A Time to Bloom (Leah's Garden #2)(92)

“I like the hot water reservoir best.” Del poured dried green beans stewed with salt pork into a bowl. “Plenty of hot water right there whenever we need it.” Maybe someday they’d have one like this in their home.

“As long as we keep it filled.” Lark drew the roast out of the oven. “I believe we could cook two turkeys at once in here, and maybe a ham too.”

“Just in time for Thanksgiving.” Holding a platter of carrots, Lilac backed through the swinging door to the dining room and held it open so Lark could carry the roast through.

The table was full when they all sat down.

“Good thing you men made this table to fit a few more people than I thought we’d need.” Lark nodded at RJ. “It looks like we could squeeze twenty around it, at least if some of them aren’t very big.” She smiled at Robbie and Sofie, who stared round-eyed at the loaded platters. “Adam, would you say the blessing, please?”

Adam took his wife’s hand on one side and his son’s on the other. Everyone else reached to join hands around the table too, a circle of family and of strangers becoming family.

Del’s breath caught as RJ’s fingers touched hers. She slid her hand into his, and the warmth of his fingers enveloped hers, gentle and firm. She bowed her head, her heart full.

“Father, we thank you,” Adam began.

Thank you, Father, she echoed within.

“We thank you for this place you have given to shelter those you bring to this town, for the creativity that brought the idea to the Nielsen sisters, and for those who have so skillfully executed it. We thank you for all our friends around this table and their faithful work to make this dream happen. We thank you that the liquor tent has left our town and for your continued protection and grace. We thank you for this food, for each other, and most of all, for your presence and love through Jesus our Lord. Amen.”

Conversation flowed as plates were filled, passed, and emptied.

“I think the big stove cooks lots better,” Robbie announced, holding his plate out for thirds.

Everyone laughed.

“I might have to agree with you there, my friend.” William pierced a carrot with his fork. “That or I’m just too plumb tuckered of my own cookin’.”

“Me too.” Jesse punctuated his words with another helping of roast, sparking more chuckles.

“So you really think the liquor tent is gone for good?” Lilac asked.

“I believe so.” Adam buttered one of Climie’s melt-in-your-mouth rolls. “Isaac rode out there today and said there’s no sign of it but a bare patch, some broken bottles, and other refuse.”

“We should get a group out there to clean up.” RJ glanced around at his men. “Maybe tomorrow, if you can spare us from the boardinghouse?”

Nods all around.

“Shall we just postpone the temperance rally for now, then?” Del asked. “It seems we’ve got plenty to do, getting ready for the school raising and opening the boardinghouse.”

“I hate to let it go, though.” Lilac’s brow puckered. “The abuse of alcohol isn’t going to stop hurting families just because it’s harder to find. People make liquor out of whatever they have at hand if they want it. Even Mr. Jorgensen stocks some liquor in his store.”

“Only for medicinal purposes.”

“So he says. But he can’t control how people use it.” Lilac leaned forward. “I’d like to start a women’s temperance society in Salton, like Ma used to be part of back home.”

“Maybe you will.” Lark reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “But I think Del is right. Let’s at least get the schoolhouse up first.”

“Speaking of the schoolhouse, is there anything else you need from me for the raising next week?” RJ cocked his head and speared a bite of roast.

“I think we’re just about set. The women are bringing food, and the supplies are almost all here. You’ll organize the men and supervise the building, for which I’m ever grateful.” Del smiled at him.

“Anything for you, Miss Nielsen.” His mouth tipped up, and her pulse quickened at the warmth in his brown eye. Did he mean it?

A sudden explosion shattered the glass in the window behind William’s head. As he leaped out of the way, a lit torch landed in the middle of the table.

Screams, shouts. Some men jumped up, others dropped low. Adam shoved Forsythia and the children to the floor, Robbie and Sofie wailing.

Lark and RJ leaped to douse the flames spreading over the tablecloth. “More water!”

Del dashed for the kitchen, coming back with a sloshing water pitcher. She splashed it over the smoldering fire just as a second shot ran out.

RJ threw himself over her, pushing her to the floor.

“Get out here, RJ Easton!” a raucous voice hollered. “I know you’re in there, you son of a—” A spew of cursing followed.

“W-what’s g-going on?” Jesse shielded Climie, who cowered in the corner.

RJ’s face hardened. Without a word, he leaped off Del, grabbed his rifle, and ran for the entry.

“RJ, wait!” Del cried out, scrambling to her feet. She lunged after him, Adam right behind her, but RJ was already out the door.

Lark snatched Del back, holding her tight. She fought her sister’s grasp, then pressed her hands to her mouth.