Serendipity

by Cathy Marie Hake

  “A proper door is not fanciful!”

  “It is not done – a wife raising her voice. Ma, the house and meals, gardening, laundry – those are your concerns. The animals and fields – I see to those vital matters. With only two of us, the work is already too much.”

  Never once had she mentioned a repair without a man accomplishing it at once. It was the very reason she hadn’t spoken a word about the roof back home, fearing Uncle Bo would run out, climb up, and kill himself. Even if Todd didn’t see the most basic item as important, he could grant her this boon. Instead, he chided her for not being a good wife.

  Raising her chin, she locked eyes with him. “I’ll take care of it somehow.”

  “Better you rid my barn of the mess you brought.” He dropped the dipper into the pail. “I need to help Toomel. We’ll return for supper.”

  He left, and Maggie went to the barn. Todd wanted her things out of the barn? Then the only place to put them was the house. Aye, and he’d told her the house was her domain, so he’d accept whatever she chose to do.

  Arms full, she headed back to the house. A small dust cloud in the distance grew larger. Soon, a dandified man rode up and doffed his hat. “Mrs. Valmer, I presume?” Simple hospitality combined with making sure her mother-in-law wouldn’t misconstrue anything led Maggie to invite Mr. Walker in for a cup of coffee. “I understand you brought a very interesting chair from the Ozarks.”

  “My son will not take kindly to you trading.” Ma glowered at Maggie.

  “If, perchance, I were to represent my husband’s interests and barter on his behalf,” Maggie ignored Ma’s gasp, “what would you be offering for such a rare piece?”

  “I’d have to examine it for myself.”

  While he went out to the barn, Maggie took hold of Ma’s hand. “Ma, you’d burn that chair if you could. If I can get us a door for the outhouse – ” Ma’s jaw dropped. “That’s right. Just a blanket is hanging there.”

  Ma inhaled sharply. “If you take down that whirligig out my window, you may trade away my chair.”

  Setting a gunnysack down in front of the house, Maggie indulged in the fantasy of tossing it over her shoulder and walking clear back to Carver’s Holler. When Ma had gotten into the bartering spirit today, Maggie thought they’d come to an understanding. But now Ma sniped at the inferior quality or ugliness of each of Maggie’s beloved treasures.

  “Lord, please keep whispering that thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians. ‘Charity suffereth long, and is kind; . . . seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked . . . beareth all things . . . endureth all things.’ ”

  As soon as she opened the door, Ma said, “Lord have mercy! Don’t tell me you brought in more junk!”

  “Treasures, Ma. I brought you something extra special to show my faith in how you’ll recover.” She lifted the cane from the gunnysack, thinking Ma would take heart.

  “Don’t weasel your junk in here by saying it’s for me.”

  Maggie drew a deep breath, stepped inside, and turned to close the door. But her eyes caught sight of another visitor in the distance, driving a wagon – and this one wore a bonnet! Anticipation surged through Maggie as she rushed out to meet the wagon.

  “Hi! I’m Linette Richardson.” Short brown curls, dark brown eyes, and a willowy build made her look like a statue of Juno come to life. Her smile looked as warm as her voice sounded. “Our farm’s over thataway.”

  “Linette, you don’t know how delighted I am to meet you! I’m Maggie Ro – Valmer.” She laughed self-consciously as she accepted a big roasting pan. “Come on down and stay a spell.”

  “I was hoping you’d ask!” Linette scrambled down, then reached up for a basket. “We’ll take supper on in and I’ll pay my respects to your mother-in-law. Then we can get your chickens back in the barn. The hens are getting ready to set.” Linette tugged at her apron. “I came to work. Having seen the boxes where Mr. Valmer wants those chickens to nest . . .” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I always wind up saying the wrong thing. You may as well know that right away. I didn’t mean to speak badly of your husband. He’s really a nice man. I would have married him in a heartbeat if he’d – Oh!” Linette whirled around and started back toward the buckboard.

  “Don’t you dare dash away! If speaking your mind is dreadfully wrong, then I’ll be sitting on the sinners’ bench beside you.” Linette halted, and Maggie hurriedly closed the distance. “I’ve been surrounded by a surfeit of men with nary a woman for years. I’m so starved for a friend, I could weep for joy just meeting you. Saying my man’s the buck any gal would have liked to marry up with . . . Why, I take that as the highest compliment.”

