Free Tessa McDermid - Family Stories by Tessa McDermid Page B

grinned, one corner of his mouth slanting upward much as Frank's did.
    Marian couldn't keep from smiling at him. "But that's not the only reason I'm marrying Frank. I love him."
    Mr. Robertson studied her for a moment, then bent down, giving her a quick hug. "Frank, I'd hang on to her if I were you." He crossed the room in two long strides and clapped his son on the shoulder. "Good to have you home, son. We've missed you."
    Her eyes moist, Marian blinked. Mr. Robertson perched on the edge of the sofa, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Mrs. Robertson had been quiet during her husband's arrival but now she hovered over the two men, refil ing their coffee cups and urging them to try the cake.
    "Mama does love her men," Clara whispered.
    Marian nodded, sipping her coffee. His mother had accepted the wedding. But would she accept her new daughter-in-law as easily?
    Chapter 5
    Davenport, Iowa
    August 1929
    Supper was a quiet affair. Rebecca chattered until her mother hushed her. Mr. Robertson ate hurriedly, almost shoveling the roast and potatoes into his mouth. He mopped up the gravy with a piece of bread and, once the plate was scraped clean, pushed it away from him before settling back in his chair.

    Clara brought in an apple pie, slicing it at the table and serving her father and Frank first. The men matter most in this family, Marian realized. She tucked the thought away. Her parents had always catered to her needs, but their family was unusual. When they were married, taking care of Frank would be her first priority.
    After dinner, Mr. Robertson disappeared into a back room. "His study," Rebecca whispered.
    Marian glanced down the hal way. She and Frank's sisters were washing the dishes. Mrs. Robertson had gone into the parlor with Frank and she could hear the murmur of their voices through the partial y open door. "He smokes a cigar and reads the paper," Clara explained. "We never interrupt him when he's in there."
    "Does he do that every night?"
    Rebecca and Clara both nodded. "Right after he eats," Clara added. "Sometimes, if we have company, he'll invite the men in. Frank might get to go with him now that he's grown up."
    Marian dried the dishes careful y, wondering if this was what men did, even though it wasn't real y part of her experience. Her father liked to be left alone when he was working on a sermon but most nights he sat with his wife and daughter in their cozy parlor. And Adam Bates never went off by himself, always spending the evening with his large family playing games or singing around the piano.
    After the dishes were done, they joined Frank and his mother in the parlor. Mrs. Robertson had a basket of mending next to her and she was replacing a pocket on one of Rebecca's skirts. She smiled at her daughters, her eyes cold when she looked at Marian. "You can sleep in Rebecca's room while you're here."
    "Thank you." Marian smiled at Rebecca. "I hope I won't be in the way."
    "Oh, no. I have twin beds, so you'l have your own."
    Mrs. Robertson snipped off the end of her thread. "And, Frank, you can have your old room. We haven't changed a thing since you left."
    Frank laughed. "Nothing? I was sure Dad would move al my stuff right into the street."
    His mother's hands paused over the striped skirt. "Frank, I won't al ow you to speak about your father like that.
    It was hard when you left. I know you were upset because he wouldn't let you work more hours in the store, but you needed to finish your education. He wanted you to have a better life than he did."
    Marian sat very stil . Frank ran away because his father wanted him to stay in school? Ever since she'd met his father, she had wondered about the few references Frank had made to the man. She had assumed he'd beaten Frank or been cruel in some other way. But if his only sin was wanting his son to have a better life...
    His mother rol ed up the skirt she'd mended and tucked it into the side of her basket. Then she stood up. "It's time we al went to