by Rita Hestand
"I couldn't get the words out." She looked from one girl to the next.
"I haven't told Chester yet, either." Trish announced. "But I don't really think he'll care."
"Chester! Chester Smith?" Nadine frowned.
"Yeah, I've been seeing him a lot, lately. What?" She glared at Nadine. "He's a nice man, got a place of his own, why not? Look the contract didn't say we had to be in love with the man, only marry him. And Chester and I can get along."
"Why not? You could do much better than that, Trish." Nadine snapped.
"Maybe, maybe not. He's good to me…" Trish saw the look of disbelief on Sarah's face.
"Don't marry him, Trish. He's not what we came here for, and you know it!" Sarah announced.
"Look honey. We are all different. It doesn't take much for me to be happy. At least I only have to do tricks for one man, not many." Trish shook her finger at her.
"It's alright girls. After he proposes to you, then you tell him. Just like Jo Ella did Harry. Harry didn't worry about it, he's too good a man." Ma explained.
Sarah smiled, "Fat chance that Luke would take it that easily though. Besides, he doesn't like me like that. He's not in love with me."
"How do you know?" Maggie asked.
"He hasn't so much as asked me out, or kissed me or anything and we've been together several times, but he's just not interested in me and it's time I took notice of it and found someone else."
"Maybe, maybe not. He did go after you. He did wrap your feet. He did bring you home, safe and sound." Trish reminded her. "And obviously he did let you kiss him."
"Preachers are just men, Sarah. You gotta learn that." Nadine insisted.
Sarah thought about that a moment. "He was in his ranch clothes today and I saw him differently. I guess that's why I was bold enough to kiss his cheek."
"Good, you are beginning to see…" Nadine nodded.
"I guess I am…"
"What did he do when you kissed him?" Trish asked.
"He asked me why I did it. He didn't try to kiss me back or anything. If he'd have cared he would have said something, right then."
"Well…what did you say." Maggie asked.
"I told him it was a thank you kiss for bringing me home safe." Sarah explained.
"Then what happened." Nadine's eyes widened.
"I went to sleep." Sarah sighed.
"Sleep?" Nadine shook her head. "That could have been a great moment between you."
"I kissed him on the cheek and it shocked him. I don't think so…" Sarah told her.
Ma came back with the medicine and bandages and after doctoring Sarah's feet, she rewrapped them. "Now you rest. Things will look better in the morning." Ma told her.
"Ma…you never said, but…do you think we should have told anyone about….about our past?" Sarah asked.
The girls gathered around her waiting for her answer as she looked up at all of them. "No, you did right by not saying a word. Once you find a man, and you are sure you love him and he loves you, and then yes, tell him by all means, so it won't be betwixt you. But not until…."
They all nodded.
"Yeah, but I gotta find a man first!" Sarah groaned.
Chapter Thirteen
Brady came over on Saturday to go fishing, and he had someone with him.
"Hi Sarah, this is my cousin, Orville, he's going fishing with us today, if that's alright with you." Brady announced.
Orville smiled charmingly at Sarah.
Sarah looked him over, "Well, you like to fish, Orville?"
Orville shuffled his feet and nodded, "Yes ma'am."
Sarah took him in with one swoop of her lashes. Not terribly cute, but not ugly either, Orville looked to be in his twenties, with thick brown hair that hung a bit long and piercing green eyes. He was only a few inches taller than Sarah and very thin. His smile improved his looks considerably, Sarah quickly decided.
"I guess I'm ready to go, then." Sarah glanced back at Ma who was watching curiously from the stove.
"Is Haney coming?" Sarah asked as she kept up with them.
"He's meeting us there." Brady told her. "Orville is from St. Louis, he's here visiting us." Brady explained.
"How nice. So Orville, how do you like Texas?"
"Oh, I've been here many times, I like it just fine, ma'am." He answered.
"Orville has a job in the bank in St. Louis, he's an accountant." Brady kept informing her of his attributes. Suddenly she realized that Brady was trying to peak her interest in his cousin.
"How nice for you, do you enjoy working in a bank?" Sarah asked.
