Page 17 of The Formation of Us
“This is Evelyn and Claire Grayson, the sheriff’s sisters-in-law,” Faith introduced. “And his mother, Nancy.”
Cora puffed up with importance. “Aunt Iris says Mama’s going to marry the sheriff.”
Faith nearly choked, but Nancy Grayson laughed.
“Who brought those delicious cookies?” Aster asked.
It allowed Faith a moment to recover. Living her life behind a brothel and learning everything from books had filled her head with knowledge of trees and herbs and flowers. She could name every muscle in the body, but she didn’t know how to navigate through an ordinary conversation.
“Evelyn baked them,” Nancy said. “Claire made the stew. You’ll soon see why I’m glad my sons married these gals.”
Aster nudged Faith’s arm. “Marry the sheriff so we can claim our place at this woman’s supper table.”
Faith wanted to clap her hand over her aunt’s mouth, but the Grayson women laughed. Nancy and Aster exchanged a look of frank appreciation. Aster had a harder, grittier edge than Nancy, but they were two of a kind with their plainspoken manner.
Iris handed Nancy a small jar of lavender oil. “Let us return your gifts by giving you a peek at the other side of our business.”
Faith shook her head, but Iris ignored her and upended an empty metal pail. “Tansy, round up a couple more buckets for the ladies.”
Tansy hurried off in a swish of skirts.
“Iris, we’ve kept the ladies too long already,” Faith said, warning Iris not to cause trouble like she had with Sheriff Grayson. “I’m sure they have to get back to their families.”
“Oh, I hope not.” Iris clasped her hands in front of her like an excited girl. “Say you’ll stay for a few minutes and let us treat you to something special.”
“You’ll love it,” Aster added, nodding for Nancy to sit on the bucket.
“All right. Why not?” Nancy Grayson sat her small, slightly plump body on the pail. “What do I do now?”
“Close your eyes,” Iris ordered, moving to stand behind her.
Faith wrung her hands. “Aunt Iris, please.”
“To be surprised at my age is an immense pleasure,” Nancy said. “Let her be.” With that, she shut her eyes, and Faith shut her mouth.
“This is best done with oil and herbs, but you can still enjoy it this way.” Iris pushed the pads of her thumbs into the flesh between Nancy’s shoulder blades. “There is an art to massage,” Iris explained, her voice smooth and mesmerizing as she rubbed slow, small circles on Nancy’s back.
The woman’s shoulders lowered and her head sagged forward. “I’m gaining a new appreciation for art,” she said.
Evelyn and Claire exchanged a sisterly grin, as if seeing a side of their mother-in-law they hadn’t known.
Iris worked Nancy’s trapezius muscle between her thumb and index finger, relaxing the muscle one delicate pinch at a time. Tansy returned with Dahlia, each of them carrying a bucket. Faith introduced Dahlia to the ladies, but Nancy could barely open her eyes to greet her.
She moaned and hunched her back like a cat. “This old body hasn’t known so much pleasure since my husband was alive.”
Evelyn and Claire laughed, and Faith couldn’t stop her smile. Like Aster, Nancy Grayson’s candor was growing on her.
Tansy overturned a bucket in front of Evelyn. “I’m good at this too.”
Evelyn held out her hands as if to ward her off. “I’m happy to watch my mother-in-law melt off that pail.”
Tansy caught Evelyn’s hand and peered at her palm. “Lord, child, how did you get these calluses?”
“Taking care of a livery full of horses.”
Cora’s eyes goggled. “You have horses?”
“Twelve of them.”
