Love Is Patient Romance Collection

by Vetsch, Erica; McDonough, Vickie; Barton, Janet Lee

  Liddy sighed as the thought reminded her that she’d have the same problem soon. To try and be both mother and father to a child was a daunting thought. She must trust the Lord to lead her. She turned from the doorway and went to get her laundry basket. The sheets she’d washed that morning would be dry by now. She still had much work to do before she could relax.

  Calvin pointed out Liddy’s farm as he drove the girls home.

  “That’s it, Papa? That’s where we’re going to learn to cook and clean?” Amy asked, her voice rising with excitement.

  “That’s it, darlin’, and I think you are going to really like Mrs. Evans. She’s a nice lady.”

  Grace craned her neck as they drove by. “Is that her out at the clothesline, Papa?”

  Cal turned his head and saw Liddy at the clothesline, struggling with a sheet. He turned the wagon around and pulled into her yard. “Stay here, girls.”

  His long stride took him quickly to Liddy’s side, and he pushed her hands away from the sheet. “Didn’t you let these people know you won’t be working for them any longer?” he asked, his tone rougher than he intended.

  “Mr. McAllister, what are you doing here? No. I didn’t let them know. I was tired and figured to tell them tomorrow when I take this laundry in to the hotel.” Liddy stood aside as he quickly added the sheet to the pile already in the basket.

  He picked it up easily and headed for the house. “Where do you want these?”

  Liddy hurried ahead of him. “On the kitchen table will be fine. Thank you.”

  “You shouldn’t be doing this kind of work.” Cal noticed her shortness of breath as she hurried beside him, the faint shadows beneath her eyes. She was exhausted.

  He couldn’t help but notice how neat and clean her home was. Next to his, it would have been impossible not to make the comparison. She motioned to the table, and he set the basket down. “You will tell them tomorrow? That you won’t be taking in their wash anymore?”

  Liddy smiled at him, but he didn’t miss the fact that she’d placed a hand at the base of her back. Obviously, her back was bothering her. “I’ll tell them, Mr. McAllister. And I have you to thank that I won’t be needing to do it anymore.”

  Cal nodded. He just wished he’d been able to help sooner. “Well, I guess I’d best be getting the girls home.”

  “They’re outside? May I meet them?”

  “Of course. They were very excited to learn that you will be teaching them to cook and clean.” He went to the door and motioned for her to go in front of him.

  The girls were patiently waiting, but he could see them smiling as he and Liddy moved closer to the wagon.

  “Mrs. Evans, I’d like you to meet my daughters. The little one is Grace, and the older one is Amy.” A sense of pride swept over him as his girls both smiled at Liddy.

  “Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” Amy said. Grace nodded her head in agreement.

  “It’s very nice to meet you both. I’m looking forward to our time together.”

  “Are we really going to learn to cook, Mrs. Evans?” Amy asked.

  “You certainly are.”

  Amy’s smile lit up her face. “Oh, I’m so glad. Will we learn to cook something besides bacon and beans?”

  Liddy chuckled and slid a glance toward Cal.

  He joined the laughter. “Now you know what my girls live on, mostly.”

  “I promise I’ll teach you to cook more than bacon and beans. Although those are things you’ll need to learn, too. But we won’t start with them.”

  Grace clapped her hands together. “Could we learn to make desserts? We only have them when we eat at Miss Emma’s. Those sure are good pies at Miss Emma’s.”

  “Well, you are in luck, Grace,” Cal said. “Know who makes those pies?”

  Grace shook her head.

  Cal reached out and tousled her hair. “Mrs. Evans makes them.”

  Grace’s eyes grew round with delight as she looked at Liddy. “You do? Really?”

  “Will we learn to make pies, too, Mrs. Evans?” Amy fairly bounced in the seat.

  “I promise to teach you to make pies.”

  Both girls clapped their hands. “Oh, I can’t wait to get started, Mrs. Evans,” Amy said.

  Liddy smiled at both girls. “I’m looking forward to it myself.”

  “Well, I guess we’d better be on our way.” Cal looked down at Liddy. He was pleased that she and the girls had obviously taken a liking to each other. Liddy Evans was going to be good for them.

