by Indiana Wake
Rick was Aunt Melissa’s personal assistant. It seemed his main job was to keep track of the jobs her nieces had to do. And to make sure they were busy throughout the day. Always grumpy, Rick was a small, chubby, man with gray hair, and skin so pale it looked like marble. Despite his short stature, he never let a moment pass by if there was a chance to bully the two sisters.
Susan stared sleepily at him; he raised his umbrella and tapped her temple with it, and took a deep breath before he started talking. “Do you know what time it is? As per the schedule devised by your Aunt, you should be in the kitchen by now, and your sister should be laying the breakfast table.”
Susan blinked in shock and peered at the window. As she rubbed her head, she saw that only darkness showed through the thin curtains. There was no sign of dawn and she assumed it may have only been four in the morning.
“It’s not even five yet.” Susan protested.
“You have no business to worry about what time it is! It costs a lot to keep such big girls as you two and you should be more appreciative of your Aunt. Doing a few chores is just a small price to repay her kindness. Now I am responsible to give you your work, and it is the time you should be downstairs in the kitchen making breakfast, and your sister should be setting the breakfast table.” He asserted, in a hushed but firm tone.
Susan knew better than to protest. She simply curtsied and watched with a smile, as he arrogantly turned around and marched to his room. Shutting the door, she leaned against it, breathing deeply to control her despair. It was true they had turned to food for comfort since they lost their father. True they were larger than the average woman but no larger than Rick so who was he to disparage them.
She looked around the attic. The room had become home to her and her younger sister, Ellie since they lost their father. It was small and at time airless but it was their sanctuary. Ellie at just twenty was four years her junior, she lay fast asleep in the small bed at the back of the room. Susan fought back her tears and remembered what things used to be like. Life had been very different for the two of them when their parents were alive, Susan thought. As the daughters of a nobleman, a rich man who had come from England and made his fortune here on the Eastern coast of America they had led a privileged life.
Susan closed her eyes and remembered their mother. A beautiful and glamorous woman often praised for her looks and her kindness to her children. She was always there with a kind word or a gentle hug, but things did not stay that perfect for long. One day she was simply gone. They searched and searched but could never get a track of where she was, until the day Susan found a strange letter in the mail. Quickly she handed it to her father. He read it, with an expression of utter pain. Her mother had run off with another man, for she had not been happy with her husband. Following this news, there was only catastrophe for the family.
Susan and Ellie’s father became withdrawn which was bad enough but soon he passed away from a heart attack, and by his will Susan and Ellie were now under the guardianship of his sister, Melissa.
Aunt Melissa was never the loving and caring sort; she believed in discipline. Most of her life she had lived alone and had never thought to take a husband. Quickly she took over their house and she hired a personal assistant to take care of the girls. They soon found her to be a spiteful woman who developed a strong dislike for them and their responsibility. She never cared about them and never thought to check on them. The girls would fall sick and would not be given any treatment. They were expected to look after themselves; the serving staff at the house was only for Aunt Melissa and her never-ending parties. The girls had to cook for themselves and clean up after themselves. This lasted for about a year. After that, the girls were expected to do house-hold chores and play their part in the housework if they expected to get food and the privilege of a place to live.
But there was no point in dwelling on the past. Susan rubbed her eyes and walked over to Ellie’s bed resting a hand on her arm to gently shake her awake. Ellie stirred out of sleep and opened her eyes to her sister.
“Ellie, dear wake up. We’re getting late; you know we can’t afford that.” She smiled at her sister, warmly.
“What time is it?” Ellie questioned, in a hoarse, tired voice.
“It’s time for you to be setting the breakfast table.”
“You sound like Rick.” Ellie snickered.
“That is solely because Rick said this to me, a little over five minutes ago.” Susan was determined to keep her spirits up and she smiled at her sister. As Ellie sat up, she turned away, towards her own small bed, and started pulling on her worn gown.
“Well then if Rick has said it, it must be true,” Ellie replied with a grin plastered on her face.
Susan smiled at her sister. She had long auburn hair and a pretty round face with striking green eyes and full red lips. Sometimes Susan felt like a washed out version of her. Her hair was lackluster, her eyes a faded brown and her lips thin and with hardly any color. At times, she wondered if they would ever get husbands, but she knew it was impossible. It was not their size that worried her. A big curvy woman could look most pleasing if dressed correctly and their characters were good. They always kept a smile on their faces and tried to see the best in everyone even their aunt. But how would they find husbands if they were never allowed to leave the house? Susan pushed the depressing thoughts away, she loved her sister and must do her best to make sure that life was still fun. “Oh don’t be smart,” she said with a note of amusement in her voice. Picking up a pillow, she tossed it at her sister. “Get up before Rick decides he wants to gift our heads to Aunt Mellissa. He is so infatuated with our Aunt he might actually do it for her.”
