Dear Mr Tindle by Kit Morgan

Author:Kit Morgan [Morgan, Kit]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Angel Creek Press
Published: 2020-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The group chatted about this and that as they drew closer to the Templeton farm. Darcy wondered if Pa had waited up for her, and hoped he hadn’t. But the lamplight coming from the parlor told her he had.

“Would you like me to walk you to the door?” Chance asked.

Her heart warmed. He was just being gentlemanly, but still … “That would be nice …” Then she heard the front door open and gulped.

Thankfully, Cecil came to her rescue. “Evening, Jess!”

Pa stepped onto the porch. “How was the dinner?”

“Fine! I won a pie and Chance here won two!”

Chance climbed down and helped Darcy out. “One of them’s for you, sir.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Don’t mention it.” He handed her the pie and walked with her to the porch.

“Sounds like you all had a pleasant evening.” Pa came down the porch steps, took the pie and sniffed it. “Smells good! I think I’ll have a slice before I turn in.”

Darcy smiled – he wasn’t mad she was home after dark. “It’s good. You’ll like it.”

“Did you make it?”

“She did indeed,” Chance said with a grin. She noted he didn’t mention her promise to bake him another. Probably a good thing – she didn’t need her father getting the wrong impression. She didn’t know what her parents would do if they thought a young gentleman was interested in her.

“Thanks for bringing Darcy home safe and sound,” Pa said.

“It’s the least I can do. We can’t have her walking home in the dark, can we?”

“No,” Pa said sternly. She knew what that meant.

“It was no trouble for him, Pa.”

“She’s right, it wasn’t,” Chance said. “We had a lovely moonlit drive and I’ll enjoy it just as much going back.”

Pa, still stone-faced, waved at Cecil and Betsy. “Much obliged.”

Betsy waved back. “Good evening, Mr. Templeton!”

He waved again and sniffed the pie. “Sure smells good.”

“Why don’t you try a slice, Pa?” Darcy suggested. “Before the boys spot it.”

“Land sakes, you’re right – those vultures will devour this the first chance they get.” He smiled at Darcy. “Why do you think I wanted two?”

She grimaced. “I’m afraid they all got auctioned off.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Templeton,” Chance said. “Mrs. Brock asked Darcy to help her bake more pies tomorrow.”

Pa’s face lit up. “She did?”

“Yes. And she … wants to have a little picnic after church on Sunday.”

He glanced between them. “Does she, now? I suppose you got invited?”

“Yes, Pa.” She glanced at Chance and back – she couldn’t help it.

Pa frowned again. “Hmm … well, as long as your chores are done first. Goodnight, Cecil, Betsy. Good night, Chance.” He headed for the porch steps, then turned. “Darcy?”

“I’m coming.” She turned to Chance. “Well, good night. Thank you for driving me home.”

He smiled. “I’ll see you at the Brocks’ picnic.”

She smiled back, realized Pa was still watching and cleared her throat. “Um, yes. See you then.”

He returned to the buggy, climbed in, and after one last wave, turned it around and left.

“Chance Tindle,” Pa mumbled. “Hmm …” He went up the porch steps and into the house.

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