  “I’ll look forward to Monday, Grace and Amy,” Liddy said. “But I’ll see you in church on Sunday, too.”

  Cal turned before he climbed into the wagon. “You try to get a little rest before then, you hear?”

  He watched as a faint pink color crept up Liddy’s cheeks. She waved a good-bye to them all as she nodded and replied, “I’ll surely try, Mr. McAllister.”

  “Papa, she’s really nice, isn’t she?” Amy asked when their wagon turned onto the road.

  “She really is, Amy.”

  “Papa, is she going to have a baby?”

  Cal nodded. “Yes, she is. I want you girls to be very good for her and mind what she says, you hear?”

  Grace leaned her head against him. “We will, Papa.”

  Amy met his eyes and smiled. “We will,” she assured him. “Where’s her husband, Papa?”

  “She’s a widow, honey.”

  “Oh. She must be very lonesome. But she will feel better when the baby gets here.”

  Cal hadn’t let himself think about that. Liddy probably was very lonesome. He had his girls, yet still, he felt lonesome at times. Now he looked over at their shining heads and wondered what he would do without them. He smiled at Amy, wanting to reassure her. “You’re right. She’ll feel much better when the baby gets here, honey. I’m sure she will.”

  He knew from experience, this was true. But, while children could carve out their very own spot in one’s heart, they couldn’t fill that soul-deep void that came with the loss of a mate. Alone in her home, with her child not yet here, Cal was sure that Liddy Evans felt that emptiness very acutely. He hoped having his girls around would help.

  Chapter 5

  Liddy poured herself a cup of tea and carried it to the rocker. She sat down with a sigh of relief. Her work was done for the day. The sheets were ironed and folded and put neatly into the baskets. No longer would she have to do mountains of laundry for other people. She leaned her head back and smiled.

  Calvin McAllister’s daughters were delightful, and she found herself really looking forward to teaching them. He’d done a good job on his own. They were polite and well behaved. Seeing the job he’d done, she felt that there was hope for her to raise her own child alone.

  He was a good man. It had felt good to have him carry in the basket of sheets. It’d been so long since she’d had anyone around to do the simplest things for her. She still couldn’t quite take in the fact that she didn’t have to worry about Douglas Harper foreclosing on her farm.

  Dear Lord, I thank You for bringing this man into my life. For letting there be a way for me to keep the farm. You’ve always seen to my needs, and I’m sorry I worried so.

  The Scriptures were right. One shouldn’t worry about tomorrow; it would take care of itself. The Lord would see to tomorrow.

  Liddy sipped her tea and thought about the next week, and how nice it would be to have the girls around. She would try to teach them simple, basic cooking at first. And of course, desserts. Pies had always been her favorite thing to prepare. She didn’t find them difficult, as some women did. She hoped she could teach the girls in a way that would make it easy for them.

  A huge yawn escaped her and she hurriedly finished her tea. It was time for bed. Tomorrow she would plan some more. She wished she knew what foods Mr. McAllister particularly liked. After all he was doing for her, she’d like to make sure the girls learned to make some of his favorite dishes.

  Cal checked on his daughters a
nd found them fast asleep. They had kicked off their covers, so he pulled the sheets back over them again, then he bent to kiss each girl gently on the forehead. He smiled to himself as he made his way back downstairs. They hadn’t complained about the beans and bacon they’d eaten for supper, but they had said how it wouldn’t be long until they would be cooking for him.

  He was glad they were excited about learning from Liddy. He just hoped the girls wouldn’t prove too much for her. She did look tired this evening. Still, her eyes had been shining. He was glad he’d helped to put the shine in them. He would have hoped that someone would have helped Mary out, had she been the one left alone.

  Cal poured the last cup of coffee and settled down in front of the fire. He wondered if Liddy had been able to sit a spell before going to bed. He’d noticed she had a rocker pulled close to the fireplace, too. Was she sitting there now?

