Sneaker 11
RECONDO
You are a definite blessing Ms Pac.
Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
juco
Veteran Member
Yes, indeed! Much thanks for continuing this wonderful saga.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Noe if only Judy will listen. Thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#67
Andy went in his back door to a frosty silence. "Dad suggested we go down and visit Donny, and that was kinda funny, you were just mentioning him this morning. Get your coat, let's go have a change of scenery."
"I don't think so," was all Judy would say.
"Ok, see ya when I get back." and Andy shut the door on the silent treatment. Slogging through the weather and snow, he gave a quick knock on the back door of Donny's place and stepped inside.
All eyes sitting at the table swiveled in unison to see who the visitor was, that so boldly walked right in.
"Holy cow, Donny, are you in here?" Andy teased.
"Don't be a jerk, of course I'm here. Where have you been? You must be hiding out, I haven't seen you out and about for more than a month. Oh, by the way, this is my wife Sally and her brothers and sisters. Sally, this is my brother Andy. Where's Judy? Judy is his wife." Donny explained to the staring group. "Want some lunch?"
Andy looked at the bowls of rice with some sort of green glop on top and shook his head no.
"I came to see if you wanted to go hunting ?"
"Tomorrow, maybe. Depends on how things smooth out around here. The younger kids need a lot of encouragement and Sally is doing wonderful." Donny slipped in a little praise and hopefully pride.
"Your married?" Andy repeated three times, "when did all this happen?"
"Oh, this morning," Donny said casually. "I would have had you stand up with me, but Seamus and Dad were in a hurry, and they wanted to get home before noon. Plus, I wasn't sure where you were and didn't have time to go looking for you. You should kinda circulate more."
"Yeah well, sometimes that ain't easy. You guys have stuff for supper? We have canned venison and I'll bring you down several quarts." Andy smoothly guided the conversation away from his married life and into the important topic of food.
"Heck ya, we need meat. I'll take all you have to spare," Donny wasn't shy about his families need. He was also remembering that Ma helped Judy and Andy can a lot of meat, so they had food to spare, if Judy would let it go.
Andy looked over the table of youngsters and shook his head. "I'll be back in a little bit," he promised and shut the door behind him.
Andy went in his back door to a frosty silence. "Dad suggested we go down and visit Donny, and that was kinda funny, you were just mentioning him this morning. Get your coat, let's go have a change of scenery."
"I don't think so," was all Judy would say.
"Ok, see ya when I get back." and Andy shut the door on the silent treatment. Slogging through the weather and snow, he gave a quick knock on the back door of Donny's place and stepped inside.
All eyes sitting at the table swiveled in unison to see who the visitor was, that so boldly walked right in.
"Holy cow, Donny, are you in here?" Andy teased.
"Don't be a jerk, of course I'm here. Where have you been? You must be hiding out, I haven't seen you out and about for more than a month. Oh, by the way, this is my wife Sally and her brothers and sisters. Sally, this is my brother Andy. Where's Judy? Judy is his wife." Donny explained to the staring group. "Want some lunch?"
Andy looked at the bowls of rice with some sort of green glop on top and shook his head no.
"I came to see if you wanted to go hunting ?"
"Tomorrow, maybe. Depends on how things smooth out around here. The younger kids need a lot of encouragement and Sally is doing wonderful." Donny slipped in a little praise and hopefully pride.
"Your married?" Andy repeated three times, "when did all this happen?"
"Oh, this morning," Donny said casually. "I would have had you stand up with me, but Seamus and Dad were in a hurry, and they wanted to get home before noon. Plus, I wasn't sure where you were and didn't have time to go looking for you. You should kinda circulate more."
"Yeah well, sometimes that ain't easy. You guys have stuff for supper? We have canned venison and I'll bring you down several quarts." Andy smoothly guided the conversation away from his married life and into the important topic of food.
"Heck ya, we need meat. I'll take all you have to spare," Donny wasn't shy about his families need. He was also remembering that Ma helped Judy and Andy can a lot of meat, so they had food to spare, if Judy would let it go.
Andy looked over the table of youngsters and shook his head. "I'll be back in a little bit," he promised and shut the door behind him.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you so much paac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#68
"Absolutely NOT!" Judy was standing in front of the pantry door with her arms crossed, refusing to let Andy take quarts of venison down to his brother.
"It's non- negotiable Judy, there's seven people starving down there. We have plenty, and if it looks like food will be scarce, we'll go on diets." Andy firmly but gently moved Judy out of the way with his greater strength. "In this family we all help one another. I've told you that and you've heard that from Ma and Dad ever since you've been around us."
Andy opened the pantry door and gathered up 8 quarts of the precious canned venison and filled a wooden box with the quarts and potatoes. "I'm going hunting tomorrow, Donny has a monster job in front of him, and the least I can do is help. Want to go along?" Andy invited.
