Keep Me Safe

Chapter Four

It was a wonder that they made it to the store before sundown. By the time Agnes stepped under the cool shade of the awning outside the general store, she was covered in sweat and felt sticky all over.

Lottie, on the other hand, seemed to be hardly affected. Her sweat created a glistening sheen over her tan skin, causing it to glow in the afternoon sun. Her flushed cheeks illuminated her face and her waves remained perfectly intact.

"I can't believe a ten minute walk ended up taking an hour," Agnes huffed. She leaned against the wall and used her shirt to wipe the sweat from her eyes. It took a few seconds of vigorous blinking to clear up her vision.

"This is really a nice little town. Almost everyone is so friendly."

"They only like you because you're new. Once that wears off, you'll get to see their true personalities."

"That sounds like an ominous warning."

Agnes waggled her eyebrows, and they both began to laugh.

"Red, is that you I hear?" Papa's large figure filled the doorway. He had a sack of potatoes slung over each shoulder that he immediately set down when he saw Lottie.

Extending a hand, he said, "You must be Floyd's girl." He gave her a welcoming smile.

His firm and friendly handshake allowed some of the tension in her body to release and her shoulders noticeably relaxed. "Yes, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Call me Papa," he instructed, wiping his hands on his pants. "Everyone else does. When did the two of you get into town?"

"They got to the house a little under an hour ago. Mama told me to come get you, and Lottie here tagged along to see the town." Agnes sat down in the rocking chair a few feet away from Papa and propped her legs up on the table with the checkerboard on it.

He immediately swatted her feet away. "Girl, you know that's for playing checkers, not using as a footrest."

She rolled her eyes and lowered her feet. "It's my revenge for you and Mama not telling me about Floyd coming for a visit."

"That reminds me," he murmured under his breath. Turning his head over his shoulder, he hollered back into the shop, "Daryl, get out here! I got a surprise for you."

"I hope I'm not causing any inconvenience," Lottie said, lowering her voice.

Agnes instinctively reached out and patted her leg, before realizing whose leg she was patting. As soon as she felt the soft fabric of Lottie's dress under her palm, she panicked and immediately looked away.

"You aren't," she mumbled. "Mama and Papa wouldn't have let you come if it was a problem."

Daryl's face appeared in the doorway. When he saw Lottie, he immediately straightened his posture and pushed his hair out of his face. "Who's this pretty thing?"

Agnes decided to finally break her vow of silence towards her older brother. "She's Floyd's fiance." Watching his smile falter made her grin.

"Floyd's getting married?"

"Mama and I didn't want to tell ya'll kids until he got here so it'd be a surprise."

"That's a terrible surprise, if you ask me. Nonetheless, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss." He flashed her a smile and held out his hand.

She timidly shook it, giving him a soft smile in return. "My name's Lottie Furlong. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Floyd talks about you often."

Daryl crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Really?" he snorted. "What does he say about me?"

Papa, knowing where this would lead, interjected. "That's enough!" He pushed Daryl back inside the doorway. "We're going close up. Y'all stay out here."