by Jill Maguire
She was just finishing up her purchase as the stage pulled to a stop outside. There were a few people milling about and Cassie wondered if it was going to be a crowded ride. She really hoped there would be no snoring as there had been during her last trip. The driver took her satchel and added it to the back of the stage where several other bags had already been loaded. Cassie kept only her small handbag with her.
The sounds of laughter greeted her as she settled into her seat. Two small boys were chuckling about something that had tickled their funny bone and their Mother was trying to keep them from getting too loud. She looked apologetically at Cassie.
“I’m sorry. We’ve been travelling for a while and they are a bit over tired and giddy. I hope they don’t disturb your trip.”
“Please don’t worry,” Cassie reassured her quickly. “I’m a school teacher and I understand perfectly. And besides, I am never bothered by the sounds of children laughing.”
“Thank you for understanding. I’m Kathryn and this is Jeremiah and Joshua,” she said, pointing to each boy in turn.”
“And I’m Cassie Edwards. It’s nice to meet all of you. Are you heading to Bent River?”
“We’re going a bit further on to Millford. My husband went ahead to establish a homestead there and he has just sent for us to join him.”
“How wonderful. You must be so anxious to get there.”
The woman nodded. “We are indeed. These young lads are surely missing their father. They are not satisfied staying about the house all day doing woman’s work. They need to be out on the land with their Pa and the livestock, doing chores and exploring about as boys like to do.”
Cassie laughed. “I do know exactly what you mean. I’ve certainly struggled at times keeping the young lads in my classroom engaged in learning. Especially once spring came and the weather turned warm.”
As the coach moved ahead, Kathryn concentrated on getting the boys busy reading. The two women fell into easy conversation and Kathryn asked Cassie if she were married.
“No, I’m afraid the right gentleman has not yet come courting. I lived in Blakeford for two years but I spent a great deal of that time travelling back to Bent River to be with my Granny. She was getting on and I wanted to be there as much as I could for her.”
“That wouldn’t leave time for much else I’m sure. Are you heading there now for a visit?”
Cassie shook her head. Trying to keep the trembling out of her voice she replied. “No, I’m actually moving back permanently. Granny passed away a few weeks ago and I’m going back to live on the farm where she raised me.”
“Oh I see. My condolences. Are you happy to be returning?”
A genuine smile brightened Cassie’s features. “I am extremely happy. Bent River is home.”
“Well then, perhaps once you are settled there, the right gentleman will come courting.”
Cassie smiled, thinking about Harriet and her mail order bride business and the letter she had written for Ethan. “You know, I was going to apply to be a mail order bride. A woman in Bent River has started such an agency and I was going to apply. I’ve since given it some thought and changed my mind, but I had a letter composed and everything.”
“It is quite the venture I understand. Several womenfolk that I knew out East did that very thing. From all accounts they are all happily married now and some even have little ones on the way.”
“How exciting.”
“Perhaps you should reconsider. I hear there are a lot of eligible bachelors in the west. Maybe a few of them live right in Bent River.”
“No I think I’ll put my future in God’s hands and go with a traditional courtship. If it doesn’t happen then I guess I’ll accept that it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Well if I were you I’d keep that letter you wrote just in case.” At that moment Joshua jumped up from his seat claiming that his brother had eaten his sandwich instead of his own and the women’s conversation ended as Kathryn intervened in the escalating argument.
Cassie turned her face to the window, watching the countryside go by, and wishing the trip were already over.
Chapter Fifteen
Ethan waited impatiently for the stage to come to a stop. He tried peering into the windows of the coach but the reflection of the sun made it impossible to see who was inside. As the driver tied the team to the rail and then turned his attention to the first person disembarking, Ethan felt his heart start to race. He wondered if Sarah Ballentine was feeling the same way.
Two young boys appeared on the step of the stage, and completely ignoring the driver, jumped to the ground and began dancing about like a pair of caged wolves set free for the first time. They hooted and hollered and ran around in circles until an attractive young woman emerged from the coach. Taking the drivers hand before stepping down, the woman kept her eyes on the two boys.
“You boys come over here and wait with me. This is just a short stop before we continue on so I don’t want you running off.” When she noticed Ethan standing there she nodded. He smiled in return, realizing that this young mother was not his intended.
As she gathered her lads to her side, Ethan once again turned a hopeful gaze towards the coach. The next woman to step down was a familiar face, and he smiled in greeting.
“Cassie! How nice to see you again. Back for the summer?”
Cassie smiled in return. It was so welcoming to see a familiar friendly face straight away. “I am back for the summer and for all the days after that. I plan to stay right here for good.” She said it with such emphasis that Ethan looked a bit startled.
“Well I’m glad to hear that. It will be wonderful to have you in the congregation.” Although he was speaking to her, Cassie sensed that his mind was on something else. His furtive glances towards the stage piqued her curiosity.
“Were you expecting someone Reverend?”
“Yes I was but it appears I was mistaken.” He caught himself before he said anything more. He was too embarrassed to elaborate.
