Now there's a turn of events I wasn't expecting. Nice! And someone who has been pregnant as often as I have and who has a daughter who is currently expecting can spot pregnancy a mile away, lol.
Pride Goeth Before A Fall
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes wonderful.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#61
"Bbb'ness, bbyin,"Inga stammered, still mesmerized by the color of John's eyes. Minister or no minister, he was the most amazing man Inga had ever seen. Go in business with him, well she didn't know; she ahhh...couldn't think very well. "What did you have in mind," Inga finally collected enough of her wits to form a coherent sentence.
"I was thinking about 50%, but I am open to all considerations. It appears you need help," Clora rolled her eyes at that announcement and snorted inelegantly. John paused at the interruption and smiled at Clora, the youngster sighed and melted into a puddle of lovesick forlornness right on the spot.
Will scratched behind his ear, danged if he understood what was going on but it appeared like the Hanson women were highly susceptible to masculine charm.
"Young man," John addressed Brett, "If you would bring me a broom and dust pan, I'll help you clean up." Five children stampeded to wards the broom closet, pushing and shoving, poking their way through the herd. Brett won, only because he tripped Patty.
"Sit down," Evie invited John and Will to join them at the table. "John, give us a little background on yourself. Have you been involved with a cafe before?" Evie decided she would have to step in and ask a few intelligent questions.
"First of all," John's smooth baritone prepared to give the older woman a short synopsis of his qualifications; "I have been cleared by a background check for the Interdenominational Council that oversees the church here in town. The Community Church Council has agreed to make available copies to those people that have reason to see it."
"Second of all, My parents own a restaurant in Portland, and I grew up washing dishes; but not dropping them," John paused to laugh and shake his finger at Brett. Brett responded with a grin.
"Third, I like this area and hope to put down deep roots. There is a huge need for spiritual strength and guidance all over America, and I feel a calling to be part of the answer."
"I interviewed for the position for 4 Sundays in a row last month, but I don't recall meeting you there," John turned the tables on his informal questioners. Smiling, he took the sting out of his words by patting Brett on the back. "Good job cleaning up, you boys be cautious when you sweep up the glass."
"We walk in from a way's out of town, so the weather usually determines if we attend. That plus the fact that the town was involved in a bad shooting recently. And thirdly," Evie poked a little fun back at the minister "we didn't think much of the minister involved."
"Touché," John chuckled, and threw a salute at Evie. He liked the old gal. She had a straightforward way of dealing with life. And her daughter, Wow, what a thunderbolt out of the blue that woman was. However, John knew at all costs he needed to be more in control and more circumspect in his behavior. His life was the dot under the microscope, and any person he invited into that set of parameters would have to have special qualifications, and a strong connection to God.
"Please talk this over. Give it thought and then talk again. I'm over at the parsonage. Ladies, it was good to meet you; I hope to see you in church tomorrow." John shook hands with Will and walked out the door. Because he couldn't stop himself, before he shut the black plastic door, John turned around to stare one last time at Inga. He was thrilled that she stared back.
"Bbb'ness, bbyin,"Inga stammered, still mesmerized by the color of John's eyes. Minister or no minister, he was the most amazing man Inga had ever seen. Go in business with him, well she didn't know; she ahhh...couldn't think very well. "What did you have in mind," Inga finally collected enough of her wits to form a coherent sentence.
"I was thinking about 50%, but I am open to all considerations. It appears you need help," Clora rolled her eyes at that announcement and snorted inelegantly. John paused at the interruption and smiled at Clora, the youngster sighed and melted into a puddle of lovesick forlornness right on the spot.
Will scratched behind his ear, danged if he understood what was going on but it appeared like the Hanson women were highly susceptible to masculine charm.
"Young man," John addressed Brett, "If you would bring me a broom and dust pan, I'll help you clean up." Five children stampeded to wards the broom closet, pushing and shoving, poking their way through the herd. Brett won, only because he tripped Patty.
"Sit down," Evie invited John and Will to join them at the table. "John, give us a little background on yourself. Have you been involved with a cafe before?" Evie decided she would have to step in and ask a few intelligent questions.
"First of all," John's smooth baritone prepared to give the older woman a short synopsis of his qualifications; "I have been cleared by a background check for the Interdenominational Council that oversees the church here in town. The Community Church Council has agreed to make available copies to those people that have reason to see it."
"Second of all, My parents own a restaurant in Portland, and I grew up washing dishes; but not dropping them," John paused to laugh and shake his finger at Brett. Brett responded with a grin.
"Third, I like this area and hope to put down deep roots. There is a huge need for spiritual strength and guidance all over America, and I feel a calling to be part of the answer."
"I interviewed for the position for 4 Sundays in a row last month, but I don't recall meeting you there," John turned the tables on his informal questioners. Smiling, he took the sting out of his words by patting Brett on the back. "Good job cleaning up, you boys be cautious when you sweep up the glass."
"We walk in from a way's out of town, so the weather usually determines if we attend. That plus the fact that the town was involved in a bad shooting recently. And thirdly," Evie poked a little fun back at the minister "we didn't think much of the minister involved."
"Touché," John chuckled, and threw a salute at Evie. He liked the old gal. She had a straightforward way of dealing with life. And her daughter, Wow, what a thunderbolt out of the blue that woman was. However, John knew at all costs he needed to be more in control and more circumspect in his behavior. His life was the dot under the microscope, and any person he invited into that set of parameters would have to have special qualifications, and a strong connection to God.
"Please talk this over. Give it thought and then talk again. I'm over at the parsonage. Ladies, it was good to meet you; I hope to see you in church tomorrow." John shook hands with Will and walked out the door. Because he couldn't stop himself, before he shut the black plastic door, John turned around to stare one last time at Inga. He was thrilled that she stared back.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you and Happy New year.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#62
Cheryl finally felt better and up to running speed. It took her little time to have the turkey in the oven, roasting comfortably in a bed of stuffing thick with onions and spices. Incredibly efficient, Cheryl zipped around humming and cleaning house. She fussed at Ruby and Ev for not even wiping their feet when they came in from the barn.
Ev looked at Ruby and raised his feet when the human powered carpet sweeper aimed straight for him. Ruby decided discretion was the better part of valor and retreated to her usual spot next to the stove. Ev looked at Cheryl, grinned his irascibly endearing grin and patted his leg, before pulling Cheryl down to sit in his lap.
'What a whirlwind you are," he teased as he put his arms around the willowy Blonde. "You must be feeling better."
"I may or may
not have some startling news," Cheryl snuggled deep into her husbands arms. "How would you like to be a papa?"
