The Brides of Chance Collection Part 75

Hattie just nodded and got back in the saddle. Logan felt the blood pumping in his veins, and his eyes narrowed. Whatever was to come, he'd be ready for it.

I wonder what we'll find once we round the corner.

"Hattie, I'll take the lead now."

Hattie pretended not to hear Logan. Instead, she nudged Legs to go a bit faster so the brothers were a few paces behind.

"h.e.l.lo!" she called loudly so Rooster wouldn't think they'd snuck up on him. "Nessie, Rooster! It's Hattie Thales, and I brung you some visitors!" Best to warn him so he didn't think he had a pair of trespa.s.sers on his land. When Rooster was soused, it wasn't completely out of the question that he'd answer company with a shotgun- especially if they were strangers.

Logan pulled up beside her and shot her a dark glower before he scanned the area. "Don't try that again."

She smiled at him innocently. If he didn't like her precautions, well, he'd have to live with them.

Nessie came out of the house to greet them. Bryce busied himself tying the reins to a tree while she spoke.

"Howdy, Hattie. Mister. Mister." She cast a nervous glance toward the barn. "What cain I do for you folks?"

"Mornin', Nessie." Hattie patted the girl's arm to rea.s.sure her. "These are Logan and Bryce Chance, Lovejoy's kin. We come to visit you and yore pa, iff 'n he's feelin' up to it."

"I reckon it's a good day for a visit." Nessie gave a slow nod. "Why don't you wait in the shade whilest I fetch 'im from the barn."

"Sh.o.r.e thing."

They waited as Nessie hurried to the barn. When she opened the door, a string of curses fouled the air before she swung it shut again.

"If she says it's a good day for a visit, then he ain't riled. He'll put on his manners for yore company." Hattie caught Logan and Bryce sharing a meaningful glance, and she gave a tight smile.

At least they'd taken her words to heart. Facing a man in the grip of drink was a bitter thing. No less taxing than telling his daughter in Californy that her old man had taken a bad turn. She and Miz Willow hadn't managed to work up the nerve yet, for fear Lovejoy would fret over things she couldn't change. Now maybe Logan and Bryce could help do something about the situation. Maybe not.

Rooster burst out of the barn, slapping his hat on his head and stumbling a little to meet them. Nessie carefully shut the barn door behind her and followed at a little distance, wringing her hands.

"Howdy." Rooster vigorously pumped Logan's hand. "Niiish ta meetcha." He turned to Bryce and did the same. "You, too."

He stood back to get a good gander at them, puffing out his gray-streaked red beard and putting his hands on his suspenders.

"Which one of you whippersnappers married m' girl?"

Chapter 11.

The man reeked of whiskey and all but fell over when he leaned back to look at them. Logan and Bryce exchanged another look, neither one too eager to answer their brother's father-in-law.

"Pa," Nessie spoke in a low whisper. "Neither of them-"

"What?" Rooster reared back and reeled forward. "Which one of you low-down polecats be livin' with my Lovejoy in sin? Come on, take it like a man." He brandished unsteady fists and danced around-the better to roar at each of them.

Logan had seen about enough. On a handful of occasions, he'd taken a nip of the hard stuff and knew how it could change a man. Since he'd gotten right with the Lord, he'd laid off the stuff. This man needed to have his head dunked in a trough a few times, followed by a pot of strong coffee and a long talk with a brother in Christ.

For now, there'd be no reasoning with him. Logan started to roll up his sleeves and saw Bryce do the same. The water trough stood about twenty paces to their left. He only hoped the thing was full of enough water to cool Rooster's hot head.

"Now then, Rooster." Hattie stepped in front of Logan. "Jist calm down a minute."

"Calm down! These heathens done ruint my firstborn!"

Logan put his hands on Hattie's upper arms and made to sweep her behind himself. She didn't budge, so he tried to step around her. Then she moved-back in front of him. He gritted his teeth as she kept talking.

"No, Lovejoy married Daniel Chance. These are Logan and Bryce, come to tell you what a good wife yore daughter is to their brother."

It took two repet.i.tions before understanding banked the fire in the old man's eyes. He swiped off his hat and scratched his head. "I've made a right ole mess of things, ain't I?"

"You've raised fine daughters, Mr. Linden." Logan finally succeeded in gently pus.h.i.+ng Hattie behind him. "But your actions aren't doing them proud."

