Several dayslater on Sunday morning, Greg woke up at sunrise and rushed to finish his chores. He didn’t have much to do on Sundays because his dad insisted it be a day of rest. But he had plans fortoday.
After cleaning up after the horses and checking the crops, he hurried back to the house. He washed up and slipped into a fresh pair of jeans then hurried into thekitchen.
“You’re done early,” his dad said as he peered at him over the Sundaypaper.
“I was thinking that maybe I could take Daisy horseback riding today.” Greg’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited for his father’sresponse.
“Remember what I said about her?” his dadasked.
“Yeah. But it’s just a ride. Nothing more,” Gregassuredhim.
“Make sure it stays that way and be back in time forsupper.”
“Yes, sir.Thankyou.”
The front door opened. The patter of several pairs of feet sounded in the entryway. River, Meadow, and Andy filed in with Daisy coming in last. She’d changed into a flowing paisley romper. A crown of purple wildflowers decorated her golden brown hair. His heart stopped. She was so beautiful that he wanted to pull her into his arms and never let go. They hadn’t been able to spend a lot of time together, especially alone, but he planned on changing thattoday.
As they took their places around the kitchen table, he slid into the seat next to Daisy. Andy’s eyebrows knitted together but he moved to the other side of the table and took Greg’susualseat.
Samantha and Aaron joined them as well as their father. Betty walked over with a huge casserole dish filled with eggs and bacon. She placed it on two rooster-shaped trivets before hurrying back to the stove. When she returned, his stomach rumbled at the scent of her sausage gravy. He had no idea how she made it but it was better than any gravy he’deverhad.
She grabbed a tray of biscuits and set it on the table. Then she took the seat next to her husband. She slid her hand into his, then reached for Samantha’s hand. As they all joined hands, Greg reached for Daisy’s. The softness of her skin turned his bear to mush. The creature swooned and begged Greg to claim her. But as he bowed his head for grace, he shook it. As much as he liked her, he couldn’t be too hopeful. She was a free spirit and he didn’t know what it would take to tame her, but hewantedto know. He wanted to know everything about her but he couldn’t do it with her brother always watching and intervening when he tried to talktoher.
“Dear Father,” his dad began. “We thank you for this bountiful table and for bringing these fine people into our lives. May you bless us all with the will to work hard and the strength to get through the harvest. Also, keep my sons safe.” His voice broke. Greg looked up to find his father mashing his lips together as if trying to hold back his emotions. “Just keep my boys safe,Lord.Amen.”
“Amen,”everyonesaid.
“Please pass the biscuits,”Daisysaid.
Greg lunged for them at the same time as River. He all but yanked the tray out of the other man’s hands before turning to offer themtoher.
“Thank you,”shesaid.
After she’d taken a biscuit, he dropped two onto his plate. When he handed the plate back to River, he was rewarded with a dirty look. Greg shrugged and reached for the gravy. He slathered his plate with it before returning the bowl to thetable.
“What does everyone have planned today?” his momasked.
“Meadow and I were thinking of swimming across the lake,”Riversaid.
“It’s a lot wider than it looks,” Greg said betweenbites.
“Maybe we’ll just swim halfway then,”Meadowsaid.
Over the last few days, she’d come around and had finally started helping out. Good thing, because his dad had been ready to kick her out. Then River would have bailed too. He’d turned out to be a pretty good worker and Greg didn’t want to lose theextrahelp.
“What about you Daisy?” his momasked.
“Oh,” Greg said. “I was going to ask if you’d like to come horseback ridingwithme.”
“She’s never ridden before,” Andy said, as if that wouldstophim.
“I’ll teach her how to ride,”Gregsaid.
“That sounds fun,”Daisysaid.
Andy glared but stuffed a piece of bacon in his mouth. Greg hunched over his food and shoveled it into his face. He wanted to get her out of there before she changed her mind. But after scarfing his food, he had to wait another ten minutes until she’dfinished.
He tapped his foot impatiently until his mom caught his eye. She cocked her head to one side and he stopped. Impatience coiled up his spine. He couldn’t wait to get her away fromeveryone.
