think that something dreadful must have happened to Pierre’s father.
She smiled at the boy. Sometimes she wondered if he thought the same. But, of course, she would not discuss her fears with him. Having learned her lesson by openly speculating about everything with everyone, she now worked very hard to keep her opinions to herself. They didn’t know what had happened to Pierre’s father, and though Flora could not imagine him willingly leaving his son, she wouldn’t invite trouble to where it didn’t exist.
As they reentered the camp, Pierre let go of George’s hand, moving closer to the edge of Flora’s skirts. She looked in the direction of the cabin the ministry used and understood why. Sarah Crowley was headed their way, and the expression on her face said that she had a bee in her bonnet.
“Hello, Sarah.” Flora greeted her warmly, as though she hadn’t done anything wrong. Which was true—as far as Flora knew, she hadn’t.
“I wondered when you’d get back from your lollygagging. You’re supposed to help get firewood tonight.”
“I’m sorry,” Flora said calmly. “I thought I was on the schedule for tomorrow. Pastor Lassiter knew we were taking Pierre through the mine area to see if Pierre recognized anyone, or anyone recognized him.”
She kept her tone modulated, pleasant, trying not to match Sarah’s irritation.
“Maureen got sick. Had you been here, you’d know that. It’s about time you pulled your weight.”
Rose came around the corner and noticed them speaking. Flora hated that Rose always had to step in and take up for her, especially since it only seemed to make people like Sarah angrier.
“I apologize.” Flora gave her a sympathetic look. “Hopefully we’ll find Pierre’s father soon.”
“Was your expedition successful?” Rose asked as she joined them.
“I’m afraid not,” Flora said, looking down at Pierre. “But George did run into a gentleman named Peanut who is going to help him look into some things.”
“George? Peanut?” Sarah gave her a cold look. “It seems you’re becoming all too familiar with these people.”
“Who we’re here to serve,” Rose reminded her. “I’m glad to see you’re making friends here, Flora.”
Then Rose turned to the gentlemen and smiled. “It’s a pleasure to have you here. Peanut, is it? I’m Rose Jones.”
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am. I’m honored to be among the likes of you. Some church people brought us some warm blankets over the winter, and I am mighty grateful for the kindness you’ve all done us.”
Rose smiled at him. “I hope you’ll join us for dinner tonight. I know Pastor Lassiter would love to meet you.”
The bashful look Peanut gave Rose warmed Flora’s heart. Until recently, Flora would have been like Sarah, counting men like George and Peanut “those people” and not wanting to associate with them. She would have served them dinner and counted it her Christian duty, and that was that. But there was more to these men than just the label society put on them.
How could Sarah see that, though, when she’d never taken the time to get to know them?
Flora turned to Sarah and smiled. “I know I need to get to collecting the wood, but before I go, I’d like to invite you to sit with us tonight. It occurred to me that perhaps the reason you are so frustrated with me and the situation is that you don’t know George and Pierre. I’m sure you’ll find them delightful company, and I would so love to catch up with you. It’s been forever since we’ve talked, and I’ve been rude in not asking you about all of your news.”
Sarah looked at her as though she’d rather share her dinner with a dead rat, but Rose smiled at her encouragingly.
“What a wonderful idea. Uncle Frank was just telling me that he wished the young ladies in our group would make a greater effort to get to know one another and build better relationships. You two used to be best friends. Surely you can put whatever quarrel occurred between you aside to share a meal.”
There had been no quarrel. That was the sad part. When Flora’s torment of Emma Jane Jackson reached its peak, and the rest of society turned on Flora, Sarah simply stopped receiving her. They hadn’t had so much as a conversation until coming to this camp, and even now it was all about what Flora was doing wrong.
Still, Flora remembered Rose’s earlier words about how she should offer an olive branch to everyone she’d wronged. Flora had tried with Sarah, but Sarah had never given her an audience. Perhaps this was the opening she needed.
“I believe it’s my turn to serve the meal,” Sarah said coldly.
“Oh!” Rose smiled. “I’d be pleased to do so in your place. Take the night off. Spend some time visiting with Flora.”
Sarah murmured an acceptance, but her eyes flashed fire. For a moment, Flora regretted asking her, but then she remembered that she was called to be a peacemaker, and she was doing her very best.
“Now that we have that settled,” Flora said, trying to sound pleasant, “I have some wood to gather.”
She bent and told Pierre that they were going to collect some wood, and that he needed to remain close to her.
As Flora turned to go toward the area where they collected wood, George said, “Shall we come help?”
Sarah smirked, like she thought poorly of the idea but knew Flora would accept.
“Yes,” Peanut said. “I’d like to contribute somehow. I can carry firewood.”
Rose smiled broadly. “Very nice. I love the spirit of everyone coming together. I think I’ll join you, as well. Sarah, would you like to come?”
Would it be awful of Flora to say that she’d rather not have Sarah? Yes, she’d done the hard task of inviting Sarah to sit with them during dinner, and she’d be kind and polite to the other woman. But it seemed like more punishment to be continually working with Sarah.
“I need to check on Maureen,” Sarah said, a smile on her face but ice in her eyes. “As well as let the others know that I found Flora and she’ll be attending to her duties tonight.”
“All right then,” Rose said. “We’ll see you at dinner.”
From the murderous look on Sarah’s face, she wasn’t too happy at the prospect. Knowing Sarah, she’d find a way out of the task, if at all possible.
But at least Flora had tried.
Rose reached forward and squeezed Flora’s hand. “You did well. I know it was hard for you to make the overture, but it was the right thing to do.”
George nodded. “I was impressed. The friendship is her loss, not yours.”
She shouldn’t have been so pleased at George’s compliment. But the way he looked at her made her want to stand a little taller. He was the most honorable person she knew, and it felt good to have his support.
If only they didn’t come from two different worlds.
