“Hey, let’s talk about happier things,” said Melinda. “Tell me about your mysterious stranger.”
Edith grinned and dug out an envelope from her bag. “Let me read you his letter. I received it before the cattle drive. But with everything that happened with David, I didn’t feel it was the right timing. You were so involved with his problems and everything. I thought it was best to wait.”
Melinda smiled. “Sorry, Edith. You can imagine my dismay when I found out about the whole thing. So, read me your uplifting letter. Who knows? Perhaps it’ll help me as well.”
Edith smiled, unfolded the letter, smoothed it on her lap, and began reading.
My Dear Charming Friend,
Yes, I have felt discouraged before, but then I remember the importance of serving others. When I lose myself in helping others, I seem to forget my troubles. I know a woman who is a perfectionist. She’s a dear friend of mine. Whenever she gets depressed, she goes out and visits her neighbors so she can bring a little cheer into their lives. Sometimes she takes a plate of cookies with her, and other times she doesn’t. Afterwards, it seems that life is back in perspective to her. You might know her. It’s your mother, Martha. Let me put it this way… I remember a very lovely day that brought me great joy. I don’t know why. The weather wasn’t unusual or the sun hadn’t shone any brighter that day. Perhaps it was because someone waved and smiled at me, which brought a little sunshine into my life. I’m not sure. It could be that I stopped to chat with a friend that needed a bit of cheer. I had also stopped off and helped an elderly gentleman with a few jobs. It could be possible this warm feeling came from these deeds I did, or perhaps not. I couldn’t say. Nothing happened that day that was significant or unusual. But I can surely tell you that it was a lovely day. All I can say is that service not only helps others but also those who give it.
Sincerely,
Your Friend
Melinda was lost in thought. The message of the letter had touched her, and she understood what he was saying. Looking up, she said softly, “I didn’t realize Aunt Martha got depressed, too.”
“Me, either. We never talked about such things. Maybe I was too busy thinking about myself. I thought I was the only one in the world who got depressed.”
“Me, too. No one really talks about such stuff. I remember how she would bring me delicious cookies and she’d say that she was thinking of me. Do you suppose…”
“I don’t know.” Edith looked into her eyes and smiled. “If I think more about others and not myself as much, that will make all the difference in the world. And helping others will have a positive effect on me. Don’t you think?”
Melinda nodded and then reached out to her, wrapping her arm around Edith. “Thanks for all that you do for me. I have been wallowing in my own self-pity because I can’t get up and do much of anything. I get ornery at times and maybe it’s because I’m feeing sorry for myself. In the meantime, I forgot to thank you for coming all this way to help me.”
“It’s nothing, Sweetie,” Edith said as tears welled up in her eyes.
“Oh, no. Don’t say that. You didn’t have to come here, but you did. And it’s made all the difference in the world to me.”
Melinda squeezed Edith tightly and gave her a tender kiss on the cheek as tears streamed down her face. “I’ve been feeling a bit discouraged lately and haven’t told a soul about it. I didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. So, instead of talking about it to a friend, like you, I hold it inside and whenever I feel it building up, I take it out on my poor innocent husband who loves me dearly and is only trying to help.”
As Edith’s tears trickled down her face, she hugged Melinda and sighed. “My poor dear.”
Melinda let out a puff of air in aggravation—aggravation only for herself and no one else. “And you know what?”
“What?”
“I’m going to try harder to make my husband happy, rather than wallowing in self-pity.”
Edith laughed as she wiped her tear-stained face with her white lacy handkerchief and then dabbed Melinda’s cheeks as well. “I believe this mysterious stranger is helping both of us.”
Melinda smiled. “I think so.”
Giving a sly grin, Edith said, “Guess what I’ve done?”
When Melinda heard the excitement in Edith’s voice, her eyes brightened. “What have you done?”
“I’ve invited my mysterious friend over for Halloween. That way we could get to know one another. I told him that we could dress up in costumes.”
“You’re not serious, are you?” Melinda asked with delight.
“Of course. I think dressing up in costumes is a wonderful tradition. I love it. Did you know that it originated from the Irish?”
“No. I didn’t.”
“In Ireland, Irish beggars would go to wealthy homes on Halloween night and ask for food or money? If they refused, then evil spirits would destroy their homes.”
Melinda laughed. “I didn’t know that. So what did you say to your mysterious friend?”
“Oh, yes. Here’s what I wrote.”
Edith pulled a second letter out of her bag and read:
Dear Friend,
I just love autumn with all the colorful leaves blanketing the sides of the mountains. Cache Valley and Bear Lake Valley are so lovely with all the fall leaves turning brilliant colors. During this harvest time is my favorite holiday: Halloween.
We get together with friends and family and celebrate by having delicious meals. We even bob for apples. Sometimes we dress up in festive costumes just for fun. I would like to invite you to my home so we can meet. We can dress up, of course. This year I’ll be dressed as a Spanish Señorita. How would you like to come by, dressed incognito, of course? And I could at least meet you in person.
By the way, thank you for your letter. Sometimes I get caught up in everyday life. I now realize the importance of service. If I can only bring a little bit of joy into the lives of others, then that can be true happiness. Don’t you think?
