gave a wry smile. “I will admit that there is still much work to be done in that area. But the numbers in our church are growing, and our Mary is married to the finest deputy I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I’m confident that soon, you won’t find a safer place to live than Leadville.”
Mrs. Garrett gave a snort. Whether it was out of genuine disbelief at the state of the town, or a refusal to consider that Leadville wasn’t as bad as she wanted to believe, he didn’t know, but it was a good reminder that she would be ill-inclined to see anything positive when it meant not getting her own way.
The conversation came to a lull, with the only sound the clinking of forks and knives on plates. Maddie had outdone herself, high praise considering her meals were always delicious. The tender chicken hardly needed a knife to cut it, and the flaky biscuits melted in Silas’s mouth.
The front door opened, and Evelyn, Rose’s younger sister, entered, followed by the rest of the Stone children, Helen, Daniel, Bess and Nugget.
Evelyn paused when she noticed the family at dinner. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”
“It’s all right, Evelyn, come in.” Frank gave a welcoming smile. “What brings you all here?”
“Could I speak with Maddie in the kitchen, please?” Evelyn said, twisting her hands as she spoke.
Nugget pushed in front of her. “Mary’s baby is coming!”
“Nugget!” Milly jumped out of her seat and ran toward the other girl, wrapping her arms around her. “You come to pway wif me?”
Milly’s words seemed to be all the encouragement the rest of the Stone children needed to incite chaos in the otherwise calm dining room. Everyone began talking at once, and when Silas glanced over at Mrs. Garrett, her face was turning redder than the cherries in the pie Maddie had waiting on the sideboard.
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