"Oo-ee." Rooster sucked in a shallow breath. "That do cut to the quick." He hung his head. "You don' need to tell anybody 'bout my lack of manners. I'd hate to shame Lovejoy. Schhee's been good to me." He slung his arm around Nessie, who had to take a step forward so as not to buckle. "We miss her 'round here."

"I'm sure you do, Mr. Linden," Bryce acknowledged, "but that's no reason to ply yourself with liquor."

"Here now." Rooster drew himself up. "Don't be castin' asaaspaaspursi, uh, sschoe black on m' good name."

"He jist tole it like he sees it, Rooster." Hattie came forward again, and Logan didn't try to stop her. The old man's humiliation had sobered him up a bit. " 'Tis barely even noon." Her voice lowered to such a soft whisper that Logan had to strain to catch it. "Miz Willow's been wantin' to speak with you about it for a long while now."

"Did yer brung me shum of my headache tonic?" Rooster shrank into himself, looking thin and frail. "I've need for more."

"No, Rooster." Hattie patted his shoulder. "You need to come down to the cabin so we cain talk 'bout what's best to cure them headaches."

"I been doin' tolerable." Rooster jerked a thumb at his daughter. "Nessie here'll go on down for some more tea."

"No, Pa." Nessie's small voice hung in the wind.

"We're happy to see Nessie anytime. Like Logan said, you've raised fine gals, Rooster," Hattie soothed. "But Miz Willow and I cain't be givin' you yore medicine when you don't come in. As healers, we need to make sh.o.r.e we're a-givin' you the right treatment. Why don't you come on down, and we'll talk about it?"

Logan realized what she was trying to do. She and Miz Willow planned to confront the man about being jug-bit, but Rooster avoided them. Now Hattie wouldn't treat his ale head until they'd discussed the real problem. Logan only hoped that when the man came to the healer, he'd be in such bad shape he'd agree to almost anything. He'd seen men who had to hit rock bottom before drying out and staying sober. He was only glad the Lord had spared him from being one of them.

One thing's for certain: I'll be there when Rooster Linden comes to call. The man's a threat. Poor Nessie looks worn down. Under no circ.u.mstances will I allow Rooster to be alone with Hattie or Miz Willow.

By the time Rooster had settled down and agreed to stop by and have a long-overdue chat with Miz Willow, the sun shone high in the sky. Hattie took Nessie aside for a little chat after Bryce handed her a parcel. They went and sat at the base of an old elm while the men talked and Rooster opened his package.

"I've not seen you in a while, Nessie." Hattie kept her voice light. "How are you getting along?"

"Fair to middlin', I suppose." Nessie toyed with the end of her string. "You know how it goes."

"Nessie." Hattie waited until she looked up. Hard to believe Nessie was two years younger-life had her looking careworn as an old quilt. "I do know. That's why I ask."

"Oh." A tear slid along the side of Nessie's nose. "Pa's never clear these days. Usually he's jist melancholy and sits alone jawin' at himself, and some days he's right cheery and gits out his jug to play awhile. Then he's pert near tolerable. But when he's riled..." The floodgates opened. "I know he don't mean the things he says, but a girl cain only hear it so many times afore it seems true. I jist stay outta his way as best I cain and make sh.o.r.e there's sommat for him to eat iff 'n he wants it. Thar's nothin' else I cain do to holp him. I jist hafta watch him drink hisself into an early grave."

"Here you go, honey." Hattie put her arm around the gal's shoulders and handed her a clean hanky. A healer was never without a few clean cloths. She waited for Nessie to cry herself out a bit.

"I mean, he only hit me that once, and it were an accident 'cuz I was a-pullin' him away from the fire and his arms was flailin'. So don' worry yerself 'bout that a-tall. He really ain't a violent man." Having said her piece, Nessie stopped talking.

"Why don't we put it afore the Lord, Nessie?" It was the best advice Hattie had. "I'll pray with you for yore pa, iff 'n you want."

"Thankee, Hattie." Nessie twisted the handkerchief a few times before letting it drop in her lap.

Hattie took Nessie's hands in hers and gave a rea.s.suring squeeze. She could only hope that she and Miz Willow were successful in talking turkey with old Rooster when he finally came to call. If he didn't want to change, there was precious little they could do about it except pray.