  “When you put it that way, it doesn’t sound bad at all.” Linette smiled.

  “Then merciful heavens, stop scaring the liver out of me and promise you’ll stay and share this supper. It smells delicious!”

  “I’ll stay – but to help out for a while.”

  Since their hands were full, Maggie bumped against her. “I’d have you stay even if you wanted me to quote Lincoln. That’s how excited I am to have a friend without whiskers!”

  Linette laughed in disbelief. She mentioned having several sisters; she couldn’t fathom Carver’s Holler’s all-male population. Once in the house, Linette set down the basket and pitched in with a few things. She won Ma over in a trice by brushing her hair and pinning it up again.

  “I’m so tired.” Ma heaved a dramatic sigh.

  Linette said she often helped the doctor, and it showed. She assisted with getting Ma back in bed for a nap. “We’d better go release the hens.”

  “I’m so thankful to you for keeping them in Todd’s absence.”

  “It wasn’t much. We have seven dozen, so a few more didn’t make a difference.” Stuffing fresh straw into the laying boxes along the wall in the barn, Linette warned, “Ornery things are pecky as the dickens.”

  Compared to Ma, anything’s sweet-tempered. Maggie grimaced. There goes my attitude again. Sorry, Lord. I’ll try. Truly I will. “I reckon that presages them to start a-layin’. The thought gladdens me. I never gave a thought to how much I use eggs, milk, and butter until I didn’t have them. Preparing breakfast without those ingredients – ”

  “That won’t be a problem.” Linette unlatched the first of two large crates. The door barely opened, and a beaked head jutted out and hammered at her hand. “I brought butter and milk to tide you over until your husband gets a milk cow.”

  Necessary as she considered a milk cow, Maggie had a sinking suspicion Todd didn’t. Clearly, this was a time for her to step up and be his helpmeet. Using her skills as a trader, she’d find out the value of a fresh cow hereabouts, who had an extra, and what they needed. But for now, the hens required her attention. Yanking her sleeves to cover her wrists as well as they could, Maggie grabbed for one.

  It didn’t take long to free the hens. The last one pecked at Maggie. “Try bein’ mean like that again, and I’ll introduce you to the inside of a pot!”

  Linette laughed. “If Todd heard you threaten that hen, he’d likely tell you it was too bothersome just so he’d have a chicken dinner.”

  “The man could eat the hind end off a running deer, but he’d better leave these hens alone. I need to increase the brood so I’ll have enough to cook for the harvest crew and for Sunday suppers all year. I figured close to five dozen, and I could sell the extra eggs.”

  “The coop would be the size of your house!” Linette’s cheery smile turned into a mask of mortification. “I shouldn’t . . . I didn’t – ”

  “My uncle Bo would say the selfsame thing. Having someone who’ll tease me and speak the unadorned truth makes me feel more like this is home.”

  Linette gaped like a landed fish. “You can’t mean that!”

  Maggie shrugged. “I’m sure other women’s fancy manners make for pretty times, but I’ve been a lone woman. Solitude brings you down to the bare bones. More than anything I want a woman friend w
ho loves Jesus and we can pass time together. It’s plain to see you don’t have a malicious bone in your body. If you want me to take offense, whomp me upside my head and tell me you’re aiming to pay me insult. Until then, I reckon I’ll stand on the trust of friendship.”

  Her new friend’s shoulders relaxed as if a heavy yoke were lifted. “Don’t expect me to insult the one person who ever took me just as I am. With everyone else, I have to be on my guard.” She looked away, then dusted her hands. “I meant to say something sooner – you’re wearing your Sunday best jewelry.” Linette’s hand grazed the base of her throat.

  “Which cameo am I wearing?” Maggie unlatched it and smiled. “Paw-Paw carved it. Rose was my maiden name, and I love my roses so.” She fastened it back on. “Come hither.”

  Linette sat in the whiskey barrel chair. “Piet told his brother about this – it’s the good-luck gambling chair.”

  “I bartered it away today, and the man’s supposed to return tomorrow to finish the trade. Folks with enough cash to gamble ought to be smart enough to double their money by folding the bill over and putting it in their pocket.” She opened a long, narrow box and made a selection. “This day’s had rough spots, but when I spied you, everything got better. After years of my pestering, God has granted the desire of my heart and sent a friend. Today will be a memory for me to treasure. I want you to have this to fasten the memory in your mind, as well. Here.”

