Entangled Hearts

Chapter 23

The Porters were seated at the table just at the close of their noon meal when Eli remarked, "It is exactly a week today since Martha left. It sure seems longer than that, don't it?"

"Yes, it does," Clara agreed.

"It's plenty lonesome around here without her. I was sure that Laura Mae was lonesome without her, too, and that she needs the association of someone near her own age, so I asked Philip Dreyer over for supper tonight," he said with as much composure as if having young folks in to meals was a common occurrence. Clara gasped and Laura Mae looked coldly at her father.

"I would rather choose my own company," she said in dismay.

"Yes, Father, why didn't you consult us before you invited him?" Clara dared venture.

"Since when do I have to get permission to invite a friend to dine at my table?" Eli's piggish eyes were drawn closer together by the frown on his brow.

"Well, my supply of groceries is low just now to be having company." Clara would have done anything to have kept Philip away for she knew how Laura Mae resented his coming.

"Make out your lists! I am driving to the store after dinner and I can bring you what you need for supper." Eli had just come home from the store and Post Office and the woman knew it. He was just as anxious to have Phil come as Clara was to have him stay away. "Philip is only common like we are, you needn't make any extra fuss about the meal. He is such good company to visit with that is why I want him to come," he added. Eli's word had always been law in the little home and he meant for it to continue to be law there. Clara and Laura Mae knew it would be useless to argue with him, he always became so angry and ugly, so during the afternoon, they planned and prepared for Eli's guest, for Laura Mae had decided that she would not treat him as a guest of hers.

At seven o'clock, the group, including Philip, Laura Mae, Clara, and Eli, were seated around the heavy oak table in the Porter's dining room. They were just eating the last of the dessert. If Maria Beckman was a good cook, so was Clara Porter and Laura Mae had proven an apt pupil. Philip had enjoyed every mouthful of the dinner, except for the coarse brown bread. The government had given orders for the people to use as much coarse flour as white. Clara had used her portion of white flour earlier in the week, so with such short notice, she found it necessary to place brown bread on the table. Philip should have been ashamed to so unpatriotic. He could not go serve in the army, and it was hard for him to even make sacrifices at home. All during the meal, he had been noting the charm and beauty of Laura Mar. Eli had been unusually jolly and had kept up an interesting conversation from the time Philip had entered the house.

"Hot weather we have been having again lately," he commented, "It's too hot to stay in the house. I suggest that you young ones go out to the bench on the front porch, it's much cooler out there. Clara and I have a few little odds and ends of chores to finish up, we will join you in a little while." The suggestion pleased Philip and he gave Laura Mae a questioning glance to see how she took the idea. Clara arose from the table but she made no counter-suggestion, she knew her place. Laura Mae could plainly see what was meant for her to do. She thought to herself, "This will give me a chance to let Phil know where he stands with me, so he won't be pestering around here anymore." For a moment, she was glad her father had given her a chance to be alone with Phil. She arose from the table with much dignity and started toward the door that led out onto the porch. Philip followed her, while Eli stood by, grinning his approval. He would show that high spirited young lassie of his, whom she would choose for company!

The green wicker bench stood at the end of the porch where hop vines grew thick. The vines had climbed the wide chicken-netting that had been nailed up at the end and side of the porch, forming a cool shady nook. The sun had been hidden by the mountains for over an hour and darkness was lowering over the beautiful valley. A refreshing breeze was sweeping down from the mountains bringing with it the sweet scent of pine trees. If only the moon would come up it would be an ideal time for lovers to be out. Philip felt the spell of it as he sat on the bench beside the lovely girl, whom he had known since early childhood. It was all as a dream come true for him, how he had wished for the time to come when he could have a chance to prove to her that he was as worthy of her love as Gene Whitmer. His pulse quickened, he could have seized her in his arms and crushed her to him! He slowly put his arm on the back of the bench so that his hand could feel the warmth of her well-formed shoulder. He reached for her hand with his free one, "Laura Mae, you are beautiful," he managed to say.