Orville shrugged, "Not really. I'd rather live here and be a rancher or something. Banking is very dull work.
"Still, you must be good at it." Sarah encouraged.
"I suppose I am. I was always good with figures. But I'd like to move here and work." He glanced at her once more, this time she noticed he was sizing her up.
"So why don't you?"
"My folks think I have a very good job and they don't want me leaving it."
Sarah nodded. "Well, who could blame them?"
Haney already had his pole in the water by the time they reached the pond.
"Any luck?" Sarah asked as she joined Haney's side.
"A little, got a small catfish, but I threw him back, he was too little. Let him grow up, and then I'll catch him again." Haney laughed.
Haney shot Brady a questioning look. "I see you brought your cousin with you."
Brady nodded. "Yeah, he likes to fish."
"Has he got a pole?"
"No, but I'll make one," Orville told him. "How's your sister, Haney?"
"Betsy, she's fine."
"Does she ever come fishing?" Orville asked nonchalantly.
"Gosh no, what would she be doin' out here fishing, she can't even bait her own line."
"I'd bait it for her if she wanted to come…" Orville offered.
Sarah chuckled. "Orville, I think the whole idea of Haney coming out here is to get away from his brothers and sisters."
"Oh…how many does he have?"
"Ten…last I counted." Haney laughed.
Orville nodded, "I see. Well, I'll make myself a pole and join you then."
Sarah watched with curiosity to see if he knew what he was doing, but she couldn't fault him with his pole. He seemed to be familiar with it so she decided to accept him as their new fishing buddy.
They sat on the banks and fished for a couple of hours, and Orville asked all about Sarah and her family. Sarah wasn't about to elaborate on her family though, not with this stranger.
"So I take it you weren't born and raised here?" He asked her after she got very quiet.
"No, I'm a mail order bride actually."
Orville twisted his head. "What does that mean, you are married?"
"No, I'm under contract to find a husband." Sarah explained.
"Having any luck?" He asked, raising a brow.
"Nope, not yet." Sarah replied her lip tightening to keep from slapping his face. How dare he ask such a question? He didn't know her and she resented him asking such a question.
She was thankful that Brady, or Haney hadn't said a word about the preacher. That would have been embarrassing.
"Sarah's been fishing with us for a long time now." Brady explained, as though it needed an explanation.
As they relaxed, Orville took out some tobacco and rolled himself a cigarette.
Sarah glanced at his actions. If he was trying to act manly, he wasn't succeeding.
When she couldn't stop staring, he offered her one.
She gasped, "Of course I don't. Why…they are bad for your lungs."
"Really. You mean you never do anything bad for you?" Orville challenged her.
"Not if I can help it. I saw a man die once from smoking a cigar every day."
"Was that why he died?"
"That's what the doctor said…"
"Rubbish!"
Sarah gasped again and this time she moved to
sit beside Haney.
After a long silence she glanced over at Orville, "I don't much like him…," she told Haney.
"Me neither, but it's Brady's cousin. He had to be polite I guess and invite him." Haney responded. "Kind of a know it all, isn't he?"
"You can say that alright." Sarah agreed.
When they had caught quite a few, they pulled their poles in and started to leave.
"Guess this will make a nice super for us, Brady." Orville spouted.
"Well…" Brady looked at Sarah, knowing how Ma looked forward to their catch each week. "I guess," he looked at Sarah for understanding.
But Haney saved the day when he walked up and looked at the stringer of catfish. "Me and Sarah will take half since we caught the most anyhow. Ma likes to look them for the boarders."
"Oh, well…alright." Orville agreed reluctantly.
Brady shot Sarah one of those I'm sorry kind of looks.
Haney and Sarah walked home together. Haney just lived a block away and Sarah turned to look at him. "Thanks for speaking up about the fish. That was kind of you Haney. Do you want to take a few home to your Ma?"
"Heck no, I bring a few in, then every time we go, they'll expect it. I'd rather just fish and give them to you, if you know what I mean."
