Lois's Risk

by Kimberly Grist

  They passed the fields of cotton planted by her brother and father, then approached Daniel’s homestead, the sweet perfume of rich alfalfa filled the air.

  Lois sighed. “I love the smell of hay.”

  Leo’s nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath. “Alfalfa’s got a fuller, richer, almost tangy smell from other types of hay. But I think the real reason you like it is because of who planted it.”

  Feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, she punched her brother's arm.

  Rubbing his arm, he grinned good-naturedly. “You know I can’t stop myself from teasing you.”

  Lois placed her hand to her neck. “Do you think me going along with what Mama is suggesting is silly?”

  Rubbing his chin, Leo answered. “Knowing Daniel, I think he’s interested but didn’t think it was right to add his family troubles to your burden.”

  Lois’s eyebrows knitted together. “I would never consider his sister and niece a burden.”

  “Sometimes, you are too sweet for your own good. You’d have given up your business and everything you worked so hard for to nurse a woman who refused to get out of bed.”

  She clasped her hands in her lap and glanced back into the field. “Yes. I would have given it all up for him.”

  Leo nodded. “Think about what you were going through at the time. You’d worked hard to set up your shop, Pa threw his fit, and you were on your own for months. It’s been a hard year for you both. Now things are starting to look up.”

  Lois placed her thumb between her teeth. “I’m afraid he doesn’t want me, and all I am doing is embarrassing myself.”

  He patted her shoulder awkwardly. “I can’t see what sharing a few cookies is anything to be embarrassed about. Hopefully, he will pick up on the hint and not think you are just being neighborly.”

  “After all the work I’ve done, surely he will know it’s more than being sociable.” She rubbed the small burn mark on her thumb.

  Leo shrugged. “Hard to say. I know I laughed about it last night. But maybe Ma is right about suggestion number two.”

  Pressing her hand against her stomach, Lois gasped. “You think I should send Daniel a love letter?”

  Chapter 7

  “Rule of politeness is the great rule of morals: "Do unto others as you would

  have others do unto you…Every unfeeling and unkind act is rude and impolite.”

  Houghton, Walter R. American Etiquette Rules of Politeness

  New York: Standard Publishing House, 1883

  The sun shone through the small window, causing the dust particles to sparkle in the girls’ Sunday school room. Psalm 23 was printed neatly on the chalkboard on the center wall to help with the memorization assignment.

  The girls were seated on wooden benches aligned together to make a U shape. Lois’s friend and assistant teacher, Emma, passed out biscuits spread with honey, wrapped in brown paper to each girl.

  “Miss Emma and I are proud of your hard work. Today the pastor would like for you to recite the verse you have learned at the end of the service. Is everyone ready?” Lois asked.

  Dressed in their Sunday best, six girls’ heads bobbed up and down, and they took bites of their sweet fluffy biscuits. Lois continued, “Mary Ellen, Kate, Ruth, and Helen will go first. Sadie and Grace, you will recite after the older girls.”

  “While you are eating, I’m going to tell you the story of the lost sheep.” Lois smoothed her blue floral skirt then took her seat on a wooden bench in front of the girls and began to read. “Once a shepherd had a flock of one hundred sheep. The shepherd loved everyone and knew each by name. Every night he would count his sheep to make sure they were all there.”

  Six-year-old Sadie raised her hand. “Miss Lois, my Uncle Adam, he don’t care much for sheep. Shepherds neither.”

  “He doesn’t care for sheep, or shepherds either.” Ten-year-old Mary Ellen corrected.

  Pursing her lips, Sadie replied. “That’s what I said.”

  Lois cleared her throat. “Jesus used the example of sheep because there were a lot of people who raised them in the area where he lived.”

  She placed her finger to her lip. “How about when I say sheep, you think about another animal we are more familiar with, let’s say a cow or a horse?”

  The girls all nodded, and Lois began again. “He helped the sheep find the best green grass. He hunted for clean water, so they could have a nice drink when they were thirsty.”

