Entangled Hearts

Chapter 43

The next morning, the long shining car sped down the highway toward Oakdale, with John at the wheel and his mother sitting proudly by his side. In the back seat was the happy Whitmer family. Little Laura Gene was thrilled at the sight of real live horses and cows that were grazing in the pastures along the road. She had never seen farm animals except in the picture books.

"Oh, those blessed, gorgeous mountains! They are just the same, Gene, and the big round roofed barns and the willows along Cotton Creek. They are all calling out to me and my heart is singing a happy reply." Laura Mae was in a poetic mood, she was so very, very happy when they entered the Oakdale Valley.

"The same dear schoolhouse, the same old store and the same old Post Office," Gene said as they passed through the business part of the little town. "Wasn't that Erick Johnsons in the Post Office right where he always used to stand? I thought I saw a crutch under his arm. I wonder—Oh, confound that war anyway."

"I am sure it was Erick. Oh, look, dear! There is a brand-new garage, with a gas tank and all!" Laura Mae pointed excitedly. "Cars have come to Oakdale at last!" She drew a short breath and giggles, "Do you remember the day Hank Dalton's Ford almost ran us over?"

"Do I? Who was driving that tea, of prancing horses but me?" he laughed and patted his chest as he filled it very full with a deep breath of air. Then he put his arm around his wife's shoulders.

"Say, that is what you were so big and smart on the way back home from the springs that day when all of a sudden Father's buggy came into view." She reached up and caught his hand so she could pull his arm tighter around her.

"Can you blame him for having you climb right out of the buggy to get you out of the clutches of such a caveman?" At that, they both laughed heartily.

"Say, you two blessed turtle-doves, back there, which way do we from here?" John asked, slowing the car down as he approached the corner.

"Turn to the right," both of the "turtle-doves," said in the same instant.

"Needles."

"Pines." They locked their little fingers together in a childish custom they had when they both said the same thing at the same time, then begun giggling again.

The little girl watched every move her parents made, laughing when they laughed and listening intently when they were serious. At length, she said, "Ooh, it's lots of fun. Where did you say we are going, Mony May?"

"To see Grandmother Porter and Uncle Everett, and Aunt Martha and good old Maria Beckman." Laura Mae pronounced each name very distinctly.

"Do they all 'bong to the weally fa-wee tale?"

"Yes, dear, they all belong to the really fairy tale."

"Well, have I dot two gammas?" the child asked with her eyes wide.

"Yes, you have two grandmas, Dolly," Emily Chatterton answered, turning in her seat so she could look at the little girl. "You always remember, that I will be your grandma just the same as Grandma Porter will." She smiled with tears in her eyes at the thought of having to live in the spacious home without the patter of little feet. John would simply have to get marries, then perhaps she would have real grandchildren of her own to bring joy into the home Colonial Heights.

"So has Bobby Wandall dot two gammas. Now I am happy as Bobby."

"Does Bobby have uncles and aunts, too?" the mother asked.

"Oh, yes, he has. But nen, I have Uncle Evet, an' Aunt Marfa an', an' Uncle Sjohn. Is Sjohn my uncle, Mony May?"

"Yes, he can be your Uncle John." Gene gave Laura Mae an understanding smile, approving the answer she had made. John acted pleased, too.