  She was a pretty woman, glowing because of the child she carried. He wondered if she would have a girl or a boy. Would she name it after her husband if it was a boy? Matthew had been a good man, a hard worker. They hadn’t known each other real well, but they’d exchanged pleasantries when they’d met at the general store or on the street. Cal hadn’t really ever talked to Liddy until recently. But, then again, why would he? She was a married woman.

  Now she was a widow. Expecting a child. He’d do well to remember that fact. He found it too easy to get lost in her green eyes. Not liking or wanting to admit the direction his thoughts were taking him, Cal gulped down his coffee and turned in for the night.

  Sunday dawned bright and beautiful. After putting several pies in the oven to bake, Liddy hurried through her morning chores. She dressed in one of only two dresses that she could still fit into and promised herself that she would shop for material the next day. She took special care with her hair, pulling the locks up into a soft knot.

  Liddy loved Sundays. She only did the chores that had to be done, and she looked forward to going to church. She loved the fellowship, the lesson, and the singing. Covering the pies with clean cloths, she placed them under the seat of the wagon, which she’d hitched earlier. Carefully climbing up onto the seat, she headed for town.

  Greeted by several members as she entered the church, she was smiling as she took her seat beside Emma.

  “You’re coming home with me for dinner, aren’t you?” Emma asked.

  Liddy nodded. “I’m looking forward to it.” They’d made plans when Liddy had come into town with the laundry on Friday. She hadn’t relaxed fully until she’d told the hotel manager that she wouldn’t be doing the laundry anymore. He hadn’t been too happy, but he’d paid her and wished her well.

  Liddy looked across the aisle as Calvin and his daughters arrived. The girls settled down quickly but caught Liddy’s eye and smiled excitedly. Grace tugged at her father’s arm, and he looked over at Liddy, nodded, and smiled.

  She told herself that the racing of her heart was just excitement in looking forward to the next day, and turned her attention to the service. As always, the singing uplifted her. The lesson was a good one, on trusting the Lord in all things.

  Liddy felt peace in her soul. She knew how well the Lord took care of her, and she said a silent prayer of thanksgiving. The service was over all too soon and Liddy and Emma stood to leave.

  Calvin and his daughters stepped into the aisle at the same time. “Morning, ladies. I hope you have a nice day.”

  Amy smiled up at them. “Hello, Miss Emma and Mrs. Evans.”

  “Good morning, Amy and Grace. Thank you, Mr. McAllister. I’m sure we will. I’m having dinner with Emma. But first, I have something for the girls, if you’d be so kind as to follow me out to my wagon?”

  “For the girls? Mrs. Evans, you don’t have to—”

  “I know that, Mr. McAllister,” Liddy said as they moved to the back of the church, the girls and Emma behind them. “It’s not that much. Just something I wanted to do.”

  Calvin’s daughters and Emma were whispering behind them, and Liddy turned just as Emma gave them both a wink.

  “Cal, why don’t you bring the girls over to the café for dinner, too? My treat today.”

  “You’re closed on Sundays, Emma. You deserve a break.”

  “Having friends over is a break for me. Please come join us.”

  Cal looked at Liddy, and she smiled at him. It would give her a chance to know the girls better before tomorrow. “Please do. We’d love to have the girls and you join us.” They drew alongside her wagon and Liddy stopped beside it.

  “I made a pie for you and the girls, and one to take to Emma’s. But we can all have ours for dessert, and you can take the other home.”

  Amy and Grace clapped their hands. “Oh, thank you, Mrs. Evans! What kind is it?”

  The adults all chuckled at their enthusiasm. “It’s apple,” Liddy said. “Do you like that kind?”

  “It’s my favorite,” Grace said.

  “Mine too,” Amy added.

  “Well, good. And we can all enjoy it together.” She handed one pie to Amy and one to Grace. “You be careful with them. We wouldn’t want to eat dusty apple pie.”

  Both girls giggled, and each carried a pie as carefully as if they were glass baubles.

  “That was very nice of you, Mrs. Evans.”

  “It was the least I could do, Mr. McAllister.”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Emma stopped in the middle of the street and put her hands on her hips. “When are you two going to stop this ‘Mrs. Evans’, ‘Mr. McAllister’ business? Takes you forever to get out what you are going to say. Liddy, this is Cal. Cal, Liddy.”