"No, I don't, and I don't give you permission to take our food. Remember what you agreed too before we got married?" the tone was snippy because Judy was flaming mad.
"Not particularly," Andy drawled. "I want to have a discussion about all those rules and regulations when I get back. I believe we are remembering very different situations and very different circumstances. Maybe you should write them down while I'm gone. Be sure and list them all, because we aren't going to have any 'rules' that we don't go over." Andy picked up the box and stepped out into the waning vestiges of the storm.
Judy stared hard at his retreating back, and had a small fission of unease shiver up her spine. That last pronouncement had all the earmarks of a threat; well, she'd be sure and write them down. If that Andy thought for one minute he had the upper hand, he was sorely mistaken.
Andy delivered the box of welcome meat and excused himself quickly, there was a storm of major magititude brewing, and he didn't mean the outside weather.
Back in his house, Andy simply said "NO" to all the silly rules Judy had written down. He wasn't mad, didn't shout, but kept himself calm and collected. Judy however, had a tantrum of major proportions.
"You promised," she yelled for the twenty-seventh time, "you said you would bide by my rules. You liar." On and on it went for several hours, until Andy had been berated long enough.
"We will either live our life jointly, loving and living in harmony, or you are free to leave. I want you to stay, I love you, but I'm not going to listen to you harp and moan about every little infraction you think I'm committing. Both of us are human and we can and will make mistakes, but I'm not a cat to have my nose rubbed in my transgressions." Andy got up from the table and went to the pantry, selecting a quart of stew, he put it on to heat. Adding wood to the fire, he lit the oil lamp and shot Judy a disgusted look when he discovered it was three-fourths empty.
"If you expect me to take care of the outside chores, then you had better get your rear in gear and take care of the inside chores. Of which," he emphasized heavily, "cooking, cleaning and washing are major parts. I'm telling you that we have to work together for the good of the both of us." Andy said the last sentence to Judy's retreating back, as she flounced out of the room and down the hall.
Andy sighed, and stirred the warming stew. For some reason, he was really hungry, and for fun and his stomach's happiness, he tried making biscuits. He had watched Ma make them over and over, and his came out of the oven as dough gobs, but at least they were cooked.
Andy ate the whole quart of stew and all but three of the biscuits. He put water on to heat for doing dishes and stared moodily at the night darkened window. It looked like he might as well get used to doing for himself, Judy didn't seem to want to compromise in any way, shape or form.
"Absolutely NOT!" Judy was standing in front of the pantry door with her arms crossed, refusing to let Andy take quarts of venison down to his brother.
"It's non- negotiable Judy, there's seven people starving down there. We have plenty, and if it looks like food will be scarce, we'll go on diets." Andy firmly but gently moved Judy out of the way with his greater strength. "In this family we all help one another. I've told you that and you've heard that from Ma and Dad ever since you've been around us."
Andy opened the pantry door and gathered up 8 quarts of the precious canned venison and filled a wooden box with the quarts and potatoes. "I'm going hunting tomorrow, Donny has a monster job in front of him, and the least I can do is help. Want to go along?" Andy invited.
"No, I don't, and I don't give you permission to take our food. Remember what you agreed too before we got married?" the tone was snippy because Judy was flaming mad.
"Not particularly," Andy drawled. "I want to have a discussion about all those rules and regulations when I get back. I believe we are remembering very different situations and very different circumstances. Maybe you should write them down while I'm gone. Be sure and list them all, because we aren't going to have any 'rules' that we don't go over." Andy picked up the box and stepped out into the waning vestiges of the storm.
Judy stared hard at his retreating back, and had a small fission of unease shiver up her spine. That last pronouncement had all the earmarks of a threat; well, she'd be sure and write them down. If that Andy thought for one minute he had the upper hand, he was sorely mistaken.
Andy delivered the box of welcome meat and excused himself quickly, there was a storm of major magititude brewing, and he didn't mean the outside weather.
Back in his house, Andy simply said "NO" to all the silly rules Judy had written down. He wasn't mad, didn't shout, but kept himself calm and collected. Judy however, had a tantrum of major proportions.
"You promised," she yelled for the twenty-seventh time, "you said you would bide by my rules. You liar." On and on it went for several hours, until Andy had been berated long enough.
"We will either live our life jointly, loving and living in harmony, or you are free to leave. I want you to stay, I love you, but I'm not going to listen to you harp and moan about every little infraction you think I'm committing. Both of us are human and we can and will make mistakes, but I'm not a cat to have my nose rubbed in my transgressions." Andy got up from the table and went to the pantry, selecting a quart of stew, he put it on to heat. Adding wood to the fire, he lit the oil lamp and shot Judy a disgusted look when he discovered it was three-fourths empty.
