A Promised Land

by Kimberly Grist

  The preacher placed the recipe back in his Bible. “Ponder this, if Joseph had not been sold into slavery by his brothers, lied about and languished in prison, he wouldn’t have been in the position to save his family and an entire region from starvation. His brothers must have been shocked to hear him say that God had used their evil deed as a way to preserve life.

  “Remember, God’s not so much worried about making us happy as He is about making us holy. He wants us to be like Jesus, His Son. Jesus went through bad things for our good, and because of that, we have victory over sin and Satan. In other words, God is not blessing blindly, He is working in us toward his final purpose—our total union with Jesus.

  “Before I conclude our service today, I would like to encourage you this week to spend some time in the book of Genesis reading about the life of Joseph.” The preacher smiled. “Once you’re done, turn to Romans chapter 5, which reminds us that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Reverend Reed extended both arms. Stand with me and let’s pray together.”

  CHAPTER 16

  ~o0o~

  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

  Matthew 11:28

  The wagon veered onto a narrow road near the river about a mile away from the log house. Mr. and Mrs. Baker waved as they continued home. Sissy frowned. “Why don’t they want to come on our picnic?”

  “It’s a might warm this afternoon, and since Mrs. Baker is just now getting over her cold, she thought it best to go home and rest,” Jake said. “Besides I think they enjoy being by themselves sometimes.”

  Meriwether watched as the wagon drove away. The Bakers still had a wonderful relationship. Cookie had often spoke about Thomas being not only her husband but best friend, and said their daily Bible reading and evening stroll after supper was always the highlight of her day. She took a sideways glance at Jake. Will we have a relationship like theirs?

  “If I remember correctly, we want to veer to the right around the bend where the river and creek meet. There are some beautiful trees and large boulders that create the perfect spot for a picnic. The water is a crystal-clear blue and makes the perfect—” Meriwether’s voice broke off.

  Jake whistled. “Except for your hidden waterfalls in the cavern, I believe this is about the prettiest spot I’ve ever seen.” He pulled up to a flat area under a tree. Zach jumped from the wagon and ran toward the creek. “Hold up for a minute until we get settled. Don’t get too close to the water.”

  Meriwether watched as Zachary stuffed his hands in his pants and kicked at the dirt. I know the children have had a lot of changes the last few years, but the girls seem to be coping. I wish I knew what I could do to help. She spoke softly to Jake. “I found some things in the attic my uncle and I used on our fishing excursions. There’s a tackle box, shovel, and a bucket. Do you think Zach would enjoy digging for worms and getting things organized while the girls get changed and I get the food set out?”

  Jake leaned on the back of the buckboard and studied his nephew. “That would make his day. We might—and I say might—get two smiles out of him this afternoon.” He cupped his hand over his mouth. “Hey Zach, do you think you could start digging up some bait while we unload the wagon? If so, come and get a shovel.”

  Zachary raised his head and broke into a grin. “Yes sir.” He hurried to the wagon and retrieved the items.

  “I’ll come help you in a minute,” Jake said as he placed an old straw hat on his nephew’s head.

  He lifted Meriwether from the wagon. She placed her hand on his arm. “The girls have been talking almost nonstop about how they want to go fishing, so I brought something for them to change into.” She shook her head and smiled. “Their church clothes are the fanciest little girls’ dresses I’ve ever seen.”

  Jake pushed his hat to the back of his head and watched as his nieces tried to maneuver their ruffled skirts and run toward the creek. “My mother loves to make their clothes, but I can’t imagine her making anything fitting for fishing.”

  Meriwether nodded. “Which is why I bought two pair of overalls for them when I was at the mercantile.”

  ~o0o~

  “I don’t need help.” Sissy squealed, then dropped the worm into the creek and giggled.

  “That’s the second time she’s wasted the bait. I’m not giving her anymore,” Zachary huffed.

  Meriwether walked over to the young boy and spoke softly in his ear. “You’re right. Don’t waste any more bait. But she’s happy standing here fishing alongside you.”

