by Carol Henry
****
A horse galloped up the road as Seth walked across the barnyard toward the house. The horse and rider were hell-bent on getting someplace fast. He turned in time to see Cassandra Strang ride her horse into the yard. She sat tall and rode well, her back straight. Dark auburn hair hung loose and whipped around her face, her drawstring hat atop her head. She drew the horse to a stop in front of him.
“Hello, Seth. Fine afternoon.”
Cassandra flung her left leg over the front of her horse and slid down the right side, landing right in front of him. There wasn’t much space between them. Cassandra Strang smelled like wildflowers and fresh sunshine. Her brown eyes looked directly into his, she was mere inches shorter than him, and they stood almost eye to eye.
“Hello, Miss Strang. Did your father send you? Is there something wrong?”
Cassandra batted her eyelids. An irritating warmth spread through Seth’s entire body. He took a deep breath, and then let it out in a slow stream.
“Is something wrong with your eyes?” he asked. “Do you have a piece of dust in them from your ride?”
Cassandra looked displeased. “Why no. I’m fine. I understand you’re all moving out to California territory, and I came to say goodbye. I can’t say I’m glad, Seth Carmichael. We’re just getting to know each other, and now you’re up and leaving. And Daddy was so disappointed too. Said you had the makings of a fine farmer.”
“It’s true the family is leaving,” Seth began but didn’t have a chance to finish.
“I’m so sorry to hear you’re moving on.” Cassandra hung her head and played with the reins she still held in her hands. “I suppose then a simple goodbye kiss is in order before you go.”
Seth froze. His eyes popped wide. What was Cassandra Strang suggesting?
She lifted her head. If eyes could smile, hers were doing a bang up good job right now. Before he had a chance to tell her he wasn’t leaving, she took one step closer and kissed him full on the lips. And didn’t let go. Seth found himself responding and placed a hand around her neck, drawing her still closer. The kiss continued until Cassandra was the one who drew back, her face redder than a hen’s comb. For once she was lost for words.
Seth let go and stepped back.
“I’m sorry you rode all this way for nothing, Cassandra. I’m not going anywhere. Pa is taking the others out to California. Timothy and Catherine will be returning the end of August, but I’m staying put. I’m needed here to run the farm.”
Cassandra grinned, ear to ear, not looking so disappointed any longer. She plunked her hat back on her head.
“Why, then you’ll need some looking after without anyone here. I guess I could stop by every once in a while to see how you’re doing. You know, lend a hand.”
“That’s mighty neighborly of you.” Seth didn’t bother to tell her Maggie was going to remain behind as a housekeeper and cook.
“Daddy will be pleased to know you’re not going anywhere. Fact is, I’d better get back and let him know you’ll be at next week’s meeting.”
As fast as she had ridden into the yard and jumped off her horse, Cassandra climbed back up and rode back down the road like the wind. Her hat flew off her head and her hair flew unrestricted in the wind.
Had she just yelled yippee?
Seth couldn’t help but smile as he headed toward the house. Her brazen kiss had knocked him back on his heels. He stepped up onto the front porch and bumped into his father.
“Was that your Anna Louise?” his father asked, a twinkle in his eyes. “Fine spirited woman. I had her pegged all wrong. I think you’ve met your match there.”
Seth swallowed. He’d been caught kissing another woman.
“No.” Seth smiled. “No. It was sassy Cassandra Strang.”
If the Strangs were aware the family was leaving town, then the Mitchell’s must know as well. Why hadn’t Anna Louise been the one to ride up to see him? Seth couldn’t picture Anna Louise riding a horse with such abandon. He couldn’t visualize her hair flying around her head in a small breeze let alone a gust of wind. And the kiss he’d just shared with Cassandra Strang had his toes curling, his heart pounding, and his blood boiling. Unlike the controlled kisses he’d shared with Anna Louise.
Seth recalled his father was still standing there. With a silly grin on his face. He couldn’t remember his father ever smiling like that before.
“I don’t think life will be dull with her around, Seth. I’d rethink my wifely preference if I were you.”
