But Katie had invited him to join them for the midday meal and afterwards, when the family sat drinking iced tea on the porch, he’d had to watch Shad making calf eyes at Katie and praising her for her cooking. Every time Katie glanced in the boy’s direction, Shad flushed to the roots of his hair. Finally, when Shad remarked for the second time on the amazing qualities of her blackberry pie, Freeman lost patience. “Time you were getting back to work, don’t you think, Shadrach?” “Oh, let the boy digest his dinner,” Grossmama said. “He’s been at it since early this morning.” Katie glanced up from the elaborate cat’s cradle pattern Jehu was attempting and smiled at Shad. “And a good job he’s making of it, too.” Shad clutched his straw hat and turned strawberry red up to his ears. It was clear to Freeman that he was smitten with Katie. Every time she opened her mouth, he stared at her as if he expected pearls of wisdom to tumble out.
