The Secret Bliss of Calliope Ipswich by Marcia Lynn McClure

to do the cake. I can bake a good enough cake, but I’m all thumbs when it comes to icing and decorating one.”
    “Well, no worries about that, Miss Ipswich,” Blanche assured her. “Mama and I will have it well in hand. And with roses from Mrs. Montrose’s rose garden , it’s bound to be the most beautiful and delicious cake anyone in Meadowlark Lake has ever eaten!” Blanche’s gaze fell to the letters Calliope was holding, and she inquired, “What are those? Letters? Is one from Amoretta? Has she agreed to write out the invitations?”
    Still smiling, Calliope sighed. “I don’t know for certain,” she answered. “I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. But I’m sure she’s agreed to do the invitations.”
    “Perfect!” Blanche pronounced. “Oh, it’s all comin’ together so marvelously, don’t you think?”
    “I do,” Calliope agreed. “I really do.”
    “By the way,” Blanche began, quirking one eyebrow, “what was goin’ on with Fox and Tate before?” she inquired. “As I was walkin’ up, I saw them both tuggin’ on you like…like…”
    “Like two youngsters fighting over the turkey wishbone at Thanksgiving dinner?” she finished, echoing Rowdy Gates’ s comparison.
    Blanche laughed. “Exactly . You said it exactly!” She paused, her lovely dark brows puckering with curiosity. “But what was it all about?”
    Calliope shook her head , however, wanting only to forget the incident. “Nothing. I-I stumbled coming out of the general store, and…and…it was nothing.” She linked arms with her friend, smiled, and said, “Let’s get back to my house and see what Amoretta has said in her letter. Evangeline will be very excited to see she’s got another letter from her friend, as well.”
    Blanche grinned and nodded. “Yes. Let’s.” She exhaled a happy sigh. “Oh, Calliope , I’m so glad you thought of this Tom Thumb weddin’. I think we all need something as entertaining and untainted as it promises to be.”
    “I think so too,” Calliope agreed. Glancing back over her shoulder, she could see Rowdy Gates had almost reached the turnoff leading to the mill. “I just hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I hope they will,” she sighed.
    *
    As expected, Amoretta had proven in her letter that she was more than willing to write out the invitations to the Tom Thumb wedding. Calliope had read the letter aloud to Evangeline, Blanche, Kizzy, and Shay once she and Blanche had arrived at the Ipswich house. After Amoretta’s letter had been read, the five of them lingered in the parlor discussing details of what the invitations should say.
    Yet an hour or so later, Blanche had decided she should probably get home and help her mother with the laundering, Evangeline was wanting to answer Jennie’s letter, and Kizzy went about preparing a dessert for dinner that evening. Thus Calliope and Shay found themselves sitting in the parlor , still excited about the wedding plans but with no one about still willing to discuss them.
    “I was plannin’ on havin’ tea with Molly out on the back porch if you’d like to join us, Calliope,” Shay offered.
    Calliope smiled, her heart swelling with love and compassion as she saw the pleading hope bright in Shay’s eyes.
    “I’d love to join you and Molly, Shay Shay,” she said. “It is a lovely afternoon , just perfect for cucumber canapés and butter cookies.”
    Shay giggled . “And don’t forget the raspberry tarts, Calliope!”
    “I could never forget the raspberry tarts, my darling ,” Calliope assured her little sister. “Now, you gather the cucumber canapés and set up the tea on your table, and I’ll gather the butter cookies and raspberries, all right?”
    “Yes!” Shay exclaimed , hopping to her feet. “And we can use the doilies Evangeline made for me today.”
    “Oh yes , we must use those,” Calliope agreed. “Now off with you! Collect what you need, and I’ll meet you on the back porch as soon as I’ve gathered