Robin Lee Hatcher by Promised to Me Page A

wants.”
    “Her parents do spoil her a bit. Especially her father.”
    Theodora chuckled at the understatement. “Just a bit.”
    Emma turned to gaze at the passing countryside. After an extended silence, she said, “I’ve never told her so, but I think Charlotte would be miserable as Mr. Hirsch’s wife. They’re all wrong for each other.”
    “And I think you, Emma, are very, very wise.”
    Karola had begun helping her father in the bakery when she was no older than Maeve, and it was in the kitchen where she was the most confident. But no matter how accomplished the cook, a woman still needed certain ingredients in order to make a decent meal.
    She stood in the center of the kitchen, hands on her hips. What was she to make for supper this first night? There was only a little flour left in the pantry and no sugar or canned goods or butter or lard. Karola had a dozen eggs, thanks to the laying hens, and she’d found potatoes and onions in the fruit cellar, along with a basket of apples. In addition, there was fresh milk in the springhouse and beef, pork, and some kind of game in the smokehouse.
    Perhaps if she’d gotten an earlier start, the task of preparing supper wouldn’t seem so overwhelming to her now, but she’d spent the past three hours washing pots and dishes and scrubbing the kitchen from top to bottom.
    It was at the precise moment tears had begun to well in her eyes that the door chimes sounded, announcing visitors. Maeve and Bernard, who had been coloring with crayons at the kitchen table, bolted for the front of the house. With a sigh of weariness, Karola lifted Aislinn from her high chair and followed after the other two.
    As soon as she stepped into the hall, she heard a cheerful greeting.
    “Hello, Miss Breit. I hope we haven’t come at a bad time.” Theodora Shrum didn’t wait for an invitation. She entered the house, her arms laden, as were the arms of her daughter, who entered right behind. “We come bearing gifts.”
    The scent of fresh-baked bread filled the entry hall.
    “I took a peek at Mr. Hirsch’s pantry not all that long ago,”Theodora continued, “and I knew you’d need a few days to get organized.”
    Karola felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. “ Danke, Mrs. Shrum.”
    “No thanks needed. Come along, Emma. We’ll take all this straight to the kitchen.” She walked past Karola, still talking. “Ida Noonan sent one of her chocolate cakes, a real specialty in these parts, and Laura Gaffney made corned beef hash. Mrs. Thompson, the schoolteacher, sent some canned vegetables, and there’s a couple of loaves of bread from my kitchen.”
    Karola fell into step behind Theodora.
    “Emma’s got some of Dr. Cooper’s apple cider, and Mrs. Denys made a pastry the children are sure to love. And just in case, I brought along some butter, flour, and sugar to see you through until you can do the marketing.”
    Karola glanced over her shoulder at Emma and was rewarded with a smile. Karola returned it.
    “Well, my stars!” Theodora stared at the kitchen. “Haven’t you been a busy one?”
    Karola stopped, not sure what the woman meant.
    “You’ve made that stove look like new again. I’ve seen the grime that was cooked on it. You must’ve been scrubbing for hours.” She looked at Karola. “I sure hope that man appreciates what you’ve done here in one short day.” She stepped to the counter and set down the tray laden with food.
    Thinking of all there was yet to do, Karola shook her head. “I have not done so much.”
    “Pish posh! Of course you have. It’s no easy thing, keeping a home and caring for children. Believe me, Miss Breit, I know.”
    Embarrassed by the compliment, Karola sought to change the subject. “May I get you something cool to drink, Mrs. Shrum. There is—”
    “No, thank you, dear. Emma and I must head straight back to town. Mr. Shrum is practicing his sermon for tomorrow, and he always works up a tremendous appetite by the time he finishes.