carrying a freshly baked pie while Calvin Harris moved to the rear of the wagon and hoisted her father’s plow to the ground. He headed off to return the borrowed plow to the barn.
Jarena quickly stationed herself between Miss Hattie and the front door.With any luck, Calvin and his grandmother-in-law would quickly be on their way. Jarena held out her hands to receive the pastry, but the old woman ignored her and marched on toward the house, the whole time explaining that Calvin had promised to return the plow today. Jarena bounded ahead of the woman, but Miss Hattie was like a wagon on a roll. You either moved out of the way or she ran over you. Jumping aside, Jarena managed to enter the house and take up a position in front of the table. She spread the folds of her skirt across the table, thinking she must look like a bird prepared to take flight.
Miss Hattie greeted Lilly and then explained Calvin had hoped to come by the house earlier. However, she’d made him wait until her pies were baked. After all, the least they could do was bring Ezekiel a pie to thank him for the loan of his plow. There was no doubt the woman was scanning every item on the table as she set her gooseberry pie on the sideboard.
After a long look at the table, Miss Hattie turned to Jarena. “We’s needin’ to have us a talk—in private.” Miss Hattie pulled her along until they cleared the door and moved away from the house.When she finally released Jarena’s arm, Miss Hattie’s breathing was labored and there was anger in her eyes. “What kind of craziness you and that woman got goin’ on in there?”
Jarena struggled to find the proper words. “We’re . . . we’re making perfume . . . to sell. I’m going to save the money to help Thomas and me set up housekeeping when he returns.”
Miss Hattie touched a finger to Jarena’s head. “You doin’ any thinkin’ with that head of yours or you jest using it for a hat perch? There’s alcohol in your pappy’s house. You think he’s gonna be happy ’bout that?”
“No, but . . .”
“Ain’t no buts ’bout it. You’s headed down a crooked road that’s gonna lead you to trouble for sure. Now if you’s smart, you’s gonna march back in that house and tell Lilly you done made a mistake and she best clear up that mess she’s makin’—and get rid of that liquor. You knows your pappy could get hisself in trouble if folks find out he’s got liquor in his house.”
Calvin waved from the wagon, obviously anxious to be on his way. Jarena sighed, relieved Miss Hattie would soon be gone. No telling what might happen next if the old woman remained. She’d likely go inside and destroy the supplies herself.
Miss Hattie waved back at Calvin. “I’s comin’, jest hold on a minute. You mind what I’m tellin’ you, gal. I ain’ gonna say nothin’ ’bout none of this to no one, but I expect you to do the right thing.”
“Yes, Miss Hattie.” Though she truly didn’t want to agree, Jarena mumbled the obligatory words. “You won’t say anything to Pappy, will you?”
“I ain’t gonna say a word. Now go on inside and get that mess cleared away.”
Lilly didn’t look up from her handiwork when Jarena stepped back into the house. Without giving Jarena opportunity to speak, her aunt launched into additional ideas regarding their new perfume business.
She would order special oils to create a longer-lasting perfume—one for which they could charge more money. And, of course, they could change the scent depending upon the available flowers. Lilly explained they would purchase only a few of the costly oils she truly preferred.
After all, they would want to make a profit.
When her aunt finally paused, Jarena relayed what Miss Hattie had plainly pointed out. “I’m concerned that Pappy won’t agree to this venture. Perhaps we should wait until I can gain his approval.”
As she had earlier, Lilly continued working, undeterred by the remark. “I don’t know why he would
Jarena quickly stationed herself between Miss Hattie and the front door.With any luck, Calvin and his grandmother-in-law would quickly be on their way. Jarena held out her hands to receive the pastry, but the old woman ignored her and marched on toward the house, the whole time explaining that Calvin had promised to return the plow today. Jarena bounded ahead of the woman, but Miss Hattie was like a wagon on a roll. You either moved out of the way or she ran over you. Jumping aside, Jarena managed to enter the house and take up a position in front of the table. She spread the folds of her skirt across the table, thinking she must look like a bird prepared to take flight.
Miss Hattie greeted Lilly and then explained Calvin had hoped to come by the house earlier. However, she’d made him wait until her pies were baked. After all, the least they could do was bring Ezekiel a pie to thank him for the loan of his plow. There was no doubt the woman was scanning every item on the table as she set her gooseberry pie on the sideboard.
After a long look at the table, Miss Hattie turned to Jarena. “We’s needin’ to have us a talk—in private.” Miss Hattie pulled her along until they cleared the door and moved away from the house.When she finally released Jarena’s arm, Miss Hattie’s breathing was labored and there was anger in her eyes. “What kind of craziness you and that woman got goin’ on in there?”
Jarena struggled to find the proper words. “We’re . . . we’re making perfume . . . to sell. I’m going to save the money to help Thomas and me set up housekeeping when he returns.”
Miss Hattie touched a finger to Jarena’s head. “You doin’ any thinkin’ with that head of yours or you jest using it for a hat perch? There’s alcohol in your pappy’s house. You think he’s gonna be happy ’bout that?”
“No, but . . .”
“Ain’t no buts ’bout it. You’s headed down a crooked road that’s gonna lead you to trouble for sure. Now if you’s smart, you’s gonna march back in that house and tell Lilly you done made a mistake and she best clear up that mess she’s makin’—and get rid of that liquor. You knows your pappy could get hisself in trouble if folks find out he’s got liquor in his house.”
Calvin waved from the wagon, obviously anxious to be on his way. Jarena sighed, relieved Miss Hattie would soon be gone. No telling what might happen next if the old woman remained. She’d likely go inside and destroy the supplies herself.
Miss Hattie waved back at Calvin. “I’s comin’, jest hold on a minute. You mind what I’m tellin’ you, gal. I ain’ gonna say nothin’ ’bout none of this to no one, but I expect you to do the right thing.”
“Yes, Miss Hattie.” Though she truly didn’t want to agree, Jarena mumbled the obligatory words. “You won’t say anything to Pappy, will you?”
“I ain’t gonna say a word. Now go on inside and get that mess cleared away.”
Lilly didn’t look up from her handiwork when Jarena stepped back into the house. Without giving Jarena opportunity to speak, her aunt launched into additional ideas regarding their new perfume business.
She would order special oils to create a longer-lasting perfume—one for which they could charge more money. And, of course, they could change the scent depending upon the available flowers. Lilly explained they would purchase only a few of the costly oils she truly preferred.
After all, they would want to make a profit.
When her aunt finally paused, Jarena relayed what Miss Hattie had plainly pointed out. “I’m concerned that Pappy won’t agree to this venture. Perhaps we should wait until I can gain his approval.”
As she had earlier, Lilly continued working, undeterred by the remark. “I don’t know why he would
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