An instant later Cheryl was flying around the kitchen in a dizzying circle; Ev whooping and hollering worse than a wild bushman.
"Easy with me," Cheryl managed to say before struggling to be put down, "that makes me sick." she ran for the bathroom.
"Honey are you sure?" Ev asked plaintively through the closed door. The sounds of retching making him feel as ill as Cheryl was.
"Evie says so," the water ran for a second, and Cheryl reappeared looking a bit white in the face. "Be gentle Ev, my stomach is as touchy as anything I've ever experienced."
"Do you know what we are going to have, do you have favorite name, when will he be born, are you going to be alright?" The questions crowded together like one long sentence before Ev ran out of air and had to stop.
"Ev, I believe I'm only 3 weeks pregnant, so no we don't know the sex of our baby," Cheryl laughed. "As to when, you count ahead nine months as that will give you something to do while I make a pie. And as for a name, well you start thinking, that will give you two things to do, and here's the third. Sit down and have a cup of coffee."
"A late summer baby, humm, we didn't plan that correctly did we?" Ev jiggled his fingers as he counted ahead.
"Now why would you say that?" Cheryl asked puzzled.
"Gonna be harder for you to get all your work done in the heat," Ev explained matter-of-factly, as if he was amazed she hadn't thought that far ahead. He broke into delighted laughter when the end of the dish towel came snapping in his direction. "Ahh honey, I can't tell you how thrilled and excited I am. Have I told you lately how much I love you," Ev put his arms around Cheryl to give her a big smooch, as his fingers got into the peeled apples slices.
"Ev," she warned, "I can feel your fingers in the apples."
"I can't help it," he complained with exaggerated woe, "being pregnant makes me hungry."
"Enough, enough, I surrender," Cheryl pushed him out of reach of the apple bowl. "Git!"
Leta was dismissed late Saturday afternoon. The hospital was filling with flu patients and those not affected were urged to leave if medically possible. She sent word to the cafe, to have someone come help her walk back to the diner. Will did her one better. He used the squad car to transport the ancient cook back to her grease soaked quarters.
There was a warm welcome for Leta, as she was comfortably ensconced in the equally ancient club chair next to the stove. Patty ran for a ratty, pilled old afghan and Leta basked in the attention as she was tucked in. She hadn't been prepared for the amount of weakness in her legs, and was profoundly thankful she hadn't had to walk the distance. She wouldn't have made it, she was sure.
Leta found Patty hovering over her, made her nervous. "Sit down," she ordered, and Patty brought a chair over so close, that another inch and she would have been in Leta's lap. Leta laid her hand on Patty's arm, to still the fidgeting teen.
Inga and Evie got busy as the supper crowd started straggling in. Word got around town that Leta was back and everyone dropped in for a chat and coffee or soup.
Patty wouldn't leave Leta's side and Evie cut her a little slack today, but it was all hands on deck to help keep the work under control.
After the supper crowd Leta was too exhausted to talk any business, so Evie and Inga made arrangements for the next afternoon. Evie and Inga talked as they worked cooking supper and the prep work for the next day. There were several ways they could buy the cafe and then sell a half or less to John. "Let's think overnight on the whole caboodle," Evie said as they prepared to walk home.
The weather was increasing in strength the closer to home the walkers got. The drizzling rain turned to heavy, wet, slushy snow.
Cheryl finally felt better and up to running speed. It took her little time to have the turkey in the oven, roasting comfortably in a bed of stuffing thick with onions and spices. Incredibly efficient, Cheryl zipped around humming and cleaning house. She fussed at Ruby and Ev for not even wiping their feet when they came in from the barn.
Ev looked at Ruby and raised his feet when the human powered carpet sweeper aimed straight for him. Ruby decided discretion was the better part of valor and retreated to her usual spot next to the stove. Ev looked at Cheryl, grinned his irascibly endearing grin and patted his leg, before pulling Cheryl down to sit in his lap.
'What a whirlwind you are," he teased as he put his arms around the willowy Blonde. "You must be feeling better."
"I may or may
not have some startling news," Cheryl snuggled deep into her husbands arms. "How would you like to be a papa?"
An instant later Cheryl was flying around the kitchen in a dizzying circle; Ev whooping and hollering worse than a wild bushman.
"Easy with me," Cheryl managed to say before struggling to be put down, "that makes me sick." she ran for the bathroom.
"Honey are you sure?" Ev asked plaintively through the closed door. The sounds of retching making him feel as ill as Cheryl was.
"Evie says so," the water ran for a second, and Cheryl reappeared looking a bit white in the face. "Be gentle Ev, my stomach is as touchy as anything I've ever experienced."
"Do you know what we are going to have, do you have favorite name, when will he be born, are you going to be alright?" The questions crowded together like one long sentence before Ev ran out of air and had to stop.
"Ev, I believe I'm only 3 weeks pregnant, so no we don't know the sex of our baby," Cheryl laughed. "As to when, you count ahead nine months as that will give you something to do while I make a pie. And as for a name, well you start thinking, that will give you two things to do, and here's the third. Sit down and have a cup of coffee."
"A late summer baby, humm, we didn't plan that correctly did we?" Ev jiggled his fingers as he counted ahead.
"Now why would you say that?" Cheryl asked puzzled.
"Gonna be harder for you to get all your work done in the heat," Ev explained matter-of-factly, as if he was amazed she hadn't thought that far ahead. He broke into delighted laughter when the end of the dish towel came snapping in his direction. "Ahh honey, I can't tell you how thrilled and excited I am. Have I told you lately how much I love you," Ev put his arms around Cheryl to give her a big smooch, as his fingers got into the peeled apples slices.
"Ev," she warned, "I can feel your fingers in the apples."
"I can't help it," he complained with exaggerated woe, "being pregnant makes me hungry."
"Enough, enough, I surrender," Cheryl pushed him out of reach of the apple bowl. "Git!"
Leta was dismissed late Saturday afternoon. The hospital was filling with flu patients and those not affected were urged to leave if medically possible. She sent word to the cafe, to have someone come help her walk back to the diner. Will did her one better. He used the squad car to transport the ancient cook back to her grease soaked quarters.
There was a warm welcome for Leta, as she was comfortably ensconced in the equally ancient club chair next to the stove. Patty ran for a ratty, pilled old afghan and Leta basked in the attention as she was tucked in. She hadn't been prepared for the amount of weakness in her legs, and was profoundly thankful she hadn't had to walk the distance. She wouldn't have made it, she was sure.
