by E. Walsh
She cried herself to sleep every night and walked the streets every day, trying to find someone to help her, but she hit dead ends at every turn.
The church was of little help, as was her father’s former employer, and the people from child services. She had not rights as the oldest sibling, she was told. It would be better off for all involved if she just went on about her business.
She tried to find work, but jobs were scarce, and those that were available, barely paid enough to cover a week’s rent. She kept thinking about Mrs. Clancy’s advice. The old woman was right. Her options were few. She was down to becoming a prostitute or looking for a man out west in need of a mail order bride.
*
Casey walked up and down the street trying to find a newspaper that had been thrown out. Mrs. Clancy had told her about the men out west who placed ads for wives for themselves and mothers for their children. Casey could hardly believe such a thing existed, but she decided to find out for herself.
Across the street was a shoeshine stand. She crossed over at the corner and stood nearby, watching the shoeshine boys plying their trade. Businessmen in need of a shine would sit and read their newspapers while their shoes were buffed.
When the last customer stood up to pay the boy, he left his newspaper lying in the seat. Casey wasn’t one to steal, but she didn’t have a nickel to spend on a paper. She quickly walked by and snatched the paper while the boy was busy trying to rustle up another customer. She tucked the paper under her arm and kept going until she was finally at Mrs. Clancy’s stoop.
Casey sat on the steps and fanned herself with the paper for a moment. She used her fingertips to dab away the sweat from her upper lip.
She said a prayer of hope as she opened the paper to the classified section at the back. She held her breath as she scanned through the tiny ads with the tip of her finger.
There was just one advert under the PERSONAL SECTION that caught her eye.
Gentleman farmer, aged 40, in need of wife, aged 30-35. Must be a hard worker and of good health and cheer. Reply to Rance McDonald, Medicine Hat, WY.
Casey read the ad several times. She had no idea where Medicine Hat, Wyoming was, but she knew it was nowhere near New York City, which meant it would be far away from her brothers and sisters.
She pondered what to do next. She was nowhere near age thirty, but she was of good health and good cheer. She wondered what he looked like, what his farm was like, what would be expected of her?
He didn’t mention children or a desire to have any. He probably would have a conniption if she mentioned her siblings and their situation.
Still, if she could marry this man and help him make a go of his farm, perhaps he would send for her brothers and sisters to help on the farm.
She opened her change purse and found her last dollar folded there. She took the dollar and the paper to the Western Union office and sent this reply:
Sir. I am of proper age, good health and cheer. Am a hard worker and never married. I will make a good wife for you. Can come right away. Casey O’Hara, NYC.
* * *
Chapter Nine
Rance handed the Western Union wire to Albert, who scanned it quickly and passed it on to Martha.
The girls were playing on the floor, one sitting on each of his boots. They giggled when he bounced his feet.
He was disappointed to just receive the one response, but he wasn’t sure what he expected.
Obviously, there was not a line of eligible women looking to become a farmer’s wife in Medicine Hat, Wyoming.
“What do y’all think?”
“I don’t know what to think,” Martha said with a frown. “What kind of woman answers an ad in the newspaper to become a man’s wife?”
Albert chimed in. He knew his wife didn’t approve of the idea of advertising for a wife in the newspaper.
He said, “You need help now before the season is lost. At the very least, if she doesn’t work out, it’s only cost a train ticket.”
Rance nodded at Albert, but avoided locking eyes with Martha. The decision was made. Tomorrow morning he would ride into town and send a wire back east, telling Miss Casey O’Hara to come immediately.
* * *
Chapter Ten
A brave new world awaited Casey O’Hara. She was leaving the New York slums behind and on her way to Wyoming to become a farmer’s wife. How exciting life could be!
The journey was long and arduous, and she was completely exhausted by the time she heard the conductor call her stop.
The other passengers alighted. Some being met with great welcomes, others went on about their business. She had no idea how she’d recognize Rance McDonald. She stood and waited.
She could see a man standing at the end of the walk. He seemed to be eyeing every woman who passed.
“That can’t be him, he has two little girls hanging off his legs,” Casey thought to herself. So she kept waiting. She stood there and the man stood there, with the two little girls beginning to get bored. Finally he approached her, having scooped the children into his arms. His hat was knocked askew by one of the little girls.
“Are you waiting for someone, Miss,” he asked, afraid of the answer.
“Yes, sir, I am indeed. I’m waiting for Mr. McDonald, Rance McDonald. Do you know him?”
“Why, that’s me, Miss.” He frowned at her.
“Mr. McDonald, wonderful!” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Caroline O’Hara, but you may call me Casey.”
“You look a little young for my needs, Casey,” he said, giving her the once over. “How old are you?”
“Age is just a number Mr. McDonald. I can assure you I’m quite old enough to perform the duties of a wife.” She looked the children over. They were beautiful little girls. “You never mentioned children?”
She hadn’t planned on raising more children. She wanted to build something for her younger siblings. Her heart sank. There was no way this was going to work. The children were too young for her to bring her family to live with them.
