Page 55 of Always to Remember
The hammers echoed in the distance as the men worked to build the barn, and she compared the staccato beat to the steady rhythm Clay used to hammer the stone. She knew she should enjoy the sound of men working together on a common project, but she longed to hear the solitary strains that one man produced as he worked alone, expecting no praise for his efforts.
She glanced at the long table of desserts. Watching desserts held no appeal. She’d rather watch Clay.
Yesterday, when she told him she planned to spend the day at the Wrights’ farm, he merely nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. They both knew the need for willing hands to build a barn did not include his.
She wondered if he had begun cutting the stone at dawn—or had he waited? Kirk’s shoulders were a visible silhouette in the stone now. She wondered if he’d work down to Kirk’s waist first or carve her shoulders.
The desserts weren’t going anywhere. She could sneak away for a few hours, and no one would notice. She’d just peek inside the shed and see how much progress he’d made—
“Hello, Meg,” a solemn male voice said, vibrating behind her.
Spinning around, she stared at Kirk, her heart thumping so loudly she no longer heard the distant hammers. He had the same blond hair, but deep crevices resembling furrowed fields touched the corners of his blue eyes. He appeared much older and more mature. His beard, darker than his hair, was thick. Not at all the way she’d envisioned it.
“I don’t know if you remember me,” he said. “I’m Kirk’s cousin, Robert.”
She felt her breath rush out and pressed her hand to her throat. “Of course. We met at the wedding.” Against her will, her gaze flitted to his empty sleeve.
“Left my arm at Shiloh,” he said with a sad smile that implored her not to pity him.
With tears in her eyes, she tilted her chin and returned his smile. “But you’re safe now, and that’s all that matters.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt his arm go around her waist. “You reminded me of Kirk,” she whispered in a raw voice.
“I’m sorry he didn’t come home.”
Releasing her hold, she wiped away her tears. “So many didn’t. None of the young men who went with Kirk returned. It’s left so many fathers without sons, wives without husbands, and children without fathers. We’re extremely grateful for those who did come back.”
“Yeah, well, nothin’s the same. That’s for damn sure.” He blushed. “Pardon my language.”
“How’s your farm? It was somewhere north of Austin, wasn’t it?”
“It was, but I didn’t have the money to pay the taxes on it, so I had to give it up. Came here to help my uncle with his farm.”
“Are you living with Kirk’s parents then?”
“With that mean-spirited mother of Kirk’s? No, ma’am. I’d rather be in a Union prison than inside the walls of their house when she gets a bee in her bonnet. I’m living with Mama Warner.”
“I visited her recently. She didn’t tell me you were there.”
“I’ve only been here a few days, and she didn’t know I was coming until I showed up on her doorstep. She told me you frequently stop by. I was looking for you.”
He uttered his words with such sincerity that Meg almost wept.
“I hope my being there won’t stop you from coming by to see Mama Warner,” he said. “She enjoys your company.”
Meg knew Mama Warner enjoyed any company since her legs had grown weak and she was confined to her house. “Of course I’ll continue to visit. I love her dearly. She seems to understand people so well.”
“Reckon that’s because she’s met such an odd assortment during her life. I wasn’t going to come here today. Didn’t figure a man with one arm could do much to help build a barn, but then she did some low talking—”
“Low talking?” she asked.
He spread his lips in a smile so similar to Kirk’s that Meg wanted to touch her fingers to each corner of his mouth.
“Yeah, when she wants to impart some wisdom on you to ponder, she talks low so you have to strain to hear her. Guess she figures that way you’re paying attention.”
“It must work. You’re here.”
“Yeah, but I haven’t figured out what I can do to help.”
“Well, if you’re up to the excitement, you can help me watch the desserts.”
