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"Heavens I don't know. Maybe…."
"And you…do you think you'll be good at it?"
"Martina, how would I know. The most I ever done is kiss a cousin, and not on the mouth either. 'Course I do practice with my pillow from time to time. Imagining the most handsome of handsome."
They giggled.
"Girls, come wash up and set the table for supper." Their mother called through the window.
Play time was over, but Beth loved her talk with Martina. Martina was the only one in the family old enough to talk to about this kind of thing, so when they got the chance they indulged in fantasies.
The girls obeyed and were giggling while they finished their chores. "Fourteen places, Mama?" Beth asked.
"No dear, fifteen. Mr. Cahill is joining us." Her mother informed them, glancing at Beth.
Beth set another place and looked up to see Martina smiling.
Food was scarce, how could they invite someone to eat with them. It meant taking smaller portions for each person. And their brothers were already so skinny a good wind would blow them over.
"See the others wash before coming to the table, girls."
"Yes Mama." They both replied at the same time.
It was a routine that all the children lined up to wash before eating, and Beth and Martina were to inspect their hands after each washed. Cleanliness was next to Godliness, according to the bible.
It took a good ten minutes to look at them all but it had to be done. Their parents expected them clean at the table.
When their mother put a wild turkey on the table though, their eyes got big and round. What was the occasion? It wasn't Christmas.
"Somebody die, Mama?" Beth swallowed hard when she saw her mother's expression.
"Land sakes child, no. Mr. Cahill brought the turkey with him. He shot it just the other side of Primrose. That's why he's stayin' for dinner. He wanted to share it with us, and it's the least we can do to feed him."
Beth cast the handsome stranger a glance. She had passed him on the porch and he shot her a quick glance as she passed. His eyes were beautiful, a light blue, she had noticed, and those long lashes emphasized them. His skin was so tan, it made his eyes even more alluring.
When he sat beside Beth at the table though, she quickly took in his thick black hair as he took his hat off. He was startlingly handsome.
"Thank you Mr. Cahill." Beth nodded as he took her hand in his to say grace.
She'd die if her hand sweat.
"You are most welcome, Beth." The man's voice was deep and ever so quiet.
Their father joined them at the table, giving Mr. Cahill a nod and smile as he sat down and joined hands.
They gave th
anks and everyone dug into the food. It was the first time they had meat since Christmas, so this was some kind of occasion and the girls could only wonder what was up.
"Is this a special occasion?" Beth couldn't keep her curiosity to herself.
Her mother blushed, then answered. "Yes, in a way." She glanced at Beth with a sad looking kind of smile. "It's your engagement party so to speak. You are engaged to Mr. Cahill, Beth." Her mother announced as though she should have known it.
Beth couldn't speak, she was so shocked. Engaged. Dear God, what was happening? Was it true? Talking about running away with a man was one thing. Being forced to was another. What engagement?
Had they sold their daughter for food like Martina had said? It certainly looked that way. First man to bring meat to the table gets Beth!
Beth got up and ran out the back door, letting it slam. She couldn't face the others just yet. Surely this was some kind of joke for all her comments in the backyard.