"If you expect me to take care of the outside chores, then you had better get your rear in gear and take care of the inside chores. Of which," he emphasized heavily, "cooking, cleaning and washing are major parts. I'm telling you that we have to work together for the good of the both of us." Andy said the last sentence to Judy's retreating back, as she flounced out of the room and down the hall.
Andy sighed, and stirred the warming stew. For some reason, he was really hungry, and for fun and his stomach's happiness, he tried making biscuits. He had watched Ma make them over and over, and his came out of the oven as dough gobs, but at least they were cooked.
Andy ate the whole quart of stew and all but three of the biscuits. He put water on to heat for doing dishes and stared moodily at the night darkened window. It looked like he might as well get used to doing for himself, Judy didn't seem to want to compromise in any way, shape or form.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, dh had his hip replacement this morning, they got him up and walking after lunch. 
Sammy55
Veteran Member
Both Donny and Andy are growing up and shaping up. I'm sure Clora is really pleased!
However, their wives Sally and Judy have a ways to go. Sally is trying and there's good hope there. Judy?? I wonder what her mom Clara would say about how she is acting?
Thanks, Mrs. Pac! We didn't have internet for about 2 weeks, and a few of the things I really missed was TB2K and your stories.
However, their wives Sally and Judy have a ways to go. Sally is trying and there's good hope there. Judy?? I wonder what her mom Clara would say about how she is acting?
Thanks, Mrs. Pac! We didn't have internet for about 2 weeks, and a few of the things I really missed was TB2K and your stories.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
No Internet for 2 weeks and I'd need serious therapy; my condolences!
On the flip side, think of all the good stuff you can catch up on when you get back here! Almost makes me jealous (almost)
G
Sneaker 11
RECONDO
The book of Proverbs has some things to say about a contentious woman.......and I think young mister Andy could be in for some interesting times ahead. Thanks again for your outstanding story.
11
11
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#69
"I don't want you in bed with me." Judy issued her decree in a frosty, regal voice.
"Too bad, if you are that touchy, get yourself out of bed and sleep somewhere else. This is the bed I sleep in." Andy was fed up with all the histrionics that Judy seemed to have stored in her personality.
"I shouldn't have to move, you're the man that's acting like an ass." Judy whimpered and sniffled and cried a little with big gulping sobs.
"Tough shit," Andy snapped back, and he turned over and pulled on the blankets over his shoulder.
"You're taking all my blankets," the pitiful little girl voice said to his back, "I'm gonna get cold."
"Go to the closet and get another one," Andy spoke coldly.
"I'm warm, will you go get it for me?"
"No, you're a big girl, you just aren't going to call all the shots, like you have been. We are a couple and you are not the Queen, and, ……….. I'm not the king." he added for good measure.
Judy hiccupped and gave another little sob, and then made a big production of getting out of bed and feeling her way to the closet. There were more sounds as she wrapped up and then made another fuss as she got in bed and feebly tugged at the corner of the blankets that were her allotment.
"Stop it," Andy growled, "You're free to go to the other room, any time you wish."
"Andy, please don't be mean." Judy whispered. "I'm sorry." To prove that she meant her words, Judy snuggled in close and warmed herself on Andy's back..
Down the road in the Inn at Belnap, Abby piled on the quilts and burrowed in. For some reason she was missing that no good Jerry tonight. His deflection was weighing hard on her mind, and she decided it must be the whine of the blowing wind that made her so melancholy.
"I am a big girl," she whispered into the night, and turned over and tried to sleep. Abby had given her heart to Jerry, with never the thought that she might have to take it back. She had no words or thoughts as to why he had changed his mind, but he had, so it was her sorrow. Living away from the clan helped with her heartache, and Lord knows she had enough work to keep her busy, but lonely nights are still lonely nights.
Jerry on the other hand was feeling knotted up and restless. This late winter storm had all of Corbin's riders and drivers feeling antsy and out of sorts. Corbin was putting together another wagon train of supplies that needed to be gathered up at St. Louis, and then they would be heading North toward Iowa City.
This was a train of the largest proportions, 25 wagons were being slowly gathered and filled. Double the amount of outriders were hired, this was risky business and every care needed to be exercised.
During the winter, Corbin had received permission to haul freight into Iowa, expanding his territory by more than half. Clara had wanted to go, but that idea was nixed by Corbin in a very gentle but definite way.
"The weather is too iffy, my dear, you are too important to me to put you in the way of severe weather. I am thinking that by the time I get back, we will have an order from George and in the warmer spring weather we'll make a trek up to see Judy." Corbin looked at the neat and organized office that Clara had cleaned and redone to suit herself. At any given time, she could lay her hands on any piece of paper he requested, or quote or packing list from previous trips.
