Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot Read Free Book Online Page A

said as she and Isabelle crossed Hochstrasse. It was a busy intersection with the post office, the school, and the German church occupying three of the corners, while the space directly across from the school was nothing more than a large field. That, Isabelle explained, was where town gatherings were held, including the sunrise service on Easter, the Independence Day celebration, and the harvest festival.
    “I imagine the baby will keep Sarah busy, and then there’s always her matchmaking.” Isabelle gave Harriet a conspiratorial smile. “Priscilla and Zach did most of it, but I know Sarah was the one who started it. Without her, Gunther and I might not be married.”
    “I guess every town has its matchmakers.” Though several women had stopped to greet Isabelle and make Harriet’s acquaintance, this part of Rhinestrasse was devoid of other pedestrians. Isabelle and Harriet were opposite the livery now, at the end of rue du Marché with Harriet’s house only a few yards away. “Fortune was smaller than Ladreville, but we had two women whose primary function appeared to be matchmaking.” Neither of them had wasted time on Harriet once she had refused a widower who had viewed her siblings as a burden. “She’s not just bossy; she’s fussy,” the matchmakers had declared, but Thomas paid them no heed. He was different, or so she’d believed.
    “I suspect Lawrence will be Sarah’s next candidate. He’s twenty-eight, you know. Old enough that Sarah’s getting worried he’ll remain a bachelor.” Isabelle’s voice brought Harriet back to the present. “Lawrence’s contract is for only six months, but I know Clay wants him to stay permanently. I think that’s another reason Sarah would like him to find a wife.” As they approached Harriet’s home, Isabelle stopped and raised both eyebrows. “Be careful, Harriet. Sarah might decide you’re the right wife for Lawrence.”
    It was outrage that made her pulse accelerate. Of course it was, not the prospect of life with the tall, handsome man whose eyes spoke of secrets and sorrow. “I’m sorry to disappoint you and Sarah, but there are several reasons why that will never happen. Don’t forget that my contract with the town says I cannot marry for at least a year. Besides, no one is interested in a woman raising five children. By the time they’re grown, I’ll be a confirmed spinster.”
    Isabelle frowned. “That sounds lonely to me.”

    The Kirk residence was anything but lonely when everyone gathered for supper that evening. The boys were all slightly sunburned, as if they’d forgotten to wear their hats during the day, but the color in Mary’s cheeks was a blush.
    “I churned the butter,” she announced proudly as she laid a plate of the golden spread on the table. Though it wasn’t as smooth as when Ruth made it, it was an admirable first attempt. Harriet praised her youngest sister and watched her blush grow. It took so little to make the child happy.
    “I did better than that,” Daniel crowed. “I mucked out the stable.”
    Harriet smiled. Her two youngest siblings were best of friends, but that didn’t prevent them from engaging in a gentle rivalry.
    “Yeah,” Sam said, “me and Daniel—”
    “Daniel and I,” Harriet said firmly as she took a serving of green beans.
    Her brother frowned at her. “Aw, sis, school ain’t started yet.”
    “Good grammar is important year-round, and you know better than to say ‘ain’t.’”
    Sam’s lips twisted in annoyance before he nodded. “Okay. Daniel and I”—he emphasized the words—“we got to use pitchforks.”
    When Harriet had finished congratulating Daniel and Sam on their manly activities, she turned to her other brother. “What about you, Jake? Did you clean out the stable?”
    “Nah. The old slave driver—”
    “That is no way to refer to Mr. Friedrich.” It appeared that Jake’s mood had not improved.
    “Do you want the story or not?”
    “Only if you keep a civil