“What kind of things did they say?”
“Well, back in Maine they knew me as Plain Mary Peters. But that isn’t important. What’s important is that your father is willing to talk to Neil. We’re going to go over to their place for supper in a couple weeks. I’m not sure how it’s going to turn out, but your father’s trying.”
“So you don’t think he’s going to disown me?”
Giving him a sympathetic smile, she said, “If he was going to disown you, he wouldn’t have gone to where you work to talk to you.” She took a sip of her coffee and set the cup down. “You two will be fine, but you need to talk.”
Feeling much better at the prospect of talking to his father, Isaac nodded. “Thanks, Ma.” He drank his coffee before he placed the cup on the table. “I need to get back to work. I told Ben I wouldn’t take too long.”
She stood up with him. “Are you happy?”
Surprised by the question, he said, “Yes. Emily’s good to me, and I have no doubt she’ll continue to be good to me.”
“I think she will, too. You will tell Emily she’s welcome to come here?”
“I don’t know. You think Pa will like that?”
“He’ll accept it, and he’ll be nice to her. It might be awkward at first, but we can get through it.”
“I’ll tell Emily she’s welcome here.” He decided to leave out the fact that he’d talk to his father first, just to make sure it was safe for her to come by. They left the kitchen, and when he reached the front door, he reached for his coat. “I’ll be at work tomorrow at one. That’s when I come back from my lunch break. I got permission to come here today, but I don’t want to keep paying social visits while I need to work.”
“I understand, and I’ll let your father know.”
He put his coat and boots on and hugged her. “Thanks for everything.”
“Don’t be a stranger,” she replied.
“I won’t.” Feeling much better, he said good-bye and left to go back to work.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The next day after lunch, Isaac expected his father to show up, and he wasn’t disappointed. His steps slowed as he entered the lumber store and saw his father waiting for him to the side of the room. With a deep breath, he headed over to him.
“Hi, Pa,” he said, hoping his shaky voice wasn’t apparent to anyone but himself.
His father looked in his direction and offered a smile. “How are you, Isaac?”
“Good.” Shifting from one foot to the other, he added, “I got ten minutes before I have to make more deliveries. There’s a private area out back where we can talk, if you want.”
He nodded, so Isaac led the way to the back of the store and outside where there was a vacant bench. Mostly, workers used the area to relax or smoke, so Isaac was glad to see no one was there at the moment. He sat down and waited for his father to sit next to him before he spoke.
“I saw Ma yesterday.”
“Yes, I know. You left right before I came back from the schoolhouse.”
Unsure of what to say, Isaac settled for nodding.
His father sighed. “Is this what it’s come to? You feel like you have to avoid me?”
Detecting the hurt undertone in his father’s voice, he said, “I didn’t think you’d be happy with me after I married Emily.”
“You’re right. I wasn’t happy about it, but you’re still my son and blood is thicker than water. No matter what happens, your mother and I want to be there for you.” After a long moment of silence, he continued, “I realize that you have to make your own way in the world. I shouldn’t have pressed you so hard about Eva. Unfortunately, I can’t go back and change things.”
“I didn’t want anyone but Emily. I tried to stay away from her like you said, but after what happened at the schoolhouse between her and Eva, I realized I couldn’t judge Emily based on what happened in the past. It wasn’t fair to her to do that.”
After a moment of silence, his father asked, “Are you sure she’s a good woman?”
“Yes.”
He glanced at his feet before looking back at Isaac. “I want you to be with a good woman. I’ve been fortunate to have your mother. A good woman is a real blessing.”
“I have that in Emily, Pa. I’ve watched you and Ma while growing up. I’ve learned from you.”
“I just worry that you let your attraction for Emily get in the way of good judgment.”
“It didn’t. Weren’t you attracted to Ma when you married her?”
“Of course, I was. In fact, I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t married yet.”
“So what’s wrong with me being attracted to Emily?”
“Nothing’s wrong with it. I just want to make sure you also made your decision based on who she is, not based on how she looks. Some men are so busy looking at the outside, they don’t see what’s inside a woman. The outside is temporary. What’s inside will last the rest of her life.”
Unable to stop a slight grin, Isaac said, “But you were telling Ma she’s beautiful last week.”
“Your mother’s a special woman. The longer I know her, the prettier she gets.”
“Well, Emily’s beautiful on the inside, too. You should give her a chance.”
“You’re right. I should. I came by to ask if you and Emily would like to come over for lunch this Saturday. Your ma will bring out the good china and make her apple pie.”
“We’ll be happy to come.” He glanced at the clock. “I have to make more deliveries.”
He stood up with him. “Do you plan to farm or keep working here?”
