Chapter Two

Chapter 2

Welcome To Whispering Hills, Founders Thomas Winthorpe and Patrick Richardson. The sign read entering into Whispering Hills. Oh, Pa. I cannot wait to see you again. “Oh, I wished we lived closer.” I complained to Will.

“We live close enough.”

“No we do not; if we lived close I would see our house by now.” Will just chuckled. “Do not laugh at me! Try being away from your family for four years and see how you feel.”

He fell silent. Fine, gives me more time to think of the people I left four years ago. Pa, Ma, Jose or Josephine, I like to call Jose but she complains she likes being called Josephine. I shall remember that for when I see her again. Anna, dear sweet Anna, she was only eleven when I left so now she’s about fifteen. My, she should soon be having callers! Ma, in her letters says Anna has grown to a lovely little lady. She also is quite the piano player Ma says. I shall ask her to play for me. My little rascals of puppies I got them as a birthday present for my fourteenth birthday, Rocky and Sally. Rocky my big Boxer and Sally my Canaan Dog she’s a rare breed and Pa, got her just for me. I almost forgot my sweet Grandparents, Grandpa and Gamma, I called her that when I was little and it stuck. Grandpa served as a Brigadier General in the War Between the States; of course he fought for the South.

Will roused me from my reverie and pointed to a lady walking along the path. I recognized her at once. “Will, stop the buggy.”

“Already on it” he called to the horses to halt. He jumped down and ran around to my side to help me down but I had already jumped down and was running towards the girl. At first she did not know who it was but it registered and ran towards me as well. “Lizzy!” I ran into her embrace. My dearest friend, the one who stood by me when everyone thought I was crazy for spending time with Dot. I do not know how long we stood there hugging each other but soon she stepped back. “Oh, Lizzy, how I missed you.”

“As I you, Winnie” I have known Winnie Richardson as long as I can remember. We spent all our time together. With Will of course. “Where are you going to be walking on this road?”

“I was taking a walk to our secret creek. Mama gave me a couple hours to myself today so I thought I’d go there, but I did not know when you would be coming home.”

“Well, you could just hitch a ride with us we’re heading to town. Will would not mind would you Will.”

“No” he had been standing in the same position since we stopped.

“I would not want to impose….”

“You are not imposing! Winnie please, you are our dearest friend you would never be imposing.”

“Alright, if Will does not mind.”

“He doesn’t.” I took Winnie’s hand and led her to the buggy. She had always been shy, never wanting to put people out of their way. She always wanted peace, which led to our only disagreement. Charity Cook. I had always disliked Charity; she always flaunted her silky golden hair and big blue eyes. Her name never did her justice, she was far from nice. Her family was the richest family in Whispering Hills and they made others who were not regret ever being alive. Unfortunately we were neighbors to the Cooks, so they were at every gathering we threw. Charity was an only child so she got everything she ever wanted and more which made her even more spoiled. Winnie always said I needed to treat Charity with kindness, and she and I would be great friends. I never felt that way for every time I tried, she’d shoot one of her insults at me and I’d retort them.

We were almost into town, so I must stop dwelling on Charity Cook. The town was bursting with spring. The women wore all their pastel colored dresses, the town looked like a meadow of wildflowers with all the assortment of colors. I could not wait to see all of them again, of course minus Charity Cook, but she’s another matter completely. We were coming up to Dot’s herbalist shop. “Will! Oh, do please stop I would love to see Dot again.”

“Before your family?”

“Will, her shop is right there and I don’t know when I will have a chance, for you know my Ma she’ll have me busier than a farmer at harvest season. Please.”

“Oh alright, but you’re gonna let me help ya down this time right. We are in town and you don’t want the gossips tongues a wagging do ya.”

“No I guess that would be bad so fine.” He pulled the horses to a stop and jumped down and he made his way to my side of the buggy to help me down. I absolutely abhor people helping me with things I could do myself. He reached up and circled his arms around my waist, and gently placed me on the ground. He asked if Winnie wanted down but she declined saying she would just wait for me. “Will, why don’t you wonder around and find some man to talk to while I’m with Dot.”

“I’m fine waiting here.”

“Do as you please.”

I walked up to Dot’s store and read the sign. Dorothy’s Herb Tinctures and Poultices. The place I spent hours at in the summers. I opened the door and smelled the aroma of Rosemary, Thyme, and Garlic. The smells I remember so well. I found Dot shaking up some bottle. Probably some new herb she found. I stood there watching Dot for awhile. She was humming some hymn from church. She had hair the same color as mine, there were some gray streaks interwoven into her black hair, and she had grey eyes that missed nothing. Some people in town thought she was crazy, I on the other hand thought her perfectly sane. Just because she had tinctures and poultices of herbs that could cure anything, does not mean you’re crazy.

She was like a second mother to me. I love my Ma dearly but she was never there for me. She was always flitting about looking for the newest fashion or planning another party. Dot had always been there for me. She taught me everything I needed to know about herbs, and the Bible. If I had a question she always had an answer. Even for the silliest of questions. She even looked more like my mother than my actual mother. We had the same hair color and the same high cheekbones. Sometimes when I was little I used to think she was my mother. I always stood out in my family.

Dot turned around to put the jar on the shelf when she noticed me. “Oh, Lizzy Dear!”

“Dot!”

“Come here and give this ol’ crazy woman a hug.”

