Summer Dream by Marilou Flinkman

Author:Marilou Flinkman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

With Edwina on one side and Elizabeth on the other, Mama made her way into the church on Sunday. The girls led their mother to a seat and stood nearby.

“Look, Mama. Aunt Sally is back.” Liz motioned toward the back of the church.

The smile of pleasure that lighted her mother’s face brought a warm glow to Liz. “I’ll go get her to sit next to you.” Liz hurried to Aunt Sally’s side. “Mama is right down there,” Liz pointed. “Won’t you come sit with her?”

The two women greeted each other with hugs and kisses. “When did you get back?” Mama asked.

“Daniel brought me in yesterday.” Aunt Sally patted Mama’s hand. “It is so good to be home.”

“I want to hear all about that baby. Will you come to dinner with us after church?”

Sally smiled. “Fannie and Tom have invited me.”

“And you want to see those adorable grandsons of yours. I understand, but will you come out soon?”

“Why don’t you come spend a day with me? You could ride in with Liz some morning.”

“I can’t leave Edie alone all day,” Mama protested.

“I wouldn’t be alone, Mama. Papa will be in the barn,” Edie spoke from her place near her mother.

“Let her grow up, Emily,” Aunt Sally said quietly.

“Are you sure you would be all right?” Mama asked.

Liz watched her shy sister lift her chin and announce, “I am not a child. I will be just fine by myself.” With a start, Liz realized Edie was correct. At nearly sixteen, she now did most all the household chores. She can read a little bit and do some arithmetic, Liz acknowledged. That’s as much as many women on the frontier can do. Edwina doesn’t need someone to take care of her. The thought shocked Liz. Does this mean someday I could be free to have a family of my own?

As Pastor Ames stood up to lead the first hymn, Liz tried to push such thoughts to the back of her mind. But looking at Pastor Ames and thinking of having her own family sent waves of disturbing feelings tumbling through her.

❧

On Wednesday, Mama got up early. Liz helped her dress, and Father lifted her into the buggy.

“Don’t worry, Emily. I will be mending some harness in the barn. Edie is not alone,” he said, giving her a final kiss on her cheek.

As she lifted the reins, Liz felt her mother sigh. Edie came running from the house. “You forgot your lunch, Liz.” The girl handed up a bundle for her sister.

Liz smiled and thanked her sister before turning to her mother. “I’m the one who needs looking after in this household!”

When a bit later Liz pulled the horse to a stop in Aunt Sally’s yard, Pastor Ames hurried out the back door. “Let me lift you down, Emily.”

“All this attention will go to my head.”

As Liz noticed how her mother tried to hide the pain of getting down to the ground, she shook her head in admiration. Her mother was one of the most courageous people she knew.

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