Leta found Patty hovering over her, made her nervous. "Sit down," she ordered, and Patty brought a chair over so close, that another inch and she would have been in Leta's lap. Leta laid her hand on Patty's arm, to still the fidgeting teen.
Inga and Evie got busy as the supper crowd started straggling in. Word got around town that Leta was back and everyone dropped in for a chat and coffee or soup.
Patty wouldn't leave Leta's side and Evie cut her a little slack today, but it was all hands on deck to help keep the work under control.
After the supper crowd Leta was too exhausted to talk any business, so Evie and Inga made arrangements for the next afternoon. Evie and Inga talked as they worked cooking supper and the prep work for the next day. There were several ways they could buy the cafe and then sell a half or less to John. "Let's think overnight on the whole caboodle," Evie said as they prepared to walk home.
The weather was increasing in strength the closer to home the walkers got. The drizzling rain turned to heavy, wet, slushy snow.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very nice thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#63
Betty rearranged her paperwork the third or fourth time. She had checked and rechecked the permits, hired the servers, and intended to open the roadhouse weekends only until business smoothed out. Only the liquor license transfer from Claude's name to hers was the last paperwork to be completed.
Betty had changed the name of the bar to The Roadhouse. She wanted to gradually remove all traces of Claude's presence and his business practices. She was going to run the bar her way, and she'd run over anyone that thought otherwise. The signed and dated Bill of Sale carefully deposited in the safe under the office desk, transferred the bar to Betty for a modest sum. The story she so carefully wrote out on paper; so she wouldn't forget any important facts, told that Claude and Sarah were going away and leaving Betty the bar.
The reason for the shooting, according to Betty's concocted story, was Sarah's last minute change of heart about going away with Claude. Flimsy story yes, but the Bill of Sale was the clincher. Never mind that it was forged only two weeks ago; but dated a full week before the shooting. And the only safe in the office that Will and Ev hadn't found, had been stuffed with money, so it was a perfect win-win situation as far as Betty was concerned.
The office desk had been positioned with a leg sitting in it's furniture protector right over the key safe porthole. In fact, that safe had been the only one Betty had known about. The cash inside had been over $50,000, but most of that tidy little sum was stashed in another hidey hole Betty had crafted.
Betty was going back over the events that had occurred, and in particular there was something about the sinister visit she had by the hooded assailant; there was a nagging prickle of warning she was receiving, but not understanding.
When she came to the realization of what had been so unsettling, she had to look around. That man had known she had searched the bar...but how? He had also known that she had found money...the small sum amount. So, did he know about the leg safe in the office and the larger amount? Did he know about the new place she had hidden money and important paperwork?
Betty's wounds were almost healed and she had begun a unobtrusive new search of the roadhouse. If and it was a big IF, someone was observing her movements then she was determined to know how.
She found the impossible to find hidden passage by accident. Tired, cranky feeling and totally out of sorts after a harsh afternoon of futile searching, she stopped at the bar and went to pour herself a small brandy. The brandy she wanted was on the third shelf of the massive back bar. She had to stand close to the wooden pillar to reach high enough for the orange scented liquor. Her knee hit the ornately carved wooden post and she felt the wood give.
Carefully she noted where she had pushed, and used her hand to pressure the spot again. Dropping to her knees, she looked into a cold dark passage that opened under the back bar when the panel pushed in.
She couldn't remember ever being so excited in her life. This place was the culmination of every cheap mystery novel she had ever read. What a find. Her brandy forgotten, Betty went to get a flashlight. She got down on her knees once again and crawled halfway into the passage. The tunnel went the length of the bar and turned, so unless she wanted to get all the way in, her exploring was at a halt.
Actually, Betty had no intention of getting in that passage. She had the largest case of claustrophobia a human could have, so no way was she going exploring in a close fitting, totally dark hole in the ground. Backing out, she pushed the length of the carved post to find how to close the panel. The post seemed to be on a counter balance of some sort. Up it opened, down it closed. Giddy with exhilaration, Betty grabbed her glass of brandy and headed for the office. Phew, what a day.
Evie and the kids were half frozen and sopping wet when they reached the house. Inky was guarding the door and looking miserable. He needed fed, the rascals had jetted of to town this morning and forgot to fill his bowl. He barked his unhappiness and put on his best 'I'm starving' face.
Evie understood his whine and dispatched the boys to the barn to fill the faithful dog's bowl. They raced to the barn, grabbed a can of food, and did their best to convince their grandmother that Inky really needed to eat inside tonight. Rather than argue while standing out in the cold, she ushered everyone in the house.
The house was cold and damp feeling. She had been away close to five hours longer than she had anticipated, so the fire was well and truly out. "Leave your coats on," she instructed as she build the fire and lit the dry paper and cedar kindling. Evie put water on to heat on the slowly warming insert top for hot chocolate.
"If your hair is wet, grab a towel and get dry, put wet boots over on the other side of Inky and get your slippers. Darn, I didn't mean to stay in town so long," Evie chastised herself for inept awareness of the weather. Inga had been so buried in work that while she was there, Evie had to help. But it was poor duty on the home end of the long tiring day.
They couldn't travel any faster than Sandra who drug herself along by step by slow step. It was very apparent that the thin child had stressed herself and was totally played out by the time they reached the ranch. Not going to happen again, Evie grimly promised herself. No more over exhaustion, or they were going to have a repeat of the heart surgery fiasco.
Cheryl and Ev enjoyed their late Thanksgiving meal as the weather closed in and isolated them from the outside world. Their small, snug cabin bursting with warmth, and the spoken blessing that Ev so he artfully gave over their food. Ev dried the dishes and let Ruby out for her late night run. He glanced over towards the Hanson's and there was a faint glow through the swirling snow. As long as they were home and safe, he felt content.
Will went home to find Cassy had been there. A fire had the house warm, coffee was on the stove and no one was there. Weary, he hung his hat on the coat tree with his wet Filson and kicked off his boots. Will poured himself a cup of coffee, sat in his chair and promptly went to sleep in his recliner.
Betty rearranged her paperwork the third or fourth time. She had checked and rechecked the permits, hired the servers, and intended to open the roadhouse weekends only until business smoothed out. Only the liquor license transfer from Claude's name to hers was the last paperwork to be completed.
Betty had changed the name of the bar to The Roadhouse. She wanted to gradually remove all traces of Claude's presence and his business practices. She was going to run the bar her way, and she'd run over anyone that thought otherwise. The signed and dated Bill of Sale carefully deposited in the safe under the office desk, transferred the bar to Betty for a modest sum. The story she so carefully wrote out on paper; so she wouldn't forget any important facts, told that Claude and Sarah were going away and leaving Betty the bar.
