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a soft kiss on the brow before releasing her. Minutes later, the little girl was gone. Doubtless, to share the flower and tale with Mother, maybe even her brothers.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    They arrived at the large home of Bella’s parents in New Rochelle early in the afternoon. Claire was shocked by the size and grandeur of the federal style brick mansion. There was a small stream across the land that divided the shoreline view from the house. In minutes, the wagons were parked diagonally, each open to the breeze off the water. Claire climbed down, looked across to where Henry was helping his wife down. In amazement she watched him step up on the side of the wagon to retrieve little Barney. He had always shown as much aversion for the boy as Claire felt.
    Claire stared, hoping the boy wouldn’t drool over Henry’s best suit, but he quickly handed the child to his wife. Claire welcomed Mary Anne’s small hand in hers as they walked behind their wagon and up to where her father and the boys were unhitching the first team of animals.
    An elderly couple appeared at the big door of the house, then ran down the steps and across the lawn to a small footbridge. Bella raced up her side and they met in the center on top over the stream.
    All the Wimberleys exchanged a warm glance at the heart-felt embraces. Claire couldn’t help it, she snuffled a little as she stepped into her mother’s arms. They folded Mary Anne between their full skirts.
    Henry walked onto the bridge and the three stopped their tearful hugs. Firmly, but politely Bella’s father shook her husband’s hand. From where they stood, they heard Bella’s mother. Her voice sounded just like Bella’s as they welcomed their daughter’s husband home.
    Nervously, as a last thought, Bella introduced her son, but his grandparents were moving away, talking enthusiastically to her about how glad they were to have company.
     
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    Finally, they were all inside. Bella’s parents had insisted that they use the bedrooms instead of the wagons. Father Wimberley and the boys refused the offer, insisting they’d rather be outside near the cattle. One of the maids rushed to show the girls their rooms before rushing back to the kitchen. Claire and Bonnie would share the room beside Bella and Henry. The Wimberleys had a room at the end of the hall. Mary Anne was going to share the bed with Claire and Bonnie.
    The children were in awe of all the beautiful things displayed throughout the house. No wonder Bella seemed driven. She was used to a different kind of life. Before, Claire had felt wealthy. Now she saw that they were merely middle-classed people. But Bella’s father seemed to have an instant rapport with Robert Wimberley. Perhaps it was that Father had owned a factory, or that he was still willing to set out across the country on an adventure. The two men had immediately disappeared into his library to talk about the western frontier.
    There was a little flurry as the cook rushed to prepare food for so many guests. Bonnie and Elizabeth Wimberley volunteered to help in the kitchen, but Mrs. Switzer refused to hear of it. Claire settled in the small parlor with the Lambton’s and Bella’s mother. She was glad when Bonnie and her Mother joined her, although Bonnie looked as though she were sitting on a pile of nettles instead of the lovely horse-hair stuffed sofa.
    Henry looked even more uncomfortable than Bonnie in the room full of women. Claire was disappointed that Father and Bella’s father had excluded him. After a few minutes of being ignored by his wife and mother-in-law, he excused himself to go keep an eye on the children. Of course he didn’t mean Barney. The small boy was sitting big eyed at the foot of his mother, looking from her to his grandmother and back. It made Claire smile, it was so clear he was working it out for himself.
    The two were remarkably similar. Claire knew she looked like her own mother. Well, Mother was a little older and plumper, and