“Oh, Dot you’re never crazy to me. If trying to find ways to help people and loving the Lord is crazy, then I must be crazy too!” We both laughed and hugged each other. “Dot I missed you so much. There was not one single herbalist in Boston I checked!”

“Dear, not everyone knows of the healing plants God gave us. I think God knew what would plague us on earth and He gave us a plant to heal us.”

“I know, so what is this in the jar?” I picked up the jar to examine it. It looked like some purple liquid. “Dot what is this?”

“Dear, those are Elder berries, mixed with Brandy. It helps build up your immune system and helps with coughs.”

“Wow, how do you use it? Like do you drink it, do you rub it on what?”

“You just take a little sip of it.”

“Okay, it smells herby in here.” That brought another burst of laughter.

“Lizzy how I missed you. You are the only person in this town that does not think I’ve gone mad.”

“They may think you’re crazy but they do not mess with you. They just let you be. Plus some of them have been in here to ask medical help and what do you have that would help.” I wondered around smelling and looking at all the herbs. One of my favorite places in this town was this shop.

“Dear, how is your family. I do not know what goes on for no one cares to inform me.”

“Well I am not sure right now, I came here first. I knew my Ma would gallivant me around town showing off how much of a lady I’ve become.” I did my best imitation of my snooty housemother. “Now Elizabeth Dear, you must not use that fork for the meat that’s the salad fork. Chin up Elizabeth, you’re not looking at your feet. Always stay quiet dear, only speak when spoken to. Never slump, hold your head up high you’re a lady!” We laughed some more. I always had fun with Dot.

“Dear, you must not make fun of your housemother, she means well.”

“Now you’re sounding like her!” We laughed till I had tears running down my face. I never have a dull moment with Dot.

“Lizzy, it’s so dreary around here without you and your infectious laugh.”

“As much fun as it’s been seeing you again I must be off. My family is expecting me.”

“Dear, you know you’re always welcome here. I am always here.”

“I know and I will come back as soon as I can.” I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. She put her arm around my waist and hugged me back. She followed me to the door and kissed my cheek. “Know you’re always welcome here. If you need a listening ear I have two.” We laughed some more and hugged again.

“I’ll see you soon Dot!”

“Good-bye Dearie!”

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There it is home. The three story Victorian styled home with ivy branches and vines climbing up the sides. I always loved this house; it made me feel like I was living in a castle from one of those fairytale books Gamma always read to me. I could see the barn that housed the horses Pa bred and sold. He also tamed and trained horses. That’s what Will helped with was the taming and training. Will was excellent with the horses he was so careful and patient with them. I could see the bunkhouse that housed the workers that help Pa with the horses. Next to that was the private house that Mr. John and Will stayed in. Mr. John was the foreman for Pa he made sure the workers were doing what they were told.

We were almost to the house. We had a very long driveway to the house. The buggy bumped and swayed on the driveway, for the minuscule rocks on the path. On the path I saw the acres and acres of meadow for the horses to prance in. I saw my favorite horse Desert Wind the Arabian horse. He always pranced in the most majestic way like he was the horse for a king. Pa traded a full bred Mustang for Desert Wind. When I went riding I always rode him.

Running towards us was my two favorite puppies Rocky and Sally. Rocky had gotten big since I left and he was nearly as tall as me! Will yelled for the horses to halt. He hurried and handed the reins to George and ran to my side of the buggy. Always the gentleman. He wrapped his arms around my waist and gently placed me down. My heart did a little flip-flop. I was uncertain what that feeling was for I had never experienced it. I placed it in the back of my mind to process later. He grabbed my bags and flung them over his shoulder with ease. Rocky and Sally came bounding to me. Their tails were wagging so much I was afraid their little tails would have them flying.

Rocky placed his big paws on me and almost knocked me over. If it was not for Will steadying me I would have been on the ground. “Down Rocky, down” Will commanded. Little Sally gently sat in front of me and wagged her tail. Such a little lady she was. “Hey Sally haven’t you grown? And Rocky my you’re almost the height of me!”

“Yep and ever the rascal.” I raised my head to see the figure of my father.

“Pa” I ran t his embrace he hugged me tight.

“Little Lizzy, my how you’ve grown” Pa commented.

“But I’m still your little half-pint.” He placed his arm around my waist and led me toward the house. Entering into the house I saw Ma and Jose err... Josephine and Anna. Anna was so beautiful. Definitely took after Ma. Behind Josephine was her husband Arthur Jenkins. They had married two years ago. I was not able to be there but Ma had sent a letter telling me all about it. “My little Lizzy” Ma exclaimed.

“Ma” she quickly hugged me and smiled. “Anna” she ran towards me and hugged me.

“Lizzy I’m so glad you’re back! How was it? How much did you learn? Was there any suitable boys there?”

“Anna! You must not mention such things.” Ma scolded.

“Sorry Ma.” I tried to not smile. Little Anna all grown up.

“Hello Elizabeth.” Josephine greeted.

“Josephine, Arthur, how are you?”

“We’re fine.” Some greeting I get from her.

“Lizzy, you must be tried from the trip why don’t you rest for awhile then we will take a trip over to the Cooks place. They cannot wait to see you again, especially Charity.” Charity wanting to see me? Ha, when pigs fly.

“I’m sure she does. I would like to rest awhile, how we go over there towards dinner time. I must unpack get rest.”

“Great then it’s settled. I will have Will head over there and announce we are coming.”

Great soon I will be thrown into the lions den.

God Bless!