CHAPTER 6
~o0o~
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2
Meriwether followed her attorney out the back door to a separate log building, formerly a summer kitchen built by the original owners to isolate the heat of cooking and the hazards of fire. Her uncle had converted it to an office years ago. “I have all the documentation for the lease ready for your review.”
The door creaked and Meriwether blinked. A flood of emotion greeted her as she entered the room. She ran her finger along the large oak desk and sat in a richly-hued leather swivel chair. “This room brings back such wonderful memories.” She took in a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me Mr. Harrison and his family lived here?”
“Quite honestly, I was surprised by the existence of the children as well.” The attorney cleared his throat. “The former lease was a tenancy at will and requires a period of thirty days’ notice to terminate occupancy.” Mr. Davis handed her the document. “Since the original agreement has gone astray, day one begins now.”
Meriwether tapped her fingers on the desk. “My uncle was a fair man. I’m sure he would have wanted me to cooperate with Mr. Harrison. But I don’t have any other accommodations.”
Mr. Davis sat on the edge of the desk. “The tenant has asked for an additional sixty. He has a business trip to Missouri coming up and needs to arrange the construction of additional rooms to his previous home to accommodate his family.”
She clasped her locket and ran it between her fingers. “Ninety days? I’ll need to get a room. I shudder to think what the expense will be.”
“What about your father? This could be the perfect opportunity for you to visit.” The attorney polished his glasses with his handkerchief.
Meriwether turned away. “No, I’m afraid not. My stepmother and I don’t get on well. Our disagreements centered on the fact that she was doing my stepsister a disservice by not encouraging her to attend school. My stepmother’s philosophy is an education is not important for a female. She feels it is better to keep her daughter at home and let her focus on domestic skills.
“Charlotte is such a sweet girl. But she is treated like a servant while my stepbrothers are catered to.” Her voice cracked. “I made the mistake of pointing out the error of my stepmother’s ways once too often. On my sixteenth birthday, Father had me pack my bags, and then he drove me to Bluebonnet to take a teaching exam. He didn’t even stay long enough to make sure I secured the job.”
“I see what you mean, Miss Walker,” the attorney said.
She blinked. “I wonder if there is a boardinghouse in town? I’m sure it would be less expensive than a hotel.”
A tap on the open door disrupted her thoughts. Cookie entered the office. “Sorry to interrupt. I thought y’all might be hungry. I’ve got some stew and cornbread ready.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Baker.” Mr. Davis rubbed his stomach. “I always think more clearly when my belly is not rumbling.”
~o0o~
Meriwether joined Cookie in the kitchen to assist with the meal. “Jake and the children drink milk with their dinner. If you will put the glasses on the table, I’ll pour coffee for the rest of us.” Cookie placed her apron around the iron skillet and transferred hot cornbread into a bread basket. “Everything else is on the sideboard.”
A large checkered oilcloth covered her aunt’s oak dining table. Two large ladderback chairs stood at each end. Her eyebrows rose at the pair of worn benches. Cookie chuckled. “Don’t worry. The rest of the chairs are stored upstairs along with some other furniture. Jake was afraid the kids might be too rough on things.”
Children’s laughter interrupted her response. The two girls she had seen previously were joined by a boy of about ten with dark hair and freckles. Close in age, their height resembled stairsteps.
Cookie smiled. “Meriwether, let me introduce you to Jake’s nephew Zachary and his nieces Sarah, and the youngest Euphrasia, but we call her Sissy.”
The children slid onto the bench. Zachary stared. “My Uncle Jake said you’re a school teacher.” He cocked his head to one side. “You don’t look like an old maid.”
Cookie gasped. “Zachary, apologize right now.”
The boy pressed his lips together.
Mr. Davis huffed. “Investing in the future of young minds is an admirable goal, and one Miss Walker and others like her should receive praise for, not ridicule.”
Meriwether forced a smile. “I’ve never liked that reference. But after spending the last four years teaching, I’m even more convinced those who are called to teach give up quite a lot to serve others and educate their children.”
Heavy boots thudded across the floor. Jake Harrison’s voice thundered, “Cat got your tongue, Zach?”
The young boy’s face flushed. “I don’t see why I should apologize. That’s what she is, isn’t she? You said so yourself.”
Sissy laughed, displaying several missing teeth. “Even if she is, you aren’t supposed to say so out loud. Even I know that.”
Jake’s face flushed red. He opened his mouth, then closed it. “Apologize now.”
The boy drew circles with his foot. “Sorry,” he muttered.
Jake pulled on his collar. “My apologies too. My grandmother would have knocked me upside my head for saying such a thing. She has an immense respect for teachers and told me once she felt it was a calling. Likened it to the scripture, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’”
Mr. Davis shook his head. “When my oldest daughter taught school, I spoke to our school board about the different standards for female teachers. It seems to me if a woman is married and her husband supports her decision to work outside the home, who are we to insist she quit? Our county has lost several excellent teachers due to such a senseless rule.”
Mr. Baker slid onto a bench. “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving. Jake, you going to say the blessing?”
