Free River's Song - The Inn at Shining Waters Series by Melody Carlson Page A

mean?
    "However?"
    "Well . . . perhaps I was wrong about my mother. I wonder if she was starting to appreciate some of the old ways after all." Anna smiled at Hazel now. "Would you like to see something?"
    "Oh, yes!" Hazel was already fumbling for the rope. "Most definitely yes!"Anna knelt down, helping to secure the boat to the dock, and extending her hand to steady the old woman, she helped her climb out. "I'm just so pleased!" Hazel exclaimed as they walked down the dock. "So very pleased and excited!"
    Anna had to admit that Hazel's enthusiasm was rather contagious. As she led the eager woman up to the house, Anna felt a solidness inside of her, as if she was doing the right thing. She realized that Grandma Pearl had entrusted her with something precious, something Anna didn't fully understand or perhaps even completely respect . . . as of yet. But suddenly it felt very important to do whatever she could to preserve her grandmother's stories and traditions. It didn't matter that Lauren, or even any future generations, might have no interest in the old ways of their ancestors. Anna realized that she had interest. She was doing this for Grandma Pearl . . . and for herself.
    "Oh, my! Oh, my!" Hazel held the first basket in her hands as gently as if she were holding a freshly hatched bluebird." This is absolute perfection. Beautiful." She went on to describe the design and the materials with such expertise that Anna's confidence in her grew.
    "I made this one myself." Anna held up the sewing basket.
    "You made this?" Hazel peered at her through her slightly fogged lenses. "Yourself?"
    "My grandmother taught me."
    "Exquisite." She carefully set the basket back on the coffee table. "Do you know who taught your grandmother?"
    "Her mother, of course."
    "Of course." Hazel nodded, taking this in.
    "Please, sit down."
    "Yes, thank you, don't mind if I do." Primly, Hazel sat on the edge of the couch, folding her hands in her lap and watching Anna with an uncertain expression.
    "Would you like something to drink? I haven't much to offer. Water, milk . . . or I could make coffee or tea."
    "Oh, I don't want to put you to any trouble." She was wiping her glasses again.
    "It's no trouble."
    "Water would be lovely."
    Anna filled them each a glass and returned, handed one to Hazel, and then sat down in the old rocker adjacent from the couch. It had been Daddy's favorite chair and just sitting in it now brought back a wonderful sense of him. She could almost smell the tobacco from his pipe.
    "Thank you," Hazel murmured, taking a dainty sip. Then she looked up at Anna with her mouth partially open, looking rather strange. Almost as if she were unwell.
    "Are you all right?"Anna leaned forward.
    "Oh . . . yes, I'm perfectly delightful, dear." She made a sheepish sort of smile. "I think I have been rendered nearly speechless. And, for me, well, that is highly unusual."
    Anna chuckled. "I see."
    Hazel pointed to the baskets on the coffee table. "Those baskets—oh, my—they are like discovering a treasure chest." She peered intently at Anna. "Do you get my meaning?"
    "Not exactly."
    "So unusual . . . so exquisite." She shook her head. "I am almost afraid to handle them."
    "Oh, they're very well made. They can even be used for—"
    "Yes, yes, I don't doubt that. It's just that they are so rare— more valuable than precious jewels—at least in my opinion. They should probably be in a museum."
    "Oh." Anna frowned.
    "Not that I'd try to take them from you, dear. I'm just saying—"
    "I appreciate that."
    "You will take good care of them, won't you?"
    Anna smiled. "Yes, of course. They're like a treasure to me too."
    Hazel sighed. "That's a comfort. Thank you for allowing me to see them."
    "My grandmother told me that her mother and aunt taught her how to make these kinds of baskets while they were on the reservation."
    "Oh? I'm surprised that was allowed."
    "She did mention that they did it secretly." Anna smiled. "In fact, when Grandma Pearl