"If you get a shopping list from George, go ahead and fill it from the suppliers, I have a couple of men that need to step up and start heading up a second train, so fill all the requests. I'd like to go visit the Linderman's, so let's plan on it." Corbin winked at Clara, and she smiled back.
Clara felt a little foolish, for missing Judy so much, but she was, she couldn't help it. She and Judy had been through so much together since Judy's father had died; they were stronger because they had been together.
Corbin was accurately reading Clara's facial expression, and sighed inwardly. Clara was obviously picking up on some vibrations concerning Judy, and he knew better than to dismiss the mother radar sensitivity Clara felt.
"I promise to hurry on the way to Iowa City, May should be a good time to head over to the Linderman's, so if you have the wagon's ready, we'll take right off again." Corbin looked over the supply list once again. "It won't be fast, going North, we will be heavily laden and have a couple of bigger rivers to ford. We will need all your prayers Honey."
"You know you have them, all day and night." Clara vowed.
"I don't want you in bed with me." Judy issued her decree in a frosty, regal voice.
"Too bad, if you are that touchy, get yourself out of bed and sleep somewhere else. This is the bed I sleep in." Andy was fed up with all the histrionics that Judy seemed to have stored in her personality.
"I shouldn't have to move, you're the man that's acting like an ass." Judy whimpered and sniffled and cried a little with big gulping sobs.
"Tough shit," Andy snapped back, and he turned over and pulled on the blankets over his shoulder.
"You're taking all my blankets," the pitiful little girl voice said to his back, "I'm gonna get cold."
"Go to the closet and get another one," Andy spoke coldly.
"I'm warm, will you go get it for me?"
"No, you're a big girl, you just aren't going to call all the shots, like you have been. We are a couple and you are not the Queen, and, ……….. I'm not the king." he added for good measure.
Judy hiccupped and gave another little sob, and then made a big production of getting out of bed and feeling her way to the closet. There were more sounds as she wrapped up and then made another fuss as she got in bed and feebly tugged at the corner of the blankets that were her allotment.
"Stop it," Andy growled, "You're free to go to the other room, any time you wish."
"Andy, please don't be mean." Judy whispered. "I'm sorry." To prove that she meant her words, Judy snuggled in close and warmed herself on Andy's back..
Down the road in the Inn at Belnap, Abby piled on the quilts and burrowed in. For some reason she was missing that no good Jerry tonight. His deflection was weighing hard on her mind, and she decided it must be the whine of the blowing wind that made her so melancholy.
"I am a big girl," she whispered into the night, and turned over and tried to sleep. Abby had given her heart to Jerry, with never the thought that she might have to take it back. She had no words or thoughts as to why he had changed his mind, but he had, so it was her sorrow. Living away from the clan helped with her heartache, and Lord knows she had enough work to keep her busy, but lonely nights are still lonely nights.
Jerry on the other hand was feeling knotted up and restless. This late winter storm had all of Corbin's riders and drivers feeling antsy and out of sorts. Corbin was putting together another wagon train of supplies that needed to be gathered up at St. Louis, and then they would be heading North toward Iowa City.
This was a train of the largest proportions, 25 wagons were being slowly gathered and filled. Double the amount of outriders were hired, this was risky business and every care needed to be exercised.
During the winter, Corbin had received permission to haul freight into Iowa, expanding his territory by more than half. Clara had wanted to go, but that idea was nixed by Corbin in a very gentle but definite way.
"The weather is too iffy, my dear, you are too important to me to put you in the way of severe weather. I am thinking that by the time I get back, we will have an order from George and in the warmer spring weather we'll make a trek up to see Judy." Corbin looked at the neat and organized office that Clara had cleaned and redone to suit herself. At any given time, she could lay her hands on any piece of paper he requested, or quote or packing list from previous trips.
"If you get a shopping list from George, go ahead and fill it from the suppliers, I have a couple of men that need to step up and start heading up a second train, so fill all the requests. I'd like to go visit the Linderman's, so let's plan on it." Corbin winked at Clara, and she smiled back.
Clara felt a little foolish, for missing Judy so much, but she was, she couldn't help it. She and Judy had been through so much together since Judy's father had died; they were stronger because they had been together.
Corbin was accurately reading Clara's facial expression, and sighed inwardly. Clara was obviously picking up on some vibrations concerning Judy, and he knew better than to dismiss the mother radar sensitivity Clara felt.
"I promise to hurry on the way to Iowa City, May should be a good time to head over to the Linderman's, so if you have the wagon's ready, we'll take right off again." Corbin looked over the supply list once again. "It won't be fast, going North, we will be heavily laden and have a couple of bigger rivers to ford. We will need all your prayers Honey."
