TUESDAY TALES - LEAF

             Welcome! This week we still have more from "Josiah's Destiny", but this chapter is about Sam Chesney. Since "Josiah's Destiny" is the last book in this series, it will include chapters about the main characters from the earlier books. This book will sum up and tie together any loose ends from previous books. So this excerpt is when Sam Chesney asks Becky's father for her hand in marriage. 

             After you finish, please read the other stories. You can find them HERE.  

 

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Her face broke into a broad, warm smile. “Come on, Silly,” she said, moving toward him and grabbing his arm. She ushered him into the back of the store where the Rhodes family lived.

His eyes grew wide when he saw the table. Set with elegant China and real silverware, and embroidered cloth napkins under each fork. A silver pitcher gleamed.

Two small loaves of white bread stood on a platter. One had a hard, plain crust, and the other one had a crust dotted with currants in the shape of a leaf. Sam loved currants. His grandmother served bread like that on holidays, like Christmas and Easter, only. He licked his lips.

A small bowl held soft yellow butter. Grilled vegetables, including squash, rutabagas, turnips, asparagus and onions filled another platter. Candied cooked carrots set proudly on a small, fancy plate. Sam’s stomach danced for joy.

“Sit there, Sam,” Daniel Rhodes, said, indicating a seat next to Becky. He sharpened a carving knife and approached the roasted duck.

Sam kept his head enough to pull out Becky’s chair for her. He noted Daniel Rhodes lifted an eyebrow and sported a half smile before he returned to carving the bird.

Then the duck and the dishes piled high with food were passed around. Sam tried as hard as he could not to look like a glutton, but his appetite had grown and the food tempted him almost beyond control.

“Don’t be a pig, Sam. Nobody likes a pig,” his grandmother had said to him when he was younger. He smiled at the memory of his answer to her admonishment.

“But I like pigs, Grandma.”

He’d been lucky his grandmother didn’t believe in corporal punishment.

After all the plates had been filled, they joined hands, and Mr. Rhodes let them in a prayer. When he sat down, he picked up his knife and fork, and then directed a stern look down the table at Sam Chesney.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your company at our table today, Sam,” Daniel said.

Becky and her mother kept their heads down to avoid laughing. Everyone knew why Sam was there. He shot a quizzical look at Mr. Rhodes.

“Gosh, Mr. Rhodes, I’m here to ask you for Becky’s hand in marriage. I thought we all knew that,” Sam blurted out.

His statement pushed the women folk beyond control and they burst out laughing. Daniel Rhodes’ face grew pink. “Well, well, yes. I suppose we all knew that.”

That's all for today. Thanks for coming. 

TUESDAY TALES - BERRIES

 

  Welcome! This week we have another episode of "Josiah's Destiny." I hope you enjoy it. When you're done reading, hop on over and read the excellent stories from the other Tuesday Tales writers. Find them HERE. 

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When Josiah got home, he loaded up the wagon with freshly-cut boards, hitched up his ox, Tails, and headed to the Edwards house.   

Malachi Edwards came out from the house, followed by the rest of his family, to greet Josiah.

“This is my wife, Ruth. These are my sons: Gideon and Harry, and my daughters: Mary, Lucy, and Caroline.”

Josiah did a little bow and tipped his hat. “Pleasure to meet y’all,” he said, making eye contact with Caroline before addressing himself to Malachai.  “Where do you want the wood?”

“This way. Gideon, Harry, give a hand,” Malachi said, leading Josiah to a small shed behind his house. “I been meanin’ to talk to Mr. Fitch about building a workshop by the mill. Malachi said.

“Good. Then I don’t have to cart all this here wood down to you,” Josiah said.

“I’ll speak to Fitch about it after church,” Malachi said.

After the men unloaded the wood, Ruth, stepped over, raised her hand and whispered something in Edwards’ ear.

“Oh, yes. Fine, Ruth,” Malachi said. “Won’t you stay and take supper with us, Josiah?”

“I’d be mighty obliged,” Josiah said, removing his hat.

“Pump’s out back,” Malachi said, going inside.

Josiah strode out back and washed his head, face, and hands under the icy water from the pump. All the while, he wondered how he could wangle a seat next to Caroline. When he finished, he pulled his shirt from his pants and dried his face with it, tucked it back in, combed his hair with his fingers, then went into the house.

There was a fine, long wooden table, with hand-carved scrolls adorning each corner. His luck held, the one empty seat was next to Caroline.

“You make this, Mr. Edwards?” Josiah asked, running his palm over the smooth finished wood before taking a piece of bread as the basket was passed to him.

“Darn tootin’. Call me Mal. Everybody does.”

“Mighty fine, Mal,” Josiah said, spreading butter on his bread.

“I’m training my boys to cabinet-making, too. It’s a nice steady living. People will always need tables, chairs, and bureaus,” Mal said.

Josiah nodded. The aroma of hot food caused his stomach to rumble. A large chafing dish was placed before him. He lifted the lid and saw rabbit stew with potatoes, onions, turnips, and carrots. As there seemed to be plenty to go around, Josiah filled his bowl. Although not quite as good as Martha Chesney’s stew, he enjoyed Mrs. Edwards dish and ate with relish.

As they ate, the grown children voiced their opinions on everything from the flowers Caroline had picked to the state of the main road in Fitch’s Eddy. When they finished, Caroline rose to clear the table. She brought a large pie, overflowing with berries, from the kitchen.  When the meal was finished, Caroline took the dishes to the washtub. The others left the table, wandered into the main room, and sat down. 

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by!

TUESDAY TALES - PROMPT "SUGAR"

 

Howdy do! Welcome to Tuesday Tales. We have another episode from "Josiah's Destiny", my historical romance that is in progress. When you're done, hop on over and read the other stories by the excellent Tuesday Tales writers. Find them HERE. 

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As Josiah led her through the field, he pondered the idea of a girlfriend who couldn’t speak. He’d never really know what she thought about anything, but then, again, she wouldn’t chew his ear off with idle gossip either. He realized that if she was in danger, she wouldn’t be able to yell for help, either, right? He'd have to be sure to keep an eye on her.

He smiled to himself. Already thinking of her as his girlfriend? Wasn’t that a bit premature? Didn’t she indicate that he terrified her? Not exactly a good basis for a romantic relationship, was it? Maybe he could prove himself trustworthy? Might be a bit too much effort to win over someone inflicted with a disability. But she was a looker, truly the prettiest girl in Fitch’s Eddy. He’d been looking for a girl as sweet as a sugary peppermint stick, and smart as a schoolteacher, oh, and beautiful. He knew Caroline had the third one licked.   

Besides, she needed a friend. Her family was new in town. They didn’t right know anybody yet. And though she had four siblings, none of them seemed to pay her much mind. If they cared for her, she wouldn’t be out there by herself picking flowers, would she? Josiah wondered if they ignored her because she was mute? Just good for chores, but not much else. Probably.

The Quint family had raised their children to help others, and Josiah was no exception. He

 enjoyed the reputation of a good soul, a man who could be called on to pitch in when 

needed. Maybe that would include helping Caroline Edwards?

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment. They make my day!