"Dear heavenly Father, we come to You now in search of Yore guidance. We know You call Yore children to walk *with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love,' and we ask for Yore holp in putting that into practice. Nessie's pa is in a bad way, Lord. He dug hisself a hole so deep that his daughter cain't hardly look after him and see the light herself. We know of Yore words on those who abuse likker: *Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!' Well, Father, I reckon Rooster's feeling that woe, and we pray it brings him back to Yore love. Let Yore glory inflame his heart and displace the cheap lures of moons.h.i.+ne. Amen."

Nessie gave her a watery smile and leaned back to dry her eyes. The both sat in silence for a minute, and Hattie was grateful for the time they had alone. The men never need know how much Nessie needed support.

"Thankee. I don't know what I'd do without you, Hattie Thales. I think the Lord gave this holler a great blessing when He called you to be a healer. There's wounds as cain't be seen by most, but you've the gift of carin'. You remind me how the Lord is always with us." Nessie reached out to stop Hattie from smoothing her braid. "Now don't be fiddlin'. I know yore modest, but it does no justice to you nor gives glory to the Lord to dismiss earned praise. It's honest appreciation, Hattie." Nessie's eyes grew moist again, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "It's all I have to give you."

"Don't you start up again." Hattie shook a finger at her before enveloping her in a hug. "Else you'll git me goin', too." She pulled back and smiled. "Besides, we have this here parcel from yore sister to open." She tapped the package. "Why don't you have a look?"

Nessie carefully untied the string and pushed back the blue calico fabric as though it were made of gold. She had to unwind it a few times before she was finished.

"It's so beautiful. There's enough here to make me a new dress." Nessie stroked a length of the material before picking up the note inside. "Lovejoy knows I cain't read, so I s'pose she reckoned on me gittin' some holp. How've yore letters been comin' along, Hattie?"

"Just fine. I'd be tickled to read it to you." Hattie accepted the envelope and read Nessie the entire letter; Lovejoy wrote that she missed her and hoped she was well, that she was doing fine and so were Daniel, Polly, Ginny Mae, and all the others. She said she hoped the things she sent would come in useful and finished off by giving her love and prayers.

"It does my heart good to hear from her." Nessie smiled and returned her attention to the package lying open on her lap. She pulled out a pack of needles, a pair of ribbons the same shade of blue as the calico, and a fawn-colored hooded cloak just like Hattie's rose one, Miz Willow's purple one, and Silk's b.u.t.tercup yellow one. When she unfolded the cloak, she found French-milled soap, two pairs of stockings, and a new hairbrush, exactly like the other three had. They'd just not held them up in front of the menfolk.

"Mercy. Lovejoy weren't foolin' when she said she's livin' fine." Nessie couldn't stop smiling as she refolded the package. "There's not a thing here I cain't use-and so many luxuries, I'll feel like a queen." She stood up. " 'Tween yore prayer and Lovejoy's package, I feel so loved and blessed, I cain hardly stand it."

"S'pose we ought to join the menfolk. I've still got to check on Abigail Rucker this afternoon." Hattie stopped to give Nessie one last hug. "Remember how yore feeling now and know yore never without holp. The Lord takes care of His own."

Chapter 12.

Hattie heard the c.o.c.k crow and snuggled under the covers for a mite longer. Logan and Bryce had gone off to Hawk's Fall to visit Abner MacPherson, whose three boys had married Tempy, Eunice, and Lois. They'd set out yesterday morning and wouldn't be back until tomorrow night-just in time for church on Sunday.

She and Miz Willow were happy with some boiled oats and brown sugar, so she could afford to snuggle in for a little bit this morning. When the flames in the hearth began to gutter, she got up to lay on some more wood. No matter what the season, evening through morning in the mountains could put a chill in a body. She slipped into her clothes and set water to boil for the oatmeal before she went to milk the cow and bring in fresh cream to add to their breakfast.

"Mornin'." Miz Willow was up and stirring the oats when she got back in, her pretty new shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

"Mornin'." Hattie nodded toward the pot. "Have I got time for a quick barn muckin' afore it's ready?" In addition to their milk cow and Blossom, who was on the mend, they still housed the two packhorses Bryce and Logan had left behind since they'd only had one or two packets for Abner.

"I reckon you'll be done by the time it's cool."

Hattie went back to the barn and got straight to work. After breakfast, she and the widow planned to do the wash while the brothers weren't around. Miz Willow had told the men to leave out anything they needed cleaned before they left, and Hattie found a neat bundle of s.h.i.+rts and britches in the barn.

