“It sort of does—have terrible words. Evidently, I’m to be married and my future bride will be arriving in Eufaula by train at the end of the week.”
Billy gave him a strange look. “Why is that so terrible?”
“I wrote the letter so long ago, I’d almost forgotten about it. She’s a teacher from New York City.”
Billy glanced at his cousin then back at Josiah. “Where is Newyerkzity?”
Josiah chuckled. “I need to pronounce my words better, don’t I? New—York—City.”
Billy repeated it several times, mimicking the inflections in Josiah’s tone until he had it perfect.
“New York City is a very large town on the eastern coast of the United States. By train, it would take five days and nights of constant travel to get there. There are more buildings there than trees here.”
“I don’t think I would like to be in New York City," Summer said.
“I would have to agree with you,” Josiah added. “I like the wide-open spaces where one can see for miles.”
Summer walked to the border of the garden and dug deeper into the edge of the furrow with her toes then glanced with a frown at the house behind him. “If you bring a woman here, you have much work to do by yourself. You need help.”
Josiah twisted his head, frowned at what he saw, and moved over to stand next to Summer. He stared in dismay at the house, trying to see it through his future bride’s eyes. “What was I thinking? I can’t bring a woman here. She will take one look at this place and run screaming back to New York City.”
“Yes, she would.” Summer nodded, staring at the house.
“You don’t have to agree with me so easily. You could tell me there’s hope and she might not mind so very much.”
Summer shook her head and crossed her arms over her thin chest. “I cannot lie, Mr. West. Your home is terrible.”
“Thanks. So, what do you propose I do about it?”
“You are going to need our help.”
Josiah’s brows rose. He hadn’t expected that answer, but was intrigued at what the girl might be thinking. He liked her forthright manner, and she seemed bright. He glanced down at her young cousin. Billy’s face was covered with dirt and held such a hopeful expression. The youngster reminded him of the boy he’d been so long ago, standing on Clay’s doorstep after he’d lost his family.
“I’m listening.” He kept a serious expression on his face, almost giving away his intentions when Billy all but bounced in place. The only thing keeping him on the ground was Summer’s hand on the top of his head. The deadpan expression on Summer’s face as she held her cousin to the ground did him in, and he choked on the laughter as he tried to cover it with a fit of coughing.
Leaning over, he pounded on his chest, trying to stop as the two children watched. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he let out a sigh and cleared his throat. “Sorry. Choked on a bug.”
Summer gave him a condescending stare. “Won’t happen if you keep your mouth closed.”
Josiah pursed his lips, trying not to laugh again. This girl was a treasure. He cleared his throat again. “Duly noted. So, what do you think we should do to make the house presentable? We only have a week to get everything done.”
“He saidwe, Summer. He saidwe!”
“Shush, Billy. I heard what he said.” Summer paced in front of the small house, her thumb and forefinger holding her slightly pointed chin as she studied the structure.
Josiah knew the building was too small. The planks were warped with age, some missing, and the paint had long worn off most of the house. There was only one window that was covered by a disgusting oil cloth. He’d been meaning to tear it off but hadn’t gotten around to it. The house was a box with two rooms. The main living area held a small kitchen that consisted of a counter where he stored a few dishes and canned goods. His cot hugged the far wall, and a door on the west side led to a long, narrow room where he bathed in an old metal tub. Unlike Clay’s and Sophia’s home, his didn’t have plumbed water or any other conveniences, for that matter.
He stepped inside and held the door open for them, but they didn’t move. He met Summer’s narrowed gaze. “I know you don’t know me yet, but I am an honorable man—a preacher actually. I really do need your and Billy’s help, Summer. In exchange for helping me get the house ready for my bride, you can both stay here.” He waited, letting the girl make up her mind to trust him or not.
“You promise?” she asked.
“I do.”
She looked at her cousin then took a tentative step inside. Billy followed. She glanced around and shook her head. “This is not good for a white woman. She cannot live in something like this.”
Josiah pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair, then shoved his hat back on his head, wishing he had time for a quick swim in the river to cool off. The first thing he would do to this house was add a few more windows for air flow. It was stagnant and miserable inside.
“I agree. So, what do you suggest? Remember, we only have one week.”