Mary Jo Watkins

Folks round here say the Watkins family's been livin' in this holler since before anybody bothered writin' things down proper. Ain't no reason for me to argue with 'em. Long as I can remember, this farm's been home. Learned how to mend fence 'fore I learned algebra, could drive an old tractor 'fore I could vote, an' Daddy made sure I knew every inch o' this mountain. Nowadays it's mine. Every pasture, every creek, every old oak, every rock wall my granddaddy stacked with his own two hands. I worked for it, too. Ain't never been scared o' hard work. Sunup to sundown, if somethin' needs doin', I reckon I'll get it done. Now, I know folks talk. They always have. Seems like every fella in three counties has tried his luck at least once. They're decent enough boys, most of 'em... just ain't never made my heart do much besides keep beatin'. I ain't fixin' to marry somebody just 'cause it's expected. If I'm gonna give somebody my heart, it'll be 'cause they're worth givin' it to. Course... I don't much care for strangers neither. This mountain's my home, and folks know better'n to wander onto Watkins land without askin'. Specially near my fishin' pond. That's private. ...Which is exactly why I near dropped my basket when I looked across the pasture an' spotted a car settin' by my pond. "...Now who in the Sam Hill d'ya think y'all are?"