Daylight Comes by Judith Miller Page A

caused Miss Hattie to topple over backward. Touching her index fingertip to her temple, she narrowed her eyes. “What’s come over you? You lost your mind since you ske-daddled out of Nicodemus?”
    Lilly tilted her head to one side and gave Miss Hattie an exaggerated wink while Truth wondered what she’d done to deserve the presence of these two women in her parlor only hours before a large group of guests was due to arrive. Even though neighbors were bringing food, there were many tasks to complete before the house would be ready for visitors. As the two women continued their sparring, Truth edged her way toward the hallway. At least she could take charge of the kitchen without Miss Hattie’s interference. She’d nearly made it through the dining room doorway when Miss Hattie brandished her parasol and waved Lilly aside. Before Truth had time to catch her breath, Miss Hattie had regained control of the party preparations.
    With each new arrival, Truth endured a similar ritual: a polite inquiry about the baggage, a surprised exclamation, and a barrage of questions for Aunt Lilly. No one, though, appeared more surprised than Jarena. After delivering only a perfunctory kiss to Truth’s cheek, she’d made an immediate beeline to Lilly’s side, and the two of them now engaged in a whispered exchange. While Truth observed the twosome from across the room, she remembered she’d not mentioned Moses’s victory to her aunt. Likely Jarena had already told her.
    Truth sauntered across the room and joined the two women. “I suddenly realized I hadn’t mentioned why we’re hosting this evening’s party, Aunt Lilly.”
    Lilly arched her perfectly shaped brows and shrugged. “Is a reason required for entertaining friends and family?”
    Truth was uncertain whether her aunt intended the remark as a question or insult. “Of course not,” she replied demurely. “But in this case we are celebrating Moses’s recent victory. He’s been elected state auditor.” When Lilly didn’t comment, Truth glanced at her sister and then turned back to Lilly. “You already knew, didn’t you?”
    “I received a letter from Jarena shortly after Moses was nominated. Though I hadn’t seen formal notice of his victory, I never doubted he would win.” She moved closer. “You do recall I told you this would happen, don’t you?”
    Her aunt continued talking, but Truth heard no more of Lilly’s comments. She directed a questioning look at her sister. Not once had Jarena mentioned corresponding with Lilly. The idea that the two of them had been exchanging letters was not as disconcerting as realizing Jarena had kept a secret from the family. Or had she? Perhaps Jarena had told the others. Was Truth the only one who’d been in the dark? Grasping her skirts in one hand, Truth excused herself and hurried to the kitchen.
    Passing through the dining room, she took hold of Grace’s arm and tugged her along through the kitchen and then outdoors into the bracing autumn air.
    “What’s gotten into you, Truth? It’s cold out here.” Grace folded her arms across her chest and briskly rubbed her upper arms.
    Light filtered out through the kitchen window to reveal her sister’s frowning face, but Truth paid no heed to the cold or her sister’s puckered brow. “Did you know Jarena’s been corresponding with Aunt Lilly?”
    Grace stared at her in surprise. “You brought me out here in the cold to ask that ? What’s gotten into you, Truth?” She yanked her sister by the hand. “Come on! Let’s get inside.”
    Truth clasped her fingers tightly around Grace’s hand and refused to budge.
    “I believe she mentioned writing a letter to Aunt Lilly.” Grace shrugged. “Don’t know what difference it makes. Now can we go back inside?”
    “Did Pappy know?”
    Grace yanked loose. “I s’pose. We never talked about it. Do you need to rest for a while? What’s wrong with you?”
    Truth shook her head. From the strange look on her sister’s