“Once we get home, I’ll make you some yucca root tea. It will work wonders on your joint pain.” Tennessee glanced at his knee.
One corner of Adam’s mouth lifted. “As long as you don’t stir it with your rabbit’s foot, I guess that will be fine.”
She covered her mouth with her hand before she succumbed to laughter, joined in by her son-in-law as they made the short trip to the ranch.
Chapter 3
November 3, 1875
Dear God,
I have a picture of Mama, but I don’t remember her. How’s she doing up there?
At the sound of the dog’s bark, Emma stopped sweeping the front room. She peered up as the approaching wagon driven by her father pulled in front of the house. “Molly, Pa, and Grandma Tennie are here.”
Sadie and Grace squealed and ran to meet the wagon. Molly let out a small sigh as she tried to maneuver for a better look from her position on the settee. “Thank goodness. Even though I feel fine, the fact my mother has arrived is a comfort.”
Emma bit her lip and glanced at Molly’s swollen feet. Wagging her finger, she said. “Don’t you dare get up. She will be inside to greet you as soon as the girls turn her loose.”
With broom still in hand, Emma stepped onto the large front porch and took in the scene. Tennessee opened her arms to both girls, then kissed each of them on top of their heads. Honestly, did the woman never age? She was a miniature version of Molly from the dimples in her cheeks to her deep green eyes and contagious laugh.
Catching her glance, Grandma Tennie picked up her skirts and hurried to the stairs. “What’s this? Surely, you aren’t too old to give your grandmother a hug.”
The scent of lavender and a warm embrace engulfed Emma. Grandma Tennie insisted on taking the role of grandmother to them all when Molly had married their father. “You know what they say about brooms?”
Emma squeezed her eyes shut, then shuddered. “I’m afraid to ask.”
Sadie hopped on one foot. “We want to know, Grandma. What do they say about brooms?”
“If you’re single, never let a broom sweep across your feet.” Tennessee’s eyes twinkled.
Dragging the dog on the porch, Grace asked, “why not?”
“Well now, let me think.” She tapped her finger on her lips. “Because if you do, then you lose the chance to be swept off your feet by a beau.”
Sadie cocked her head to one side, then placed one hand on her hip. “Sounds like a good thing to me. You don’t want Scotty to knock you down, do you? Here, let me go ahead and sweep your feet so it won’t happen.”
Emma placed the broom aside and laughed. “Sadie and Grace, Grandma Tennie likes nothing better than to tease me. But I like this superstition, especially if it means I don’t have to sweep.”
Tennessee waved her hand. “I don’t know if I would go so far as to say you should never sweep again. After all, we don’t want things getting too dusty around here. Besides you know what they say, cleanliness is next to godliness. Then again, they also say you should leave spiderwebs alone because it will help keep things warmer in the house during the winter. The web itself is good for wounds too. ”
Emma glanced up to the ceiling. This is going to be a long couple of months.
“Enough about that for now. I want to see Molly.” Grandma Tennie opened the front door.
Emma followed Grandma Tennie and the girls into the house. Tennessee took off her bonnet, then dropped to her knees beside Molly, kissing her forehead. Emma blinked back tears at the sight of the mutual affection between mother and daughter. Their profiles as well as hair color were so similar. Except for the streaks of gray in the older woman’s curls, they could be mistaken for sisters.
“Mama, it’s so good to see you.” Molly squeezed her mother’s hand.
Emma moved a side chair beside the settee. “Grandma Tennie, please sit here. I’m going to go into the kitchen and get supper ready.”
Still holding her daughter’s hand, Tennessee said, “I should help.”
“Nonsense, the girls can assist me. Make yourself at home. I’ll bring you some tea in a few minutes.”
With a forced smile, Emma placed her hands on the girls’ backs and entered the room she hated, the kitchen. She bent down to the twins’ level. “Girls, I know y’all don’t like eating burnt food any more than I do. It will benefit you to do as I say. Sadie, I want you to set the table. Grace, please go to the well and fill up a pitcher. Everything is ready. All I must do is warm up the soup. So, keep your fingers crossed.”