  Cal grinned at Liddy. “Hello, Liddy. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  She smiled back. “Hello, Mr.—Cal.”

  Emma continued on her way. “Well, that’s better. If you are going to be seeing each other nearly every day, it will make conversation much easier.”

  Liddy and Cal chuckled as they followed Emma and the girls into her restaurant.

  Emma left them with orders to set the table while she went to check on the roast she’d put on earlier.

  Liddy took off her hat and found aprons for her and the girls. She showed them how to set the table with the fork on the left and the knife and spoon on the right.

  Cal found a two-day-old copy of the Roswell Register, one of the town’s two newspapers, to keep him occupied while Liddy and the girls helped Emma finish preparing the meal and carry the food to the table.

  Once they were all seated, Cal said the blessing, and Emma asked him to serve the meat as they started the meal.

  Liddy couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed a dinner quite so much. Grace and Amy’s manners were wonderful, and she approved that Cal hadn’t raised them to be timid as they joined in the conversation, regaling the adults with stories from school.

  The afternoon passed far too quickly, and soon Cal and his girls were ready to take their leave. He’d left to bring Liddy’s wagon from the church to the café, while she and the girls helped Emma with the cleanup.

  Liddy made sure they took the rest of the pie with them, and Cal and the girls thanked her profusely.

  She and Emma took tea out to the back porch as they wound down. “Emma, that was awfully nice of you to invite Cal and his family to join us. I enjoyed it immensely.”

  Emma gave her a grin. “I could tell. I did too. Cal has done a good job with the girls. They’re a pleasure to be around.”

  Liddy took a sip of tea and nodded. “I’m really looking forward to teaching them how to cook and clean. They seem to be excited about it, too.”

  Emma chuckled. “I think they are a little tired of Cal’s cooking.”

  “You know, Emma, I still can’t believe that I don’t have to worry about the farm being taken away. The Lord has answered my prayers a hundredfold.”

  Emma patted her shoulder. “I’m glad. I knew He’d see to it that you kept the farm. I’m just glad Cal was the one the Lord sent to help yo
u. I trust him. He’s an honorable man.”

  “Yes, he is.” Liddy stretched, and then chuckled when the baby did a flip. “And it’s such a relief that I can bring my child into the world and not worry if I’ll be able to provide for him.” She rubbed a hand over the child she carried.

  “He or she is going to be a lucky little one to have you for a mother, Liddy.”

  “As would a child of yours, Emma. And that reminds me, how are things going with you and Deputy Johnson?”

  Emma sighed. “They aren’t. I asked him to dinner today, too, but he declined, saying there was no one to watch the jail if he were to come here. The sheriff is out of town.”

  “You could always take him a plate, Emma. I’m sure he would appreciate such an act of kindness.”

  “Do you really think I should? That’s rather bold, isn’t it?”

  Liddy shook her head. “Think of it as an act of Christian kindness. You don’t have to tarry. Just take the plate to him and leave.” She grinned at Emma. “Let him taste your cooking and think about what a nice gesture that was and what a great cook you are.”

  “I could do that.”

  “Of course you can. And he’ll have to return the plate and thank you.” Liddy grinned at her friend.

  Emma giggled. “Oh, Liddy, you do have the best ideas!”

  Before taking her leave, Liddy accompanied Emma to the kitchen and helped her put together a plate to take to the deputy.

  Outside, Liddy climbed into her wagon and looked down at Emma. “You be sure and let me know how it goes, you hear?”

  Emma held the plate in her hand, ready to take it to the sheriff’s office. “You can be certain I will. Let’s just hope some other eligible female hasn’t had the same idea.”

  “Well, you aren’t going to know that until you take it to him. Go on, take that man some food.” Liddy waved at her friend and turned her horse toward home.

  It had been a wonderful day. She was really looking forward to the next afternoon. A tiny part of her acknowledged that she was looking forward to seeing not only the girls, but their father as well. She pushed the thought aside. She had no business thinking that way.