Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent

Author:Jennifer Erin Valent
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Historical
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2013-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

There was a storm in the air on Tuesday morning just as much as there was a storm in my heart, and with my chores behind me, I wearily put my walking shoes on to the tune of Momma humming while she sewed.

“I’m headin’ into town to get some things for Miss Cleta. You need anythin’?” I asked, peeking into her tiny sewing space.

She stuck her needle into a cushion and looked at me with consoling eyes. “You all right, baby?”

I shrugged and fingered a piece of green muslin that lay spread out on a wooden chair. “Just feelin’ cooped up, is all.”

“Feels like rain today. Worries me you’ll get caught in a cloudburst.”

“Ain’t like I’ve never been caught in one before.”

She put down her half-sewn dress and stood to pull me close. “Gemma won’t stay mad long, Jessie. Whatever it is you two are dustin’ up about, it’ll work out.”

My shoulders sagged with worry but not only from remembering my troubles with Gemma. I was still stinging from Luke’s rebuke the night before too. I just melted into her arms for a minute and let her comfort me as only a momma could. Then I smiled wanly and said, “I’ll be all right, Momma. Sure you don’t need nothin’?”

“No, baby, I was just in town last night. You have a nice walk and be careful. Duck into a store if it starts to come down on you.”

“Yes’m.” I made my way downstairs and packed up a few things for Mr. Poe, grabbed one of Daddy’s fine ripe tomatoes from the pantry, sprinkled some salt on it, and set out on my way. Tasting the cool juice from the tomato did nothing to ease the intense heat of the still-early morning, but I kept on the road into town, determined to check up on Mr. Poe.

The sheriff was standing on the front steps when I reached the jail. He was smoking a cigar, and he tipped his hat at me when he saw me coming.

“Got a hot day for such a long walk, Miss Jessilyn. But then, we ain’t got nothin’ but hot days no more.” He cast a glance up into the sky, squinting against the sun as it popped out from its cover of clouds. “Those storm clouds are teasin’ us today. Sure could use some rain.”

“It’ll rain,” I told him confidently. “I can smell it in the air.” I climbed the steps and stood in front of him, well off to the side to avoid the suffocating stench of his smoke. “I’m here to see Mr. Poe. Seems to me there ain’t no law against me seein’ a prisoner in your jail.”

“Well, I suppose I could work somethin’ out there,” he said with a slow drawl. “Providin’ you behave yourself, that is.”

I bristled at his response and stood up straight, my five feet seven inches matching up to his short frame. “What kind of trouble are you talkin’ about, Sheriff? I ain’t never been in no trouble with the law.

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