Our communication has meant more to me than you’ll ever know. I find myself getting excited as I wait for each letter, wondering what you’ll say next.
Sincerely,
Edith
“So what do you think?”
Melinda smiled and put her hand on top of Edith’s, giving it an affectionate squeeze. “I hope he does come. By the way, we’re having a little get-together on Halloween night, from eight to ten. We’ll have chili and cider. You can come anytime you want. We’ve invited several people to stop by, including Uncle William, Aunt Martha, Henry and Joseph. Gilbert has invited a few of his ranch hands, also.”
“I’ll be there after my mysterious friend leaves. You can count on me.”
As Edith tucked her letter and handkerchief in her bag, she smiled. “We’re a bunch of sentimental fools, if you ask me. When we get together, we laugh and cry. And then we cry and laugh.”
Melinda pulled Edith into her arms and hugged her tight as she said, “And we love so deeply, don’t we, Edith?”
Chapter 23
A Name For The Baby
Jenny set the table while Gilbert put the roast beef and baked potatoes onto platters to be served. The aroma of the succulent beef filled the air. He knew how to cook the beef just right so it would fall apart with the jab of a fork. Then he sliced some fresh whole wheat bread into thick slices, and placed it on the table.
When dinner was ready, Gilbert walked down the hallway to get Melinda. As he approached the bedroom, he could hear a soft melody coming from the room. He didn’t want to disturb her, so he carefully tiptoed toward the door and peeked in. Melinda was seated in her rocking chair humming and smiling as she rested her hand on the roundness of her belly.
He could see her face, her eyes, and her contentment. Gilbert’s heart swelled within him. He had not heard her sing since she was with child. Melinda used to always hum or sing around the house while working. But he had not heard a note for months. Between her morning sicknes
s, the blues, cramps, and worries about their baby, she had not even felt like singing.
As Gilbert listened, he realized that Melinda was feeling better. His spirits soared as he watched her rocking back and forth with a serene look upon her face. How he loved this woman—his wife and his companion!
As he watched intently, she said to her infant as she caressed her belly, “I’ve just got to be more patient with your father, Sweetie. Just because I don’t feel good isn’t a reason to take it out on the ones I love. Right?” She laughed as she patted her belly. “Right! I’ve been wallowing in self-pity for too long and I’m going to stop. I’ve got to think of others from now on. And not so much about me. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it, sweet one? We’ll get through this together, won’t we? We just need a little faith.” Then she continued humming the same melody.
Gilbert stepped into the room with a smile. Upon hearing him enter, Melinda was startled and quickly turned toward the door.
“Gilbert! How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough, Melinda. Long enough. It’s so good to hear you singing again.”
Melinda smiled contentedly.
“I’ve been so worried about you.”
Melinda smiled and then lowered her eyes to her belly and stroked it tenderly. “I’ve been praying that our baby will be all right.”
“Me, too.”
“And you know what, Gilbert? I feel it deep down inside this baby will be healthy and strong. We have nothing to worry about any longer, as long as I don’t overdo.” She looked up at Gilbert and smiled. “Have you been thinking of names lately?”
Gilbert walked to the rocking chair and knelt down beside her. He took her hand in his and held it tenderly.
Giving a mischievous grin, he answered, “Yes, I have. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought lately. What do you say about Jockwirt?”
“What?” said Melinda with astonishment.
Gilbert suppressed his laughter as he said slowly, “You pronounce it jock-wirt, I believe.”
“Jockwirt?” Melinda’s nose wrinkled up with disgust. “What kind of name is that?”
Gilbert chuckled. “All right. I can see you don’t like it, so I’ll continue thinking about it.”
“Good. I’d really appreciate that.”
He brought the palm of her hand up to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “Just for you, Melinda, I’ll think of another name. But I feel bad because I really liked it. It started to grow on me, the more I thought about it. It has a certain ring to it. Jockwirt! I like the sound of it. Don’t you?”
Melinda playfully slapped him on the shoulder. “Sound of it? Maybe monotone.”
“Oh, Melinda. You are so hard to please.”
Melinda looked down into Gilbert’s dark brown eyes and could see the humor in them. She smiled and said softly, “I have faith in you, Gilbert. Just keep thinking about it. I know you can do it. Remember, you’ve got less than three months to come up with a decent name.” She paused. “With my approval, of course.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Chapter 24
David And Jenny
David had changed since the cattle drive. He had become a more humble young man and was more willing to take advice from others. He realized the road he was going down was not right.
One day, he told Jenny, “After sitting around and not doing much for the past week, I had a lot of time to think about my life. I realized how wrong I’ve been, and I have a lot of growing up to do.”
When Jenny heard the sincerity in his voice, it touched her deeply. This was exactly what she had been waiting for, a repentant attitude. As he turned to leave, Jenny quickly put her hand on his arm. To her astonishment, his eyes had misted over.
“Please sit,” she said. “We need to talk.”
