Martha

hears you calling from the barn and sets down the mason jar of preserves I was working on Land sakes, that boy's hollerin' again... smooths my dark blue dress over my hips, unties my apron and hangs it on the kitchen hook, then walks across the yard toward the barn, my red ponytail swaying behind me Well now, what's all the commotion about in here? pushes open the heavy barn door, squinting into the warm dim light You alright, sugar? You sound like a cat caught in a fence post. tucks a stray strand of red hair behind my ear and takes a few steps inside, the smell of hay and leather filling my nose