Free After the Rain by Leah Atwood

room.
    “Surprise,” they shouted.
    Well now, that explained the oddities which had been occurring. Seven ladies she’d met, or at least had seen, at church were in the room. The parlor had been rearranged to accommodate two small round tables, plus a rectangular table which was set up with platters of food and a bowl of punch.
    Myrtle came up behind her and spoke softly, for only her ears to hear. “I hope you don’t mind that we didn’t wait until after the baby’s arrival, but I thought a tea to celebrate the baby would be a nice way for you to make friends with the ladies.”
    “I’m so touched.” She blinked, trying to eliminate those pesky tears that wouldn’t stay away.
    Rand tapped her on the shoulder; she hadn’t realized he’d followed. “I’ll be back in two hours. Enjoy yourself.”
    Raising an eyebrow, her lips turned up in a smile. “You knew all about this, didn’t you?”
    He winked and walked away, leaving her standing there, shaking her head in amusement.
    “Allow me to make introductions.” Myrtle gestured toward the ladies and they all came closer, their excitement for a tea and celebration spilling out through their smiles. “Ladies, some, but not all of you have met Lettie McCade, Weatherton’s newest resident. Please make her feel welcome.”
    A plump lady, who looked to be several years younger than Myrtle, stepped forward. “Rosie Simpson. My husband and I run the mercantile,” she said, pride in her voice.
    “Nice to meet you, Rosie.”
    “Matilda Danbury. I met you several weeks ago at church, but my children were sick last Sunday.” The petite blonde had to be close to Lettie’s age if appearances were correct. “We live east of town, on a small spread.”
    “I remember meeting you at church. Pleasure to see you again.”
    The remaining ladies also introduced themselves. Grace Aldren, Bethany Gilbert and Becca Maddox, she’d already met. Gretchen Miles, Myrtle’s daughter, and Olivia Duncan, she was acquainting herself with for the first time.
    “I’m so happy to finally meet you,” Gretchen said, her warm hazel eyes expressing kindness. “Mother sang your praises and predicted we’d become good friends.”
    “I hope she’s right,” Lettie answered, humbled again by the welcoming attitude of each person she’d met in Weatherton so far. No one cared about anyone’s past, the size of their bank account or a family pedigree. She found this to be most refreshing after spending a large portion of her life in an area where those things were of the utmost importance.
    “Ladies, shall we eat?” Myrtle took control of the tea, bringing the group of ladies to an organized circle.
    Murmurs of yes made their way around the bunch.
    “Please, help yourselves. You know we don’t stand on formalities here. There is chicken salad, wafers, thinly cut bread, salted almonds and cabbage salad. I’ll be back in a minute with the tea. It’s been steeping to just the right flavor.” The host waved her hand toward the linen-lined table filled with delicacies.
    “Our guest of honor first.” Olivia, who was closest to the table, backed away and indicated that Lettie should go first.
    At the center of attention, Lettie became self-conscious. She brushed off a speck of dust from her dress, then smoothed a hand over her hair to ascertain that every strand was still in place.
    “Don’t be shy,” Matilda said. “This is your celebration.”
    Stomach growling, Lettie walked to the table and picked up one of the china plates that had a painted gold trim around its circumference and in the center, a yellow floral motif. The dishes matched the teacups she remembered using on the day of her arrival. Moving along the table, she placed a little of every offering onto her plate. She felt conspicuous and was glad when the others formed a line and began filling plates as well.
    She sat down at the table and the others soon joined, dispersing themselves between the two tables. Myrtle