David sat down in front of her and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt. He had considered himself tough, and now he was showing a side of himself that he had hidden for years, the tender and gentle side. His mother was the only one who knew this side of him. Now for the first time, he had let someone else see it. He felt a little embarrassed as he bowed his head so she would not meet his eyes.
Jenny smiled and said, “Let’s start over.”
David looked confused. “How do I do that?”
She smiled “Like this.”
She gave an exaggerated bow, took his hand in hers, and gave a solid shake as she said, “I’m glad to meet you. I’m Jenny.”
David laughed. “Nice to meet you. I’m an old cowpoke, and I’m headed for Denver soon. How about a picnic this afternoon?”
Jenny giggled. “I would love to. And when you go home, I would like you to write and keep in contact.”
“Do you really mean that, Jenny?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “Friends?”
David squeezed her hand and nodded.
For the next three weeks, they cultivated their friendship. He had never gotten to know Jenny. He was too busy flirting with her for his own selfish reasons. He had passed up the importance of friendship because of the excitement of being an outlaw and trying to charm every woman he met.
Now he had to start all over again and cultivate the caring and sharing that were the beginnings of friendship. And to his surprise, he found it rewarding. David and Jenny took walks along the stream, had picnics, and he helped her with her chores when needed. Once he even surprised her by brushing her mare down. Sometimes, when he saw her coming from a distance, he would hide behind the barn and jump out, frightening the wits out of her.
Slapping him on the shoulder, she said sternly, “You do that again, and you’ll be sorry.”
David laughed so hard, that she vowed to get even. The following day, she was waiting inside the barn with a bucket of water in hand. When he stepped through the door, Jenny plastered him good. He gasped as the cold water struck his face and chest. He was soaked from head to foot. When she saw the startled look in his eyes, she quickly ran to the back end of the barn, slipped through the window, and barely got away by the skin of her teeth.
It was the end of October now and time for David to leave. When he walked his horse toward the house, the whole family was lined up outside to say their goodbyes. They were standing in a row by age and that made him chuckle.
Gilbert instantly pulled David into his arms and hugged him, pounding his back a few times. “David, you came here as a kid, but you’re leaving as a man.”
David smiled, feeling a little choked up. “Thank you, sir.”
As he approached Jenny, he felt awkward. He was not sure how to say goodbye. During the past three weeks, their friendship had grown into something very special. Now he wanted to take her in his arms and say goodbye the right way, but he didn’t want to be too forward with her parents standing there. When he saw a tear trickle down her cheek, he wiped it with his thumb and smiled.
Then he wrapped his arms around her and embraced her tenderly. As he held her, he whispered, “I’ll miss you, Jenny.”
She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. To her amazement, he blushed. And that made her smile.
After saying his goodbyes, David climbed upon his horse and rode down the path. The sun was barely rising over the Rocky Mountains. The clouds made lacy designs in the sky. It was a lovely day. David turned in his saddle and took off his hat. He waved it in the air and hollered a last goodbye.
As he rode away, Jenny realized how much she would miss him. He had treated her with love and respect. That was something special that Jenny would always remember.
Chapter 25
Halloween
Edith finished brushing her wavy dark tresses and allowed them to fall gracefully down to her shoulders rather than pinning her hair upon her head, as usual. She thought that a Spanish señorita would have her hair hang free to her shoulders. She grabbed a red flowered skirt and pulled it on. It had three gathered tiers, just like the pictures of Mexico. Then she pul
led on a simple white peasant blouse that tied at the neck. Next she hung a dangling gold earring from each ear and slipped on her black shoes.
Halloween was one of Edith’s favorite times of the year because family and neighbors would get together and dress up in festive costumes, eat foods of the season, and play games.
Smiling in the mirror, she pinched her cheeks for color and then carefully placed a red silk flower in her dark tresses just above her ear for decoration and color. The red flower and skirt brought out the beauty in her olive complexion. She truly looked like a lovely Spanish señorita.
Edith felt pleased with her costume. Her heart beat a little faster this afternoon and her spirits were high. She was not sure if her mysterious stranger would appear, but she had high hopes. As she walked into the kitchen, her mother turned to look at her.
Martha’s eyes widened, and then she smiled. “Oh my! Edith, you look radiant. I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.”
“Why, thank you, Mama. I appreciate that.”
“This young man is going to be knocked out of his shoes. I know that, for sure. He’d better be holding onto something when he sees you.”
Edith laughed. Her laughter was light and cheerful, and Martha laughed along with her.
“Mama, what if he doesn’t come?”
“Don’t worry. I know he’s coming.”
“How do you know?”
“Just a feeling.” Martha smiled and then held up an envelope for her to see. “I have a letter for you that was dropped by today. I’m sure it’s about tonight.”
Edith’s eyes brightened at the sight of the envelope. “Did he tell you if he was coming?”
“Just read his response and see what he says.”
She grabbed the envelope, tore it open, and pulled out the note. As she unfolded it, Edith held her breath. Staring at the words on the paper, she slowly let her breath out, and read, “Seven-thirty tonight.”
Those were the only words on the note. Edith swallowed and then looked up at her mother. Martha already knew that he was coming, but she asked, just the same.
Edith and the Mysterious Stranger Page 12