The reason for the shooting, according to Betty's concocted story, was Sarah's last minute change of heart about going away with Claude. Flimsy story yes, but the Bill of Sale was the clincher. Never mind that it was forged only two weeks ago; but dated a full week before the shooting. And the only safe in the office that Will and Ev hadn't found, had been stuffed with money, so it was a perfect win-win situation as far as Betty was concerned.
The office desk had been positioned with a leg sitting in it's furniture protector right over the key safe porthole. In fact, that safe had been the only one Betty had known about. The cash inside had been over $50,000, but most of that tidy little sum was stashed in another hidey hole Betty had crafted.
Betty was going back over the events that had occurred, and in particular there was something about the sinister visit she had by the hooded assailant; there was a nagging prickle of warning she was receiving, but not understanding.
When she came to the realization of what had been so unsettling, she had to look around. That man had known she had searched the bar...but how? He had also known that she had found money...the small sum amount. So, did he know about the leg safe in the office and the larger amount? Did he know about the new place she had hidden money and important paperwork?
Betty's wounds were almost healed and she had begun a unobtrusive new search of the roadhouse. If and it was a big IF, someone was observing her movements then she was determined to know how.
She found the impossible to find hidden passage by accident. Tired, cranky feeling and totally out of sorts after a harsh afternoon of futile searching, she stopped at the bar and went to pour herself a small brandy. The brandy she wanted was on the third shelf of the massive back bar. She had to stand close to the wooden pillar to reach high enough for the orange scented liquor. Her knee hit the ornately carved wooden post and she felt the wood give.
Carefully she noted where she had pushed, and used her hand to pressure the spot again. Dropping to her knees, she looked into a cold dark passage that opened under the back bar when the panel pushed in.
She couldn't remember ever being so excited in her life. This place was the culmination of every cheap mystery novel she had ever read. What a find. Her brandy forgotten, Betty went to get a flashlight. She got down on her knees once again and crawled halfway into the passage. The tunnel went the length of the bar and turned, so unless she wanted to get all the way in, her exploring was at a halt.
Actually, Betty had no intention of getting in that passage. She had the largest case of claustrophobia a human could have, so no way was she going exploring in a close fitting, totally dark hole in the ground. Backing out, she pushed the length of the carved post to find how to close the panel. The post seemed to be on a counter balance of some sort. Up it opened, down it closed. Giddy with exhilaration, Betty grabbed her glass of brandy and headed for the office. Phew, what a day.
Evie and the kids were half frozen and sopping wet when they reached the house. Inky was guarding the door and looking miserable. He needed fed, the rascals had jetted of to town this morning and forgot to fill his bowl. He barked his unhappiness and put on his best 'I'm starving' face.
Evie understood his whine and dispatched the boys to the barn to fill the faithful dog's bowl. They raced to the barn, grabbed a can of food, and did their best to convince their grandmother that Inky really needed to eat inside tonight. Rather than argue while standing out in the cold, she ushered everyone in the house.
The house was cold and damp feeling. She had been away close to five hours longer than she had anticipated, so the fire was well and truly out. "Leave your coats on," she instructed as she build the fire and lit the dry paper and cedar kindling. Evie put water on to heat on the slowly warming insert top for hot chocolate.
"If your hair is wet, grab a towel and get dry, put wet boots over on the other side of Inky and get your slippers. Darn, I didn't mean to stay in town so long," Evie chastised herself for inept awareness of the weather. Inga had been so buried in work that while she was there, Evie had to help. But it was poor duty on the home end of the long tiring day.
They couldn't travel any faster than Sandra who drug herself along by step by slow step. It was very apparent that the thin child had stressed herself and was totally played out by the time they reached the ranch. Not going to happen again, Evie grimly promised herself. No more over exhaustion, or they were going to have a repeat of the heart surgery fiasco.
Cheryl and Ev enjoyed their late Thanksgiving meal as the weather closed in and isolated them from the outside world. Their small, snug cabin bursting with warmth, and the spoken blessing that Ev so he artfully gave over their food. Ev dried the dishes and let Ruby out for her late night run. He glanced over towards the Hanson's and there was a faint glow through the swirling snow. As long as they were home and safe, he felt content.
Will went home to find Cassy had been there. A fire had the house warm, coffee was on the stove and no one was there. Weary, he hung his hat on the coat tree with his wet Filson and kicked off his boots. Will poured himself a cup of coffee, sat in his chair and promptly went to sleep in his recliner.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you for the chapter
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#64
Betty needed answers and help. The best way she could think of to get help, was from Hoodie man. She went through a hundred pro's and con's of involving him in her business, but it all boiled down to the fact she needed his brand of ruthlessness as a backup.
If she were to have any trouble, Will would be the logical source of peacekeeping, but he was not the best choice. A quiet method of in house enforcement was always best.
Betty wrote a note and left it just inside the hidden tunnel, she hoped he would come visiting soon. She paced up and down, rechecked the liquor supply, re-inventoried the food in the freezer, and the industrial sized cans in the racks. There was a goodly supply of frozen steaks and hamburgers; these would be the mainstay of her of her newly simplified menu. She was almost ready.
Evie woke to a dark morning full of frigid temperatures, gusting wind and snow. She roused and filled the banked fire with wood; and ran back to dress. One of the children woke with a cough, a tight barking sound and Evie went to the kitchen to chop an onion. In a small sauce dish she sprinkled the onion with sugar and let it set, to draw a syrup.
Not surprisingly, it was Sandra that had the cough. Evie dosed the girl with half teaspoonfuls of the onion goo and gradually her cough lessened. Evie warmed a brick and had Sandy sit with her feet resting on the warmth. A huge pot of turkey soup was started. Evie used the turkey as she didn't have a chicken, and another pot of water was started for the turkey carcass bones from the freezer. Another saucepan of water was filled with water for breakfast oatmeal and hot chocolate. Evie put a small amount of pepper in Sandra's hot drink, to make her sweat
There would be no walk to town today. Evie had a momentary pang for Inga, but there was no way she could expose the children to the elements that were blustering outside. While breakfast cooked, Brett and Benny brought up jars from the basement for the canning of the deer meat. Clora started washing the mason jars and stacking them on a clean towel to air dry.
Halfway through breakfast the electricity went out. It actually made little difference to Evie as she was used to doing without the relatively modern convenience.
Betty needed answers and help. The best way she could think of to get help, was from Hoodie man. She went through a hundred pro's and con's of involving him in her business, but it all boiled down to the fact she needed his brand of ruthlessness as a backup.