"You know you have them, all day and night." Clara vowed.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#70
George and Millie sat at their table, the supper dishes soaking in the sink. "I'd like to go over the list once again, do you think we will have enough money to pay Corbin when he gets here with the supplies?" Millie trailed her pencil down the neatly written list of goods.
"Yes, we have enough, and anything we sell between then and now will be that much more. I made an agreement with Corbin that I would pay him when he delivered, rather than send money by post and expect it to get there. An envelope full of money is just too much of a temptation, and I don't want to see our hard earned money go to line some robbers pocket." George leaned over to look at the candy order. He liked the way Millie had the supplies broken down into categories. "Lets order more candy," he proposed. "I like handing out treats to the kids, and it sounds like that batch that Donny has gotten mixed up with, has never had candy at all."
"Oh my, really?" Millie questioned softly. "Poor little dears, that's one of the greatest pleasures of childhood, getting a piece of candy. You are so good to think of the children George, tell me about your young childhood?"
George's words came slow and at times almost painful, but Millie learned a great deal about his growing up in a orphanage.
"That's why I treasure you so much," George was holding Millie's hand. "I feel like you are God's reward to me for being patient and waiting on His will. You are my blessing from above."
"Oh George, do you know I thank God every night, for putting you in my life?"
George reached over and blew out the oil lamp.
Chuck looked at his new house. Bigger than he actually wanted, it was a place for a family, something he didn't have. Although, lately he had been thinking about bringing someone into his life. It was a troublesome idea, it would mean giving up a lot of his free bachelor ways and working hard every day, so he decided to think on his problem.
When the snow melted from the last storm, Spring burst open with a vengeance. Within a week, the temperature was in the upper 50's and it was time for mud season. The earth softened and the muddy goo went deep.
Mark opened Sunday service with three travelers and a couple from a farm East of town. Voices lifted in song, fervently praising the Lord with spring renewed spirits.
Donny and his family trooped in late, but he had to carry the youngest three because they tired out and had to stop.
Clora moved over to sit at the end of the bench, and gathered up Ada to hold the shivering child in her warm arms. Smiling at Sally, she patted the thin girl on the shoulder. "Welcome," Clora whispered, as she wrapped Ada warmly in a blanket.
Andy and Judy were sitting together, still a little strained acting, but not verbally sniping at each other. Judy was looking at Donny and Sally and kids, shaking her head at the huge responsibility.
Mark gave the message on, 'individual responsibility to spread the word of Jesus,' and God loving people inwardly vowed to work harder to please the Lord by sharing his good news.
George and Millie sat at their table, the supper dishes soaking in the sink. "I'd like to go over the list once again, do you think we will have enough money to pay Corbin when he gets here with the supplies?" Millie trailed her pencil down the neatly written list of goods.
"Yes, we have enough, and anything we sell between then and now will be that much more. I made an agreement with Corbin that I would pay him when he delivered, rather than send money by post and expect it to get there. An envelope full of money is just too much of a temptation, and I don't want to see our hard earned money go to line some robbers pocket." George leaned over to look at the candy order. He liked the way Millie had the supplies broken down into categories. "Lets order more candy," he proposed. "I like handing out treats to the kids, and it sounds like that batch that Donny has gotten mixed up with, has never had candy at all."
"Oh my, really?" Millie questioned softly. "Poor little dears, that's one of the greatest pleasures of childhood, getting a piece of candy. You are so good to think of the children George, tell me about your young childhood?"
George's words came slow and at times almost painful, but Millie learned a great deal about his growing up in a orphanage.
"That's why I treasure you so much," George was holding Millie's hand. "I feel like you are God's reward to me for being patient and waiting on His will. You are my blessing from above."
"Oh George, do you know I thank God every night, for putting you in my life?"
George reached over and blew out the oil lamp.
Chuck looked at his new house. Bigger than he actually wanted, it was a place for a family, something he didn't have. Although, lately he had been thinking about bringing someone into his life. It was a troublesome idea, it would mean giving up a lot of his free bachelor ways and working hard every day, so he decided to think on his problem.
When the snow melted from the last storm, Spring burst open with a vengeance. Within a week, the temperature was in the upper 50's and it was time for mud season. The earth softened and the muddy goo went deep.
Mark opened Sunday service with three travelers and a couple from a farm East of town. Voices lifted in song, fervently praising the Lord with spring renewed spirits.
Donny and his family trooped in late, but he had to carry the youngest three because they tired out and had to stop.
Clora moved over to sit at the end of the bench, and gathered up Ada to hold the shivering child in her warm arms. Smiling at Sally, she patted the thin girl on the shoulder. "Welcome," Clora whispered, as she wrapped Ada warmly in a blanket.
Andy and Judy were sitting together, still a little strained acting, but not verbally sniping at each other. Judy was looking at Donny and Sally and kids, shaking her head at the huge responsibility.
