Free Keeping Secrets by Joan Lowery Nixon

direction of the house, but Mrs. Parker blocked her way. “We’ll wait out here,” she said.
    Even though it was the third of October, it was warm outside in the sun. “I’d like a drink of water, please,” Peg said. “If you have a pump in the kitchen …”
    “The water’s cooler at the well,” Mrs. Parker said. She took Peg’s hand and led her around the side of the house, where she dropped the bucket into the well, then turned the crank to pull it up. Peg picked up the metal cup that rested on the rim of the well and drank deeply. The water
was
cold and tasted delicious. She gulped down the last drop.
    A middle-aged, slender man, who wore riding boots, a hat pulled low over his ears, and the dark, homespun clothing worn by many farmers, appeared around the corner of the house. He smiled as he strode toward Peg.
    Mrs. Hennessey, who followed behind him, introduced him as Louis Parker.
    “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Parker,” Peg said politely.
    He bowed over her hand. “I’m sorry I don’t have time for a visit,” he said, “but I have a long ride ahead of me. Perhaps next time, Miss Kelly.”
    Hurried goodbyes were said before he strode to the pasture after his horse.
    “Come for a drive with us, Nellie,” Miss Hennesseyinsisted. “I promised Peg that after the two of you had met, I’d take her immediately to visit her brother.”
    “Give me one minute to get my bonnet,” Mrs. Parker said and ran into the house.
    Peg, who had retied her own sunbonnet, sat squeezed between the two laughing, chatting women as Miss Hennessey guided the buggy to the Swensons’ farm. Ignoring their lighthearted conversation, which flitted back and forth over her head like butterflies, all Peg could think about was Danny.
    The road led through a patch of deep-shaded woodlands and out along low-lying hills. Peg squeaked with delight and bounced on the buggy seat as she finally spotted the familiar two-story house that crowned the top of a rise overlooking the Missouri River. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimney of the kitchen fireplace, and Peg realized—her stomach growling assent—that the Swensons had probably just finished their noon meal.
    As Miss Hennessey guided the horse and buggy into the side yard, Peg couldn’t wait a second longer. She crawled over Mrs. Parker’s lap and leaped to the ground. Running toward the kitchen door she yelled at the top of her lungs, “Danny! Danny!”
    The door burst open, and Danny ran out, the alarm on his face quickly changing to a grin as Peg ran to him, her laughter spilling into the sunlight.
    “You’re taller!” Peg shouted. “No fair, Danny Kelly! You’re taller and stronger, and here I thought I’d catch up with you!”
    Out of the open door popped Ennie Swenson, her husband Alfrid right behind her. Ennie was as short and plump as ever, Alfrid as tall and lean. Gussie, the hired girl, peeked around the door frame, her eyes wide with curiosity.
    Hugs first, or polite introductions? Peg flew into the hugs. The grown-ups could take care of properly meeting one another.
    By the time they had introduced themselves, Peg had settled down to just an occasional bounce and a broad smile. She clung to Danny, pulling one hand away only to press it against her stomach as it gave a loud growl.
    Bluntly, Gussie said, “Girl, I bet your last meal was breakfast, and who knows how long it’s been since then? Come with me, and I’ll fix you a plate.”
    “Miss Hennessey, Mrs. Parker, we have some cold chicken,” Ennie quickly offered, but Miss Hennessey shook her head.
    “You’re very kind, but we’ll decline your generous invitation. I know you have much to talk about with Peg, and Nellie and I have to catch up on all the years we’ve been apart.”
    “Years?” Ennie asked.
    “Yes, four,” Mrs. Parker said, while at the same time Miss Hennessey answered, “Five.”
    Mrs. Parker rolled her eyes and giggled. “Oh, dear, has it really been that long, Violet? I seem