by Marja McGraw
“Mama once told me that you taught her how to sew,” Elsbeth said. “It seems she learned from the best.”
Mother chuckled. “I guess she did at that.”
None of us spoke, but sat quietly, enjoying each other’s company.
Mother Possum looked thoughtful. “I’ll ask around about if there’s anybody missing, but I know I would have heard. That is, unless somebody thought it might scare me to know such a thing.”
Her eyes seemed to be at half-mast and I figured she was probably due for her nap.
“I think we’d better be going now,” I said.
She nodded and gave us a little wave.
“Well, that was interesting,” I said. “And now I’ve met Willie. You were his first choice, but it didn’t seem to matter when he asked me to walk with him. I guess either one of would have worked for him.”
Elsbeth nodded absently. “Even if I didn’t have Daniel, I wouldn’t have taken a walk with him. I don’t trust him.”
“I moved him to the top of the Suspect List. He has quite an attitude problem. Although, to be fair, he got all dressed up and then had no one to walk with, so maybe he was just embarrassed.”
“Maybe. Don’t say anything else. Here comes Papa.”
“What was that all about?” he asked. “Was Willy being his usual rowdy self? Maybe I need to have a jaw with him. In fact, maybe I should sock him in the jaw.” Papa was sure being protective.
Elsbeth shook her head. “It’s okay, Papa. I don’t think he’ll bother us anymore.”
I was surprised that Elsbeth seemed to be sticking up for him. Maybe she was simply trying to head off trouble.
Papa didn’t look like he believed her. “Why don’t you bring your papa a cup of coffee, Beth? Maybe you might make a cuppa tea for you and your sister while you’re at it.”
“Yes, Papa. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
He took my hand and pointed to a chair. “Sit with me for a spell.”
I saw down and waited. It was obvious to me that something was coming.
“Your mama and me have been talking about you, Carrie girl. These last few days you’ve been so different. You haven’t thrown any temper tantrums or been mean to anyone. We don’t understand it, but we feel mighty proud of you.” He sat back and looked like a man waiting for a volcano to erupt.
It didn’t. I didn’t have old Carrie’s temper.
“Papa, I guess I’m just tired of being mean-spirited. Maybe I’ve turned a corner in life. I want to enjoy my family, not argue with all of you.”
“Mean-spirited. Those are words I’ll have to remember. That Willy is mean-spirited, so don’t you trust him. I heard Mother Possum give him what for, so I guess I’d better start watching out for her, too. Willy could come back and go after her. She’s too old to take care of herself.”
“That’s a good idea, Papa.”
He scratched his chin. “Are you and Nathaniel in love?” He looked embarrassed after he asked the question, but he didn’t back off.
I thought about it before I spoke again. “We’re friends, Papa. I think any relationship needs to begin with a friendship and build from there. I don’t know where it will go from here. I like him. I like him a lot, as a matter of fact.” I thought about traveling back to my own time. “No one knows what the future holds.”
“You’ve changed more than I thought. You’re turning into a wise young lady, Carrie, and you’re right. Your mama and me were friends first, before we started courtin’. She’s my wife, but she’s also my closest friend.”
He shook his head and looked embarrassed again. “Sometimes I talk too danged much.”
“No, Papa, I’m glad you told me about you and Mama. It makes me feel better about Nathaniel and me.”
Elsbeth and Mama joined us on the porch, carrying a mug of coffee and three cups of tea.
“Just in time,” Papa mumbled under his breath. He obviously wasn’t comfortable talking about personal issues.
Mama sat down and blew on her hot tea before taking a sip. “Beth told me about Willy Rhodes stopping at Mother Possum’s house. I don’t care for that boy. There’s something about him that I don’t trust.”
It seemed that no one trusted him.
It suddenly struck me that everyone, including me, referred to the men in town as boys. Old habits? Mama and Papa had watched most of the male population in town grow from boys to men.