The merriment did not last long and as always before they started the day, the girls held hands and knelt before the window. Quickly they said their prayers. They both asked for guidance to a better life and for happiness for their sister. Standing, they smiled at each other and went off to start their day. They gave each other strength and someone to lean on. One thing they knew was that one was not complete without the other.
Chapter 2
It was later in the day when Aunt Melissa waltzed into the kitchen where the two sisters were preparing dinner.
“When you are done with your chores,” she said her back straight, her elaborate dress folding in perfect pleats down her elegant form. “Come into my office, I wish to speak to you about an urgent matter.”
The two girls nodded and as she left looked down at their own tatty gowns. They were many years old now and the dresses had worn almost through. They did their best mending and making new clothes whenever they could find material, but Aunt Melissa was protective of anything she thought was hers and sometimes they longed to wear nice dresses.
But there was no time for dreams and soon their chores were complete. Slowly, and filled with dread they walked to her study. A huge desk stood as a barrier between then and their Aunt. Sharing a quick glance they bowed their heads and waited in silence for the conversation to begin.
As always Aunt Melissa was busy with her papers and other such things. The girls stood as still as they could while she made them wait. Eventually, she looked up, her face severe, her eyebrows drawn down.
“I am afraid I have some bad news to tell you girls,” she said. “Our finances have been running low. These last few months have been particularly difficult. I am afraid I do not have the means to take care of you any longer. I cannot bear the burden of two mouths to feed, and you girls consume a considerable amount of food. Since you are now grown up and old enough to take care of yourselves, I suggest you do so immediately. I will give you two months to make the necessary arrangements to move out and settle somewhere. I wish you all the best in life moving forward. Good day to you both.” And saying all this, she once again busied herself with her papers.
The girls looked at one another and back at their aunt. When she made no move to acknowledge them, they silently left the room. Susan fought back her tears and too
k Ellie’s hand. Calmly she led her back to their room and there they both sank to the floor holding on to each other.
“Let us pray,” Susan said and she calmly led them in a prayer. “Lord guide us in our hour of need.” She asked that they find new homes and that they could be happy. They did not want much, just a room over their heads and if possible a nice and kind husband. One who loved God. “Amen,” they said.
“Whatever will we do?” Ellie asked with tears in her eyes.
“Do not worry, dear, we will be fine. We’re smart and I’m sure we can think of something. Let us go to sleep and in the morning we will be fresh and solutions will come pouring in,” Susan said, comforting her sister and hiding her own worries.
The next day, Susan came up to Ellie as she sat milking the cow. “My dear Ellie,” she said breathlessly. “I have found a brilliant solution to our problems; look here.” With a flourish, she presented her sister with the day’s newspaper. It contained an advertisement by two brothers. They lived in a small town called Redemption it was situated somewhere in Montana. “This is perfect,” she said. “There are two brothers who desired wives for themselves.”
Together they read the advert. It said that the two brothers were decent men with good means of provision. They lived on a cattle ranch in a big house. They wished to settle down and were willing to meet any ladies who met their requirements.
“What am I supposed to be looking at exactly,” Ellie asked, looking questioningly at her sister.
“This is the solution to our problem. We answer this advertisement and go meet these men. They are brothers so if we were to get married to them, we would always be together.”
“Is this moral?” Ellie asked and Susan noted there were tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.
“I don’t see why not. If the men are not suitable, then we will move on. Besides if we stay here… what will become of us? We have nowhere to live, no means of income. It would be a fresh start in a new part of the country. Even if we don’t end up marrying these men, we will be no worse off than if we stay here. Is this not the perfect plan?”
“It does make sense I suppose, but what makes you think they would even want to marry us?” Ellie asked, innocently.
“Let us write to the men and tell them of our situation. We can clean, cook and sew. We are strong sisters, who could make a life in the west. Why would they not want us?” Susan said with a little more enthusiasm than she felt. But maybe it was God’s plan. Last night she had prayed and the newspaper was the first thing she had seen this morning. Maybe this was meant to be?
“I do not know,” Ellie said.
“We only need to go there. Any man who sees you is sure to fall madly and deeply in love with you. I am sure you would be wed within a fortnight. Now, do tell me, is this acceptable to you?” Susan said feeling full of dread and yet also hope.
“It is acceptable, my dear brilliant sister,” Ellie replied, blushing at her sister’s compliments.
“It is settled then. I shall write to the Treherne’s at once. They are called Jarrett and Lawton. Hopefully, if all goes as planned we shall be off to visit them soon enough,” Susan said. She ran to their room to quickly write a letter to the two brothers, leaving her sister wondering what she had agreed to.
Chapter 3
Susan waited with baited breath for a reply to her letters. In the meantime, life went on much as it had before. Aunt Melissa ignored them, Rick was as mean as ever and Ellie refused to talk about the brothers. Susan had already started to dream, they would be tall and friendly. Not too good looking but nice and pleasant if maybe a little rough around the edges.
She knew that Jarrett would instantly fall for her sister and she hoped that Lawton would soon come to like her. After all, she was a good Christian woman who worked hard and had been well educated.
