The Work and the Glory by Gerald N. Lund Page B

What if Lydia’s mother comes out to help you? You might need someone in there to keep her occupied.”
    Joshua frowned. That hit closer to the truth than he wished. There was always the chance Lydia’s father or mother would be working behind the counter. And Lydia’s mother was as sour as cider left too long in the cellar, particularly when one Joshua Steed hovered too long around her daughter.
    “Tell you what, Nathan,” Joseph said, making as if to get down. “I’ll take her pa and keep him busy. You hog-tie her mother down. That way Joshua’ll get to at least say hello to that young lady he fancies.”
    Joshua flushed, and waved them off. “I’ll get by,” he growled.
    He shook his head as they laughed and Nathan clucked at the mules. Was his eagerness to see Lydia so transparent? Not that it would change things much if it was. It had been almost three weeks since the day he had come in to get supplies and to meet Joseph and Hyrum and bring them back to the farm. Twice in that time his father had come to the village, leaving the boys to work in the fields. Both times Joshua had volunteered to go in his stead, hinting as broadly as he dared, but as usual his father paid no attention and went himself. But today there was a wagonload of wheat seed to get, and a light rain that morning had left the fields too wet to work. So Hyrum Smith had gone home to work at the Smith farm, and Joshua, Nathan, and Joseph were sent for seed while Benjamin cut planking for the new smokehouse.
    Now, as Joshua watched Nathan and Joseph drive off, he shook his head again. Good thing his father didn’t know about his real motives for coming to town. Being a New Englander through and through, Benjamin Steed had a farmer’s basic mistrust of highbred city folk, and somehow Joshua knew his father would not approve of his burning interest in Lydia McBride.
    Taking a quick breath, Joshua turned and went inside. But his anticipation was quickly dashed. The only person in the store was Lydia’s mother. A prim woman with a pinched mouth and tiny, fluttering hands, she was polite but cool. There was nothing Joshua could do but give her the list of the items his mother had requested. He was back out on the steps in less than five minutes, keenly disappointed. It was mid-April, and with the weather warming fast now, that meant plowing and planting time. It would likely be another two or three weeks before he got a chance to come in again.
    Glumly he walked to the edge of the boardwalk, set the box of supplies down, and settled in to wait for Joseph and Nathan.
    “Why, Mr. Steed, I didn’t know you were in town.”
    Joshua stumbled to his feet with a sudden leap of joy. Lydia was coming down the walk in company with two other young girls of the same age. They were all dressed in Sunday best, their bustle skirts rustling as they walked, parasols twirling merrily.
    Joshua swept off his hat, nodding quickly. “Afternoon, Miss Lydia.” He bobbed his head at the others, barely taking his eyes off Lydia’s face. “Good afternoon.”
    The girls curtsied, suppressing giggles behind the lowered lashes.
    “Joshua Steed, these are my best girlfriends. Miss Elizabeth Ann Rowley and Miss Mary Beth Beesley.”
    “How do you do, Mr. Steed?” Joshua felt his face flushing again as they held out their hands, appraising him with unabashed openness. Then with knowing smiles they excused themselves and hurried away, glancing back over their shoulders and tittering as they went.
    Lydia watched them for a moment, half embarrassed, half amused, then turned up her head and smiled at him, a dazzling smile that revealed the even whiteness of her teeth. “I’m pleased to see you again, Joshua.”
    “Me too.” He stopped, aware of how foolish he must look and sound. He looked down at the box. “We had to come in for some seed and things,” he finished lamely.
    Just then the sound of a wagon caught his attention. He turned around, frowning. It was Nathan