  “You do the same for cows and horses,” eight-year-old Kate said.

  Lois nodded before continuing. “Sometimes animals like bears and wolves would come and try to hurt his sheep. The shepherd chased all of the dangerous animals away from them.”

  “The wolves are bad this year. That’s why my uncle takes his Winchester out in the field with him,” Helen said.

  Lois smiled, then began reading. “’Suppose one of you owned a hundred sheep and you lost one of them,’ Jesus said. ‘Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine who were safe, and go and search for the lost sheep? And when you found him, wouldn't you joyfully put it on your shoulders and carry it back home? Wouldn't you be so happy and tell all of your friends?’" Lois paused then the girls interrupted with giggles.

  Grinning, six-year-old Grace said. “Even my Uncle Adam’s not big enough to carry a cow or a horse on his shoulders.”

  Everyone laughed again. Lois motioned to her assistant teacher for support.

  Eighteen-year old Emma’s dark skirt swooshed, and her locket sparkled against her high-collar, marmalade-colored blouse. Her brown eyes twinkled when she joined her on the bench. “Once your pa or uncle found the cow, wouldn’t he throw a lasso around its neck and lead it home? And once he arrived back at the house, wouldn’t there be a lot of hooting and hollering going on?”

  The girls giggled, and this time Lois joined in. “You see, God is our shepherd, and we are like sheep and sometimes stray away from Him. That makes God sad. He keeps searching and calling to us and wants to welcome us back into his arms. Which is why He sent His Son, Jesus. He does not want even one single person to be lost." Lois smiled, and the girls all nodded.

  Sadie raised her hand. “So, when we memorized ‘The Lord is my shepherd,’ we were learning about Jesus?”

  “Yes, Jesus is our shepherd. He is all we need.” Lois answered.

  ***

  A smiling Pastor Nelson concluded his sermon and invited the girls’ Sunday school class to come to the front of the church. “We have several young ladies in Miss Emma’s and Miss Lois’s Sunday school class who continue to excel in their Bible memorization. This morning they will recite Psalm 23.”

  The oldest student, Mary Ellen, suggested they each recite a portion of the verse. She wore a blue-patterned calico dress, which complemented her dark red hair, worn in two simple braids. Her blue eyes were bright as she began. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

  Mary Ellen elbowed the banker’s daughter, Kate. She wore a reddish-brown silk dress with tiny rectangles, and puffy sleeves, which complemented her dark hair and hazel eyes.

  “He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake,” Kate said, then squeezed the hand of Ruth, the pastor’s daughter.

  Ruth’s curls were tied back with a pink ribbon matching her calico dress. She continued, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

  Ruth nodded encouragingly toward Helen who wore her light brown locks pulled back by a dark green ribbon, which complemented her plaid dress. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Helen beamed proudly finishing the verse.

  The congregation applauded, and Pastor Nelson congratula
ted each girl before calling the six-year-old twins forward. Grace stood quietly while Sadie waved to her father in the back.

  As practiced, Helen stood next to the twins to prompt them with the next word if necessary. She whispered, “don’t worry. I’ll only help if you get stuck.”

  Her voice soft, Grace spoke first. “The Lord is my shepherd.”

  “And He’s all we need,” Sadie added.

  The congregation laughed and applauded. Lois covered her mouth and giggled as Emma shook her head. “But she memorized every word.”

  Lois patted her friend’s back. “Well at least we know she was paying attention to the lesson.” Laughing together, both women praised the girls and greeted their parents.

  Lois’s heart warmed when she spied Daniel with his sister in church. She was smiling and talking with her daughter, Helen and Matt’s daughter, Kate. She straightened her shoulders and walked closer. “The girls did a wonderful job, didn’t they?”

  “Seems to me the teachers deserve some credit too.” Daniel met her gaze.

  Lois stared. His chestnut hair was brushed back and curled slightly above his collar. He wore a dark sack coat, vest and string tie. “Thank you. They are a pleasure to work with,” she squeaked.

