*Author's Note*

Thank you for the reviews, faves, and follows.

I ain't telling who Novella's gonna end up marrying in the sequel, but it's going to be a marriage of survival and she won't be widowed for long. Oh my… Any guesses on who's hubby #2 is? Well, no boys for McCoy can go a couple different ways so stay tuned to see how that pans out.

Oh, you know how kids always pick up on bad words? Well that happens in this chapter, lol.

Spring & Easter, 1881

Novella POV:

A few months had gone by. Within that time the Tug River Valley endured a harsh bitter blizzard and Rihanna started to talk. When she said her first word, which was mama, I was overjoyed. Tolbert was outside by the barn cuttin' firewood an' I ran out to him wit' our daughter in our arms shoutin' joyfully that she said mama. My husband just smiled before droppin' his ax an' cooin' to our girl that she did a good job sayin' mama and that he knew she'd say that word first. A couple weeks later when Tolbert was holdin' Rihanna an' bouncin' her on his hip after comin' home from a day full of shine deliveries our daughter said her second word, which was poppy.

After that words came easily to her. Currently it was spring now and at 18 months Rihanna could say mama, poppy, unca, anti, gpappy, gmama, bye-bye, hi, up-up, yea, no, go, dog, milk, and cookie. Of course, she knew her name even tho she couldn't pronounce it. She'd point to herself whenever I'd ask her 'Who's mama's Rihanna?'. She could pronounce simple names. For example, she could say Perry, Mo, Billy, and Bud. Also, Rihanna could say simple sentences too like mama up-up, poppy no, etc.

Since it was now officially plantin' season Tolbert was busier then usual. My husband was plowin' our fields, helpin' plow his poppy's fields, and makin' his shine along wit' deliverin' it all over both sides o'the Tug. Safe to say Tolbert was gone a lot and didn't get home til supper time, or a bit past it.

Today was a nice sunny spring day in April and I was visitin' with Roseanna. She was hangin' up laundry and I was helpin' her while Rihanna was runnin' 'round nearby chasin' after a butter-yellow butterfly. "Oh, she's just the cutest thing." Roseanna smiled, pinnin' up a shirt, while watchin' Rihanna try to snack the butterfly that fluttered 'round her.

"She is, she's always runnin' 'round an' playin'. Chases both the dogs 'round whenever she's outside."

"Oh, bet those hounds just love that."

"They don't mind. The dogs usually just run an' play wit' her. She giggles whenever they lick her face, slobberin' all over her." I told Roseanna 'tween hangin' up clothes on the long line.

"I'd like to have chil'ren one day." Roseanna sighed dreamily 'fore grabbin' a shirt an' some pins from the basket 'tween us. "Mr. Hatfield still won't budge an' let Johnse marry me. Keeps sayin' he won't defy poppy 'bout me."

Oh wow, what was I s'posed to say 'bout that? My sister-in-law was so sweet and I didn't want to hurt her feelin's, but I knew that hell'd freeze over first 'fore Devil Anse gave his permission for Johnse an' Roseanna to wed. I just hung up a small dress while trailin' out a long flowin', "Oh…"

"Johnse promises that we'll be married by this time next year. That he'll get his poppy t'come 'round. Even says he's been sweet talkin' his mama to try an' get her t'soften Mr. Hatfield." Roseanna rattled off as she hung up a sheet, causin' me to just smile. Poor naïve thing has no idea that Levicy wants her outta the house. I can tell by Mrs. Hatfield's tight lipped smiled and curt remarks that she can't stand Roseanna. No sweet words from Johnse's gonna be changin' that.

Talk bout the devil's wife here she comes outta the backdoor of the house luggin' a large wicker laundry basket. "Roseanna, go inside an' help Nannie wit' gettin' the tobacky stains outta Uncle Jim's shirts." Levicy tightly told the meek blonde as she plopped the basket down next to the half-empty one I was grabbin' a pinstriped shirt from.

Roseanna just nodded, a fallen look on her heart-shaped face, 'fore doin' as she was told. Me an' Levicy hung up clothes in silence for maybe a minute 'fore the woman opened her mouth an' said, "I don't think Roseanna's a bad person, but she's too lazy for a grown girl of age. Shouldn't be tellin' her what chores to do, she should already know what's to be done."