If she were to have any trouble, Will would be the logical source of peacekeeping, but he was not the best choice. A quiet method of in house enforcement was always best.
Betty wrote a note and left it just inside the hidden tunnel, she hoped he would come visiting soon. She paced up and down, rechecked the liquor supply, re-inventoried the food in the freezer, and the industrial sized cans in the racks. There was a goodly supply of frozen steaks and hamburgers; these would be the mainstay of her of her newly simplified menu. She was almost ready.
Evie woke to a dark morning full of frigid temperatures, gusting wind and snow. She roused and filled the banked fire with wood; and ran back to dress. One of the children woke with a cough, a tight barking sound and Evie went to the kitchen to chop an onion. In a small sauce dish she sprinkled the onion with sugar and let it set, to draw a syrup.
Not surprisingly, it was Sandra that had the cough. Evie dosed the girl with half teaspoonfuls of the onion goo and gradually her cough lessened. Evie warmed a brick and had Sandy sit with her feet resting on the warmth. A huge pot of turkey soup was started. Evie used the turkey as she didn't have a chicken, and another pot of water was started for the turkey carcass bones from the freezer. Another saucepan of water was filled with water for breakfast oatmeal and hot chocolate. Evie put a small amount of pepper in Sandra's hot drink, to make her sweat
There would be no walk to town today. Evie had a momentary pang for Inga, but there was no way she could expose the children to the elements that were blustering outside. While breakfast cooked, Brett and Benny brought up jars from the basement for the canning of the deer meat. Clora started washing the mason jars and stacking them on a clean towel to air dry.
Halfway through breakfast the electricity went out. It actually made little difference to Evie as she was used to doing without the relatively modern convenience.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I hadnt either.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#65
"So here's what is going to happen today. First of all; Inky out! We need to clean before we cube the meat, we are going to can, can, can, make gallons of soup and can. Lets get breakfast done and get ready." Drill Sargent Evie laid out the steps that needed to be accomplished.
Over the course of the morning she taught Brett, Benny and Clora how to sharpen knives, the correct way to cut meat, how to fill jars, run the canner, time the loads, and carefully remove the hot jars.
Lunch was a quick bowl of turkey soup; then back to work. Evie kept sneaking more garlic and onion into the soup kettle, the allicin compounds a natural form of antibiotic for helping ward off colds.
"Phew, Grandma doncha think this has enough garlic?" Brett made a face as he tasted the latest addition Evie had just made to the soup pot.
"It's getting there," she absently replied as she concentrated on removing hot jars filled with turkey soup. "Don't worry, what we have canned is without garlic, as it can give an off taste when canned."
Brett swallowed hard and walked off muttering about 'vampire killer in a jar," soup. Benny and Clora had never heard about vampires warded off by copious amounts of garlic, so they took a break with hot tea as Brett embellished stories that he knew about.
Actively interested, Clora asked Brett to put vampires on the library book list. He said that he would probably be able to remember vampire books, as it would take that long to get the garlic taste out of his mouth. He cut a glance at Evie and grinned merrily. "Grandma, do you have a silver stake?" he smarted, and ducked as Evie swooshed a dish towel at him.
Sandra watched the going's on with half hearted interest. Her cough felt better but she was coming down with a cold. It was easier to stay wrapped and drink tea and lemon water than move around. She felt tired and weak, besides it was funny to listen to Brett. He was always trying to make her laugh.
The clan spent all day canning and soup making. The beautiful jars of preserved meat were especially remarked upon as Evie said grace for supper. Brett and Benny looked at each other as Evie got a little carried away with her praises for the bounty waiting to be carried to the basement. They were hungry, and boy grandma was sure taking a long time. Besides she had made biscuits, and they were getting cold.
Inga wasn't as swamped with orders and work at the diner due to the weather. Her night sleeping on the couch had left her crunching and creaking in places that weren't supposed to make such noise. She could definitely predict the weather with her aching bones.
At 5pm., when they hadn't had a customer for several hours, Leta suggested that they close up. Patty looked hopeful and Inga said "splendid, let me lock the door and dim the front lights."
Inga had a ton of prep work to do for Monday morning. She had potatoes cooking for hash browns; she needed to count the eggs and precook the bacon and sausage. She mixed up sweet dough for rolls, and made a couple of apple pies. By 8pm., she was done enough to sit next to the stove with mugs of tea all around.
Leta had been content to sit quietly all day, visiting with her friends and neighbors as they dropped in. Patty had been attentive, rushing to meet Leta's every whim. "Do you have homework?" Leta asked the teen. "The way it's storming, we could loose powe...."
The darkness rushed in where light had been.
"Oh brother," Patty gripped. "Why couldn't this happen tomorrow when I need it."
"Do you have a lot of homework?" Inga asked curious as to Patty's status in school.
"Too blasted much," Patty shot back. "I really like school, but it's hard to understand how some of what we have to learn can be applied to current times. For instance," she took a sip of scalding tea, "our counselors are still strongly pushing college. Realistically the cost of college is so far out of reach of at least 95% of the students. With the economy so bad, the government has no money for grants or loans so I don't understand the reasoning. It's almost like our teachers have a phobia against working with your hands."
The mug thumped smartly on the table top. "They make some of my friends feel horrible because there is no way their parents can send them to college. Personally, I am not interested in college," she added quietly. "I do like restaurant management, and there is a city college that has a good sounding one year program. If they are still going when I graduate, I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
Inga thought Patty had a well thought out reasoning, and told her so. Patty had revealed more about herself and her ambitions in two minutes that Inga had known about her for several months.
Sitting in the dark, it was easier for Inga to bring up the sale of the diner. It was a comfortable discussion, with Leta agreeing to several important points. She allowed she could stay and live at the diner, and she could run the cash register sometimes. Inga asked if Patty would work and help with the dishes, and did she mind staying at the diner also. There was a blubbering snort and an obscenely loud horn honking nose blow, as Patty managed a watery "yes."
"Give me an idea of what you want for the diner and if you have terms, or basically what you have in mind?" Inga asked Leta.
Whatever Leta had been prepared to say was drowned oud by the harsh rattling of the cafe door. The knob could be heard trying to twist and then the swish of a knife cutting through the plastic covering that made up the makeshift door.
"So here's what is going to happen today. First of all; Inky out! We need to clean before we cube the meat, we are going to can, can, can, make gallons of soup and can. Lets get breakfast done and get ready." Drill Sargent Evie laid out the steps that needed to be accomplished.
Over the course of the morning she taught Brett, Benny and Clora how to sharpen knives, the correct way to cut meat, how to fill jars, run the canner, time the loads, and carefully remove the hot jars.