Papa took a drink of his coffee before speaking softly. “It never rains, but it pours. Here comes Clarence Cameron, and his sister Ruth ain’t with him.” He set his mug down too hard and coffee slopped over onto the table.
“Afternoon, y’all,” Clarence said. “I’m looking for Ruth. Our mother needs her help with some chores.”
Papa visibly relaxed. “She hasn’t been around here today. You’ll have to look elsewhere.”
“She said she was comin’ over to your house.”
“Nope. Haven’t seen hide nor hair of her.” Papa could have said, Now go home and stop bothering us, and it would have sounded the same.
“Thank you, Mr. McFerrin. Good day to you, Mrs. McFerrin.” Clarence nodded at Elsbeth and winked at me before turning around and heading in the direction he’d come from.
He seemed pleasant enough, but that didn’t mean much. And there was another wink. I shrugged it off.
Papa sounded frustrated. “I shoulda been paying more attention to you girls and the boys – or men – in this town. You’re like honey to a fly. They just keep buzzing around here.”
Mama’s voice sounded odd when she asked, “Did you see that boy wink at our Carrie? It seemed kind of forward to me.”
“Well, his sister is a friend of Carrie’s. Maybe he figures it’s all right to take liberties.” Elsbeth rolled her eyes before winking at me.
Oh, good grief! Why was everyone winking at me?
Mama hmphed and took another sip of her tea.
Papa stood and looked down at his wife. “I think it’s time the McGee boys made their intentions toward our girls known to the town. It’s a small town so it shouldn’t be that hard to let everyone know. Then maybe the flies will stay away from our front porch.”
And, then again, I thought, maybe we need the flies to stick around until we can figure out who’s more of a hornet than a fly.
Chapter Twenty-four
I wondered why Ruth had told her brother she was coming to see me. Everyone saw us drive through town on our way to the movies. She had to know we hadn’t been home. Maybe she’d talked to her brother later in the day and planned on asking me how it went at the theater. Maybe she got sidetracked on her way to the house.
I had no idea what time it was, but Mama excused herself to go finish putting supper together.
“I’m not very hungry after eating at the hotel.” Elsbeth patted her stomach indicating she was full.
“Just eat what you can, Beth. I’m fixin’ fried chicken and mashed potatoes with peas.”
Elsbeth smiled. “Well, maybe I can force a little supper down.”
Papa stood up and followed Mama. “Don’t leave the house without letting me know,” he said, turning to look at us.
“Yes, sir.”
“Papa is ignoring his trees and some of his work to keep an eye on us, isn’t he?” I asked.
“That’s our father. My suspicion is that he’s never had to worry about us before and he’s taking it seriously. He told me earlier that he wants Daniel and Nathaniel to spend more time around here. I think he needs to do some catching up around the property.”
My aunt leaned back in her chair and nodded off, so I found Mama in the kitchen and asked if I could help her. She welcomed the help and asked if I wanted to learn to cook. That told me a little more about old Carrie. I had a feeling she didn’t do any more around the house than she absolutely had to.
“Fetch me the can of bacon grease, daughter.”
I shuddered but didn’t say anything while I fetched the grease. Fetched? Yes, inde
ed, I was beginning to fit right in. I recalled once hearing that in the old days they saved bacon grease for cooking. You didn’t run to the supermarket in 1909 to pick up a can of shortening, or much else for that matter.
Mama explained how to fry the chicken while I shelled peas. I watched her while she worked, knowing dinner was going to be a treat, bacon grease or no bacon grease.
Papa came in from outside and grinned, sniffing the air. “It’s gonna be a good supper tonight.”
We’d been at it for about fifteen minutes when I heard my aunt yelp in pain and yell, “Hey!”
I ran out to the porch to see what was happening, followed by Mama and Papa.
“Elsbeth?” I saw her standing at the porch railing on the end looking out toward the barn with her back to us. She bent and picked something up as she turned to us, with blood running from beside her eye down the side of her face.
“That’ll teach me to nod off. Someone threw a big rock at me.” She rubbed her head and looked surprised when her hand came away with blood on it. Her grip tightened on the rock she’d picked up.