"Roseanna was Ole Rand'l's favorite. Many times, if she was tired or felt ill she sat 'round an' did needlework." I explained, sheddin' some light on why Roseanna was the way she was when it came to work, as I pinned up a pair of pants.

"Lazy girls grow into useless wives." The woman with the toffee colored bun spat out, hangin' up a long-john shirt. "You're just visitin' an' ya volunteered t'help Roseanna hang the wash. I can see you're a hardworkin' woman without complaints."

"Mind blowin' since I grew up rich in Pikeville, ain't it?" I asked sarcastically as I grabbed a shirt to hang up.

"You're more then what meets the eye, Novella. You're a strong woman an' in times like these ya gotta be." Levicy told me with a slight smile and a nod 'fore grabbin' a piece of clothin' from the basket. Levicy let out a long sigh 'fore lookin' at me and sayin' in her syrupy accent, "Couple week's Easter. My family'll be at the church services with Roseanna. It'd be nice if Roseanna could go home wit' her own for dinner."

"And perhaps stay with them too." I concluded, pinnin' a sheet to the line.

"Yes, but for that the McCoys need to acknowledge her, want her home."

"Ya want me to talk to them." I stated, not asked, since I saw how the middle-aged woman's wheels were turnin'.

"Yes, that's exactly what I want." Levicy confirmed, noddin' her head as a slight calculated smirk crossed her face.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you." Levicy told me with a small and genuine smile on her lips. Lookin' 'tween me and the clothes basket she told me, "If ya want you can collet your girl an' go. I'm sure you needa do your own housework an' cookin'."

I just nodded at her suggestion 'fore askin', "Tell Roseanna I said goodbye, would ya?"

Levicy just smiled and pinned up a shirt. "Of course, dear."

I was just 'bout ready to put Rihanna into the wagon whenever Cap an' Jim Vance rode up to the house, dismountin' an' hitchin' their horses to the post. Cap's stallion was next to my wagon while Jim's was next to his. They had a few rabbits hangin' from their saddles. And of course, Jim's mutt-dog moseyed behind him. My daughter loved dogs so of course her cornflower blue eyes lit up when she saw the wiry lookin' thing with brown-white patchy fur. "Dog! Mama dog! Dog! Dog!" Rihanna excitedly pointed at the dog on the ground as I held her 'gainst my hip near the wagon.

"Miss Landon, your girl can pet Mr. Howles. He's a good dog, won't bite none." Jim Vance told me, pointin' 'tween my daughter an' his dog, as he chewed on his tobacco. Tar-tinted spittle sprayed from his mouth, drippin' down his straggle grey beard, as he spoke.

"Uncle Jim…" Cap hissed lowly at his uncle, givin' him a dirty look with his mismatched eyes.

"What?" The grungy pot-bellied rough lookin' man asked Cap 'fore answerin' his question with a deep-gruff toned, "They're Sawyer's kin, technically our kin too." Rollin' his eyes at his great-nephew he scoffed, "Don't see how the girl pettin' a dog's a big deal."

"Dog! Dog! Dog!" Rihanna shrieked with excitement, her tiny finger pointin' at Mr. Howles. What kinda name's that anyways?

"Hell, give her t'me so she can see my damn dog." Jim snarled for rippin' my daughter outta my arms.

"Hey! You can't do that!" I shouted in protested. I was appalled that the man just snatched my daughter from me. Who does he think he is?

"I just did. Now go on an' talk to Cap here for a minute while the girl sees Mr. Howles." Jim chuckled in my face 'fore bringin' my daughter over to where the dog, Mr. Howles, was at sittin' on his haunches.

"Her name's Rihanna, not girl." I spat, glarin' at the man with my unamused cornflower blues.

"Got'cha." Jim Vance, the grungiest mountain man I've ever seen in my life, nodded 'fore settin' Rihanna on the ground next to his dog.

"How've ya been?" Cap asked, no doubt refurin' to my condition.

