chimed in, and Adele smiled. Maybe the dance wouldn’t be so bad after all if they had a scavenger hunt with it. In the meantime, all she had to do was worry about making a few banners with Liam and perhaps pick out some prizes for the hunt.
“You’re looking happy all of a sudden,” her mother commented next to her.
Adele smiled. “I am. I think a scavenger hunt would be lovely.”
Belle smiled. “And from the sounds of it, we’ll have one.”
Chapter Five
After the meeting, Adele’s friend Merritt O’Hare approached. “I guess I’m stuck on the decorating committee with you.”
Adele was taken aback. “You make it sound like you’ve been sentenced to jail.”
Merritt wrinkled her nose. “As my father’s a deputy, it could happen.”
“One would think he’d work to keep you out of jail, not in.” Adele left her pew. “And don’t feel bad. I have to make banners with Liam White.”
Merritt gasped. “Does he know?”
Adele searched for her mother and saw her speaking with Leona and Betsy. “Somehow I suspect not.”
“He won’t like that,” Merritt said. “He’ll think it’s a boring, pointless job – unless hanging a banner takes mathematical prowess.”
Adele giggled. “If he pulls out a pad and pencil and starts making calculations, I’ll know to let him work on it however he wants.”
Merritt laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Ruby Bennett asked.
Adele smiled. Ruby was Daisy’s younger sister. Ever since Daisy got married, Ruby had been spending more time with Merritt and Adele. Maybe Ruby was lonely. She was twenty-three now and also staring spinsterhood in the face. “Liam White,” Adele stated.
“What about him?”
“My mother drafted me to decorate banners with him.”
“At least he’s nice,” Ruby said. “I got volunteered to help set up tables and things.”
Adele cocked her head. “Isn’t that usually one of the men’s tasks?”
Ruby plopped into the nearest pew. “Yes, always has been. I don’t know why Mrs. Riley put me in charge of it.” She looked at the matrons on the other side of the church chatting with Belle, Sadie and some other women. “Mrs. Riley and Mrs. Quinn are strange.”
Adele and Merritt drew closer. “What makes you say that?” Merritt asked.
Ruby’s forehead wrinkled in thought. “I don’t know. It’s like they’re meddling.”
“That’s exactly what they’re doing,” Adele said. “We’ve done things the same way for years. They show up and now we’re having a street dance and a scavenger hunt. Not that I’d mind the hunt – it sounds interesting.”
Merritt nodded. “I’m looking forward to that.”
“Yes, but how can we arrange something like a scavenger hunt in so short a time?” Ruby asked.
Merritt sat next to her. “From the sound of it, they’ve done this before.”
“No, it was Lula that brought it up,” Adele corrected. “But I do hope we get it organized in time for the dance.”
“At least you’re looking forward to it,” Ruby said. “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”
Merritt sat back in puzzlement. “Did anyone say you’d have help?”
“Mrs. Riley and Sadie said they’d find someone. A gentleman. It would have to be – I can’t lift those things, let alone get them into a wagon, haul them to town and unload them. What do they think I am, a circus strongman?”
“I hope you don’t get stuck with Baird or Radley,” Merritt said. “My brothers have the attention spans of squirrels.” Ruby shuddered at the thought.
Adele noticed Mother approaching. “Are you ready to head home?” Mother asked.
“Yes.” She brushed at her skirt and glanced around the sanctuary. Considering how bored she was, they might as well leave.
“I want to stop at Aunt Irene and Uncle Wilfred’s before we leave town,” Mother said. “We’ll need paint for the banners.”
“Very well,” Adele sighed.
“Mrs. White said she’ll have Liam come to the ranch this afternoon.”
Adele blinked in alarm. “What?”
“You heard me. I suggest you change that dress – you don’t want to get paint on it, do you?” She started for the church doors.
“But Mother …”
She turned around. “What now?”
“Does he have to come to the ranch?”
Mother’s hands went to her hips, never a good sign. “Adele, how often do we have extracurricular activities in this town? It’s not going to hurt you to paint a few banners with the man, bring them into town and hang them. I’m sure you’ll be home in time for supper.” She turned again and headed out the doors.
The three young women stared after her. “She’s … insistent, isn’t she?” Ruby commented.
Merritt’s eyebrows rose. “I wonder how insistent my mother will be?”
“And mine,” Ruby added. They