Sarah stared at Haney, and raised his chin with a finger, "I certainly do, Haney. My folks used to be like that too…"
"They did?" Haney stared at her with his mouth open. "You don't talk about them much."
"I guess I don't. But I came from a big family too, only I made the mistake of letting them know I could fish." Sarah tried to laugh but deep down, that memory bothered her some.
"Don't let Orville get to you. He's a nobody. Heard tell his Pa ran off and left his Ma and they don't have much money, even though he tries to act like it."
Sarah took this information in. "That's sad, Haney."
Haney shrugged. "I guess, but I don't like him much."
"Is he staying long? Or do you know?" Sarah asked.
"Brady says he got fired from his banking job, so he's here lookin' for work…" Haney related.
"Sounds like him and his family are having some rough times." Sarah reflected.
"Yeah, but he keeps his nose stuck up in the air, like he's somebody."
Sarah's ruffled Haney's head of blond hair, "Well, we have to give him a little time. He's new here and probably trying to fit in. Hey, I'll see you next Saturday if not before."
"Yeah, we ain't goin' to church tomorrow, Ma's not feelin' so good." Haney explained.
"What's wrong?" Sarah looked alarmed.
"Don't know, but she went to bed this morning after she got up." Haney shrugged. "It ain't like Ma to go to bed in the day time."
"I'll come check on her tomorrow after church."
"Okay…"
"Maybe me and Ma can cook up something good for you and your folks."
"That'd be swell…." Haney smiled. "See ya, Sarah."
Sarah smiled and watched him walk toward his home. She worried about his mother though, and about Orville and his circumstances.
When she went inside, Ma was cleaning up the dishes.
"Got some fish for you…" Sarah said coming up behind her and kissing her on the cheek.
"Land sakes, you do. I'll clean them tonight and we'll have them tomorrow." Ma said with a chuckle as she put the fish in the sink.
"So how was your fishing trip?" Ma asked when Sarah grew quiet.
"It was alright, I guess. Brady brought a cousin along, his name is Orville and he's from St. Louis."
Ma turned to look at her. "Oh…how old?"
"Now Ma, don't get your hopes up, he's kind of snobbish."
"How so?"
"I don't know, he's arrogant, and he smokes, I don't like that." Sarah shook her head.
"So he's old enough, I take it." Ma concluded.
"I suppose, I'd say he's in his twenties. He was an accountant, and he's here looking for work." Sarah explained.
"He needs to talk to George Benton, he might could use him at the bank, or Norton Wise, from the Mayor's office. I bet he could find work here easy enough."
"Haney said their Pa ran off and it sounds as though they are pretty strapped for money."
"That's a shame, well, you can put a bug in his ear about those two and I'll bet before the day is over, he'll have the job." Ma nodded.
Sarah shrugged. "Alright Ma…"
"Now, tell me, why don't you like him?" Ma turned all her attention on her as she finished the dishes.
"I'm not sure, one thing he quizzed me about my folks, and offered me a cigarette."
Ma frowned, "He didn't!"
"He did!"
Sarah looked at her and chuckled. Then her face became serious once more. "Tomorrow I need to go over to Haney's and check on his Ma. She's sick. Can we take something for the family to eat, doesn't sound like she's up and about."
"Land sakes, I had no idea Etta was ailing. Of course we can. We'll get up early in the morning and make some food to take over there after church."
"Wonderful!" Sarah smiled. Then she pulled Ma toward her and hugged her.
Ma's face reddened, "What is this all about?"
"You are my family, Ma…" Sarah chuckled and ran upstairs.
Chapter Fourteen
Sarah and Ma spent the next morning cooking. When they finished they went upstairs to get dressed for church.
After services, Ma told Luke that Etta was ailing. "Sarah and I are going over to check on her. We're taking some food for her kids, I'm sure she's not feeling like cooking right now. Have you talked to her; do you know what is wrong?"
"No, I have no idea. But please keep me informed. I'll visit her this next week myself." Luke promised.
When they arrived at Etta's, the kids came running out of the house and Ma handed them dishes to take inside.