  “She’s not going to catch nothing without a worm.” Zach nodded his head toward his youngest sister who immediately stuck out her tongue.

  Meriwether laughed. The child was the perfect picture of contrasts. Her dark hair wrapped in papers the night before now hung in ringlets under an old straw hat. She was barefooted and wore her new overalls proudly rolled up to the knee with a beautiful frilly blouse underneath. “It may not matter to her today. At another time when it does, you or I can bait her hook for her.”

  Zach raised an eyebrow. “You hook your own worms?”

  “I do.” Meriwether nodded. “Although I would rather use a cricket any day.”

  Meriwether sat on a boulder between Zachary and Sissy and watched as Jake showed Sarah how to cast her line. She felt her breath hitch when he returned her gaze with a wide smile and a wink.

  Zachary twisted his mouth, “Do you clean your own fish?”

  “Not if I can help it.” She shifted her attention to the young boy. His light blue eyes peppered with flecks of green sparkled as he studied her.

  “My uncle made me do it a time or two, so I’d know how. But after that, he cleaned them for me and didn’t seem to mind.”

  “My mother wouldn’t clean them either. Made my pa do it.” He gave her a lopsided grin.

  Meriwether placed her hand over her heart. This is the fourth smile I’ve seen today.

  “Was this your idea to come here today?” Zachary reeled in his line.

  “Yes. I was hoping y’all would enjoy it as much as I did when I was your age. We used to come here a lot, especially on Sundays after church. It was our favorite place to fish.” She pointed toward a large cypress. “My aunt would sit under a tree and read or sew or fall asleep. That was one of her favorite spots.”

  “Uncle Jake told me your pa is a doctor and he makes spectacles.” His lips pressed together.

  “That’s right. He is good at what he does. You’ll like him.” Meriwether watched as the boy seemed to search for his words. “Is there something you want to ask me?”

  “Why did you live here after your ma died, instead of with your pa?”

  Meriwether studied the flow of the crystal blue water. She cleared her throat. “I was very close to my aunt and uncle because my mother and I visited them here every Christmas, even on my birthday. After my mother passed away, my father thought I would be better off with them.”

  “Did it make you sad when your pa sent you away?” Zachary placed his fishing pole down and sat on the boulder.

  Meriwether swallowed. “Yes.” She gave him a watery smile. “But at the same time, I was thankful for the time and attention my aunt and uncle and Mr. and Mrs. Baker gave me.”

  “I think it’s funny you call them Mr. and Mrs. Cookie.”

  She laughed. “Yes, I can see why you find it strange. I was only about three when I gave them the nickname. Maybe it was because of how much I enjoy Mrs. Baker’s cookies.”

  He nodded. “My favorite dish she makes is chicken. Can’t imagine calling her that though.” A slow grin spread across his face.

  Meriwether giggled. Five smiles. “Imagine what Mr. Baker might think?’

  Zachary leaned his head against the tree and laughed. It was a beautiful, melodious laugh from the gut.

  A verse from Job 8:29 came to mind. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

  Zachary leaned forward
and picked up a stone. “If you like it so much here, why did you leave?”

  She watched as he threw the rock into the creek. “When I was thirteen, my aunt got sick and I went back home to live with my father. I lived there until I was sixteen, which was when I became a teacher almost five years ago.”

  “Where did you live when you were a teacher?” Jake tilted his head.

  “I moved from house to house every month among my students’ families. During holidays, I usually stayed with my pastor and his family. They were always welcoming.” She grinned. “Although their house was very crowded. They had seven children.”

  “That’s a lot of moving around.” He picked up another rock.

  “Tell him about the house with the mice.” Sissy laid her fishing pole down and sat next to Meriwether.

  She shuddered. “The good news about that particular boarding situation resolved itself, thanks to the donation of a cat. But to me, one of the worst conditions was the house with the bedbugs.”

  “How’d you get rid of the bedbugs?” He scrunched his nose.