After the prayer, Jake passed the bread basket to Meriwether. Her cheeks warmed as she met his gaze, then quickly averted her eyes. Thankful that no one seemed to notice, she smiled as everyone turned their attention to the savory beef broth with large chunks of beef and vegetables. A small hand touched her elbow. The youngest girl’s green eyes peered at her through dark eyelashes, and she whispered, “Don’t pay him no mind. Zach’s just touchy about school. I like it and I think you’re pretty.”
Meriwether raised her eyebrows. “Do you not like school, Zachary?”
The boy shrugged. The younger sister shook her head fiercely. “Nope. He doesn’t like it at all mainly ’cause he’s always in trouble.”
“Sissy, that’s enough. We’ve already made a poor impression on Miss Walker, and I don’t want you adding to it.”
The child’s eyes grew round, she nodded and took a bite of stew. “What’s a pression?”
CHAPTER 7
~o0o~
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:2
Meriwether poured heated water into the sink and carefully washed the remaining dishes while Cookie dried. “I sure was thankful when your uncle installed the pump. Not having to make trips to the well makes my job easier.”
“I remember the summer Uncle Marcus designed and built the rainwater-collection cistern and the self-watering trough for the farm animals. I’ve always been amazed by his ingenuity. He certainly wasn’t afraid to try new things.”
Memories flooded her mind as she glanced around the large kitchen. The afternoon sun flowed through the open door causing a warm glow on the wooden floors. The wide aisle between the stove, sink and work area created ample space for more than one cook. For a moment she could almost visualize her mother and aunt working side by side, making dinner at the open hearth.
Cookie wiped the dish and placed
it on a stack. “Sit with me for a moment and have a cup of coffee.”
Meriwether sank into a chair. ”Do you mind if I ask you something?” Cookie topped two cups with a substantial helping of cream and placed them on the large, dark walnut worktable.
“Depends on the question, I expect.” Cookie took a sip of coffee.
Meriwether studied Cookie’s round face and pink cheeks, which gave the appearance of a vibrant young woman. Except for the gray intermingled with her dark hair, at first glance, one might believe her to be in her early thirties. “You introduced the children as Mr. Harrison’s nieces and nephew. Where are their parents?”
“They belong to Jake's older brother. After Luke’s wife died two years ago, he moved them out here. Said they needed a change of scenery, and he wanted to try his hand at ranching. The children have adapted well for the most part. But you’ve picked up on the fact Zachary hates school. His daddy lets him skip most days to work on the ranch as long as he keeps up with his lessons at night.”
“Many of my former students do the same, especially at harvest time. Some are self- motivated, but for the most part, parent involvement is key to whether or not they progress.” Meriwether added sugar to her cup.
“I agreed to help out temporarily after Luke and his family moved here until they could hire a permanent housekeeper.” Cookie chuckled. “They haven’t tried too hard at that. But we get along well enough. It gives me something to do now that my children have grown up and moved away.”
“I’m going to have so much time on my hands the next several months, would you mind if I visit? Perhaps I can help in some way?”
“Child, this is your house. You don’t need my permission. Although I get why you would question whether it would be fitting to visit while Jake and his family are living here.” Cookie drummed her fingers on the table.
“They probably think I’m selfishly pushing them out of their home.” Meriwether frowned. “Maybe I could be more accommodating if I had somewhere to go. Not only am I not looking forward to staying at the hotel, but I also don’t know what I’m going to do with my time over the next several months.”
Cookie frowned. “You’ve been right gracious to give them the additional sixty days. Your mama and uncle would be proud as punch of you.” Her round cheeks lifted with her smile. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. Why don’t you stay with Thomas and me? We have a guest room and you are certainly welcome to it.”
Meriwether took in a deep breath. “I wouldn’t want to be a bother.”
“Don’t be silly. We’d be excited to have you.” Cookie reached for the coffee pot.
She squeezed Mrs. Baker’s hand. “I am thankful for your offer. If you’re sure it won’t be an imposition, I accept.”
“It will benefit us both. I could use help with the children. School will be out between sessions starting next week. Frankly, as much as I love them, the girls tend to get under my feet. They’re worse than the cat.” Cookie’s eyes crinkled in a smile as she took a sip of coffee.
“Seems to me I used to do the same thing.” Meriwether bit her lip.
“You did. But not in the same way. First of all, your mama was almost always with you. But more importantly, there was only one of you.” Cookie grinned.
Meriwether glanced at the ceiling. “I’d love to get up in the attic to see what’s in the trunks belonging to my grandmother. I remember my mother showed me her wedding dress and veil and some other items trimmed in lace.” She placed her finger on her cheek. “I don’t recall anything else.”
Cookie huffed. “Let me find the key and then you can go open a window and let it air out. Keep the door open too, so Mama cat can check things out. No one has been up there in years.”
CHAPTER 8
~o0o~
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31
Meriwether’s mouth watered as she pulled the iron skillet from the wood-burning stove. The aroma of creamy grits, sausage, potatoes, melted cheese, and eggs greeted her. She had learned to make several recipes featuring grits while staying with a student’s family whose father owned the local grist mill. She smiled at Cookie. “This is one of several recipes I learned to make as I boarded with different families.”
