“Already have half of them claimed. I could have sold them a few months ago, but I’ll get more selling at butchering weight. Closer to fall, I’ll put an ad in the paper.”
“How much?” Ian asked, thinking of what a windfall having an entire pig would be. That would make for a comfortable winter.
“How much free time do you have?”
Ian turned, grinning as he sensed a work for pork proposition coming.
“Well, I work six days fer Jon. I’d be glad to give ye my Sundays, however long it’d take to work off the cost of one.”
Caleb slapped his gloves on his thigh a few times, breaking off clumps of mud and hay.
“Tell you what, help me two evenings a week through the harvest, and you can have any one you want. I’ll even butcher it for you.”
Ian grinned wide. “Ye have yourself a deal. And I’ll start today. Maura’s not expecting me home ‘til dinner anyhow.”
Caleb tossed an extra pair of gloves followed by a pitchfork. “If you want to take care of the pig stalls, I’ll head to the pasture. After that, I’m expecting a delivery of lumber that needs to be stacked. I have a jug of water on the bench if you get thirsty.”
Ian gave a loose salute.
“Watch that gate when you go into the stalls. Those pigs are smart, and they’ve learned to rush you when it opens. They’ll nip, but they don’t bite hard.” Seeing uncertainty and a little fear on Ian’s face, Caleb laughed as he left. “If you get overrun, holler for me.”
An hour later, Ian helped Caleb stack lumber next to the partially built house that was intended for his mother. It was dropped just at the end of his drive while Caleb was in the pasture. He wished he remembered to tell Ian to make sure they left it as close to the barn as possible. Now they had a decent walk to get it all placed.
“So, yer goin’ to finish it after all?” Ian asked as he balanced several two-by-fours on his shoulder.
“I am. Thanks to the pigs, I’ve managed to trade here and there. Eventually, I’ll have what I need to finish it.”
“Mind if I ask why?” Ian asked, grunting as he deposited the wood on the ground. They turned and headed back for more.
“I had the idea that not only would it increase the value of this place a little, but I might be able to hire a hand to help. They could live in this house. Same idea as hiring someone to care for my mother, but they’d be helping me instead.” Whenever he mentioned his mother, he couldn’t help but think of Arianna. He was still angry. So angry. It only made him work harder.
“Fine idea.”
“My grandfather did that. That cabin behind the pasture near the woods, the one that Shannon and Patrick lived in for a short time, he had a man who lived there and worked with him.”
“Shouldn’t be trouble findin’ someone these days.”
“I don’t expect so.”
After the lumber was stacked, Samuel wobbled down the porch stairs, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He padded across the grass and told his father his sisters were awake. Caleb helped him reach the pail of chicken feed and carried it with him to the open area beside the barn where the chickens knew where they would be fed. They were learning to come at the sound of Samuel’s voice. He called out and joyfully threw feed in clumps as they came running from all directions.
Caleb caught Ian’s stare.
“Startin’ him off early.”
Samuel was very young, still having wetting accidents on occasion, and here he was, doing his little part.
“I was feeding the chickens before I could walk,” he said and shrugged. “Can you keep an eye on him while I go get the girls?”
Later, they picked meat off cold chicken quarters under the shade of a tree. Caleb held out a bowl of sliced apples from the icebox. Samuel and Savrene grabbed two and Caleb mushed one up for Felicity.
“I have to say, Caleb, I had no idea the amount of work ye did, just to keep this going.”
Ian glanced at the children. “To do what you do alone, I don’t know that I’d have the strength.”
He regretted saying it when he saw the shadow cross Caleb’s face.
“I didn’t mean to bring ye down,” Ian said.
“You didn’t. I didn’t know I could do it, either. Although most days, I’m barely doing it. A few nights the kids had bread and jam for dinner because I was so tired and that was only thanks to Maura. They’ve gone to bed sweaty when I’m too tired to bathe them. I do, too, sometimes,” he said with a laugh. “Good thing there’s no one next to me to complain.”
Ian chewed his apple slices slowly. “Do ye think there’s a chance things will work themselves out?”
Caleb wiped Felicity’s mouth with her bib, picked more chicken off the bone, and took his time chewing.
“I don’t know. I don’t see how,” he said finally. “She’s written, but I don’t think she’s changed.”
“I feel bad. I had no idea ye were holdin’ so much on yer shoulders. I should have been over here helpin’ ye every chance I got. I apologize.”
Caleb shrugged it off. “It’s not your responsibility.”
“It is my responsibility as a friend. I’m sorry I hesitated. That was my fault.”
“Your fault?” Caleb frowned as he quickly tore apart another chicken thigh to split between the twins.
“To be honest, I never felt like I belonged. Not fully. You and Jon and Aryl, you’ve got this friendship that’s so tight, it seems no one else can squeeze in.”
Caleb handed Samuel and Savrene their plates and then gave Ian his attention.
“Of course, you’re our friend, Ian. You’re one of us.” He saw the doubt in Ian’s smile. “We never meant to make you feel—”
“I know. It was nothin’ intentional. Just how I perceived it.”
Caleb wiped his hands of chicken grease on Samuel’s shirt, which he’d long ago peeled off.
