Mr. Bennett put his arm around his daughter’s shoulders. “I will be driving Alice and her sisters in the wagon as usual, Frank. I’ve seen enough of these automobiles stuck in the ditch spinning their wheels to have little faith in their ability. A horse-drawn wagon has always been good enough for the Bennett family.”
“Yes, sir,” Frank said. “Respectfully, might I ask you to make an exception, seeing as how I’ve been courting Alice for four and a half months now?”
Alice, who’d been leaning against Father’s shoulder, took a step forward and spoke calmly. “I have told you many times, Frank, we are not courting. I am glad to consider you a friend, but I have no romantic interest at all.”
“Aw, Alice, I know what you’ve said, but my mind is made up. There’s no other girl for me. Someday I aim to propose marriage.” He spoke confidently, then took a step back and smiled widely. Frank’s own father had teeth that were stained yellow, but Frank himself had gleaming white teeth. He’d told Pearl that he’d never chew tobacco for that very reason. “Any wife of mine will be proud to be seen standing next to me,” he’d said.
Alice shook her head, almost a little sadly, it seemed to Pearl. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Frank, but my mind is made up as well. You need to find another girl to court if you’re so eager to settle down.” Her face flushed red with emotion. She hated to hurt anyone’s feelings.
“What?” Frank’s lips parted, as if he was about to make an objection. Then he seemed to collect himself and tried another tactic. “Are you teasing me, Miss Bennett?”
“No, I would never do that. I’ve tried to tell you before in a polite way, but you don’t seem to understand, so I’ll say it plainly. I don’t think we’re suited for one another.”
Frank’s face clouded. “You’re making a mistake, Alice. Don’t be so rash. Take a few days to think it through before you make such a final decision. I would hate to see you miss out and have regrets later.”
John Lawrence came out of the shadows of the porch. Pearl had almost forgotten he was there. His voice rang out clearly. “I think the lady has made her decision in this matter very clear. A gentleman would defer to her wishes.”
In the background, the younger girls watched with identical concerned expressions. They’d stopped gaping over the automobile and shifted their attention to the porch when their father had spoken out, telling Frank that Alice would not be accepting his invitation to ride in his new automobile. Now they all waited to see Frank’s reaction to being corrected by John Lawrence.
Frank tilted his head to the side, like a dog sizing someone up. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.” He stuck out his hand. “Name’s Frank. My family owns the farm down the road. I’ve been friends of the Bennett family my whole life.”
“John Lawrence.” He grasped his hand. “I’ve just had the pleasure of meeting the Bennetts today.”
The two men shook, but Frank wouldn’t let go. He squeezed John’s fingers and kept talking. “Are you the boy who’s helping at the mill?”
“That would be me.” John widened his stance and leaned in, matching Frank’s grip in intensity. Pearl held her breath, hoping neither one would get broken fingers.
“Whereabouts you from, John?”
“Up north. Gladly Falls. I just came in on the train this afternoon.”
“Gladly Falls?” Frank finally let go, pushing away John’s hand. “I got an uncle who lives in Gladly Falls. Do you know the Thompsons? Edward Thompson?”
John hesitated. “Edward Thompson?” His fist went to his chin. “No, can’t say that I know the name.”
“That’s hard to believe,” Frank said, and now his voice was challenging. “Everybody knows my uncle. He’s practically the mayor of Gladly Falls.”
“If he’s practically the mayor, that would mean he’s not actually the mayor,” John said.
“What are you saying?” Frank’s face reddened as he pointed at John. “Are you saying I’m a liar?”
“Now, now, I’m sure that’s not what he’s saying,” their father said mildly. “There will be no arguing on my front porch, Frank. John has only just arrived. We want him to feel welcome.”
“He started it.” Frank’s gaze went straight to John, his eyes narrowing. Seeing him like this gave Pearl a little bit of a thrill. How could Alice not be impressed by a man who could become so impassioned so quickly? Their own father never raised his voice and seldom showed much emotion at all. How refreshing to see such a dramatic show of feeling.