****
The hustle and bustle around San Francisco was a regular bee hive. After being at Marybelle’s where she had gotten the rest and care she needed, Emily wasn’t quite prepared for all the commotion of the city again. She hadn’t looked forward to the long ride back to San Francisco from Marybelle’s, but today the wagon ride hadn’t been so bad. Today, she rather enjoyed the sights and even the city wasn’t so daunting.
They arrived a bit early, so William took them along the bay area where they stopped to enjoy a lunch and walk along the wharf before going to the station to meet her family. William dropped them off at the station and drove his team down the street to conduct lumber business elsewhere.
“Stop fussing, Em. Your green skirt and matching bonnet we picked up look lovely on you. Brings out the glow in your eyes,” Marybelle said.
Emily stood on the platform waiting for the train. The sun shone overhead, and a slight breeze teased her skirts against her legs. Marybelle had insisted on the bonnet, said she needed something to keep the sun off her hair.
“I can’t wait ‘til Charles arrives.” Emily turned to Marybelle, her shaking fingers knotted her cotton handkerchief. “Why, Marybelle, you’ll have to come back east for a visit. We’d be so glad to have you.”
“Lord, Em, I’m too well-grounded right here. Couldn’t leave my William and the boys.”
“You can come for a much needed holiday yourself. I’m going to miss you when I leave.”
“Maybe someday we’ll come for a visit. I’ll have to mull it over some. I know you must be so excited to see Charley-boy. Why I bet your heart is just a racing inside waiting for him to step off the train. You must be full of joy waiting to greet your family, too. Now don’t forget, I didn’t say a word, so act surprised when you see your children.”
“I will, Marybelle. Oh, I can’t wait to see my baby, Sarah. I hope she remembers I’m her momma. Babies grew so fast in such a short amount of time, I’ll be heartbroken if she doesn’t know me.”
“I’m sure she’ll remember you’re her momma. You just wait and see. Here, here, now don’t you cry, Em. Don’t want your family to see you in tears, no matter how joyful they are. Can’t be having a whole family sobbing as soon as they arrive.”
“I can’t help it, Marybelle. I can’t wait to hold each and every one of them.”
“Soon, Em. Soon.”
Emily’s eyes were glued to the large black engine as it roared into the station. How Charles could stand to work around those huge, dark creatures every day, she didn’t know, but she loved him for his strength, his loyalty, and his kindness. She loved him for his steadfast love for her and their children. She couldn’t wait to tell him so.
The whistle blew, the train rolled to a stop, the coach doors opened, and the passengers rushed from the cars.
“They’ll be here, Em. Stand still before you hurt yourself,” Marybelle said, wiping the tear trickling down her own cheek.
Emily danced from foot to foot, wringing her hands together.
“Let’s sit down while we wait, Em. You look like you’re about to pee your pants. We can’t have that, now can we?” Marybelle laughed.
“I can’t sit, Marybelle. I’ve done nothing but sit for two long months. There’s not a thing wrong with me now except wanting to see my babies and Charles. I can’t thank you enough for offering to let all of us stay at your place while they’re here. Oh, Lord, Marybelle, I can’t wait to see my family.”
Tow
n folk gathered just to marvel at the monster train full of people, produce, and dry goods after the weeks of strikes. The marshal and a few of his men stood close by, making sure no trouble ensued as people flowed from the train.
“I hope they had a safe journey, Marybelle. I wouldn’t want them to experience what Mrs. Aderley and I did.”
“We would have had news by now, Em. You just be patient.” She patted Emily’s shoulder. “They’ll be hopping out of that giant contraption before you know it.”
The passengers kept coming. Those disembarking looked tired. A man and his wife were the first off, and then several men in long coats and top hats, checking their gold pocket watches as they stepped down onto the platform. They looked to be men of importance. Emily didn’t give them another thought.
Next, a couple of young women dressed in full petticoats and silk dresses, a parasol in their hands and even though they looked weary from their travels, they were smiling and talkative as they were helped down from the train. Others followed before Emily spotted her family. Michael and Robert jumped from the train with an energy released from having to sit still during their long ride.
