Free Acts of Courage by Connie Brummel Crook Page B

was Sally and Father’s bedstead, and under it was the little trundle bed that pulled out for Charles. Appy’s large cradle was nearby. The rest of the tent was filled with the family’s everyday needs—a cupboard with cooking utensils and bags and barrels of supplies. The girls’ cots and trunks were housed in a smaller attached tent. A third small tent had been erected for Bett and Sam’s sleeping quarters. On sunny days, Sally and the girls cooked outside at a campfire that Father had set up and, on rainy days, the family ate sandwiches inside.
    Fresh milk was delivered each day by a neighbour boy, Josh. He was the same boy who had helped James move the large trunk, and his father’s farm touched the part of James’s land on which their tent stood.
    Father was trying to reason with Sally. “But you are getting to know people in the area now, and you have Sam and Bett to help.”
    Laura felt sorry for her father, for their settling here in Queenston was only supposed to have been temporary, to appease Sally until their new home was ready. Laura, too, was eager to see the site, and though she sympathized with Sally, she couldn’t help wondering if Sally really had to complain so much. If he listened to her, they’d be sitting here forever in a tent instead of building a great home on an estate of their own.
    Sally stared back at Thomas. “What do you mean by saying we are getting to know people in the area? Who? Tell me. The only person stopping by is James Secord, and sometimes that boy Josh takes time to visit with the girls. James has been a great help and so has Josh, but his parents haven’t visited, and no women have come to call.”
    “They’re busy. May is seeding time for the farmers, and most wives do their share with the crops and the cattle, too. There are only a few families right inside Queenston, and they have large gardens. The farm women nearby are just too busy at this time of year. Anyway, what time have you had for visiting?”
    “I would have had more free time if we’d had more help. Back in Great Barrington, the women often helped a new neighbour settle in.”
    “You have three grown girls, and Bett and Sam and me. Not many women around here are that lucky, but I am taking one of the girls or Bett with me to the site to cook meals. It’ll save time for building.”
    “I hope it’s not me.” Mira was starting to look forward to Josh’s visits, and lately he had dropped by quite often—even after he had finished delivering his milk. He and Mira would sit on the stumps in front of their tent and talk for ages. Father said that one day his father would show up to drag him home to his work.
    “I suppose I could go,” offered Elizabeth, “but you know I wouldn’t be much help if I got my usual spring attack of bronchitis.”
    Laura did want to see the site, but she certainly didn’t want to leave right now to be gone for a whole month. She’d been hoping every day that James would come calling again. He had been so helpful, and she was almost certain that he really liked her. Or was he friendly to everyone who came to Queenston? She wasn’t going to act silly, like Mira, and show her feelings, but she did want to be here when he came by. If only he had a store in Queenston, she could casually drop in to see him. This waiting was bothering her. It had been a week now since he had brought the last load of supplies and stayed to chat with everyone for the whole evening. He had talked with her more than Father, but then the whole family had been there.
    “And what about you, Laura?” Father was staring at her with his head tilted sideways. “Will you go with me?”
    Laura had been thinking so hard about James that she had lost track of the conversation. “If I must,” she stammered, “but we just got here.”
    “Why, Laura, that’s a switch. I thought you were anxious to see the site.” Father’s shoulders dropped and his eyes looked tired. Laura felt a twinge of guilt,