Page 60 (2/2)

Leif’s horse, Rusalka shifted her weight in impatience She was another fancy Sandseed horse Her saddle bulged with tablecloths I untied the packages and re off to find Quartz and Moonlight

Leaving the saddle for Leif to put away, I carried the large bundle of tablecloths into the house Kade and Leif followed I dumped them on the kitchen table, and Mother tsked over the wrinkled hed "If only poor dead Opal were here to iron these"

Shocked, Leif looked from inned "Leif is speechless A If only poor dead Opal were here to enjoy it"

I swatted him "Don’t you start" And before Leif could add a comment, I ordered him outside "Go, pick up your saddle and take Kade with you"

In high spirits, they left They could be jolly They didn’t have to iron a stack of linen tablecloths MyI set up the board and started the first of--no doubt, many--punishments from my mother

"What did you do to your hair?" Mara asked

"Nice to see you, too," I grumped "I’ over a hot iron all afternoon" I eyed her golden curls Even sweaty and dirty frolass factory with our father, she still looked radiant

I waited for the faht hair and dark brown eyes were no comparison to her beauty My athletic build almost boylike next to her curves However, the envy failed to poke h me This lovely lady was ly It had always been th," she said as if I hadn’t just growled at her "It won’t ruin my special surprise"

I couldn’t stay annoyed with her for long Never could Besides, all this preparation and as for her and I shouldn’t be difficult After I finished with the ironing,room table for supper I helped with the silverware and noticed she s One short I skidded to a halt when I realized she had done it on purpose Poor dead Opal didn’t need a plate

Closing my eyes for a moment, I debated if I should just eat in the kitchen But I had endured et through the next few days I added another plate

Ahir and my father arrived just as the hot dishes were ready to be served Their sense of ti never failed, and I wondered if they s do flow of voices, content to listen to the plans and Leif’s appreciative noises over the roasted duck It was delicious as always

"…hope the weather holds out," Mara said "Rain would turn the courtyard into ain the factory," affer’s benches--"

"Don’t be ridiculous, Jaymes," Mother said "I have more of that oiled cloth We’ll make sides like a tent and keep the rain out"