MY TOMORROW Chapters 4-6

 

CHAPTER FOUR

The next day, Rocky Corners buzzed like a beehive, alive with community spirit. At the heart of town, the crossroads bustled with activity. By the artesian well, townsfolk filled their barrels with the cold, pure water that sprang up deep in the earth, a gift from the land itself. The air was tinged with the scent of wet stone and fresh wood as men loaded their barrels onto waiting wagons. Nearby, voices rose in cheerful conversation as the town's Brass Band gathered at the large white gazebo to practice. Their bright and brassy music danced through the summer air, stirring the hearts of those who passed by and filling them with anticipation for the upcoming Founders Day annual picnic. It was the sound of life, joy, and the kind of community togetherness that had long bonded the people of Rocky Corners.

After breakfast, Lillian took Sadie's arm and smiled gently. "Follow me," she said, her voice softer than usual, carrying a tone of shared understanding. Together, they climbed the winding path that led to Peace Hill Church, the high ground affording a clear view of the small town below. The simple foursquare building, with its leaded glass windows and clean white clapboard siding, stood like a sentinel, watching over the valley. The cast-metal bell in the tower above them hung silent, its worn clapper ready to call the faithful to worship.

The churchyard lay just beyond, an ancient wooden fence marking the boundary between the living and the dead. The graveyard spread out, larger than Sadie had imagined, and for the first time in her life, she felt a strange peace settle over her. She hadn't expected it. The soft, dewy grass underfoot, still sparkling from the morning mist, gave off a fresh scent of earth and life in contrast to the stone monuments to those who had passed. Some gravestones were tall and new, polished granite glinting in the daylight, while others were worn smooth by time and the elements. Simple, rough, and unmarked fieldstones spoke of those laid to rest without words to memorialize them, their stories forgotten to all but the earth itself.

The large Missouri native trees' broad limbs, stretching protectively over the graves, rustled in the breeze. The sound was like whispered words of comfort. The sun filtered through the leaves, casting soft, shifting shadows across the path between the rows of gravestones. Sadie inhaled the scent of wood—aged bark and rich soil. The faint sweetness of wildflowers mixed with the dampness of the air. It all felt…safe. There was a quiet dignity here, a stillness that Sadie had been searching for in her heart.

Lillian passed by the corner of the graveyard, in front of an old rock shed, a weathered but sturdy structure where Bennett's gardening tools still stood ready for work. She stopped at a tall granite monument nearby, and Sadie followed her gaze. It was Bennett's grave. Lillian's husband. His name and dates were carved deep into the stone, but the epitaph at the bottom caught Sadie's eye: Gone to Heaven. A hand pointed upward toward the sky.

Lillian's breath hitched. She reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a lace-trimmed handkerchief, dabbing her eyes. "God rest his soul," she whispered, her voice breaking with the weight of her sorrow. "I miss him so."

Sadie, feeling Lillian's grief, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She didn't know what to say. Words felt too small and inadequate. But in this quiet place, Sadie was connected to something greater, something more profound than life's daily struggles. There was peace here, a sense that everything would be okay. The breeze stirred again, gently shaking the oak leaves overhead, their rustling like an understanding nod from the cemetery itself. Sadie exhaled slowly.

"I'm sorry for your loss," she finally murmured, her voice soft and sincere.

Lillian nodded, her eyes never leaving the gravestone. "Death…it's a thief, you know. It comes when you least expect it. One morning, he was just…gone. I found him in our bed, cold and still. He hadn't been sick, not even a cough. And yet there he was, lifeless like someone had thrown a stone through my heart." Her voice faltered, fading into the soft hum of the wind. "Oh, Bennett…"

Sadie's gaze rested on the stone monument, her fingers tracing the air over the carved hand pointing skyward. "Why is the hand there?" she asked, curious but careful with her words.

Lillian smiled faintly and sat on a nearby stone bench that felt like it had witnessed years of quiet reflection. "It's a symbol," she explained, her voice more robust now, "a sign that Bennett's gone to Heaven. Look at the other stones as we walk—each one tells a story, not just with words but with symbols. Bennett taught me all about it, how to read the language of the graveyard. He cared for this place, Sadie. I found him out here more times than I can count, day and night, tending to the graves like they were part of him. " Her eyes sparkled briefly with the memory. "This place…it became his sanctuary. And now it's mine."

