Out of the Ashes by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;Christian fiction;Love stories;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
ISBN: 9781493413607
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-10-12T04:00:00+00:00

17

JULY 4

The celebration was unlike anything Thomas had seen before. And he’d been at the Curry for three years. Every Fourth of July was better than the last. Mrs. Johnson had outdone herself this year with a huge supper buffet that sported everything from a large selection of delightful appetizers to desserts.

This year, the American flag cake was her crowning glory, measuring five feet by three feet. Everyone agreed that the white cake was so moist it might have floated away but for the heavenly buttercream frosting and berry jam slathered between layers. Thomas had three pieces.

He’d given the head chef his best compliments along with the rest of the crowd. But the poor woman had been miserable ever since Mr. Bradley had brought in Chef Ferguson to help. Thomas heard them fighting at all hours of the day, and even though he was relieved that her harsh words were no longer aimed at him, he did feel a bit sorry for the burly newcomer.

“Well, Thomas, it looks like there’s still enough food to feed a small army.” Allan walked up beside him.

“Mrs. Johnson always says it’s better to have too much than not enough when it comes to seeing folks fed at the Curry Hotel.”

“I doubt anyone has ever gone away from here hungry, unless they wanted to.” Allan laughed.

“What is the term you Americans use?” Jean-Michel rubbed his stomach as he joined them. “I’m stuffed?”

Allan laughed again. “Good evening, Mr. Langelier. Yes, that’s the word. I’m feeling quite stuffed myself. Are you having a good time?”

“Oui. It has been very nice.” The Frenchman gave a hint of a smile. “I am afraid, however, I have eaten too much cake.”

Thomas joined in. “I’ve had three pieces. But don’t tell Mrs. Johnson.”

Mr. Langelier held up four fingers.

Allan patted both men on the shoulder. “It’s a good thing we didn’t have a cake-eating contest. You two would’ve cleaned it up.”

“How is your wife, Mr. Brennan?” Jean-Michel placed his cane in front of him.

“She’s doing quite well, thank you for asking.” Allan’s smile grew. “She’s excited, as am I. How have you managed to adjust to the long hours of light? I heard your sister say you were having trouble sleeping.”

Jean-Michel shrugged. “Travel is sometimes difficult and sleeping in a bed that is not your own can be hard. I do, however, appreciate the heavy drapes to block out the light.”

“You’ve certainly come a long way since you first arrived.” Allan motioned to Jean-Michel’s leg. “I believe soon you won’t even need that cane.”

“I would like that to be so.” Jean-Michel glanced back to where his sister laughed with the Powell family.

“Are we still going to have fireworks?” Thomas knew there had been some discussion about whether the weather would hold. John told them a bank of clouds coming off of the mountain was sure to bring rain.

“That’s the plan.” Allan glanced at the skies, then back to Thomas. “Cassidy even made me move our bed to the window, hoping she might see some of the sights.

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