by Danni Roan
“He did,” Hester assured her. “I’m sure he decided to stay the night instead of making the ride back. He was probably worried about leaving your cat all alone. Do you know what you’re going to name her yet?”
Beverly smiled brightly. “I don’t know what to name her yet. Do you really think Uncle Cecil stayed in the house? Do you think he likes her?”
“I’m sure your uncle will be very fond of your cat,” Hester tried to keep the doubt and worry from her voice. She had sat alone at the kitchen table for some time, finishing the dessert that had been put aside for her as she waited for Mr. Payton to return, only to go to bed still not knowing where he was.
Worry that something might have happened to him still turned her stomach to acid, and she realized that she cared for the man as more than an employer. He had somehow become a friend.
“Hurry up!” Mrs. August snapped. “We need to get a move on.”
“We’re almost ready,” Hester called. “Miss Polly, could I ask for a portion of breakfast to take to the house for Mr. Payton. I believe he stayed the night there.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Polly grinned. “Mr. Payton is a generous man, and we’re glad to call you all neighbors. When things settled down around here, I’ll bring some of the ladies from town to meet you. I have a feeling you’ll fit right in.”
Hester smiled thankful for the woman’s kind words. Even if she did work her way out of a job with Mr. Payton, perhaps she and Uncle Hyke could find a small place of their own in Biders Clump, far from the hustle, bustle and uncertainty of the big city.
In a matter of minutes the small crew was all loaded into the wagon as Hyke urged the horses to a trot. Half of the supplies they had ordered the night before sat securely in the back of the buckboard, with the assurance that everything else would be delivered by noon, and they set out, with the children in high spirits.
“Mrs. August sat between Hyke and Hester on the hard bench seat, her hands clamped in her lap. She might not admit it, but she was obviously as worried about Mr. Payton as Hester was.
“I’m sure Mr. Payton is fine,” Hester whispered. “He probably decided it wasn’t worth the ride back to town.”
Mrs. August lifted her chin ignoring Hester’s words for several seconds before relaxing and offering a nod. She might not like that the young woman that had moved above her station, but she had to admit she had done well with the children and that she was loyal to Mr. Payton.
“If Bev got her cat, when will I get my pony,” Jonas asked. “I want to ride all over these mountains and see everything.”
“You’ll have to go to school as well,” Hester chided. “Right now we have to get the house fit to live in. We don’t even know what state the barn is in or anything. You can’t just get a pony with nowhere to keep it.”
Jonas crossed his arms and blew out a breath. “I don’t like it when you’re sensible,” he pouted.
Hester laughed, she knew how hard the boy had worked, and how much he wanted that pony. Cecil was determined he should have one as well, but first they needed a place to live.
“Can’t we go any faster?” Beverly asked. “I want to check on my cat.”
***
Cecil blinked bleary eyes trying to focus on the room around him. He was disoriented and a little confused, but as his mind cleared he remembered that he had brought the cat to his new-old house.
“I must have fallen asleep,” he said stretching as a yawn cracked his jaw. Something off to the side of the kitchen moved and he held his breath uncertain what it might be.
“Oh it’s only you,” he sighed as the cat trotted toward him a fat mouse clamped in her teeth. “I see you’ve been busy.” Cecil smiled, only to have the smile turn to a grimace when the cat dropped the still warm body on his lap. “Thanks, but I think I’ll find my own breakfast,” he retorted, noting the remains of another mouse near the cat’s crate. “At least one of us is earning their keep.”
Cecil placed one hand on the hard granite counter top pushing to his feet with a groan. Sleeping sitting upright was not how he had planned his night. No, he had planned to linger over still warm dessert, chatting with Miss Hester Johnson and getting to know her better. He knew she was efficient, kind, and dedicated, but what were her dreams and hopes? He wanted to know the woman for who she was, not just what she had done for him.
***
“Mr. Payton.” Mrs. August walked into the kitchen, eyes wide. “Did you spend all night here?”
“I’m afraid I did,” Cecil grinned. “I think the fire is still warm if you could coax some coffee from it.” The young man cocked a hip against the counter trying to look sad and needy.
“Of course,” the housekeeper acknowledged, hurrying to put a few more sticks in the stove. “Mr. Johnson,” she called turning back to the hall, her voice impatient.
“I’m coming,” Hyke called mumbling under his breath as he carried a heavy crate into the kitchen. “I’ll fetch the rest of the supplies.”
Cecil couldn’t help but grin at the older man’s face when he hefted the crate onto a counter top. When Mrs. August was looking, he was all smiles and civility, but the minute she turned her back, the old man stuck his tongue out at her, wheeling and hurrying outside before he could be seen.
“Urgh!” Mrs. August groaned looking down at the cat, who had finished her mouse and now sprawled contentedly in her crate with her kittens. “Look at the mess,” she reached down and lifted the remains of the mice, walking briskly to the door and throwing them outside. “Does that creature have to be in my kitchen?”
