Page 20 of Mail Order Moonlight

“Don’t. The two of them belong together.” Everyone started to gather at the table then, but Alice couldn’t quit thinking about what her sister had said. Maybe Sarah wasn’t someone she should be jealous of. Perhaps she should pray for her marriage instead.

Just thinking the words, had her reaching over to Albert and squeezing his hand. He glanced over at her and smiled before leaning over and kissing her cheek.

Lewis groaned. “You two need to find somewhere private if you’re going to get like that with each other.”

“Isn’t this the privacy of my father’s home?” Albert asked.

By the time the meal was over, and Alice had helped Susan with the dishes and accepted a bowl of leftovers for their supper, Alice realized that she needed to stop worrying about what Sarah did. As far as she was concerned, Sarah was just a girl who couldn’t seem to find happiness. She deserved her pity, nothing more.

Once home, Alice put the food into the ice box and smiled at her husband. “That was a lovely meal. I love how Susan and your pa just let us eat with them whenever we like.”

“We’re all one big happy family here,” Albert said.

“How long was Susan married to your pa before you decided to accept her as your stepmother?”

He shrugged. “Within a few weeks, I was resigned to the fact that I was stuck with her, no matter how I felt about it. I think it was when she was expecting her oldest that I realized she was there to stay, and there was nothing I could do about it, so I needed to make the best of it. That’s when Lewis and I slowed way down on the pranks. I can’t say that we stopped entirely, because that would be a lie, but we went to one or two a week from four or five a day. Susan was happy, but so were we.”

“I’m glad you became part of our family, so I could end up married to you. I think I’m right where I need to be.”

He gathered her to him and just held her for a moment. “I think so too.”

Chapter Eight

As soon as Albert left for work on Tuesday morning, Alice hurried to do her daily baking. Once her bread was punched down and rising for the second time, she got ready to leave for Susan’s house, washing her face, and tidying her hair. She was making certain to look nicer for this get together at Susan’s than she had for church on Sunday. It helped that her new Sunday dress was finished, and she could wear it for the first time. She’d just pressed it the night before.

Alice wasn’t quite certain why she felt the need to prove herself to Sarah, but she did. She wanted to be as perfect as the other girl looked—or at least come across that way. God knew she was as far from perfect as a woman could get.

As she walked to her sister’s house, she smiled, thinking of the beautiful new curtains she’d be working on during their sewing time. It would be fun as well as informational as she got to know the other ladies, and hopefully became friends with them.

When she arrived, Susan was just sitting down to lunch with her children that weren’t in school. “Join us for lunch!” Susan called, and it was only then Alice realized she’d forgotten to eat.

“I’m so nervous about this sewing party that I almost forgot to do my daily baking, and I did forget to eat lunch.”

“There’s no reason to be nervous. My friends will love you.” Susan looked her up and down. “Is that your new Sunday dress?”

“It is. Do you think it’s all right?”

“I think it’s beautiful,” Susan replied. “You know, I have three or four other dresses that are in perfect condition you may want to take. As soon as I started having babies, I stopped wearing dresses that were fitted to me, and since you’re the same size I was, these should suit you perfectly.”

“Would I seem like a beggar if I said, ‘Yes, please,’ to that kind offer?” Alice asked with a smile.

“Not at all.”

Alice sat down and reached for some of the pot pie on the table. “Did you make this?”

Susan laughed. “Are you kidding? I spent the morning trying to teach Annabelle to go in the potty instead of in her panties.”

“How’d that work out?” Alice asked, taking a big bite of the meal. “This is good!”

“Mrs. H is a fabulous cook. I always thought I was good, but she puts me to shame, and I have let her cook more and more over the years. When I first got here, I insisted on sharing the cooking duties. Now, I may cook once a month, when I’m hungry for something Ma used to make. But I’m always well-fed.” Susan patted her middle, which wasn’t nearly as big as it should be after so many babies. At least not in Alice’s opinion.

“You’re still absolutely beautiful,” Alice said. “Why does blond hair look so beautiful on you, but so boring on me?”

Susan laughed, shaking her head. “Because you don’t think enough of yourself. You’ll get there. How are things going between you and Albert?”

“I think we’re doing well. I haven’t burned supper yet, and he hasn’t been on time to supper yet.”

“That’s typical. Men get involved in their work and forget to go home on time. Don’t let that bother you.”

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