Looking up to the house, I see Master standing at his upstairs window watching us. I startle and gasp. When Red looks up to see him too, he grabs my arm.

“He don’t know what we’re talking about. If he asks, you tell him you was getting me to go help Bessie.”

“Help her do what?” My heart’s beating faster than a hummingbird’s wing.

“I don’t know.” He looks around like he’s searching for an idea and steps closer, dipping his mouth to my ear. “Say you asked me to carry her chair out into the shade for her.”

“But then you got to do it,” I say. Panic pinches my voice.

He takes my other arm and squeezes both of them hard, giving me a little shake. “You got to calm down right now.”

I nod, drawing a deep breath.

“I’ll put the chair out. That’s all you need to say about it.”

When he lets me go, I scurry down through the carry-through and up the stairs into the house. I dash up to Master Thomas’s room, quick as I can. He ain’t even thinking about getting dressed. I hurry him along and get him downstairs for breakfast and head out to the kitchen house for the breakfast platters. Willa takes in the biscuits and butter, and I bring the ham and eggs, with Annie following behind with the coffee.

When I serve up the eggs, I’m starting to calm down again from Master catching Red and me, when he says, “Sarah, I’ve noticed you getting pretty friendly with Red.”

I don’t know if that’s good or bad in his books so I keep my mouth shut.

“In fact, I noticed you two together just this morning.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, ’cause I know he seen us and I got my story ready to go.

“We’ve discussed it,” he says, nodding at Missus. “I agree it’s time you were matched, and I approve of you and Red. I think he’s a good choice for you. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.”

The look on my face must give away what I think about that.

He says, “Now, don’t look so worried. I’ve seen Red watching you. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been working up to asking me himself.”

At first, I can’t talk for wanting to scream I won’t do it, but then I remember it don’t matter. We’re running today. Can’t nobody match me up when I’m gone.

I get my tongue working again and say, “Yes, Master.” And because I’m leaving and I don’t want him looking at me twice today, and because I’ll never have to say it again, I say, “Thank you, Master.”

He smiles. “You and Red’ll be the next Bessie and Ben around here.”

“Yes, sir.” I set down the egg platter and dish out the ham. Master and Missus both watch me, smiling like they’re God’s own angels.

“Red don’t mind?” I ask, knowing full well they never said a word to him about it.