Choosing One Moment Read online

  “I’ll help you with dinner,” Elsbeth said, and she lifted potatoes out of the vegetable bin and started peeling them.

  They said they didn’t need my help, so I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, where I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket.

  I turned it on and studied the pictures of Nathaniel. His full cheeks, or chipmunk cheeks as I referred to them, set off a smile that lit the room for me. His sandy-colored hair had been windblown earlier in the day and the part he wore in the middle had disappeared. I half expected his mustache to twitch, as though I’d taken a video.

  Oh! What’s the matter with me, I thought. I can do that and he can see a movie with sound. Not only that, but I can have Elsbeth do it so Nathaniel and I will be in it together.

  I studied the picture and sighed before speaking to his image. “Nathaniel, I sure wish you could return to the future with me. My heart aches just thinking about you not being in my life. I feel like I’ve known you forever. I have no desire to meet anyone in my own time. You make me feel loved and cared for and protected.”

  Loved? Where had that come from? Was this a cruel trick of nature? I’ve never believed in love at first sight, and yet…

  I turned the cell phone off.

  I needed to concentrate on my aunt and some crazy woman who wanted to hurt her. Someone didn’t know they’d already murdered the real Elsbeth. It didn’t appear that this person was going to give up.

  And why were they coming after me, too? It might be farfetched, but could someone be trying to get even with Mama and Papa for some slight they didn’t even know they’d committed by hurting me and Elsbeth?

  Maybe I was starting to overthink things.

  I should be looking for the obvious.

  I’d start with old Carrie. She’d kept the threats on her to herself. I wondered if she possibly kept a diary. If she did, maybe she’d written comments about what was going on.

  With that in mind, I started a new search of her bedroom. If she did keep a diary, I had a feeling that she probably kept it well-hidden.

  Knowing what I might write in a book, I started with the furniture. I’d searched the dresser drawers, but I hadn’t felt the insides of the furniture. I ran my hands on the bottoms of the drawers, and I pulled the drawers out to look behind them. I felt underneath the piece of furniture, too.

  Nothing.

  I remembered reading a story once about a wardrobe that had a false bottom with a journal hidden there. After checking, I knew that wasn’t the case here.

  She had a small writing desk in the corner, but I didn’t find anything hidden there either.

  What else was there? The walls? A picture hanging on the wall over the bed? Floorboards?

  I’d found a note under the mattress when I’d hidden my cell phone. I checked there again, going all around the bed.

  Again, nothing.

  I didn’t hide the cell phone under the mattress again, because wherever I went, it would go with me. I wasn’t about to lose my connection to Nathaniel – the pictures. When I traveled home, the phone was going with me.

  On a hunch, and hunches aren’t always reliable, I checked behind the wardrobe. There was room to shove a small book behind it, but I found nothing.

  Maybe old Carrie didn’t keep a diary, and yet I had a feeling she did. She was so cantankerous that I had a feeling she didn’t share her innermost secrets with anyone. No, I’d guess she kept a journal.

  I was about to start checking the walls and the floor when Mama called up the stairs.

  “Carrie, would you please go out to the vegetable garden and bring in anything you can find that’s ripe?”

  “Sure, Mama. Right away.”

  Maybe something as mindless as picking ripe vegetables would give me time to think more clearly. When I was writing, some of my best inspirations came to me when I was doing something mindless.

  I’d seen the vegetable garden next to the barn, but I’d never taken the time to see what was planted. Not knowing what was in each row, I pulled one plant at a time, hoping it would be something ripe. I pulled up a carrot, but it was a baby. I’d seen cans of baby carrots at the store. What the heck? I pulled a few and put them in a basket Mama had handed me. At least they were orange.

  I had pretty good luck in the next few rows, but when I pulled up a radish, I replanted it. I wasn’t a radish fan and had no idea if this one was ready for eating or not.