“Ian, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have had anyone to replace Patrick. And even now, without you, I wouldn’t have been able to leave the boat.”
This recognition seemed to improve Ian’s mood slightly. “I’m happy to have a job, especially one wi’ so much freedom.”
Caleb’s eyes flickered up. “They haven’t bought another boat so Jon and Aryl can split up, have they?” Caleb didn’t expect to hear that they had and doubted they ever would.
“No. But wi’ the fishing expeditions and all, it seems best to stick together fer now. I don’t know what their plans are fer fall. And ‘sides, I have Peter and he’s turnin’ out to be worth his weight.”
“I’m glad.” Caleb twisted the last thigh and leg apart. The children were calmer now with full bellies. Sam lay on his back watching the glints of sunlight through the leaves. Savrene took more apples but had enough chicken.
“You know, Ian, sometimes I feel like an outsider, too. Aryl gets along with Jon better than I do. Jon and I are just so different. Always have been.”
“But that hasn’t kept ye from being lifelong friends.”
“True. But they know what’s going on here and yet I haven’t seen a lot of them. You’re the one that’s here. So don’t ever feel like an outsider. If you do, come over. We’ll be outsiders together.”
***
Claire and Ava oversaw the setup of tables on the beach. It was a simple affair, six long tables covered in tablecloths of different colors. Claire tried to tell herself it looked summery to have the explosion of color, but deep down, she thought it looked more circus themed than anything. The tables surrounded a large pile of wood to be lit later. The reception was set to start at eight p.m. The chairs were an odd mix and the table decorations were simple bouquets of wildflowers in jars with ribbons trailing down. Their gift was the party and, pooling their money and after intense haggling, they purchased a blank notebook for guests to write messages as a memento.
“Arianna could have done a much better job,” Ava groaned. On a limited budget of practically nothing, it was the thought that counted in this situat
ion. As it was, they couldn’t even provide food for whoever showed up. A potluck was the best way to go in this case. If everyone brought something, they wouldn’t have to worry about not having enough. News of the reception got around by way of gossip. Muzzy refused to put an ad in the paper, cringing at the attention and only promised to come after Claire threatened bodily harm.
Ava and Claire took a deep breath and looked at each other. They had no idea what to expect and prayed the night wouldn’t be a disaster.
A place for Muzzy and Peter was set facing the ocean and they placed more effort there. The bride and groom had fine china and wine goblets loaned from Aryl’s mother and a decently arranged bunch of roses that Claire had snuck into a neighbor’s yard to cut when they weren’t home.
The first one to arrive was Ruth. She had been invited, but neither Claire nor Ava thought she’d attend such a simple beach party.
She was dressed in stylish black slacks and a loose white top. She wore her hair down and her makeup light, perfect for a warm summer gathering.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Claire said. Ruth smiled, said hello to Ava, and then turned as she spoke.
“I wouldn’t miss it. My butler is bringing a surprise. I hope you’ll find it useful.” She shielded her eyes just as he began down the craggy edge that divided road and beach. In his arms, he carried a wind up phonograph.
“Oh! To have music would be wonderful!” Ava said.
Ruth turned, happy her contribution would help. “I’m so glad. Where do you want him to put it?”
“How about on the table, opposite the bride and groom,” Claire said.
They stood by while he set it up and started the first record.
“I have another surprise. My nanny is ready and waiting to receive everyone’s children. We’ll set up a tent cover a bit down the beach.” Just then, the nanny appeared, bright and as clean as Ruth with Mahni on her hip. Behind her, another girl in a plain summer dress. “She’s brought her friend with her so they can manage all of them. Out in the open we thought it was best or one of them might wander off.”
“Oh, Ruth. That will be so helpful.” Claire had asked Aryl’s mother to watch Jac, but she and his father had plans in Boston that evening. She was hoping the atmosphere and romance of a wedding reception might be the perfect time to talk to Aryl. If only Jac weren’t running around causing chaos.
With that problem solved, Claire had much more hope for the evening.
The chairs were full before half past eight and people overflowed with blankets scattered along the beach. Everyone who could bring something did; most were overly generous. After walking by the table to congratulate the new couple, some handed off a gift and some even renewed their subscriptions, now that she was living in a proper manner, then quickly filled their plates.
“See,” Peter whispered. “I was right. Doing this is saving your reputation and your paper.”
“That word drives me nuts,” she seethed.
“Which word?”
“Proper.”
Peter laughed.
They sat at the head of it all, he with a contented smile, her looking as if crabs would run ashore and devour her at any moment.
“Relax,” he whispered, leaning over again. “I know it kills you to take this time from work, but Grace has everything under control with this evening’s print.”
“I wish she could have come,” Muzzy said. In my place, she added mentally. Grace had been disappointed the reception was held where it was since her wheelchair made it impossible to attend. But she perked up quick enough seeing she was needed to take the helm with the paper. For her, a dream come true.
“We’ll bring her a plate.” Peter scooted his chair closer and draped an arm over her shoulder. Muzzy shot him a critical look. “Would you stop looking at me like I’m some creepy old man? I’m your husband now.”