  Matt Anderson appeared with a Cheshire-cat smile. He was a direct contrast to Daniel with his plaid vest in a muted blue and gray and matching jacket with a wider-style notched lapel and three-button front. “Well done, ladies.”

  Her lips twitched when she noticed Matt spellbound at the sight of Amanda. She was lovely in a two-pieced ribbed silk with a floral brocade, puff sleeves, and pleated hem flounce. Soft curls skillfully peeked from under her coordinating bonnet, adorned with rose ribbon, roses, and feathers.

  Lois introduced Amanda to Matt. “Amanda, this is Kate’s father, Mr. Anderson. Mr. Anderson, this is Helen’s mother, Mrs. Wright.” She turned to see Daniel exiting the church. Her eyebrows narrowed.

  Matt lifted his hat, “I was just about to ask Miss Weaver to accompany my daughter and me for a celebratory lunch at the diner. Would you and your daughter care to join us?”

  Amanda took the banker’s arm and smiled. Lois blinked. Was she batting her eyelashes?

  “Oh, we would love to. Wouldn’t we, Helen? My brother was called away for a meeting at the sheriff’s office, so I was wondering what we would do about lunch.” Smiling up at the banker, she patted his arm. “What a lifesaver you are.”

  Lois assisted Helen and Kate into the back of the buggy, while Amanda positioned herself in the front seat next to Matt. After arriving at the diner, Matt’s eyes widened when he assisted Lois and the girls out of the buggy. She suppressed a giggle. Was he so distracted that he forgot I was here?

  They were seated at a large table in the back of the diner and served a delicious roast with potatoes, peas, and carrots. Matt was charming, congratulating both girls on their recitation, even commenting on the upcoming celebration tea to be held by Lois and Emma the following Saturday.

  As they ate, Lois placed a napkin over her mouth to hide a grin. Amanda was the most accomplished flirt she’d ever seen. She smiled, blushed and appeared to accidentally touch the banker’s hand multiple times, all the while seeming a perfect picture of modesty and decorum.

  Pushing her peas around on her plate, Lois bit her lip. Although her pride smarted from being set aside like an unwanted vegetable, she did want to see Matt happy. I hope Daniel will give our relationship another chance. But if his quick departure today was any indication, I don’t suppose I have much hope.

  Lois made small talk with Helen and Kate. The two girls seemed to enjoy each other’s company as well. She was grateful when the meal ended, and they left the diner.

  Amanda touched her arm. “You’ll be all right walking home by yourself, won’t you, dear? Matt offered to drive Helen and me home.”

  “Just a moment,” Matt interjected. “Amanda, let me help you ladies into the buggy. Then I will walk Lois across the street to her shop.”

  Matt offered his arm and smiled apologetically to Lois. After safely crossing he lifted his hat. “I owe you an apology. It was never my intention, but I have neglected you terribly today.”

  Placing her hand over her mouth, Lois giggled. “Matt, really everything is fine.”

  “I don’t know what happened.” His hat in hand, he rubbed his temple. “We started talking, and then well, you know the rest. Please forgive me.”

  “I do.” Lois cast a glance toward the small group. “I noticed you are already on a first-name basis.”

  His mouth opened and closed. He cleared his throat. “We have a lot in common since we are both widowed and our girls are similar in age. Amanda suggested it, and I didn’t see any harm.”

  “You really like her, don’t you?” Lois asked.

  He offered her a tight smile. “Yes, I like her very much.”

  Lois patted his hand. “I have enjoyed getting to know you, and I value our friendship. And since I am your friend, I encourage you to get to know Amanda better. Maybe she is who you’ve been waiting for.”

  His eyelids drooped over his gray eyes. His mouth slightly turned down. “I am afraid I have hurt you.”

  Lois smiled. “You haven’t. I wish you every happiness.”

  Chapter 8

  “The hour of dining should be made an hour of solid comfort. The dining room, the table,

  and all the appurtenances should be as cheerful as possible. The room should be

  comfortable, bright and cozy, and at the table, the mistress should wear her brightest smile.”

