Calico Brides Read Online Free PDF

plenty to eat, even if they are basic dishes.”
    In the morning, Gladys checked the knot on the back of her head—no one wanted hair served with their food—and headed out the door. “I’ll be back after lunch to pick up the food.”
    “I’ll make sure the children leave the baskets alone,” Ma called after her.
    “Thanks, Ma.” As Gladys headed for the diner, she hoped a brisk walk would clear her head of troublesome thoughts of Mr. Keller’s young guest. Instead, her anticipation grew, hoping he might return to the diner while she was at work.
Shame on you, Gladys Polson
. She wanted to engage Mr. Keller, not his guest, with people.
    Even though the walk didn’t take care of her wayward thoughts, it did provide a nice break between the kitchen at home and the kitchen at work. She wasn’t sure which she enjoyed more, cooking a good meal or sewing, especially quilting. Ma said Gladys was practicing for a whole passel of children someday. The only problem was she needed a husband first, and not one of the eligible young men in Calico had ever caught her fancy.
    Her thoughts strayed again to Haydn Johnson. He interested her because he was someone new, that was all. A college graduate and city dweller wouldn’t look twice at a small-town girl like her.
    After lingering during the walk, she sped up to reach the diner on time. As she opened the door to the jingle of the bell, she spotted a familiar profile, head thrown back in laughter. She smiled at the sound.
    Aunt Kate spotted her first. “Come over here and sit a spell.” She winked. “Don’t worry. It counts as work.”
    Since the diner was emptier than usual for this time of day, Gladys took advantage of the offer. “If anyone comes in, I’ll wait on them. Why don’t you join us?”
    “Don’t mind if I do.” Aunt Kate sat down with a
whomp
. “Mr. Johnson—”
    “Haydn, please. And Miss Polson, please, call me Haydn also.”
    “And you may call me Gladys.”
Haydn
. Gladys loved the way his name sounded. She noted with amusement that Haydn was eating the breakfast special. Did Mr. Keller only serve toast?
    “It’s lovely to see you again. I understand you have business with Mr. Keller. How long do you expect to be in town?” Aunt Kate asked.
    Her aunt sounded like a cross between a busybody and a father interrogating a suitor, but Haydn didn’t seem to mind. He pulled his attention away from the newspaper at his elbow. “Do you mind if I take this with me?”
    “Of course not.”
    He folded the paper and tucked it beside his plate. “I expect to remain in town several weeks. We are discussing our arrangement.”
    “Norman always did like a good bargain. He was active in the community when he was younger.” Aunt Kate nodded. “Don’t look so surprised. Something happened with his son that created an estrangement between them. He took it hard, and then when his Minnie died, he took to staying by himself. It was sad. He turned away from the very people God intended to help him through hard times.”

    The food lodged in Haydn’s throat at Aunt Kate’s statement. The only grandfather he had ever known was the aloof and forbidding Old Man, someone who seemed to have no interest in his only son and grandchildren. But perhaps the estrangement could be blamed on both sides. Haydn determined to start thinking of him as “Grandfather.”
    Coughing, Haydn swallowed some water. He took up another spoonful of stew and blew on it, pretending that the heat of the previous mouthful had caused his spasm.
    “How is his health? Is he faring well?” Aunt Kate asked.
    The grandfather Haydn knew wouldn’t welcome that question, not even from his grandson.
    Gladys said, “I confess I wondered the same thing. You will let us know, won’t you, if he could ever use some help?” She smiled.
    “He does have a bad cough. I asked him about sending for the doctor, but he refused.”
    Gladys exchanged a look with her aunt. “I’ll fix chicken soup for