  “It’s a difficult process. And it takes time. So, after sleeping on the floor for a week and going to the doctor twice to treat the bites, I checked myself into the boardinghouse and refused to teach until I was provided a different place to board for the month.” Meriwether smiled. “The pastor and his family rescued me once again, thank goodness.”

  “They sound nice, like Reverend and Mrs. Reed.” Zach nodded stoically.

  “Our preacher’s funny. He made me laugh and then he made me hungry.” Sissy rubbed her stomach. “Tell him about the lean-to.”

  Meriwether placed her hand over her mouth. “I’m afraid your brother will think all I do is complain.” She glanced over at Jake and Sarah, who now were listening as well. She cleared her throat. “Several times a year the room I was provided was a lean-to with a dirt floor. As long as the weather was fair, it wasn’t so bad.” She smiled at Sissy. “The cat slept on my bed and the dog outside my door. But the roof leaked and the winters especially were difficult.”

  Zach blinked and looked out at the water. “I went on a cattle drive last year. We slept on the ground under the stars. It was hard work but a lot of fun. My pa always made sure I was safe and dry.” He frowned. “It don’t seem right you having to live in those kinds of places.”

  He skimmed the rock across the creek, then pivoted toward Meriwether. “I don’t blame you none for wanting to come back here and live. It’s a mighty fine place. I like it just the way it is.” He leaned toward her. “So, when my grandma gets here, don’t let her get her hands on it.”

  CHAPTER 17

  ~o0o~

  “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

  1 Thessalonians 5:11

  Meriwether rearranged her auburn curls under her hat. Her blue eyes sparkled as her image in the foyer mirror stared back at her. She’d been unsure when the mercantile owner’s wife had suggested the plum calico dress, but now the color appealed to her. Her mother’s gold locket shimmered in the reflection. Meriwether rubbed her thumb over the engraved pattern of a rose on the cover. She opened the pendant, displaying an image of her mother, and on the opposite side her father.

  She touched his image, then blew out her cheeks. He was a handsome man. Blond hair, oval face, straight nose, striking, deep-set blue eyes. Perhaps it’s time we both stop avoiding one another, Father. She snapped the locket and took in a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with,” she said to her reflection.

  Meriwether retrieved her reticule and shawl. Her boots tapped across the foyer and onto the front porch. Jake whistled. “Is that another new princess dress?” He took off his hat and placed it over his heart.

  She smiled coyly and exaggerated her voice to imitate Mavis Gill from Alabama, one of her father’s patients who adopted an extra drawl when she wanted to be squeezed in between appointments. “Why thank you, kind sir, indeed it is. Do you like it?”

  Jake leaned forward and took her hand. His freshly shaven face smelled of lavender and citrus. “Sure do, I believe you get prettier every time I see you.” Meriwether’s heart fluttered at the compliment.

  He returned his hat to his head, then whisked her onto the bench and hopped up beside her. Zachary climbed in the back and took a seat behind them.

  “We’ll see you late this afternoon.” Meriwether waved to Cookie and the girls.

  “Don’t forget to bring us some lemon drops,” Sissy called.

  ~o0o~

  Jake clucked at the horses to guide them around a large rut in the trail. “The road should improve in a mile or so. We don’t travel this path much since we’ve always done our trading and shipping in Trickling Springs.” He nodded toward the hay field. “This is the third year we’ve planted alfalfa. Our intention was to supplement the feed for the cattle in the winter. But my brother thinks it could be a good cash crop. He wants to try barley in the fall.”

  Meriwether breathed in the sweet, pungent smell of the hay. Heavenly rays of white light from the morning sun shone bright from behind puffs of clouds. A field of vibrant green stems with small purple flowers fluttered in the wind, their hue contrasting with the blue sky. She placed her hand on Jake’s arm. “It’s like a small glimpse of heaven.”

  “I’d have to agree with you.” Jake placed his hand over hers. “It’s a beautiful backdrop for a mighty pretty lady.”

  The rough road made the wagon sway. Meriwether clasped her arms around Jake’s waist to steady herself. Her heart raced, and warmth spread to her cheeks as she straightened.

