Charlie had been invited to Rebecca and Jason's house for supper on Friday after school. Scott had driven Charlie into school that

morning, and then would come to pick her up at Rebecca's house later.

All day on Friday, beginning as soon as she woke, Charlie was excited about going. Rebecca was rarely allowed to have a guest over, so that fact

made it all the more remarkable. She packed a bag with play clothes, thinking they might come in handy, depending on what they chose to do.

Scurrying down to breakfast, she nearly bumped into Johnny at the head of the stairs.

"Whoa, slow down there, chica," Johnny said.

"Sorry," Charlie said, breathlessly, grinning up at him.

"Worried that Murdoch's gonna have all the bacon eaten before ya get down to the table?" Johnny teased.

"Well, he might," Charlie said, and they both laughed.

"What do ya have there?" he asked, nodding at the small bag she carried, as they walked down the staircase.

"I'm going to Rebecca's today, after school," she said. "I thought I might need some extra clothes, in case we go fishing, or

something-"

"Right," Johnny said. "I remember now."

At the bottom of the stairs, Charlie paused, and then said, in a near-whisper, "She's coming tomorrow-"

Johnny's blue gaze met her brown one. "That's what I hear," he said.

"Will you stay around while she's here?" Charlie asked.

"Oh, I dunno, darlin'," Johnny said, obviously reluctant.

"Please, Johnny? Will you?"

"Murdoch and Scott'll be here-Teresa too," he reminded her.

"Yes. But it will be better if you're there," Charlie said. She reached out to squeeze one of his hands. "Please?" she said, again.

"Why, pequeno?" he asked.

"Because," Charlie said, pausing to search for the words. "Because-everyone else doesn't really understand how I feel about her-but you do. You

can see thru her."

Johnny was serious now, and he spoke not in a whisper, but very low. "I think ya might be givin' Scott the short end of the stick."

Puzzled, Charlie wrinkled her forehead. "What's that mean?"

"You're not bein' real fair to him. I think he understands more than you believe he does. About Katherine."

"Maybe he does," Charlie said, willing to concede. "But-I'd still rather you were there, too."

"Alright," Johnny said, and Charlie gave him a swift, tight hug around his middle.

"Thank you," she said.

Charlie was in high spirits entering the dining room. She hugged Scott, and gave Murdoch a kiss on his cheek.

"You look like the springtime this morning," Murdoch told her, his gaze on her affectionate. "That's a pretty dress."

Charlie ran her hand down the light yellow dress she was wearing. "Teresa bought it for me, when she went to San Francisco."

"Well, it's very becoming," Murdoch said, in approval.

"I'm glad you like this one," Teresa said, setting a pitcher of milk in the center of the table, and giving Charlie a smile. She was hinting, Charlie

knew, at the bright red ruffled dress that Teresa had once tried to gift to her. Charlie had dubbed it 'the tomato costume' and refused to wear it

even once.

Charlie smiled at the older girl in return. "I do."

She hurried to set her bag by the front door, and then hurried back again to slide into her chair at the table.

Murdoch asked Charlie she and Rebecca's plans for the afternoon and early evening.

"I'm not sure-we might go fishing, or we might stay 'round her house. We might have to see what her mother says first. I hope we

get to go fishing, though."

"I'm sure you'll have a fine time," Murdoch said.

After breakfast, Charlie gathered up her book bag, and lunch pail, and then the bag with her extra clothes. She went to say goodbye to

Murdoch, and then she rode into town with Scott. She chattered happily nearly all the way, and once, she caught Scott looking at her,

a slight smile at one corner of his mouth, amused.

"How come you're lookin' at me that way?" she asked him.

"I have to say I'm approving of this happy mood of yours," Scott said.

"Oh," Charlie said, bouncing once more on the buggy seat, and then settling down some, and smiling big at him. "Yes. I'm happy. About going to

Rebecca's, and about havin' a nicer teacher. And-about Mr. Beets agreeing to me being adopted." Charlie tucked her arm thru Scott's. "That's

the part that makes me the most happy of all."

