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Thomas rolled his eyes. “If I drive into Fort Worth, I won’t be going to see any of the whores in Hell’s Half Acre.”
Susan gasped at Thomas’s use of the word whore. “You will not use that word at my breakfast table with your younger siblings listening.”
Thomas sighed. “Someday I’ll do something right.”
“Someday!” Susan said, her eyes letting him know she was still angry with him.
“I need to make a shopping list and have someone take it to town and get what we need,” Sydney said. “If not, we’ll be eating all of our meals here for the foreseeable future.”
Susan nodded. “I can send Walter. Or you really can eat all your meals here. We wouldn’t mind a bit.”
“We all have to eat here on Sundays anyway,” Augusta said.
“The whole family you mean?” Sydney asked. She’d had no idea there was a day the entire family would eat together, but she liked the idea.
“Yes,” Augusta said. “Ma says we need to act like a family at least once a week, and she chooses Sunday.”
Sydney smiled at that. “Well, then I will surely try to act like a family on Sundays.”
“Ma will like that,” Walter agreed. “If you want to make me a list of things to buy, I’m happy to do it.”
“Thanks, Walter.”
Thomas made a face but kept his head down and ate his breakfast.
When most of the men left for the day, Lewis lingered. “I don’t want to leave before Alice is here,” he said.
Susan nodded. “I agree. Where is that girl and her pistol?”
Alice walked in a moment later, her gun visible in her apron pocket, and Rachel in her arms. “I’m here. Go to work, Lewis!”
Lewis kissed Sydney, realizing they would be separated for the first time as a married couple. “Stay safe today. Don’t take any risks.”
“You act like someone is out to kill me? They just want to take me home to my parents.” Sydney sighed. It was going to be a long few days until she felt safe again.
As soon as Lewis was gone, Susan and Alice sat down with Sydney. “Let’s make that list of supplies for you,” Susan said.
Between the three of them, they were able to list everything Sydney would need before she could start cooking in the little house she shared with Lewis.
“I still don’t know why that boy didn’t get pots, pans, and dishes when I bought them for Albert,” Susan said after they’d finished up. “I offered.”
Sydney grinned. “I think he was afraid someone would expect him to cook if he had them.”
Alice nodded emphatically. “She’s right, Susan. He didn’t want anyone thinking he should start feeding himself.”
Susan shook her head. “The boy is a mess.” She stood up. “Let’s move into the parlor with our sewing. Send Rachel up to play with Clarissa,” she suggested. “I think we’ll get more done if Rachel isn’t clinging to all of our skirts.”
Alice told her daughter to go upstairs and play with her aunt. “You can go up by yourself now,” she said. “You’re a big girl.”
It took a little persuasion, but Rachel finally climbed the stairs and waved at her mother from the top.
The three women went into the parlor, and Sydney pulled out the pattern she had found before leaving Massachusetts. Without speaking, they all laid out the pattern pieces on the fabric, and Sydney took the scissors and started cutting.
Alice gasped. “She’s doing it with so much confidence!”
“Like she’s not worried at all about cutting the wrong thing!” Susan responded.
Sydney looked at the two sisters, frowning. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
