by Alan Black
Susanne called out, “We are going to go out and see the Hazkit farm. You two behave yourselves while we are gone.”
LillieBeth stopped at the door, strapped on the shoulder holster and slid the gun into place. She almost picked up the Winchester, but took the small .22 rifle instead.
The girl said, “We might find something for supper.”
Susanne nodded. She did not need an explanation. She felt empty handed with the Braunawalls on the loose. She said, “As long as we are not having rattlesnake for supper.”
LillieBeth laughed. “That might be good, fried up with some bacon grease. Still, the rifle is just in case we find something too good to pass up.” She did not elaborate on her reasons for carrying the revolver.
Once out the door LillieBeth said, “We are not going to walk all 420 acres are we? I suggest that we ride.”
Susanne laughed, “You just want to get up on Fletcher again, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am, but please do not tell Mama.”
Susanne said, “Okay, but if you are bucked off and get hurt, she will kill us both.”
They took a couple of long rope leads from the lean-to and walked down into the field. A few of the horses had disappeared, wandering off to some other part of the farm. Both of Grace’s Belgians, David and Solomon, grazed quietly in the grass. The mares had been hooked to the wagon Reverend James used to take Grace home.
Ruth and Naomi grazed contentedly at the far end of the meadow. They looked up momentarily, but then went back to grazing.
The big Missouri Fox Trotter was on the far end of the meadow as well. He shook his head and kicked his heels, before trotting slowly toward the two women. He splashed across the little creek and walked up to LillieBeth. He stopped and lowered his head to be petted.
Susanne said, “Well, don’t that beat all!”
LillieBeth said, “I am not surprised. He knows I love him, so he cannot help but love me back.”
Susanne wanted to laugh, but she did not want LillieBeth to think she was laughing at her. It was a very simplistic point of view. She knew giving love did not always beget love. It is a hard lesson to learn even at twenty-four, but she would not disabuse a twelve-year-old of the thought.
She knew love could be, and more often than not, was a one-way emotion. A woman could give love, give her heart, give her body and receive little to nothing in return. She did not blame men; it was just the way they were.
She watched LillieBeth attach a lead to Fletcher and grabbing a handful of mane, she leapt up onto the big stallion. Susanne noticed for the first time, the girl had a cloth pouch tied to a twine belt at her waist. Whatever was in the pouch was heavy and hard. It must have been uncomfortable swinging against LillieBeth’s thigh, but the girl took no notice of it. She estimated the size and shape was the same as LillieBeth’s rock, her granite heart. She wondered if keeping such a symbol was a wise thing for such an impressionable young girl, but she also knew, in many regards this twelve-year-old was more mature than she.
“Who do I get to ride? Ruth or Naomi?”
LillieBeth said. “Let them rest. There is a chestnut mare over there. See the one with the white blaze on her face? She has a halter. I’ll bet she is saddle broke as well.”
Susanne said, “How will we know if she is saddle broke? We can’t ask her.”
LillieBeth shrugged. She reined Fletcher toward the mare. Once there, she leaned down and attached the lead. “I guess we will find out when we put a saddle on her and you climb up.”
Both horses took to the saddle as if Hoffman had worked with them on a regular basis. The mare shied sideways when Susanne mounted into the saddle, but responded easily to the reins.
LillieBeth asked, “Miss Harbowe, how do we keep track of all of the horses?”
Susanne laughed, “We could just give them all names, but I am sure your mother would think that was a bad idea.”
“We could just give them numbers to begin with.”
Susanne said, “I am not as much of a horsewoman as Grace Grissom, certainly not even as knowledgeable as you are. Oh, I was good as a youngster and could spot an Appaloosa from a mile away. And I could tell the difference between a Morgan and a Thoroughbred, but that is like telling the difference between a trout and an eagle.”
LillieBeth said, “I thought I knew horses, but if I could not tell what kind of horse Fletcher is, then I must not be as good as I thought.”
Susanne said, “We should not compare ourselves to Grace Grissom in horse knowledge. It is her business. I know a man in Oasis who knows horses better than anyone in the world.”