Lunch was a quick bowl of turkey soup; then back to work. Evie kept sneaking more garlic and onion into the soup kettle, the allicin compounds a natural form of antibiotic for helping ward off colds.
"Phew, Grandma doncha think this has enough garlic?" Brett made a face as he tasted the latest addition Evie had just made to the soup pot.
"It's getting there," she absently replied as she concentrated on removing hot jars filled with turkey soup. "Don't worry, what we have canned is without garlic, as it can give an off taste when canned."
Brett swallowed hard and walked off muttering about 'vampire killer in a jar," soup. Benny and Clora had never heard about vampires warded off by copious amounts of garlic, so they took a break with hot tea as Brett embellished stories that he knew about.
Actively interested, Clora asked Brett to put vampires on the library book list. He said that he would probably be able to remember vampire books, as it would take that long to get the garlic taste out of his mouth. He cut a glance at Evie and grinned merrily. "Grandma, do you have a silver stake?" he smarted, and ducked as Evie swooshed a dish towel at him.
Sandra watched the going's on with half hearted interest. Her cough felt better but she was coming down with a cold. It was easier to stay wrapped and drink tea and lemon water than move around. She felt tired and weak, besides it was funny to listen to Brett. He was always trying to make her laugh.
The clan spent all day canning and soup making. The beautiful jars of preserved meat were especially remarked upon as Evie said grace for supper. Brett and Benny looked at each other as Evie got a little carried away with her praises for the bounty waiting to be carried to the basement. They were hungry, and boy grandma was sure taking a long time. Besides she had made biscuits, and they were getting cold.
Inga wasn't as swamped with orders and work at the diner due to the weather. Her night sleeping on the couch had left her crunching and creaking in places that weren't supposed to make such noise. She could definitely predict the weather with her aching bones.
At 5pm., when they hadn't had a customer for several hours, Leta suggested that they close up. Patty looked hopeful and Inga said "splendid, let me lock the door and dim the front lights."
Inga had a ton of prep work to do for Monday morning. She had potatoes cooking for hash browns; she needed to count the eggs and precook the bacon and sausage. She mixed up sweet dough for rolls, and made a couple of apple pies. By 8pm., she was done enough to sit next to the stove with mugs of tea all around.
Leta had been content to sit quietly all day, visiting with her friends and neighbors as they dropped in. Patty had been attentive, rushing to meet Leta's every whim. "Do you have homework?" Leta asked the teen. "The way it's storming, we could loose powe...."
The darkness rushed in where light had been.
"Oh brother," Patty gripped. "Why couldn't this happen tomorrow when I need it."
"Do you have a lot of homework?" Inga asked curious as to Patty's status in school.
"Too blasted much," Patty shot back. "I really like school, but it's hard to understand how some of what we have to learn can be applied to current times. For instance," she took a sip of scalding tea, "our counselors are still strongly pushing college. Realistically the cost of college is so far out of reach of at least 95% of the students. With the economy so bad, the government has no money for grants or loans so I don't understand the reasoning. It's almost like our teachers have a phobia against working with your hands."
The mug thumped smartly on the table top. "They make some of my friends feel horrible because there is no way their parents can send them to college. Personally, I am not interested in college," she added quietly. "I do like restaurant management, and there is a city college that has a good sounding one year program. If they are still going when I graduate, I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
Inga thought Patty had a well thought out reasoning, and told her so. Patty had revealed more about herself and her ambitions in two minutes that Inga had known about her for several months.
Sitting in the dark, it was easier for Inga to bring up the sale of the diner. It was a comfortable discussion, with Leta agreeing to several important points. She allowed she could stay and live at the diner, and she could run the cash register sometimes. Inga asked if Patty would work and help with the dishes, and did she mind staying at the diner also. There was a blubbering snort and an obscenely loud horn honking nose blow, as Patty managed a watery "yes."
"Give me an idea of what you want for the diner and if you have terms, or basically what you have in mind?" Inga asked Leta.
Whatever Leta had been prepared to say was drowned oud by the harsh rattling of the cafe door. The knob could be heard trying to twist and then the swish of a knife cutting through the plastic covering that made up the makeshift door.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
AHH OOOO.
Nooooooo, please don't let someone hurt these 3 ladies. They've done nothing but work their fingers to the bone for the betterment of everyone. I know bad things happen to good people but enough already. LOL
Pac I was worried about you yesterday when no new posts appeared. I hope all is well and it was simply a matter of life getting in the way of our pleasure and no illness or anything like that. Take care and thank you!
Pac I was worried about you yesterday when no new posts appeared. I hope all is well and it was simply a matter of life getting in the way of our pleasure and no illness or anything like that. Take care and thank you!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
I do have a problem developing. Hubby fell; actually he rolled his scooter. So beginning the 10th. I will be gone for about a week and without internet. Hubby has a herniated disc, and 3 cracked vertebrae so we are going to the University hospital for neurosurgery.
So if you are so inclined, the 12th we would appreciate prayers for a successful repair. Thanks.
So if you are so inclined, the 12th we would appreciate prayers for a successful repair. Thanks.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh my goodness. Blessings and a quick recoverery for him hopefully.
Farmwoman59
Contributing Member
PAC, I have enjoyed every word of this story. Thank you for sharing it with us and I'll be thinking of you and yours next week.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#66
Leta quietly whispered to Inga and Patty "don't move, I know where you are." In the darkness as their eyes adjusted, the three women watched as the knife cut a large enough slit for a smaller looking person to start through. The dark form outlined by the degrees lighter outside light.
Inga and Patty sat trembling in paralyzing fear. Inga thought her chattering teeth would give her away.
The dark intruder paused, every woman there thought the loud beating of their heart's must have alerted him; but eventually he resumed his entry.
Leta let him get all the way in before she pulled the ancient, big as a cannon, six shooter and blasted away. Leta could tell she hit the intruder by the grunt, as he was impacted. There was cussing as the form stumbled back through the door and disappeared.
Together Patty and Inga heaved a huge sigh. "Who was that," Patty gave a strangled gurgle as she reached for Inga's hand. "I was so scared. Auntie Inga, what are we gonna do?"
Inga had only one thought. "Pee," she said. "Oh Lordy I've gotta go. Be right back." She ran towards the back with Patty hot on her heels. In the dark, Patty forgot to go left far enough to avoid the work table. There was a huge crash. "Well that's one less thing to worry about," Patty muttered aloud.
The 8 quart pot of cooked and cooled potatoes tipped over and drenched Patty as she sprawled on the floor.
