Everett

by Christine Sterling

  “We’ve not been to one of your apple butter days in a long time.”

  “It has been a long time, Annamae. You know I’ll put you to work.” Marmee pushed her curls back. “How’s your ma?”

  “She’s good.”

  “She didn’t come with you?”

  “I don’t think she was ready to come over yet.”

  “Well, you tell her that she’s welcome here anytime. We are having the dance tomorrow night and I want you to stay for dinner this evening.”

  “Thank you kindly, Mrs. Chapman, but we shouldn’t be too long. Pa didn’t want us to come over here.”

  “You have never called me Mrs. Chapman before. What happened to Marmee?”

  Chat gave a little laugh. “Thank you, Marmee.”

  Alice flounced down the steps and stopped in front of Chat. “I have to go take these to the hogs.”

  Chat took the enamel bowl filled with scraps from her. “Let me carry that for you,” he said.

  Polly watched as Alice and Chat strolled towards the barn. It was apparent that Alice had feelings for her neighbor.

  “That’s the last of it,” Marmee said looking in the pot. “I’ll start getting the jars ready for the apple sauce.”

  “I heard Hart mention kittens,” Annamae said, looking at Everett. “Maybe you can show them to me?”

  “I have to keep an eye on this.”

  “I got you covered, boss,” one of the cowboys said, stepping forward to take the wooden paddle from Polly.

  Everett looked at Polly and then back to Annamae. He grabbed his leather jacket and draped it over his shoulder. “I guess I have a break.”

  Annamae smiled and grabbed onto Everett’s arm, leading him toward the barn. She had the excitement of a child and Polly snorted that Everett would want to marry someone so young. As she walked back to the house, the thought sobered her. She turned and saw Everett laughing at something Annamae said as they walked to the barn.

  It didn’t matter if he was going to marry that young woman. It was none of Polly’s concern. Why then, did her heart hurt as she watched them disappear into the barn?

  Chapter 9

  “Are you planning on hiding in here all night?”

  Polly watched Ellie come into the bedroom and shut the door. Polly closed her eyes. “I’m sleeping,” she said.

  Ellie laughed. “You aren’t sleeping.”

  Polly opened one eye. “How do you know?”

  “Because you are talking to me.” Polly felt the bed lower as Ellie laid down next to Polly. “I guess I’ll just go to sleep too.”

  Polly rolled to her side and looked at her best friend. Ellie had her eyes closed. She took a deep breath and pretended to snore. Polly couldn’t hold back the laughter a moment longer. Ellie opened her eyes and laughed as well.

  “What are you doing here, El? You should be out enjoying your time with Owen.”

  Ellie rolled to her side, tucking her hands under her head. “I missed you. You disappeared and I only have a little bit more time with you before you go home.”

  “I know.”

  “I was hoping that you might find a reason to stay.”

  “I’d be staying for you, Ellie, and you, alone. There isn’t anything else keeping me here.”

  “Not even a handsome cowboy?”

  “Not even a handsome cowboy.”

  “I see Sawyer has noticed you.”

  “He’s been very kind, but there is nothing there.”

  “What happened with Everett?”

  “Oh, Ellie. He’s getting married to that woman that showed up today.”

  “Annamae?”

  Polly nodded. “I won’t get in the way of that.”

  “She’s nice once you get to know her. She reminds me of a child though. I think the fever addled her brain.”

  “I don’t want to get to know her.”

  “Come sit outside with me, Polly. Everyone is gathered around the fire and the cowboys are telling stories. You should hear some of the stories Caleb was telling about the trip from Texas. It is rather exciting.”

  “It must be if it caused his leg to break.”

  “You won’t have to talk to anyone.” Ellie pouted her lip. “Please?”

  Polly rolled over on her back. “Alright. I’m only doing this for you.”

  “That’s good enough.” Ellie jumped up from the bed and raced around, grabbing Polly’s hand. “I am really glad you are here with me.”

  “Me too, El. Me too.”

