Blowing on Dandelions
Read Blowing on Dandelions Online
Authors: Miralee Ferrell
Tags: #Mothers, #Oregon, #Romance, #Western, #Daughters, #widow
To every woman
whose heart has been wounded by someone she loved.
And most of all, to the woman who inspired this story
when she shared a small part of her broken heart with me.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the L
ORD
, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.
—Psalm 91:1–2
Acknowledgments
So many people worked to make this book a success that I’m afraid I might forget someone. However, I’ll do my best here to give honor and thanks where it’s due. First, all glory goes to: God, my Father; Jesus, my best Friend; and the Holy Spirit, my Guide and Comforter. Without the three-in-one Godhead, I’d be unable to accomplish anything worthwhile. God gives me the strength to get through each day and the creativity to put the words on paper. I write for Him first. If He’s satisfied, I know the rest will fall in place.
My biggest thanks goes to my family—most especially my husband—for being patient as I work through my deadlines while being supportive of my book chatter, travel, and all it takes to bring a new book into the world. My children, Marnee and Brian, Steven and Hannah, my mother, Sylvia Gould, who is one of my closest friends, and my husband’s parents, Chuck and Dolores—all have offered encouragement and support. Also a special thanks to my church family who remember to pray as I write each new story and eagerly await each new one. You are special to me.
The writing of a book is never just about the author; it takes a team working behind the scenes to bring it to life. First are my critique partners, who brainstorm with me, then help me hone and polish my work. I’ve been honored to work with Kimberly Johnson, Sherry Kyle, and Karen O’Connor for almost three years now. Sherri Sand and Judy Vandiver also read and critiqued my manuscript when it was finished. Sherri spent several hours showing my husband and me around Baker City, Oregon, pointing out historical landmarks, and answering numerous questions that have contributed greatly to the setting of the book. Two advance readers, Tammy Marks and Kristy Gamet, who have been with me since my first book released, eagerly await each new manuscript and devour it, giving me valuable feedback. Wilburta Arrowood, Kimberly Johnson, and Stephanie Whitson spent time on the phone brainstorming the story line, and Colleen Reece and Janice Olson assisted with title suggestions. I love all these wonderful ladies, who are an integral part of my team. In addition, many thanks go to the women who answered my call to fill out a questionnaire about their own relationship with their mother. These women were a tremendous asset.
My publishing team starts with my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, who champions my work and helps find it the best possible home. Tamela, a friend as well as a business associate, works diligently to make my career succeed.
This is my first book with my new publisher, David C Cook, and I’m beyond excited to work with them. They graciously accepted my request to assign Ramona Tucker, the editor who worked on my last three books. I love this woman and highly value her expertise and editing. I’m so blessed to partner with her on all three books in this series. Most of my early contacts at Cook have been with Ingrid Beck, who welcomed me and made me feel part of the Cook family right from the start. I look forward to getting to know more of the quality people at my new “home.”
And, last, to my readers—I value each and every email I receive, as well as the posts on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest, and I’d love to have you drop by. Thank you for your faithful support!
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Chapter One
Baker City, Oregon
Late May, 1880
Katherine Galloway’s soft exhale sent the dandelion fluff dancing on the warm current of air, but it didn’t bring the anticipated relief. Gripping the stem, she sat in the grassy field with her eyes closed and waited. Why didn’t it come? It had always appeared years ago when she needed it. How long had it been since her mind had drifted away to a place where nothing could hurt her? Fifteen years? Twenty?
She shook her head, and an errant curl tickled her cheek.
More. Many more. But always her memory returned to those times when the dandelion fluff had carried her away to a place where mothers were loving and kind, and little girls didn’t need to be afraid of cutting words or sharp voices.
Had she ever known a time like that, other than in her dreams? Katherine had thought she did, but now she knew: it was all an illusion, like the sunbeams glinting off the bits of white that were settling to the ground. Seeds—that’s all they were. Seeds that brought unwanted weeds when they matured. Just like her life.
Unwanted. Unwelcome. Unsung.
At least by the one person who had mattered the most while she was growing up.
Katherine pushed to her feet, letting the dandelion stem dangle from her fingers. There was no fantasy world where thirty-two-year-old women—or little girls for that matter—could ride the dandelion fluff and become someone they weren’t. No. It was time to put the past behind her. Mama was coming to stay at her house tomorrow, and somehow Katherine had to survive.
An hour later a wagon rumbling down the dirt road churned out a billowing cloud of powdery dust. Katherine waved a hand in front of her face and coughed. Time to face the future and try to forget the past. School would be dismissed soon, and she’d need her two daughters, Lucy and Amanda, to help ready the house for Mama’s arrival.
Katherine clutched her dark blue skirt and lifted it a couple inches as she moved from the grass onto the road. If only Daniel were alive … He’d always known how to deal with Mama’s irascible behavior.
