Love comes softly Read Online Free PDF Page B

speak. Ya don't need to apologize fer askin' fer what ya be a needin', both fer yerself an' fer Missie. We've never been fancy but we try an' be proper."
    He pushed back from the table after his long speech, and stood silently for a moment, as if sorting out in his thinking if there was anything else that he should tell her.
    "We has a couple a good milk cows a milkin' at present an' another due with an' off-season calf, so we have all the milk an' butter we be needin'.
    "There's a good team of horses an' a ridin' horse too, iffen ever ya want to pay a visit to a neighbors. Ma Graham be the closest, an' she's 'bout as good company as anybody be a wantin'. I think ya'll find her to yer likin' even if she be a lot older than you.
    "Most of my field work is done fer the fall, but I do have me a little breakin' I aim to do yet, iffen winter holds off awhile. First, though, I plan to spend a few days helpin' one o' the neighbors who ain't through yet. He got 'im a slow start. Plan to go over there today-- Jedd Larson-- an' give 'im a hand. I'll be asked to stay to dinner with 'em so won't be home 'til chore time. Ya can make yerself to home an' you an' Missie git to know one another like, an' maybe we won't have anymore of those early mornin' fusses."
    He turned to Missie then and swung her up easily into his arms.
    "Ya wanna come with Pa to git ole Dan an' Charlie?"
    She assented loudly and the two set off for the barn.
    Marty stirred herself. No more early mornin' fusses. That was his only reference to the incident. He hadn't seemed to pay much heed at the time, but, she reflected, maybe it had bothered him more than he let on.
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    She began to clear the table. Clark had said so much that it seemed difficult to sort out at one time. She'd shelve it for now and draw on it later as she had need. She began to make plans for her day.
    She'd scout around and find a tub to heat water and then wash clothes and blankets as she had hoped she could. Maybe she'd be able to find a needle and thread and do the much needed repair work as well.
    By the time she had started on the dishes, Clark was back to deposit Missie, working to detach her clinging arms. Missie had by now become used to going everywhere with her pa, and it wasn't going to be easy for the first while to make her understand that things would be different now.
    After Clark had left and Missie had finally ceased her crying, Marty put away the last of the dishes and set to work cleaning the stove. That done, she swept up the floor and felt ready to turn to her own plans for the day.
    She had never had much practice at keeping a real house, but she was determined that she would do a good job of it. Clark was never going to be embarrassed about the home that he lived in as long as she was earning her way. As soon as she had her own things in order, she'd turn her attention to the house, which had been a bachelor's quarters for too long. Even though Clark had been better than most in keeping things up, still it wasn't as a woman would have it. Just give her a few days. She'd have things in order.
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    Chapter 5
    Iffen I Can Jest Stick It Out . . .
    By late afternoon Marty had finished washing everything that belonged to her and some of Clark's and Missie's clothes as well. The day was much cooler than the previous one, she thought with relief. She couldn't have tolerated another one like that. This felt more like mid-October, even if it was still a glorious Indian summer day.
    Marty looked out toward the west. Far beyond the rolling hills the blue mountains rose in majesty. Was it from here that Clark was seeking the help of his God?
    The trees along the hillside were garbed in yellows and reds. Indeed, many of the leaves were already on the ground or being carried southward by a gusty breeze.
    It was a beautiful scene and how happy she would have been to share it with Clem. If only she and Clem could have had this together. Her heart ached even more than her tired back as she