Sadie felt a growing sense of belonging as she listened. This quiet and solemn graveyard was fast becoming her haven, too. She had never known peace like this before. Her heart leaped with strange excitement, a comfort she hadn't expected. She was beginning to understand why Lillian loved this place so much.

Lillian pointed to another headstone not far from Bennett's. "See the vines there? That's Mrs. Knight's grave. Vines are a symbol of the connection between God and man, as it says in the Gospel of John. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches." Her voice held reverence as she shared the bits of knowledge as if the cemetery was not a place of endings but a place where stories continued to grow.

Sadie smiled softly, her gaze wandering. "I remember that verse." She spotted a small headstone, a delicate lamb carved atop it. "That one has a lamb on it."

Lillian's expression softened, and she sighed. "That's Elsie Laney's resting place. Poor little thing only lived a week. We take special care of her grave. It's one of the saddest, but we honor her life by keeping it as beautiful as possible."

They walked on, Lillian pointing out more stones and stories. Sadie listened intently, absorbing the history of the place and the lives that had shaped this town. As the wind picked up, brushing the leaves on a familiar rattle, Sadie shivered slightly, feeling the secrets the trees seemed to whisper. Though filled with the dead, the cemetery was full of life in its own way.

Lillian finally paused and rubbed her forehead. "I'm getting a headache again. Time to head home. You've seen enough for today, dear."

Sadie glanced back at the graves, at the peaceful space that had already begun to feel like hers. "Thank you for bringing me here. But are you going to be able to care for the entire cemetery all by yourself?"

"I'm sure going to try! I'll have help. The men are always willing to pitch in and do what they can. Now that you will teach, I'll have more time to devote to keeping church and cemetery records. I'm planning to begin writing our family history, also."

On the way home, the two women were silent, each in their thoughts.

But what if I don't get the teaching job? Then what will happen? She kept those thoughts to herself. There was no use borrowing trouble.

***

That evening, Sarah Ann and Zim arrived at Lillian's home after supper, their buggy crunching the gravel under the fading light. Zim pulled the buggy close to the porch and tied the mule to the hitching post. As Sarah Ann waited for him, the summer air buzzed with crickets, and the scent of wildflowers drifted on the breeze. She turned, her voice bright as she waved to the ladies gathered on the porch.

"Sister! What a nice surprise!" Lillian's eyes sparkled, her voice warm and welcoming.

Sarah Ann and Zim climbed the steps, the wood creaking softly beneath their weight. They took their seats on the porch, Zim easing into a rocker and turning it slightly south to gaze over the fields where the grass swayed, golden in the evening glow. As Florence bustled out with Bone China plates of delicate cookies, Sadie insisted on serving the tea, her face alight with a soft smile.

"You had a headache earlier," Sadie offered gently, "let me help."

Lillian, pressing a had to her forehead, sighed. "Yes, but I'm feeling much better now. Thank you, dear." She gave Sadie a grateful look but soon turned her attention to the rest of the group as they settled into the quiet comfort of the evening.

Nearby, the black mule, tethered to the post, snorted and twitched his tail. His discomfort grew, his tail swishing more rapidly as his back legs kicked out in frustration. Then, with a bray that pierced the tranquil evening, the mule let out a shrill screech, shaking his head furiously.

Zim leapt from his rocker, a playful grin crossing his wrinkled face. "It's those pesky flies again!" He sprinted to the mule, grabbing a blanket from the buggy and expertly draping it over the animal's back. The blanket, tied snug under its belly, brought immediate relief. The mule, now soothed, quieted his braying.

Sadie, who had almost dropped a teacup in surprise at the mule's sudden outburst, laughed as she watched Zim tend to the animal. "I've never heard a sound like that from a horse before!"

Zim chuckled as he made his way back to the porch. "He's not a horse, he's a mule. A cross between a donkey and a horse. His name's Boss." He puffed on a cigar, settling back into his chair. "And believe me, Boss knows he's the boss."

Sarah Ann smiled, her eyes softening behind her spectacles as she glanced at her husband. "And don't forget his wife, Babe. They're quite a pair." She looked at Sadie and said, "Zim raises mules and his reputation for producing quality animals is big around here. Buyers come from all over when they want good stock."

