A Time to Bloom (Leah's Garden #2)(34)

“Exactly.” Lilac grabbed Sofie’s and Robbie’s hands. “Come, you two, help me finish setting the table.”

The rumble of another wagon announced Attorney Caldwell and his wife, whom RJ had met at church this morning. An unfamiliar man in a shabby army hat jumped down from the back of their wagon.

Another returned soldier. Well, few young men weren’t these days. Hopefully this stranger wouldn’t be eager to swap war stories. RJ glanced around for an excuse to avoid the man, but he was already approaching, his smile warm behind his scruffy beard.

“Howdy.” The man extended his hand. “I’m Isaac McTavish.”

“RJ Easton.” But RJ stiffened at the Southern accent. Was this man a former Confederate, like the renegade who had jumped him? The man’s hat was so faded that he couldn’t be sure of its color. He well knew that not all who had fought for the South were tarred with the same brush, but . . .

Isaac nodded at RJ’s own worn army jacket. “What unit were ya with?”

“Army Corps of Engineers.” RJ shifted his shoulders. He should have just worn shirtsleeves tonight. It was warm enough.

“I was with the 7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry.”

RJ’s tension eased a bit. West Virginia. That state had only formed through their choice to join the Union three years ago. “I guess you saw a good bit of action, then.”

“I did.” Isaac’s friendly eyes sobered. “Chancellorsville, Gettysburg. Plenty I’d like to forget. But that’s the truth for all of us, sure enough.” He clapped RJ on the shoulder, a familiar gesture he somehow didn’t resent. “And here we all are in this new territory, makin’ a life for ourselves one way or t’other. What brings you out to these parts?”

“Anders Nielsen. We met during the war.” RJ nodded at his friend, who was talking with Henry Caldwell and Jesse. Climie and Forsythia helped set food out on the plank table under the shade roof that extended off the soddy, the children and dogs scampering around.

“Ah yes. The brother to this fine group of women.” Isaac tipped his cap back with a finger. “They’ve welcomed me like kin whenever I’ve imposed my sorry hide. This is the only place I’ve felt that since the war, and that’s the truth.”

A sudden clanging rent the air as Robbie rang an iron triangle with all his might, his face scrunched in the effort of his task. Chuckling, the group gathered around the table near the soddy.

“Anders, would you say the blessing?” Lark sat at the head of the table and extended her hands.

RJ found himself holding Jesse’s hand on one side and Isaac McTavish’s on the other. He bowed his head, more from habit and respect for the family than anything else.

“Father, we thank you for bringing all of us together this evening, for the food you have provided for us from this good land, and for family and friends who have become family. Bless this food and our fellowship this night, we pray. In the name of your Son, Amen.”

Amens murmured around the table, RJ joining before he thought about it.

“So, Hiram told me you purchased land from him for a boardinghouse.” Henry Caldwell dug into the tender fried chicken and new potatoes. “He treat you right?” His eyes twinkled.

Lark chuckled. “He was disappointed we didn’t go for the higher-priced lot by the train station, but yes, well enough, I think. I liked the other location, but the cost was just too high.”

The attorney nodded. “Well, it’s not like the church is too far of a trek. I’m glad you’re doing this. People will be more likely to stop and settle here rather than just pass through if they’ve got a decent place to stay.”

“A commodity rare and precious on this frontier.” Isaac wiped his mouth. “I could tell y’all stories of so-called lodgings that would raise the hair on your heads.”

“Really?” Robbie put his hand wonderingly to his curls. “Like what?”

The adults chuckled.

“Well, the food for one thing.” Isaac winked at Robbie. “No fine fare like this here your aunts spread out for us, no sir. Most places I’ve stopped, you’re lucky to get some side meat swimming in grease alongside pickled cabbage and hard biscuits, with coffee so black you could stand a spoon in it, and no milk or sugar to relieve it neither.”

“Yuck.” Robbie made a face.

Henry Caldwell chuckled. “When I was first on my way out to this territory, before I brought Beatrice to join me, I stayed in a hotel run in a big tent. There was one side for men and one for women, with just boxes stacked in between.”

“I’ve come upon some of those tent establishments too. Down in Kansas, two enterprisin’ ladies started a boardinghouse right out in the open air. They just laid rough boards across logs for a table.” Isaac nodded to the Nielsen women. “A mite like this, and the meal was better than most too.”

“Leave it to a woman,” Lark said archly.

“Rightly so.” Isaac tipped his head gallantly. “Then once, when I’d been ridden hard and put up wet, I happened upon a hotel in an actual building. Never again. Everyone crowded upstairs in one unfinished room, and whee-oo, you could sure tell many of those fellas hadn’t bathed in a coon’s age. Not enough blankets neither. Some men came in late and took the blankets off others, and it turned into a regular row.”