Will O Wisp Page 3

  Gracie nodded and added, “I'll take care of Shana. The Indians haven't been on the war path in years, so she's safe from them. If it don't look like staying on the farm is working out, Shana can always come home with Mr. Orie when he comes.”

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Melinda lingered with Madeline at the kitchen table after breakfast. Agnes was doing the kitchen cleanup from breakfast by herself. “I thought Shana was supposed to dry dishes for me.”

  “She was, but something came up,” Melinda said.

  “You're on your own for the next month,” Madeline added.

  “I should say, just when I was getting used to the help. Why?” Agnes asked.

  Melinda said, “Shana is going to Gracie's farm with her for a month. We hope the stay in the country will be good for her.”

  “Who? Gracie or Shana?” Agnes asked.

  “Both of them,” Madeline said, smiling as if that was a good joke. Then she added, “I remember the last time Gracie went to her farm when things didn't go so well. Should we be worried about them?”

  “Things didn't go well at all. Remember, Agnes? A man living close to the farm was murdered. Gracie was shot at while she was mushroom hunting in her timber . She was scared half to death she'd be the next person killed. Good thing the Indians were looking out for her. The only good that came out of her stay was Millard Sokal.”

  Madeline perked up immediately. “Yes, and that was quite a surprise, wasn't it?”

  “What has Millard Sokal got to do with anything?” Agnes asked.

  “Millard purposed to Gracie when they were young. She was taking care of her elderly parents so she turned him down. He married another woman.

  Last year, Millard tried to help Gracie at the farm when she was in danger. Now that he's a widower, he would marry her in a heartbeat if she wasn't so stubborn. When he asked again, she said no, but you didn't hear that from me. You sure won't hear it from Gracie,” Melinda declared.

  “Why not? That's a good romantic story, isn't it, Agnes?” Madeline probed.

  All ears, Agnes nodded as she washed the dishes. “I should say.”

  “Gracie just isn't much about romance these days. Believe me, I told her she was a fool for not marrying Millard. He's such a nice man with a good farm and a nice house,” Melinda said. She steepled her hands under her chin and stared moodily at the ancient maple tree outside the kitchen window.

  “So surely, Mr. Sokal will be around this time to help Gracie out if she needs it,” Madeline surmised.

  “I don't know if Gracie would let him if he knew she was at the farm. You heard her tell Thad not to tell Millard she'd be there. What worries me more is how she will get along with Shana. Just the two of them, together. She's never been good with children. I'm afraid Shana is in for a time of it when she goes against Gracie's wishes,” Melinda worried.

  “On the other hand, Gracie's strictness is what might be needed to calm that young lady down. Maybe Shana has finally met her match,” Madeline stated. “If you're so worried, why don't you go along to help Gracie with the girl.”

  Melinda gasped sharply. “Where did you get a crazy idea like that?”

  “You could act as a mediator of sorts between the two of them if you think Gracie is getting too strict with the girl,” Madeline suggested.

  Melinda bristled. “If you think that would help, why don't you volunteer to go to the country with Gracie? It has been years since I spent time on a farm as a little child. That was back when I had to live with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Lizzy after my mother died. I didn't mind it, but I've probably forgotten all they showed me about farming.”

  Madeline reflected wryly. “I've never had anything to do with farming or the outdoors. I'm from New York. In case you've forgotten, that's a big city. Besides, you're closer to Gracie than I am. She'd tolerate you better than me if you offered to go with her. I heard her tell a woman at church the other day I'm the newcomer at Moser Mansion. Imagine that, after I have been here this long. I'm still a newcomer to Gracie.”

  “Gracie once told me a person had to stay in one spot thirty years not to be called a newcomer around here,” Melinda said with a grin. “You still have a few years to go.”

  “Oh brother!” Madeline expelled. She watched Melinda's face sadden. “You really are worried about Gracie and Shana going to the farm, aren't you?”

  Melinda shook her head yes.

  “How about I do a tea reading for you to see what the future holds for Gracie? Perhaps, that will ease your worries if the leaves read well for Gracie and Shana,” Madeline suggested.

