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It was exactly like she’d pictured it in her mind.
    Nerves tightened at the prospect of meeting Mrs. Calhoun, but when he held the door open for her, she didn’t see anyone in the neat parlor.
    “Ma, are you in the house?” Byron walked around Adela and opened the door of another room. “Ma.”
    He crossed the floor. “I don’t know where she is, but let me show you your room. Then I’ll bring in your bags.”
    Before they’d reached the bedroom, the front door opened. Adela swung around and found a scowling, gray-haired woman dressed in calico and white apron, standing just inside and holding a basket of eggs.
    Byron went to his mother’s side and took the basket. “Ma, this is Miss Adela Mason.”
    Adela put on her best smile and ambled forward, hand outstretched.
    Mrs. Calhoun took Adela’s hand. “Yes, I’d assumed as much. Did you have a pleasant trip, young lady?”
    “Yes, ma’am…that is,” Adela released a nervous laugh, “as pleasant as one can have on a train.”
    Mrs. Calhoun took the basket out of Byron’s hand and strode to the closed door. “Hadn’t traveled on a train but once and that was enough for me. Not natural to travel that fast, I’ve always thought.” Propping the basket on her hip, she backed through the doorway.
    Byron looked after her as if he couldn’t believe it, then shifted his gaze back to Adela. “I’ll just go get your luggage.” He took long strides to the front door like he couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
    Left in the middle of the room, Adela turned in a circle. That was it? Not only was Mrs. Calhoun not welcoming, Adela sensed hostility in the woman. Should she go find her, try to make conversation? Go to the room Byron indicated was to be hers? Since she couldn’t decide, she stayed rooted where she was.
    Byron came back with her trunk hefted on his shoulder and carrying her carpetbag in his hand. She followed.
    He set her luggage just inside the bedroom door and moved aside to allow her to enter. It was a comfortable room. Blue checkered curtains fluttered in a breeze at the open window. An oak frame bed stood in the middle with matching highboy and table with washbasin and pitcher. A rag rug lay beside the bed and a rocking chair at the window. A small bookshelf ran along the wall.
    Byron looked decidedly uncomfortable, whether from being in a bedroom with the woman he planned to court, or because she wasn’t what he’d expected, she couldn’t tell.
    His shoulders rose and fell in a sigh. “Well, I’ll let you get settled. Come back to the parlor when you’ve a mind. I expect Ma’s still in the kitchen. She’ll likely be starting supper soon. If you need anything, just let us know.” He backed out the door before she could say a word.

Chapter 6
    Byron went in search of Ma, calling himself all sorts of stupid oafs. He’d wanted to say so much to Adela, things he’d waited all summer to say, and now he couldn’t get two words out that sounded half way intelligent. And Ma was no help, rushing off to the kitchen the minute she met Adela.
    Ma was standing at the table with canisters of flour, sugar, and lard beside a large blue bowl. Peeling an apple, she didn’t look up. “Did Miss Mason get settled?”
    “I guess she’s in the process. Couldn’t you have been a little more friendly? Seeing as how she’s going to be your daughter-in-law. I’ve seen you welcome stray cats with more warmth.”
    Ma gave him a sharp glance. “I figured after a long journey a body would want to rest and get acquainted with her surroundings.”
    Maybe that was true. Byron picked the dangling apple peel from the knife and popped it into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully for several seconds. “She’s very pretty, isn’t she?”
    Ma continued paring. “Guess she’s right presentable, but I always thought the women around here to be pretty.”
    Byron shoved his hands in his back pockets. “Having apple pie for supper?” At least they’d give Adela a