  Polly allowed Ellie to pull her into the night air. The temperature had fallen, and Polly draped her wrap around her shoulders. They walked by the kettles that were still cooking. The apple butter would cook through the night and be ready for canning in the morning. Once the spices were added, the mixture only needed to be mixed once an hour. Several cowboys volunteered to stay awake to stir the mixture.

  “I was looking for you,” Owen said, walking over and putting his arm around Ellie’s shoulders.

  “It was my fault,” Polly chimed in. “I wasn’t feeling well, and Ellie came to check up on me.”

  “Are you feeling better?”

  “I am, thank you.”

  “Everyone is over here by the fire. Come join us,” he offered.

  Polly followed them and sat down on one of the logs that had been rolled around the campfire. Weston walked by and handed her a cup. “This will warm you,” he said.

  Polly took the cup and lifted it so she could see what was inside. It had a fruity scent with cinnamon.

  “What it is?”

  “Hot cider from the pressings this afternoon.”

  Polly took a sip, allowing the flavors to explode on her tongue. It was sweet with just a tiny bit of heat. “Thank you, it’s delicious.”

  Weston moved around the fire and took a seat next to Marmee.

  Polly scanned the group of people sitting around the fire. She could see Alice talking to Chat Hartman. Willow was leaning her head against Oliver’s shoulder. Polly could see her eyes closing. She didn’t see Everett or Sawyer. They must have gone to the barn to check on the horses for the night, Polly thought.

  A cowboy started singing and soon Marmee’s soft soprano joined in. Everyone listened as her voice carried through the air. “Weep no more my lady, oh! weep no more today! We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home.”

  More voices joined in for the last line of the song and even Polly sang with them. “For the old Kentucky home far away.”

  Polly stared into the fire, allowing her worries to melt with the flickering of the flame. The drink warmed her insides as she sipped it. Occasionally the fire would pop, and laughter could be heard as a stray ember flew through the air. As she focused on the orange and red flames, a shadow blocked her view.

  “May I join you?” the shadow asked.

  Polly looked up to see Annamae standing there. “I’m surprised you’re still here,” she said.

  “So am I, but we enjoyed today so much, and time just flew by.” Annamae gave a little skip on the last word.

  Polly scooted over and tucked her skirt tightly around her legs. She felt Annamae sit next to her. “You were missed tonight.”

  Polly sipped her drink. “I don’t know who would have missed me.”

  “Well, Hart asked for you. He’s such a sweet boy. Reminds me so much of my sister. Sawyer missed you. Even Everett asked where you were as well as a few of the cowboys. I guess you are extremely popular.”

  “I don’t know why. I’ve not been here long enough to impress anyone.”

  “Oh, you are wrong.” Annamae put her hand on Polly’s arm. “Everyone talked about how fashionable you are. How kind you are to everyone and how much you love animals. They even talked about how wonderful your baking is.”

  “I have been practicing. I’m making the cake for Owen and Ellie’s wedding.”

  “You know Ellie was going to marry my brother Frank.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize… I mean I knew, but it
didn’t…” Polly paused trying to gather her thoughts. “I’m sorry for your loss. I know Ellie grew very fond of him when they were writing letters.”

  “She said you encouraged her to answer Frank’s advertisement.”

  “Yes. And I’m glad I did.”

  “I know Frank would have loved her, but the way Owen looks at Ellie is … I don’t know.” Annamae sighed. “So romantic.”

  “It is.”

  “I want to have a love like that.”

  Polly’s stomach started to churn. She wanted to escape back into the house. She didn’t want to hear about Annamae’s feelings about love.

  “And I’m sure you will.” Polly moved as if to stand. “If you will excuse me.”

  “Wait,” Annamae said, pulling her back down. “I was wondering if you could help me.”

  “Help you?”

  “Yes. Everett told me you are one of the prettiest women he has ever met.”

  Polly wrinkled her brow. “He said that?” Annamae nodded. “What do you need help with?”

  “Well,” Annamae said, rubbing her hands down the front of her skirt. “We’ve been invited to the barn dance tomorrow night and I was wondering if you could help with my hair and dress.”