  “All right,” Melinda said, thinking a prediction about the future wouldn't hurt. It was better than not knowing what Gracie might get into out there alone in the country.

  Madeline said, “Agnes, pour a cup of boiling water over a pan with tea leaves sprinkled in the bottom? Let the leaves steep a few minutes and pour me a cup of the tea.”

  “Don't you want the leaves strained out before you drink it?” Agnes asked.

  “No, I don't,” Madeline said curtly.

  “All right, but you will be straining the leaves through your teeth. I never heard of such a thing,” Agnes complained.

  “Better yet, make enough tea for two. Melinda's going to join me. When I'm done reading the leaves you can strain them out of the hot tea for us if that makes you happy, Agnes,” Madeline said dryly. “Be sure and put the cups on saucers. I'll need a saucer for sure under mine.

  The tea kettle was already boiling on the back of the wood cook stove so it didn't take Agnes long to steep the tea. She set a cup in front of each lady and backed away to watch.

  “Blow first to cool the tea down and take a sip, Melinda.” Madeline picked up her cup and blew into it.

  In a matter of minutes, the women had their tea drank. Madeline put the saucer over her tea cup and turned the cup upside down so the leaves would fall out on the saucer. She set the cup and saucer on the table and spun the cup around. Next she turned the cup and saucer back up with the saucer on top of the cup. She tapped the bottom of the saucer to put all the leaves back in the cup.

  Madeline eased the saucer off the cup and stared into the bottom. “Hmmmm,” she said softly as she concentrated on the arrangement of the leaves. Suddenly, she frowned, let out a puff of air when her reading was done and flopped back against her chair.

  “What do you see? You're really scaring me. Tell me quickly,” Melinda pleaded.

  Madeline rubbed her forehead wearily. “I see you have a right to worry about Gracie and Shana.”

  “Why?” Melinda asked sharply.

  “I see in the leaves that Venus is going to be close to the earth right when Gracie will be at the farm. That makes crazy things happen. I'm here to tell you, she will have problems of all kinds at the farm,” Madeline stated.

  “Oh no, what kind of problems?” Melinda groaned.

  “I can't tell exactly what the problems are, but I see danger for Gracie and Shana in a large group of trees,” Madeline said.

  “That would be Gracie's timber. Go on now. Tell me what else you see,” Melinda said, wringing her hands.

  “I see some vague image lurking among the trees that makes me very uneasy.” Madelyn brought the cup closer to her face and stared into it to reread the leaves. “Whatever it is can be seen through and moves about quickly to try to stay out of sight.”

  Agnes grunted. “That's just the left over stained tea water you're seeing through in the bottom of the cup. Miss Melinda, you shouldn't let her worry you so. This kind of seeing the future with tea leaves is downright silly. No one can do such a thing.”

  “Oh brother! Don't you have work to do?” Madeline barked.

  Agnes hissed and sputtered like a hot teakettle as she hustled back to the dish pan.

  “Now from what I see, Melinda, Gracie could use you along to keep her and the girl from doing something foolish. This won't be a safe stay on that farm for them. I'm sure of it,” Madeline predi
cted.

  “I don't know how much help I could be,” worried Melinda. “Since when has Gracie ever listened to me.”

  “Ah, that is the thing. You already know that something is going to happen if Gracie isn't cautious. What you need to do is keep her out of that timber for sure.”

  “I suppose that would be a good idea,” Melinda said. “It's just I doubt Gracie's going to let me go to the farm with her if I tell her about this tea leaf reading. She'll think it's nonsense. She won't want me fretting about her safety all the time we're at the farm,” Melinda said.

  “Don't tell her about any of this. Come up with a reason to go with her that she will like,” Madeline said.

  Melinda looked genuinely puzzled. “Like what?”

  “You want to see where she lived. Get some fresh country air because you're tired of the city. Help her with Shana since she isn't the motherly type to name a few reasons,” suggested Madeline.

  “She might accept almost all of that except I have never had a child, either. She wouldn't exactly go for that last one,” Melinda reasoned.