“Robert. Michael. Over here,” she called, waving her hanky.
They ran to her side. She bent over, welcoming them with open arms.
“Oh, my boys, I’ve missed you so much.” She kissed them both and held them to her for as long as they would hold still.
“The ride was great. Papa told us everything there is to know about trains,” Michael told her.
Robert, not to be held back, jumped in front of his brother.
“We got to sit up front with the engineers in the big locomotive and help shovel coal, too. Papa said it’s hard work keeping trains rolling along. But I think it was fun.”
“I bet you did,” Emily said and smiled down at her son. He could be a handful. Thankfully, Charles had made sure he’d been kept busy on the long trip.
Catherine, holding her darling Sarah, approached more sedately.
“Oh. Oh, my girls.” Emily broke into tears. “You’ve both grown so,” she whispered. She gathered Catherine close, Sarah still in her sister’s arms. Sarah squirmed and held on to Catherine as Emily’s heart broke into tiny pieces. She’d been afraid Sarah wouldn’t remember who she was after such a long separation.
“Now, Sarah,” Catherine whispered softly to the baby, whose head was now buried in her neck. “This here is your momma. Remember we said we were coming to be with her, and she was going to want to hold you and love you.”
Sarah’s chubby face looked over at Emily and broke into a smile. Emily raised her hands to Sarah and waited for her baby to respond. After a moment, Sarah leaned forward, and Emily lifted her into her loving arms. She hugged her darling baby close, covering her with tiny, soft kisses and cooing words. Sarah giggled and squirmed. Emily looked up to find Charles and Timothy standing next to Catherine. Her knees trembled, and her hands shook. Catherine took Sarah out of her arms, and Charles wasted no time wrapping her into his own strong arms. Thank goodness, or she would have fallen right there in front of everyone.
“Emily. My Emily. God, I’ve missed you,” Charles groaned, then finally kissed her. “It’s been too long.”
“Oh, Charles, I’ve missed you so. I love you.”
“I’m so sorry I sent you away, Em. I’ll never send you away from me again. Never. You can count on it.”
“It was the right thing to do, Charles. It was the hardest thing leaving my children, but I regained my health. Marybelle’s doctor confirmed I don’t have consumption after all, but I did need the rest. And now I’m better, I can’t wait to get my family back home.”
“Thank God you’re all right.” He leaned his chin on the top of her head, soaking in her essence.
After a moment in his arms, Emily disentangled herself to greet Timothy with a quick hug and peck on the cheek. Even a small show of affection in public was too much for her son to handle. Timothy’s cheeks turned a handsome shade of red, and Charles smiled and winked at him.
“It’s good to see you, too, Timothy. You’re growing into a fine young man,” Emily told him. “I’ve missed you so much and can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to these last few months.”
Timothy’s blush deepened, and he stepped back just as Marybelle and William stepped forward.
“What a fine family you have, Em.”
“Yes, they are. Let me introduce them all to you and William. This here is Catherine.” Emily drew Catherine forward. “She’s going to be a teacher. Going to Normal School this fall. We’re so proud of her and know she’s going to be a great teacher. And this is my precious baby Sarah I’ve talked so much about.”
“Well, ladies, it’s great to meet you both.” Marybelle tweaked the baby’s nose and smiled up at Sarah. “Your ma has talked a blue streak about you, you can be sure. And now who are these fine young gentlemen?”
“Timothy is the shy one, and I understand has been Seth’s right hand man on the farm. As you can see he looks like his father. And this is Michael and Robert who can’t sit still for a minute. Moving them up to the country has been a blessing for them. They can run around outside to their heart’s content.”
“Fine looking boys, Em. Charles, you both do yourself proud,” Marybelle chuckled. “I just know they’ll love living here. Now, you can all stay with us while you settle in and get a foot-hold here in California.”
Marybelle rattled on, and Emily almost didn’t catch what she said, as usual her cousin talked in riddles.
