The Hand-Me-Down Family by Winnie Griggs Page B

were. I’m sorry you got such a sorrowful introduction to Sweetgum.”
    Ida Lee reached for Callie’s hand and Jack was hit again with the memory of how Callie’s touch had made him feel.
    Callie was trying to reconcile the mental image she’dformed of Ida Lee from Julia’s letters with the reality standing here in front of her. She’d never realized before that Julia’s descriptions had actually focused more on people’s character and manner than their physical attributes.
    Which was probably why folks around here didn’t know anything about her birthmark.
    And which was also why she hadn’t realized Ida Lee was such a big-boned, sturdy-looking woman. The kind you could picture handling farm chores with ease.
    But Ida Lee’s smile, as big and hearty as the woman herself, was infectious.
    â€œThank you.” Callie found it easy to respond to her warmth. “I apologize for not having any refreshments to offer you.”
    Ida Lee waved a hand, flopping it from the wrist. “Oh, land’s sake, girl, we didn’t come here to put you to any trouble.” She reached under the buggy seat and lifted out a covered basket. “In fact, I brought you one of my maple pecan pies.”
    â€œHow very kind.”
    There was nothing dainty about Ida Lee’s laugh. “Truth be told, it’s a way to repay you for all the prying I’m about to do.” She turned to her husband. “You menfolk go off now and take care of the horse and wagon while Callie and I have us a nice little chat.”
    Jack and Virgil didn’t need to be told twice.
    Callie nodded toward the house. “Why don’t we get out of the sun?”
    â€œNow that sounds like a mighty fine idea.” Ida Lee chattered on about the heat until they reached the porch. Then she plopped down on the rocking chair.
    Callie took a seat on the swing.
    â€œImagine that, Julia’s friend Callie right here in Sweetgum. And you’re Lanny’s widow to boot. If that don’t beat all.” She shook her head in wonder. “The Lord does work in mysterious ways.”
    â€œThat he does.” Callie glanced over to where the children were engaged in a boisterous game of tag.
    â€œNow don’t you go worrying about the kids. The big ones’ll keep an eye on the little ones. They’ll be just fine.” She loosened the strings of her bonnet, letting it hang loose against her nape. Then she picked up a leaf-shaped fan and waved it in front of her face. “Goodness, but it’s a scorcher today.” She gave Callie a friendly smile. “We don’t hold much to suffering for the sake of appearances hereabouts. No point sweltering underneath that bonnet of yours now that we’re out of the sun.”
    Callie weighed what she knew about Ida Lee, both from Julia’s letters and from her few minutes of personal acquaintance. “How much did Julia tell you about me?” she asked carefully.
    Ida Lee paused in her fanning. “Not a whole lot. I mean, we all knew she had a friend she left behind when she moved out this way. ‘The sister of my heart,’ she used to call you. But she never did go into any specifics.”
    â€œSo she never mentioned my birthmark?”
    â€œBirthmark?”
    Callie loosened her bonnet and let it fall back just as Ida Lee had done. Out of habit she had sat on the woman’s left side, so she had to turn her face for Ida Lee to get the full effect.
    The woman winced. “Oh, my.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” Callie reached for her bonnet. “I’ll cover it.”
    Ida Lee resumed her fanning. “Don’t be a ninny. It’s too hot for that and you sure don’t have to hide your face on my account. Just takes some getting used to, is all.”
    Callie smiled as some of the tension eased from her spine. The woman’s words might be less than genteel, but there was no doubting her