Embers of Love by Tracie Peterson Page B

to do this job. I benefit from the prosperity of the company – same as you. I don’t need a salary.”
    “I can’t say that I ever recall your father thinkin’ you needed to work at anything. Leastwise, he never told me.”
    “That can’t be right. We used to talk about it all the time. He knew I couldn’t very well log, but he said many times that everyone in the family needed to pull their weight. So he allowed me to go to school.”
    “I don’t suppose I know about that. Your pa talked about how proud he was of your ability to think – especially for a woman.”
    She grinned. “That sounds like him.”
    “And he loved to indulge you. But, anyway, everyone needs some spending money,” Uncle Arjan countered. “What say you let me pay you a dollar a day? If you find you need more money than that – say you want to buy something special – just come and see me. Agreed?”
    Deborah considered it for a moment and nodded. “Very well.” She got up and kissed her uncle on the cheek. “You are awfully good to me – to Mama, too. I want you to know how much I appreciate that.”
    His face reddened slightly. “You and your mama mean the world to me – the boys, too. Wouldn’t expect anyone else to take care of you.”
    “Even so, I’m grateful. Mama’s peace of mind is important to me. I know she’s come to depend on you and the boys a great deal. Hopefully, by taking this job, I can pay you back in a small way.”
    He laughed and gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Little gal, you are more than payin’ me back by what you did here today. You know how this business works, and you know how the world works because of all that schoolin’. You benefited us all today, and I’m right proud of you. Just wait until I tell your brothers. They’ll be dancing a jig.”
    “I doubt G. W. will dance a jig anytime soon.” She frowned and looked up at her uncle. “Have you ever talked to him about Papa’s death?”
    Uncle Arjan grew thoughtful. “I’ve tried. He knows I don’t hold him responsible. Doesn’t change the fact that the boy holds himself in that place.”
    “I know. Mama said she worries about him for that very reason. I keep praying for him, but I sure wish I could do something to encourage him – get his mind off the fact that the anniversary of the accident is coming up.”
    “He’s got to come through this himself, Deborah. You can’t force a man to make peace with his own self. Give him time. He’ll come around sooner or later.”
    But Deborah wasn’t at all convinced that he would.
    –––––––
    Lizzie brought Deborah a glass of lemonade and plopped down on a chair opposite her. “Goodness, but it’s hot down here.”
    Deborah laughed. “Yes, and this is only July. Just wait for August.”
    “I can’t imagine it getting any worse.” Lizzie dabbed her damp forehead with the edge of her apron.
    “I suppose Mama had you busy in the garden all morning?”
    “Only for a little while. She was worried about me and the heat, so she wouldn’t let me work for long. I tell you, I feel positively useless to you all. I really shouldn’t have come.”
    Sampling the lemonade, Deborah nearly choked. “What? Why are you saying that?”
    Lizzie shrugged. “It’s just that everyone has their duties and tasks – everyone but me, that is. I’m just living here and eating your food and doing nothing. Your mother wouldn’t even take money from me for my keep.”
    “I’m sure she wouldn’t,” Deborah replied with a grin. “Goodness, but she would never want it said that she charged a guest.”
    “But I wasn’t thinking of it that way. I just wanted to help out.”
    “Don’t fret about it. Mother is glad you came. She said there is nothing she can imagine worse than marrying a man you do not love. One of her sisters did that and it proved to be nothing but misery. Mama often uses Aunt Alva as an example.”
    “Why did she marry a man she didn’t love?”
    “To help the