  I stopped thinking about the veggies and started thinking about Carrie while I worked. Yes, the more I thought about it, the more I believed she was the type to keep a diary or journal.

  What kinds of things would she write about? What things were dear to her heart?

  If my aunt was right, Carrie was having hormonal problems. Could the things my aunt was trying to give to her help her? I’d heard that natural remedies didn’t always do the trick, and yet they helped some women.

  I dug up a few more veggies.

  My mind wandered.

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  In fact, my mind wandered all over the place.

  What were the differences between a diary and a journal? I couldn’t think of any.

  Would Nathaniel miss me as much as I’d miss him? In a way, I hoped he wouldn’t. One broken heart between us was enough. Would I ever have someone walk into my life that could fill his shoes? Probably not. I liked the old-fashioned man I’d come to know.

  Would my aunt marry and have children? Would she be happy living in a different era? She and Daniel were not only in love, but they were best friends. She was happy now, and I knew she’d stay that way. I had no doubts.

  Would Mama’s and Papa’s lives change in any way with the two of us interlopers stepping into their time? If so, I hoped it would be for the better. I’d already seen a few changes in my father. It was amazing that I could think of him as my father. I had a father already, whom I adored. I guess having two couldn’t hurt, though. I’d always think of Clayton as a second father.

  I thought about old Carrie visiting my time. I hoped it would have an impact on her – in a good way. Maybe it would give her a better perspective on what life could be like, given time. When we switched places again, she’d be here to see some amazing changes in her world and in future technology. If she blabbed about the future, no one would believe her. Elsbeth would have to call her aside and explain the facts of life and time travel to her. She could write about the trip in her journal, assuming she had one. Or maybe this would inspire her to start one.

  My mind made a leap.

  Who was after Elsbeth and Carrie? Would we figure it out before it was too late? Nothing else had happened since the mousetrap incident. I hoped against hope that it would all end there.

  My arm began to ache and I looked down to see I’d filled the basket. So much for letting my mind wander.

  I took the veggies into the house and set the basket on the table.

  “Well, put them in the vegetable bin.” Mama said that like I should know better than to leave them on the table. I should have, or would have if I were old Carrie.

  “Elsbeth,” I said, “don’t forget that we need to run over to Mother Possum’s to set up sleeping arrangements.”

  She nodded. “I’m just finishing up here and then we’ll visit her.” She sliced the last potato, put the quarters in a bowl, and set the bowl near the stove.

  Mama nodded. “Thank you, Beth. And thank you, too, Carrie.”

  Her back was to me so I slipped my arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

  She turned with tears in her eyes. “The good Lord has changed you in ways I never expected and I’m thankful every day.” She impatiently wiped a tear away and went back to work.

  What would happen when old Carrie returned?

  Elsbeth and I walked across the street to Mother Possum’s house. I set a blanket on the couch for my sleeping arrangements. Mother had left a pillow there for me.

  My aunt straightened up the room Daniel had been using.


  Between us, we gathered up the old woman’s laundry and washed it, hanging it outside to dry. Her needs were few and her laundry was sparse. It wasn’t a big deal. One of the other neighbors usually washed her things for her.

  We took it upon ourselves to sweep and dust before joining her on the front porch.

  “You girls are a blessing. I’ll do anything I can to help you out of the troubles you’re in. Just tell me what you need.”

  Elsbeth sat in a second chair on the porch. “Mother, you’ve already done enough. Letting us stay here tonight and letting the men hide in and around your house is more than most people would do. I’m worried about your safety though.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I keep my glasses and a shotgun right by the side of my bed. Besides, who’d want to harm a helpless old woman?”

  “Yeah, well, don’t shoot that shotgun unless you know who you’re shooting at because I’m really not in the mood to be shot.” The thought of Mother Possum with a shotgun made things even scarier than they needed to be. Although, the picture I had in my mind of her even trying to lift it was kind of funny.