"Good." I simply answered. "Still gettin' spurts of mornin' sickness now an' 'gain." I added in, why I wasn't sure since I was none of his really.

"You're startin' to show so those spurts should be endin' soon." He assured me in his deep rollin' wave of a voice as he leaned his elbow on the edge of my wagon.

"I hope so."

He looked over at Rihanna pettin' an' playin' with Mr. Howles 'fore tellin' me, "Anna's growin' up fast. She's your spittin' image."

With a smile I nodded and said, "Everyone says that."

"Ya know this should be your last visit up here."

"Why? Cause you don't think Roseanna's stayin' much longer?" I asked, wonderin' if LEvicy had told her son somethin' similar to hat she'd told me earlier.

Cap quickly shook his head, his shaggy blonde hair lightly zig-zaggin' underneath his black Stetson. "No, cause Anna's talkin' good now an' if she accidently said somethin' to make your husband suspicious…let's just say I don't trust your drunk husband and don't want you or her hurt."

Readin' 'tween the lines I realized what Cap was afraid of. I tilted one of my thin auburn brow while statin', "You think Tolbert'd beat us or somethin' if he found out I'm visitin' Roseanna."

Cap nodded his head an' let out a long-exasperated sigh. He looked at me, his head slightly cocked, an' told me, "Nova, it's no secret that Ole Rand'l McCoy belts his kids an' slaps 'round his wife. I hope his son ain't doin' that to ya'll, but don't needa be givin' him a reason to start either."

"I understand, Cap." I said, emphasizin' the p in his name, for tightly addin', "This'll be my last visit, don't worry."

"I ain't sayin' this to be mean. It's just too risky, plus you're with child too." Cap told me, his mismatched eyes lookin' at me wit' some sort of pity, as he tried to convince me that his words were meant to be helpful an' not hurtful.

"I said I understand, ya don't gotta harp on it like I'm an idiot." I snapped a bit too harshly, causin' Cap to shrink back slightly. My rough-voiced remark took him off guard. I sighed, takin' a small breath to calm myself, for walkin' over to the backend of my wagon. "Rihanna, honey, come here. Come to mama." I called out to my daughter with a smile as I watched her pet and giggle at the mutt-dog that was nuzzlin' her. Rihanna ignored me, just kept on playin' with the dog. I let out a sigh 'fore walkin' over to her. I bent down an' pried her 'way from the dog while sayin', "It's time to go, Rihanna."

"No! No go! Dog! Dog! Dog!" Rihanna protested, reachin' out for the dog as she shook her head. Her copper tangled mess of hair bounced 'round, nearly fallin' out of the ribbon it was tied back wit' that's how fast she shook her head.

"Maybe ya should get her a pup. Girl likes dogs." Jim Vance advised me, his hands folded over his dirty shirt covered chest.

"She's got dogs at home. I don't know why she's bein' so difficult." I said in a baffled tone as I stood up with my daughter in my arms.

"She's bein' so difficult cause her damn daddy's Tolbert McCoy." Jim Vance sneered in a know-it-all tone to his deep cuttin' accented voice.

Suddenly Rihanna stopped cryin' for the dog. Her mouth opened an' out popped out a brand-new word of, "Damn."

Jim Vance, the crochety ol' man with a straggly grey beard and messy low ponytail, just let out a howlin' chuckle. Glad the old goat found my year and a half old daughter cursin' funny, cause I didn't.

"And that's why today's your last visit up here." Cap pointed to Rihanna while shootin' me a shit eatin' grin. "Jim, let's get these critters skinned for mama." Cap told his uncle as he untied his rabbits from his saddle.

"Nice meetin' ya, Miss Landon." Jim told me, most likely mockin' me even tho his voice was even and held no jest in it. It was just hard for me to believe that the crochety man would actually like me or feel that meetin' me was nice.

"Likewise." I lied thru my teeth as I reached my wagon. I honestly could've done without him today, now my daughter's gonna be cursin' up a storm rest of the day.

"Need any help?" Cap asked, the string of rabbits hangin' from his grip, as he stood next to me.

"No. I didn't have any help gettin' on at home so I don't need no help now from you, Cap." I snapped while I placed Rihanna up into the front seat of the wagon.

