Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher Read Free Book Online

“Yes, Aunt Vena. I can see.”
    â€œWhat a fine job you’re doing. No one will ever know the fabric was torn.”
    â€œI’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to wear it. There’s no more fabric to be let out.” Pink tinged her cheeks.
    Luvena understood why. Although Merry most likely had her full height, she was still developing a woman’s figure. The bodices of her clothes had grown snug in recent months.
    Luvena settled onto the sofa. “Mr. Birch pointed out a dress shop when we went to the mercantile this afternoon. Perhaps Mrs. Treehorn, the proprietress, could help us remake a few of your dresses.”
    â€œIt would cost too much.”
    â€œPerhaps not. It wouldn’t hurt to ask.”
    Merry’s eyes widened as she sat straighter in the chair. “Maybe I could do some piecework for the dressmaker. Surely I could make a little money that way.”
    â€œI can’t ask you—”
    â€œYes, you can, Aunt Vena. I’m old enough to help provide something. I know sometimes I don’t act like it, but I am.”
    â€œWhat about school?”
    â€œIs there one?”
    Luvena had no answer to that. Clay hadn’t pointed out a schoolhouse during their walk, and she hadn’t thought to ask him. She’d simply assumed there was one for the children to attend. Oh dear. How would she manage if not? She was even less suited for teaching than she was for sewing.
    â€œAunt Vena?”
    â€œYes, Merry.”
    â€œWe’re going to be all right. God’s watching out for us, like you always tell us. He wasn’t surprised about those letters the way you and Mr. Birch were. He knew about it all the time and brought us here anyway. It must be part of His plan.”
    Tension drained from Luvena’s shoulders. “How very wise you’ve become, Esmeralda Browne.”
    Merry smiled.
    â€œI believe I’ll go sit on the back stoop and enjoy the cool night air.” Luvena stood. “Would you like to join me?”
    As if in answer, Merry yawned. Then she chuckled. “No, thank you. I think I’ll go to bed and finish mending this dress tomorrow.”
    Luvena stepped over to the rocking chair and placed a kiss on the crown of her niece’s head. “Sleep well, Merry.”
    â€œYou too, Aunt Vena.” The girl yawned again.
    Luvena left the parlor, passing through the kitchen on her way to the back door. She took pleasure in the tidiness of the room. Much had been accomplished today, despite the upheaval of emotions and weariness from many days of travel.
    Tomorrow would bring new challenges, no doubt, but for now, she felt an unexpected peace.
    â€¢â€¢â€¢
    Clay was standing in the dark behind the theater—wrestling with the present, fighting with the future, trying to find a way past the dilemma he found himself in—when he saw the back door of the house open and Luvena Abbott step onto the small back porch, light spilling around her from the kitchen. Then the door closed and night enveloped her again. Without the glow of the moon, he couldn’t see any other movement, but he guessed she remained on the stoop.
    â€œFather”—her words drifted to him on a soft breeze—“I thank You for all You are doing, for all You have done. In my life. In the lives of Merry and Ethan and Elsie. Help me know what we are to do next.”
    He supposed his thoughts—the wrestling, fighting, and answer-seeking—had been a kind of prayer, but her simple words were far better. They were a more faith-filled prayer, revealing an uncomplicated trust. Something he hadn’t mastered. It drew him across the short stretch of ground. As he came closer, a twig snapped beneath his boot, and he heard a gasp of surprise.
    â€œIt’s me, Luvena.”
    â€œMr. Birch?”
    Only when she called him by his surname did he realize he’d used her given name. Had she noticed? It felt