by Indiana Wake
"Excuse me but I believe I have something that needs my urgent attention,” she said. “Please continue without me." And still irate, she crossed the room leaving the men standing. With a swirl of crimson taffeta, she was gone giving no one the opportunity to call her back.
Forrest watched her leave the room. Like a beautiful butterfly, she had flitted in and out of there leaving nothing but her beauty behind. What was he doing wrong? For he knew that her reaction and abrupt departure had something to do with him and the way he had been looking at her.
What’s more Cassie’s abrupt departure had left a tension in the room. The children looked confused and the adults embarrassed. As he sat down Forrest knew he did not want his hosts to feel bad, he smiled at Amanda. "These yams are delicious, I must say. You have to tell me the recipe so I may pass it on to my cook."
And with that the tension floated away. Everyone relaxed and smiling and laughing the dinner continued. Although from time to time Forrest found his mind wandering to the golden-haired siren who did not seem to like him.
Chapter 5
The next morning Cassandra lay in her bed and wondered what to do. She didn't know why she was avoiding Forrest exactly. After all Edson had bought her sister as a mail order bride and she now loved him like a brother. All she knew was that her gut was telling her not to engage with Forrest. It was telling her to keep as far away from him as she could and she knew it was best to listen to her instincts.
What should she do? It was already long overdue for her to go down to breakfast, but she had not even got out of bed. A gentle knock on the door made the decision for her. “Yes,” she called in her weakest voice.
Eva Tisdale poked her head around the door. She was a small woman, with soft gray hair that was always secured atop her head in a bun. Many times Cassie thought she was more like a mother to Edson than his housekeeper.
“Are you all right Miss Cassie?” Eva asked.
Cassandra almost lost her nerve as she could see the concern marring Eva’s kind face. “I just feel a little ill is all,” Cassie said, her fingers crossed beneath the covers for telling such a lie.
Eva rushed over and stroked her hand across Cassie’s forehead. Gently she tested for heat and then she checked Cassie’s throat. “You may have a touch of fever,” Eva said. “Or it could be a little bit too much excitement. You stay here my lamb. I will let your sister know and bring you up some breakfast and don’t you go worrying about a thing, you hear.”
Cassandra lay back into the soft, feather cushions and snuggled into the horse hair mattress. “Thank you, Eva,” she said.
It was just twenty minutes later when Eva came back. Cassie almost let out a shout of joy. Eva had food and lots of it. Biscuits, butter, cheese and a thick game soup that smelled delicious. On the tray, she also had tea and a bowl of water and a cloth and under her arm she carried a book. “My goodness Eva, how did you manage all of that?” Cassie asked.
“It was easy,” Eva said as she put down the tray. I would do anything for you girls; you have been so good for this house.”
A surge of guilt went through Cassandra and she almost got out of bed.
“Sit there my lamb,” Eva said and then she fetched a cloth and wiped Cassie’s face and hands. “Now I will put this food where you can reach,” she said handing over the tray and pulling a chair over so she could leave the tea close at hand. “If there is anything you need, anything you just shout and I will be with you in a moment.”
“I cannot thank you enough,” Cassie said as she dipped one of the biscuits into the thick stew.
“You get better soon, Miss Cassie,” Eva said as she turned to go.
The stew was delicious, the biscuits light and fluffy and Eva had brought her a book on painting. Cassie expected to have a wonderful morning and yet she dreaded a visit from Amanda. Was she letting her sister down? Was she even letting herself down? These questions chased around her mind like Jeremiah chasing butterflies, and she was never quite able to grasp onto an answer.
Sure enough, Amanda did come to check up on her. “How are you?” she asked.
“I feel a little better,” Cassandra said hoping that her sister would not see through the lie. “Eva thinks it was maybe a little too much excitement,” Cassie added hoping that she would not be dammed for treating her sister so badly.
“I understand,” Amanda said and she sat down on the bed and took her sister's hand. “All I want is for you to be happy. I dreaded my marriage to Edson, but I knew it was a new start.”