  She laughed. “My gun ain’t loaded. It’s just to scare any ne’er-do-wells away.”

  Thank God for small favors, I thought.

  Although the sky had been full of thick clouds earlier, they’d blown out to rain on someone else’s day. We did get a few sprinkles while we talked, but it didn’t last long and the sun came out. The sprinkles didn’t soak the laundry that was hanging outside.

  “Mama is sending over dinner tonight. We’ll eat here, with you.” My aunt almost sounded like she was trying to reassure the old woman, but I wasn’t sure why. My thoughts were that she simply cared for her, as I did.

  I had a feeling it had been a long time since Mother Possum had had this much attention. Maybe our plan would work to the good in more ways than one.

  I was surprised at how close I’d come to feel to the people of Little Creek in such a short time. The thought returned that I felt like I’d been here for a very long time. Of course, being near my aunt probably had a lot to do with that.

  Daniel and Nathaniel dropped by to touch bases with us, but to anyone watching, they looked like they were simply paying their respects.

  Papa saw the men and made a beeline for Mother Possum’s house. He seemed to be spending more and more time with the McGee brothers. Maybe he needed the male companionship after spending so much time with the McFerrin women. I’m sure we taxed his patience.

  “What about Tess? With everything that’s going on tonight, you don’t really want her to be at home, do you?” I couldn’t help but think of the details.

  “Your Mama already took care of that. Tess is going to sleep at Mamie’s house tonight. She made up an excuse involving our story about Mother Possum not feeling well.”

  Nathaniel turned and looked at the elderly woman. “If you’re supposed to be ailing, why are you out here on the porch?”

  “And don’t even think about picking up that pipe,” I warned.

  The old woman’s head snapped up. “You’re right. Someone help me into the house.”

  She doubled over and grabbed her stomach as though she was in pain. Another actress in the mix.

  I almost laughed, but had second thoughts when I realized laughter would be inappropriate if she really was sick. I put on the most serious expression I could muster.

  Nathaniel took it upon himself to lift her out of her chair and carry her inside. She threw her arm over his broad shoulders and groaned.

  Okay, maybe she was overacting a little, but who’d know besides us?

  “Uh oh.” Elsbeth nodded toward a woman walking up the street carrying a covered bowl. “That’s Bessie, the preacher’s wife, carrying a suspicious bowl.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  “She’s got poultices for Mother Possum, who apparently saw her and I think that’s why she groaned.”

  “I’ll take care of that,” Papa said.

  The woman arrived at the gate and Papa met her there.

  “Good afternoon, Sister Thomas. I can guess what’s in the bowl.” He held out his hands. “Let me take it. I know Mother Possum will be grateful for your remedies.”

  She looked hesitant, so Papa took the bowl from her hands. She looked like she didn’t want to let go, but he pulled it out of her grasp.

  “We’ll return your bowl.”

  “But – “

  “Mother might have something you could catch. We’ve all been around her, so it’s too late for us, but not for you.”

  Bessie put her hands over her mouth and nose and spoke through her fingers. “How thoughtful of you, Brother McFerrin. I’d best be heading home.”

  She turned and practically ran down the street, but slowed and turned to holler over her shoulder. “We’re all praying for her.”

  The word had spread quickly. Thank goodness for Marie and Doris.

  I smiled at my aunt. “We’re good at being sneaky little liars. I’ll bet the whole town is talking about Mother’s illness, or at least they will be soon.”

  Nathaniel walked out to the porch. “She’s resting peacefully at her kitchen table, eating some cookies you brought her. She said the cookies will cure all of her ills.”

  I grinned at him. “Oh, my. I’ll bet she can’t wait to get rid of the poultices.”

  “She said she won’t have that stinky stuff in her house and asked that your papa take to the bowl to your house. She said your mama would know how to get rid of the rags Bessie used. She said Bessie keeps a pile of rags for poultices and they can be thrown away.”

  Papa walked home, holding the bowl as far from his body as possible.