Emma placed her hand across her mouth. I can’t believe I said that. I sound just like Grandma Tennie.
***
Emma placed the platter of sliced ham on the table, then took her seat. Adam eyed the empty chair. “I thought Scotty would be here.”
“He has to stay in town and put in extra hours. He won’t get any more time off until things settle down, or they hire a new deputy.” Emma bit her lip and reached for the bread basket.
“This smells heavenly.” Tennessee took a slice for herself and placed one for each of the girls on their plates. “I couldn’t believe the number of people at the station. If I hadn’t seen your pa, I would have thought I was in the wrong place.”
Sadie motioned toward the porch, then elbowed Emma. “Scotty can’t come because of the broom, right?”
“What? Oh, for goodness sakes.” Emma threw her napkin on her plate.
Grace giggled. “That’s silly. A broom is only some straw tied to a pole. It can’t hurt nothing.”
Frowning, Adam asked, “what’s this about?’
Waving her hand, Tennessee laughed. “Nothing for you to be worried about. I was teasing Emma earlier about her beau.”
Sadie leaned closer to her uncle and whispered, “Grandma doesn’t want Scotty to knock Emma off her feet.”
“What kind of talk is this?” Adam stammered.
Tennessee placed her hand over her mouth. “Now, don’t get all worked up over nothing. Sadie misunderstood something I said. I will straighten this out in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
Whispering, Grace leaned closer to Grandma Tennie. “If you think Uncle Adam gets riled up about brooms, you haven’t seen anything yet. He sure don’t like sheep.”
Placing her hands to her cheeks, Emma said, “Really, Pa, everything is fine. The girls misunderstood.” She offered a half smile and placed her napkin in her lap.
Picking up a serving bowl, Tennessee helped herself to the green beans, then served a small portion to each of the twins, earning her a scowl from Sadie. “I guess I need to start by explaining where and how I grew up.” She tapped her finger along her mouth. “How do I begin?”
Grace pierced her vegetables. “Why don’t you start it the same way as our storybooks? Once upon a time…”
“Excellent idea, child.” Grandma Tennie looked away for a moment before beginning. “Once upon a time, a long time ago, a little girl was born in a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains. She was the ninth and final child born to a wonderful mother and father. At first, her parents could not agree on a name. When her father held the infant, he remarked to his wife the baby’s eyes were as green as the Tennessee mountaintops on a spring day.
“‘Perfect,’ her mother exclaimed. ‘We will call her Tennessee May Johnson.’” The corners of Grandma Tennie’s eyes crinkled at the attentive faces of her audience. “The little girl had a wonderful childhood, and when she was six years old, her father’s mother came to live with her family.
“Her grandmother was industrious. She had a garden and raised corn, potatoes, black-eyed peas, and gourds to make containers. She taught her granddaughter about the medicinal purposes of plants and how to survive off the land.
“Granny Johnson was a wonderful storyteller. Tennessee loved to sit at her feet while she told stories of Ireland and Leprechauns who liked to mend shoes and make mischief. Tennessee’s father would scold his mother. ‘We are good Christian people. There is no need to be filli
ng her head up with nonsense. If you want to tell her a story, use one from the bible.’
“Everyone knew how much Granny Johnson loved Jesus. But there are times when the things we learn as a child are hard to let go of. Just going about her everyday chores, Granny would comment about superstitions and tales without realizing she was doing so.
“Many times, it was hard to know if the sayings and tales had merit or not. For instance, when planting seeds, always plant three in a hill, one for the good, one for the crow and one to grow. That’s good advice with an added rhyme to help you remember. Logically, at least, one of the three ought to sprout.
“Even when Tennessee knew the tale was a superstition, she found it entertaining, especially ones about marriage. For example, if a white pigeon flies near the house, a wedding will soon take place.”
“Even if a broom sweeps across your feet?” Sadie interjected.