Zim smiled in agreement. "I take great care of them. They're my babies."

Just as the group chuckled, the sound of another buggy approached from down the winding road. Horace and Sue Ellen arrived, their wheels kicking up dust as they slowed to a stop beside Zim's rig. Horace, ever the gentleman, used his walking stick, and moved quickly to help his wife down, but as Sue Ellen stepped onto the buggy's side, her foot caught, sending her tumbling. Horace caught her, his strong arms steadying her before she hit the ground.

"Easy does it," Horace grunted, his voice full of effort as he helped her regain her footing. Sue Ellen's face flushed a deep crimson, her hair loosening from its bun, stray strands sticking to her forehead in the humid air. Her new plum-colored hat lay in the dirt, and she bent down with a huff, frantically dusting it off.

"Ruined! It's absolutely ruined," she fumed, her sharp tone cutting through the evening calm as she glared at the hat.

As Horace righted his wife, smiling sheepishly at the group, Sadie's stomach tightened into a painful knot. The sight of Sue Ellen after these years triggered memories she had long tried to bury. She still felt the sting of rejection—when this very woman had chosen Caroline, leaving her heartbroken. Sadie's breath hitched as panic clawed at her chest. She was trapped between Florence, Sarah Ann, and Zim, with no polite escape. Her fingers gripped the edge of her chair, her knuckles white, as she forced herself to remain still.

Horace, sensing no harm done, grinned at the gathering. "Good evening, everyone! Looks like a bit of a family reunion." He turned his attention to Sadie, reaching into his pants pocket. "We're here with some good news." He pulled out an envelope and handed it to her.

Sue Ellen, sitting stiffly beside him, harrumphed, her nose lifting in distaste. She gripped the arms of the chair as if to contain her annoyance.

Sadie took the envelope with trembling fingers, her smile wavering under the weight of the moment. Her future rested in the words within. She felt the tension in the air, the weight of Sue Ellen's disapproval pressing down on her, but she pushed through the discomfort. With the group watching her intently, she opened the letter and scanned its contents. Tears welled in her brown eyes as she read the words: she had the teaching job.

"I've been accepted," Sadie whispered, her voice choked with emotion. She stood, holding the letter up for all to see. "I'm the new teacher!"

Cheers erupted from the sisters, and Zim clapped in approval. Horace's broad smile gave evidence to his pride. But as Sadie's gaze drifted toward Sue Ellen, she saw nothing, but a cold stare fixed on the floor. Sue Ellen's body remained rigid, her lips pursed in displeasure.

Florence, sensing the tension, clapped Sadie on the back, her voice full of warmth. "I knew it! You're going to do wonderfully, Sadie."

Lillian nodded. "The children will thrive under your care. I'm so ready to step aside."

Sarah Ann's eyes twinkled as she spoke. "We'll throw a party! A celebration for the new teacher!"

The three sisters immediately began discussing plans, their voices overlapping with excitement. Only Sue Ellen remained silent, her face unreadable as she stood abruptly. "Horace, I need to go home. I'm feeling…ill."

Horace looked at his wife, concern flickering in his blue eyes, but he quickly nodded. "Of course. We'll take our leave." Looking at Sadie he said, "Sadie, the board wants to meet with you again at the end of the week to discuss the contract and the details of your duties. The school year will begin the first week of September. We will meet at the schoolhouse on Friday morning at ten o'clock."

"Yes, Sir, and thank you for your kindness and generosity." Sadie's politeness was genuine, and her manner was meek and mild. "While I'm in the schoolroom, I've been watching the children playing in the schoolyard and taking notes of what I see. You know, how physically fit they are—their large muscle movement."

"Excellent! I've no doubt Rocky Corners is fortunate to have you attending our young students."

"I'll do my best, Sir."

Lillian spoke up. "Horace, you've no idea how this makes me feel…to have a young lady take over my duties. Thank you."

Horace raised his hand, shaking his head. "It was the unified agreement of the board. I just voted, Aunt Lillian."

"My dearest aunts and Uncle Zim, it was wonderful to sit with you. I'll see you at the party on Friday?" He bowed slightly and turned to his wife, taking her elbow, the pair made their way down the porch steps, Sue Ellen raised a hand in a hasty farewell, without looking back.