Cecil ran a hand over his face, suppressing a smile. “If you want to be rid of the mice in the kitchen, I would say yes. I’ve left the basement door open so she can come and go as she needs to,” he added. “I’m sure in time the two of you will be great friends.”
Mrs. August gave the man a sharp look, but said nothing as she poured water from a jar that had been in the crate into the coffee pot.
“I’ll go help Hyke,” Cecil said walking out of the kitchen before his laughter got the better of him. A good cup of coffee would brighten his eyes and set him to rights. There was too much to be done to be bleary eyed all day.
“Bossy old woman,” Hyke grumbled, stopping with a blush when Cecil joined him.
“I couldn’t believe it when she agreed to travel out here with us.” The younger man grinned. “I keep wondering if she wants this whole thing to fail, so we’ll turn around and go back to New York.”
“I can’t rightly say,” Hyke shifted another heavy crate full of food in his arms. “She ain’t afraid to get her hands dirty. There might be hope yet.”
Cecil grinned watching the old man walk away. With all the grumbling the two older members of the household did with each other, he thought Hyke might wish her gone, but maybe he wasn’t seeing the whole picture.
“Uncle Cecil,” Beverly, raced to her uncle. “Where’s my cat? Can I see her? Can she live in my room? What should I name her?”
Cecil chuckled. The children were certainly getting a new kind of education. “She’s in the kitchen and already doing her part to reduce the rodent population. Go in and see her, but I think for now she should stay where she is.”
“Thank you!” Beverly threw her arms around her uncle, squeezing him tight, before racing into the house.
Cecil watched the girl run into the sad old house and felt something unlock in his heart. He had cared for his niece and nephew before, doing his best to see that they were provided for, but this was different. He was coming to know them as individuals with a special place in his heart.
“Mr. Payton, are you feeling well?” Hester walked up to the back of the wagon reaching for a pail and mop. “You look rather odd.”
“I’m fine.” Cecil blinked his brain back into gear, turning to smile at Hester. “I think this is all finally starting to sink in.”
Hester offered the man a kind smile. “There is a great deal of adjustment ahead. Miss Polly
sent your breakfast by the way. I think Mrs. August is getting it ready.”
Shifting the crate in his hands, Cecil headed for the front door and a future that was still unclear. Today he would tackle the most pressing jobs at the house, and let tomorrow be a fresh start.
***
“What’s that noise?” Mrs. August asked as she served an informal lunch at the kitchen table. “It sounds terrible.”
“I’ll see!” Jonas sprang from his seat, his napkin falling to the floor as he raced to the back door. “Sheep!” The boy shouted racing out onto the long back porch.
“Those aren’t sheep, those are goats.” Beverly joined her brother as she watched a man on a smoke gray horse trailing behind the bleating animals.
“Why are some smaller than others?”
“They’re babies,” Bev grinned.
“Children come back inside and eat your meal.” Hester gauged that it would take another ten minutes for the man to wrangle the slow moving animals to the house. “We’ll all go out when you finish.”
“I’m going now!” Jonas started for the stairs but Hester grasped his arm. “Lunch first,” she stated, meeting his scowl with one of her own.
“Come on,” Bev urged her brother. “We’ll eat fast.”
Lunch was over in record time, and the children stood waiting impatiently with there uncle as the rider reached the back porch.
“Hello,” Cecil greeted. “You must be the man Mr. Olson mentioned. He said you might bring sheep.”
“Hello,” the man replied pushing his hat up on his head a pitch black curls. “I’m Bruno Sparak, I live a few miles south of you.” He midnight blue eyes sparkled as the children bounced beside their uncle.
“Pleased to meet you Bruno,” Cecil said. “This is my niece Beverly and my nephew Jonas. They’ve never been around goats before.”
Bruno crossed his arms over his saddle horn, leaning forward to peer at the children while the goats spread out on the overly tall grass. “Well this lot is a pretty tame bunch. My wife likes to fuss over them you see. We keep them and a donkey to help keep the sheep out of trouble. Sheep aren’t as smart or as able to defend themselves as goats.”
“Can I pet one?” Beverly asked clasping her hands tight as she tried to contain her excitement.
“Come on over and I’ll introduce you.” Bruno swung down from his horse as the children raced forward. “Go slow now; you don’t want to startle any of them. This is Smoke,” he indicated his horse. “He’s a mighty fine horse.”
“I’m going to have a pony,” Jonas declared. “And I’m going to ride everywhere all the time.”
Bruno smiled. “That sounds fine.” He let the children reach up and stroke Smoke’s soft muzzle, then dropped the reins letting the horse graze along with the goats. “Now come meet Sally, Suzy, and Snow.”
Cecil watched as the man introduced the children to each goat, all of which had kids at their sides.
“They’re so soft,” Bev sighed running her hand over one of the kids who raced off, dashing around its mother, then leaping into the air.
