Geordie came inside, his face and hair still wet from the pump outside, and took a seat at the table. Kitty passed him a coffee cup, then they both looked at their father expectantly.
“Last night was quite the eye-opening experience,” Roger said after taking a sip from his own cup. “I came home to find my children quite grown and accomplished, and also to find my wife ailing and trying to balance her many cares without worrying me. We talked for several hours, and then I lay awake the remainder of the night, thinking. What’s clear to me this morning is that we can’t go on the way we have been. It’s simply not right.”
“What do you mean, Father?” Geordie asked.
“I mean that I have one more trip to take, but it will be to discuss the matter with my employer. I will no longer be traveling the country—I will either work from Topeka, or I will find another job altogether. You needn’t suffer because of my absence, and to be honest, I’ve missed you more than I can say. It’s time for me to come home.”
Kitty’s relief was so sudden and so strong, she burst into tears before she even realized she was going to.
“I think Kitty’s sobbing speaks for all of us, dear,” Evangeline said, sounding amused. “We’ve missed you desperately, and I can’t wait until you’re home with us for good.”
“I can’t wait either.” Roger picked up her hand and kissed it. “I’ve missed out on far too much—now it’s time for me to be the husband and father I’ve been trying to be all along, but misunderstood how I should go about it.”
Kitty pushed back from the table and gave her father a kiss on the cheek. “Will you excuse me?” she said. “I’m sorry, but I really must go.”
“Of course, but where?” Roger asked.
“Oh, I’m quite sure I know where,” Geordie chimed in. “Do you want the horse?”
“No!” Kitty called over her shoulder as she hastily tied on her bonnet. “I want to run!”
And run she did—down the lane, to the street, and all the way to Mrs. Perry’s house. She didn’t care who she scandalized with her boyish ways—things like that simply didn’t matter. They never had.
By the time she knocked on Mrs. Perry’s door, she was completely out of breath, but she’d never felt more exhilarated.
“Kitty! Good morning,” Mrs. Perry greeted her when she opened the door. “Won’t you come in?”
Kitty all but pushed past Mrs. Perry in her hurry and rushed into the parlor, where Justin stood holding a piece of sheet music. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him for all she was worth until she had to let go and catch her breath. “Marry me,” she said. “Marry me right now.”
“Right now? I’m rather busy at the moment—singing lessons, you see.”
“I don’t mean right this minute, you silly man—I mean, as soon as we’re able. My father’s coming home for good!”
Justin broke into a wide smile. “That’s wonderful! What amazing news!”
“Yes, it really is. And I’m sure Mother’s getting better—just in the last few days, I’ve seen more color in her cheeks, and she seems a bit less frail. Oh, Justin, marry me, please. I never meant it when I said I didn’t want to marry—I just didn’t want to marry anyone but you.”
“Have you been saying you didn’t want to marry?”
“Yes, but that was a long time ago—a whole week. Everything in the world can change in a week.”
He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You know, it really can. Of course I’ll marry you, Miss Clark. But first, I have some kissing to do.”
And he did.
“What a delightful conclusion to our project,” Jane said, beaming as she looked around the room at her friends. “Bonnie, will you regale us with the latest news?”
Bonnie sat up a little straighter. “Of course. Roger was able to convince his employer to let him work from Topeka. He’ll still travel, but only one or two weeks out of every three months or so.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Maude said, and the others nodded.
“Dr. Wayment heard back from his New York doctor friend, who agrees that some solid nutrition will set Evangeline right. She’s doing so much better—haven’t you all noticed? She’s practically back to her old self now, and it’s been a joy to watch.”
“I saw her at the general store the other day, and it was like seeing her how she was five years ago,” Esther said. “She seems quite well.”
“It’s such a blessing. And as for Justin and Kitty—their wedding is set for next month. They did so want to do it a little sooner, being in love as they are, but his parents would have been heartbroken to miss it. Next month it is, when his parents are able to travel the distance.” Bonnie sat back, looking pleased. “Thank you all so much for your help. I’m simply delighted at how everything has turned out—so much better than I could have dreamed.”
“It was our pleasure,” Jane told her. “This truly has been a basket of blessings for your family. And now for our next project—who’s next?”
In the corner, Viola raised a trembling hand. “Asher,” she pronounced. “That boy needs a wife before he burns down the barn.” She coughed. “No pun intended.”
Jane chuckled. Viola’s grandson Asher had just purchased his own acreage, but it was true that his head wasn’t always in the details, and she could understand Viola’s concern even if it was spoken wryly. “What do you say, ladies? Asher Spencer?”
At the room full of nods, Jane made the final decree. “Asher Spencer it is. We’ll begin discussing the situation in earnest next Tuesday. For now, dear friends, the sewing circle is adjourned.”
About Amelia C. Adams
Amelia traces her family tree right back to the settlement of the Old West—her great-great-grandmother even drove a wagon to her new home. Amelia is a wife, a mother, and a novelist. She spends her days dreaming up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you might just see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels. She loves all things historical and enjoys learning about days gone by, but she's glad she was born in modern times because the Internet is awesome, and she's glad she doesn't have to wash her clothes by hand in a galvanized tub. She’s an eater of tacos, a taker of naps, and a dreamer of dreams. You can reach Amelia at [email protected].
And if you’ve enjoyed any of her novels, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It’s much appreciated!
Also by Amelia C. Adams
The Kansas Crossroads Series
The Nurses of New York Series
The River’s End Ranch Series
The Mail Order Mounties Series
The Cowboys and Angels Series
The Matchmaker’s Ball Series
The Main Street Merchants Series
The Brody Hotel Series
The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series
The Kansas Cowboys Series
The Sewing Circle Series
The Hearts of Nashville Series
Visit Amelia’s website for a complete list of publications by this author.
Buttons and Bows (The Sewing Circle Book 3) Page 13