Robin by Julane Hiebert

need a helpmeet. Had a lovely local young lady destined to become his wife, but she left almost exactly a year ago. Oh, but is he ever going to be surprised today.”
                  Henrietta’s fan sent a spicy waft of cloves in Robin’s direction, and she wrinkled her nose. Cloves always made her nose twitch. Papa would laugh and call her his funny bunny, but it wasn’t at all humorous. Pinching her nose shut was the only way to stop the twitch. An inappropriate gesture, given she was seated beside Henrietta Harvey in church.
    Other than Mrs. Harvey’s rather dated green taffeta, it relieved Robin to observe that most women in the congregation were dressed in a similar fashion as she. And her pearl buttons were less showy than most. She must remember to thank Emma. Mama would be pleased to know she’d not made a spectacle of herself . You must be careful, daughter. One can draw attention from both directions, you know. It’s important you not appear aloof, nor one to be pitied. There’s no need to cause others to feel uncomfortable for you.
                  Oh for goodness sake, Margaret — Papa would reply — let the girl be. All little birds preen now and again . Happy memories of her papa squeezed Robin’s heart. She’d not preen, to satisfy Mama. But would Ty notice?
    “I do declare”—Henrietta elbowed Robin’s rib—“the preacher’s in for the surprise of his life today. Why, I can hardly wait. Oh, here comes John and that . . . that boy.” Henrietta scooted her hip against Robin, forcing her closer to the end of the bench. “I do hope John remembered to wash the child’s hands.”
                  Albert leaned across his mother and gave Robin a wan smile as Jacob climbed across his feet and scrunched between her and Henrietta.
                  Robin returned the smile . Poor Albert. He looks every bit as miserable as I feel . She patted Jacob’s knee. Henrietta’s full skirt nearly hid the poor tyke.
    Jacob wiggled into position to face her and his elbow poked into her hip. “Is it over, yet?”
                  Robin laid her finger on his lips and shook her head.
                  “This is the day the Lord has made.” A familiar voice broke the hush.
                  Henrietta motioned for her to stand with the congregation as they chorused in unison “We shall be glad and rejoice in it.”
                  Robin’s breath caught, and tears clouded her eyes when they locked onto Ty Morgan’s face.
                  “How come Ty talked?” Jacob’s words seemed to bounce from the walls.
                  “ Psst . ” Henrietta tugged on her skirt.
                  Robin’s knees shook and she sat with a plunk.
                  “For pity sakes, girl. If you don’t know what to do, follow what everyone else is doing. And keep that child quiet. Hasn’t he ever been in a church before?” Henrietta shook Jacob’s shoulder.
                  Robin sat Jacob on her lap and gave the woman a withering stare . How dare she touch this child in such a rude manner?
                  She should have known. Ty as the preacher explained a lot of her questions the past two weeks. His efforts to win Jacob’s trust. Their long talks after the boy was in bed—the words he spoke and the words he left unspoken. Had she imagined what those words were and what they meant? What she dreamed might be attraction for her was nothing more than a preacher fulfilling his obligation. Call it what you like . . . in reality it was pity. She bit her lower lip in an effort to control a sob. How could she have been so confused? Was she so eager to be loved and accepted that she mistook a preacher’s kindness for affection?
                  “I don’t like that lady,” Jacob pointed at Henrietta, but at least he managed to whisper this