“Papa told you he’d be back to walk you to school. He’s not going to leave before he does that. Remember, he’s not fishing today. He has business to tend to.”

“I don’t know why I have to go to school anyway. When I get big, I’m gonna catch fish like Papa does. He didn’t go to school.”

“Which is exactly why he wants you to. There are a lot of things that are limited for Papa because he didn’t get an education. Even taking care of bank business requires someone to go with him. Mama used to read for him, but now I do it.”

“Mr. Carson went with him today,” JT said.

“Yes, he did. Mr. Carson is very helpful in these things.” She had nothing but fond thoughts for the sweet young couple next door. Scott and Sally Carson had become like family.

Gloriana finished the last button on her brother’s shirt and had just straightened when their father bounded into the house with a grin.

“There’s my family. Are you ready, JT?”

The boy shoved his shirt into his waistband and pulled up his suspender straps. “I am now. Come on, or the bell is going to ring and I’ll be late. Don’t forget we have to get all the way up the hill.” JT gave Gloriana a hug, then went running to his father, who bent over just as the boy approached. JT jumped on his back and gave a whooping cry. “To school!”

Gloriana laughed. JT had more energy than any other boys she knew. “Be good, JT.” She handed her father a cloth bag with the drawstring pulled tight. “Here’s his lunch.”

With the men of the house gone, Gloriana began her daily routine of housework. She threw JT’s dirty shirt into the pile of laundry she would have to tackle later. For now, she would get the breakfast mess cleaned up. They’d had flapjacks, and it seemed JT had tracked stickiness everywhere.

She took a dish towel that was already damp and dipped it in a pan of hot water that she’d readied for the dishes. The table, a hardy pine creation that had been gifted to her mother and father when they married, was soon decluttered and cleaned to Gloriana’s standards. She finished tidying up the kitchen and then went to work on the dishes. When everything was finally washed, dried, and put away, she stood back and surveyed her handiwork. Nothing was quite so satisfying as a clean kitchen.

Now to mop.

A knock interrupted her plan. Gloriana dried her hands on her apron and untied the strings. She hung it up on a peg by the back door and went to receive her guest.

A petite brunette stood on the other side of the door. Gloriana smiled.