She finished lickety-split and went back to the bowl of creamed oats and brown sugar Miz Willow had already served up for her. It was perfect with cool milk. The widow favored hers with tart cranberries; she said it woke her up. Hattie remembered her mama saying each bowl of oatmeal was special to the person who ate it.

I wonder why Lovejoy warned us that Logan hates oatmeal. It's one of my favorites. There's so much you cain do with it-add honey, raisins, preserves, cinnamon, maple syrup, berries....Oh well. I'll jist enjoy it today and tomorra, seein' as how we won't make it for what's left of spring-or most of the summer.

After breakfast, she started heating water and hauling it to the washtub outside while Miz Willow cleaned the dishes. Soon enough, the scent of strong lye tinged the mountain air as Hattie put the washboard to work. Then she let the clothes soak in the washer before rinsing them in clean water. It took all morning to finish the clothes.

"I figgur we'd best stop for some dinner." Hattie hung the last few items on the clothesline with the clothespins Asa Pleasant had fas.h.i.+oned for them. It would do Miz Willow good to sit a spell before they tackled the towels, sheets, and rags. Everything in the healers' house had to be kept clean as a whistle.

"Sounds good to me."

They retrieved some salted fish from the smokehouse and used the last of the bread they'd baked the day before, was.h.i.+ng it all down with lots of water.

"Wars.h.i.+n's a thirst work." Miz Willow poured her another cupful of water. "Always seems like the smell of the lye gets caught in yore throat."

"But it feels powerful nice to sleep on fresh sheets and put on a crisp, clean dress." Hattie wiped off the table and set more water on to boil.

She was bringing out a kettleful of piping hot water when she saw the Clearys opening Miz Willow's garden gate. "Seems we have us some visitors," she muttered to Miz Willow, who straightened up as best she could.

"Good afternoon, Bethilda."

"Afternoon, Miz Willow. Hattie." She sailed toward them across the yard, Lily and Lark in tow.

Hattie could see the tight lines around Bethilda's mouth. Suddenly, working over a vat of hot lye water seemed like a fine way to spend the afternoon. She took a deep breath and pasted on a smile. "What seems to be the trouble?" Hattie knew the problem wouldn't be medicinal.

"Silly girl." Bethilda gave a forced laugh. "This be a social call."

"Well, in that case I s'pose we'd best set in the shade awhile. I cain make us some tea." Miz Willow ushered them to the porch, but Bethilda followed her inside.

"We went to visit Abigail Rucker t'other day." Bethilda sat down at the table, and her daughters followed suit. "Bless her heart, poor thing's bigger'n a bear. She mentioned as how Hattie'd been to see her jist the day afore, and how nice it'd been for Hattie's visitors to wait outside like gentlemen while they talked 'bout the babe to come."

Hattie closed her eyes for a moment. Bethilda Cleary knew she'd been up her way and hadn't stopped by to introduce the Chance brothers. Hattie reached for the chamomile-anything soothing couldn't hurt. Upset, Bethilda Cleary resembled a riled polecat-the stink she raised would cover everyone around.

"And I asked myself, how was it we hadn't seen you or yore new friends?" Bethilda's tone sounded sticky as honey but held none of the natural goodness.

"To tell the truth, Bethilda, we counted on stoppin' by but owed it to Rooster and Nessie to see them first, seein' as how he's their brother's father-in-law." Hattie saw Miz Willow nodding in support. "Took a mite longer'n we reckoned, and it were dark when I'd finished lookin' in on Abigail." She wouldn't mention how she'd taken Logan and Bryce through the meadow instead. "We wouldn't want to impose on you-and with no warning whatsoever!"

"I'm sh.o.r.e I done made it clear as a mountain stream that we was anxious to meet the bachelors." Bethilda's eyes narrowed. "Lily and Lark are bound to get along with 'em like peas and carrots. That bein' the case, I've got to ask why yore keepin' 'em away."

"Fiddlesticks, Bethilda Cleary," Miz Willow broke in. "You know better. Hattie cain't control the sun, and happens right now, the boys went to Hawk's Fall."

"Aw," Lily groaned, "you didn't scare them off, did yer, Hattie?"

"We was itchin' to meet 'em." Lark sounded downright mournful.

"They went to visit Abner MacPherson and take him word from his sons back in Californy." Hattie poured the tea into five cups. "That's all."