Melody (Logan 1)

distracting."

"Yes, Jacob." Aunt Sara signed his orders to

May, who immediately dropped her gaze to her food

and stopped trying to communicate with me. It occurred to me that I had yet to see Uncle

Jacob use sign language with May. Up until now, it

had been only Cary, Aunt Sara, and I.

"I'm sorry," I said. "It was my fault. I am trying

to learn sign language."

"Well do it after dinner," Uncle Jacob snapped

and turned back to Cary to talk about the new traps. After dinner I helped Aunt Sara clear away the

dishes and put away the food. She went on and on

about the wonderful things Laura had learned to do

with fish.

"Got so her filleted bass was good enough to be

in a contest. You should have tasted her fish pie, too.

The crust always came out so light. That girl had

magic in her fingers."

"I cooked for my daddy often," I said. "Oh, did you, dear? Yes, I bet you did. I don't

remember Haille being much of a cook. She had other

things on her mind."

"Like what?" I pursued.

"Not fit to discuss." Aunt Sara sewed her lips

shut. "What's that mean?" I demanded.

She shook her head and then gazed at the

doorway before lowering her voice to a whisper.

"Truth is, Jacob don't even like me mentioning her

and those days."

"Well, I'd like to hear more about her," I said. "No you wouldn't dear. I must show you some

of Laura's needlework," she said to change the

subject. "Did I tell you she used to do that? I have it