“They’re funny,” Jonas grinned.
“My wife fusses with them,” Bruno shrugged. “Janine loves babies. You’d think with our own little girl growing fast it would be enough to keep her busy, but she makes a trip to the barn whenever she can.”
“Really?” Bev’s eyes were wide.
“Really,” Bruno’s smile was kind as he chatted with the children. “Do you know how to milk a goat?”
“No,” Bev looked back at her uncle who nodded. “I used to milk our cow back home, but it has been a while.”
“If you want some goat’s milk, you’re welcome to it.” Bruno stood letting the children pet the placid goats. “Of course they all have kids, so you don’t have to worry about them either way.”
“I’m obliged,” Cecil walked out into the yard, offering his hand. “Will you come in for coffee?”
“I’d better not,” Bruno looked up at the big house. “I’d like to stake the goats out, so you don’t have to worry about them wandering off. Perhaps, this strapping young man can help.” Bruno turned to Jonas who puffed up with pride.
“What do we do?”
Chapter 18
The second day of residence in the old Rally house was much like the first, only this time the cleaning actually made a dent in the years of neglect and disuse of the house. Becky Gatlin came out and helped Mrs. August in the kitchen, sorting, cleaning, and organizing the cupboards, as well as letting the housekeeper know what other things she might find at the general store.
Ellery also came out with a saw and toolbox, helping Cecil cut away the overgrowth crowding in on the house. By the time the family sat down to dinner you could see the house beyond the weeds.
“I would like new ticking for the mattresses,” Mrs. August grumbled over her meal. They unrolled the heavily wrapped bedding, that morning. “But it will have to do for now. I only hope that…” she hesitated and Hester grinned knowing that the housekeeper was worried about bugs and other critters that may have infested the beds.
“I’ve given each of them a good beating,” Hyke spoke up as he lifted his coffee, “they should be fine.” His dark eyes flashed and he glowered at the woman. He had been up and down the stairs with the mattresses, pillows, and other bedding at least a dozen times and had beat each item until dust no longer flew.
“When the weather is fine we will start washing the feathers.” Mrs. August stood and began collecting the plates putting an end to the conversation.
Hester couldn’t stop the smile, as much as uncle Hyke and Mrs. August sniped at each other, she believed it was good for him to have a rival in the house.
“Children, you need to wash up before bed,” Hester urged the children toward a basin by the stone sink, pouring hot water from the stove into it and handing them each a dry cloth.
“What about the goats,” Beverly asked. “Won’t they be scared out there in the dark all night?”
“The goats will be fine,” Hester smiled. “They live outside all the time.”
“What if a wolf or a mountain lion comes to eat them?” Jonas’s voice was full of excitement.
“I don’t think it will be a problem,” Cecil said. “Now do as you’re told. Tomorrow we have more work to do.”
“Yes, uncle,” both children replied dropping their heads and trudging toward the stairs. As excited as they were about this adventure, they were too tired to argue.
“This will be your first night in your new home,” Hester encouraged. “I’m sure you will both sleep very well.”
“Can’t I bring the cat?” Beverly asked. “She’ll be lonely down here all night.”
“She’ll be hunting,” Hester insisted placing a hand on each child’s shoulder. “And looking after her kittens. We all have to begin to adjust to this new house and home. Now hurry along so we can say our prayers.”
Hester was exhausted. She had swept, scrubbed, dusted, and sorted throughout the day. Cecil and Hyke had not only helped with some of the heavier cleaning and shifting, but had begun to repair any obvious damage to the house. The place was in desperate need of paint and Hester didn’t even want to think about the condition of the roof, or the things living in the spring house and other buildings. Tonight she was too tired to worry about it.
Hyke and Mr. Payton had pulled all the boards off the windows after inspecting them from the inside, and though filthy they were all intact. “Thank heavens for small blessings,” she sighed as the children entered their rooms.
“What does that mean?” Bev asked as she began to dress for bed.
“It means, we need to be thankful for a roof over our head, food in our bellies, and a chance to make something new of ourselves. There are many opportunities to be had if we are only willing to look for them.”
By the time the children were in bed, Hester could barely keep her eyes open, but she trudged back down the stairs to help with the dishes. If she was tir
ed, Mrs. August must be exhausted.
“Last one,” Hyke’s voice rumbled out of the kitchen and Hester hurried inside, surprised when she saw her uncle drying dishes as fast as the housekeeper could wash them.
“You’re fairly handy in the kitchen for an old man,” Mrs. August let the comment drop.
“I’ve been a bachelor my whole life,” Hyke replied. “Who do you think taught Hester how to cook and clean? I was the only kin she had, and I needed to make sure she could fend for herself.”
“She does seem capable enough.” The words seemed reluctant on Mrs. August's lips, but she spoke them nonetheless.
Hester took a few silent steps back into the hall then marched forward loudly. “I’ve come to help with the dishes,” she declared as she entered the kitchen.