Free Falling in Love With Her Husband by Ruth Ann Nordin Page A

amount for all I had collected
    was more than what Todd had given me. It was
    embarrassing, but she smiled.

    “You can put the difference on credit and pay it off
    later,” she offered. “Many people do that. Payment doesn"t
    necessarily have to be money. It can be items you make,
    such as pot holders. It could be jewelry. I have a couple of
    merchants who like to purchase jewelry from me. Payment
    can also be in the form of fruits, vegetables or eggs. I even
    accept it when people help me maintain this store.”

    “I"m not sure. I better put some things back for now.”
    I wasn"t sure what skil or item I had that would be useful for
    her store.

    “Whatever makes you comfortable. The offer will
    always stand in the future.”

    “Thank you.”

    A man entered the store with a box full of eggs. “I
    have a couple more boxes in the wagon. Mr. Johnson"s
    hens are real y pushing them out today.” He smiled when he
    saw me. “Hello. My name is Mark Coley.”

    “I"m Ann Brothers.”

    “She and her husband are the new owners of the
    Martin farm.” She looked at me. “It"s the only farm vacant at
    the moment. That"s how I know. Mr. Martin left most of his
    supplies there, so you should be in good shape. I know he
    took good care of his things.”

    He nodded. “We look forward to seeing you more
    often then.”

    “And please, take this recipe book as our gift to you.”

    “Thank you,” I replied. I was overcome by their
    kindness.

    I glanced out the window and saw Todd leaving the
    bank. “I have to go. My husband is waiting for me.”
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    Falling In Love With Her Husband

    “Let me help you with those bags,” Mr. Coley offered.

    “Thank you, again.”

    I joined Todd and introduced him to Mr. Coley. After
    Todd and Mr. Coley put the bags in the wagon, they shook
    hands. Mr. Coley gave him directions on a quicker and
    easier way to get to the farm. Todd thanked him and then
    we left.

    “The people here are nice,” Todd commented.

    I nodded. Turning my attention to other matters, I
    asked, “Did they hire you at the bank?”

    “My interview with the boss is the day after
    tomorrow. I"l know then.”

    After the months we traveled for what seemed like
    endless miles, I thought the trip to the farm would be quick,
    but it seemed longer than our trek across the states.

    An hour passed by the time we arrived at the empty
    white two-story house. Mr. Martin had left modest
    furnishings, which were still in good shape except for the
    kitchen table that had a wobbly leg.

    “I had to take out a loan to pay for it,” Todd explained
    as I looked around.

    I tried not to get discouraged as I looked at the dust
    and cobwebs covering everything. My parents would never
    accept such living conditions. You’re not in Virginia
    anymore. This is a different world.

    “The water from the well should work,” he said. He
    left to check it.

    I went to investigate the small house. The parlor
    was spacious and led to the front door. The dining room led
    to the kitchen. The kitchen led to the back door. There
    were two closets and a small room with things in it that I
    didn"t recognize. The wooden stairs led to three bedrooms.
    I stepped out of the last bedroom and walked down the
    stairs. The kitchen had a pump at the sink.

    “We"re in luck,” Todd said when he came back into
    the house through the front door. “The water is good.”
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    Falling In Love With Her Husband

    I hesitated to ask the question that pressed on my
    mind but had to because sooner or later, I"d have to use the
    privy. “Where is the toilet?”

    “The outhouse is in the back. I"l show you where.”

    I followed him to the kitchen window which
    overlooked the fields and the barn. He pointed to a small
    wooden building the size of a closet that had a door. It was
    between the house and the barn.

    “The well"s out front, so the water won"t get
    contaminated from…” He shrugged. “You know.”

    The idea of going to the bathroom