Hope by Barbara Goss (best novels for beginners .txt) 📕

Daniel pushed the small table aside and set the big one down. “Who does the books now?”

“Sam does everything. He’s worth the salary I pay him.”

“I’ll get another chair. From now on, Hope and I will take our meals in here with you, Father. Then, we’ll have real family meals.”

Daniel returned and set the chair down. “Now, let’s get that checkerboard out.”

Joseph started a chain of coughs, so Daniel gave him a spoonful of medicine. “Are you all right, now?”

“I’m fine. Let’s get this checker match going before I fall asleep.”

Daniel made his move. He watched Hope make hers from across the table. After he moved his piece, he watched her thoughtful expression as she thought about her next play. Daniel suddenly felt the urge to kiss the thoughtful look from her face, which made him feel guilty. Poor Nancy, only gone a few months, and he was thinking about kissing another woman.

They played two games. She won the first game, and he won the other.

“The next game will determine the champion,” Hope said.

“It'll have to wait for another time because I want to take you on a tour of the farm before it grows dark.”

Hope and Daniel walked back behind the house and circled around the large garden. They saw a stone bench, and Hope suggested they sit for a few minutes.

“Having trouble keeping up with me?” Daniel said with a wink.

“I got used to your long strides months ago.”

Hope wondered why she felt so comfortable with Daniel. She definitely had feelings for him, but she wasn’t sure what they were. Hope would have to rein in her feelings since Daniel was still grieving Nancy. She wasn’t sure if he’d ever get over her death.

“I like your father.”

“He likes you, too.”

After sitting in silence for several moments, Hope said, “I think you’ve stalled long enough. Let’s go to your father’s room and have that checker match.”

“You think I’m stalling?”

“Yes.”

Hope punched his shoulder playfully. “Is that why you suggested the tour? Did you think I’d forget about the match?”

“What?” Daniel laughed. “That’s it. Inside. Now!”

Daniel played his best, but Hope beat him at checkers. She was a good player. He loved the look of concentration on her face and her pensiveness. He knew he’d teach her chess next, unless she was already a champion at that, too.

“I bow to the best,” Daniel said as he gathered up the checkers. “Your orphanage title still stands.”

Hope smiled. “I warned you.”

“Yes, you did.”

Joseph, who’d stayed awake to watch the game, saluted Hope. “Nice game.”

Esther came in, wheeling a cart with their dinner. She put the plates on the table and said, “Enjoy,” before backing out of the room.

“Smells divine,” Daniel said.

Hope took the cover off the large platter. “What a gorgeous roast.”

“Let’s bow our heads.” Joseph said a short but meaningful prayer of thanks.

“We often forgot to say grace on the trail. We’ll remedy that now.” Daniel looked at Hope, and she nodded.

Hope poured tea into Joseph and Daniel’s cups and then her own. “Joseph, what can I do to help here, on the farm?”

Daniel said, “Nothing. You’re a guest.”

Hope stirred her tea and looked at Joseph. “I’d feel better if I could help. If you mean what you say, that I’m family, then I should help with the business.”

“But—”

Joseph held his hand up to stop Daniel’s protest. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. How would you like to take care of our bookkeeping?”

“If you show me exactly how you want things, I’d be happy to do that.”

“Daniel, tell Sam to show Hope how to do the bookkeeping tomorrow. Sam will thank you. He’s always complaining about having too much to do.”

Daniel nodded. “Are you sure, Hope?”

“Yes. I need to earn my keep.”

“All right, then.”

Esther served breakfast in Joseph’s room. Joseph picked up his muffin and smelled it. “Wonderful.”

“I think you should eat some eggs before gorging on that muffin,” Daniel said.

“I see she gave you one today, Daniel.”

“Hope, you don’t have a muffin. Shall I ring for Esther and ask her to bring you one?” Joseph asked.

“No. I told Esther the morning I ate with her and Sam that I didn’t care for cornmeal muffins.” She smiled at the older man. “But thank you.”

Daniel watched his father eat a few forkfuls of his eggs before reaching for the muffin. He shook his head, having decided to let the man enjoy it while he still could.

“Sam will come to the office after lunch to show you how to keep the books.” Daniel told Hope.

Daniel finished his muffin and drained his coffee. “I’ll cover for Sam while he’s with Hope.”

Joseph coughed several times. Hope reached for his medicine and gave him a spoonful. “I wish there were something more I could do, Joseph.”

He patted her hand. “Hope, you’ve brightened my days. Thank you for coming here.”

Hope bent to kiss Joseph’s cheek.

Joseph fell asleep with a smile on his face.

Daniel said, “You’re brilliant with him.”

“I like him. If I had a father, I’d wish he was like Joseph. I pray for him each night.”

“You’re making his last days enjoyable. Thank you.”

Hope whispered, “How much longer?”

“I don’t know. I hope a good while.”

Hope walked to the door. “The doctor didn’t say anything or give any idea?”

“Our doctor is good for minor surgeries and bad colds, but my father’s illness is beyond his medical knowledge.”

“Oh, Daniel. Couldn’t we take him to Kansas City or somewhere with more advanced doctors?”

“He won’t go. He's a stubborn old goat who wants to die at home. He’s afraid that if we take him on a trip