  “Like fix it up?” Polly wanted to shout no and stamp her feet. She closed her eyes and counted to five, opening them back up to focus on the flames in front of her. “I don’t think…”

  “Please,” Annamae begged. “I want to look my best tomorrow night.” She looked across the fire and Polly’s eyes followed. Everett and Sawyer had returned, and they were both looking her way. Sawyer lifted his hand in greeting.

  “Of course, you do,” Polly said under her breath.

  “What was that?”

  She glanced at the young woman who was looking at her expectedly. “I said, of course, I can help you.”

  Annamae nearly hugged Polly. “Thank you,” she said excitedly. “I need to get Chat, and we should head home. Father will be angry we’ve been gone this long. I’ll be by tomorrow in the early afternoon.”

  Polly watched the young woman skip to her brother and whisper something in his ear. She saw him nod and then lean over to say something to Alice. It was so slight, that if she blinked, she would have missed it, but Chat pushed aside one of Alice’s curls and his lips gently brushed her cheek as he talked to her.

  Polly quickly turned her eyes away, embarrassed that she had seen such an intimate moment. Looking around she noticed that no one else seemed to have witnessed it.

  “Did you hear?” Ellie was talking in her ear.

  “Hear what?”

  “Marianne and Penny are arriving tomorrow. Marshal Briggs brought a telegram to Mr. Chapman this evening.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m sure Marmee is over the moon. Hopefully, they will be here in time for the dance.”

  “Yes, but that’s not all.”

  Polly turned to look at her friend. “What is it then?”

  “Owen has asked if I wanted to exchange our vows in two days.”

  “So soon? I thought you were waiting until closer to November.”

  Ellie grabbed Polly’s hand and squeezed it. “I can’t wait. I’d marry him right now if I could.”

  “I know you would.” Polly tuned out Ellie’s carrying on about getting married and disappeared into her thoughts.

  If her friend was married in two days, then there wasn’t any reason for her to stay in Flat River after that. If she sent a telegram tomorrow, the stage would arrive Saturday morning to pick her up. But how would she get to town to send it?

  She remembered Ellie saying the Marshal had delivered the message to Mr. Chapman. Maybe she could ask him to send word to the stage that she was ready to leave. She just needed to ask Mr. Chapman where she could find Marshal Briggs.

  Annamae arrived just as she promised, in a dress that was threadbare in spots. When Polly asked her about it, she said it was the only dress she owned. Polly didn’t hesitate to grab her favorite day dress to give to Annamae. The blue accented her eyes and complimented her pale hair.

  Polly brushed Annamae’s hair until it shined and then curled it into a chignon with several ringlets hanging down. She used some powder underneath Annamae’s eyes to hide the redness and the tiniest bit of rouge to color her lips.

  When Polly regarded Annamae in the mirror it was hard to believe she was the same girl who had arrived just hours before. Annamae went to sit in the great room and talk to Marmee and wait for the dance to start. She was a sweet girl, Polly thought. Perhaps a little simple from her upbringing, but a sweet girl just the same.

  After she was done helping Annamae, Polly got herself ready. She wore a dark blue silk dress with a lace collar and lace at her wrists. It was the plainest dress she owned, next to the day dress she gave Annamae. She had slept in rag curlers the night before, so her hair was already curled. She decided to wear her hair down, tying it at the base of her neck with a ribbon. A pair of small pearl earrings completed her outfit and she was ready to find out what a barn dance was all about.

  It didn’t take long for one of the cowboys to pull out a fiddle and the dancing soon began. Another joined with a banjo and finally a guitar. The music was lively, and Polly couldn’t help but clap her hands and tap her feet with the rhythm. Even Tot was jigging by himself off to the side. Hart was dancing with Alice, his tiny feet trying to keep up with the Virginia Reel. Caleb and Lydia remained in the house as Caleb’s leg was bothering him.

