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Albert fed her a small bite of cake, and she returned the favor, much to the amusement of the guests.
She met several different people and she felt as if she was the center of attention the entire time, which she had always said she didn’t like, but she had to face facts. Part of the reason she’d been involved in so many pranks was because she loved when people were looking at her.
As they mingled and she talked to people, Albert was always at her side, her hand in his. She felt stronger and more confident knowing he was there.
One woman smiled at her. “You look so much like Susan did when she first came to Texas.”
Alice nodded. “Susan is my eldest sister. I barely remember her, though. She’s been gone most of my life.”
“Oh, that explains everything! You really do favor one another.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment because I think Susan is beautiful inside and out.”
The woman smiled. “We’re very happy to have you part of our little community.”
“Thank you, Mrs…” Alice was certain the woman had given her name, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember what it was.
“Anderson. Philippa Anderson.”
“I’m very happy to be here, Mrs. Anderson.”
After Mrs. Anderson walked away, Albert whispered, “She’s the biggest gossip in all of Texas. I’m certain she’s off telling everyone that you’re Susan’s sister right now.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Not really. I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’m just telling you so you know for the future that if you don’t want the world to know, Mrs. Anderson can’t know.”
“Thank you. Anyone else I need to worry about?” she asked.
Another woman came and introduced herself. “It’s good to have you here. We all love Susan so much, and she’ll be thrilled to have her own kin around.”
“How did you know Susan and I were kin?” Alice asked, wondering how quickly all of this would spread.
“Oh, Mrs. Anderson told us all. It wasn’t a secret, was it?”
“Of course not.” Alice smiled sweetly all the while wondering how many people already knew about her relationship with Susan. “I need a breath of fresh air.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Albert led her toward the kitchen door and outside. “I’m so sorry!” she said.
“For what?” Albert looked confused.
“I never meant for the whole world to know that Susan and I are sisters. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“It doesn’t bother me. That woman who just talked to us? She’s the mother of the girl I wanted to marry. So now she’ll go home and tell Sarah that we were childhood sweethearts, and we’ve been writing letters since we were old enough to hold pens. It will work in our favor, I’m certain.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
He shook his head. “Not one little bit.”
She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked again.
“For just being you. I think we’re going to have a wonderful life together.”
“Of course, we are.”
By the time everyone was leaving, it was supper time, and Susan insisted they stay for the meal. “There’s time enough to start cooking tomorrow,” she said, smiling.