  Linette gasped and shook her head.

  “I insist. God creates every one of us as unique, and cameos mimic that. Carvers can’t make identical ones, and that adds to their charm. A more charming gift God’s never given than you, so it’s a fitting remembrance.”

  Carefully, Linette handed back the pin. “Becoming your friend is unforgettable. A reminder isn’t needed, and I can’t accept this, Mrs. Valmer. It’s too valuable.”

  “It’s a gift.” Maggie didn’t reach to take it back. “And I’d like to be knowing why you reverted back to addressing me as Mrs. Valmer when we agreed to be friends. I’m calling you Linette.”

  Color filled her cheeks, and Linette’s gaze dropped. “A married woman – especially a bride – ”

  “Is still in wont of friends.” Maggie waggled her finger at Linette. “And I’m not a-gonna let you back out on me, seeing as you’re the first woman friend I’ve had in nigh unto eight years now! Believe me, I spent far more time begging the Lord for a bosom friend than I did asking for a husband!”

  “You didn’t!” When Maggie nodded, Linette set down the cameo and her shoulders slumped. “No matter how hard I beg God for a husband, He’s not listening.”

  Wish I had me a porch swing. Swaying helps comfort grown-ups just as much as rocking soothes a babe, and this gal’s sore in need of succor. Maggie shoved aside plans for a swing. Their farm had far greater needs. “God’s not to blame. A lame-brained oaf who isn’t listening to our Father is at fault. Instead of pleading with God to hurry up, mayhap you ought to be thanking Him for taking the time to rub some of the rough edges off your man.”

  Linette reached up and touched the tips of her short curls. “And for my hair to grow. When I took a bad fever, Ma chopped off my hair to spare my life. Only what man would want a wife who could pass for his brother?”

  Rearing back with an exaggerated start, Maggie paused. “I see. So you really don’t like the cameo. She’s ugly to you, but you didn’t want to tell me so.”

  Snatching it up, Linette yelled, “I didn’t lie. She’s gorgeous!”

  “Aye, as are you. The both of you thread a ribbon through a cap of curls.” Maggie’s fingers skipped over a few of Linette’s curls. “I picked her out special on account of there being such a close likeness. It’s time you start seeing yourself through the eyes of God and your Christian sisters. Me? I saw a gal who cared enough to bring over food for tired neighbors. Instead of turning up her nose at the mess, she pitched in all. She even went out of her way to tend my ornery fowl ’stead of shredding them into a chicken salad!”

  Linette blurted out, “When you said ‘ornery’ I thought you were going to say – ” Her voice skidded to silence.

  Maggie rescued her. “Let’s pin on your friendship cameo.”

  They went about doing a few more things. Suddenly Linette got a stricken look. “I’ve got to go home. I let time get away.”

  Maggie didn’t mention that spying Todd and John in the distance appeared to trigger Linette’s decision. “I’m more than grateful for your help. I’ll see you Sunday at church.”

  “Yeah. Good. Great!” Linette bolted to her buckboard and raced off.

  Maggie slipped inside, washed up, and set the table as the horses’ hooves beat out the men’s arrival.

  “Linette’s not staying for supper?” Ma sounded disappointed.

  “Not this time. I asked her to, but she had to go. Wouldn’t it have been nice for her to stay?”

  The door opened as she spoke. Both men shouted, “Nein!” and “No!”

  He’d done it now. He’d promised her woman friends, and she’d chosen the one he most hoped she’d just be neighborly with. But not his stubborn wife. She’d sung chapter and verse of Linette’s strengths. Sly as can be, she waited until John Toomel lavishly praised her cooking to inform them that Linette made supper.

  After eating, he and John strode to the barn. John smirked as he opened the door. “Linette’s mama ought to hire your wife. She’ll be able to barter that girl off as some man’s bride. Never heard such a testimonial or so many selling points from someone at a supper table.”

  Todd grunted. His wife talked faster than a snake-oil charlatan trying to sell off a case of stolen bottles. “The box with block and tackles is here somewhere.” Todd stood by the two stalls and felt his shoulders bunch up. In that jumble, who knew where anything was? For all the things Maggie now had in the house, he’d expected much of her mess to be cleared away.

