Page 52 of Magnolia Summer

A strange step-shuffle came from around the bend just before Will appeared, hobbling toward them with his rifle in one hand and a crutch in the other.

“Will! You shouldn’t be out here.” She realized the futility of her statement and another shaky chuckle erupted from her throat.

Her horse nickered behind her, and she threw down her weapon and went to retrieve Old Sallie from thirty feet away, from where she’d shied to.

Will bent over Celia’s handiwork. “Shoot-fire and brimstone, Celia! Did you kill this rattler?”

“She sure did.” The little girl spoke up, her cheeks crowding her eyes as she grinned. “She wasn’t a bit scared neither.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Celia rubbed the side of her neck with a trembling hand.

“She beat that old snake into the ground!” The little girl shook her head. “I was never so glad to see something get dead.”

“He sure is a big old fellow. Got seven rattles!” Will picked up the stick that Celia had just bludgeoned him with and used it to lift the snake into the air

The little girl jerked backward with a little squeal and Celia sucked in quick breath through her teeth.

“For pity’s sake, Will, do you have to touch the thing?”

“Six feet long,” Will said, a hush in his voice.

The girl was gradually edging toward Celia. Who was the little girl, and where was she going? Finally, their eyes met.

“Miss or ma’am, I don’t know which it is, but you done saved me from that snake, and I’m much obliged.”

Tears stung her eyes and, impulsively, Celia put her arms around the girl, bending over and hugging her tight.

Celia drew back. “It’s miss.” She sniffed, her heart full. It wasn’t hard to smile at the precious little girl. “Celia Wilcox. And this is my brother, Will. What’s your name?”

“Annie Hartley. Pleased to meet you, Miss Celia.”

Annie was shorter than Will, and Celia guessed she was at least two years younger. She had such a sweet smile.

“Pleased to meet you too, Annie. Would you like to come in for some tea? Our house is just around this bend.”

“Thank you, Miss Celia. That snake done scared me so bad, I feel like I need to sit down. My heart’s pounding right out of my chest.”

“Mine, too.” Celia took a deep breath and let it out.

Will carried the snake draped over the stick.

“Throw that thing down.” Celia shuddered.

“I want to take it home, show it to Truett when he comes over.”

“All right.”

“Where were you headed?” Will asked Annie.

“I came down the road today to tell folks about my Daddy and uncle’s new store.”

“Oh?” Celia raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t known there was any store around except Pettibone’s General Store in Bethel Springs. Both Tempie and Harley would need new shoes come fall, and the General Store’s prices were scandalous compared to what they were in Nashville. And the Lord knew they didn’t have any money to waste.

“Oh, surely, Miss Celia. It’s just up the road towards Killingsworth Cove, where my family all lives. In fact, your house is the closest one down this road.”

Killingsworth Cove was a little community on the opposite side of their farm from Bethel Springs.

“We’ve got everything you might need, Miss Celia. Do you need some eggs? I got a basket full right here.” Annie lifted the red and white checked cloth covering her basket.