The moment the buggy rolled away, Florence's smile faded, her voice dripping with exasperation. "Of all the women in the world, our nephew had to marry that one."

Lillian snorted in agreement. "She's an embarrassment, plain and simple."

Sarah Ann sighed and added, "I'm just glad our dear sister isn't alive to witness it."

Zim remained quiet, puffing on his cigar as the sisters vented their frustrations. Sadie, though relieved Sue Ellen hadn't spoken a word to her, couldn't shake the dread that settled in her chest. Her future might be in Rocky Corners, but so was Sue Ellen. And avoiding the woman's wrath would be no small feat.

But Sadie steeled herself, breathing in the warm evening air. The sisters' conversation wrapped around her life, like a fire in the middle of the night. They cared for her, and she was with people who loved her and who would help her. And, with God's help, she would manage. And with a new job ahead of her, she had something else to focus on—something far more important than the past.

CHAPTER FIVE

"Sister, I'm working in the garden today," Lillian told Florence. "I'm planning to enter pickles this year in the contest during the summer picnic, so I need to check on my cucumber plants." Lillian chose a buttery yellow bonnet from the peg on the wall and tied it under her chin.

Florence smiled. "It's been so long since I tasted your pickles! What a treat it will be for me." Florence remembered the pickling times at home when their mother harvested the cucumbers from the garden and put them in crocks full of pickling brine. Rows and rows of dill pickles, sweet pickles, and relish lined the pantry shelves. "Is Sadie gone?"

"I'm right here," Sadie answered, coming around the corner into the kitchen. Carrying a red and black plaid satchel, her plans were to go to the schoolhouse for a while.

"Look at you looking like a teacher already with your bag," Lillian's smile was coy, her eyes dancing on her face.

"I'm practicing," Sadie said with a laugh. "I'm going over to the schoolhouse. Be home later."

"You'll find me in the community garden," Lillian offered.

"And I'm going to the mercantile to order a typewriter. Lillian, I have an idea for creating a library here in your house…" Florence paused and looked at her sister. Would she accept the idea of creating a library for the town to use or nix it all together?

Lillian turned with an expression of surprise on her wrinkled and powdered face. "Oh! A library? What an excellent idea, Florence. When are you wanting to do this? And do you have enough books? Which room are you thinking about using?"

Florence laughed at her sister's questions. "I've been thinking about doing this for a while. I wanted to start my private library in Indiana because there was a library across town. Now that I'm in Rocky, I think our town needs one. It would start small. It could multiply with Papa's collection of books and publications and what the school and churches have. And I'll look into donations and other help to build the shelves. And what about the screened porch on the west side of the house? We could have Zim box it in so it would be warm in the winter."

Lillian's expression floundered. "Give up the porch? My heavens, Sister!"

Florence nodded. "I understand it will be hard not to use the porch anymore. But do you use it much? Last night, we were sitting on the veranda in front."

Lillian put a fingernail between her lips and thought. "I suppose I could give up the porch if it means Rocky Corners had a library. Shall we discuss it after we get home from our errands?"

Sadie made her escape at that moment, leaving the sisters to talk among themselves about a library.

Florence agreed. "I'll stop by the garden after I finish at the mercantile. She gathered her purse and followed Lillian down the walkway to town.

At the mercantile, Marcus Lamott showed her the typewriter models on the shelf. Then Florence looked through the catalog at the array of new typewriters. She chose the latest model of an Underwood and had Marcus put in the order. She added a box of lead pencils, a bottle of black ink, and two pads of paper to her basket. She planned to share the pencils with Sadie in case she needed them for her schoolwork.

Leaving the mercantile, Florence found Lillian working diligently in the garden, hoeing the long rows of vegetables. Lillian did not work alone. Laura Laney and her daughter, Emma, Cynthia Houser, and her girls, Lilly and Dicey, worked alongside the others. Florence admired the vast garden the community cared for. Multiple rows of sweet corn grew near the mounds of white and sweet potatoes in the southern part of the garden. A few women busied themselves picking string beans, and Victoria Harbourt and Martha Ford were on water duty. A well was nearby and supplied the much-needed water when drought struck.

