Read Online Wolf Creek Widow (Wolf Creek, Arkansas Book 4) by Penny Richards - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Penny Richards
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Western, Farm, Native American, Religious, Christian, 19th century, Inspirational, spousal abuse, Faith, struggle, second chance, widow, Community, husband, Protect, American West, Amends, Isolated, Deserves, Killed, Assistance
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the bank so he could hunt and trap? Why would anyone do something like that, especially when he had an education? Before she could bridle her tongue, she’d asked Nita that very question.
“It is strange, I know, but he says he’s happier outside hunting and trapping and such. He tans the hides to sell.”
“Is there enough money in that to take care of things?”
“Depending on the hide, they’ll bring from twenty-five cents to a dollar each.” Nita shrugged. “He’s a grown man and it’s none of my business, and Ace has always made his way doing this and that and gotten by just fine. Of course, he does other things that help me, too.”
Meg looked at her expectantly.
“We always have a big garden and I have an orchard,” Nita told her. “What I don’t can or dry for winter, we sell to Gabe at the mercantile. Some of the people in town who don’t garden depend on us for fresh fruit and vegetables. A while back, he traded out some work with Caleb Gentry for a hog, and we’ll slaughter it when it turns cold. With our other smoked meat, we’re pretty much set for winter.”
Meg couldn’t imagine being so well prepared.
“Ace keeps a lot of needy folks in food, too,” Nita added, almost as an afterthought.
That bit of news was not surprising. Meg offered the older woman a wan smile. “I know. When I saw the basket with the dried beans yesterday, I figured out that I’m one of them. Thank you.”
Nita laughed. “Several people suspect he’s the one, but no one knows for sure. He never brags on what he does. I know I sound like a boastful mother, but he’s a good man, and he’s been through a lot, like you.”
Meg supposed Nita was talking about Ace’s two prison stints. Meg had never thought about the two of them having anything in common, but now that it had been pointed out, she could see similarities in their pasts. She wondered what prison was like and what sort of things he had suffered there. More important, she wondered how he’d come away from the experience with his faith, peace and decency intact.
“Tell you what,” Nita said. “When we finish the ironing tomorrow, maybe you and Ace can take a look around and see what else needs doing. He won’t mind taking care of anything.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Meg said, though she had no idea how to tell if something needed doing or not. Elton hadn’t spent much time here, and he’d pretty much let things run down since they’d bought the property. As long as the shed was standing and he had a place for his horse and a pillow for his head, he couldn’t have cared less if the rest fell down around him.
Meg knew what she’d like to do, but had no way of knowing if her ideas were practical or not. She had little if any money to have things done, and besides, most of her longings were nothing but pipe dreams, like the clothesline and a new stove.
After more than an hour of ironing tablecloths and sheets, Meg was exhausted and figured her new friend was, too. Nita was strong, and though she wasn’t old by any means and didn’t look her age, she was no longer young, either, and she’d already done a hard day’s work.
“I think it’s time for a break. My back is getting tired,” Nita said, almost as if she’d read Meg’s thoughts. “Why don’t we sit and have a glass of cold water on the back porch?”
Meg suspected that even though the older woman probably was fatigued, it was likely she’d seen the weariness on Meg’s face and was blaming the halt on herself to persuade Meg to take a break. She admitted to herself that she was tired enough for them both. As the day had progressed, she’d begun to see that the doctor and her new caretakers were right. She wasn’t ready to be on her own just yet. She might not like being beholden to anyone, but she was a long way from being well enough or strong enough to get back to her regular routine. She certainly didn’t want to overdo it and have a setback.
“That
“It is strange, I know, but he says he’s happier outside hunting and trapping and such. He tans the hides to sell.”
“Is there enough money in that to take care of things?”
“Depending on the hide, they’ll bring from twenty-five cents to a dollar each.” Nita shrugged. “He’s a grown man and it’s none of my business, and Ace has always made his way doing this and that and gotten by just fine. Of course, he does other things that help me, too.”
Meg looked at her expectantly.
“We always have a big garden and I have an orchard,” Nita told her. “What I don’t can or dry for winter, we sell to Gabe at the mercantile. Some of the people in town who don’t garden depend on us for fresh fruit and vegetables. A while back, he traded out some work with Caleb Gentry for a hog, and we’ll slaughter it when it turns cold. With our other smoked meat, we’re pretty much set for winter.”
Meg couldn’t imagine being so well prepared.
“Ace keeps a lot of needy folks in food, too,” Nita added, almost as an afterthought.
That bit of news was not surprising. Meg offered the older woman a wan smile. “I know. When I saw the basket with the dried beans yesterday, I figured out that I’m one of them. Thank you.”
Nita laughed. “Several people suspect he’s the one, but no one knows for sure. He never brags on what he does. I know I sound like a boastful mother, but he’s a good man, and he’s been through a lot, like you.”
Meg supposed Nita was talking about Ace’s two prison stints. Meg had never thought about the two of them having anything in common, but now that it had been pointed out, she could see similarities in their pasts. She wondered what prison was like and what sort of things he had suffered there. More important, she wondered how he’d come away from the experience with his faith, peace and decency intact.
“Tell you what,” Nita said. “When we finish the ironing tomorrow, maybe you and Ace can take a look around and see what else needs doing. He won’t mind taking care of anything.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Meg said, though she had no idea how to tell if something needed doing or not. Elton hadn’t spent much time here, and he’d pretty much let things run down since they’d bought the property. As long as the shed was standing and he had a place for his horse and a pillow for his head, he couldn’t have cared less if the rest fell down around him.
Meg knew what she’d like to do, but had no way of knowing if her ideas were practical or not. She had little if any money to have things done, and besides, most of her longings were nothing but pipe dreams, like the clothesline and a new stove.
After more than an hour of ironing tablecloths and sheets, Meg was exhausted and figured her new friend was, too. Nita was strong, and though she wasn’t old by any means and didn’t look her age, she was no longer young, either, and she’d already done a hard day’s work.
“I think it’s time for a break. My back is getting tired,” Nita said, almost as if she’d read Meg’s thoughts. “Why don’t we sit and have a glass of cold water on the back porch?”
Meg suspected that even though the older woman probably was fatigued, it was likely she’d seen the weariness on Meg’s face and was blaming the halt on herself to persuade Meg to take a break. She admitted to herself that she was tired enough for them both. As the day had progressed, she’d begun to see that the doctor and her new caretakers were right. She wasn’t ready to be on her own just yet. She might not like being beholden to anyone, but she was a long way from being well enough or strong enough to get back to her regular routine. She certainly didn’t want to overdo it and have a setback.
“That
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