LillieBeth looked skeptical. “Even better than Grace.”
Susanne said, “It would be a contest, but Odie runs the stable in town. He can talk about and tell you about horse breeds that I have never heard of.”
LillieBeth looked quizzical. “Odie? I thought the stable was run by a colored fellow.”
Susanne nodded, “Yes. Odie is a black man now that you mention it. But don’t let that fool you. He is a good man and we take knowledge from wherever we can find it.”
LillieBeth said, “Well, Odie and Mrs. Grissom are not here, so we will have to guess about the horses.”
Susanne said, “We should be able to combine our ignorance to get a reasonable tally of your stock. Do you know if Mr. Hoffman had any other animals? Cows, goats, sheep?”
LillieBeth shrugged. “I do not know. I have never seen any evidence of anything other than horses, mules and his old three-legged dog…which he always said was not his dog anyway. I wonder if Daddy will let me get a dog? Not a big one, just a puppy or something.”
Susanne asked, “Um…LillieBeth? You do know that puppies grow up into something bigger, right?” She laughed when LillieBeth gave her the standard youngster’s sideways look while rolling her eyes.
They spent the rest of the day on horseback, checking, mapping, searching and exploring. There was a small herd of a dozen horses in a cleared field at the foot of the hill. The field was obviously in the flood plain for the White River. While the river was swollen with spring rains from up river to the west it was not up to flood stage.
They left the horses grazing in the lush field. Horses were usually smart enough to move to high ground as needed to avoid higher water. People needed to move cattle and sheep as those animals would get confused and drown in deep water.
There were horses of all descriptions scattered about the land. Susanne wrote a detailed description of each gelding, mare, colt, filly and foal. She wrote them on the back of the map. It was a long list. They found two old mules, besides Ruth and Naomi, but no other farm animals.
They found a few caves and springs hidden among the trees in the hills. There were small meadows and glades dotting the farm. None of the open areas were cultivated for crops, but grass was abundant.
LillieBeth spotted a honey tree by the swarm of bees. She marked it on the map for harvesting later. Neither young woman knew how to harvest honey without being stung by the bees.
LillieBeth said, “We will ask Daddy.”
Susanne said, “I have known your father longer than you have, but I have never heard him mention that he knows how to harvest wild honey.”
LillieBeth nodded, “Well, he has not told me about everything he knows either. If he does not know how to harvest honey, then he will know who to ask.”
Susanne said, “Yes. Your father is that kind of man.”
LillieBeth said, “Last year in school, you told some of us older students that we do not need to know everything. We just need to know where to find the knowledge when we need it, remember?”
Susanne said, “I said that? I wonder what I was thinking. That only works if you live near a big library. I would guess that the nearest big library is in Springfield. It is a long ways away.”
LillieBeth said, “It really is a short ride for truth and knowledge.”
Susanne laughed, “Well, I can tell that you are smarter than I am.”
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br /> LillieBeth looked shocked. “You are my teacher. You have been to college. How can I be smarter.”
Susanne laughed harder, “Dearest Elizabeth, I said smarter not more educated. Those are not the same thing. I met many a person in college who was educated beyond their intelligence.”
They stopped talking to stare at a group of deer grazing on the tender shoots of new leaves on saplings.
Susanne slid into teacher mode. “A group of deer is called a mob.”
LillieBeth said, “A mob?” Well, I see what you mean about being too educated. I would just call it a herd of dinner on the hoof come winter.”
Susanne laughed. “I did not say it is wrong or even possible to get too much education. I said there are some people who have more education than they have the smarts to handle what they know.”
Wild game was scattered and ran from them at every turn. LillieBeth kept her rifle handy.
LillieBeth said, “Keep an eye out for a mob of turkeys. I have not had turkey in ages.”
Susanne laughed.
LillieBeth grinned back. “What? We do not call a flock of turkeys a mob?”
Susanne stopped. She reined in the chestnut mare, closed her eyes and tried to access the library in her head. She shook her head. “Nope. I think you are right. A mob of turkeys is called a flock.”
