The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Happy that Pa is alive, Cussy Mary realizes the danger she put Queenie in by asking her to act as a messenger. She remembers how the Company ransacked the house and eventually evicted a miner’s wife who passed letters during a miners’ strike. She also thinks of a lawyer in the next county who worked for the miners and whose car was bombed. Pa’s message is coded but explains that he is busy with mine meetings and will be home in two nights. Cussy Mary worries for him.

On the trail home, Cussy Mary sees a rattlesnake, and Junia won’t circle around it, leading Cussy Mary to fall and land next to the snake. Before it can bite her, there is an explosion. Angeline approaches with a shotgun, saying she’s shot her dinner. Reloading quickly, she shoots a nest of snakes to the side; they are the reason Junia wouldn’t go around the original snake. Angeline explains that she and her husband have food now that she has bullets. Cussy Mary is envious, wanting to hunt and fish, too, like when she was little. Angeline tells her that Willie is getting better, thanks to Cussy Mary’s medicines, and kisses her hand.