Katherine pushed aside the pain that threatened to swamp her. After almost three years of widowhood, she should be able to move on, but so far it hadn’t happened, and she doubted it ever would. Katherine struck off down the road, barely noticing the sun that glimmered on the unfurling green leaves of the oak trees or the birds that sang in the branches above her head. Late spring had arrived, and her heart longed to soar with the larks, but the thought of Mama’s arrival slowed her steps.
June, Katherine’s unmarried older sister, had been Mama’s companion all of June’s adult life, but her sudden passing several weeks earlier had left Mama alone and unattended. Not that she really needed tending. If anything, her sickly half sister had required more care than her mother did, but June had never allowed her frail condition to get in the way of ministering to their mother. Katherine sighed, saddened anew over the loss of her only sibling.
“Ma!” Her sweet, six-year-old Amanda’s voice trilled a high note, and the patter of feet on the hard-packed dirt road drew Katherine to a halt. She pivoted, watching her younger daughter fly toward her.
A glance beyond Mandy didn’t reveal thirteen-year-old Lucy. Katherine had instructed both her girls to head straight home after school. Of course, Lucy might have allowed Mandy to come alone, seeing how the schoolhouse was such a short distance.
Katherine held her arms out to the golden-haired girl, knowing her daughter would launch into the air when barely within reach.
Sure enough, Amanda giggled and leapt forward, landing in her arms. “Swing me in a circle, Ma!”
Katherine peered around but saw no one watching who might judge her unkindly.
Stop that.
She didn’t care for the direction her thoughts had taken her. Mama always worried what others might think. Katherine had resolved early on that if God blessed her with children, they’d get all the hugs, kisses, and laughter she’d longed for.
She stiffened her spine. It mattered not one whit if anyone watched. She spun the little girl another time, Mandy’s giggles flying as wide as the skirt she wore and beyond.
Then Katherine pressed a long kiss onto Amanda’s pink cheek. “Where’s your sister?”
The sweet smile faded. “Don’t know.”
“Is she still at school, or did she go home?”
The little girl shrugged. “She ran off, so I came to find you.”
“Ran off where?” Katherine placed a finger under Amanda’s chin and lifted it. “Are you hiding something, Daughter?”
Amanda’s deep blue eyes dropped. “She told me not to tell, or she’d whip me later when you’re not looking.”
“Lucy is
not
going to whip you. I’ll see to that. Now tell me what she’s up to.”
A huge sigh followed. “I suppose I have to, or
you’ll
whip me.”
Katherine’s mouth dropped open. “Where in the world is all this whipping nonsense coming from?”
“Mary Jane Winters says that when she grows up, she’s going to whip her children every day, even if they aren’t naughty.”
“Whatever for?”
Her daughter squinted up against the bright sun. “Because they probably
want
to be naughty, and if you whip them ahead of time, it will stop them from doing something bad.”
“And how old is Mary Jane Winters to have such great wisdom?”
“Nine, and she’s going to have at least a dozen babies when she gets married, so they can do all the chores, and she can sit and eat candy.” A smile broke her solemn features. “I guess you shoulda had more babies, Ma. They could do some of the chores at the boardinghouse.”
Katherine quirked an eyebrow. “Honey, more children often mean more work. Besides, God gave your father and me what He wanted us to have. Now quit changing the subject and tell me where your sister went.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Amanda scuffed her black boot against the dirt, covering it with dust. “She ran off with a
boy
.” She made the word sound like her sister had disappeared with a two-headed monster.
Katherine would’ve laughed if alarm bells weren’t ringing in her head. “Which boy? Where?”
“Zachary, some new boy at school. I think she’s sweet on him. I saw them sitting together at dinnertime under a tree, and she shared her food with him.” Mandy tugged at her mother’s arm and skipped in place. “Come on, Ma. I’m hungry.”
Katherine blew air out in a puff. “Let’s get you home. If Lucy doesn’t arrive soon, I’ll go look for her. Did you see what direction they took?”
“I think to Snider’s General Store. I heard the boy say he brought money, and he’d buy her a treat.”
“All right.” Katherine stroked her daughter’s blond curls. “Thank you for telling me, even though your sister asked you not to.”
Amanda raised troubled eyes. “I’m not in trouble?”
“No, darling, but your big sister will be when she gets home.” Katherine took her daughter’s slender hand in hers and stepped out at a brisk pace. Her arm swung in a wide arc as Mandy hopped and skipped beside her, kicking up dust as she went.
God had blessed her when He birthed this little girl into their family. Strong-willed Lucy was a blessing as well, but she’d always been more of a challenge. This newest episode was one of several recently and not something Katherine cared to deal with right now.
For the thousandth time she wished Daniel hadn’t died and left her alone. He’d know what to say to Lucy and how to deal with Mama when she arrived….
Katherine tilted her chin up. No more self-pity nonsense today. Tomorrow would bring enough troubles, and she wouldn’t borrow against that time. She’d make the most of this beautiful day and pray that somehow Mama had changed in the past two years.