A wooden fence enclosed the garden to keep critters away. Large gates on each of the four corners of the fence allowed wagons to flow through easily. Florence waved and called friendly greetings to the workers. When she spotted the orchard to the east with an abundance of apple, peach, and pecan trees, she walked over to inspect the trees. The trees in the orchard were bare of fruit, and when Florence asked about it, Victoria told her it would be a scarce year all over Missouri for fruit due to a hard freeze late in the spring.

The garden was the culmination of the Rocky Corners residents all working together to feed the community. They chose the eastern side of town near the orchards. The rich soil near the creek bottom offered an ideal place to plant and harvest vegetables for all to enjoy.

When Florence met up with her sister, she saw Lillian's large basket overflowing with green cucumbers. "Sister, I think your basket will be too heavy for you to carry home!" She laughed as Lillian placed two more cucumbers on top of the pile.

Lillian grabbed her lower back and sighed. "And I think it's time for me to return home. All this stooping and bending and raking has irritated my back."

Florence helped Lillian lift the woven basket and place it in a nearby cart. "We use these carts to haul the produce wherever it needs to go," Lillian explained. "Look at all those cucumbers. I'll have a fine batch of pickles for the picnic!"

"More like batches," Florence said. "What kind are you making this year? I know last year you lost to Martha Ford. Your pickles were soft."

"Dill this year," Lillian replied. "I thought up a new recipe for a crunchy dill, and there's a secret ingredient that I plan to use."

"You can't beat a good dill pickle!" Florence nodded. She grabbed the wheeled cart, and they returned to Lillian's house. Once there, the sisters discussed the plans for starting a library while they washed the cucumbers, placing them in large granite dishpans.

***

Sadie sat at her desk, thinking about lessons for the beginning of the school year. Excitement filled her heart to overflowing. Her dream was coming true. She was the new teacher in a new town. Her gaze turned to the window and watched three boys playing outdoors in the schoolyard. She noted how they were playing with a ball, bouncing it, catching it, and throwing it. After writing a few notes on each child, she stepped outside to meet them. When she rounded the corner of the school, she heard two boys. They called him names and laughed as he tried to bounce the ball through a hoop attached to a tall pole. Each time he threw the ball, it bounced everywhere but inside the goal.

"Toadie can't bounce a ball!" The tall boy called out and laughed.

"Yeah, Tommy Toad, Tommy Toad!" the other boy shouted.

The chubby boy threw the ball again, but it bounced away, and he dropped his arms by his sides, a frown on his face. "Stop calling me that!" He shouted back as the boys ran after the runaway ball. His wide, reddened face held the anger that bubbled up inside. He swiped at his bulging eyes and waited for the boys to return with the ball.

"No, you're not getting another turn! You can't hit the broad side of the schoolhouse, Toad!" The taller boy slammed the ball through the hoop and cheered.

"But we're supposed to share our toys!" Tommy argued.

"Who says?" the tall boy yelled, eyeing Tommy. "We don't have a teacher, remember?" He laughed and caught the ball when his friend threw it to him.

"Hello!" Sadie called, waving to the children. She watched the surprise register on the boys' faces when she walked toward them. "I couldn't help but overhear."

"I don't know who you are…" the tall boy eyed Sadie as he held the ball with both hands and hesitated to throw it.

"I'm Sadie Danley, the new teacher. I've replaced Mrs. Lamberson."

All three boys stood with their mouths open, staring at Sadie. Sweat beaded their foreheads from the exertion of playing ball. Tommy swiped at his reddened face and shuffled his feet. "I'm Tommy Dabbs."

Sadie greeted the boy. "Hello, Tommy. How old are you?"

"Ten."

She nodded and looked at the other two boys. "And what about you two?"

The taller boy swallowed hard and dropped the ball to the ground. "I'm Sammy Horton, and this is my friend, Michael. He's eleven."

"I think Michael can speak for himself." She looked at the other boy.

The other boy nodded quickly and answered, "I'm Michael Hayes. I'm eleven."

"It's nice to meet you boys. I've been working at my desk inside, and I've been watching you shoot the baskets. You're promising athletes. Do you have a team?"

The boys shuffled their feet, ducking their heads before they answered. "Nah, we just like to play. Never thought about teams."

Sadie sprinted over, picked up the ball, bounced it on the ground, and poised to shoot. When the ball cleared the hoop, the boys smiled and cheered.

"Wow, that was awesome!" Phillip said, nudging Marcus on the arm. He looked at Tommy. "Think you can do that?"