Cassie sensed his discomfort but didn’t pry. “It was just Kathryn, myself and her boys for the entire journey, I’m afraid.”
“Thank you. Perhaps I had the day wrong. I’ll have to check my correspondence.” He hesitated for a moment as though not sure what to do next, and then made the offer to drive her out to the farm.
“Thank you but that won’t be necessary. I wrote ahead and Sam has agreed to sell me Blue and a wagon. We got along well during my last visit and I think she’s the perfect horse for me.”
“Very well. I won’t keep you any longer. Glad to have you back.”
As he walked away Cassie heard him speak to several of the townsfolk who were milling about. His responses were brief and distracted. Something was definitely on his mind and Cassie was pretty sure it had something to do with whomever he had been expecting on that stage. She wasn’t a nosy or gossipy person, but she was interested in people. Especially the Reverend Bradshaw.
Her thoughts were soon interrupted by a soft tap on her shoulder. “We’re about ready to leave again and I just wanted to say goodbye.”
“Goodbye Kathryn. The very best of luck to you. I hope you find your homestead to be everything you’ve dreamed of.”
“Thank you. And good luck to you too. I hope you find everything you’re looking for right here at home.” She gave a little wink and Cassie knew she was referring back to their conversation about mail order brides.
“I hope so too,” she thought silently as she waved goodbye.
Once the stage had pulled by her, Cassie headed to the livery to pick up Blue and her wagon. Thankfully the summer days were long, and she would easily make it out to the farm before dark, even with the stage getting her there later than she had planned.
She had to pass the post office to get to the livery and Cassie decided to pop in and see if Harriet was busy. Even though she planned to write the school board and enquire about upcoming positions, she also wanted to put some feelers out around town. She
thought if there were any other jobs available, Harriet would probably know about them.
Just as Cassie reached to open the door to the post office, it opened from the inside almost sending her into a forward fall. She caught herself before she tripped and looked up into Ethan’s brown eyes.
“So we meet again,” she quipped. “This time I almost landed in your lap.” Cassie was startled when her light hearted chatter was not returned in kind.
“Sorry, excuse me,” was all the reverend said before hurrying on his way, Carrie watched him retreat before continuing on into the post office.
Harriet was standing just inside the door. She smiled warmly but not before Cassie noticed the look of concern on her her face.
“Preacher Bradshaw is definitely not himself today,” Cassie said to her friend.
“No, I’m afraid he has had quite an enormous disappointment. Don’t let on that I told you, but his mail order bride was supposed to be on the stage that you were on. Apparently she didn’t arrive.”
“No,” Cassie said shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head. “There was just a young mother, her two boys and myself. Poor Man. He looked terribly hurt.”
“He’s hurting right now, but I’m guessing in a little while he’ll be some angry too. He sent her money and a train ticket and all for nothing.”
“Well perhaps there’s a good explanation. Maybe she was just delayed. Did he say he would write to her again?”
“He’s planning to, I think. I hope he hears back soon. I feel badly for him but I’m also concerned about the reputation of my business. Men are going to get scared off if things like this happen very often. Anyway, it’s good to see you again, my friend. Is there something I can help you with?”
“I just wanted to ask if you have heard of any jobs around town. I thought I’d see what else might be available if no teaching positions come up.” Harriet thought for a moment, and then pointed a finger in the air as an idea struck her.
“You know, I did just hear that there’s a new family moving onto the old Bickford place. They’re supposed to be from Boston, coming west for his medical practice. Quite wealthy too, I understand. Felicity Morgan over at the hotel said that the wife was enquiring about hiring a nanny for her children. Not really something we see too much of in these parts but it might suit someone like yourself who loves children.”
Cassie thought about that for a moment. Being a nanny was not something she had considered, but if the wages and working conditions were right it could work out.
“I’ll have to give that some thought.”
“Other than that,” Harriet continued, “the only other place might be the mercantile.”
“Thanks, Harriet. I guess I need to write the school board first and then see where I go from there.”
“Good to have you back,” Harriet said as Cassie left the building.
“Good to be back,” Cassie called over her shoulder.
“Oh, and be sure to give some thought to that conversation we had before you left last time.”
Cassie stopped and turned back, raising her eyebrows in question.
“You remember, about a certain letter to a certain someone who was looking for a mail order bride? He may just be eligible again.” Harriet wiggled her eyebrows and Cassie frowned.
“The poor man has just had his heart broken. I don’t think he’ll be looking for another mail order bride any time soon.”
Harriet shrugged. “You never know.”
“I’ll see you later, Harriet. I’ll be in to post my letter to the school board in a day or two.”
Cassie settled her purchase with Sam at the livery and made the ride home to the farm in good time. As she settled Blue into the barn, Cassie gazed up to the holes in the roof. Fortunately they were not directly over Blue’s stall, but they would definitely be at the top of her list of things that needed to get done. She couldn’t help but worry about how far she could stretch her savings. She gave Blue a quick brush and tossed some hay into her stall.
