The Mockingbird's Ballad

She kept her silence and looked at the worn, lined profile of his face and the gray hair that had nearly replaced the dark brown. His moustache's color was mostly gray, a real difference from seven years ago at Caladonia Plantation where she first laid eyes on him. He put his other hand to his upper lip and pulled down on his lip, mouth, and moustache to his chin. It reminded her of how she'd pulled on the milk cows' teats before sun-up.

"Here's what I'd like to happen. I need a rest. I've taken a room in Dellrose and paid for a month. My books will be here next week. I'd like to do some reading, sleeping and just nothing for a spell. 'Course, I want to call on you and if you'll allow, help you, work with you. You've known me as a horse soldier and someone in charge. This is your outfit, not my cavalry," he smiled. "I'd like to get the feel of it and be with you. Ain't saying I'll make a fittin' hand but I'll work hard at it. Reckon your granddaddy's got some old clothes and brogans I can borrow?"

He'd been talking to the parlor only occasionally turning to catch Lou's eyes. Seemed he was dreading her response. With her right hand she took his chin, turned his head so as to face him square and said, "We'll ask. 'Spect he does." She smiled shyly and looked at their joined hands. His hazel eyes met hers. She pulled that hand away and placed it on the side of his face, leaned forward and kissed him with tenderness and eyes open.

Supper was Mama Bear's fresh tenderloin with Aunt Mary's cornbread, Nancy Bird's fried potatoes and hot blackberry pie. Solon had two helpings and talked lots. Lou listened intently and smiled a lot.

===

Now three weeks after his arrival, Lou and her beau were going to Fayetteville for a Saturday outing.

"Wonderful land, this part of the world," Solon offered. "These gentle hills feel old, kind - if land can give off feelings."

"Mama Bear says it can," Lou responded gazing at the scenery about them. "I believe that, too," she added.

"Those fields, hills, and mix of trees and cultivated land show God's bounty, I think," Solon invoked. "The limestone outcroppings of the scrub thickets with those scrappy cedars show me there is some Grace even from poor ground. Well, well, sorry Lou. That sounds like a sermon illustration. I just thought of it, but you know, it ain't bad - might use it on the circuit. It suits lots of places." He chuckled and smiled into Lou's peaceful brown eyes.