"Good Lord, what happened," Inga shouted through the bathroom door. "Are you hurt."
"Only my pride and my elbow," Patty hollered back. " I tipped over the potatoes. Be careful when you come through."
"Pick up the potatoes," Leta shouted as she rested against the chair, spent by the Adrenalin rush that had flooded her.
"No!" Patty yelled. "The potatoes are no good, they need to be thrown out."
Inga came from the bathroom with a flashlight. She helped Patty to her feet, and checked her over in the weak beam. "OK?," she asked.
"Yeah," Patty answered. "Auntie Inga, we CAN"T use the potatoes, do you know what I mean?" she started to cry.
"Oh honey, don't worry. We won't use them. Don't cry." Inga soothed her niece.
"Leta, are you OK?" Inga called to the front of the diner.
There were the sounds of running feet, and a shout. "Hello the cafe, don't shoot. It's Will, Ladies are you hurt?" The plastic door parted and Will started in. The flash light he used was strong and bright and he shined the light on Leta's slumped over form.
"Inga! Patty! Where are you, speak so I can find you!" Will commanded harshly.
"We're in the kitchen. There are potatoes all over on the floor, so be careful," Inga instructed loudly.
"Ladies, come in here," Will returned sadly. "It looks like Leta was stabbed."
There was a long drawn out cry, as Patty rushed to the light Will was holding.
Leta quietly whispered to Inga and Patty "don't move, I know where you are." In the darkness as their eyes adjusted, the three women watched as the knife cut a large enough slit for a smaller looking person to start through. The dark form outlined by the degrees lighter outside light.
Inga and Patty sat trembling in paralyzing fear. Inga thought her chattering teeth would give her away.
The dark intruder paused, every woman there thought the loud beating of their heart's must have alerted him; but eventually he resumed his entry.
Leta let him get all the way in before she pulled the ancient, big as a cannon, six shooter and blasted away. Leta could tell she hit the intruder by the grunt, as he was impacted. There was cussing as the form stumbled back through the door and disappeared.
Together Patty and Inga heaved a huge sigh. "Who was that," Patty gave a strangled gurgle as she reached for Inga's hand. "I was so scared. Auntie Inga, what are we gonna do?"
Inga had only one thought. "Pee," she said. "Oh Lordy I've gotta go. Be right back." She ran towards the back with Patty hot on her heels. In the dark, Patty forgot to go left far enough to avoid the work table. There was a huge crash. "Well that's one less thing to worry about," Patty muttered aloud.
The 8 quart pot of cooked and cooled potatoes tipped over and drenched Patty as she sprawled on the floor.
"Good Lord, what happened," Inga shouted through the bathroom door. "Are you hurt."
"Only my pride and my elbow," Patty hollered back. " I tipped over the potatoes. Be careful when you come through."
"Pick up the potatoes," Leta shouted as she rested against the chair, spent by the Adrenalin rush that had flooded her.
"No!" Patty yelled. "The potatoes are no good, they need to be thrown out."
Inga came from the bathroom with a flashlight. She helped Patty to her feet, and checked her over in the weak beam. "OK?," she asked.
"Yeah," Patty answered. "Auntie Inga, we CAN"T use the potatoes, do you know what I mean?" she started to cry.
"Oh honey, don't worry. We won't use them. Don't cry." Inga soothed her niece.
"Leta, are you OK?" Inga called to the front of the diner.
There were the sounds of running feet, and a shout. "Hello the cafe, don't shoot. It's Will, Ladies are you hurt?" The plastic door parted and Will started in. The flash light he used was strong and bright and he shined the light on Leta's slumped over form.
"Inga! Patty! Where are you, speak so I can find you!" Will commanded harshly.
"We're in the kitchen. There are potatoes all over on the floor, so be careful," Inga instructed loudly.
"Ladies, come in here," Will returned sadly. "It looks like Leta was stabbed."
There was a long drawn out cry, as Patty rushed to the light Will was holding.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Thank you all for the kind thoughts. Hubby is in pain but now jokes that he needs a roll bar for his Hoveround. I think he should have a ROPS canopy and a winch. The pain for me, is that he was having such a good week. I appreciate the prayers more than you ever know.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you for the new chapter with all u have going on.
PNW, you and your husband are in my prayers. Thank you for the latest chapter and taking time to post it when you have so much going on! I'm hanging on to every word...
DustMusher
Deceased
Prayers for you and your DH and for the medical staff who are going to care for him. May they have the guidance of He who is the Great Healer.
DM
DM
Thank you for the new chapter. As I go about my daily chores I am keeping ya'll in prayer. When it comes to pain a back injury is right up there. I'm with DustMusher, not only praying for you two but also wisdom and skill for the doctors and caregivers who will be treating your husband.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#67
Will shined his light on Leta in closer inspection. Leta had a knife protruding from her right sleeve, up near her shoulder. Patty rushed over, reaching to pull the knife out of her adopted grandmother. Will had to push her out of the way before she could grasp the handle.
"Don't" he snapped, as Patty squealed in displeasure, fighting him for the knife she just knew had harmed Leta. "Hold her," he roared at Inga; "get her away from here."
Patty squirmed out of Inga's grasp and aimed a kick at Will's shins. Blood boiling mad, Will vented a lot of frustration with a couple of well applied whacks at Patty's backside. Kicking and screaming, she was spitting with rage and Will kept smacking her until she calmed down
and asked with a quivering voice, "I'm sorry, can you let me go?"
Will said in a cold, mean voice "Don't touch that knife. If you would open your eyes, you could see there is no blood on her clothes.
Now stay out of my way. I don't enjoy disciplining you, young lady. I think you are old enough to observe the rules of society, and act your age. If I have to have another tussle with you, you will be back in juvie hall for a couple of months. Do you understand?"
Will shook Patty by the shoulders to make his point.
Patty mumbled a "Yes sir," and went voluntarily to stand behind Inga. Will asked Inga to come hold the light so he could check Leta.
The old woman was just fine, just half scared to death.
Will shined his light on Leta in closer inspection. Leta had a knife protruding from her right sleeve, up near her shoulder. Patty rushed over, reaching to pull the knife out of her adopted grandmother. Will had to push her out of the way before she could grasp the handle.
"Don't" he snapped, as Patty squealed in displeasure, fighting him for the knife she just knew had harmed Leta. "Hold her," he roared at Inga; "get her away from here."
Patty squirmed out of Inga's grasp and aimed a kick at Will's shins. Blood boiling mad, Will vented a lot of frustration with a couple of well applied whacks at Patty's backside. Kicking and screaming, she was spitting with rage and Will kept smacking her until she calmed down
and asked with a quivering voice, "I'm sorry, can you let me go?"