Rance felt the tension too. She’s too young, he thought to himself. She’ll want kids of her own and there’s no way that’ll happen. Two unhappy people stood in front of each other, unsure of the next move.
Lily and Rose had been sizing up the woman talking to their father. They were talkers for sure. A lot of the time it was unintelligible, but others times amazingly clear. Here was their moment of clarity.
“Mama, take me!” Lily’s held her pudgy little arms out towards Casey.
“No, me, Mama! Take me!” Rose reached for her, not wanting to be left out.
The tension was broken as Casey put her bag down and reached out to Lily first, and then took Rose. Her experience of carrying multiple children was evident now. She smiled at the children.
“What are your names?”
“I’m Lily, that Rose!” It was obvious that Lily was the spokesperson for the two.
“What pretty names. My name is Casey.”
Rance watched his children interact with the woman for a moment. It was obvious she was good with kids. He said, “Well, I reckon I’m willing to give it a try if you are.”
“I am,” Casey said, forcing a smile as her heart pounded in her chest.
“Mind you, we have to get married, decent folk don’t live together without being married. If you prefer, it can be a marriage in name only, so we can go our separate ways in time. Anyway, I had arranged the pastor to meet with us if you’re obliged. It’s up to you. The young ones seem to have taken a shine to you.”
“Very well, Mr. McDonald. Let’s get married. I’m here now, so I may as well stay.”
Poor Casey, it wasn’t the magical meeting she had anticipated. Rance kept his emotions contained, but he made no attempt to take her bag or indeed, the children who wanted her to carry them. Was she back to childrearing and watching the moods of a man?
Casey followed him as he walked briskly. She carried a child on each hip while trying to keep her
balance with her bag arm as well. Not that her bag was heavy. She hadn’t owned much, but she was annoyed that after such a long trip, he didn’t give her time to catch her breath or get her bearings.
It was straight down to business. But the little girls were very cute and adorable. Lily kept rubbing Casey’s face and smiling at her.
She didn’t know what it meant really, but the child was happy. Rose just kept looking at Casey, as though trying to figure her out. She kept saying “Mama”.
Rance stopped and turned on his heel to face her.
“We’re here now. Are you sure you want to go through with this? You can go back where you came from?”
Casey got the impression that while he was apparently giving the option to change her mind, he really wanted her to leave. But there was nothing anywhere else for her. She had no options left open to her.
“No, I will go ahead and marry you. As you say, the little ones have taken to me.”
“Very well. Come now.”
Rance opened the door of the little church and in they walked, two strangers with two children. The pastor married them and when he said you may kiss the bride, Rance leaned toward Casey and pressed his lips to her cheek and that was it.
That was Casey’s first kiss, limp and passionless. Within minutes, they came out the door as a man and wife. They were now a family, thrown together through circumstance.
“The horse and wagon’s over here.” Rance pointed in the direction for her to walk in.
“You put your bag and the children in the back. I’ve some business to attend to. You stay here.”
Casey rolled her eyes as she picked up the children and put them in the back. He disappeared down the street, she couldn’t really see where he was going.
The girls ran around the back of the wagon and Casey engaged with them. She was used to children, but these little girls were very happy.
Happiness wasn’t something she and her siblings had much of. Lily and Rose looked healthy and were dressed very prettily, too prettily for a man to have dressed them.
“Lily, Rose, did your papa dress you?”
“No silly, Grandma!” The girls began to sing out “grandma.”
“Does your grandma live with you?” Casey wondered what other surprises awaited her.
“No, silly, grandma lives with grandpa.”
As Casey grappled with the children’s answers, she didn’t see Rance slip into the sheriff’s office.
* * *
Chapter Eleven
“Sheriff,” Rance said, closing the door behind him. He looked back through the glass at the woman sitting in the buggy with his kids.
“What can I do for you, Rance?” the sheriff asked. He was a large man with a large belly. He sat behind the desk with his fingers folded over his belly and his eyebrows raised.
“Dillon Daniels came by my place a couple of weeks ago,” Rance said. “He said Jonah McAllister had escaped from the state prison. I was just wondering if you’d heard anything.”
The sheriff scratched his chin and shook his head. “Haven’t heard a thing. We got a poster on him. Bounty is $2,000. You interested?”
“No, I’ve just had some past dealings with McAllister and would appreciate a heads up if he’s spotted heading this way.” Rance nodded toward the window. “I’ve got a new wife and children to keep safe.”
The sheriff looked out the window. “Nice looking family,” he said. “I’ll be happy to keep you posted, Rance. I know you’re the one who put McAllister away. You think he might be headed this way to pay you a visit?”
Rance didn’t answer. He just shrugged and went out the door. He could feel the sheriff’s eyes as he went across the dusty street to take his family home.
*
Casey saw Rance coming back. It was the first time she had really looked at him. He was handsome in a rugged way. His stride was long and purposeful, but he had the air of sadness about him, of course that could be just grumpiness but she had seen the same look in her father after her mother died.
