Page 27 of A Joyful Ring
“I love hand pies, Risa. These look delicious. You’ll have to share your recipe, because your crust looks far flakier than any I’ve achieved.” Mrs. Franklin helped herself to a hand pie filled with meat, onions, and potatoes, as well as gravy left over from the roast dinner Risa had cooked the previous evening.
“Thank you, Mrs. Franklin. I would be quite pleased to exchange recipes.”
The woman offered Risa a warm smile. “Please, call me Gloria. It will be fun to exchange recipes and ideas.”
Risa watched as her father took two of the pies and passed the plate to Gunder, who set one on Risa’s plate before helping himself to two.
In addition to the meat pies, Risa had brought along boiled eggs, a jar of pickles, and one of pickled beets, and fresh tomatoes small enough to eat in a few bites. Gunder had helped her finish picking the tomatoes last Sunday afternoon because her father had been sure it was going to frost soon.Lars had been right, and Risa had been glad she’d managed, with Gunder’s help, to harvest the remnants of the produce in the garden.
For dessert, Risa served buttermilk cake as well as the jam-filled cookies Gunder was ridiculously fond of eating. Today, she’d used huckleberry jam from the berries her father had brought to her in August. He’d been good about bringing her fruit to can and preserve, as well as for them to enjoy eating fresh.
Gunder had been the one who’d arrived yesterday for supper with two big jugs of apple cider that were tart and sweet and refreshing. It was nice to have it to share today with Mrs. Franklin.Gloria, Risa mentally corrected herself.
It wasn’t any wonder her father appeared quite enamored with the woman. She was wonderful, and Risa didn’t feel even the tiniest bit of hesitation about welcoming her into their lives and hearts.
The question would be what her father would do about it.
If Risa had her way, she’d encourage her father to marry the woman and move to Baker City. He could still work for the mine if he chose, but she didn’t see a need for him to do that. She was sure, with King and Prince and their wagon, he could run his own freighting business without ever leaving Baker City. It seemed to her there was a deluge of freight in need of being transferred from one point to another in the bustling town.
Risa would have to decide, if the day arrived when her father was ready to remarry, what she wanted for her future. Either to stay in Lovely andcontinue working at the boardinghouse with Mrs. Baldwin and taking care of the land they’d worked so hard to get and keep, or move to Baker City and find a job there.
The thought of being away from Gunder hardly bore consideration.
As he sat beside her, helping himself to a handful of the jam-filled cookies, his presence radiated not just heat that warmed her, but a sense of welcome and belonging that enveloped her. She loved him and thought he had feelings for her. But what would become of them? Gunder wanted to work with silver, but that seemed like a far-off dream that may never come true. He would need a steady job with a steady income, and right now, the best option for him was working for the mine. She knew he was saving money to buy land for his own shack, but she was also aware of the fact that he sent a portion of everything he made to his parents in hopes of making their lives easier and better.
Gunder Birke was a good man.A great one, her mind corrected. Despite how much she loved him, how good and kind and honest and caring he was, she still had no idea if he was the man for her.
Although Risa had prayed many times for guidance, the only thought that had come to her was to wait. Wait and see.
So she had been, but it wasn’t easy.
Not when she longed for Gunder to take her in his strong arms, and hold her to that broad chest of his, and kiss her with his enticing lips. There were times when he’d look at her with a fire smoldering in those summer sky blue eyes and she could feelher resolve slipping, her determination ebbing. It was in those times when that little voice in her heart would whisperwait.
So she had, and did, and would continue to do so no matter how much she didn’t want to.
“Isn’t that right, Girlie?” her father asked, looking expectantly at Risa.
She’d been so lost in her thoughts she had no idea what had been said or even the topic of discussion.
Gloria smiled understandingly and placed a hand on Lars’ arm. “Your father was saying you and Gunder finished bringing in the last of the garden produce last week. How many quarts of beans did you can this year?”
They discussed garden yield and various plants for a while as they finished drinking their cider. By then, they all knew it was time to say goodbye. Since Gloria was alone, Risa could sense her father’s desire to accompany her home to be sure she arrived safely, but he couldn’t. Not with work awaiting him early in the morning.
Gunder hopped out of the wagonette and held out his hands, swinging Risa down while her father assisted Gloria.
“Are you sure you’ll be safe driving back alone?” Lars asked, sounding concerned.
“Perfectly safe. I have a shotgun under the seat, and a derringer in my pocket.” Gloria spoke sweetly and patted Lars on the cheek, causing Risa to swallow a giggle before it erupted from her.
Gloria might appear every inch a refined lady, but she obviously knew how to take care of herself.She’d likely had to learn, if she hadn’t already known when her husband had passed away.
Risa had enjoyed every moment of the two hours they’d spent together and felt as though she’d made a friend. Gunder’s suggestion for her and Gloria to meet had been a good one that she hoped would open the door to conversations with her father about him pursuing what made him happy instead of worrying about her.
Before Gloria allowed Lars to assist her into her buggy, she turned to Risa. The woman pulled her into a motherly hug that made Risa blink in an effort to chase away her tears. She could picture sitting with Gloria in the kitchen, laughing over the overbearing nature of some men and sharing recipes or confidences.
“I’m so, so glad you invited me today, Risa dear. I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am to finally meet you.”
“I feel the same, Gloria. Thank you for coming.”