They did not spot a mob of turkeys or even a flock. LillieBeth passed by the white tail deer in favor of harvesting a duck, bringing it out of the sky with a clean shot from her .22.
Susanne asked, “I like duck as much as the next person, but I also like venison. Why didn’t you shoot a deer?”
LillieBeth looked at her from horseback. Due to the size difference of their mounts, they were eye-to-eye. “Mostly because I have the wrong rifle.”
Susanne said, “I know that most people hunt duck with a shotgun. Isn’t a .22 the wrong gun for that?”
LillieBeth nodded. “A shotgun is easier to harvest ducks, geese and the like, but if you can hit a duck with a .22 it will bring it down.”
Susanne nodded. “And you did hit this one in the right spot.”
LillieBeth said, “A .22 will not drop a deer fast enough. It will only hurt them. The Winchester .30-.30 would be fine for deer. Daddy always says we should use the right tool for the right job. I did not want to wound the deer, but to kill it cleanly. That is why I will take the Winchester when I go hunting the Braunawalls.”
FRIDAY – EARLY MORNING
Susanne looked across at LillieBeth as the girl fingered her Winchester rifle. She was sitting tall on Fletcher, looking both mature and girlish in her Sunday best, even though it was only Friday.
Susanne slid off the back of the chestnut mare she had been riding. It was a pretty horse with a comfortable gait. However, it had been a long ride from the Hazkit place to the Grissom’s house. She was anxious and excited to see Grace again.
She carried a wild berry pie into Grace’s kitchen without knocking or even slowing down at the open door. She left her horse behind without comment. She knew LillieBeth would manage the horses, including the two grey Belgians they were bringing back.
Susanne found herself face-to-face with Mrs. Howerbach. The older woman looked startled as if she was surprised to see that a disgraced woman would have the audacity to show up at a good woman’s home. Susanne shoved the pie into Mrs. Howerbach’s hands without comment.
She walked up to Grace and wrapped her arms around the woman accepting Grace’s tight squeeze in return. As soon as she could take a breath again, she stepped back and looked up into the newly-made widow’s eyes.
“I am sorry about Clayton.” She could feel daggers in her back from some of the other women in the kitchen. A week ago, she would have thought it was just her imagination, but she knew better now. She spun around and caught the culprits in their stares.
Grace said, “Thank you, Susanne. Clayton was always fond of you and he often said that if we had a daughter, he would hope she would have turned out like you.” In a loud voice she said, “You are welcome as a guest in my home anytime.”
“Thank you, Grace.”
LillieBeth stood in the doorway. “Mrs. Grissom, we just dropped by to pay our respects. Mama is at home tending to Daddy’s wounds. They send their regrets and love. I am sure you know how much you and Clayton have meant to all of the Hazkits.”
Grace said, “Please come in and sit for a while, both of you.”
Susanne started to falter. She wanted to stay and she still wanted to go. She knew some of the other women would take offense at her presence. She would have liked to tweak their noses by sitting among them. Most of all she wanted to comfort Grace and receive Grace’s comfort in return.
LillieBeth shook her head, her long brown hair tied back with a ribbon flopped about with a very unladylike sway. She lightly touched the revolver in the holster at her shoulder. “Thank you, Mrs. Grissom. I know you will be taking Clayton down to the cemetery in Oasis today, but we have business that requires attending.”
Grace shook her head, “The White River is cresting toward flood stage today. We are setting aside a corner of the back pasture for Clayton and eventually me.”
Susanne said, “As long as you will be together again where you lie will not matter.”
Grace smiled. “That was my thinking exactly.”
LillieBeth said, “I put Solomon and David in the pasture with the mares. Will you need them hooked to a wagon to carry Clayton? I would be pleased to do that for you.”
Grace said, “No thank you, dear. There are enough husbands running around this place to do that when the time comes.” She looked closely at LillieBeth still standing in the doorway. “Are you alright?”
Susanne answered for the girl. “We are both fine.”