"Ooo…she told ya off good, son." The crochety man reekin' of likker an' body odor chuckled as he stood nearby untanglin' his huntin' catch from his saddle.

"Shut up, Jim." Cap hissed, tossin' the critters at his uncle. "Just let me help ya." Cap took my hand in his. I gave him a tilted look which prompted him to say in his deep rollin' tone, "You're expectin' an' it'd just put my mind at ease. Don't want ya fallin' or nothin' like that."

"Fine, I'll accept your help." I caved, knowin' that if I wanted to get home I'd have to let the shaggy blonde in his large black Stetson hat help me. Even tho I didn't want or need his help.

Without a word he handed me my reigns an' went over to his uncle. As I pulled 'way from the Hatfield house I noticed that Jim Vance and Cap walked up the steps side by side, rabbits danglin' from the older man's hand. Jim smacked Cap on the back an' said somethin' that made him storm off into the house. Hmm, nice to know that Jim Vance got under his great-nephew's skin too an' I wasn't the only one annoyed by him today.

Today was my last time comin' up here. Hopefully in a couple of weeks Roseanna'll be back home in Kentucky where she belongs.

I spent most of my afternoon tellin' Rihanna not to say damn cause it was a bad word. She didn't listen, just randomly popped out the word in a sing-song string 'fore goin' off to play wit' her stuffed toy or watch me cook an' clean. It was just 'bout dinner time and I was settin' the table whenever the front door swung open. I heard my husband's bots shuffle into the cabin before I lifted my head to the area of the door.

"Oh, how's my girl today? Good?" Tolbert asked Rihanna as he bent down by her and scooped her up.

"Yea." Rihanna smiled and nodded her head, her voice sweet an' high pitched.

"Ya an' mama have a nice day? What ya'll do?" Tolbert asked, bouncin' our daughter on his hip, as he walked over to the table.

"Dog." Rihanna simply replied as Tolbert placed her on the wooden raised chair seat that he made for her.

"She spent some time playin' with the dogs." I informed Tolbert as I placed a platter of chicken on the table. It was a half-truth, but whatever. My husband didn't need to know who's dog she played with, if he though it was ours then so be it.

Takin' a seat by our daughter he smiled 'fore sayin' in his velvety timbre, "Wish I could play wit' 'em dogs all day. Be more fun then workin my hands raw."

"What work were ya doin' today?" I asked, sittin' down after placin' the last servin' bowls down.

Tolbert began to fill up his plate as he told me, "Finished plowin' poppy's tobacky field wit' Pharmer."

"Oh, did Ole Rand'l an' Bud get the corn field done?" I asked, makin' a plate up for out daughter who was sittin' 'tween us.

"Yea, they got it done." Tolbert nodded as I set down Rihanna's plate in front of her.

Rihanna picked up a piece of the tiny chicken I cut for her. Before she placed it in her mouth she smiled and sing-songed the dreaded word of, "Damn."

"Ella, where'd she learn that?" My husband asked, his velvety-gruff voice low, as he poured our daughter a glass of milk while I made up my own plate.

"I dunno." I shrugged 'fore lyin' 'tween my teeth with, "Must've overheard you or one of your brothers use it. She just started spittin' it out when I was makin' dinner."

Tolbert just nodded his head, acceptin' my lie as truth, as he poured us cups of coffee. Oh boy, I dodged a bullet there. Reckon Cap's right, it's too risky to keep visitn' Roseanna wit' Rihanna in tow.

Rihanna grabbed a small carrot slice and gobbled it down for grinnin' and lettin' out a string of, "Damn, damn, damn."

"Don't say that no more." Tolbert ordered Rihanna, his stormy eyes set I a firm stance.

Rihanna just looked at her poppy with a pissy-face 'fore openin' her mouth and sayin', "Damn."

"No more, Rihanna. Now I mean it, one more time an'-" Tolbert began to shout 'fore I abruptly cut him out wit' a loud flowin' cry of, "And what, you'll belt her? I won't let ya do that. She's not even two yet, Tolbert. She don't know what she's doin's bad."