Papa started down the steps.
“Wait, Papa. Whoever it was is gone now.” Elsbeth sounded disgusted, and more than a little shaken.
Mama ran inside and came back with a wet cloth. She started mopping her daughter’s face, trying to clean off the mess.
“Did you see anyone?” Papa stood on the steps, looking uncertain about whether he should search for someone or care for Elsbeth.
“I thought I saw a movement in the orchard, but I couldn’t see who it was. That’s why I’m sure they’re gone. I just saw a flash of color and heard some thrashing.”
“We’ve got three choices,” I said, figuratively putting on my Sherlock Holmes hat. “Willy, Clarence or Ruth. They seem to be the most likely suspects.”
“Don’t forget that actor fella,” Papa added. “We didn’t see him today, but he’s always lurkin’ around here somewhere.”
“Maybe Mother Possum saw…” I looked toward her house, but she was still sawing logs, sleeping in her rocker. Elsbeth’s yell hadn’t wakened her. Maybe she didn’t see everything that went on around her.
Mama took Elsbeth by the hand and led her inside. “Carrie, you go watch the chicken while I clean your sister’s head. Turn it over soon. Sprinkle some salt on it, too.”
Yeah, like the bacon grease wouldn’t give it enough of a salty flavor.
Papa, apparently deciding not to take any chances, headed for the orchard.
~ * ~
Supper was a quiet affair after Mama said grace and thanked the Good Lord for watching over her daughters.
Tess had come home from her friend’s house just in time to eat. She was full of questions, and after they were answered Mama and Papa threw worried glances at each other from time to time. They’d only told her what they felt they had to.
I wondered if they were beginning to worry about Tess’ safety, too, although nothing had happened to her. Yet.
My aunt kept lightly touching the small bandage on her head.
“Do you feel okay?” I asked.
She nodded and picked at her food. “I’ve just got a headache. It’ll go away, just like the ache in my ankle.” She was feeling a bit sorry for herself.
Tess looked close to tears throughout the meal. “No one is gonna hurt my big sister again. Papa will keep us safe.”
When we were through eating, my aunt said, “After we wash the dishes, let’s go sit on the porch and listen to the frogs. Their croaking relaxes me, for some reason.”
“You girls go on outside,” Mama said. “I’ll take care of the washing tonight. Tess can help me before she goes to bed.”
We sat outside for about five minutes before Papa showed up with his rifle again. He sat on the porch steps where he’d be visible, with the rifle resting across his legs.
“Subtle, isn’t he?” I whispered.
Elsbeth chuckled.
“I wish I had some make-up to cover up my black eye.”
I put my index finger to my lips to shush her. I didn’t want Papa asking about make-up. Besides, it wasn’t a black eye, although there was a bruise on the side of her face.
We were just starting to relax when the McGee boys – men – came walking down the street.
“Evenin’,” Daniel said. “We thought we’d come by and check on things.”
Elsbeth looked up and her bandage was visible under a full moon.
“What happened?” Daniel demanded, running past Papa and up the steps.
“Someone threw a rock at her,” Papa said, as Daniel passed by him. He patted his rifle. “Won’t happen again.”
Tess brought out a plate with some of the cookies Mama had baked. “I told Mama these might make you feel better.” She scurried back inside after looking toward the dark and probably scary (to her) orchard.
Maybe it was a little scary to me to, at the moment.
Nathaniel followed his brother up the steps and took a good look at my aunt. “Her face is turning black.”
We all turned to look at Elsbeth.
He was right. She was going to have a real shiner by morning. I was wrong about the bruising only being on the side of her face.
Papa clamped his lips together – out of anger or to keep himself from saying what was on his mind?
After a couple of minutes, while the brothers fussed over Elsbeth, Papa stood and climbed the steps, opening the front door.
“Jane?” he called. “Would you come out here?”
“Coming, Clayton.”
