Seasons of Sugarcreek 02. Spring's Renewal by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

to. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t completely erase the feeling that had floated over her when he’d looked her way…like he knew more than he was saying.

Chapter 12
     
    “This is my postcard,” Anson said proudly at dinner on Monday evening. “Each of us got one. Mine has a cowboy on the front.”
    Carrie craned her neck to better look at the picture. It was difficult task; Anson kept moving it out of her reach, making the postcard look as precious as gold.
    Tim sipped his iced tea while Anson played a game of “keep away” with the postcard, holding it higher and higher over his plate until it looked as though Carrie would surely fall into his dinner, she was contorted so much.
    Caleb frowned. “Enough, Anson. It’s only a postcard. Stop making Carrie think it’s something special.”
    “But it is,” Anson fired back. “I’m going to write this man in Wyoming and he’s going to write me back. I’m gonna get mail, just like Cousin Tim.”
    Before Tim could say anything about that, Caleb spoke. “Tim is a lot older and has family members to write to.”
    “Well, I want a pen pal. And Miss Slabaugh says I’m gonna get one, too.”
    “This is no cause to argue,” Elsa said from her spot down at the end of the table. “Now I think we should all agree to look forward to hearing what Anson’s new Wyoming friend will have to say, then move on to something else.”
    “He’s not a ‘friend,’” Caleb pointed out somewhat peevishly. “He doesn’t even know the person. He wouldn’t know that person if he walked right up and knocked on our door.”
    “Enough, Caleb,” Frank commanded. “I’ve heard all I want to about your views on this. Now, let me tell you all about the latest delivery we had at the store today.”
    As the conversation moved on to things about the store, Judith leaned close to Tim. “Oh, these kids. Sometimes they really do drive me crazy.”
    “Don’t know why,” Tim said with a smile.
    She chuckled.
    “What are you laughing about?” Caleb demanded.
    “You,” Judith replied. “One day you’re going to need to curb your tongue.”
    “You shouldn’t be laughing at me.”
    “I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at the noise at this table,” she explained. “I can only imagine what Cousin Tim writes to his folks about.”
    “I thought you only wrote to your sweetheart,” Anson said.
    “I write to Ruby most of the time. But I like keeping in touch with my parents, too.” Looking at all of them, he added, “And I can promise my letters are not full of complaints. I’m enjoying being part of a big family.”
    “We like having you here,” Elsa said.
    “The farm has never looked better,” Uncle Frank added. “Never before have we had the luxury to have someone spend so much time here fixing things.”
    “I’ve enjoyed helping you,” Tim said. And it was true, he had come to enjoy making his Uncle Frank’s life easier.
    “And we especially like your hard work,” Uncle Frank added. “You’ve done a very good job around here.”
    “Things are looking bright and shiny. Almost new,” Elsa added. “We are grateful.”
    “It’s a good exchange.” Realizing he should keep them informed, Tim said, “I should probably let you know that I asked Ruby Lee to come for a visit. I don’t know if she’ll accept, but I didn’t think you’d mind, especially since you offered an invitation to her earlier.”
    Judith’s eyes lit up. “That would be exciting if she came.”
    “Yes, indeed,” Aunt Elsa said. “Did you recently write to her?”
    “I did.”
    “Well, now we’ll all have a reason to look forward to the mail; yes, everyone?”
    Anson grinned. “ Jah .”
    “Now, then, let’s all finish up and help the girls clear the table.”
    After reassuring Anson that he thought the postcard was a mighty fine one, indeed, Tim picked up three plates and carried them to the kitchen. There, it was Caleb who caught him in conversation.