“Let’s get going. We have a long journey ahead.” He didn’t even look at Casey and the girls as he walked to the horse to unhitch it. He jumped him into his seat.
He was not joking about the journey. Casey felt her guts being tossed about as the wagon rolled down the rough road.
The girls had settled down either side of her and were sleeping with her arms around them.
It was too noisy for her to talk to Rance. The one good thing was that she would have a home now and whatever the conditions, it couldn’t be worse than what she left behind.
Thoughts of her own siblings were never far from her mind, praying for the wellbeing and longing for the day when they could be reunited again.
Her reverie was broken by the halt of the horse and wagon.
“We’re here. Stay there while I light the lamps.”
The children began to stir. Rance returned and held the light as he gathered one child into his arms.
“You take Lily and follow me.”
Casey didn’t care for his tone, but it wasn’t the time to tackle him over it. With difficulty she managed to climb off the wagon and she carried Lily and her bag.
While she couldn’t see clearly, Casey was walking along a little path and she could see light just up ahead.
She walked into her new home. It was bigger than what she had lived in with her whole family. There was a ladder leading up to the loft and there was another room off the living area.
“You’ll sleep in the loft with the children. This is my room.” Rance was climbing up the ladder as he nodded towards the back room.
“Thank you, Mr. McDonald. I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable.” Casey put her bag on the floor as she tried to negotiate the ladder and carrying a child.
This was a new experience for her. She slipped on the last rung and Lily jolted, but was caught by Rance who took her up into his arms.
He made no effort to come to Casey’s aid despite her slip. Even when she got into the loft, all she could hear was him huffing at her. He went back down the ladder and she had a chance to look around. It would be comfortable and it was hers.
She told herself she needed to focus on her goal, a home for her siblings. She tucked the girls’ blankets around them to make them cozier and she climbed down the ladder to see Rance.
“I take it you have some chores you need me to do. How do I need to start my mornings?”
Without looking at her, Rance replied,
“The firewood’s out the back and you need to keep it going all day. I’ve some here for the morning. You’ll need to get your bearings when it’s light. The cows need to be milked.” Then he looked at her. “Do you know how to milk a cow and churn butter? Do you know how to cook?” he asked.
“Well, I don’t know how to milk a cow, there’s not much call for that in the city. But I’ll learn. I can cook and if you show me how to churn, I’ll be able to do that too.”
She stood her ground as she watched his eyes bore into him. All he saw was what Annie used to do and now this woman was here and not able to do half the things he needed.
“Can you shoot? There are plenty of rabbits to shoot and they make a good stew.”
“No, I can’t shoot but I can learn.”
Rance made some utterance at having to teach her how to shoot.
“Mr. McDonald you put the ad in a newspaper for a city girl to come here. Why do I feel like you want to get annoyed with me for not having country abilities? Why bother?” Casey’s feisty nature couldn’t hold back any longer. She tired, hungry and fed up feeling as though he was doing her the favor.
Rance turned towards the door.
“You’re right. It isn’t fair. Life isn’t fair. Now go to bed. I’ll have to check on the stock.”
Casey had felt sure he was going to show her who was boss by hitting her, so his demeanor unnerved her.
She wasn’t used to voicing her opinion and not facing some retribution. He was a st
range man. But as he turned to leave, Casey asked:
“I’m sorry, Mr. McDonald, but I haven’t eaten since I left New York. Is there something I could eat? I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need it.”
“Of course, there’s some cornbread over there. I’ll be back later. This is your home now. Look around.”
Another test and another unexpected response. Rance was not an angry man. He was a very sad man. Maybe I can heal him, Casey thought to herself. I can be a good wife.
She tucked into the cornbread and some cold meat. Eating as much as she wanted, for there was nearly a full loaf. Her belly had never felt so full.
She never remembered being able to eat so much by herself. The feeling was good.
* * *
Chapter Twelve
Casey was woken by the two little girls climbing on her. It took her a few moments to acclimatize to her surroundings.
For the first time in a long while, she had slept well. It made such a difference to sleep with a full stomach. She threw off the blanket and got ready to climb down the ladder.
“Lily, come with me first,” Casey said.
Lily threw her arms around Casey’s neck and she gingerly made her way down the ladder.
As she placed the child on the floor, she saw the fire was lit, so apparently Rance was already up and about.
She climbed back up for Rose and when she came down, saw the milk pail was full, so he had done the milking.
“I wonder where your Papa is?” she asked. The girls rubbed their eyes. Lily pointed toward the window. Casey opened the door and she could see Rance chopping wood.
“Mr. McDonald, shall I make you breakfast?”
He put the ax down. “No, need,” he said. “I’ve eaten. Just look after the girls. The cows are milked. I want you to look at fixing up the vegetable garden. The children’s mother used to take care of it. I’ve got to go into the fields.”
“Certainly. Can I ask you something? The girls mentioned their grandparents. Do they live here too?”