  Houghton, Walter R. American Etiquette Rules of Politeness

  New York: Standard Publishing House, 1883

  Lois bit her thumb as she studied the parlor of her apartment, located above her dress shop. In exactly two hours, the girl’s Sunday school class would arrive for their celebration tea. She and Emma had planned the details for weeks. Unfortunately, her friend and co-teacher had contracted the measles.

  She shut the door to her bedroom, which contained only a bed and wooden crates for furniture. The right side of her small parlor held a second-hand camelback sofa and matching chairs, donated by her mother. She labored for months and reupholstered the set in a floral-tapestry fabric, which matched a rag rug she braided in various colors of blue, green and violet.

  The problem was her rickety table her brother promised to repair. I guess I will have to put an oilcloth down and have the girls pretend we are on a picnic. Emma would have enjoyed that.

  A tap on the door interrupted her thoughts. Lois lifted her skirts and hurried downstairs into her dress shop. Her brother’s face pressed against the window. Her hand on her stomach, she unlatched the door. “Is everything all right?”

  Leo pushed his hat to the back of his head and grinned. “Sure, everything’s fine. Why wouldn’t it be?”

  She pulled him inside and studied his expression. “It’s just unusual for you to come into town.”

  “I remembered you asked me to fix your table and I meant to come before now.”

  “You are the most wonderful brother in the world. Do you think you’ll have time to fix it before the girls get here at 2 o’clock?” Lois’s eyebrows lifted.

  Leo shook his head. “Probably not. No offense but your little table needs to go to the scrap pile.”

  Lois blinked. “Then why are you here?”

  “Because I am the best brother in the world.” Leo waggled his eyebrows. “Go ahead and tell me it’s the truth.”

  “You are the best brother in the world.” Lois offered a half smile. “What are you up to?”

  ”You know how I’ve been working on the new dining table for Ma? Well, I finished it.” Leo placed his hands on his hips and grinned.

  Lois' eyebrows rose. “Wonderful, I can’t wait to see it.”

  The corners of Leo’s eyes crinkled. “Pa said it would be all right if I brought you the old one. Do you want it?”

  Lois gasped, then pulled up the s
hade to see her brother’s buckboard loaded with large items covered in a tarp, parked in front of her shop. “You brought it with you?”

  “I did.” Leo grinned. “Brought you something for the girls to sit on too. Ma had two benches we used to sit on when we were kids stored in the barn. I’ll bring them in first. I got a couple of men who are going to meet me here shortly to carry the table up the stairs.”

  Lois placed her hands over her mouth. “Oh, you don’t know how perfect your timing is.”

  “Believe I do. “He winked. “In more ways than one. Now step out of the way for a few minutes.”

  Lois squeezed into her tiny kitchen to place baked goods on a tray. Heavy boots shuffled up the stairs as Leo’s voice gave instructions. “Just one more step and we’ll be in the hallway, then the first door on the right.”

  The floor creaked and muttered voices and a scraping sound signaled the positioning of her dining table. As she took the last stairstep, she smiled at the sight of Emma’s beau, Deputy Sheriff Brian Scott, who was affectionately called Scotty. Tall, broad shouldered, hands on hips, the badge bright on his dark leather vest, he was an intimidating sight to anyone who didn’t know him personally.

  “They are tightening the table legs, and then you will be all set. I guess you heard about Emma?” Dark circles rested under his eyes, his lips pressed into a thin line.

  Lois swallowed. “Yes. But she’s strong, I know she is going to come through just fine.”

  Scotty rubbed the back of his neck. “All we can do is hope and pray. They quarantined the house.”

  Lois nodded. “Pastor Nelson said I should be able to visit next week.”

  “I’d appreciate it if you could keep an eye on her for me. We are going to be on a special mission for a couple of weeks.” Scotty motioned toward a pair of boots extending out from under the table.

  Her breath hitched as Daniel unfolded himself and stood on his feet. “That should do it.”

  Her heart raced. She took a deep breath and smiled. “It’s perfect, thank you so much.”