah replied. “Mrs. MacNamara does like things done a particular way, but she isn’t fussy and hard to please, like Mrs. Hughes often is.”

“Is that the reason you kinda. . .glow?” Ken quizzed in brotherly candor. “Or is there somebody else in that house who finds you pleasing?” He took a healthy bite of his drumstick.

She stopped chewing and swallowed as a full-fledged blush beautified her delicate features. “Well, actually, now that you mention it. . .” She switched her attention to her mother. “Ma, David MacNamara would like to meet you all. I’ve. . .invited him to Sunday dinner next week.”

“What?” she gasped. “Here?” In sharp contrast to Hannah’s rosy flush, her own complexion paled to chalky white. “A MacNamara from that fine estate in Wilkes-Barre, having dinner in a coal patch house?” She swept a frantic gaze of disbelief over the plain, almost stark, furnishings of the dining room. “That’s out of the question. Completely out of the question.”

“Oh, Ma,” she pleaded. “David is really very nice. He isn’t concerned with material things—”

“And why should he be,” she countered, “when he has

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