They stepped up to the porch. “Are you ready?” Tresia asked just before she raised her hand to grab the brass door knocker.
Avery gave a quick nod, though it was in no way a confident one. She clutched the doll even closer to her chest, as if looking for comfort. Perhaps, she was.
Tresia used the knocker, let it rap on the brass plate, once, twice, then two more times.
After a moment, the door swung open and Lucy stood before them wearing a full apron with bib to protect the lovely pale green skirt and ivory blouse she wore. There was flour on her cheek, but it didn’t dim the unmistakable happiness shining from her mocha-brown eyes as a wide smile of welcome appeared on her face.
“Tresia! Avery! What a lovely surprise!” She opened the door wider. “Come in! Come in! Savannah and I just finished makingApfelku¨chle.” She laughed. “I was missing home so I made one of Hilde’s traditional German desserts,” she said, referring to the woman who’d come out to Montaña del Trueno so many years ago with herTiaEvie.
Just the mention ofApfelku¨chlehad Tresia’s mouth watering. Apple slices, dipped in batter and fried to a golden brown then dipped in sugar and cinnamon was a favorite of hers though she hadn’t made them in quite some time. They’d been her mother’s favorite as well.
Lucy dropped her gaze and bent low. “Hello, Avery. Do you remember me?”
“Hullo,” Avery said.
Lucy straightened then ushered them into the house. “Come to the kitchen.”
She led the way, though Tresia didn’t need guidance. She’d been in this house many times and felt the comfort she always did as soon as she walked through the door. All the windows were open, the lacy curtains fluttering in the breeze and on the table were the fruits of Lucy and Savannah’s labor. Indeed, on Savannah’s face was the evidence she had taste-tested more than one apple slice.
Savannah was maybe eight years old now and flew into Tresia’s arms and gave her a big hug, despite the sugar granules on her face…and hands…and shirt.
“Hello, Savannah!” Tresia pulled out of the embrace and picked up the end of the girl’s pigtail, giving it a slight tug in affection. Out of all Lucy’s relatives, her niece, Savannah, the only girl, was her favorite though she held a lot of fondness for little Toughie who had a penchant for running around naked. She was quite fond ofTiaEvie as well…and everyone else who lived at Montaña del Trueno. “It’s been a little while since I’ve seen you! I think you’ve grown another inch.”
“That’s what Mama says!”
“And she’d be right.” She turned toward her charge. “Avery, this is my friend, Savannah.”
Savannah took her hand like a proper young lady. “TiaLucy has swings in the backyard. Grab anApfelku¨chle.” She pointed to the dessert on the plate. “And let’s go play.”
Avery looked up at her with big eyes, hesitant, leery.
“Go ahead. You can have one.” Tresia encouraged her. “They’re good.” And to prove it, she delicately pulled an apple slice from the top of the pile and took a big bite. The combination of tart apple and sweet sugar left an explosion of taste…and memory…in her mouth. “Oh, they’re perfect.” She swallowed and nodded toward Avery. “You try.”
Avery still hesitated, her hand hovering over the plate before Savannah nudged her. “Take one. It’s all right.”
She did finally and took a small bite. A look of pure joy came over her face as she chewed.
“It’s good, isn’t it?” Tresia asked, her heart full of affection for her.
Avery nodded with enthusiasm and took another bite as Savannah grabbed her other hand and started pulling hertoward the door, almost dislodging the doll clutched against Avery’s chest. “Come on, you can finish it outside.”
Avery allowed herself to be led away—though she really didn’t have much of a choice with Savannah. The girls headed for the swings hanging from a wooden frame while Lucy cleared a place at the table, then poured two cups of coffee from the ever-present pot on the stove. Tresia watched the two girls through the window as she took a seat and finished theApfelku¨chle,then licked her fingertips, getting every speck of sugar. She placed her own dessert on the table. “I brought gingerbread men, but it doesn’t look like you need them.” She then pulled a folded sheet of paper from her drawstring bag and handed it to Lucy. “I also worked on the layout for the lending library like you asked me. It’s just a rough sketch, but I think it’s what you’re looking for.”
“Oh, good! I’ll study it later tonight and let you know if it needs any changes,” she said as she dropped the folded paper in the pocket of her apron. “I’m sure it’s perfect, though.” She gestured to the bow-wrapped dish towel. “As for the cookies, they won’t go to waste. You know what a sweet tooth Ben has.” Lucy pulled out the chair opposite her and slid into it, expectation and curiosity in her expression. “Well?”
Tresia pulled her attention from Avery and stared at her friend. “You lied to me, Lucy Hart. Looked right in my face and straight up lied.”
Lucy laughed even as she schooled her features into a look of innocence. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Not handsome. No sense of humor. Admit it. You lied.” She stirred some sugar into her coffee, the spoon making delicate little tinkling sounds as it touched the side of the fine China cup. “I am not interested in finding someone. I told you that.”
“And I told you that I understood. I was not trying to match you with Marshal Goodrich, but I did think you’d fall in love with Avery. And I was right.”
Tresia glanced outside at both girls as they swung back and forth, the edges of their clothing fluttering in the breeze, the sound of Savannah’s one-sided conversation coming in through the open window. “Yes, you were right. She is a sweet little girl.”
“It was love at first sight, wasn’t it?”
She had to admit that it was.