  “Guess that’ll teach me to pay attention to the road. Although I admit I enjoyed the distraction,” Jake said with a wink.

  Zachary leaned forward against the front seat of the buckboard. “How long will it take to get to town?”

  Meriwether gasped and placed her hand over her heart. “Goodness, Zachary, for a moment I’d forgotten you were sitting behind us.”

  “If I pay a little more attention to the road and manage to arrive without breaking a wheel, we should be there in a little over an hour.” Jake shot a glance at his nephew and reached for Meriwether’s hand. “In the future, we can combine a visit with your pa with our regular trip to buy supplies in Tylerville. It would only add an hour or so each way.”

  “I do appreciate the offer.” Meriwether managed a half smile. “Let’s see how this visit goes first and then we can make plans.”

  Zachary tapped her shoulder. “Why hasn’t your pa come to visit if he lives so close?”

  “What kind of question is that? Act as though you’ve got some manners.” Jake scowled.

  “It’s alright.” Meriwether spoke softly. “Your nephew and I’ve had quite a few talks lately, and our mothers and fathers were part of the conversations as well. I don’t mind answering.”

  Meriwether angled her shoulder to better view the child’s face and cleared her throat. “It bothers me. But as far back as I can remember, my father has always worked long hours as a doctor. He leaves early, comes home late and many times he skips meals. My mother would always tease him and say that was why he was so skinny. Although in a recent letter my stepsister wrote that he’s training a new doctor, and he also has a new assistant.”

  “Does your pa ever write back?” Zachary placed his arm on the back of the bench.

  Meriwether sighed while Jake stiffened. “Once in a blue moon, he might scribble a sentence at the bottom of Charlotte’s letters. Just a quick note stating he’s happy I’m doing well, or something along those lines.”

  “Does your pa know about the big boys who gave you a bad time when you first started teaching?”

  Meriwether shook her head.

  “Did you tell him about having to shoot rattlesnakes when you walked home from school?”

  “You shot a rattlesnake? With a gun?” Jake interjected.

  Meriwether placed her hand on her hip. “Well, if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be sitting here d
iscussing the situation today. What do you expect I’d do, scream and wait for it to bite me? I’m sure you know how bad rattlesnakes get at certain times of the year. I’ve used my pistol on several occasions.” She patted her purse. “Springtime is especially dangerous.”

  Jake’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got it with you now?”

  Meriwether grinned. “No, I’ve got two.” She patted her pocket.

  “I guess that’s what Deputy Tucker meant when he told me you could look after yourself.” Jake’s body shook with laughter.

  “It certainly wasn’t something I expected to learn. My pastor’s wife was the one who taught me to shoot. She said a young woman in today’s world needed to be able to protect herself from all kinds of varmints.” Meriwether grinned. “I killed two rattlesnakes and scared off a couple of…wolves.”

  Jake’s mouth formed a grim line as he clucked to the horses.

  “Did you at least write to him about having to move from place to place, and how you had to live in a woodshed?” Zachary pushed his cowboy hat to the back of his head, reminding Meriwether of his uncle’s similar mannerism. His forehead furrowed and his face took on a severe expression, which made him appear beyond his nine years.

  She stifled a giggle. “Some people do use those types of structures as woodsheds I suppose, but no, I didn’t tell him much about my boarding experience. Although I did write about the different families I stayed with throughout the year. Mostly I tried to focus on the positive side of things.”

  She placed her finger on her cheek. “Although now that I think about it, I had such a terrible time getting over the bedbug bites, I did write and ask him to suggest a remedy.”

  Zachary’s face lit up with a smile. “Did he answer you back?”

  Meriwether pursed her lips. “He must have gotten busy and forgot.”

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about what the preacher said last Sunday.” Zachary patted her shoulder. “The whole time he was talking about his wife’s recipe, I could picture a big chocolate cake and how I’d like to have one like it for my birthday.” He wrinkled his nose. “But when he described what goes into making one, it didn’t sound good at all.”