Haney spotted Sarah and gave a lopsided grin. "Thanks for bringing the food. Ma ain't up to cooking and Georgie can't cook good yet. And Betsy ain't here."
Sarah wrapped her arm around Haney's shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll see you all eat."
"Thanks!"
"How is your Ma?" Ma asked when she saw him talking to Sarah.
"She's ailing pretty bad. The doc is coming over today." Haney told them.
"Good. Now, let's get the rest of this unloaded. When you are done eating we'll throw a table cloth over the food and you can eat more tonight." Ma told him.
"Sounds good." Haney nodded as Sarah handed him two pies.
"Gosh, you two been cooking all day?"
"All morning." Sarah laughed.
Ma looked at Sarah when they went inside. "I'll go talk to Etta, you put this on the table and set it."
Sarah nodded.
When she had it all ready for the kids, she called them inside and she sat down with them to say grace. However, the look on Ma's face as she came out of the bedroom had Sarah concerned.
Ma motioned for her to go out side with her. "We'll be right back." Sarah told Haney.
When Ma turned around there were tears in her eyes. "Ma…what is it?"
"She's burnin' up with the fever, consumption more than likely. That house has a lot of leaks in it. Too damp all the time. Simon is in there, taking care of her. Said he's afraid to leave her alone like that. He's lost fifteen pounds or more. I just wonder how long she's been this bad. Oh…look, here comes the doc."
"Ladies…." The doc glanced at them. He didn't stop to talk to them but went inside.
"I guess we'll know soon…" Ma said, might as well go sit with the kids for now…."
Sarah nodded woodenly. "Haney, he's gonna want to know."
"Yeah, one thing at a time, Sarah." Ma told her and they went inside.
The smaller children didn't seem to know what was going on, but the three oldest ones did and their faces were grim.
Haney saw their faces and his went ashen.
They didn't have to tell him it was bad, he knew.
The doc came out after an hour or so, and Ma and Sarah had the dishes done and the food covered.
"Want a plate of vitals?" Ma asked him.
"No, got a baby due up the hill."
Most of the kids went outside, All but Haney and Susie. "How is she doc?" Haney asked.
"Ain't gonna lie, boy, she's bad. I gave her a spit bath and some medicine to calm her down." The doc looked at Ma and Sarah. "Get hold of me, if she gets worse."
Ma nodded.
Ma and Sarah peeked in on Etta after the doc left. Simon was sponging her head.
"Etta…the kids are all fed, and there's food for you, could you try some soup, hon?" Ma asked.
"I'll try," Etta glanced u at her. "Thank you for comin' Ma."
"I'm gonna have to go back directly, but Sarah and I done talked about it, and Sarah is gonna stay."
"Don't trouble yourself…" Etta protested, and the sheet fell away and Ma saw how white she looked.
"That's what friends are for, Etta. Now don't you fuss. Simon there needs to be spelled some to get some rest. And Sarah will send someone after me if you need me." Ma told her.
Etta nodded.
Ma brought her some chicken broth and looked over at Simon. "Why don't you go try to eat something Simon."
Simon nodded, "Thanks Ma, I'll be back directly Etta."
The way he moved so slowly, Ma knew he didn't want to leave Etta for a minute.
Etta waited until he left the room. "He's been right here at my side for a week."
"I can tell, he's losing weight. You should have sent one of the kids for us." Ma scolded lightly.
"I ain't getting' no better Ma." Etta said. "Betsy is over to her grandparents for the past few days."
"Want me to fetch her?"
"No, just another mouth to feed. Simon is so worried." Etta's voice was so weak.
Ma wiped her brow. "You got all of us takin' care of you. Don't you fret."
"I saw the doc's face." Etta looked at her.
Ma frowned, "Docs don't know everything. Leave it to the Lord, Etta."
Etta nodded. "I have. I'm alright Ma. I know I'm dying. Simon will be so lost. If…when…will you help him all you can?"
"You don't even have to ask it, Etta. Of course I will. Sarah and I will be here for all of you."
"Thanks Ma, you've been a good friend. And that Sarah, she's so sweet…."