“Will he know that I’m in love with him?”
“For all their worldly ways, men can be uncertain about things like this, so at the outset, probably not.”
“So, I should stay silent?”
“No two love matches are alike, Val. You’ll know when it’s the right time, and he will, too.”
“That’s not very helpful, Sable.”
Sable laughed. “I’m sorry, but it’s the best answer I can give you. On the other hand, I can’t wait for you to be my sister-in-law.”
Val was enjoying their growing friendship. Sable was honest, hardworking, and devoted to her causes, but to be sisters-in-law, she and Drake would have to marry and Val’s reservations remained. “I’d enjoy being sisters, too, but I’m not so sure I want to marry him, or anyone else for that matter. In the marriages I’ve seen the women aren’t very happy.”
“Not all men rule their wives like angry kings.”
Being around Sable and Rai, and Julianna and Henri, she was beginning to see the truth in that. “Thanks for answering my questions. I do appreciate it.”
“Anytime you need me, I’m here. How are the classrooms coming?” Sable asked, changing the subject.
“They’re almost ready.” Val had been assisting Drake, Hugh, and the workers with the boxcars’ transformation in the evenings. Having no carpentry skills, she made herself useful by hauling old wood, sweeping up, and doing whatever else she was asked. “I haven’t been over there in a few days though. You and I have been so busy.” And they had, crisscrossing the city, helping with food distribution, gathering donations of clothing and blankets from the churches, checking on the children at the orphanage. Val was also teaching Sable’s orphans three mornings a week. Her days were exhausting, but she was proud of the work she was doing and knew her grandmother Rose would be as well.
Sable dropped her off at Julianna’s and Val found Drake sitting in the parlor with his mother. They hadn’t had much time alone since Julianna’s return from Baton Rouge but seeing him always made her light up inside.
“Good evening,cheri. How are you?”
She nodded a greeting at Julianna and replied to him, “Tired.” She collapsed wearily into a chair. “How was your day?”
“It went well. I’ve a surprise for you.”
She thought back to the last time they’d discussed surprises and Reba’s reply came to mind.
“Is it a frog?” she asked, smiling.
He laughed. “No.”
Julianna looked confused.
Drake said, “Ignore her, Mama.” Attention back on Val he replied, “I’d like you both to ride over to my place for a few minutes.”
Julianna asked, “What is this about?”
“Come on. I’ll drive.”
In truth, all Val wanted to do was eat, take a long hot soak in the tub, and sleep, but she followed him and his mother out to the carriage.
The surprise was a glorious one.
The boxcars, sporting a fresh coat of red paint, stood glistening in the late evening sun. White ribbon ending in a large bow graced the doors of both.
“They’re done?” Val asked excitedly, scrambling out of the carriage.
He nodded. “Finished them up late last night. Needed to let all the paint dry before I showed them to you.”
“Thank you!” And she threw her arms around his waist in joy.
Julianna asked, “Can we see inside?”
He withdrew scissors from the pocket of his work trousers and handed them to Val. “You do the honors.”