  “What’s in those mammoth boxes toward the back?”

  Todd shrugged. It wouldn’t be right to say anything about his wife’s flaws. Then again, it wasn’t as if John couldn’t see the problem surrounding them.

  “Beans.” John moved a big sack. “Reminds me I need to get to Clark’s Mercantile soon. Without your supper – or should I say Linette’s – I could have starved.”

  “Never!” Maggie’s voice jolted them. She marched on up. “John Toomel, there’s always a place at Valmer Farm’s table for you. If you forget that, you’ll be a very sorry man.”

  “That’s right,” Todd agreed, despite his vexation over his wife’s interruption.

  “But in the meantime, I’d be happy to share some of our goods so if the weather’s bad, you can still have a hot meal at home.” Maggie weaseled past them and opened a bag of pintos.

  “Wife, where are the block and tackles?”

  Silly woman knew exactly what to move to get to the box. “You’ll see I brought fine merchandise, John. Back home, I was the region’s trader. My man allowed me to bring along some of the finer goods.”

  Todd cast her a hot look. “John earned this by watching my farm.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Both men relaxed.

  Maggie gave them a casual smile and wandered off to the far corner of her stash. Lifting a coiled length of hemp rope, she struggled past the obstacles and dropped it on the barn floor. “There. That still doesn’t begin to repay all your hard work and dedication. My man and I are grateful for your kindness.”

  She was up to something. He knew it.

  John held up one hand. “No. That’s far too much.”

  “We think it’s far too little – don’t we, Husband?”

  “Ja.” There. That ought to put and end to this game.

  Shaking his head and looking at the substantial collection, John ground out, “I don’t feel right about it.”

  “See? Told you he was kind.” Maggie threaded her hand through Todd’s arm. “Man like him doesn’t need folks to give him their thanks or remind him o
f his Christian duty. He’s a gentleman through and through. You were right, Todd. We got ourselves grand neighbors.”

  “Thanks.” John let out a deep breath.

  “Don’t mention it.” Maggie let out a small sound of upset. “I was going to get you some viands. Tell you what – I’ll have them ready for you next time you’re over. Tomorrow night?”

  She wasn’t aiming to get anything, after all. Todd let the tension drain from him.

  Face creased with an enormous smile, John nodded. “Tomorrow. Sure. Thanks.”

  Maggie grabbed a bar of soap Todd knew she didn’t need and headed toward the barn’s side door. Just as she exited, her words floated back to them, “Glad to have a fine Christian gentleman as a neighbor. Now I won’t have to worry when my dear friend Linette needs someone to see she gets home if the time gets away from us.”

  John blustered for a moment, and then he threw back his head and belted out a laugh.

  “You think it funny?” Todd gaped at him.

  “Hilarious. That woman roped me into doing something, but you’re tied to her for life. She’ll have you in knots the whole time.”

  Todd lifted the rope and shoved it at him. “Don’t be too sure. That rope could turn into a noose.”

  The next hour, Todd saw to things in the barn and considered what he ought to do about his bride. She’d outsmarted him and John, but for reason. They’d insulted her friend, and Maggie had already proven her staunch trait of being loyal. When he drew close to the house, he noticed the women sitting outside.

  “Ma and I are enjoying a little night air.” Maggie pressed a steaming cup of coffee into his hands. “Heaven’s dazzling us with stars, like thousands of angels a-winking at us.”

  He gulped some coffee, then held the mug to Maggie’s lips. “Beautiful – you and the thought.”

  Shyness replaced the spirited look in her eyes. She took a tiny sip. “Thankee.”

  Did she thank him for the coffee, or for the compliment? Slugging down the last of the drink, he wondered if he’d ever decipher what went on in her mind. But she’d keep him entertained. The corner of his mouth kicked up. And starting tonight, he’d keep her warm. Which undoubtedly accounted for that shy aura that suddenly surrounded her. He set the coffee mug next to the house and glided his rough hand down her oh-so-soft hand and held it. Together, they’d raise crops and rear children, then leave behind them a legacy of land and love. This was his land, his wife, his future. As God said at the end of each of day of creation, Todd declared, “Es ist gut.”