Page 94 of Repentance and Absolution
“’Tis a more formal place to sit with your guests for short visits, rather than bringing them into the sitting room, which is more relaxed,” Carson explained, glancing at me. I think he had some idea that Oscar’s upbringing hadn’t been ideal, but he didn’t know quite how lacking it had been.
“I reckon we ain’t got no need of that. A larger sitting room and a small back room for storage will be fine,” I said.
“Sure enough,” Oscar agreed. He beamed. “My goodness, I’m getting excited. I ain’t never had a proper house before.”
Tim nodded. “Well, this house will have enough room for four people to live comfortably, since one or both of you might want to bring a bride in eventually.”
“Sure,” I said, pretending that was a real possibility.
“I reckon,” Oscar agreed, doing his best not to glance my way.
We wanted to get started as soon as possible. Tim introduced us to the operator of the sawmill, and he said he could get us what we needed to begin as early as the following week. We’d use spruce timber for the framing and oak for the floors. Tim and Carson said they’d use their wagon to bring it out to the homestead when the order was ready.
The amount of work we had ahead of us was intimidating, but t’was thrilling to think of building on to the space we already had. The kitchen had been cozy during the cold weather but had begun to feel claustrophobic and tight, especially whenever we’d had other people come by. The new house would have space for a suitable dining table, so we could have a few folks o’er for a meal on occasion.
Clarence and Irene had told us to invite Tim and Carson for supper at their place on Sunday evening, since that was the only day of the week the saloon was closed. They had accepted, and Oscar and I had to remember to be friends while in company—a tricky prospect since we were used to being ourselves at the Trelawneys’. But the idea of having a relaxed meal with Tim and Carson and giving them something in the way of a thank you for helping us out so much, was very appealing.
* * * *
Clarence and I went hunting and returned with two large geese, which Irene roasted up and served with mashed potatoes and turnip from the cellar. There was fresh butter, thick gravy and wine to drink, which Tim had brought. And for dessert there was a lemon meringue pie, the likes of which I’d never seen in my life. The top of it sloped out of the pie dish in lightly browned peaks of white sugary goodness, and the main part was a tangy yellow lemon curd that set my tongue to dancing.
“Irene, this is the most delicious pie I’ve ever had,” I said. “Where’d you learn to make it?”
Irene smiled, pleased as punch at the praise. “My mother used to make it, and I learned it from her. She was a wonderful baker.” Her smile wavered, as if she were fielding fond memories.
“Well, it’s truly delicious,” Carson said, cleaning the last bit off his plate.
“Would you like another piece, Mr. Moore?” Irene asked.
“Call me Carson, please. And yes, as a matter of fact, I would.”
“Anyone else?” Irene asked, her gaze sliding around the table.
We all raised our hands and Irene laughed. “Well, then. We might as well finish it.”
She sliced up the rest of the pie and served out the pieces. We ate our second helpings with as much gusto as the first ones.
“I can’t finish mine,” Oscar said, setting his fork on the side of his plate. “I’m sorry.”
Tim eyed it. “Do you mind if I have it?”
“Not at all. Glad it won’t go to waste.”
“So’m I,” Tim said. “My goodness, Irene, if I’d known you were such a good cook, I’d have befriended you long ago.”
Irene smiled. “We’ve been a mite too standoffish, I suppose. T’was Jimmy and Oscar who showed us that. And we’re just so glad you and Carson are helping them build their homestead.”
Clarence nodded. “Yes. T’will be nice to have two homes to go back and forth between next winter. And Jimmy can practice his cooking.”
I blushed. “That sounds mighty nice. I’ve never cooked for more’n a couple of people.”
Tim gazed at us with the shiny eyes of someone who’d had a good meal and just enough wine.
“Well, I reckon you two oughta start showing yourselves around town a bit more, now that you’re getting settled. P’raps it’s time to think about bringing a woman home to do all of that for you.” He focused in on Oscar. “You might not be ready, but a man of Jimmy’s age should be thinking about getting married.”
Oscar and I exchanged a glance.
I cleared my throat. “You don’t think I’m too old? I’ll be thirty-seven next month.”