“When I’m twenty-one, I’ll get land from the Homestead Act.”
“Your uncles and I will still be willing to help you build a house at that time, if you’d like the help.”
“I would, and thank you.”
Relieved his mother had been right and talking to his father wasn’t as bad as he feared it would be, Isaac smiled at him before he returned to work. Everything really would be alright, and now he could give Emily the good news.
***
On Saturday, Emily’s stomach was tied up in knots as she and Isaac took the buggy he borrowed from his uncle out to his parents’ house. As they came onto the property, she felt as if she might throw up.
Taking her hand in his, Isaac offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll be with you.”
She turned her attention from the landscape and gave him a weak smile. “Does my nervousness show?”
“A little.” He squeezed her hand. “But it’s not bad. If you want to leave at any time during the lunch, we will. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“You said he’s accepted the marriage?”
“Yes, he has, but I want you to be comfortable.”
“I don’t think I can be until I know for sure he doesn’t hate me.”
“No, he doesn’t hate you.”
She wasn’t so sure about that but held her tongue. She didn’t want to cause any problems and was determined to do her part to get along with his family. Closing her eyes, she reminded herself that they’d only have to be there for a couple hours. Surely, she could handle a couple hours.
All too soon, they arrived at the front of his parents’ house. She took another deep breath and waited for Isaac to help her down from the buggy.
“My pa’s in the barn.” Isaac squeezed her hand in a manner that was meant to reassure her everything would be alright, but it failed to calm her nerves. “I’ll take care of the horse while you go into the house.”
Nodding, Emily let go of his hand and trudged up the porch steps, reminding herself that she could do this. When she reached the front door, she knocked and tucked her hands into her coat pockets.
“Ma, Isaac’s new wife is here!” Jacob called out as he opened the front door.
At that, Emily’s lips curled up into a smile. As if Isaac had an old wife somewhere! She did like Jacob and was glad he’d be there today.
Mary emerged from the kitchen and
motioned for Emily to enter the house as she hurried down the hall. “Come on in, Emily.”
“Oh, right!” Jacob opened the storm door.
Emily thanked him and entered the house. She’d never been inside the house, though there was one time when her grandmother had taken her out here to collect some clothes for her that Mary made. That was a couple years before her mother married her father and took over those responsibilities. It was also when the Larsons lived in a sod house.
Mary reached her as she took off her coat and bonnet. “Did you have a good trip out here?” Mary asked as she helped her hang up her things.
“Yes, Mrs. Larson. It’s a lovely day. One would hardly believe we’re still in winter.”
Laughing, she nodded. “That’s true. It’s one of the things I enjoy about Nebraska winters. You get a reprieve from the bitter cold from time to time.”
Since Emily had nothing to compare Nebraska winters to, she took Mary’s word for it. Turning to her, Mary grinned before she hugged her. Surprised but pleased, Emily returned her hug.
Pulling away from her, Mary patted Emily’s back. “I’m glad you came. I know the situation isn’t easy for you, but everything will be alright.”
Emily laughed. “Isaac was just saying the same thing on our way here.”
From the parlor, the twin girls got into a fight, so Mary went to the doorway. “That’s enough, you two. Adam, take Harriett to that corner.” She turned to the entryway where Jacob stood by the front door. “You, shut the door and take Rose to the other side of the room.”
Jacob sighed but obeyed.
Mary directed her gaze back to Emily and shrugged. “The girls have been fighting all morning. Usually, they get along well enough, but they have their moments.” With a glance in the parlor, she added, “I’ll make sure to give you boys a bigger slice of apple pie for helping me.”
Adam and Jacob looked at each other and grinned.
Mary put her arm around Emily’s shoulders and led her down the hallway. “Sometimes a little incentive goes a long way,” she whispered. “Remember that when you have children.”
Her nerves finally subsiding, Emily nodded. “I’ll be sure to do that.”
Once they entered the kitchen where Rachel was taking a pie out of the oven, Mary said, “Go ahead and set the dining room table, Rachel.”
Rachel placed the pie on the worktable, greeted Emily, and went to obey her mother.
“Do you want any help?” Emily asked.
Mary shook her head and motioned for Emily to sit. “No. I’m almost done. I just wanted to speak with you for a bit without anyone else hovering around.”
Emily eased into one of the chairs and glanced around the kitchen. “This is a nice room.”
“Thank you. When Dave wanted to build the place, I asked for a large window so I could look out and see the land. I also asked for it to be facing the south so I didn’t have to worry about the bright sunlight in the morning or evening.”
“I don’t blame you on that one. My mother isn’t fond of cooking in the morning because she has to squint all the time when the sunlight comes into the kitchen.”