Mark gave the message on, 'individual responsibility to spread the word of Jesus,' and God loving people inwardly vowed to work harder to please the Lord by sharing his good news.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very nice, thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#71
The service was almost over, when three mud covered ladies walked in and collapsed thankfully on the handy bench. They were beathing hard, like they had been hurrying, and looking very flustered and out of sorts.
"Welcome," Mark boomed out and at a nod from Clora, he started in on a mini sermon. A fine and tight, condensed lesson; had the newcomers with tears in their eyes. "Oh Glory," the yellow haired woman breathed out, "tell it brother."
With such additional fine voices, they sang two old favorite songs as an ending. They were almost to the ending stanza of 'The Old Rugged Cross," when Phoebe belted out a "Glory, Glory, Glory, the baby's coming." Seamus fainted and hit his head on the bench.
Trish took control, shouting orders and assisting Phoebe next door to the clinic. Dr. Bruce gave Tony and Eddie the stern eye, stopping the two rascals from teasing Calvin, Punky and Max. Suisan was hollering for her Daddy, and Tess's three boys started whooping and hollering.
Sally's brothers and sisters sat in wild eyed wonder and trepidation as Lyric, TJ and Barry started jumping up and down, hollering, "a new baby, we're getting a new baby." Joined by the triplets.
Robbie and Ricky distained the childish antics of the rest of the children, instead sitting with raised eyebrows, but only because Milo had his arm along the back of the bench, ready to thump any wrongdoing.
Honey was sitting on the other side of the boys, giving them a 'mother look' of 'don't you dare do anything wrong.' Unfortunately, she looked at Rennie and the two women burst out laughing. It was such a normal, everyday happening in the life of the clan, they hardly made note of the commotion.
The men standing along the back wall, paid no attention to Gary as he exited quickly, and Chuck was there to welcome and shake hands with the newcomers.
"I'm so sorry we were late and came barging in," the brown haired woman apologized sweetly. Chuck was about to say something, when Mark showed up and welcomed the three. Ushering the ladies down toward the front, that left Chuck standing there with a puzzled look on his face. Sort of a --what just happened here?
Over against the side wall, Clora cuddled a sleepy Ada and watched with sharp concentration the interactions of the people in the room.
Tess came to sit with her mother, chuckling under her breath. "Chuck looks like a kid that had his candy swiped."
Clora turned to look at her daughter, and then laughed herself. "There is never a dull moment around here, is there?"
Chuck was about to leave when Mark came up and asked him if he would take the three ladies home.
The service was almost over, when three mud covered ladies walked in and collapsed thankfully on the handy bench. They were beathing hard, like they had been hurrying, and looking very flustered and out of sorts.
"Welcome," Mark boomed out and at a nod from Clora, he started in on a mini sermon. A fine and tight, condensed lesson; had the newcomers with tears in their eyes. "Oh Glory," the yellow haired woman breathed out, "tell it brother."
With such additional fine voices, they sang two old favorite songs as an ending. They were almost to the ending stanza of 'The Old Rugged Cross," when Phoebe belted out a "Glory, Glory, Glory, the baby's coming." Seamus fainted and hit his head on the bench.
Trish took control, shouting orders and assisting Phoebe next door to the clinic. Dr. Bruce gave Tony and Eddie the stern eye, stopping the two rascals from teasing Calvin, Punky and Max. Suisan was hollering for her Daddy, and Tess's three boys started whooping and hollering.
Sally's brothers and sisters sat in wild eyed wonder and trepidation as Lyric, TJ and Barry started jumping up and down, hollering, "a new baby, we're getting a new baby." Joined by the triplets.
Robbie and Ricky distained the childish antics of the rest of the children, instead sitting with raised eyebrows, but only because Milo had his arm along the back of the bench, ready to thump any wrongdoing.
Honey was sitting on the other side of the boys, giving them a 'mother look' of 'don't you dare do anything wrong.' Unfortunately, she looked at Rennie and the two women burst out laughing. It was such a normal, everyday happening in the life of the clan, they hardly made note of the commotion.
The men standing along the back wall, paid no attention to Gary as he exited quickly, and Chuck was there to welcome and shake hands with the newcomers.
"I'm so sorry we were late and came barging in," the brown haired woman apologized sweetly. Chuck was about to say something, when Mark showed up and welcomed the three. Ushering the ladies down toward the front, that left Chuck standing there with a puzzled look on his face. Sort of a --what just happened here?
Over against the side wall, Clora cuddled a sleepy Ada and watched with sharp concentration the interactions of the people in the room.
Tess came to sit with her mother, chuckling under her breath. "Chuck looks like a kid that had his candy swiped."
Clora turned to look at her daughter, and then laughed herself. "There is never a dull moment around here, is there?"
