“There’s still so much to do.”
“Hope and I can manage without you for a while.” Mama glanced up from her work. “The men would probably enjoy some refreshment. Why don’t you take some cold water and sugar cookies out to them? And who knows?” She cut another square. “Maybe you and Hays could take a little walk.”
“Mama.” Emma crossed her arms and paced away from the window. “You know how I feel about Hays Hart.”
“I know what you’ve told me,” Mama said, sharing a quiet smile with Hope. “But what someone says and what they feel are sometimes two different things.”
Emma continued to pace. “We’re only friends.”
“And getting friendlier every day,” Hope added as she inspected the sewing machine to make sure the bobbin was full.
Emma ignored her sister’s comment. It was true she and Hays had grown fond of each other, but that didn’t indicate romance.
“For what it’s worth to you,” Mama said. “I like Hays and so does your papa. He’s a nice young man.”
“And he lives here in Hartville,” Emma added for her. “Not Minnesota.”
“It’s no secret we’d like you to stay in Texas.” Mama spoke gently. “We hate to think of you fourteen hundred miles away … but if that’s where God is calling you…”
The letter from Mrs. Greenfield had been everything Emma hoped for and more. Not only did they want her to come back to the mission and teach, but they had asked her to be the lead teacher for the entire school. Emma had been certain when she first arrived in Texas that God was calling her back to Minnesota, but now she wasn’t so sure. Her determination to build this school had curbed her homesickness and given her something to look forward to. The thought of leaving it all behind didn’t appeal to her as much as it had only a month or so before.
At the same time, she ached to see her old friends in Minnesota and return to her work with the Ojibwe children. She also missed the lakes and rivers. It was the place she felt closest to God. Since coming to Texas, she had longed for the refreshment the cool water gave her.
“Maybe I will go for a walk,” Emma said. She needed to get out of the house and simply enjoy the outdoors.
“Will you ask Hays to join you?” Hope inquired, peeking over her shoulder.
Emma didn’t bother to answer as she took her shawl off the hook. But she paused as she thought of Papa and Hays working hard on the tables for the bazaar. “Maybe I will take them some refreshments first.”
Her mother and sister didn’t say anything as she crossed the room and entered the kitchen, though Emma suspected they would have much to discuss after she left.
Emma quickly put everything on the tray and then opened the back door.
“Invite Hays to stay for supper,” Mama called to Emma as the door closed behind her.
The day was a bit cool, but the brilliant blue sky and warm sunshine made up for the lack of heat.
Papa, David, and Hays were working in the churchyard. Hays had his shirtsleeves rolled up and the muscles in his forearms rippled as he sawed. He was listening intently as Papa spoke about his work as a missionary in the early years, when Minnesota was still a territory, before he had met Mama. Neither man noticed Emma’s approach.
“I always knew what I wanted, even back then,” Papa said. “Emma’s a lot like me in that way.”
“I admire her determination,” Hays said. “I have a feeling she accomplishes everything she sets her mind to.”
Papa paused, a rueful smile on his face. “I have a feeling you’re quite similar.”
“I usually don’t have a problem getting what I want, if that’s what you mean.”
Papa laughed. “That’s exactly what I mean, but I sense you’ve met your match.”
“I have, indeed.” Hays glanced up then and a smile lit his blue eyes.
Papa also looked in her direction. “Hello, Em.”
“Are those Mama’s cookies?” David asked, reaching for one.
“Yes.” Emma extended the tray.
Papa also took one. “I married Mrs. Longley before I knew how good her cookies were. I would have married her simply for that reason alone.”
Hays laughed, but Emma had heard the joke so many times, all she could do was smile.
She set the tray on a finished table and duly admired their work. “Mama is roasting a chicken for supper. You’re invited to stay, Hays.”
“Will you?” David asked. “Could you show me how to lasso? Could I help with the spring roundup if I know how? Do you think I could learn how to brand the cattle, too? Mr. Bowie said I—”
“That’s enough, son.” Papa set his hand on David’s shoulder. “Let’s let Hays answer the first question before you ask him another.”
Hays finished chewing a bite of cookie. “If Mrs. Longley’s roasted chicken is as good as her sugar cookies, I’d be a fool not to stay.”
“Her chicken is good.” David rubbed his belly.
“Emma is lucky her mama taught her everything she knows,” Papa added.
“Are you a good cook?” Hays asked Emma.
“My food is passable.”