  Daniel sat down next to Elsbeth. “Nathaniel and me, well, we’re worried. We’ll be right here all night and I want you to know, we’ll take care of you and Carrie.”

  My aunt patted his hand. “I know you will.”

  We sat quietly, each wrapped up in our own thoughts.

  My thoughts made me wonder what was the worst that could happen?

  A few minutes later Papa walked back over, minus the bowl. He stopped in front of Daniel. “Jane and I talked, and I’m staying home with her tonight. If we’re all over here, someone could go into our house and set up another one of them blamed accidents.”

  “You’re right, Clayton. I hadn’t thought about that.” Daniel looked at Papa with respect. “Nope, I never woulda thought about your house.”

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  “Well, I have to admit that Jane was the one who thought it through. ‘Course, no one would know the house was empty, but still… Someone might watch the place just in case we had to run over here to help with Mother Possum.”

  A voice from inside the house rang out loud and clear. “No one ever really has to take care of me. I can take care of myself.” The voice moved closer, and Mother Possum stood in the doorway. “I sure ‘preciate Jane sendin’ over food, though. She’s a good woman.”

  She backed away from the door quickly when she apparently realized anyone could see her standing up and looking healthy, or as healthy as someone her age could.

  “So what’s next?” Elsbeth asked.

  Nathaniel sat down on a porch step. “Daniel and I are going home. Then we’re going to come back through the orchard and sneak into your house. Your Mama is going to close the curtains at the window in the room where she reads, and we’ll busy ourselves there.”

  “We’ll prob’ly read.” Daniel looked quite happy about that.

  “Later, after dark, we’ll sneak back over here. There’s no moon tonight, so favor is on our side. Of course, that’ll make it harder to see anyone snooping around the house, but we’ll manage.”

  Papa smiled at all of us. “I’m going to put some things in the yard for someone to trip over. I’ll be careful and make it look like I’m just doing some chores for Mother Possum.”

  “That’s a great way to set up an alarm system.” I remembered stringi
ng some tin cans together and hanging them on the back door once when we had a prowler in the neighborhood in my own time. Thankfully, the alarm never sounded and the prowler was caught.

  “One of us is going to have to be with Mother all afternoon. Carrie and I can take turns going home to help Mama.” Elsbeth was right.

  We couldn’t leave Mother Possum alone or people might think she wasn’t all that sick.

  “You head home with Papa and I’ll stay here for a while,” I said. “I’ve been wanting to get to know Mother better anyway. Besides, Elsbeth, you’re a better cook than I am.”

  Papa went home to figure out what he could use for his alarm system and my aunt walked with him. I could see them, and he headed for the barn while Elsbeth went in the house.

  “We’ll be back later.” Nathaniel stood and waited while Daniel walked out to the road.

  He took a good look around before bending to give me a quick kiss.

  My heart fluttered. What? Was I thirteen again? No, just in… I didn’t finish my thought, but watched Nathaniel’s back while he caught up with his brother. He kind of strutted, looking quite pleased with himself.

  I heard a cackle and the crackling voice of Mother Possum through the doorway. She stood just inside where she couldn’t be seen. “I saw that, girl. That man is smitten with you. If I’m not mistaken, you’re sweet on him, too.”

  I felt my face heat up. “You could be right.”

  Standing, I turned and walked inside.

  “How about some tea, Mother? I’d like some. How about you?”

  “That might go right good with another cookie or two.”

  She sat at the kitchen table while I put the kettle on.

  “Carrie girl, what do you think is going to happen tonight? How much danger do you think you’re carrying on your shoulders?”

  “I just don’t know.” And I didn’t. “We’ve got a list of suspects, but there’s nothing to make any one of them stand out.”

  “Who are your… What’d you call them? Suspects? I just love listening to you talk, Carrie. You don’t sound like your old snippy self. I can’t get over how much you’ve changed.”