“My mama used to say, ‘nothing says good morning like a good bowl of grits with butter.’” Cookie eyed the casserole.
Meriwether laughed as she placed the dish on a trivet beside a plate of sliced ham and biscuits. “Most of the families I lived with would be surprised by your reference to it as a breakfast food. Grits were on the table day and night. Until I lived in Bluebonnet, I never knew there was so many ways to serve them.”
“It smells wonderful.” She wrinkled her nose. “I never cared much for the stuff and gave up making it years ago. Mine always looked and tasted like mush.”
Meriwether gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have made something else.”
“It’s good to try something new now and then. I know my Thomas will like it.” Cookie nodded toward the sound of heavy footsteps and children’s voices. “Would you bring in our coffee while I get the children settled?”
She wrapped a towel around the handle of the blue speckled coffeepot, then returned to the dining room. A man’s voice rose. “Mrs. Baker, what’s this? You know none of us like this kind of stuff.”
Meriwether lifted her chin and stepped closer. Jake Harrison’s eyes widened at her approach. “I’m afraid the menu is my fault. But I would hope you might try it before you pass judgement.”
His hands clenched, then released. “Fair enough.”
“What’s she doing here?” Zachary pointed at Meriwether with his thumb.
Jake cleared his throat. “Miss Walker is going to be staying with the Bakers as their guest and has agreed to lend a hand to help take care of you ruffians while school is out. So how about acting like you’ve got some manners?”
Zachary stared at his feet while his sisters climbed onto the bench. Sissy wrinkled her nose. “What is it?”
Jake rubbed his forehead. “Enough. Everyone settle down and I’ll say the blessing. No more griping.”
“But I wasn’t complaining. I just wanted to know what it is.” Sissy poked out her bottom lip.
“Bow your heads,” Jake said.
Sissy clasped her hands. “Uncle Jake?”
“Yes, Sissy.” He lifted his head.
“It’s my turn to say the blessing.” She displayed a toothless grin.
“Go ahead then.” Jake’s eyes twinkled.
“Dear God, thank you for this breakfast even though we don’t know what it is. Please be with Daddy and keep him safe. Amen.” Sissy reached for a biscuit.
Meriwether sighed as she watched Cookie serve the children’s plates. She’d hoped breakfast would be a treat. Instead, it was about as well-received as she was. Thankfully Mr. Baker and his nephew, Deputy Tucker, joined them as the blessing was finished and asked for a double helping.
Zachary scowled as his uncle closed his eyes while savoring the taste of the casserole and said, “I apologize for the remark about the grits. This is delicious.”
Deputy Tucker patted his stomach. “I always enjoy whatever Aunt Ida puts on the table. But I admit I’m partial to grits as opposed to hash browns.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Deputy.” Meriwether’s lips twitched. “Although we may be in the minority at this table.”
“They don’t know what they’re missing, Miss Walker.” Deputy Tucker gave her a slow smile.
Jake clenched his jaw. “I said I liked the casserole.”
Sarah took a bite of grits. Her dark braids bobbed up and down. “I like this better than oatmeal.”
Zachary huffed. “Mrs. Baker, Uncle Jake, may I be excused?”
“You’d better eat more than that.” Jake eyed his nephew’s plate. “We got a full day’s work ahead of us.”
Meriwether c
leared her throat. “I could wrap up some ham and biscuits to take with you for later if you like?”
Jake frowned. “He needs to learn to eat what’s put before him.”
“I’d rather starve than eat something she’s made.” Zachary crossed his arms across his chest.
“Go to your room, Zach. I’ll be up after I finish my breakfast.” Jake took another bite.
Zachary threw his napkin on the table and stomped away. “It’s not my room anymore.”
“My apologies again, Miss Walker.” Jake rubbed his brow. “My nephew’s been unsettled since his pa left to go on a trip back east. It’s no excuse, but I’m afraid he’s directed his anger towards you.”
Meriwether studied Jake’s flushed face. She felt her stomach flutter. What in the world is wrong with me? The man and his nephew can’t stand to be in the same room with me, and I want to reach over and touch him, to squeeze his hand or offer him a hug.
“I appreciate you coming on your day off to help, Jed. I’m going to speak to the boy.” Jake’s lips pressed into a fine line. “Once you can tear yourself away from the table, I’ll meet you and Thomas in the north pasture.”
“Thank you for the meal.” Jake placed his napkin on his plate and exited the room.
Jedediah Tucker leaned toward Meriwether and spoke in low tones. “This isn’t new. The kid’s been angry since he got here two years ago. Although I admit things got better when his pa let him quit attending school.”
“Girls, why don’t you take your plates to the kitchen. Sarah, there’s some brown paper in the pie safe if you’d like to wrap some ham and biscuits to take with you on your picnic,” Cookie said in a soothing tone.
Sarah pulled on her sister’s hand. “Come on, Sissy. Miss Walker’s going to take us to the falls for lunch. Maybe if it’s warm enough, we can get our feet wet.” Sissy took another bite, then followed her sister into the kitchen.
A Promised Land Page 3
