Read Online A Home at Trail's End by Melody A. Carlson - Free Book Online Page B

music book that was in the book section.
    â€œHello, son,” she said quietly from behind him.
    â€œMa.” He turned eagerly, pointing out the book to her. “That book has fifty songs in it.”
    She nodded. “I see that.”
    â€œIt’s got musical notes for piano, but Mrs. Taylor has been teaching us to read music at school. I think I could learn the songs on my guitar.”
    She put her hand on his shoulder. “Did you bring enough money for it?”
    He nodded, looking up at her with earnest eyes. “But do you think it would be wasteful? I know we need things for our home.”
    She smiled. “Don’t you think music would be good for our home?”
    He grinned back at her.
    â€œI trust your judgment, son.” She patted him on the back and then went to see what Ruth was admiring.
    â€œLook, Mama,” Ruth said when Elizabeth joined her. “There’s some really pretty pink calico there.”
    Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, Ruth. But we brought a fair amount of fabric from home, remember?”
    â€œBut none as pretty as that,” Ruth told her.
    â€œPerhaps not. But until we use up our fabric, I don’t see the need to purchase more.” She tweaked Ruth’s braid. “Although I’m sure it would look very pretty on you. Maybe you can find a pink hair ribbon instead.”
    Ruth gave her a surprised look. “I didn’t mean for me, Mama. I meant for you. Wouldn’t it make a pretty wedding dress for when you and Eli get married?”
    Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, my. Well…I’m not sure.”
    â€œOh, it would, Mama. I know it would.”
    Elizabeth looked down into Ruth’s sparkling blue eyes. “That’s very sweet of you to think so, dear. But I don’t plan on sewing myself a new wedding dress. I would much rather spend my time sewing curtains and such.”
    Ruth looked truly dismayed.
    â€œBut if there is time to sew a dress, I think perhaps I’ll just use that green calico I brought from home.”
    â€œOh, no, Mama.” Ruth looked appalled. “Not green.”
    â€œWhy ever not? Green is a nice, sensible color. One of nature’s favorite shades.”
    Ruth firmly shook her head. “Haven’t you heard the wedding-dress poem?”
    â€œWhat?” Elizabeth shook her head.
    â€œIt goes like this.” Ruth stood straight as if she were reciting in school.
    White—chosen right.
    Blue—love will be true.
    Yellow—ashamed of her fellow.
    Red—wish herself dead.
    Black—wish herself back.
    Gray—travel far away.
    Pink—of you he’ll always think.
    Green—ashamed to be seen.
    Elizabeth couldn’t help but laugh. “Well then. I certainly won’t wear green!”
    â€œOr yellow or red or black.” Ruth got a thoughtful look. “And not gray…I don’t want you to go far away, Mama.”
    â€œSo what does that leave me with?” Elizabeth asked.
    Ruth held up three fingers. “White, blue, or pink.”
    Elizabeth thought. “Well, I wore white when I married your father, but I was just a young woman then. Perhaps…blue?”
    Ruth’s serious expression broke into a smile. “Yes, Mama, blue.”
    â€œAnd I brought some blue calico too,” Elizabeth told her.
    â€œBut it’s dark blue,” Ruth reminded her. She pointed back at the shelf holding the bolts of fabric. “How about that one on the end? It’s the same color as your eyes.”
    â€œWhat about the blue fabric we already have?” Elizabeth asked.
    â€œIt would make pretty curtains and things,” Ruth said hopefully. Elizabeth was about to put an end to this discussion and remind Ruth of the practicalities of living on the frontier when Clara came over to join them. Before Elizabeth could set her daughter straight, Ruth was emphatically explaining her plans for Elizabeth to have a beautiful blue wedding