Chuck was about to leave when Mark came up and asked him if he would take the three ladies home.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac, a very welcome chapter.
steamroller
Contributing Member
Great story, thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#72
"I need a 'gentleman' to take the good ladies home. They had an encounter with something that growled and scared them badly. I would like to see them return for service's, so please go prepared and keep them safe." Mark looked Chuck square in the eye, and the younger man nodded.
"I'd like to use the horses, the ladies seem to be tired, perhaps an easy ride home would be a benefit."
"Good idea," Mark agreed, "I'll get Andy to give you a hand and get the horses ready."
"Thanks, I need to run home and take the pot of chili off the stove, I'll be right back." Chuck remembered his last hunting trip, and went to get the appropriate clothes.
The three ladies visited and fellowshiped with the ladies of the clan, while Chuck and Andy got the horses ready.
"I'm Pricilla, that's Reva, and Dory," The oldest woman introduced herself and her friends. "We live, I'm guessing about four miles from here. I've got to tell you, the people that were here before you, were very strange and standoffish but we have Sheriff Coleman's assurance that you were friendly and very approachable. He is really very handsome, isn't he?" and the ladies smiled in a knowing way.
The Linderman ladies nodded, agreeing with the newcomers. Mark appeared in the doorway and signaled to Clora that the horses were ready. She mentioned to the women and they all moved to the front door.
"Oh, this is a luxary way to travel," Dory exclaimed brom the back of a dead broke gelding. "It won't run away with me, will it?"
"No Ma'am," Chuck handed the reins to Dory, "he's a good horse."
It took a little bit of getting used to the horses, but soon the foursome was fording the small river, headed East.
Andy and Judy had brought another box of canned jars for Donny, Clora had brought a sack of potatoes and carrots, and one by one the families slipped food into the boxes for the new family. Finally there was so much, that it took a parade of men carrying boxes to Donnys place while the ladies took kids home and started Sunday dinner.
When Sally and Donny finally closed the door on the family bearing gifts, all of them had tears in their eyes over the generous bounty given them. "I can't believe it," Sally was sitting on the floor with all the kids warming by the stove. "Donny, your people are wonderful, they don't even know us, and here they are giving us all this food. What can we do to pay back?"
Donny was heating a couple of jars of venison chunks, and looking at the paper that Clora had written out on how to make gravy. There was the ever present rice as a base, and the kids ate silently and asked for more.
Children with full tummys practically went to sleep at the table, and Sally gathered them up and positioned the sleepy ones near the stove.
"I've got to sleep tonight in a bed," Donny explained as he and Sally washed and dried dishes. "I don't rest as well as I should, on the floor."
Sally looked at him with a scared expression, and skittered away from her strong, young husband.
"Oh hey, I didn't mean to scare you. You are welcome to sleep where ever you would like." Donny added in haste, "If you feel like you ain't ready for a husband, then you ain't ready. No problems, no pressures." Donny used a soapy hand to rub his nose and left a small cluster of bubbles.
Sally giggled and carefully brushed off the dissapearing bubbles. Donny stood real still while she was close, so as not to scare her.
"Do you think you will be Ok if I go hunting tomorrow? You'll gave to be up early and put the beans on to cook for breakfast. I'll try to be as quiet as possible, but I can't help but make some noise. Andy's gonna go with me, so you'll hear his voice, he's usually not very quiet." Donny explained.
"We will do alright," Sally felt scared inside at the thought of being in the house alone, without Donny, but she had to be brave. "I hope you have good luck." she added. "What are you hunting for?"
"Anything, rabbits, grouse, prairie chickens, squirrles, deer. We need a lot of protein to feed the kids. It won't be long and we'll have to be plantin garden, and that takes every body to work."
"Tell me about the garden, where will it be and what are we gonna plant?" Sally hung up the dish towel and she and Donny sat in the chairs on the stove side of the table. They chatted for a long while, exchanging ideas and getting to know one another.
"We gotta be gettin supper started, how about meat and gravy over potatoes?" All around the stove, kids that had been sleeping, perked up their ears at the mention of potatoes, their eyes opened and little tongues swiped at their lips.
"Now tomorrow, you'll have to cook rice and the beans and get the meals. I can't tell you when I'll be back, cause I don't know. It all depends on how far we need to go to find game. The horses will bring us back home, even in the dark, cause they know where the oats and hay are." Donny added for Sally's benefit, the scared look on her face, easing some.
"I was just gonna ask how you could see in the dark to get home." Sally went to the sack Clora had sent, and got a bowl of potatoes to cook. "We usually didn't peel them, we didn't let nothin go to waste," she explained to Donny as she pumped the handle for water. "I just wash'em good and cut in quarters."
"Sure, fine by me. By us making the best of what we have been given, honors the people that gave it to us." Donny sat in his chair and sharpened his knife, while Sally worked with the supper.