  The barn had been emptied and straw bales were stacked so people could sit. Couples were dancing in the middle of the barn, swinging their arms, and moving in a circle. She saw Annamae dancing with Rich, the young girl’s face shining with delight as she moved around the dance floor. Frankly, Polly was relieved that Rich hadn’t brought up escorting her the barn. He was a nice young man, but he wasn’t … Everett.

  Owen and Ellie were dancing quickly in time to the music. Owen swept his beloved into his arms, swinging her so much, that her feet left the ground. Even Marmee and Weston were caught up in the moment.

  Oliver and Willow stood in the corner with Penelope and Marianne. Willow didn’t like being around large groups of people, especially men. She was fortunate that Oliver was such a good protector.

  Polly had never laughed so much in her life as she did when she spent time with Marianne and Penelope. Identical twins, they were as different as night and day. Marmee was ecstatic when both arrived earlier that day and there was no doubt that Marmee was going to be a grandmother in the Spring. Twice.

  Her eyes glanced over to where Everett was standing, but he had disappeared.

  “Polly, may I have this dance?” Sawyer asked.

  “I’d love to,” she said.

  As Sawyer escorted her to the dance floor, Polly looked over her shoulder to see where Everett may have disappeared to. He was nowhere to be found. The music started and Polly found herself in Sawyer’s embrace as he started to move them around the dance floor. He grabbed her hand, twirling her several times. Polly felt dizzy as the barn was spinning around her. During one spin, Polly spied Everett standing next to Oliver. He had a frown on his face as he watched the couples dancing.

  Polly looked around and saw Annamae dancing with another cowboy whose name she couldn’t recall. As the dance finished, she thanked Sawyer, and walked back over to the bales of straw.

  Chat arrived with an older woman who was wearing a simple gray skirt with a white blouse. Her gray hair was tight in a bun against her head. It gave the illusion of her face being pulled backward.

  Marmee must have seen them too, as she ran over and embraced the woman in a hug. Weston patted the woman on the back as they guided her to a table set up with refreshments. Tot stopped his jigging and went over to the table. Polly saw the color leave the woman’s face. The two must have history, and she wondered what it was.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  Polly looked up to see Everett standing next to her.

&nbs
p; “Yes. I am. It has been a fun evening.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  Polly frowned. Was he ready to have her gone?

  “I leave Saturday morning.” Marshal Briggs was able to confirm that the stage would arrive to take her to Grand Platte.

  “I bet you’ll be glad to get back home.”

  Polly shrugged. “I will. But there is a lot here that I will miss.”

  Everett looked at her through hooded eyes. “Anything in particular you’ll miss?”

  “Well,” Polly said thoughtfully. “I’ll miss Ellie. And Marmee. And your brothers. And Alice.”

  “Is that all?”

  Before Polly could respond, one of the cowboys came over and slapped Everett on the back. “I just heard the news,” he said.

  “What news is that?”

  “Of your upcoming nuptials to the Hartman girl.”

  “I don’t think…”

  “Good luck, boss,” the cowboy said, pointing at Everett as he walked away.

  Everett turned his eyes back to Polly. She didn’t want to believe the news.

  “Polly,” he said, his voice cracking.

  “I should return to the house.”

  As Polly walked towards the door, a man that she didn’t recognize entered the barn. He was waving a shotgun and his eyes were darting left and right as if he was looking for someone. His eyes landed on Tot and the woman with the graying hair.

  “I told you not to come here, Verna,” he shouted into the room. The music stopped and everyone turned to see what the commotion was about. The man moved further into the room, stopping short when he spied Tot standing next to Verna. “You get away from my wife.” He was waving the gun in the air as he yelled the words, spittle flying from his lips.

  “Randall,” Marshal Briggs said, trying to guide the man back to the door. “You’ve been drinking.”

  “T’ain’t nobody’s business if have. I came to get my wife and daughter. Where’s Annamae.” Annamae appeared from within the crowd. “What in tarnation are you wearing? You look like a Jezebel.”

  “Pa…”

  “Don’t talk back to me, girl. Look at you. Your hair is all done up and you’ve got rouge on your lips. You ain’t no better than your sister. Have you been kissing boys?”