Cassie sat more upright and opened her mouth to explain how unfair this was.
Amanda stilled her with a raised hand. “Hear me out, sister. The reason I agreed to marry Edson was to give you, my two sisters a choice. I told you then and I am telling you now that I will not make you marry. All I ask is that you give this man a fair… that you treat him with courtesy, and that you see if you could fall in love. Is that too much to ask?”
Cassandra had been all full of fire and ready to tell her sister how unfair this was but now what could she say? Amanda was doing everything for her and she had risked greatly, maybe it would not hurt her to be polite. “I will do my best,” she said.
“That is all I ask,” Amanda said. “Now get some rest and join us when you feel well enough.”
The morning dragged on, noon came and Eva brought Lunch. It was a platter of hickory smoked ham, some eggs, some hard cheese and a few cold potatoes. Then there was apple pie and custard and Cassie was happy for a short time. But already she was beginning to regret faking her illness. Doing nothing was massively boring and she was tired of reading. The techniques she had read about tickled at her senses and more than anything she wanted to retreat to her little spot in the stables and paint her heart out.
Would she get caught? She knew that if Edson was not working on the ranch then the afternoons were the Tomkins family time. They either went riding, picnicking or any other activity that Amanda dreamed up to keep the family happy. So, she couldn't just walk into the stables and start painting; she was sick after all. Slumping back into the bed she lay there frustrated and wondered what she could do inside the house.
At last she decided to go to the library and talk to Sabrina for a bit. Pulling on an old dress, she headed towards the library. On the way there, she passed by the family room and was stopped in her tracks. Someone was playing the piano. It was the most melodious sound she had ever heard. It sounded like angels had cried and their tears had made the music that was pouring out of the room. Curious to know who could be playing so magnificently, she stepped up to the door and peered inside.
To her utter surprise, it was Forrest on the bench, his fingers floated across the keys. His eyes were closed and his fingers seemed to be stroking the keys instead of pressing down on them. He had a look of such contentment and serenity on his face and the music he played was so enchanting that Cassandra felt drawn inside the room without her knowledge or consent.
Forrest continued to play, swaying in time to the music which rose to a heartbreaking crescendo that brought tears to her eyes. As the last note faded, it was as if he was coming out of a trance. He opened his eyes, breathed in and then looked directly at her.
Cassandra wanted to run, to get away from those piercing eyes, but she could not move. The music had left her in such awe and she felt as if she could feel the emotion of it deep within her bones. Forrest did not seem to see her and then his eyes cleared and he jumped to his feet.
His reaction caused Cassandra to come out of her daze and she started to turn.
Forest had been so involved in the music that he did not realize he was being observed. Looking up he saw Cassandra, a strange expression on her face and tears shone in her eyes. The look she gave him set his skin a tingling, but it was there for less than a second before her familiar scowl returned. Raising her head as if he was beneath her and she turned to leave the room. Forrest could not let her go without talking to her or at least saying something. "How are
you feeling, Miss Cassandra?" he asked.
Cassandra stopped, but without looking back replied, "Much better thank you, Mister Caloway." She resumed her walk towards the door.
Desperate to make her stay a bit longer, he blurted out, "Do you not have any criticism of my art?"
Cassandra turned around her left eyebrow raised. "I beg your pardon?"
"I meant my playing,” he said, gesturing toward the piano. “Did you like it?"
"It was fine. Who was it by?" Cassandra said with a condescending tone as she looked him up and down.
"I wrote it," Forrest replied, looking sheepishly at the floor. He looked up to see her mouth hanging open.
Seeing that he had seen her reaction, she closed her mouth and was back to scowling. She turned to leave and when she was almost at the door, she said, "It wasn't bad," before she left, leaving Forrest trying to figure out the anomaly that was Cassandra.
