Fairer than Morning Read Online Free PDF Page B

outstretched for alms.
    Her father turned his face toward her. “I will have to go to Pittsburgh again next week.”
    The familiar frisson of dread ran through her. “Why?”
    â€œMrs. O’Hara wants me to make a new saddle for her and personally check its fit while I am there.”
    â€œI can’t imagine the money that family has, to be able to pay you for such journeys.”
    â€œWell, for the heir to Pittsburgh’s greatest fortune, such things are not as significant.”
    â€œBut I would be alone here! What if something happens to you while you’re gone?”
    He sighed. “We cannot fight this battle again. I must go. The money for the O’Hara saddles runs our farm for a year. We must trust God to protect all of us when we are apart.”
    She did try to trust in Providence, and she did find some solace in the psalms during the nights her father was gone. But God had not protected the life of her mother, and Ann was still afraid.
    With her father, however, she must take a less painful line of reasoning. “Why do the O’Haras choose you? Why can’t they hire the man who does the leather?”
    â€œI don’t know. Perhaps because when I lived in Pittsburgh, he supplied the leather and I did the work.”
    â€œBut why does it matter so much? There must be saddlers in Pittsburgh who could do it.”
    â€œI don’t know. Sentiment, I suppose. Mrs. O’Hara didn’t commission me when I first moved out here. Not until after her husband died.”
    â€œPlease,” Ann said. “Let me come with you this time.”
    Her father raised his eyebrows. “And what will we do with the girls?”
    â€œBring them along.”
    â€œThat will be arduous,” her father said. “You think we can bring such young girls by stage and by steamboat for days?”
    â€œI will assume responsibility. I can entertain them.”
    â€œAnd who will care for the farm?”
    Ann thought quickly. “James Murdoch. He has enough brothers—his father could spare him. We could pay him from your profit; he would be glad of the money. And really, he would only have to look after the animals. There won’t be much more to do until the thaw.”
    Her father fell silent and stared ahead at Bayberry’s haunches. When he glanced sidelong at Ann, his eyebrows resumed their natural position. “Very well then. Perhaps just this once. On one condition.”
    â€œWhat is that?”
    â€œYou must do your best to enjoy yourself and to be sociable to any appropriate young men we meet. I will undertake the expense of this trip in part out of hope that you will be more amenable to the social pursuits of a large city.”
    â€œI will try.” That was the best she could do. The city would not offer a better man than Eli.
    But then the thought of the journey brought a rush of exhilaration, and she put her hand through the crook of her father’s arm. “Thank you, Father.”
    He smiled.
    She could hardly believe it. Soon she would see the city and its fine buildings, scores of shops, steamboats crowding the rivers—all the things her father had described to her. Her spirits lifted as the wagon jostled along the road. A journey to Pittsburgh was enough to take her mind off lost love.
    Enough, that is, until Eli walked into the Murdochs’ barn, where couples were already whirling and skipping through the steps of a country dance. Ann perched quietly on one of the chairs that circled the edge of the barn, her burgundy skirt pooling in stiff folds where it touched the floor. She had already danced once with James Murdoch to satisfy her father, but then politely declined a second dance. She held a warm glass of cider and watched the others.
    Eli and Phoebe lingered in the open double door, glowing with fun and good health in the cool afternoon light. Eli put a gentle hand on Phoebe’s shoulder, and Ann fought to keep