Tommy shook his head. "Our teacher is good!"

Sadie smiled, hoping to begin a bond with her students. While she had no professional experience working with children, she knew building a trusting relationship with each child was important. In the orphanage, she helped Mrs. Hannigan teach the little ones. She hoped to build trust and respect with her students, too. She caught the ball and threw it to Tommy. "Here, Tommy, it's your turn. Let's see what you can do!"

Tommy caught the ball, bounced it on the ground, then leaped and threw it toward the basket. The ball hit the rim and jumped back into his arms. He laughed when he caught the ball and threw it again. He missed the goal.

"That's okay, Tommy," Sadie encouraged him. "Keep practicing like you're doing. That's what counts." She looked at the other two boys. "We'll start a team when school begins. Sammy and Michael, I want you to think about who should be on the teams. Think you can figure it out?"

"Yeah, I'd like that," Sammy said. His chest puffed out more, and he shot a smile at his friend.

But Michael frowned. "I'm not so sure I want to be on teams and compete. I'll have to ask my Pa."

Sadie agreed. "Oh, we will get permission from all the parents before we do anything like that."

"I need to get on home," Sammy said, looking at Tommy; he frowned but didn't say anything. "Come on, Mikey, let's go!"

When the boys left, Sadie looked at Tommy. "I heard what the boys were saying to you."

Tommy's face grew red again, and he looked down at the grass.

"Do they treat you like this all the time?"

For a moment, Tommy hesitated. Then, he looked at Sadie and spoke. "Yeah, they think I look like a toad frog! Round and ugly, that's me!"

Sadie moved closer to Tommy and gently said, "Tommy Dabbs, you are not ugly." She placed her hand on his little shoulder. "I see a wise, strong boy standing beside me. I think you look like a prince!" She saw the spirit spark in the boy's eyes.

Tommy stood a little taller and squared his shoulders back. "Nobody's ever said that to me before."

"Well, it's true. I tell you what. I'll help you practice anytime you like. Do you play baseball? There are balls and bats inside. And it just happens that I love baseball!"

"Yes, I like playing baseball, but the other two don't because they can't hit the ball very good."

Sadie smiled. She had the information she needed to help Tommy work on his skills and help him exercise. Maybe he would lose a few pounds. "You don't need their approval to do something you like and are good at."

Tommy's eyes sparkled even more. "Can we play sometime?"

Sadie smiled and nodded. "Of course. When I'm here in the school room I'll play with you for a few minutes. I need exercise." She flexed her muscles and smiled.

"Me too!" Tommy laughed. "I'll get on home. Thanks, Mrs. Danley!"

"I'm Miss Danley. I'm not married."

Tommy waved and ran off down the lane.

Sadie smiled. Her first assignment was to build Tommy Dabbs's confidence so that he would eventually be able to take responsibility for himself and stop the teasing.

 CHAPTER SIX

A faint breeze stirred the leaves overhead as Tommy shuffled off the playground. Sadie settled at her desk to list activities to help Tommy grow stronger, which might spark his enthusiasm and bring some weight loss. She jotted down Sammy and Michael's names, reflecting on each boy's personality. With his towering frame, sandy hair, and mischievous blue eyes, Sammy Horton naturally took the lead in any situation. She noted ways he might harness that influence positively, guiding the other children instead of unsettling them. Then there was Michael Hayes, quiet and hesitant. She made thoughtful notes to encourage his confidence.

Sadie smiled softly, imagining the boys thriving under her guidance. The anticipation of meeting the rest of her students when school officially started filled her with purpose. She had spent countless hours crafting lessons for the coming months, studying every textbook in her possession, and scribbling meticulous notes. Her heart swelled as she thought, I'll finally meet the community tomorrow night.

With a deep breath, Sadie's heart flickered with hope. Lord, I pray this is where I belong. Teaching—and a family of my own—that's my dream. I hope to meet someone who shares this dream.

Sliding her notes into the desk drawer, Sadie prepared to visit Tommy's parents. Adjusting her straw hat, she slipped a small notebook into her satchel and locked the schoolhouse door. The midday sun cast long shadows as she made her way down the hill into Rocky Corners. She passed the sheriff's office, where two men lounged on barrels. Their game of checkers paused as they tipped their hats in greeting.

