Keeper of the Bees: Valley of the Bees #3

Keeper of the Bees

Valley of the Bees #3

By Amanda L. Webster

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

Elderfly Press

Keeper of the Bees: Valley of the Bees #3

Copyright © 2017 by Amanda L. Webster

*****

The Bee

By Emily Dickinson

Like trains of cars on tracks of plush

I hear the level bee: 

A jar across the flowers goes, 

Their velvet masonry

Withstands until the sweet assault

Their chivalry consumes, 

While he, victorious, tilts away

To vanquish other blooms.

His feet are shod with gauze,

His helmet is of gold; 

His breast, a single onyx

With chrysoprase, inlaid. 

His labor is a chant, 

His idleness a tune; 

Oh, for a bee's experience

Of clovers and of noon!

Chapter 1: Like Trains of Cars on Tracks of Plush

Valley curled into a nest of prickly hay in the barn loft and pulled her ratty barn blanket around herself, warding off the chill of a rainy March morning. The rain had barely let up for weeks. It tapped out an irritating, staccato rhythm against the tin roof overhead. Valley usually enjoyed the natural music of spring, but if this kept up, the family would never be able to return to their summer camp in the river bottoms. The barn cat, Mark Twain, wended his way through the few remaining hay bales, drawn to Valley’s body heat. Mark Twain didn’t have much use for humans, for the most part, but he would make an exception for Valley. He usually disappeared – off on his own feline adventures – in the summertime, but come winter, Valley could count on him to meet her in the barn loft for the occasional snuggle and deep, one-sided conversation.

Valley? Are you in here? Junior’s shouting from below startled Mark Twain. He scampered off into the shadows, his tail thrashing back and forth behind him in irritation. Mark Twain was not a fan of Junior or Liam, though he loved Reyna and would sometimes tolerate Joaquin.

Valley groaned. Couldn’t she have an hour – just one hour – to herself, for once? The family’s small farmhouse would have grown crowded enough, with just Valley and her father moving in with Abigail and Granny for the winter. But now, Reyna and Joaquin lived with them as well. Junior had taken up residence in Valley and her father’s smaller house next door, but he didn’t seem to enjoy living alone there as much as Valley imagined she would if she were in his position. They had thought Junior would have Uncle Jacob’s old hound dog for company at first, but the dog had frozen to death wandering the property that winter, searching for his absent master. It just went to show that an animal could stay loyal to its master, no matter how poorly the master had treated it.

I think she’s hiding on us. Liam’s voice filtered up from below. His family now lived a mile down the road in a formerly-abandoned house that almost overlooked the river bottoms. Neither the distance, nor that winter’s harsh weather had kept him from coming to visit Valley almost every single day over the past several months.

I know where she is, Joaquin said. His voice echoed against the barn floor beneath her.

Valley groaned again at the sound of Reyna’s little brother scampering up the ladder to her hiding place. She pulled the blanket over her head and pretended to sleep.

Joaquin bounced into the hay beside Valley, sending dust motes flying through the air. There was no way she could keep up the pretense of sleep with him stirring up the barn loft and making so much noise. He began to pull at the blanket in an attempt to unroll Valley, but she just pulled it tighter around herself.

Joaquin, leave me alone, Valley said. Her fingers gripped the edge of the blanket.

Liam’s dad wants you in the house, he said.

Valley uncovered her head and peeked out at Joaquin. Her messy hair crackled with static electricity. A piece of hay poked her cheek. What does he want? she asked.

Joaquin shrugged. He jumped up and ran to the edge of the loft. I found her! he called down to the others.

The sound of Liam and Junior both scuffling to be the first one up the ladder was soon followed by Liam’s head poking over the edge of the loft floor. What-cha doing? he asked.

"I was enjoying the peace and quiet," Valley said. She sat up and patted her hair down in an effort to calm the static.

Liam climbed the last few rungs into the loft. He crab-crawled across the floor to Valley and plopped down next to her in the hay. He took her hand in his, but jerked it back when a shot of static electricity zinged between them.

Ow, Valley said. She shook her hand in an attempt to disperse the pain.

Sorry, Liam said. Want me to kiss it and make it better? He took her hand again and pulled it toward him, dropping a sloppy kiss on her fingers. This time, she was rewarded with a jolt of electricity of a different kind. The current seemed to flow directly from Liam’s lips and into Valley’s fingers, travelling up her arm, spreading through her chest, and continuing to the southerly regions of her body, flushing her with a heat that was not completely unwelcome.

Junior, who had fallen into the loft in a clumsy heap, stood and brushed the dust from his trousers. He still insisted on wearing his nice town pants when there was no hard manual labor to be done. He had even learned to iron creases into the pant legs just like his family’s former laundry lady had done for him when he was growing up. The only difference was, Junior had to heat a flat piece of metal over the wood stove, while his laundry lady had access to electricity and a real iron. Junior stood and glared at Liam now, obviously not happy that Valley was so easily accepting his affection.

