Embers of Love by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

turned to her husband. “Don’t you think such an event would be popular? Why, the folks would simply love it.”
    “I believe she’s right,” Zed Perkins replied. “We will depend upon you, Miss Decker.”
    Lizzie threw Deborah a rather panicked look, but Deborah was simply glad to have the conversation turned elsewhere. The last thing she wanted to do was answer any more questions regarding her own interests.
    After pie was served and praise issued with the devouring, the men wandered outside to the porch to discuss business. Mrs. Perkins and the girls settled in the living room with Lizzie, while Deborah helped her mother serve coffee. She could hear the men’s muffled discussion through the open windows but paid it little attention. To think too long on such matters only made Deborah wish for the classrooms she’d left behind. She enjoyed a rousing discussion of politics and business. Too bad a woman would be considered out of place to position herself with the men rather than to gossip with the ladies.
    “I do wish we could have taken a stroll,” Annabeth declared. “It seems the perfect night for such a thing. The moon is nearly full.”
    Mother shook her head. “I’m afraid it would be dangerous. We’ve had trouble with the Piney Woods rooters.”
    Lizzie looked at Deborah for an explanation. Deborah leaned closer. “Wild hogs.”
    “Very dangerous animals indeed,” Mrs. Perkins said as she lifted her coffee cup. “Many a man has been desperately wounded by those beasts.”
    “By a pig?” Lizzie asked.
    The Perkins sisters burst into laughter. “Oh my dear,” their mother interjected, “they aren’t merely pigs. These are feral animals – razorbacks that roam the woods at night. They are smart and can outthink a normal man. They are mean and ill-tempered, with fierce tusks that can tear you to ribbons.”
    Deborah could see that Lizzie was notably impressed. “There are a great many dangers no matter where you live. We had our share of desperate beasts in Philadelphia, as well,” Deborah offered. “Most were two legged and wore trousers, however.”
    Mother met her gaze and smiled. “I’m sure your experience here helped to keep you safer back there. However, I’m very glad to have you home now.”
    “Have you a beau, Miss Vandermark?” Annabeth asked innocently.
    For a moment, the question took Deborah by surprise. “I hadn’t the time for such things. I needed to get my education so that I could come back to Perkinsville and help my family. It was what my father wished for.” Deborah saw Mother frown, but continued. “As I understand from Uncle Arjan, we need to totally modernize our methods of doing business. I’m going to see to it that this happens in an orderly fashion.”
    “Oh, I would hate to have to work,” Maybelle said, fanning herself furiously. “Just the thought of trying to add up numbers and keep track of orders . . . Goodness, but you are more – oh, what’s the word I want? Well, I suppose industrious would do. You’re more industrious than I, what with your interests in things related to business.”
    Deborah knew that the comment was a veiled insult. What Maybelle really seemed to be inferring was that Deborah was less womanly – more masculine in her concerns. But again, Deborah held back. There was certainly nothing positive to be gained by cutting Maybelle Perkins down a peg or two.
    “Oh, we simply must tell them about the new gowns we have ordered,” Annabeth said, as if to cover up for her sister’s indiscretion. “Mother ordered us new dresses from France. Isn’t that exciting?”
    “To be certain,” Lizzie answered with a sympathetic glance at Deborah. “Of course, there aren’t quite as many grand occasions to wear them as we enjoyed in Philadelphia, I suppose.”
    Deborah appreciated her friend’s effort, but didn’t wish for the Perkinses to dislike Lizzie. She smiled and patted her friend’s hand. “I hope we shall see your new