Outside the newspaper office the next door, the steady clack and hum of the printing press spilled into the street, underscoring the town's dynamic rhythm. Clive Clayburn worked away inside, his focus intense as he prepared the latest edition of the Rocky Corners Gazette.

Further along, Sadie's steps slowed as she caught sight of the millinery. She saw ladies trying on vibrant new hats through the window, admiring their reflections with delighted grins. A tall, cheerful woman balanced a small mountain of hats, handing one feathered, emerald-green hat to her friend, who tilted her head to view it from every angle. Smiling to herself, Sadie moved on past the Lamott Mercantile, where townsfolk bustled in and out, hefting sacks and boxes onto wagons, their chatter lively and full of plans for the evening meal.

A delicious scent wafted from Sarah Ann’s Cafe—a blend of fresh-baked goods, sizzling bacon, and something sweet and warm. The rich aromas tugged at her senses, and her stomach tightened with hunger. She made a mental note to visit the cafe soon.

Arriving at the crossroads, Sadie took a seat on a sturdy bench near the artesian well. She watched as two women approached, each carrying large wicker baskets. Both women wore cotton day dresses, but one was fuller, and her blue dress snugly hugged her round stomach.

"Are you the new teacher?" the woman in blue asked with a smile. Her gentle voice was as warm as her eyes, which sparkled like sunlit water.

Sadie rose and extended her hand. "Yes, I'm Sadie Danley."

The woman took Sadie's hand, her grip firm. Sadie guessed she was only a few years older. Beneath her bonnet, blonde curls peeked out, catching the sunlight. "I'm Kate Dabbs. It's wonderful to meet you."

She turned to her friend, "This is Martha Johnson."

"We're pleased to welcome you, Miss Danley." Martha's dark braid fell over her shoulder. Her face was freckled from days spent under the sun. Her brown eyes held a warmth that mirrored her easy smile.

Sadie's curiosity sparked as she looked at Kate. "Kate Dabbs? Are you by chance Tommy Dabbs' mother?"

Kate's cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes lost a hint of their earlier sparkle. She leaned forward, her voice lowered. "Yes, I am. Is he in some sort of trouble?"

Sadie's hand flew to her mouth as she shook her head. "Oh no, not at all! I met him and two other boys today on teh playground. I was just coming to speak with you about him." She hesitated, glancing at Martha, not wanting to divulge too much for privacy's sake.

Kate nodded, seeming to understand. "Martha, why don't you head to the garden? I'll catch up shortly."

Martha agreed, waving goodbye before continuing down the path.

Kate's voice softened, her expression tired. "I have a little one waiting at home, but the garden gives me a bit of exercise and fresh air. Now, what did you want to discuss about Tommy?"

Sadie took out her notebook and opened the page she had dedicated to Tommy. She explained the playground meeting and shared a few ideas for keeping Tommy active. "I'm concerned about the teasing from the other boys," she said, pausing to gauge Kate's reaction.

Kate's eyes lit as she considered the ideas. "Well, as you can see, I've struggled with my weight, especially after having a baby. I've tried to stay active. Working in the garden helps, and I believe it's important for Tommy to stay active, too. My mother-in-law helps with the children so that I can do my part. We benefit from the community garden, so it's only fair I contribute to it."

Relieved, Sadie's smile widened. "I completely understand, Kate. I'm working on developing lesson plans and physical activities to encourage the children. And Tommy's keen on baseball, so I plan to start a team when school begins."

Kate's hand moved to her throat, her smile warm and grateful. "Thank you, Miss Danley, for taking an interest in Tommy."

Sadie's heart lifted. "It's my calling to watch over the children, even beyond the classroom. I'm dedicated to their well-being." She smiled. "So, are you comfortable with this plan?"

Kate's face grew thoughtful. "I'll talk it over with my husband. Lyle's the postmaster and cares about what's best for the kids." Her gratitude was evident as she added, "I think he'll be pleased."

Sadie nodded, joy lighting her features. "Thank you, Kate. I'll see you tomorrow evening."

Sadie watched as Kate hurried off to join Martha, her confidence bolstered. Her plans for Tommy had found acceptance, and now, if she could connect with the rest of the families, her work in Rocky Corners would truly begin. Tomorrow's gathering was just hours away, and she took a deep, settling breath, savoring the steady pulse of her growing purpose.