Valley extricated her hand from Liam’s. The presence of both boys in the same room never ceased to make her uncomfortable. They were two completely different young men, but her feelings for each of them were so similar.

Your father wants you in the house, Junior said. He leaned over Valley and offered her a hand up.

Valley accepted the offer and slipped her hand into Junior’s. His palm was softer than Liam’s. His callouses were newer, but his hand was still strong. It wrapped around hers in a firm, yet easy grip. Once Valley was on her feet, Junior held on for a moment longer than was necessary. As usual, she experienced the exact same heat that had coursed through her body at Liam’s touch.

What’s going on? Valley asked. She retrieved her hand and tucked it, still tingling, into the pocket of her hoody.

We’re having a family meeting, Joaquin said. Everyone is here. He picked up an armful of hay and tossed it into the air above their heads. It floated down, scattering across the loft floor and sticking in their hair.

Cut it out, Liam said. You’re wasting the hay.

Joaquin blushed and ducked his head. He scuttled across the loft and disappeared down the ladder before he could be reprimanded any further.

He wasn’t hurting anything, Junior said. He offered Valley a hand onto the ladder, but she waved him off. She grabbed a handhold on the wall and scooted herself down the ladder with ease. And, why not? She’d been making her own way up and down that barn ladder her entire life.

The whole point of getting everyone together today is to discuss how we’re going to ration the rest of our supplies until we can get back down to the river bottoms, Liam said. His voice followed Valley down to the ground floor level of the barn. What do you think will happen to the cows if we run out of hay before there’s enough grass for them to graze on in the pastures?

Joaquin stood in the open barn door, waiting for the rest of them to catch up. Are those two at it again? he asked.

Valley shrugged. She had grown used to Liam and Junior’s constant bickering.

Outside, rain splattered into pools of muddy water. There were deep divots in the mud where the cows’ hooves had sunk into the muck. Their fresh dung disappeared into the sludge almost as soon as they dropped it. Long boards laid across the barnyard provided the cleanest path between the barn and the farmhouse. But, the boards were slippery from the rain.

Despite the slip hazard, Joaquin hopped out onto the boards, nimble on his bare feet, to head to the house. You know they’re really fighting over you, don’t you? he asked.

Whatever! Valley hollered after him. She forced her attention back inside where Liam and Junior were now attempting to make their way back down the ladder at the same time.

Liam jumped down the last few feet and grinned up at Junior. Hah! he said. I beat you.

Junior scowled and rolled his eyes. He made his way down the rest of the ladder, careful not to scuff his shoes.

Would you two quit screwing around and come on? Valley asked. She pulled up the hood of her sweatshirt to cover her head and followed Joaquin outside.

Joaquin waited for her in the middle of the yard. He poked at the mud with a stick, oblivious to the cold rain that pattered against the top of his head and wetted his clothing. His sleek, black hair hung in damp clumps that fell across his forehead and dripped into his eyes.

How deep do you think the mud is, now? Valley asked. It had become a game for them to guess the depth of the mud and measure how deep they could shove a stick into it before hitting the hard dirt underneath.

Joaquin shrugged, ignoring Valley’s question. You know, he said. Dan says those two would stop bickering so much if you’d just pick one of them already.

Hold my hand, Junior, Liam said. He stood several feet out onto the boards and extended a hand toward Junior, who was hesitating at the barn door. I’ll help you across if you’re scared to get your shoes muddy.

Leave him alone, Valley said. She tucked her hands up into her sleeves and hugged herself to ward off the chill. Her feet were bare, but a lifetime of saving her shoes and boots from wear had hardened them to the elements. Junior, just take your shoes off and walk across barefoot like the rest of us. It’s easier that way.

Why are you wearing those slippery-bottomed shoes out here in the barnyard, anyway? Liam asked.

Junior took a deep breath and stepped out onto the boards. My boots are wet, he said. He set each foot in front of him with the greatest care. Liam backed across the yard in front of Junior, still holding his hand out for him in case he needed something to hold on to. After the first several steps, Junior’s foot slid forward, and he began to tilt to one side.

Liam stepped closer to Junior and reached for his hand, but Junior refused to take it. Instead, he lost his balance and toppled sideways into the muck. Liam froze in place for a second, his tense body teetering and almost toppling into the mud after Junior, but he managed to regain his balance. A moment later, he was laughing at Junior, who was now sprawled out on his back with his shiny shoes in the air. The rain splattered in the mud around him.

Shut up! It’s not funny! Junior said.

Ah, come on, Liam answered. It is a little bit funny. He broke out into another peal of laughter. He bent over, resting his palms on his knees, and continued to laugh.

Valley grabbed Joaquin’s stick away from him, turned on her bare feet, and stalked across the boards back to Junior. Why are you being such a bully? she asked Liam. She shook the stick in his face as though she might strike him with it.

Liam backed away and waved his hands in front of him. I tried to help him, he said. He continued to laugh.

Hey, do you hear that? Joaquin asked.