It pained him to do it, but Scott felt he needed to rein her in a bit. "There's nothing definite on that yet, kiddo."

"I know," Charlie said, breezily. "But they'll have a meeting soon about it, won't they?"

"Yes. Likely."

"Well-" Charlie said, looking up at him. "There you go, then. It's bound to be."

Ah, faith. Just because she wanted it, she thought it would be. Scott wished that she could always keep that spirit.

He pondered whether to get into the heaviness of what was happening with the adoption process, but then found he

didn't have the strength right then to dim that light in her eyes.

At the school, not minding that there were other kids about that might see it, Charlie gave Scott a hug around his neck.

"Have a good day at school," he said. "And have fun at Rebecca's."

"I will," she said, gathering up her bag and lunch pail.

"Thank her mother for having you," Scott said, in reminder.

"Yes. I will," Charlie said, in promise. She hopped down from the buggy, and Scott handed her the school books.

"I'll be there to pick you up about six," he said.

"Okay," Charlie said.

As a last reminder, Scott said, "Behave yourself."

Charlie giggled, sure he was joking.

"I mean it," he said, looking serious.

"I will."

He nodded and watched as Charlie turned to run inside the school building.

L

That afternoon, Charlie felt the glory of being carefree. Rebecca's mother saw that they had cookies and milk as a snack, and

then, after both girls had changed their school clothes, they went to the creek near the house. Rebecca confided as how she normally

had several chores right after school, but her mother excused her from them that day, so that she and Charlie could go and enjoy

themselves. The girls took off their shoes and stockings and waded in the creek water. Afterwards. they picked wildflowers, weaving them

into each other's hair.

After awhile, Jason came wandering down to fetch them, and say it was time for supper.

Walking back to Rebecca's house, with both of the girls laughing and teasing Jason, Charlie thought how far they and she had come. To meeting

Jason that day, when she'd locked herself in the jail cell, and handed off the keys to Jason thru the window...And now look. They were all

real friends, she and Rebecca, and Jason, too.

Charlie, hungry as always, found that Rebecca's mother was a good cook. She didn't use as many spices in her cooking, perhaps, as Maria did,

but the plain food was wholesome, and still tasty. She was glad that Rebecca had warned her ahead of the meal that their father didn't

encourage talking by children at the table. Not unless they were spoken to, or asked a question.

Charlie had been startled when Rebecca had shared this with her. She'd wanted to question it, but then held her tongue. It would be rude to

make Rebecca feel bad. Even though, accustomed as Charlie was to active conversations at the table for meals, which included she herself.

Never before had Charlie realized how much she enjoyed those breakfast and supper table conversations at Lancer. Active and interesting, with

everyone participating, and able to share their news or concerns.

Still, she kept her silence, as did Jason, Rebecca, and their little brother, Matty. Matty was only just four years old, and, though Charlie had

seen him often at church, she'd never really had the opportunity to watch him in another environment. Matty, once freed from the silent

supper table, and from the confines of a church pew, showed himself to be a happy, laughing little boy, who delighted in being tickled, and

having someone carry him, piggy-back.

Charlie hadn't had much experience with younger children, not of Matty's age. She found him utterly entertaining, and, by the time Scott

arrived to pick her up, Matty was, indeed, a fan of Charlie's.

"You're very good with small ones," Rebecca's mother said, to Charlie, as she was gathering up her things.

Rebecca's mother was a quiet woman, not given to handing out compliments, at least according to Rebecca.

"Ma's wonderful," Rebecca hastened to add. "It's just that she doesn't say alot, about being proud of us, and all."

"What about your father?" Charlie asked. She was fairly sure she knew the answer already, but she still asked. "Does he encourage

you, and tell you when you do good?"

