A Basket Brigade Christmas Read Free Page A

not to have sugar for people to put in their coffee.
Hunh.
The worst thing in the world already happened.”
    Lucy patted him on the back. “Cook just wants things to go smoothly. It’s her way of helping out. So let’s get her that sugar.” Together, Lucy, Mrs. Tompkins, and Jimmy departed the depot. They stopped at the mercantile just long enough for Mrs. Tompkins to wrap two cones of sugar. Bidding a good evening to the woman, Lucy led Jimmy out into the night. The moon rose as they rounded the corner of Main and Poplar.
    Jimmy gestured toward the line of carriages in the distance, some with coach lights burning, others dark and silent. “See what I mean? People just keep coming. Your Mr. Jefferson put lanterns out on the porch so nobody would break their necks in the dark.”
    Indeed, the Kincaids’ expansive front porch was crowded with people who’d gathered in the light of several lanterns positioned at intervals along the wide railing. Light spilled out of every first-floor window of the house. Just as they reached the front porch steps, Lucy glanced toward home and saw Martha coming through the Maddoxes side gate, then hurrying across the yard toward the back door.
    “More cakes, I suppose,” Jimmy said.
    Lucy frowned. It was one thing for people to call and express their condolences, but there was something unseemly about their lingering. Didn’t they know how weary Mrs. Kincaid had to be? Shouldn’t Jonah’s brothers have some time alone with their mother?
    Lucy sent Jimmy to the back door with the sugar. The moment she entered the front, Mrs. Kincaid latched on to her like a drowning woman reaching for the rope that would pull her to safety. “Thank goodness you’ve come.” She glanced toward the back of the house. “The sugar?”
    “Jimmy’s taking it around back.”
    The poor woman’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank God.” She looked back at Lucy. “I knew Jonah was popular, but I had no idea—” Her eyes filled with tears.
    “You need to rest,” Lucy said.
    “Yes. I do. And I will, as soon as I know you’ll see to the Ladies Aid.”
    “Of course,” Lucy said quickly. “Don’t give it another thought.”
    “You know all the members, but you’ll need the roster to make certain everyone is kept informed. There’s a copy in the entryway table drawer.”
    “Perfect,” Lucy said. “Now, please. Go upstairs and lie down. And—where are the boys?”
    “In the back, I suppose. Or upstairs. I think maybe Cook sent Boyd and William to bed.” She frowned. “But I don’t quite recall.”
    “They’re in bed,” Jimmy said as he stepped up and put his arm about his mother. “And Lucy’s right. You should rest.” When his mother looked toward the parlor, Jimmy said quickly, “I’ll keep watch.”
    Ah, yes. The watch.
Lucy glanced toward the parlor. Someone must always be with the casket until the funeral.
    “I asked Silas about it earlier,” Jimmy said. “He’s already in the parlor, and he said that he’ll stay with us.”
    “God bless him,” Mrs. Kincaid said. Without another word, she grasped the stair railing and proceeded up the stairs.
    Lucy watched her go, thinking that the poor woman seemed to age with every step.

Chapter 3

    A t Jimmy’s request, Lucy stood beside him to receive callers. Finally, the crowd began to wane. Cook came to get the boy, insisting that he eat something before he joined those keeping watch in the parlor. As the last carriage pulled away, Lucy made her way back to the kitchen, deeply touched when Jimmy jumped to his feet to give her what he called a “thank-you hug.” The unusual show of emotion left her speechless. Feeling awkward, she patted the boy on the shoulder, nodded at Cook, and made her way through the house and past the parlor where Silas Tait, the Kincaids’ pastor, and a handful of others would remain through the night. Lucy bid them a silent farewell with a raised hand.
    Henry Jefferson was on the front porch,