Hear what? Valley asked. She leaned across the mud, extending the stick toward Junior. He took hold of the other end, and together the two of them pulled his body up out of the mud.

Junior tried to get up without putting his feet in the sludge, but it was no use. These shoes are done for, he said.

Guys, listen! Joaquin said. His voice was more urgent as he grabbed Valley by the sleeve and shook her arm.

What is it? Valley asked.

Joaquin shushed her. The four of them grew quiet. A long, low rumbling echoed across the countryside.

Is that what I think it is? Junior asked.

Liam and Valley grinned.

It’s a train, isn’t it? Joaquin said. I didn’t know you could hear them way out here in the country.

Come on, Liam said. "We have to tell the others.

Joaquin was the first to burst through the back door of the farmhouse. He swiped his muddy feet across the rug in the mudroom once before hopping up the steps to the kitchen. Reyna! he called. There’s a train coming!

Valley, Liam, and Junior followed Joaquin into the crowded kitchen where Bree was helping Reyna and Granny with lunch. Valley’s father, Abigail, and Dan sat at the table with cups of steaming sassafras tea. Liam’s younger brothers milled about the kitchen, underfoot as usual. They were always ready to snatch an extra slice of bread, a cookie, or even a crumb, if they thought they could get away with it.

Abigail propped her tired head on her arm. Her sallow face told the story of yet another sleepless pregnancy night. She had been ill throughout her pregnancy and hadn’t perked up in her second trimester, as Granny had assured Valley she would. The third trimester was proving to be just as trying.

Reyna pulled a pan of cornbread from the oven and dropped it onto the kitchen counter with a clatter. A train? she asked. Coming here? She laughed. That sounds like one of Aidan’s crazy stories, kid.

It’s not a story, Joaquin said. He stuck his tongue out at his older sister. Besides, I didn’t say it was coming here. I just said it was coming. We heard it.

Really? Bree said. She stirred a gigantic pot of the beans that had become a part of the families’ daily menu. That’s good news for the townsfolk. That usually means fresh supplies coming in. That is, if anyone has anything to trade for them.

Huh. Dan snuffed into his tea. The new mayor will get most of the trade goods, no doubt.

It’s too bad the train will just pass us on by, Ethan said. He bounced his fist on the table with a light, thud, thud, thud. Now that old Herm’s dead, there’s no one at the depot in Mason to wave the train down for us.

That’s okay, Dan said. We’ll manage somehow. Speaking of which—Valley, about how many bales of hay would you say we have left in the barn?

Valley considered the barn loft and tried to think how many bales had been there. She hadn’t really been paying attention to that. I don’t know, she said. Maybe twenty to twenty-five?

Dan made a note on the sheet of paper he had been scribbling on. He had taken on an increasing number of Ethan’s duties during the long winter that stretched out behind them. It had seemed awkward at first, reporting to Liam’s dad rather than to her own father or even Uncle Jacob. But, Valley had begun to grow accustomed to her father’s increasing ambivalence.

That’s not going to last much longer, Ethan said. He scratched his chin and stared up at the ceiling. Damn cows, maybe we ought to just butcher the lot of them and be done with it.

Valley scowled. Her father was sounding more and more like Uncle Jacob lately. Was the plague going to make him crazy, too? Junior had so far shown no signs of being affected in that way, but he was much younger than Valley’s father. She hoped that her father was just growing cranky in his old age. Perhaps this was as bad as it would get for him.

Dan chuckled. Well, I don’t think things are all that grim just yet, he said. The cows are a bit thinner than I’d like them to be. We might need to butcher one to get us through till the grass starts coming in, but I don’t think we’ve reached the point where we need to shoot the whole herd just yet.

Valley grinned at the idea of harvesting a cow. Visions of dinners past, complete with roast beef and a side of anything but beans, flashed through her head. Spring wasn’t the ideal time for butchering the lean animals, but a grilled steak sure would hit the spot after a long winter of beans and cornbread.

Let’s hold off on that thought for the time being, Dan said. If we tighten up on our rations a bit, I think we’ll still have plenty of grain for the livestock, at least for a couple more weeks. For all we know, the rains could quit any day now. The upland pastures have been slow to thaw out this year, but there’s already grass popping up around the edges of the flooded areas in the river bottoms. We just can’t get to it right now.

What about the train? Joaquin asked. He seemed disappointed that no one was interested in discussing it any farther.

Maybe next time, Abigail said. She rubbed her temples as if she was getting a headache. For a moment, Valley thought she saw a tiny foot pressing out against the taut fabric of Abigail’s makeshift maternity shirt. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about the new sibling that would soon be born to her father and her former aunt.

Dinner’s ready, Granny said. She took a stack of plates from the cabinet and handed them to Reyna.

The younger boys all lined up to get their plates. Reyna placed a square of crumbly cornbread on each plate before handing it over to Bree to ladle beans over it. Granny handed each of them a spoon to go with their meal and sent them off to find a place to sit.

"Valley, can you