***

Sadie stepped into the steamy warmth of Lillian's kitchen, and the sharp tang of apple cider vinegar, fresh fill, and pungent onions swirled in the air. A heavy mist fogged the windows, making the room feel like a pickle-scented hothouse. Across the kitchen, Lillian was flushed and red-faced, a few damp curls plastered to her forehead as she set a massive granite pot on a quilted hot pad with a huff of effort. Her shoulders drooped, and she groaned, "Good heavens, I'm sweatin' myself into a puddle!" she exclaimed, fanning herself with gusto.

"Miss Lillian, you're making pickles!" Sadie said, eying the gleaming row of mason jars lined neatly on the sideboard. Just then, one of the jars pinged loudly, a sign it had sealed.

"For the life of me, I don't know why I keep doing this to myself every summer!" Lillian exclaimed, her wrinkled face scrunching in mock exasperation. Her usual twinkle was missing, replaced with the resigned weariness of someone facing a labor of love she loved only half the time.

Sadie tilted her head, a playful smirk lighting her face. "Could it be because you want that blue ribbon at the picnic this year?" She raised her eyebrows knowingly, a sparkle in her brown eyes. She knew Lillian's annual pickle battle was no small matter, and the sisters' tales of the women one-upping each other were practically legendary around town.

Lillian sighed, wiping her bow. "That blue ribbon will be hanging in my living room this year if I have anything to say about it!" she declared with a look of steely determination; one hand planted firmly on her hip. Sadie stifled a laugh, but it slipped out anyway.

"I want to help." Sadie stepped beside Lillian, peering into the bubbling granite pot.

"Bless you, child! Now, mind you take each jar out carefully. I don't want them jostling each other. Place them on that tea towel, a little space between each one," Lillian directed, reaching for the next batch of cucumbers. Sadie followed the instructions, her hands feeling the heat radiating off each jar as she lifted it.

Between their movements, Sadie's face lit up. "Guess who I met today…Tommy Dabbs, Sammy Horton, and Michael Hayes on the playground. Then, at the well downtown, I met Kate Dabbs and Martha Johnson!" she announced, her voice excitedly bright.

Lillian's laughter erupted. "Oh yes, I know those boys, and they're a handful, all right. Kate's husband is Lyle, the postmaster. His family's been in Rocky Corners since the beginning of time, I swear!" She shook her head, chuckling. "And Martha Anne's people came from Green County, Indiana. Good folks, both of them. You'll have friends by the dozens soon enough."

"I saw and heard plenty out of the boys."

"Oh, that Sammy Horton's a naughty one! If you so much as blink, he'll have you spun around faster than a mule in a thunderstorm! You'll want to keep your eyes on him and that Hayes boy—they're peas in a pod, those two." Lillian's laughter rang through the kitchen like a cheerful bell. "But they're sweet, really. Children are little angels…until they grow horns, that is!"

Sadie snickered, barely suppressing her laughter. "More like devils with pitchforks, poking each other just to see the reaction!"

Lillian nodded sagely, her gray curls bouncing. "They sure are! But give them some guidance, keep them in line, and they'll follow you around like ducks after a bucket of corn. They need a firm hand, and they love you all the more for it!"

Sadie bit her lip, tucking the advice away in her mind. She knew her first days as a teacher would bring their share of challenges, but Lillian's seasoned confidence gave her a glimmer of reassurance.

After a moment, Lillian placed the heavy granite pot back on the stove with a satisfied sigh. "Well, that's my last batch for the day!" her eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked at Sadie. "Now, it's hard to keep a secret, but would you like to know what my special recipe calls for?"

Sadie's eyes went wide with delight. "Oh, yes, Miss Lillian! Tell me!"

Lillian leaned in close, her voice a whisper as she divulged her secret ingredient. Sadie's mouth dropped open as she gasped, turning to Lillian with a wide yes. "Really? I never would have guessed!"

Lillian grinned, folding her arms in satisfaction. "Never tasted them myself, but I have faith this batch will win me that blue ribbon!"

Sadie gasped at her. "You've never tasted your recipe?"

"Nope, not a lick," Lillian replied with a wide smile. "But sometimes, Sadie, you've just got to pickle with conviction!"