#9
Lainey bounded out of bed filled with enthusiasm for the day. Practically hugging herself with glee because she had come up with such a perfect solution to the moving problem, Lainey started breakfast unsure who might show up to eat.
"NO!" Ben had a stubborn streak a mile wide. No way would he allow Lainey to use her money in such a way. There was no discussion, it simply wasn't going to happen.
There was just one little problem with such an edict from a young, stubborn man. And her name was Lainey.
Lainey didn't say a word, but her eyebrow lifted in a charming but aristocratic manner. The expression on her face all but shouted 'oh really', and she turned to flip the pancake on the stove. Very quietly she served Ben his breakfast and busied herself cleaning the counter.
Ben woofed his meal, wanting to get started on the town's paperwork and find out if the residents had changed their minds overnight.
He was almost out the door before he realized that Lainey wasn't her usual bubbly self. He paused in the doorway holding his Stetson and looked at her quizzically.
"Is something wrong?" he questioned as he settled his hat on his head. When Lainey didn't instantly answer, he called "thanks for breakfast," and was out the door.
Lainey finished the dishes and made a stack of sandwiches for lunch, placing them in the refrigerator where the 'regulars" knew to look for them. Tidying the kitchen, Lainey swept and thought, got mad, cooled down, then got mad all over again. She finally came to the conclusion that she needed advise and council ling from Evie. Someone with experience in living and getting by with another human. Not that right at the moment she thought Ben was human, and that was being charitable.
Lainey made a sign and stuck it in the window, 'gone to the farm' and then got herself gone in a hurry. There was time to think as she walked, wondering how such a good idea wasn't acceptable to Ben.
Evie sorta chuckled, gave Lainey a knife, a cutting board and a huge slab of liver to slice while she talked. "Idle hands," she quoted as she sliced the brisket, cubed it and started it cooking. All the while she and Clora asked Lainey questions concerning Ben and the failed notion.
"Well dear, you have come up against the famously well known, stubborn Hanson pride. Hap was a master of absolute, stiff necked, spit in your eye determination not to bend one iota." Evie stopped working and gazed with out seeing out the window. There were so many memories crowding the room, it was full of good, bad and precious times.
"As stubborn as they are, they are also agonizing fair. Right down to counting out equal amounts of jelly beans, equal minutes of time outs and equal amounts of chores. It was an interesting parenting situation, I can tell you for sure. There was one time," her voice drifted off and Clora looked up and winked at Lainey.
"I saw that young miss," Evie tartly snapped her displeasure at being thought the doddering old lady. She shook her forefinger at Clora and then Lainey who promptly giggled.
"That certainly ruins my strict discipline," Evie sighed, but smiled her forgiveness at the two young ladies.
"Give Ben some time to think it out. I would guess he won't give in, but it was so incredibly generous of you to think of us in that way, I appreciate your willingness to share. He might reconsider, he might not. But he will ponder it a while, and come to you with a solution or a compromise." Evie patted Lainey on the arm, unmindful of the bloody hand tracks.
"Does that mean he has the right to be so autocratic? No, but he will find that out as you grow and mature with each other. And," Evie paused and said from the depths of her being,"then you will find that fifty years together is not long enough." she turned around to hide the emotion crossing her face.
Lainey paused to absorb the depth of the feeling Evie projected, and knew in her heart of hearts that was what she wanted for the next fifty of her years. She nodded her head, understanding that this was a test of her dreams.
"Have you heard of the iron fist in the velvet glove?" Clora asked Lainey? "Grandma has always said sometimes it's one or the other, and sometimes both, that are needed. But, as long as you respect one another with love, it works out."
"I'm not sure I have ever seen a normal representation of love, until I came here," Lainey offered in a small voice. "My parent's have a unusual, self absorbing type of love." she swallowed hard.
Evie turned around to stare at Lainey until the girl looked up at her. "Well then, you know what not to do. That's half the battle," she went to pat Lainey's arm once again and splattered blood droplets on the grungy cast. "You still have that on?" she questioned. "It should come off soon, we need to get you to a doctor to be checked over."
"I feel healed," Lainey answered as she flexed her wrist. "I'm ready to get it off."
"I think Ben has a pair of tin snips," Evie was thinking aloud, "if you want a home made removal."
"That would be fine," Lainey said with a grin.
By the time supper came around, rows of jars stood on the back side of the counter and the end tables had been drug in and stacked with cooling jars. "I prefer to let the meat age," Evie explained as she started to empty the canner again, "but that's not an option in this case." they were down to the two of them in the kitchen, as Clora had gone to Ev's to help Sandy.
"I need to get a notebook and write all this information down," Lainey stifled a yawn, as she gamely chopped, cut and de-boned meat to fill the army of waiting quarts.
"Or practice," Evie teased back. "Ask any questions you have, that's the best way to learn."
"Have you thought about leaving?" Lainey got serious. "Do you know of a good area that would support our dreams?"
"That's a very good way of putting it," Evie approved. "I'm selfish, but I would like to see us all somewhat close enough to run over and visit frequently. Maybe we can start a dynasty." she laughed along with Lainey. "Lainey, I honestly believe God will show us the way. Ben will be here for supper and then the family meeting. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's reasonings for going or staying."
Working together in companionable silence, Grandmother and almost Grand daughter in law worked steadily putting up the bounty that had been blessed upon them.
Lainey's cast was so wet and damp, that Ben had no trouble cutting it off with the metal shears. He took one look at the exhausted ladies in his life and started frying the liver and onions in the old Griswold. Of course Evie kept a strict eye on the skillet, but Ben worked with confidence as he sliced onions and dredged the liver.
Lainey watched his every move with pride. Her Ben was so amazing and capable. She smiled as he and Evie chatted about the day, not even needing to join in. The quiet commonness of the day gladdening her heart. This,.....this was what she wanted for herself and Ben. This sense of rightness and happiness with themselves and each other.
The next door clan trooped over after their supper and the meeting began.
"I want everyone to speak," Evie began. "We honor and respect each decision and you must tell the truth in your heart."
The kids looked at each other and smiled, with such a declaration by Grandma, how could they not speak of their heart.