“Marybelle. Whatever do you mean?” Emily said in dismay, then stopped mid-stride on the way to the wagon where William and Charles stood talking. The baggage was already collected and ready to be loaded onto the wagon.
“We’re only staying a week before going back home,” Emily said.
“Oh, my gosh, Em. Guess I let the cat out of the bag again. Sorry, you’ll have to talk to your husband.” Marybelle turned to where the men were waiting for the baggage to finish unloading, a guilty look on her face.
“Charles,” Emily called in desperation.
“Looks like my wife just did it again,” William said. “Never could keep a secret. I’m surprised she kept this one to herself this long.”
“Guess I’d better give Emily the news myself.”
“Wait.” William grabbed Charley’s arm. “I was going to wait to talk to you about this later, but I guess now is as good a time as any. I need someone to run my train operation between the logging camp and the mill. With your expertise I figured you’d be just the man.”
“Thanks, William. I do appreciate your offer, but Aderley offered me a job in San Francisco working the Pennsy line office.” Charley shook his head.
“Think about it,” William encouraged. “Marybelle hasn’t been around family in longer than I can remember. I haven’t seen her this happy since we settled into our home. Like Belle said, you can stay with us ’til you find something suitable. You’d be able to be with your wife and family every night. I don’t have the time I used to, and I’m not getting any younger myself. You’d be in charge of the entire operation.”
Charley didn’t need much time to mull it over. This was exactly what his family needed. What he needed. His family had been separated long enough.
“It sounds mighty fine to me, William. You’ve got yourself a deal.”
The two men shook on it seconds before Marybelle interrupted them.
“Land sakes, William, you can talk to Charley-boy later. He’s got a wife wanting to spend some time with him.
“He’s a coming, Belle. Hold on a minute.” William turned back to Charley. “You’d better go. I’ll distract Belle while you talk to your wife. Emily looks a little stunned. Go ease her mind.”
Charley rushed to Emily’s side.
“Come, Em.” He tucked her arm in his and led her to one of the benches on the platform. “Let’s sit down over here away from everyone so we can be alone a minute. I have great news.�
�� Despite the commotion going on around them, in a quiet voice Charley told her about Aderley’s offer and then William’s counter-offer he’d just accepted.
“It’s true, Em. We’re staying right here. William’s job managing the timber rails for him will allow me to be with all of you. We’ll have more time to be together. As soon as we can arrange everything, we’ll build a house of our own. Early spring. William assures me it’s not hard, and there’s lots of timber men here to help.”
“What about Seth? And Catherine’s schooling?”
“Seth has already taken over the farm. He can have it. You know I’m not a farmer, never will be. As for Catherine, arrangements have already been made for her to start school next month. She has a place to say in town, and in the meantime, Seamus and his wife will be living at the farm ’til they can make other arrangements.
“Oh, Charles. That sounds lovely. But I am going to miss Seth and Catherine so much. And my Timothy. How can we leave them all behind?” Tears formed in her eyes, and she dabbed her hanky at the corners. “They’re my babies. My family.”
“Ah, Em, love. They’d be moving on soon, anyway. They’ll be just fine. Seth finally has marriage on his mind and will need the room at the farm.”
“Seth? To Anna Louise? I knew he was sweet on her.”
“I have my doubts about Anna Louise, my dear.” Charley couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. Miss Strang’s kiss set Seth back a bit. He certainly had his doubts.
“He met Mr. Strang’s daughter, Cassandra, who seems to be smitten with our Seth. Caught them kissing.” Charley chuckled. “We’ll have to see what develops come Christmas time. We might be heading back east for a wedding come June.”
“Oh, a June wedding,” Emily sighed. “How lovely.” Emily clung to Charley’s hands. “Tell me, Charles, what of the Flanagans? Will they be going back to Philadelphia now the strike has been settled?”
“No. They’re going to stay right in Candor. Seamus came home with me and has already taken a job on the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad in town. And their daughter Madeline is happy on the farm. She’s been following our Timothy around, getting a handle on country life.”