Dancing in the Oaks

Historical Mystery

This morning has been a rough one since I had to balance chores with helping both siblings and parents. It's fine though because I manage. Jake Is always a nuisance in a way that I have to do his chores. Harlem Is pretty diligent in his works. I've always had to keep them on task, keeping them on the straight path. They need a boost every once in a while. I guess that is the standard requirement when you are the eldest child.

I finally made it to the department store. It was a relief heading out for a little break. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I could sing along to the music and unroll the window again. The store seemed empty while I took my first initial trek in. I walked through each section and grabbed what I needed. I could feel someone watching me, but I didn't even think of it. I guess I was too busy focusing on a song stuck in my head. Continuing on: chicken pellets, Oyster shells, ropes, and even more horse shoes for future uses. I pushed the cart around each turn making sure no one was watching. My favorite thing to do is sing a song in my head and dance along when no one is watching. I proceeded to do so until I felt like I was being watched again. Realizing that I missed something on the aisle, I took a few steps backward. Five steps back I ran into Nicholas. I instantly knew who it was.

"Hey Norah. I got ya didn't I?" He looked at me and smiled. I could pick up on his intentions.

"Yeah you sure did. You have no idea. I'm still debating whether or not I'm happy or scared." I rolled my eyes and shook my head all at the same time. "You know, I'm stoppin' by y'all's shop. You better be there." Towards the end of my statement my voice snapped.

"So demanding miss!"

"That's what you told me." I could swear my face turned a different shade. "Nicholas!" I tried to reach some chicken scratch, but failed to do so.

"Need help? Yeah you do." He smiled.

"Oh boy. You really are a nice guy." I said as he reached up and grabbed the bag with ease. "I've never met anyone as nice as you."

"There's just somethin' different about us country folk."

"Yeah I can vouch for that one. Why are you so nice to me anyway? You barely know me." I figured a little interrogation work wouldn't hurt. After all, I needed to focus on the farm work that I needed to get back to.

"I'm nice because that's my duty to everyone. You got everything?"

"Yeah actually, but I don't want to leave here. Can you tell me more about the Merchants?" The furnace turned on in the store finally letting me warm up my cold body.

His brown eyes looked into my soul. "Yeah actually. Let me get your stuff rung up."

It took about a good three minutes for him to scan everything. Once again, he took all of my stuff out to my truck and loaded it up for me. "You don't have to do that." I said.

"You can't tell me that because I'm doing it whether you like it or not."

"I actually appreciate it a lot."

"Anyways the Merchants?  Very happy couple until somethin'' happen' to 'em. Family land for one hundred years and horse ranch for fifty. I remember they just got some of them sheep to try somethin' new. 25 acres was too much for 'em to manage?" Nick stepped closer to me. "The last generation of the Merchants that lived there had been goin' through something terrible. The previous generation had their barn caught on fire. They ruled it as a lightning strike. After that generation passed away, the last generation of Merchants moved in. Exactly 12 years from the date the barn caught on fire it happened again. The exact same time of night and the exact same minute. They couldn't extinguish the flames fast enough. The barn was gone. Now y'all are here." He closed one eye almost in a winking manner. "That twelve years is almost up. It is just such a coincidence that it has been happening consecutively like that."