Saraphine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty

January 1848

Two weeks later found Saraphine at the Anderson's for lunch. She had been surprised when Charlie had arrived at her cabin and announced that her presence had been requested. Never in her life had Saraphine been a lunch guest.

Susette had threated to go so far as to tie her to her chair to keep Saraphine from attempting to serve everyone. At first Saraphine had thought the woman was joking—until Joseph had stood up to go fetch the rope.

She'd quickly returned her backside to her chair and became a very dutiful guest—allowing Susette to do all the serving.

Charlie chuckled as he shoved a chunk of ham into his mouth. "You'll learn that Susette is used to getting what she wants."

Saraphine nodded. "I've noticed. It feels odd to me to have anyone do for me. I've always been the one to do everything."

Susette's smile was warm as she took a seat at the table. "Those days are over for you."

The four companions soon fell into conversation, discussing weather, how different summer would be when it arrived and, to Saraphine's surprise, Charlie's button collection.

"The man has jars upon jars of them," Susette informed her.

Saraphine laughed lightly. "Buttons?"

Charlie's cheeks reddened as he pushed his empty plate away. "I have simply always enjoyed them."

Joseph stood and began gathering up the dishes. "Charlie will have to show you his collection someday. Everyone agrees that he never found a woman because he was already married to his buttons."

Charlie snorted. "Everyone can kiss my backside with all their so-called agreements."

"What about you, Saraphine?" Susette chimed in. "Have you ever collected anything? Do you have a favorite pastime?"

Saraphine shook her head as she dropped her gaze to her lap. "We were not permitted to have personal possessions. Even if we could have, there would have been no time for something that served no real purpose."

"That's terrible," Charlie grumbled. "A person needs something that's all theirs."

Joseph nodded. "Charlie has his buttons, Susette has her dolls and I have my woodworking."

"Dolls?" Saraphine turned her attention to Susette. "You have dolls?"

Susette laughed as she stood. "Come and I'll show you. Darling, can you handle the clean up?" she asked Joseph.

He gave her a warm kiss. "Of course."

Charlie chuckled. "At least my buttons haven't turned me into a hen pecked servant."

Joseph grinned, clearly unfazed. "But it's too bad those buttons can't warm your bed or fill your stomach."

Susette rolled her eyes and whisked Saraphine from her chair. "Come along, dear. We'll leave the men to compare their male appendages in private."

Saraphine gasped and covered her laughter with her hand.

Susette led her down a short hall and through a door. The room they entered had Saraphine spinning around and around with wonder.