Wings of a Dove by Elaine Barbieri Page B

excited at the prospect of having an older sister, but she had learned only too soon that the distance between Sarah and herself was not to be measured in years. It had not taken her long to realize that Sarah was far too interested in herself to have time for anyone else. The small mirror in the corner of the kitchen had gotten more attention from Sarah than any of Mrs. Case's repeated instructions while they prepared supper. The only other person Sarah turned her big green eyes toward with any real interest was Delaney.
        Annoyance tugged again inside Allie. Perhaps that was the reason for Mr. Case's silence and James's unfriendly manner. Sarah was flirting outrageously with Delaney, and Allie supposed the girl's behavior was as much of an embarrassment to her new family as it was to her.
        But Allie knew she could not blame the tension entirely on Sarah. Mother Case's soft reprimand had returned Sarah's eyes to her plate on several occasions, and surely that should have ended the tension. But it hadn't. No, there was something else.
        Allie's throat abruptly closed. Despite all her high hopes, things were not going well in her new home.
        With great determination, Allie raised another forkful of ham to her mouth, slipped it between her lips, chewed, and forced herself to swallow. She had been taught never to waste food, to eat everything on her plate, and to remember that she was fortunate to have had a meal placed before her. In the short time before she had become situated after Mama's death, she had learned her mother's teachings contained true merit. But even that realization could not make her enjoy this food, no matter the love with which it had been prepared.
        ''Allie…"
        Her head snapping up at the sound of her name, Allie met Mrs. Case's smile.
        "I'm sorry if I startled you, dear. I suppose we are all a bit more tired than we realized, and I'm sure neither you nor Delaney slept very well while traveling."
        "Yes, ma'amMother Case." Flushing at the unfamiliar name, Allie added, "I didn't sleep well until… until"
        Stammering to a halt, Allie belatedly realized she could not expect any of the people around this table to understand the fears and sense of displacement she had suffered. Neither could she expect them to understand the consolation Delaney had afforded her by bringing her close to the Lady again. She continued roughly, "Until I realized that I wasn't alone anymore."
        Her brief glance toward Delaney was apparently more revealing than she had intended, and Allie was startled by the low snort of impatience that came from Sarah's fine lips the moment before she spoke. "Mama, do we have to stay at the table? I want to go up to my room. Mrs. Preston told me to finish some papers before school starts again."
        "If the papers have waited this long, dear, I'm sure they can wait until we've put the kitchen in order."
        Glancing sideways at Allie, Sarah shrugged. "I thought Allie was going to do the kitchen work."
        "Sarah!"
        Giving her husband a look that effectively halted his reprimand, Mrs. Case responded quietly, "Yes, Allie will be doing the kitchen workalong with you and me."
        "If Allie helps you, you won't need me, Mama."
        "Perhaps I won't need you, dear, but I will expect you to do your fair share of the work."
        Heavily fringed lids dropping over brilliant eyes, Sarah looked down at her empty plate, adequately rebuked for her behavior.
        Mr. Case's voice broke gruffly into the silence that followed as he drew himself to his feet.
        "The women will take care of the kitchen, Delaney. James will put the cows out into the back pasture while I settle you into your sleeping arrangements. We didn't expect to bring home two children today. I hope you won't find sleeping in the barn loft uncomfortable until we can make other arrangements."
        Delaney's expression barely