She hurried outside, with trepidation emanating from her eyes. Had something else happened? I could read it on her face.
“The McGees and me are goin’ out to the barn to talk. I want you to stay with the girls.”
“Yes, dear.”
“Come with me, boys.” Papa impatiently waved his hand at them.
“We’re right behind you, Mr. McFerrin.” Nathaniel was already moving.
“I said to call me Clayton. We’re gonna be workin’ real close together from now on.”
Nathaniel smiled. “Yes, sir, Mr… Clayton.”
Daniel nodded and they followed Papa out to the barn.
I walked to the end of the porch and peeked in that direction. A light went on and I knew Papa had lit the lantern.
I sighed and returned to my chair, picking up a cookie and munching on it.
“I wonder what they’re talking about.” Mama sat forward on her chair.
“I’m sure they’re talking about how to protect Elsbeth. Think about it, Mama. Things keep happening to her, not me.” I knew instinctively that my aunt was the target. I was always on the sidelines.
My aunt slowly raised her head. “I’ve got a headache, but I’m not feeling so bad that I can’t put things together. Carrie, there was a note in your room. And remember, you were supposed to be the one who climbed that ladder in the barn. You’re as much of a target as I am.”
“Don’t call yourself a target!” Mama was adamant and didn’t want to hear what Elsbeth had said. “Neither of my girls is a target. I won’t have it.”
“But Mama – “
She interrupted me. “I said I won’t have it, and I mean it. If your father and I have to lock you in your rooms to keep you safe, we’ll do it.”
Elsbeth and I both looked into her eyes, trying to figure out if she’d really do something like that. After all, we were both adults, not children.
Mama saw the looks on our faces. “I wouldn’t really do that, but one way or the other, we’re going to keep you safe.” She reached out and gently touched the side of Elsbeth’s face.
I smiled at her. “I have a feeling you’d really do whatever it takes to make sure your daughters aren’t hurt.”
With her other hand, she reached over and touched my hair, a loving gesture.
I realized that if I’d never had the opportunity to meet Jane McFerrin, she wouldn’t be more to me than a name in a family Bible.
Chapter Twenty-five
Papa, Daniel and Nathaniel returned after about half an hour.
Nathaniel stood in a spot next to where I sat and put his hand on my shoulder. It seemed kind of proprietary, which would normally raise my hackles, but things weren’t normal. I reached up and put my hand on top of his.
My peripheral vision told me that Mama was watching every move, and I had a feeling she approved. In other words, she had a smug look on her face. I suspected she liked both of the McGees.
“Here’s the plan, at least for now.” Papa still held his rifle, but it rested on the porch with the muzzle down. “At no time will you girls ever be alone, and that includes Jane and Tess. At least one of us men will always be with you, even while you sleep.” He cleared his throat. “Of course, I’ll be near you while you sleep. The house won’t be left alone either. One of us will always be here. And that’s the gist of it.”
Nathaniel left my side and stood in front of us. “I told Clayton that you have a good mind for finding answers to questions, Carrie. You and me are going to work together to try to figure this out. After all, I was a lawman. If we put our two minds on a thing, we should be able to suspicion it out.”
I smiled. These people had an interesting way of speaking, and I rather enjoyed it. “Yes, Nathaniel. I think that’s a good plan.”
He nodded once. “I’ll be here in the morning and we’ll go over everything we know, which isn’t much, but we’ll have to make do and see what we can add to the list. We’ll start talking to people tomorrow, too.”
Daniel stepped forward. “People seem to know we’ve been talking to Mother Possum, so I’m going to stay at her place for a few days. I’ll be able to protect her and watch this house at the same time.”
He turned to Mama.
“Jane, you can sweet talk Mother Possum into letting me stay there, right?”
She smiled. “Oh, I can be persuasive. Besides, I think she’ll enjoy the company. She still has her son’s room set up so you’ll have somewhere to sleep.” Her smile disappeared. “Lordy, she still talks about losing her only child to the war between the states, bless her.”