"I got belted, just 'way of correctin' a bad child, Ella." He told me before chewin' on his big piece of fried chicken.

My eyes narrowed at my husband and my lips formed into a firm line 'fore I remarked, "Yea, well, Uncle Perry never belted me so I ain't beltin' my daughter. Neither are you."

"Fine, if that's what ya want." Tolbert nodded, givin' into my rule of no beltin' chil'ren. He ate some carrots 'fore sighin', "Ya know spoilin' an' coddlin' her'll turn her into a brat or lazy. Just look at Roseanna, she were poppy's fav'rite an' got special treatment. Now look where she is, livin' in sin wit' 'em demon Hatfields."

"She's kinda stuck with them since your poppy won't talk to her or let her come home." Only if Ole Rand'l would budge, then things could simmer down and the hate stewin' an' brewin' could cool an' perhaps dissipate. "Tolbert, maybe we could go an' get her? Let her stay wit' us for a bit, have her help me wit' Rihanna?" I asked in a hesitant, but hopeful, tone while nibblin' on my slice of butter-bread.

"No, we're not gonna get her." Tolbert firmly told me, shovin' a large forkful of carrots into his mouth. After chewin' an' swallowin' his food my husband's nostrils flared up a bit as he smoothly grumbled, "She knows where we live, if she wants outta West Virginie bad 'nough she can get on a horse an' come here."

Knowin' I wasn't gettin' anywhere with my ginger-haired husband I just nodded my head, dropped the subject, and finished eatin' my chicken dinner.

Over the next two weeks I tried to reason with the McCoys, but my pleas went on deaf ears. Roseanna was still banned from the house an' all mention or talk of her was still forbidden. The fact that my Uncle Perry was goin' along with the madness baffled me. He was a grown man an' an accomplished lawyer, raisin' his young nephew, so him bendin' to Ole Rand'l's craziness was unbelievable.

It was Easter Sunday and the entire McCoy family along with Uncle Perry and Moses were dressed up in new fine clothes just for the occasion. Every Christmas Eve and Easter everyone gets a new dress or suit for church. It was a tradition amongst the McCoy family. My uncle practiced the tradition too, always giftin' me with a beautiful new dress for the holiday church service.

I was sittin' in the pew with Tolbert, Rihanna, Pharmer, Bud, and Calvin singin' whenever the Hatfields plus Roseanna walked into the church. All of them had on their Sunday best. Nothin' new tho, just nice. Johnse walked Roseanna up the aisle, his arm locked wit' hers, an' I couldn't help but notice how much he seemed to care for my sister-in-law. Even tho he was a skirt chasin' philanderin' horn dog the pretty-boy seemed to genuinely care for Roseanna or at least that's what it looked like to me. The handful of times I've seen him with her he seemed tender an' lovin'.

The McCoys refused to acknowledge the Hatfields and Roseanna as they passed by to their pew. The down stricken look on Roseanna's sweet face was heartbreakin', it was clear that her family's rejection was takin' an emotional toll on her. I felt so bad for her, even more so now that I couldn't visit her no more.

Ole Rand'l glared hatefully at Devil Anse, to which the latter man just shook his head an' rolled his eyes with a firm set jaw 'fore stompin' off to his pew, draggin' his wife with him. Tolbert was also cuttin' eyes at the Hatfields, along with his brothers. Cap just smirked an' tipped his black Stetson as he walked by, causin' my husband to let out a slight growl of hatred an' irritation.

After a few minutes Reverend Garret called for an end to the hymns and began to preach his sermon. The sermon was long, full of the miraculous joys of Easter. He went on and for nearly half an hour on why anyone an' everyone should be washed in the blood of the lamb after he finished his retellin' of the Easter story. Reverend Garret kept eyeballin' the Hatfields throughout most of his sermon too.

"Have a blessed Easter Sunday. I'll see all of ya'll back for next week's services." Reverend Garrett announced after closin' his bible. He walked over to the large doors and opened them, causin' a flood of people to exit. Since our pew was one close to the back we were one of the first people out of the building, with only a few in front of us. The Stapletons shook hands with the reverend 'fore walkin' off. "Good day, Tolbert and Novella McCoy." The reverend told us, shakin' our hands.