“Well, if I remember right, your father decided which room went where when he had it built, and men don’t think of how a room might or might not be convenient for a woman when she does her work.” Mary went over to two pies which had cooled and cut slices into them. “Has Isaac been good to you?”
“Oh, yes. He treats me wonderfully,” Emily replied, her hands in her lap. “You raised a fine son.”
“And your father raised a fine daughter.”
“I’m proud of him,” she softly admitted. It almost seemed like a sin to say such a thing in the Larson house, but she was proud of her father and if she couldn’t say it here, then she didn’t belong here, even if it was for a lunch.
“You should be proud of him, Emily. He went through a lot to get to where he’s at today. Some people face difficulties and give up, but not him.”
Relaxing, she nodded. Good. She wasn’t going to hear anything negative about her pa, at least not from Mary. Clearing her throat, she ventured, “May I ask if Isaac’s pa… Well, I’m not sure he approves… You know, of me and Isaac.”
Mary paused as she cut into the second pie and sighed. “It was a shock. But given the circumstances, I don’t know how else Isaac could have prepared him. He tried to tell his father he wanted to be with you.”
“Really?” The admission pleased Emily.
“Dave has a way of seeing how people really are, and the problem is, he hasn’t taken the time to get to know you.”
“He thinks I’m like my real mother?”
“He worries you are, but I believe after today, he won’t.” Mary set the knife on the worktable and walked over to her. Sitting down, she leaned forward and added, “I know this must be hard for you, but you don’t have anything to worry about. Dave will see who you are.”
Emily prayed that was true, but she still couldn’t help the sudden flurry of butterflies that grew restless in her stomach as the front door opened. She heard Isaac telling his father about his job at the lumber store.
Mary stood and patted her shoulder. “I wish I could take your place for this lunch so you didn’t have to worry.”
Grateful for the support, Emily smiled.
Rachel returned to the kitchen. “I’m done setting the table. What do you want me to do now?”
Looking at the three pies, Mary shrugged. “All the other food is in dining room, so we’ll wait until dessert to bring in the pies.” She winked at Emily. “Besides, if those pies were out there right now, the others wouldn’t eat the actual meal.”
Emily laughed, even as she figured there was more truth to the joke than Mary was admitting.
“Tell everyone we’re ready to eat,” Mary told her daughter who hastened to obey. She motioned for Emily to join her, and the two went to the dining room. “Why don’t you sit next to Rose?” She indicated to the highchair next to where Emily remembered Mary sitting when she joined them for lunch when she was disguised as Elmer. “Isaac will sit on your other side.”
Realizing that Mary had chosen to give her the seat furthest from Dave, she breathed a sigh of relief. One thing she admired most about Isaac’s mother was the way she tried to make things as easy as possible for others. “Thank you, Mrs. Larson.”
The others filed into the room, and though this meant the temporary calm was over, Emily sat in her chair as the others made their way to their seats. Rachel sat across from her, probably to help her mother with Harriett. Jacob picked the seat next to Rachel, and Isaac and Adam sat on Emily’s side. Dave went to the head of the table.
Dave led the family in saying grace, and when he added, “And thank you for bringing Emily into our family,” Emily sighed with relief. At least he was willing to accept her as his daughter-in-law.
When grace ended, Isaac’s parents grabbed the bowls in front of them and started the process where everyone would pick what they wanted and pass it to the person next to them.
“Aren’t you going to have any jerky?” Isaac asked his mother.
She shot him an amused look. “I don’t crave it this early. It’s usually around the fourth month when I start to eat it all the time.”
“Fourth month?” Emily asked.
“I’m expecting a child,” she replied and handed Emily the potatoes. “Either late September or early October.”
“Congratulations,” she said and took a boiled potato from the bowl and placed it on her plate.
Isaac glanced at his father. “If Ma doesn’t crave jerky until she’s in her fourth month, then why are you getting boxes of it now?” Looking at Emily, he added, “There’s more in the cellar.”
His father put a couple of rolls on his plate and then handed the large dish to Jacob. “I stock up early so I don’t forget later on.”
“Besides,” Rachel added with a grin, “I don’t think Ma can get enough.”
“I’m no
t that bad,” Mary protested as she poured milk into her glass.
The others rolled their eyes and groaned, which made Emily chuckle.
“Don’t let her fool you, Emily,” Dave began as he took some pemmican for his plate. “She is that bad. I fear ten boxes aren’t enough.”
“Ten?” Emily asked, surprised anyone would want that much jerky. It was tasty, but it wasn’t that good.
“He’s exaggerating,” Mary argued. “I assure you that we’ll have some left over after the baby is born.”
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