Free Robin by Julane Hiebert Page B

chattering and waving her hands like a travelin’ preacher. Why, she was the biggest gossip in Cedar Bluff.
                  “Good morning, John.” Emma stepped from behind the counter. “What brings you to town so early? How’s that niece of yours?”
                  Henrietta bustled his direction, chirping like a peahen. “Oh yes, I want to hear all about that girl, John Wenghold. Now Carl Rempel told me about her nearly two weeks ago. I says to him, I said, ‘Carl, I’ve been praying ever so long for a nice girl for my Albert and look how the Lord answers.’ Why, who’d think John Wenghold would have . . .”
                  John raised his hand. “Well, Henrietta, I don’t know as how God has answered your prayers at all. Seems to me if the Good Lord was a wantin’ my niece to be hitched up with your son He would’ve let me in on it, don’t you think?”
                  “I don’t know, John. I don’t suppose He’d have anything to tell you unless you were in the habit of listening.” Henrietta shook her finger under his nose. “It’s a real shame you haven’t brought that girl to church. There’s many a young woman who would jump at the chance to be with my Albert.”
                  John snorted. “Then what you doin’ prayin’ for someone? Ain’t Albert old enough to say his own prayers?” He propped his hip against the counter and stuck one hand in his pocket. He’d keep the other one free to snitch a gumdrop if Emma would move away from the big glass jar that held them.
                  Emma laughed. “Listen, if you two are gonna tangle with one another you can do it somewhere else. Now, what can I help you with today, John?”
                  He shook his head. He had no intention of talking about the tyke they’d taken in where Henrietta could hear. “Oh, thought I’d just look around. Maybe see what you got new since the last time I come to town.”
                  “You do that. I have some pretty new hand painted teacups. Not another woman in the area has anything so nice.”
                  “Oh, but you’re mistaken, Emma Ledbetter.” Henrietta scrunched between them. “I saw some real bone china ones over at Florence Blair’s when she served our ladies missionary meeting last week. Did you ever say why you weren’t there? Well, I suppose you had a good excuse. The teacups had a gold rim, too. Do yours have a gold rim? John, now tell me your niece’s name. Carl Rempel said it was a bird name but couldn’t remember which one.”
                   Jumpin’ bullfrogs, the woman don’t even take a breath before she starts waggin’ her tongue again.
                  She tittered. “He got quite a chuckle out of it, though. Said she was a feisty little thing. I says to him, I said, ‘Now, Carl, I would thin k spirite d might be a better word for a young lady. And I don’t imagine her mama thought it one bit funny to name her after a bird.’ Though I do have to say I’ve never heard the like. It is a bit strange, don’t you think?”
                  “Don’t seem so strange to me , He n -rietta.” The look on Mrs. Harvey’s face gave him a good belly laugh, but he’d have to wait until she harrumphed her way to the door before he could turn it loose. He nearly choked on his own spit when Henrietta turned, her hands cupped around her mouth, like they was a mile away.
                  “Emma, I almost forgot what I came here to tell you.”
    She paraded toward them, her skirts flapping around her ankles. If she got tangled he’d be the one to catch her. He took a step back.
    “Florence told us at the meeting Anna is returning to Cedar Bluff. She’ll arrive two weeks come Saturday. But she wants to keep it a surprise for Ty.” She shook her finger at John. “And don’t you tell him, either.” She lowered