“We’re friends.” Will said. “And you can trust me.”
She knew that to be true. “Father traveled for a number of years, and I always believed he would come for me, but my uncles said that Father was irresponsible.” She remembered how she had wanted to march into the dining room and defend her father, but remained hidden in the kitchen. “I think that’s why Grandpa Montgomery was so pleased to see him follow in his footsteps in politics. But now that he’s lost the election, things aren’t quite the same…” She let her voice trail off.
“We are taught to honor our parents,” Will said. “It isn’t always easy.”
“Your father?”
He nodded. “I actually got it into my head to ask him about going to medical school, and you know what he told me?”
Maud could imagine, but she shook her head.
“He said that there was no money for the extravagance, that my duty was to him and Laurel Hill.” Maud had a sudden urge to take his hand, but she clenched her knees instead.
“I’m so sorry, Will.”
He shrugged. “At least I can work with horses, like Plato here. See, he’s done well today.” He clicked the reins. “I hope we can take him out again sometime.”
“I would enjoy that very much.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
While Maud waited to hear back from Cavendish and continued to help Mrs. Montgomery, taking care of her siblings and doing her chores, she also planned to make the rest of her time in Prince Albert mean something—something that Mrs. Montgomery could complain about.
Maud continued to go to the Reverend and Mrs. Rochester’s bi-weekly Bible Study at the manse and teach Sunday School. Being with Will and Laura was such a welcome contrast to the thick tension of Eglintoune Villa and Mr. Mustard’s persistent visits. And more than once, Will took Maud (and sometimes Laura) out with Plato on Sunday afternoons after church. Maud couldn’t wait for those evenings where she could safely escape and enjoy a reprieve from the continual crying and shouting.
Father and Mrs. Montgomery didn’t go out as much as they had before. The other night, Maud overheard Mrs. Montgomery say she wished she’d known the truth about Father; she never would have married him, she said, and gotten herself stuck in this “godforsaken town.” Even though Maud herself was disappointed in her father, she couldn’t help but bristle at her stepmother’s words. Couldn’t she see that Father was trying so hard, looking for work and focusing more of his attention on the auction business? None of it was good enough for her.
Maud, Laura, and Will made the most of the spring that turned the prairie from brown to green. Sometimes Andrew joined them. One Saturday, the four of them walked along the river toward Goschen, as far as Strachan’s photo gallery. Will and Maud were admiring the photos while Laura and Andrew walked down to the river.
“You should get your photo taken before you go,” Will whispered.
“That would be rather extravagant,” Maud said. “I doubt my father would pay for it.”
Their faces mirrored in the glass reminded Maud of a portrait of her grandparents hanging at home, and she was suddenly desperately sad that she and Will would never have one taken together.
“Would you get one taken?” she said. “For me?”
In the window’s reflection, Will said, “When I’ve saved enough money, it will be the first thing I do.” He grazed his pinky against the palm of her hand and the intensity of his words, his touch, his stare was too much. She turned toward the river.
Laura and Andrew were deep in conversation.
“Maud?”
She slowly turned to face him. “The next picture I take is for you.”
When Laura and Andrew returned, the four walked back to the Kennedys’, where Andrew said goodbye, as he had to help his father at the store.
Maud took in the amber sun diving into fire over the prairie. It had been a perfect afternoon.
Gazing up at the sky, she was suddenly overcome with the desire to count nine stars. But she let it go. That belonged in the past, with another girl. She realized how many different types of girls she was, how many different types of girls she could be.
Laura and Maud rested on the Kennedys’ top porch step while Will sat down close behind them, leaning against the side banister.
“Don’t you need to get back?” Maud asked. Will had finally returned to living on the farm in order to help his father with Courtney, the family’s newest horse.
“It’s not yet nine o’clock,” Will said. “I have a bit of time.”
“I wish you could come and stay at Laurel Hill,” Laura said.
“I’d love to come and see Laurel Hill.” Maud leaned on Laura. “Hopefully Mrs. Montgomery won’t cause trouble.”
“I’ve got plans for us to go riding,” Will said. Maud rested her head on Laura’s shoulder, keenly aware of Will’s breathing behind her. She stretched her arm out to the side, lightly grazing the porch with her right hand. The air smelled of prairie flowers.
“When you come to the farm, we’ll take Courtney out and dress up as though we are placing a real house call,” Laura said. “Won’t that be fun, Maud?”
The tips of Will’s fingers gently touched Maud’s right hand. “Yes,” she said, not sure if she was agreeing with Laura or allowing Will to take her hand, but she didn’t argue when he caressed his index finger across each of hers.
“I don’t know if Courtney is ready for you ladies.” Will’s breath whispered against Maud’s ear.
She closed her eyes.
“Well, I say by the time Maud comes—and you will come—she’ll be ready.”
Maud heard Aunt Kennedy puttering around in the kitchen. Will didn’t stop. The idea that their aunt could catch Will sitting so close to her thrilled Maud more than she dared to admit.
Will’s finger fell upon her index finger, the one where she wore the ring Aunt Annie had given her.
“And we’ll pick wild strawberries and lie in the grass all afternoon,” Laura said.
And with his index finger and thumb, Will quickly drew the ring off Maud’s finger.
Practically knocking Laura over, Maud stood up and tried grabbing the ring back from him. “What are you doing?” she demanded, hands on her hips, trying not to break into a smile.
Will placed her ring on his pinky—it was snug but it fit—and chuckled. “I was admiring it.”
Her finger felt naked after wearing it for so many years.
“Will, don’t tease,” Laura said, looking a bit annoyed that their moment of dreaming had been interrupted.
Maud knew she should be angry. She should be furious. But she wasn’t.
“How long do you wish to admire it?” Maud said.
“That depends”—Will brought the gold ring right up close—“on you.”
Maud went to grab his hand, and he flung it out of the way.
Aunt Kennedy called from the house. “Laura, time to come inside.”
“Coming,” Laura said.