Luvella and Hannah and Frank all burst into laughter as Luke bent his head, grinning and shaking it back and forth. He looked at his and Luvella’s parents. “I got caught in a fib to Luvella.”
The conversation and smiles and laughter went on until late evening, when Mama said that no one would wake up in the morning if they didn’t get to sleep soon. Luvella curled up on the davenport after everyone else had gone upstairs, and the boys out to the barn. Once, during the night, she heard Matthew cry for a few minutes. Then Hannah’s bare feet padded on the floor and Matthew was quiet. Luvella knew Hannah was feeding him.
In the morning, Luvella got up as soon as she heard people stir upstairs. She washed up at the kitchen sink and quickly dressed into the blue calico dress she had laid out on the chair next to the davenport. She was making the coffee when Mama came down the stairs.
She helped Mama prepare breakfast until Mrs. Raven came down, then Luvella was relegated to setting the table. Bacon was sizzling, coffee perking, potatoes and eggs frying and crackling in the hot bacon grease. Luvella could smell Mama’s bread from yesterday as she warmed it on the stovetop. Daddy and Mr. Raven came down the stairs and headed out toward the privy.
All of a sudden, Luvella heard hoots and hollers and the thumping of heavy footsteps running out in back. She went to the door, but Daddy, grinning from ear to ear, said, “No, you stay inside. Luke is in the altogether chasing Reeder. I guess Reeder took Luke’s clothes from beside the creek.”
Frank said, “I’ve got to see this!” and ran outside.
Daddy added, “I suspect Reeder will be in the creek in a few minutes. He’s finally met his match.” He and Mr. Raven guffawed as Reeder yelped, and the sound of loud splashes came from the creek. Luvella thought she heard Mr. Raven say to Daddy, “Young bucks in love.”
Soon, Bill came in to get a dry outfit for Reeder. And later still, all the men came in for breakfast. Luke’s and Reeder’s heads were dripping water, leaving their shirts wet across their shoulders.
“Next time, I’ll hide my clothes really good, like in a bear’s den.” Luke grinned at Reeder.
“And I’ll find ’em and get away, so you’ll never get me in the creek again,” Reeder poked Luke’s arm.
Mr. Raven said, “At the government school, Luke found out from the Apaches there that they bathe daily in their rivers and streams, even in the winter. He likes the idea, I guess, ’cuz he does it all the time.”
Luvella smiled, thinking, Well, now I know it is an Indian tradition, not necessarily a Muncee tradition.
After breakfast, Mama wouldn’t let Mrs. Raven or Hannah help clean up. “Luvella and I will do it in no time after you leave,” she said, putting her arm around Luvella’s shoulders. The men had harnessed the horses to the wagon and loaded the satchels of clothing and the lunches Mama had fixed for them into it.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye. As Mama and Mrs. Raven were hugging, Luke walked next to Luvella and said quietly, “Goodbye, Luvella. Don’t forget…me.”
“I won’t, Luke,” she answered. “I promise.” Then he went to the wagon and climbed on the driver’s bench next to his father. Luvella and Hannah embraced while everyone said “goodbye, we’ll see you soon now,” “thank you for coming,” or “thank you for your hospitality…” Mr. Raven slapped the reins lightly on the horses’ rumps and the wagon lurched forward.
As they pulled out of the Anderssons’ drive and went down the mountain road, Luke’s eyes constantly smiled at Luvella. She stood there, even after the wagon was out of sight, feeling Luke’s warmth. Going back into the house, she stopped to look at the mountain around her, inhaling its peace. From the adjoining woods, the sun glinted low, winking through the trees the promise of another beautiful day.
The Power of the East, rising to greet Father Sky, Luvella thought. She studied the sky above, still gossamery in anticipation.
Thank you for our perfect bonanza. She contemplated the pines, with their branches stretched in their upturned arcs and their abundance coursing to the top of the mountain. Even my caboose was spared serious damage.
As if in sympathy, a gray cloud floated over the mountain crest. Luvella twisted her mouth to one side. All these good things happening…Luke. Ahhh, Luke… And I have lots and lots of work and planning ahead of me now, for the Chamber of Commerce trip to Pittsburgh and for my business. A shiver of joy ran through her and she rubbed each arm with the other hand vigorously.
But first, I think I’ll write a letter. She smiled and went into the house.
A word about the author…
Joan Foley Baier is the author of Luvella’s Promise, a children’s novel, Roar of Revenge, an adult e-book novella, and many published short stories and essays for both children and adults. She lives quietly in Rochester, New York, with family, friends, and books close by.
You can visit her website at www.joanbaier.com.
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