Chapter 28

"Yun's be careful, now ya here," I called after Yancey and his family as they rode off up the trace. I stood there watching until they were out of sight and then went back into my little home. Lord have mercy I was wore out. I looked around my little cabin and sighed with relief, Mary-Ann had cleaned that place so good you couldn't tell anybody had ever been there. Yancey did a right fine thing when he happened up on her.

I went into the kitchen and put the kettle on. It had been several weeks since I had any peace and quiet and didn't realize how much I liked it. I spooned out some mint and chamomile tea leaves and put them in my tea ball and then got a little tea cup to fix me some hot tea. I enjoyed the aroma of the dried leaves and said a silent prayer of thanks that I was able to grow my own herbs. When the water got to boiling I poured it over tea ball and then spooned out some wildflower honey to sweeten it and then carefully carried it out to the porch. I eased down into the swing and gently blew across the top of the cup to cool the liquid. Looking all around, I could see that Yancey had tended to her yard a bit, leveled up the corner of the porch where is was beginning to dip and had carried some big rocks from the creek to make her flower bed just a little bit higher. He was good son and so much like his daddy it made her heartache. She stuck her leg out hooking the little table next to the chair with her foot and pulled it over to her and gingerly set the teacup down.

I was plumb wore out. Those weeks of taking care of folks, sleeping on corn shuck ticks on the floor and scooting about everywhere 'tween them and those that were ailing had just sucked the life right out of her. Maybe I had better start considering finding a girl to take in, to learn the old ways. I picked up my cup to sip some tea noticing that is was cooling off. I eyed the mountain range to the left and then turned to look down across the valley below the house. Goodness, I thought, I don't think I could ever live anywhere else 'cept here. I leaned back in the swing and used my foot to glide back and forth putting my mind to what I needed to do before cold weather set in.

I put the cup to my lips and realized it was empty. Laughing to myself about being forgetful, I set it back down and thought to myself, I believe I will just rest my old, tired eyes a minute and then get into the house and get ready for bed.

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes gently, humming a tune from long ago as I slowly dozed and let my mind wander.