Grandma Tennie laughed. “There is a remedy for that as well. You see if the sweeper drops the broom…”
Coughing loudly, Adam interrupted, “Tennessee.”
Grandma Tennie’s face turned pink. “I’m sorry. It seems I am much like my grandmother and must try to do better. But know this, God’s in control of everything. It doesn’t matter if Emma sweeps across her feet every day for the rest of her life, it won’t change a thing.”
“I imagine it will keep her boots clean,” Grace said earnestly.
Chapter 4
November 4, 1875
Dear God,
Since the locusts ate everything, Pa is going to work for the railroad. Seth and I must stay here with Molly, Uncle Horace, and Aunt Eloise…
With a basket full of beans and squash perched on her hip, Grandma Tennie waved her hand toward the vegetable garden. “You’ve done a wonderful job with this plot. The rows are as straight as arrows and overflowing with the fruit of your hard work.”
Emma took the basket from Tennessee. “When I’m outside in the garden, the time flies. I enjoy it so much. I wish I felt the same way about working in the kitchen.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” Tennessee plucked several beans from a vine and tossed them in the basket. “I would much rather be outside than in.”
Emma’s jaw dropped. “But you are such a wonderful cook.”
“The truth is, I am a ‘good’ cook because of one thing. I keep things simple. I bake once a week and fill in as necessary with cornbread or potato cake the rest of the time. On Monday I start with a pot roast, specifically because it is easy,” Tennessee said.
Reaching for a tomato stake, Grandma Tennie secured the plant. “Tuesday’s dinner is made from leftovers from the roast, which goes into a soup or stew. The next day might be ham from the smokehouse, beans, and cornbread. But the truth of the matter is, I don't like to cook, but I delight in watching my family enjoy their meals. I might get a little fancier for a special occasion, and on Sunday I usually fry a chicken."
“I need to ask a favor. Scotty’s birthday is next week, and his favorite meal is fried chicken and potato salad. Could I ask? Would it be too much trouble?” Emma put her hand on Tennessee’s arm. “Do you think you could teach me how to fry a chicken?”
A broad smile appeared on Tennessee's face. "Honey, I would be glad to. Once you get the timing down, it’s not hard at all. There is nothing I like better than preparing for a birthday. But will he be able to take time off to come?”
“No, probably not, and Pa isn’t going to let me go to town.” Emma’s eyes darted toward the house for her father. “I haven’t said anything to Pa yet, but there is an area between here and town where the river and the creek meet. I was hoping to meet Scotty there for a picnic.”
“What a wonderful idea. I believe I know the exact spot you mean. If my memory serves me, I recall the boulders beside the creek make perfect tables.” Tennessee took the hoe and severed the top growth.
“Leave the weed to wither and die, then pull it up and take it straight to the mulch pile.” Tennessee handed her the hoe. ”Will your pa let you go by yourself to meet Scotty?”
Shaking her head, Emma sighed. “No, but I thought since Sam is back, he might let me go with him. I was going to ask him last night but decided to wait until he was in a better mood.”
Placing her hands on her hips, Tennessee said. “I love a picnic. Why don’t we ask Sam, and if he agrees, set up a date and time? Your pa won’t have an objection if his brother drives the wagon and I’m along to chaperone.”
Hooking her arm in Emma's, she headed toward the house. “Let’s talk about what kind of cake he might like. Does he have a favorite?”
"I know he loves whatever Rebecca makes. She enjoys trying different recipes, so there is always a variety to choose from. But I don't know that I've ever heard him state a preference.” Emma smiled. "Rebecca and I like to joke we will always live close, so I can tend the garden while she bakes and Molly cooks. I miss her so much.”
Using her hand to shade the sun, Tennessee pointed toward Adam’s brother’s cabin of logs cross-stacked at the corners, with spaces filled with clay and lime mortar. The girls' ragdolls lay across the swing on the front porch. “She’ll be back when she marries Sam and will live next door. But what about you? If you marry Scotty, won't you have to live in town?”
