“He’s supposed to be the cook. Just as he was hired to watch Pa.”
“He cooked for the men when they were here. Besides, I don’t mind making meals. What would you like?”
He seemed surprised by her question. His slow smile made her blink. “Ma made a real nice supper of creamed peas and hard-boiled eggs and served it on biscuits.” His words deepened. “I haven’t had it since she died.”
“You’ll have it tonight,” she promised.
Together, they crossed the yard to the house. Poppy saw them and ran straight for Zach. Seeing her intent, he held out his arms and caught her.
Amelia’s throat tightened until she couldn’t get in a satisfying breath. If only Zach would change his mind and see her and Poppy not as a complication, but as a blessing.
He was unwilling to do so, and she hurried inside before a sob left her throat.
Her distress gave way to pleasure while she made biscuits and creamed peas and eggs.
As he ate the food she’d prepared, Zach sighed with pleasure and thanked her.
Pa ate about half his serving, then put his knife and fork down. “Evelyn must be home.”
Tension grabbed Amelia. A darted glance at Zach, and she understood he, too, sensed the change in Pa. Telling him she wasn’t back could well send him into a dark place. Or he might go looking for her.
Amelia coughed, but it did nothing to ease the way her throat tightened. If only she could find a way to make him accept his wife’s death and find peace in the present. The best she could hope to do was divert him.
“I made the creamed peas.” She prayed her words wouldn’t upset him. “Did I do as well as Evelyn would?”
“I don’t know.” He took a mouthful and considered the taste. “It’s pretty good. But you know, I don’t think anyone could be asgood as my Evelyn.” He glanced from one direction to another, no doubt searching for Evelyn. His gaze rested on Amelia.
Did she sit where Evelyn once had? She resisted an urge to shift over beside Kat.
Pa looked at Poppy, who was blessedly unaware of the drama, and sighed. “I sure do miss her.” He returned to eating.
A collective sigh followed his words and actions.
After the main course, Amelia glanced around at the others. “What do you want for dessert?”
Kat and Zach grinned at each other and answered in unison. “Jam and biscuits?”
Thrilled at the connection between brother and sister, Amelia beamed as she brought a pint of raspberry jam to the table.
Kat frowned at the jar. “I helped Ma make this last summer.”
Zach gave Amelia a look full of pleading, obviously unsure how to comfort his little sister.
Amelia squeezed Kat’s shoulder. “What a privilege to have been able to work with your ma. She’d be so proud of how you’re doing.”
Kat tipped her head back to look at Amelia. “How can you say that? You didn’t even know her.”
“That’s true. I’ve never met her in person, but I see her in the missing and loving in your pa’s eyes. I see her in the way you smile and how kind you are to Poppy.” Amelia shifted her gaze to Zach. “I see her in the way your brother takes care of you.”
Zach’s eyes darkened, and she remembered the moment out in the field of flowers and all the longing that had tugged at her heart. Useless feelings unless Zach opened his mind to accepting her. She glanced past him to the rest of the house.
“I see her in the afghan hanging over the rocking chair, in the dishes that were hers, and in the pictures on the wall and the books in the bookcase.”
Kat sniffled. “That’s pretty.”
“It sure is.” Zach’s voice had deepened.
Amelia’s attention returned to her plate. She split a biscuit and put jam on it for Poppy.