The evening was warm and the sky ablaze with stars. Cassie breathed deeply of the fresh country air and lounged for a while on the old wooden porch swing. Her mind wondered back to the many moments she had spent right here with Granny, crying over hurt feelings and broken hearts and celebrating wonderful moments of accomplishment and happiness. Cassie couldn’t remember a single time that her Gran didn’t drop whatever she was doing and take the time to listen.
The motion of the porch swing and the drone of the heat bugs soon lulled her into a light sleep. When a crash sounded from the direction of the barn she jumped to her feet. She heard Blue whinny but the sound was not one of distress so Cassie wasn’t concerned for the horse’s well being. But a rustling behind the barn told her that something was prowling around and had more than likely just knocked over some bins that were piled there. At any rate, Cassie decided it was time to head inside.
After her little rest and subsequent quick awakening, Cassie was wide awake. She fixed herself a cup of cocoa and set to work making her list of things to do. First on her list was a letter to the school board. Once that was posted she would get on with the business of fixing up the farm.
Next on the list was the barn roof, followed by the windows that needed repair. If there was money left after that, she would consider a fresh coat of paint for the outside. Those were the things that she would need to pay someone else to do. Cutting back the overgrowth of weeds and restoring the garden were things she could do herself. Thankfully the inside of the house was livable as it was, at least for the time being.
Cassie finished her list and her letter to the school board. Tomorrow she would post it and hope that by the time summer was over, she would be looking forward to a new school year with a new classroom of children. If that didn’t happen, she would have to see what other opportunities came her way.
At the same time, Ethan too was sitting at his desk and writing. His was a letter to the woman he had so looked forward to meeting that afternoon. He was torn between hurt, anger and concern. He refused to admit that he had simply been jilted and yet he had heard of such things happening. If she had indeed just kept his money with no intention of ever coming, then he was angry. But if something were wrong, like perhaps an illness, he felt guilty for being angry. What he truly was, was confused.
He finished up the letter with plans to send it off in the post the next day. He would wait a few weeks for a reply, and if none came, then he would consider his endeavors to find a wife this way over. “Once bitten, twice shy” he thought to himself. He wouldn’t put himself in the path of such disappointment a second time. Perhaps the Lord had other plans for his future. He would have to wait and see.
Chapter Sixteen
July slowly drifted by with no relief from the blistering heat. Farmers prayed for rain and ranchers kept their herds in the shady treed areas rather than the open plain. Cassie wiped the perspiration from her brow and straightened her aching back. She had been hacking away at the brown growth of weeds for over an hour while the sun stayed hidden behind the wall of tall trees beside the farm. Now that it had risen higher, she was going to have to move on to a different chore or risk sunstroke.
Looking around, she was quite satisfied at the way the farm was shaping up. The handyman that Harriet recommended had finished all of the outside work and she was making good progress with the gardens. Next spring she would be able to plant a fine patch of vegetables and a few flower beds as well. Granny had always taken great pride in her rose garden and her wildflower patch that attracted birds and butterflies all summer long. Cassie had plans to bring them all back to life, including the large lavender patch. But that would all happen next year.
It had been almost a month since she had written the school board and had received no reply. The worry was eating away at her and she found it hard to be patient. Every other day she made a trip into town hoping for word. As August loomed ever closer, she was beginning g to give up hope. As she hitched Blue
up for today’s trip she said a silent prayer that today would be the day.
The day was so warm and windy that Cassie felt as though she were covered in dust b y the time she reached town. It was certainly hard to remain fresh in these surroundings. As she stepped down from the wagon, she noticed Ethan sitting on the bench outside the post office. Her heart fluttered just a bit at the sight of him. She hadn’t let on to anyone, even Harriet, how her feelings for him were growing deeper. They had taken several long walks together after Sunday services and he had joined Cassie for dinner on several occasions out at the farm.
As much as her feelings were changing, she was hesitant to hope that he might be growing fond of her too. As far as she knew, he was still waiting to hear back from Sarah Ballentine. It had been well over a month now, and he had not heard anything. Today when she saw him sitting there, head bowed and deeply engrossed in reading a letter, she knew he had received his reply, and her heart sank.
Forcing a happy smile, she approached and greeted him cheerfully.
“Good morning, Reverend. Here we are meeting at the post office once again.”
When he looked up, Cassie could have cried at the look of sadness in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said quickly.
Ethan returned his attention to his letter, folding it and slowly tucking it away in his jacket pocket.
“No apology required. I was reading it through for the second time anyway. It appears as though Miss Ballantine will not be coming west after all.”
Feeling genuinely sorry for him, Cassie expressed her sympathy. “Did she explain why?”
Ethan nodded. “Apparently she was trying to deceive her parents and escape from the city. Her father learned of her plan and forbade her to follow through with it. She has been confined to her home as punishment and only just now was able to sneak a letter off to me with the help of her best friend. She has apologized for causing me to lose my investment and she hopes to one day be able to send me back the funds.”