“Yes, but he doesn’t want to continue his work as a deputy. He has been saving his earnings for his own place. So, he can raise and train horses." Emma cast a wistful eye at the corral between the house and the barn. He would be a great help to her father’s and uncle’s ranch. Sam had been so busy with saddle making, it was difficult for him to do little else.
Following her gaze, Tennessee said, “Don’t tell me. I can guess. He wants to make it on his own and doesn’t want to be beholding to anyone, especially your pa.”
“True, but it’s complicated. He doesn’t want to disappoint his own family.” Emma swallowed. “He idolizes his father, who was never so pleased as the day Scotty became his deputy.”
Tennessee placed her hand on Emma's. "Now listen here, I know a thing or two about parents and disappointed hopes. None of my boys have taken their pa up on partnering with him in his blacksmith shop. The only one who has shown any interest at all is Molly's baby sister, Magdalene."
Gasping, Emma placed her hand over her mouth. “Maggie wants to be a blacksmith?”
Chapter 5
November 5, 1875
Dear God,
Molly read us the story of Moses again. It is Rebecca’s favorite. I am sick of hearing about locust.
Tennessee opened the front door to the farmhouse hoping to let in a breeze. She admired the twelve-foot ceilings and bright turquoise walls in the front rooms as she made her way back into the kitchen. Limestone covered the walls, which gave some relief from the heat of the large open hearth.
“How many more apples will we need to make the icing?” Emma asked.
“Why don’t you fetch about eight or ten? I’ll sit in here with the girls and start peeling, But I won’t start making the cake until you get back.” Tennessee sat at the table and used her apron to fan her face. “Now, where were we?”
“You were going to tell us another funny story,” Grace said as she pulled a chair closer to the table.
“Well now, what kind of story would you like to hear?” Tennessee pulled an apple from the basket and began to work.
“Tell us about when you were a little girl.” Sadie climbed onto a chair and reached for a piece of fruit.
“Did you ever get in trouble?” Grace asked.
“Perhaps I never did anything quite as creative as you two, but I’m afraid I participated in my share of mischief.”
Grace’s face took on a pink hue that traveled to her neck. “I guess Molly told you about the ad we wrote to find Rebecca a husband.”
Tennessee sliced another apple into small pieces handing one to each girl. "Not only Molly but Emma, Adam and the conductor on the train, to name a few. It seems you two are infamous."
“Perhaps not quite as recognized as Annie, except among local folks.” Tennessee offered a half smile.
Grace’s brows furrowed. “We didn’t want Rebecca to move away. We were trying to be helpful.”
“They say there is nothing so bad it couldn’t be worse. Your intentions were well meant, I am certain.” Tennessee sliced another piece of apple.
"Who says all those things, Grandma? Who are they?” Grace asked.
Placing her knife down, Tennessee wiped her hand with her apron. "I honestly don't know, child. I suppose wise people from long ago said it and people repeated it over the years. But I heard most of the stories from my grandmother."
“Tell us more about your grandmother. I like hearing about her,” Sadie pleaded.
Tennessee placed her finger to her cheek. “Once upon a time, there was a young girl who was born in a faraway land called Ireland. Her name was Mary Margaret O’Brien. She came to live in the Tennessee mountains when she was a young girl. She later married and raised a family. My father was her youngest son.
“Even though she lived most of her life in Tennessee, she held on to many of the old country traditions. When I was sixteen, I also wanted to help a friend who was madly in love with a young man, but he didn’t return her feelings.”
Sadie elbowed Grace. “I bet it was because of the broom.”
Grandma Tennie chuckled. “I knew my grandmother would know what to do, so we sought out her advice. First, she had us gather things for good luck—a rabbit's foot, a lost horseshoe, and a four-leaf clover. And there was something about a white cat. I don’t remember exactly. Finally, she performed the apple peel love test."
“Apple peel love test?” Grace’s nose crinkled.
Holding an apple in her hand, Tennessee explained. “You must skin an apple all in one strip.” Taking the knife to the apple, she continued. “Love awaits only for those who can remove it with no breakages.”
Emma's Dream Page 2
