Threads of Love Read Free Page A

something for yourself, too.”
    Not waiting for a reply, he immediately moved on to look at tools, and Delphinia found herself staring back at the clerk, an older woman she had never seen before, who was impatiently waiting to take Delphinia’s order and get to other customers. Having never before had such a task placed before her, Delphinia smiled pleasantly and approached the expectant clerk. “I’ll take some of each of these,” she said, pointing to six different fabrics.
    Delphinia straightened her shoulders, her arms crossed in front of her, and stood there waiting. When the clerk made no move to cut the yard goods, Delphinia, looking perplexed, urged her on, stating, “That’s all I’ll be needing. You can cut it now.”
    “Would you care to give me some idea just how much you’d like of each fabric?” the clerk questioned in a hushed voice and added a smile.
    Sensing that she had the sympathy of this woman, Delphinia answered, “Just whatever you think I should have.”
    “I’ll cut enough for curtains to cover four windows out of this cream color, and you’ll be able to get a dress for your little girl and a skirt for you out of this blue calico. Let’s see, we’ll cut a measure of this heavy fabric for some britches for your little boys, and this brown print might make up into a nice dress for your grandmother.”
    Delphinia watched in absolute astonishment. Did this woman actually think she looked old enough to have a husband and a houseful of children? Well, she was not about to explain her circumstances to a total stranger. She would just smile and take whatever help she could get. Of course, Mr. Wilshire was also going to need all the help he could get, for she was going to educate him to the fact that he had chosen the wrong person for his Kansas family.
    “Will you be wanting any thread or lace to go along with this?”
    Delphinia was so deep in thought that the question caused her to startle to attention. “Whatever you think. I’ll just trust your judgment,” she smiled.
    The clerk finished quickly, wrapped the goods in brown paper, and tied it with heavy twine. Jonathan moved forward and requested the clerk to add the cost to his other purchases, which were being totaled, and he began to usher Delphinia out of the store.
    Turning back, Delphinia walked to the clerk and whispered, “Thank you for your help. I’ll be praying for you this evening and thanking the Lord for your help.”
    “Oh, my dear, thank you,” the clerk replied. “It was a pleasure to assist you. It’s a long trip you’re making, but you’re young and strong. With that able-bodied husband of yours, you’ll do just fine.”
    “He’s not my husband,” Delphinia retorted before thinking.
    “Oh, well, I’ll certainly be praying for you, too, my dear,” the clerk replied.
    Delphinia felt her cheeks turn a crimson red, and she began to stutter a reply, but the clerk had already turned and was helping another customer. Feeling totally humiliated, she briskly made her way out of the store and back to the wagon, where Jonathan was waiting.
    Without a glance in his direction, she made her way around the wagon and quickly climbed up onto the seat. Not knowing how many people had overheard their conversation, Delphinia was anxious to join the wagon train as soon as possible.
    “I thought maybe you’d like to have dinner in town. There’s a good restaurant down the street,” Jonathan offered.
    “I’m not hungry. Let’s get going,” she answered, her voice sounding somewhat shrill.
    “What’s wrong?” he questioned.
    “Nothing. Let’s just go,” she replied.
    “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s wrong,” Jonathan said.
    Delphinia knew from the set of his jaw that she was not going to have her way. Grudgingly she recounted the conversation, trying to keep as much composure as possible.
    “Is that all?” he questioned. “I’ll be right back after I explain our situation to the