  “Fine, then just say Gracie's going to need a voice of reason to keep her from being too hard on the girl when she loses her temper,” Madeline said bluntly.

  Melinda smiled weakly. “Now that's a reason Gracie would understand. All right. As much as I was looking forward to the peace and quiet around here for a month without Gracie and Shana, this sounds serious. Maybe I'd better see if I can convince Gracie to let me go with her.”

  Meanwhile, Orie, Molly and Gracie were in the library breaking the news to Shana that she'd be spending a month on Gracie's farm, Three Oaks.

  Molly sat at her desk. Orie pulled up a chair for Gracie, and Shana took the love seat. The grownups eyed the girl. She straightened up on the love seat, fearing something was about to happen. Something she wasn't going to like. “Sure and it seems like something is in the wind. What is the lecture about this time?”

  Molly began, “Shana dear, we aren't going to lecture you about anything. We have come up with a great plan about how you're going to spend part of your summer thanks to Miss Gracie.”

  Shana eyed Gracie. “Do tell me what would this great plan be?”

  Orie said, “Had you heard Miss Gracie is going to spend some time on her farm to help her renter out while he and his family are gone on a trip?”

  “Sure and I have,” Shana said, looking suspiciously at him. “Do go on.”

  “Well, Miss Gracie has suggested she'd like to take you with her to visit her farm. Fresh air would do you good, and you would get to experience a different lifestyle,” Orie explained.

  “It's going to be fun. Something different than city life,” Molly encouraged.

  “Well now, you must tell me what is the catch?” Shana asked suspiciously.

  “No catch,” Orie said, running his fingers through his dark wavy hair. “Miss Gracie will only be gone a month. We thought she could use the company while she's out there alone for one thing. Like Mama Molly said, it will be a good experience for you.”

  Shana turned her attention to Gracie. “What do you say for certain, Miss Gracie?”

  “I agree with everything your folks said. Living on a farm didn't hurt me atall. It sure won't hurt you to try it for a month, and I won't have to be there all by myself,” Gracie said, hoping that sounded a little bit like she needed Shana's company.

  “There is one rule that I expect you to obey,” Orie said.

  “Sure and I was certain there would be something I wouldn't like about leavin' home. You're trying to get rid of me for bringin' Timothy O'Leary home with me, aren't you?” Shana said with tears shining in her eyes.

  Molly went to the love seat, sat down and put an arm around Shana. “That isn't what this is about at all. We honestly thought you would like to get away for a while and do something different. The month will go by fast. You will see. Now listen to Papa Orie.”

  “All I was going to say was, you must do as Miss Gracie tells you. Mind her at all times. She doesn't need to have to worry about you getting lost or hurt because you didn't listen to her. Living in the country is different than in town. You don't know what it's like so pay attention when Miss Gracie talks to you. Is that understood?” He gave Shana a strict level gaze.

  “This tis for certain then. Do I have to go?” The girl sniffled and wiped her nose on her blouse sleeve.

  All three adults said yes in unison.

  Shana slumped back on the love seat.

  Orie said, “One last thing you need to remember.”

  Shana groaned softly.

  “Now hear me out before you get upset. I was just going to say when I come out to my farm I'll stop in to see if you two are all right. If you get homesick, Shana, and want to come home, you can ride back to Locked Rock with me. All right?”

  Shana brightened up considerably. “Sure and it tis so?”

  Gracie could see the wheels turning in the child's head. She was thinking the first time Orie came to the farm she head for home.

  “Now you go upstairs and pack plenty of trousers and shirts, two Sunday dresses for church, and a sweater and jacket for cool nights. Put in your good slippers and wear your old shoes since you will be in the country,” Molly instructed.

  “When will we leave?” Shana asked Gracie.

  “As soon as you're ready. I'm already packed. We have to be to the farm by mid morning,” Gracie told her.

  “So soon. This all seems so sudden,” Shana complained.

  “I just got asked by Thaddeus Sawyer yesterday. It was sudden for me, too. The Sawyers are leaving as soon as I show up. I told him I'd be there this morning to get instructions about chores before they left,” Gracie explained.

