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Chapter Three
Alice was unsure how much later it was when there was a knock at her door. She struggled to climb out of the clouds of sleep and called out, “Yes?”
“It’s supper time,” a child’s voice responded.
Alice sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to get her head clear. She looked around. She was in Texas. She was there to get married and start a new life Standing, she walked to the pitcher and bowl and poured a small amount of water to wash her face and quickly braided her hair in a single braid down her back. She didn’t look her best, but at that moment, she couldn’t let herself care too terribly much.
She found her way to the dining room and sat in the empty chair beside Albert. The family had obviously all been waiting on her, and David—whom she had yet to be introduced to—prayed over their meal.
After the prayer, they all passed food around, and she counted the children at the table. She smiled at the twins—identical—that Susan had inherited upon marrying David, and then she looked at the two little girls of the same age—also twins, but the two of them looked similar but were not identical.
David smiled at her. “You must be Alice. I’m David. Your brother-in-law and soon to be father-in-law, which is going to make things a bit strange.”
Alice looked between Albert and Lewis, both looking as surprised as she felt. “How did you guess?”
He chuckled. “You look exactly as my wife did when she got off the train. She told me you seemed familiar, but she couldn’t place you. As soon as I saw you, I knew.”
Susan shook her head. “Did Albert and Lewis tell you not to tell me I was your sister?”
Alice shrugged. “It sounded like a fun little game to play with you.”
Susan sighed. “It’s not going to be good to have a demon horde member married to a Dailey boy. I can feel it in my bones.” She shook her head. “Welcome, little sister. I think you were what? Five when I left home?”
“I think so.” Alice smiled at her sister. “I’m really excited that I get to spend time with you now.”
Susan smiled. “I am too, to be honest. It seems strange that you’re marrying one of my sons, but…there’s no blood between you, so why not?”
Alice grinned. “I’m just glad you’re not mad at me for it.”
“Not at all. Only at those two sons of mine who think everything is funny.”
Alice nudged her leg against Albert’s under the table, and he grinned at her. “Sorry, Susan.”
Lewis followed suit. “Sorry, Susan.”
“No, you’re not. Neither one of you are sorry for a thing. You thought it was fun, so you did it. It’s how you are, even after all these years.” Susan looked at Alice. “I know Ma has said this to you a thousand times, but I hope you have one just like you.”
Alice laughed. “She said that to all of us. Did you get one just like you?”
Susan nodded. “I think that would be Clarissa. Only time will tell.”
Alice took her first bite of fried chicken and smiled. “Better than Ma ever made!”
“I don’t have time to cook with all the children. I only cook on occasion. Usually, Mrs. Hackenschleimer takes care of the meals, and I take care of the little ones. But we both do a little bit of everything.”
“Oh, I saw her earlier,” Alice said. “She doesn’t eat with you?”
Susan sighed. “I have after fourteen years with her convinced her to eat with the family when there are no guests present. I tried to convince her that you were family and not a guest, but she wasn’t willing to listen. So, she’s eating all alone in the kitchen.”
Alice frowned. “That’s not right!”
“I told her she is family, but she won’t believe that either. I don’t know why she wants to keep distance between us, but she seems determined to do so.” Susan shrugged. “It’ll be all right. She knows the children love her as if she’s their grandmother.”
“Ma wouldn’t like that much. She thinks she should get to play with her grandkids.”
“Well, now that Ida Mae is in school, it kind of makes sense that she’s ready for grandkids. I’m sure Elizabeth shares her children, as does Mary.”
Alice nodded. “Everyone else is scattered to the winds. I expect Ma to take a switch to Elizabeth any day for sending away all of her children as soon as their old enough to bring her grandbabies.”