"I need a 'gentleman' to take the good ladies home. They had an encounter with something that growled and scared them badly. I would like to see them return for service's, so please go prepared and keep them safe." Mark looked Chuck square in the eye, and the younger man nodded.
"I'd like to use the horses, the ladies seem to be tired, perhaps an easy ride home would be a benefit."
"Good idea," Mark agreed, "I'll get Andy to give you a hand and get the horses ready."
"Thanks, I need to run home and take the pot of chili off the stove, I'll be right back." Chuck remembered his last hunting trip, and went to get the appropriate clothes.
The three ladies visited and fellowshiped with the ladies of the clan, while Chuck and Andy got the horses ready.
"I'm Pricilla, that's Reva, and Dory," The oldest woman introduced herself and her friends. "We live, I'm guessing about four miles from here. I've got to tell you, the people that were here before you, were very strange and standoffish but we have Sheriff Coleman's assurance that you were friendly and very approachable. He is really very handsome, isn't he?" and the ladies smiled in a knowing way.
The Linderman ladies nodded, agreeing with the newcomers. Mark appeared in the doorway and signaled to Clora that the horses were ready. She mentioned to the women and they all moved to the front door.
"Oh, this is a luxary way to travel," Dory exclaimed brom the back of a dead broke gelding. "It won't run away with me, will it?"
"No Ma'am," Chuck handed the reins to Dory, "he's a good horse."
It took a little bit of getting used to the horses, but soon the foursome was fording the small river, headed East.
Andy and Judy had brought another box of canned jars for Donny, Clora had brought a sack of potatoes and carrots, and one by one the families slipped food into the boxes for the new family. Finally there was so much, that it took a parade of men carrying boxes to Donnys place while the ladies took kids home and started Sunday dinner.
When Sally and Donny finally closed the door on the family bearing gifts, all of them had tears in their eyes over the generous bounty given them. "I can't believe it," Sally was sitting on the floor with all the kids warming by the stove. "Donny, your people are wonderful, they don't even know us, and here they are giving us all this food. What can we do to pay back?"
Donny was heating a couple of jars of venison chunks, and looking at the paper that Clora had written out on how to make gravy. There was the ever present rice as a base, and the kids ate silently and asked for more.
Children with full tummys practically went to sleep at the table, and Sally gathered them up and positioned the sleepy ones near the stove.
"I've got to sleep tonight in a bed," Donny explained as he and Sally washed and dried dishes. "I don't rest as well as I should, on the floor."
Sally looked at him with a scared expression, and skittered away from her strong, young husband.
"Oh hey, I didn't mean to scare you. You are welcome to sleep where ever you would like." Donny added in haste, "If you feel like you ain't ready for a husband, then you ain't ready. No problems, no pressures." Donny used a soapy hand to rub his nose and left a small cluster of bubbles.
Sally giggled and carefully brushed off the dissapearing bubbles. Donny stood real still while she was close, so as not to scare her.
"Do you think you will be Ok if I go hunting tomorrow? You'll gave to be up early and put the beans on to cook for breakfast. I'll try to be as quiet as possible, but I can't help but make some noise. Andy's gonna go with me, so you'll hear his voice, he's usually not very quiet." Donny explained.
"We will do alright," Sally felt scared inside at the thought of being in the house alone, without Donny, but she had to be brave. "I hope you have good luck." she added. "What are you hunting for?"
"Anything, rabbits, grouse, prairie chickens, squirrles, deer. We need a lot of protein to feed the kids. It won't be long and we'll have to be plantin garden, and that takes every body to work."
"Tell me about the garden, where will it be and what are we gonna plant?" Sally hung up the dish towel and she and Donny sat in the chairs on the stove side of the table. They chatted for a long while, exchanging ideas and getting to know one another.
"We gotta be gettin supper started, how about meat and gravy over potatoes?" All around the stove, kids that had been sleeping, perked up their ears at the mention of potatoes, their eyes opened and little tongues swiped at their lips.
"Now tomorrow, you'll have to cook rice and the beans and get the meals. I can't tell you when I'll be back, cause I don't know. It all depends on how far we need to go to find game. The horses will bring us back home, even in the dark, cause they know where the oats and hay are." Donny added for Sally's benefit, the scared look on her face, easing some.
"I was just gonna ask how you could see in the dark to get home." Sally went to the sack Clora had sent, and got a bowl of potatoes to cook. "We usually didn't peel them, we didn't let nothin go to waste," she explained to Donny as she pumped the handle for water. "I just wash'em good and cut in quarters."
"Sure, fine by me. By us making the best of what we have been given, honors the people that gave it to us." Donny sat in his chair and sharpened his knife, while Sally worked with the supper.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you,