Soon she got a reply. It was brief and to the point, and maybe a little disappointing. The brothers gave no hint of their personality but merely asked a bunch of question of the sisters. Could they sew? Could they cook? Did they mind hard conditions? And finally when would it be feasible for them to come west and visit?
Susan sent a letter back explaining a little about them. How Ellie was young and beautiful and that she was a few years older. She did not mention their size because it simply slipped her mind, but she did explain that they could not afford to make the trip and she asked if the brothers would see fit to send travel monies.
The first month had come and gone and Rick was more awkward than usual.
“When are you girls moving out?” he asked one morning.
Ellie burst into tears and ran from the room.
“We are making arrangements,” Susan said and she whispered a little prayer that the brothers would answer her letter.
It was just three days later when Susan received the letter. With shaking hands, she tore it open and quickly scanned its contents. With delight, she found a very generous money order and two train tickets. Instructions on how to travel were detailed and complete, but there was no sentiment. The Treherne brothers had not said they were looking forward to meeting their potential brides, it was almost like a transaction to buy cattle. Susan was quite surprised that they wanted her and her sister to come to visit so abruptly. These men had not even taken the time to get to know their would-be brides. Puzzled as to what it all meant, she wrote back letting them know a little more about her and Ellie and telling them that they would be heading out on the next train West.
Despite her apprehension about the Treherne Brothers Susan knew that they had no choice. Soon they would be out of a home and this was their only alternative. She quickly made the arrangements for the trip, bought them some new dresses and then hid the remained of the money. If things went wrong, it was not much but it would be better than nothing.
Susan was worried as to what they might have to face but so as not to scare her sister she said nothing of her doubts. She assumed that if it came to it, they could always leave and start their lives somewhere new. With these thoughts in mind, they both said farewell to their aunt and left to embrace their new future.
The travel was tiring and long. The train made Ellie sick and the accommodations were poor at best. Finally, after their long journey, they stepped off the train and arrived in the small dusty town of Redemption, Montana. It was beautiful countryside. Wild mountains surrounded then with great rolling plains in the forefront. The air was fresh and a light breeze made the temperature bearable. All in all, it seemed a good start.
As they collected their luggage, a man approached them and asked if they were the Arrington sisters. They curtsied and replied that indeed they were, to which he asked them to follow him for their carriage awaited.
Wondering as to where the two gentlemen were they had come to visit, they settled into the carriage. After loading their luggage, the man climbed up front and without saying another word he set the two horses to a gentle trot. After a long, bumpy journey, they arrived at the ranch, The Lazy T. Ellie, and Susan watched, mesmerized at the land unfolding before their eyes.
Long-horned cattle grazed in vast herds on the dry, yellow grass. In the distance, the mountains were covered in snow and reached majestically towards a sky so blue it seemed unreal. Eventually, they stopped in front of a large wooden house. It was two stories high and was bigger than their original home. The wood was a deep red and made it seem to blend into the landscape. As Susan looked up at the great old ranch house, it looked like a refuge. It looked like home.
The two sisters got out and stood, taking in the enormous house when the door opened and two men walked out the door. They were fine specimens and if Susan had not been there to steady Ellie, she would have swooned. They both had tall, muscular frames. They wore dark brown canvas trousers and buckskin skirts. As they walked down the steps, they took off their leather Stetsons and the girls got a better look at them. Susan felt her heart miss a beat.
They had thick dark hair and sun-kissed skin. One was older
than the other Lawton, and he had blue eyes while the younger one had green.
They walked down the steps and bowed slightly in greeting. The older one then introduced them, saying, “Good day Miss, Miss. I am Lawton and this here is my brother Jarrett.
Did she see a sneer on his face as he looked the girls over? Were they disappointed in their size, or looks? It did not matter; they were here and needed to make the best of this so she put on her sweetest smile. “Good day, Sir’s.”
“I hope you had a pleasant journey,” Lawton continued. “You must be tired and hungry. I shall see that you are escorted to your room at once.”
Susan spoke up and said, “Thank you, Mr. Treherne, we are much obliged. I am Susan and this is my sister Ellie. I hope we are not too much of a burden for you.”
“No, ma’am. Though you are not quite as I had imagined,” he said. “Please come on in.” He turned around and suddenly barked, “Jenna, come out and take these ladies to their rooms immediately.”
A timid little girl ran out of the house and gestured for both of them to follow her. Susan and Ellie curtsied to the two brothers and followed the girl into the house. The house was a sight to see, with its fine woodwork, banisters, and paintings hung up all around. Huge wooden floors were covered with woven rugs or cattle skins. Susan found herself gawking at the splendor as they climbed up to their room.
Their room was not a disappointment. It was large with two four poster beds, covered with clean linen. There was one closet for each of them and a dressing table with a mirror attached to it on one corner. Along the back wall was another chest and a bowl of water had been supplied. Towels were folded up on a stool for their refreshment. The floor was covered with a beautiful woven rug in a mass of different browns.