LillieBeth opened up the cloth pouch tied at her waist. She pulled it open and held up the rock. “Do you recognize this?”
Grace nodded. “That is your granite heart. It is like a divining rod for catching men in their lies.”
Susanne nodded. “She found it the last time we saw the Braunawalls.”
Mrs. Hollister spoke up. “I am not sure this is the right time to talk about those two.”
Susanne wanted to snap back, to let her anger flare and fire up. She said in a quiet voice, “There is no better time. Those boys raped me.” She ignored the gasps from the women in the room.
Mrs. Hollister said, “Please, that is blunt language.”
Susanne reached across the kitchen and grabbed the rock from LillieBeth. “Blunt? This rock is a granite heart. The Braunawalls raped me, but they could not touch my heart. That took people I thought were my friends turning their backs on me to hurt my heart. This rock is as blunt as my words, yet I am trying to keep my heart from hardening against the people in this community.”
LillieBeth said, “Rape is what happened; to call it otherwise is a lie. I know Susanne Harbowe was not the Braunawalls only victim among the women in these hills. Other women you know and have known were brutally attacked. Maybe even women in this very room.”
Mrs. Hollister glanced about her; none of the women would meet another’s eyes. Mrs. Howerbach fled the kitchen.
LillieBeth took back her rock and held it high for all to see. “My heart has turned this hard and will remain that way until the Braunawalls have received justice for their crimes. I will find and bring them to justice, on earth or in heaven.”
Mrs. Hollister said, “Young woman, justice and the law is man’s work.”
LillieBeth said, “Tell that to Deborah in the book of Judges.” She slammed the rock against the doorframe. The noise rang out with a dull thump that vibrated through the whole house. “Tell that to Esther in the Bible.” She hit the doorframe with the rock again. “Tell that to Grace Grissom.” She slammed the rock hard against the doorframe. “Her husband Clayton was the best of all of the husbands in this part of the Ozark Mountains. Those same rapists who attacked Susanne Harbowe, also attacked other women and shot my father
. They are the animals who killed Clayton Grissom.”
LillieBeth looked at every woman in the kitchen. She held the granite heart high above her head. “The Braunawalls are running free and loose. You tell your men folk how justice and the law is their job. It is easy to find your husbands. They are doing nothing more than drinking coffee laced with moonshine and smoking cigars out by a murdered man’s barn.”
Susanne nodded. She wanted to speak, but no matter how harshly she spoke, she did not mean it. She loved these women. LillieBeth was hard and uncompromising. However, these women had been friends of hers, friends of her late parents, parents of her past students, fellow church members and close neighbors.
LillieBeth dropped the rock into its pouch.
Susanne hugged Grace again. She followed LillieBeth out of the kitchen and back into the yard. Fletcher and the chestnut mare were at the corral fence by the barn, tied to the top rail. Reverend James blocked them from reaching their horses. He was standing halfway to the corral, waiting for them.
James said, “Please ladies, talk to me for a moment.”
Susanne nodded.
LillieBeth shrugged, but stood beside Susanne.
James cleared his throat. “I was wrong and I am sorry. I should have kept your secret and accepted your apology. It is obvious that you are sorry for any part you might have played in the Braunawall’s attack on you.”
Susanne’s heart leapt. “Yes. Thank you. I accept your apology and forgive you your error. It was a minor mistake compared to mine.”
James said, “It was my mistake, but you are paying the penalty.”
Susanne said, “That can’t be changed now. I did play a part in my own troubles.”
LillieBeth said, “Every woman Trance and Dangle forced into a ruinous act, played some part, even if it was nothing more than not shooting them at first sight like rabid skunks.”
James said, “LillieBeth that is not a very Christian attitude.”
LillieBeth shrugged. “Sir, you are the ordained minister. Christianity is your area of knowledge. I will bow to your wisdom. All I know is that if I had shot them dead when they attacked me, then they would not have been alive to attack my Mama, murder my friend Fletcher Hoffman, shoot my Daddy or kill Clayton Grissom. I will not make that mistake again.”