With that ‘don’t remind me’ look, she turned her head, wishing there was alcohol. “I can’t believe how many people came,” she said. “Imagine if we’d run an announcement.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” Peter said. There was one person he hoped hadn’t heard and if he had, hoped he at least knew he wouldn’t be welcome.
Ruth surprised them from behind, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
“Congratulations,” she said.
“Thank you, ah…”
“Ruth Drayton.”
“Right. Ruth. You’re friends with Claire and Ava and the bunch.”
“Yes. I’ve heard so much about you. I understand you run the town’s little paper?”
Muzzy felt a flicker of offense at little but hid it well. She did feel the need to correct her.
“I own the paper. And I run it,” she said proudly. She didn’t notice how her lopsided smile made Peter grin stupidly with love.
“Well done,” Ruth said with a gleam in her eye. “We need more smart, independent women like you. I’ll have to pay you a visit and hear how you got started in such a courageous venture.”
“If you can get her to sit still long enough to tell the story,” Peter chimed in. “I barely got a proposal in between everything she runs around doing.” His eyes danced, knowing she wouldn’t tell the truth of how he simply stated that they would get married, rather than actually asking.
Muzzy pulled her eyes from Peter, effectively biting her tongue. “Have you just moved to town, Ruth?”
“I have. I thought I’d only summer here, but I’ve come to love it. And I didn’t like the idea or raising my son in the city.”
“Oh, is your husband here as well?”
“No, he’s not alive,” Ruth said without emotion.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Muzzy had an idea and wheels began turning quickly. While she didn’t want to become a gossip rag, Ruth was polite society, and it wouldn’t hurt to introduce her to the town. And who knew, she might even find love again.
“Ruth, how would you like to be interviewed for the paper? I could run an article titled meet Rockport’s newest resident. It would be in a new social column I’m experimenting with.”
Ruth folded her arms and smiled. “I’d like that very much. I’ve been hoping to make new friends here and feel a part of the community.”
“Wonderful.” She pulled a paper and pencil from her back pocket, her eyes floating over it. “How’s next Wednesday at two?”
“Perfect.”
“Is it all right if I bring my camera? We could take some pictures of you in your home?”
“I’d love that,” Ruth said as Muzzy scribbled her name and address down.
“Oh, I almost forgot—a gift for you both.” Ruth pulled an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Muzzy.
“Oh, Ruth, you didn’t have to.” After all, they’d only heard of each other. A gift was never expected.
“I know. Enjoy the party. I look forward to meeting with you next week.” She started to walk away and then turned and complimented Muzzy on her slacks.
Muzzy beamed. “I think the two of us could start a fashion revolution,” she said.
Peter just grunted. She found him staring at her.
“What?”
“You’re working at our wedding reception. Can’t you take one evening off? We’re supposed to be having a good time, celebrating our love.” He brooded, but Muzzy could tell he wasn’t truly angry.
“Our love?” She reached over and put her hand on his. “Peter, I kind of like you. That’s all you’re going to get from me today.”
A smile snapped into place. “That’s more than I had this morning.” He winked. “I’ll get it out of you. Mark my words.”
Once the sun had set, the bonfire was lit and the music turned up. Muzzy glanced at her watch too often for Peter’s liking and refused every offer to dance.
Aryl had stayed conveniently just out of reach, always needing to go talk to this person or that when he and Claire were alone. Watching couples take to romantic dances on the beach, Claire gave up, plopped
down in the sand, and watched them.
There was less distance between Jonathan and Ava, but to close friends, it could still be seen. It went without saying that Arianna’s presence was missed, as well as Caleb. It was a good time. But not a great one.
With old and young, the party seemed to grow after nightfall, the bonfire attracting strangers like moths.
Ava sat down in the sand beside Claire.
“I think we did well. All the food is gone and half these people don’t even know Muzzy, but it’s a lively party. Ruth’s having a wonderful time. And it’s been a relief not to have to chase after the children.”
“It has,” Claire said.
“What’s wrong then?” Ava asked nudging her. “Things not settled with Aryl yet?”
“No. Are things back to normal with you and Jon?”
Ava sighed, slumping to her side. “No.”
Claire folded her arms over her knees and rested her chin. She of all people could see the romantic possibilities this evening. With the crescent moon above, the crashing waves in the distance, the music, the fire burning… it was all so perfect. The fact that Aryl was ignoring the setting instead of using it to help patch things up aggravated her to no end. The only ones who were making use of the evening were Maura and Ian, dancing in the sand under the moonlight, gazing into each other’s eyes as if there wasn’t another soul for miles.
“Shouldn’t we be out there talking to people?” Peter asked.
“No, I’m quite fine here.”
He considered telling her that mingling with new faces might bring new subscriptions. She’d most likely capitalize on that and finish the evening gathering names and addresses, leaving him at the table alone.
“I feel like snobby royalty. You know at the royal weddings where the king and queen just sit there watching people all night. That’s essentially what we’re doing.”
“It’ll be over soon,” she said as her eyes floated around.
“It’s our reception. Maybe we should enjoy it.”
Purling Road - the Complete Second Season: Episodes 1-10 Page 19