A Time to Bloom (Leah's Garden #2)(84)

“We need to decide on a time and place still. Maybe the boardinghouse, once it’s ready. I went into town this afternoon after we finished with the garden and picked up some pamphlets Reverend Pritchard ordered from back east. They look helpful, with details on the damage liquor does to individuals, family, and society.”

Del nibbled her lip. “How is the reverend? I haven’t seen him lately.”

Lilac shot her a quick glance. “I thought he must be at the school often.”

“Not really.” Del drew a breath. “Not since I let him know I’m not interested in having him call on me, that is.”

The seeds in Lilac’s hand spilled across the table.

“Oh no, no, no.” Lilac dropped the packet and scrambled to save them.

“It’s all right.” Del moved the lamp and her own packets out of the way. “Take it slow. We’ll get them. Fetch that little broom. We can use it to sweep out any that catch in the cracks of the table.”

Together they managed to salvage the seeds, at least all they could see in the lamplight. Finally, Del trickled the last few she’d gathered into the packet.

Lilac sealed it shut and labeled it, then sank back in her chair and covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry. We have so few seeds as it is from this year, I can’t believe I—”

“Lilac. It’s all right. ” Del scooted her own chair near, drew her sister’s hands down from her face, and held them in her own. She waited until Lilac relaxed and drew a longer breath. “Did you truly think there was something between Reverend Pritchard and me?” Her heart smote her. With all that had been happening, she’d never spoken to Lilac as she’d meant, but since she’d had so little interaction with the pastor over the last month or two, she’d thought any ideas would have blown over on their own.

Lilac kept her eyes down, but tears trembled on her dark lashes. “I—didn’t know. I thought maybe, after that dance. . . .”

Del sighed. “He was interested for a time, probably because I was convenient more than anything. But I wasn’t interested, sister mine—certainly not once I realized how you felt, but not even before then.”

Lilac flicked up a glance. “Truly?”

Del touched her sister’s cheek. “Truly.”

Lilac sniffed hard and swiped at her eyes. “I’m such a fool.”

“No, you’re not.” Del reached over and hugged her hard. “You’re a fine beautiful woman. And he’s a good man.”

“But he never even notices me.” The tears spilled over, dampening Del’s shoulder. “Even today, all he would talk about was the rally, except for asking after you.”

Del’s heart sank. She’d hoped his fancy would have passed by now. “Well, he’ll just have to get over it. And he’s passionate about causes, so no wonder the rally takes precedence.” She sat back. “Take courage, dear heart. Some man someday will discover the treasure that you are, whether Reverend Pritchard ever gains the wisdom to see it or not.”

“You girls all right?” Lark stepped between them and laid a hand on each shoulder, her fingers still damp from dishwashing.

“Oh, you know.” Lilac looked up, her smile back despite a final sniffle. “Just solving all the problems of the world and the female heart.”

“Typical day in the life of the Nielsen sisters, then.” Lark sat down with a sigh. “Digging rutabagas from the ground uses a whole different set of muscles than threshing, I find.” She stretched her arms over her head with a wince. “I wanted to tell you both—I talked with Climie today while Lilac was in town.”

“You went to Forsythia’s?”

“No, she sent Climie out here with the bread we had for supper. They’d had a big baking day. Anyway, she’s ready to start managing the boardinghouse, though I think she should wait to move in until we’re sure those ruffians won’t be coming back, whoever they were.”

“Does she seem excited about it?” Lilac passed another handful of paper packets to Del and resumed sorting herself.

“She’s a bit intimidated, but yes, I think so. I see her courage growing since she’s been out here, with the agonies of the past receding further away. I do think she’d be good at it, once she finds her footing.”

“And that will lift such a burden off us.” Del didn’t see how they could possibly manage to run a boardinghouse, seed business, and farm all at once, especially with her teaching school.

“Yes. Of course, we’ll still be closely involved, but she can cover much of the day-to-day details.” Lark folded her hands on the table. “We also spoke about Jesse.”

Del and Lilac both stilled.

“What did she say?”

“She admitted to caring for him. Not that that’s a surprise to any of us.” Lark blew out a breath. “She said Jesse hasn’t said anything yet. Not that he says much to begin with.”

“Jesse cares too,” Lilac said, her voice low. “I can see it in his face.”

Del’s heart twisted. “What are we to do? Climie isn’t free, not as long as that weasel Wiesel is alive and kicking—and biting.”

“I’m sure I don’t know.” Lark shook her head. “Part of me wishes he would show his ugly face here, and we could just shoot him. It’d solve a lot of problems.”