The Work and the Glory by Gerald N. Lund Read Free Book Online

whole of the Finger Lakes region of New York. Joshua had met few single women in the months they had been here, but he had no reason to doubt that judgment.
    “How may I help you, Mr. Steed?” It was said with gravity, even as her eyes teased him.
    He always felt like a tongue-tied schoolboy in her presence, and now was no different. He fumbled quickly in his pants pocket and drew out the torn piece of foolscap. “Ma has some things she’s listed.” He thrust it at her. She stood motionless for a moment, leaving him standing there with his hand held out awkwardly toward her. Then finally she took the paper with a soft, husky laugh, letting her fingers brush briefly against his. “Of course,” she murmured. “It’s always a pleasure to help”—she paused, and looked up again, her eyes demure—“your mother.”
    Joshua flushed, knowing she was toying with him, but sensing she found pleasure in him or she wouldn’t be doing it. Somehow the knowledge emboldened him. “You look right pretty today,” he blurted, darting a look to where her father stood behind the counter. He lowered his voice quickly. “Right pretty,” he said again.
    To his surprise it caught her off guard. She dropped her chin, her cheeks suddenly touched with pink. “Why, thank you, Joshua.” She too shot a quick glance at her father, who was now looking at them sharply. Louder now and all businesslike, she went on quickly, “If you could get a basket and follow me, Mr. Steed, I’ll get these things together for you.”
    Ten minutes later Joshua came out of the store, a sack of wheat over one shoulder and a jug of maple syrup tucked under his arm. Lydia followed him, carrying a box with the lighter things. He put the stuff in the wagon, then took Lydia’s load and put it in as well. “You shouldn’t carry that. I would have come back in for it.”
    She tossed her head impatiently. “I do this all the time.” Then she smiled at him. “But thank you anyway.”
    Joshua took his cap from his back pocket and jammed it on his head, feeling fumble-tongued and awkward again. Suddenly he remembered his primary purpose for coming to town. He swung around to look across the street. Sure enough, a few doors down in front of the Eagle Hotel stood two men. They had turned to watch him and Lydia.
    “Do you know those two men over there?” Joshua asked.
    Lydia turned to look. There was a soft intake of breath, a quick downturn of her mouth. “Why do you ask?”
    “Would it be Hyrum and Joseph Smith?”
    “Yes. What do you want with them?”
    Joshua gave her a sharp look. The last word was spat out with coldness and contempt. It was the same instant reaction he had gotten from her father. A little puzzled, he answered, “Pa has hired them to help us clear the land. I’m supposed to take them out to our place.”
    “Oh.” She dropped her eyes.
    He peered at her, but she wouldn’t look up at him. Finally, baffled, he turned and raised an arm, calling, “Ho! Hyrum, Joseph. I’m Joshua Steed.”
    There was a nod, and the two strode quickly across the street toward them. Joshua stepped off the boardwalk and met them halfway. Both were tall men, dressed in working clothes with wide-brim hats. It took no effort to see the two were brothers. One was obviously older—though they were both in their twenties—and a little taller than the other, but both had the same general features, the same light brown hair.
    The older one reached Joshua first and stuck out his hand. “Hyrum Smith, Joshua. This is my brother Joseph.”
    His grip was firm, his smile quick. Joseph stepped forward and also shook his hand. He was more muscular, broader through the shoulders, and two inches shorter than Hyrum. He had the most piercing blue eyes Joshua had ever seen.
    “It’s good to meet you.” Joshua turned and they walked back to his wagon together. Lydia was rearranging the supplies in the back of the wagon. She looked up as Joshua stepped up. “Joseph, Hyrum,