"Well," Rebecca hesitated. "Not really. Pa expects us to behave, so he doesn't tell us anything just for doing what we're supposed to."

So, Charlie took the compliment from Rebecca's mother, and felt warm inside with pleasure.

"Thank you, ma'm," she said, remembering her manners.

"You've never been around young ones?"

"Not Matty's age, no ma'm."

"Well, he's certainly taken a liking to you," Rebecca;s mother said.

While Scott was talking with Rebecca's father, at the door, Charlie went to Rebecca's mother, and said, "Thank you for having me."

Rebecca's mother nodded, and smiled. Charlie thought she looked tired. She once must have been as pretty as Rebecca was, when she

was a younger girl. "You're quite welcome," she told Charlie. "You're welcome to come again, if you would like."

"Oh, yes, ma'm," Charlie said. "I would."

Once outside, Charlie said similar to Rebecca's father. "Thank you for having me," she said.

Ever sober, Rebecca's father only nodded. Though it didn't seem he was unkind, Charlie still found him somewhat intimidating.

On the way back to Lancer, Charlie again tucked her arm thru Scott's as he drove the buggy. This time, though, she was

quieter.

"Have a good time?" he asked.

"Yes. We had fun. We went to their creek and waded." After that, Charlie talked about Matty, with enthusiasm.

"He's so sweet, and funny-I think Rebecca and Jason are lucky to have a little brother like him."

Aware that the only way Charlie would ever have the opportunity to have anything resembling of a little brother, or a sister, would be if he were to

be married himself, Scott said only, "I'm sure living with Matty every day might put a different light on it."

Willing to admit to that, Charlie said, "Yes, probably. Rebecca says he gets naughty. But, I still think it would be nice."

After they'd ridden in quiet for a bit, Charlie asked, "What did you all have for supper?"

"Beef ribs and fried potatoes. Apple cobbler for dessert," Scott said.

"Yum," Charlie said. "Is there any cobbler left?"

"I imagine so."

"Rebecca's mother made chicken and dumplings. They were good, but not as good as what Maria makes."

"Well, it's natural to be partial to Maria's cooking," Scott said.

Quiet again, and then Charlie squeezed Scott's arm a bit. "I'm tired," she said.

"Well, you can get to bed early."

"Can I have some cobbler first?"

"May I?" Scott corrected.

"May I have some cobbler?" Charlie amended.

"I'm sure there's a piece waiting for you."

Charlie looked up at him. "Rebecca and Jason and Matty aren't allowed to talk at the supper table. Not unless their father says

something to them."

"Hmm," Scott said, in answer.

Charlie studied him, trying to figure what he thought of what she'd said.

"Why do you think he sets that as a rule?" Charlie asked.

"I don't know his reasons. Children being seen, but not heard. There's a good portion of people who believe in that, though."

"Believe in not letting kids talk?" Charlie asked, incredulously.

"Well, at the table."

"Why?" Charlie asked, truly curious.

"So adults can have their conversations without being interrupted. They figure as kids don't have anything to contribute."

Charlie thought that over for a moment. "You don't think that, though."

"No." He turned to look at Charlie. "Not about talking at the table, anyway. There are other times when children need to be quiet."

Charlie thought he might be joking with her a bit, but he looked serious, so she didn't challenge him on the statement. And, obviously, she

did know that kids had to be quiet at times.

"I like it when we all talk at the table at home," Charlie said, and Scott felt his heart quicken at her use of the word home.

"We do have some interesting conversations," Scott said, in agreement.

"I'm glad you and Murdoch don't believe in kids being seen but not heard," Charlie said.

Scott smiled slightly, and was quiet.

"I guess Katherine's still coming tomorrow," Charlie said. Not really in question.

"I believe she is. I haven't heard that she's not."

"Alright," Charlie said, with a bit of a sigh.

They were silent the rest of the way home. It was a comfortable silence.

L

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