Page 65 of The Formation of Us

“We keep our parts here so we can find them when we need them.”

He let Adam inspect the tools and saws and grapple hooks that lined the wall, understanding the boy’s keen interest. One of Duke’s earliest memories was gaping at all the strange, exciting items displayed like a wall of toys. They weren’t playthings of course, but as a boy, anything that could cut, shoot, or pound made his hands itch to use it.

“Come on. I’ll show you how those blades work.” He took them into the mill building, and they clapped their hands over their ears. Adam watched the huge circular blade in awe, Faith gaped in fear, and Cora rocked her legs as if telling Duke to giddy-up and get out of there.

They stayed long enough to watch the head sawyer slab a maple, then hurried outside away from the screaming noise.

Adam turned in a slow circle to survey the mill. “I want to work here.” He faced Duke, his expression enthralled. “I’ll do anything. I’ll shovel sawdust, or carry lumber, or anything at all.”

Faith shook her head. “It’s too dangerous for you.”

“My brothers and I worked here as soon as we could fetch and carry,” Duke told her. He took Cora back to the sawdust pile where she dove in with childish delight. “I started learning how to run the saw when I was Adam’s age.”

Faith pointed at the mill. “That big saw? In there?”

He nodded.

“Good heavens.” She pressed her hand to her stomach as if the thought alone made her nauseous.

“I wouldn’t let Adam near the blade,” he said, causing both Faith and Adam to react—Faith with horror, Adam with wild optimism in his eyes.

Faith shook her head. “This is no place for a boy”

Adam’s expression fell, but he kept quiet, his eyes begging Duke to convince her otherwise.

“I have to talk to my brothers first, but we have plenty of safe jobs for a boy Adam’s age.” And Radford couldn’t deny they needed an intelligent boy with a strong back around the mill.

Faith surveyed the lumberyard as if seeking evidence of a safe job. Adam looked for Duke’s brothers, who were in the yard finishing up for the day. Duke could tell when Adam spotted Radford; the optimism drained from the boy’s face and he hung his head.

“Never mind,” Adam said. “I have a job at the store, and Faith needs me at the greenhouse.”

But Duke knew Adam needed to be at the mill with other men he could watch and learn from. He needed a chance to become a man he could be proud of.

Chapter 20

Faith made room for Iris on the scratchy wool blanket that she’d spread in the lumber wagon. Duke had filled the box with straw, and was taking all of them to Dunkirk to watch the Independence Day parade.

“It’s not a coach and four,” Iris said, “but it’ll get us there.”

“I like it.” Adam moved to the front to sit with Dahlia, who was spinning a tale for Cora about turning straw to gold. Tansy and Aster were in the back sharing Faith’s blanket.

“I couldn’t allow Duke to pay for the street rail for all of us,” Faith explained.

Iris lifted her eyebrows. “‘Duke’ is it? Hmmm, sounds like you two are getting friendly.”

Faith lifted her chin. “That was the plan, wasn’t it?”

Tansy patted Faith’s arm. “Ignore her, dahlin’. She’s jealous of your youth and beauty.”

“Of course she is. Our seven-month age difference has always come between us.”

Tansy’s mouth gaped. “Did I just hear sarcasm from you, child? Lord! You must stay away from Iris. She’ll turn you into a sarcastic, jealous viper like herself.”

Cyrus, who was up front with Duke and Patrick, clicked his tongue and started their wagon toward Dunkirk and the fireworks. Iris gripped the edge of the box and arched a black eyebrow at Tansy “No wonder you’re all aflutter. I didn’t realize Mr. Daaaahlin’ would be joining us.”

“Neither did I,” Tansy whispered.

“It must make you breathless to see him handle those massive horses.”