Will said in a cold, mean voice "Don't touch that knife. If you would open your eyes, you could see there is no blood on her clothes.
Now stay out of my way. I don't enjoy disciplining you, young lady. I think you are old enough to observe the rules of society, and act your age. If I have to have another tussle with you, you will be back in juvie hall for a couple of months. Do you understand?"
Will shook Patty by the shoulders to make his point.
Patty mumbled a "Yes sir," and went voluntarily to stand behind Inga. Will asked Inga to come hold the light so he could check Leta.
The old woman was just fine, just half scared to death.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Whew you had me scare there for a few hours.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#68
Eye's fluttering, lips trembling and hands shaking, Leta half whispered to Will, "am I OK?" the poor old lady incapable of determining if she was hurt or not.
"You appear just fine," Will put on latex gloves and removed the knife and dropped it in a plastic sack. "Observe," he ordered Patty. "If you had touched the knife, you might have ruined any fingerprints."
"Oh," was all Patty muttered. "I didn't know."
"I understand," Will continued, "but I still expect better behavior from you. Look Patty," he added a bit more kindly, "you have really improved from when you came here, but you still have to reign in your impulsive whims."
"I'll do better," the dishwater blonde promised. "I'm just so worried about Leta. She's been a better mom than my mom has been. Do you know where my mom is? I haven't seen her." she finished sadly.
"Patty your grandmother has been so concerned about you and Brett, she had me issue a restraining order against your mother to keep her from contacting you kids. Now I'm gonna tell you where she is, but I want you to leave her alone, and I want you to promise me that you will." Will sternly spoke to Patty.
"I want you to understand that if you see or talk to your mom, it would be my responsibility to put her in jail. This is serious, Patty. No messing around with this, and I won't let you get off by claiming you don't know. You know! Your mom is at the roadhouse; she is almost healed from the shooting injuries, and she plans on reopening the bar on the weekends. I'm sorry Patty, she doesn't seem changed in any way." Will patted Patty on the shoulder rather awkwardly.
"That's ok," Patty blew her nose loudly. "I don't expect anything from her. She never gives it anyway."
"If you two are done fluffing, I need up out of here," Leta blustered. "I need to reload my shootin iron."
"Leta," Will laughed, "How can you even hold that hand cannon steady enough to shoot it?" the sheriff guffawed, and gently helped the old lady up out of the chair.
"Hand me that flashlight child, and get outta my way," Leta rushed as fast as she could towards the back powder room.
Inga broke into the silence; "Will, do you have anything that we could use as a door. This has gone beyond the ridiculous and I have serious doubts about our safety. I understand Leta's desire to be conservative, but tonight was the last straw. Why that guy probably would have killed us tonight, if that's all he wound up doing."
Will said quietly, "tell me what you saw for my report, I'll stay here tonight and keep you ladies secure. Patty, do you want to start?"
Evie swept the kitchen floor, enjoying the late night quiet and the soft glow of the kerosene lamp. Tuckered out children were in bed asleep. Sandra sounded much improved, and Evie said a thanks to her grandmother for the old time remedy. It worked back in a time when there wasn't money to buy health care.
Inky scratched at the door, wanting to come in for the night. Evie stopped him at the door and used the broom to sweep the snow off the dog. For the first time in a long time, Evie felt tired enough to be in bed and sleep. Tomorrow, she thought about asking the kids if they wanted to hear about how she cooked in the logging camp, back when they still used horses.
Outside, the snow continued to accumulate and the wind scoured some areas bare of snow and dropped it deep in the lea corners.
Eye's fluttering, lips trembling and hands shaking, Leta half whispered to Will, "am I OK?" the poor old lady incapable of determining if she was hurt or not.
"You appear just fine," Will put on latex gloves and removed the knife and dropped it in a plastic sack. "Observe," he ordered Patty. "If you had touched the knife, you might have ruined any fingerprints."
"Oh," was all Patty muttered. "I didn't know."
"I understand," Will continued, "but I still expect better behavior from you. Look Patty," he added a bit more kindly, "you have really improved from when you came here, but you still have to reign in your impulsive whims."
"I'll do better," the dishwater blonde promised. "I'm just so worried about Leta. She's been a better mom than my mom has been. Do you know where my mom is? I haven't seen her." she finished sadly.
"Patty your grandmother has been so concerned about you and Brett, she had me issue a restraining order against your mother to keep her from contacting you kids. Now I'm gonna tell you where she is, but I want you to leave her alone, and I want you to promise me that you will." Will sternly spoke to Patty.
"I want you to understand that if you see or talk to your mom, it would be my responsibility to put her in jail. This is serious, Patty. No messing around with this, and I won't let you get off by claiming you don't know. You know! Your mom is at the roadhouse; she is almost healed from the shooting injuries, and she plans on reopening the bar on the weekends. I'm sorry Patty, she doesn't seem changed in any way." Will patted Patty on the shoulder rather awkwardly.
"That's ok," Patty blew her nose loudly. "I don't expect anything from her. She never gives it anyway."
"If you two are done fluffing, I need up out of here," Leta blustered. "I need to reload my shootin iron."
"Leta," Will laughed, "How can you even hold that hand cannon steady enough to shoot it?" the sheriff guffawed, and gently helped the old lady up out of the chair.
"Hand me that flashlight child, and get outta my way," Leta rushed as fast as she could towards the back powder room.
Inga broke into the silence; "Will, do you have anything that we could use as a door. This has gone beyond the ridiculous and I have serious doubts about our safety. I understand Leta's desire to be conservative, but tonight was the last straw. Why that guy probably would have killed us tonight, if that's all he wound up doing."
Will said quietly, "tell me what you saw for my report, I'll stay here tonight and keep you ladies secure. Patty, do you want to start?"
Evie swept the kitchen floor, enjoying the late night quiet and the soft glow of the kerosene lamp. Tuckered out children were in bed asleep. Sandra sounded much improved, and Evie said a thanks to her grandmother for the old time remedy. It worked back in a time when there wasn't money to buy health care.
Inky scratched at the door, wanting to come in for the night. Evie stopped him at the door and used the broom to sweep the snow off the dog. For the first time in a long time, Evie felt tired enough to be in bed and sleep. Tomorrow, she thought about asking the kids if they wanted to hear about how she cooked in the logging camp, back when they still used horses.
Outside, the snow continued to accumulate and the wind scoured some areas bare of snow and dropped it deep in the lea corners.