I just smiled at the preacher while my husband curtly nodded and said, "Reverend.", 'fore leadin' us down the steps and away from Reverend Garrett and the church doors.

Just like back in January I heard Levicy's syrupy laden voice pierce throughout the air with a shrill cry of, "Sally! Sally, I needa talk to you!"

"Damn Hatfields needa leave us alone." Tolbert's velvet-gruff timbre muttered under his breath as he quickened our pace to the wagon.

As Tolbert was helpin' me into our wagon, wit' our daughter balanced on his hip, Levicy continued to run after my in-laws, shoutin' for Aunt Sally.

As Tolbert set Rihanna down on the seat next to me I watched Ole Rand'l usher Aunt Sally an' the chil'ren off to their wagon 'fore turnin' 'round an' meetin' Levicy halfway in the street. "My wife ain't talkin' to ya. No need too." Ole Ran'l barked, lookin' at Levicy like she was a bug that needed squashed.

Tolbert just climbed into the wagon while a scene was goin' on. Mrs. Hatfield wasn't backin' down. Her shoulders were squared off an' her chin held up high as she stared down Ole Rand'l. In a syrupy, but strong tone she told me father-in-law, "Ole Rand'l, you should let her speak to me. Mother to mother, bout Roseanna."

"Roseanna ain't my daughter no more, Sally's neither. She's yours, do wit' her as ya like since she's in love wit' Johnse." Ole Rand'l sneered in a low, but flat and emotionless tone 'fore turnin' 'round an' goin' over to the wagon where his family was at.

Oh my god, I can't believe that just happened. That Ole Rand'l actually told Levicy what he did.

Tolbert didn't say a word, just snapped the reigns and pulled our wagon onto the street. Levicy paused in her walk to her family's wagon only to give me a pointed look that also had a sense of sadness, shock, an' defeat in it. I just shot the middle-aged woman a look full of apology and sadness, tryin' to convey that I tried my best to soften up Ole Rand'l's mind. Rihanna, who was sittin' 'tween me an' her poppy, just waved at Mrs. Hatfield while lettin' out a small squeaky, "Hi!"

"Don't talk to that woman. She's a demon married t'Devil Anse Hatfield." Tolbert barked gruffly at our daughter, causin' her to look at him with wide eyes.

I whirled my head 'round an' snapped at Tolbert, "Don't tell her that. She's too young t'understand, you'll just scare her."

"She ain't too young t'start hatin' Hatfields." My ginger-haired husband boldly remarked in his velvety-gruff timbre, his face pursed in annoyance an' aggravation.

I couldn't believe what had just come out of my husband's mouth. We just got out of church an' he's talkin' bout teachin' our daughter, our precious innocent daughter, how to hate people cause of their name. I didn't condone that, not one bit. I hated growin' up bein' picked on cause I was Perry Cline's niece. I won't allow my daughter t'grow up bein' a bully, like one of those whom taunted me as I grew up.

"Tolbert, it's Easter, let's not think 'bout that today." I suggested in a soft flowin' tone as I wrapped an arm 'round our daughter, holdin' her close to my side.

Tolbert just chewed on his lip, scrunched his face, and nodded his head in reply to me. Silently we rode to the McCoys', our wagon not that far behind Ole Rand'l's. Hopefully our Easter dinner goes smoothly, but I reckon Ole Rand'l, Tolbert, an' all of the older boys are gonna be bitchin' an' moanin' bout somethin' Hatfield related. In all honestly this hateful feud seems foolish and useless, like a bunch of misunderstandin's that grown men don't wanna hash out.

I pray that Roseanna's able to return home soon. I feel that the longer she's with the Hatfields the greater the chance of somethin' awful happenin' 'tween the Hatfields and the McCoys.

AN:

And the Hatfields are still stuck with Roseanna…Randall really meant it when he kicked Roseanna out, disowned her, and told her to stay with the Hatfield's didn't he? It always irked me that Perry never tried to talk some sense into Randall, but I guess back then men didn't tell other men how to parent/father? I dunno. Next chapter will be a time/season jump to summer/July.