  The meeting was over. Shana raced upstairs to her room. Before Gracie headed for the kitchen to tell Melinda and Madeline goodbye, she said to Orie, “Make sure you give us about two weeks before you show up. That way Shana has had plenty of time to get used to the farm and me before she makes up her mind about going home with you.”

  “I understand, Miss Gracie,” Orie said.

  Miss Molly added, “Thank you for doing this for us, Miss Gracie.

  “I don't mind. I got to thinking the girl's company might be better than talking to myself all the time,” Gracie said, smiling at them.

  In the kitchen, Madeline and Melinda waited until Gracie sat down at the table. Agnes brought her a cup of coffee.

  “How did the meeting go?” Madeline asked.

  “It went fine. The girl only grumbled a little. I think she saw she was outnumbered. Mr. Orie said she could come home any time when he visits the farm if she doesn't want to stay. That sure brightened her up. She thinks first time he comes she's going home,” Gracie said.

  “You don't sound like that's the way it's going to be,” Melinda said.

  “It isn't. For one thing, Mr. Orie isn't coming out for two weeks. I saw to that. Which means the stay will be half over. That gives the girl time to get used to the country and know if she wants to stay the other two weeks with me,” Gracie said.

  “I see,” Melinda said. She looked at Madeline and got a nod at Gracie with the words, go on, mouthed at her. She took a deep breath. “Gracie?”

  “What?” Gracie uttered and took a sip of her coffee.

  “I want to go to the farm with you, too,” blurted out Melinda.

  Gracie's mouth flew open and coffee dribbled out of the side of her mouth. “Wh ---- what did you say?”

  “I want to go with you,” repeated Melinda.

  “Why?” Gracie barked.

  Melinda rushed through what she'd rehearsed with Madeline. “I've been thinking about it. All the times, you talked about your farm I don't know what the place actually looks like. I want to see where you were raised for myself.

  Town is always so warm this time of the year. I expect it's cooler in the country, and the fresh air will do me good.” She stopped to take a breath.

  Gracie stared at her, wonde
ring if Melinda was serious. “I can't believe it. You don't care a thing about the country.”

  “The last time you were gone almost a month, and I missed you,” Melinda added lamely.

  “You got Madeline to keep you company this time. She's some different than Libby Hook,” Gracie said, nodding in Madeline's direction.

  “Oh brother! Thank you, I think,” Madeline huffed.

  “What I meant was, you two get along. No one could get along with Libby Hook even on her best days. Madeline, you will be good company for Melinda while I'm gone, won't you?” Gracie insisted.

  “Of course, I would be, but that isn't what Melinda wants,” Madeline said slowly.

  “Well, there is one other thing, Gracie,” Melinda said, tapping her fingers on the table. She was ready to say the one thing she thought would make Gracie agree to take her along.

  “I figured there might be. What?” Gracie asked sharply.

  “The sound of your voice right now just tells me I might be right in going with you. You don't know anything about how to handle a child. You're either going to wind up hurting her feelings or scaring her to death by barking at her. You need me along to help take care of Shana. She gets along all right with me,” Melinda laid out.

  Gracie sat in silence, thinking about what Melinda said. Finally, she spoke. “You might be right. I don't want to make things worse for the girl's folks by upsetting Shana. Come along if you want to do it.”

  “Thank you, Gracie,” Melinda said, all smiles. She got a wink from Madeline.

  “Don't thank me yet until you see if you like country life. You might be the first one that high tails it back to town with Mr. Orie,” predicted Gracie.

  “No, I will not,” Melinda huffed.

  Gracie eyed Melinda's clothes and looked down at her tan blouse and brown cotton skirt. “If you're going with me and the girl, you best get upstairs, change into some every day clothes and pack. Don't put in but one or two of your frilly white blouses and Sunday go to meeting skirts. Going to the farm ain't all a picnic. Hurry up about it, too. I'm all ready to leave, and Shana is packing now. We're leaving as soon as we can get to the livery stable and rent a buggy,” she ordered.