Brides of Montana by Kelly Eileen Hake

Author:Kelly Eileen Hake [Hake, Kelly Eileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781683222880
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2008-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Marlene didn’t take it very well when we packed up the supplies left at the diner.” Rosalind frowned. “I wonder how long she’ll be so blue. Surely this mood cannot last through the winter!”

“It won’t.” Mam stirred the hot tallow to keep it from lumping. “But the diner bore memories of her Johnny, and it brought her sadness to the surface. Give her a bit o’ time.”

“Aye.” Grandmam dipped her too-thin candle in the wax again and drew it out, holding it aloft to harden. “She’ll come ’round.”

“I’m going to make the thickest candle ever.” Luke eyed his already too-big contribution. “I’ll make it thick enough that when I level the bottom, ’twill stand on its own.”

“And if not,” Grandmam noted, “we’ll melt it down again. ’Twill not be a waste either way, and who knows? It may work.”

Rosalind kept her doubts on the matter to herself, instead admiring the soft lavender-blue color of the candles. With each new layer of cooled wax, they took on a slightly darker shade.

“’Twas so clever to soak the dried blueberries so they plumped and then juice them. It adds such a nice scent and lovely color.” She dipped her candle once more and judged it to be thick enough. Rosalind hung it on the drying rack and began again. “The only drawback is they might make us hungry!”

“Mayhap next time we’ll add a splash of oil of lilac instead of the blueberry juice.” Mam surveyed the filling rack with satisfaction. “We’ll be glad to have these come winter.”

“Aye,” Grandmam seconded. “If there’s anything worse than being snowed in for months on end, ’tis being snowed in wi’ only the hearth’s light to see by. Makes it that much darker.”

“Mam, may I give Marlene a candle or two for her nightstand?” Rosalind gave an appreciative sniff. “The treat might help to restore her good spirits. Coax a smile, even.”

“I’m sure we can spare a few for such a good cause.”

“You can give her mine, Rose.” Luke generously held out the large, misshapen candle he’d been nursing the entire day.

“Oh, I’m not sure if ’twill fit in her candleholder, Luke.” Rosalind gestured toward the monstrosity. “Best you keep it to read by. ’Twill be interesting to see how long ’twill last.”

“Good idea, Rose.” Luke headed back to dunk the thing yet again. “I don’t think anyone’s ever made one like this before.”

“I believe you are the first, Luke.” Mam ruffled his hair.

“Why don’t you run o’er with these four?” Grandmam held them out to Rosalind. “You’ll probably be glad to take a nice, quiet walk.” Her eyes held a knowing glint as she looked at Rosalind.

“Aye.” Rosalind took them thankfully. For the first time since the leaves had turned color, she’d have a moment to herself. With the railroad crew packed off, she could walk alone again.

She draped a light shawl about her shoulders to ward off the chill that warned of winter and set out down the well-worn path. The scents of fallen leaves and rich, dark earth freed by the harvest filled her senses as she moved along.

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