Chapter 6
After that, Cassandra returned to her room, the haunting strains of Forrest’s music still ringing in her ears. That evening, Cassandra decided that she wasn't going to hide out in her bedroom anymore. Forrest had already seen her and she was too bored to stay in her room a second longer. Plus, she was starving; it seemed boredom was as bad as upset in stimulating her hunger.
So, she joined the others for dinner. Just like the evening before, she continued to ignore Forrest. Watching him play the piano so magnificently had taken her aback. She had expected that a man of his looks and means would have people to play for him. It had never occurred to her that he might have a talent or interest, never mind that he was so good at it. For hours later, she hadn't been able to get the music out of her head. Nor could she stop picturing his face as he played it with his heart and soul clearly on display. It was how she imagined she might look when engrossed in a painting, only she was positive that he looked much better than she ever would.
She had to berate herself and mentally yell at herself to not cave in and become friendly toward him. He would take it as a sign that things were progressing between them and that she was willing to marry him. She had decided that she couldn't let this go on a minute longer. She would refuse his proposal tomorrow and once he left, all would be right again. It was with these thoughts and the constant nagging of her brain that she was able to avoid any conversation or eye contact with Forrest that evening.
Forrest tried his mightiest to make conversation with Cassandra but just like the day before, she would not let that happen. Amanda’s lips were drawn thin. She was obviously upset with her sister and that made Forrest feel even worse. What had he done wrong? How had he upset things and what was he going to do to get the beautiful Cassandra to like him?
Nothing came to mind and he kept thinking back to the afternoon and her unguarded moments that he had been able to glimpse. He was growing more drawn to her by the minute, more intrigued by the way she was, the way she behaved and most importantly he needed to find out who the actual Cassie really was. The dinner was not a disaster, but the conversation was stilted and all his attempts were ignored.
“Can I go play with my wagon?” Jeremiah asked as they finished eating.
Amanda wiped his hands and face. “I thought it was broken,” she said.
Jeremiah’s eyes opened really wide and he looked across at Forrest. “Mr. Forrest fixed it all up for me,” he said. “And he is really good at playing cowboy. May I go now?”
Forrest felt a smile cross his face; at least he had made someone happy. Amanda nodded and then turned a smile towards him.
“That was most kind of you Mr. Caloway.”
“It is my pleasure,” he replied and snuck a look at Cassandra. There was a strange expression on her face but as soon as he caught her eye she blushed and stood.
Forrest, Edson, and little Jake stood.
“May I be excused?” Cassandra asked. “I feel a little unwell again.”
This time, Amanda nodded, but there was strain around her eyes and sadness in her smile. Forrest hoped that he could make things better, that he could understand why his prospective wife was so unhappy. After all she had applied to be a mail order bride, had she changed her mind? Had he done something, or perhaps she had heard something bad about him. No matter how hard he thought, he could not think of a reason to change her mind.
He vowed that night as he lay in bed that he would get to know her by any means necessary. He would bring down her fences and get her to trust him, for he wasn't a bad person and he couldn't, for the life of him, understand why she despised him so much.
The next day after breakfast, Cassandra escaped to her spot in the stable. She had come down this morning with the intention of talking to Forrest and telling him to his face that she would not marry him. That she could not be bought and sold but seeing him interact with everybody, being so nice and friendly, made her lose her nerve. He had a determined look in his eyes all morning and that had frightened her more than anything. So, as soon as breakfast was over she had run off to her safe place accompanied by heavy sighs from Amanda and a strange, sad look from Sabrina.
Once inside her stable it felt as if all her worries fell away. Here she was safe and alone and could let her feelings run free. And so she did, all morning she let go and painted out her feelings. It was something she had read about the day before. Let your body control what you do, simply let go of your consciousness and paint without thinking. It was a great way to get out her emotions and express them in a non-hostile manner. After she had painted to her heart's content, she felt exhausted and went back into the house.
For some reason, she felt drawn towards the family room, through no conscious decision of her own. Stopping outside the door, breath held she listened, but there was nothing to be heard. No beautiful music stirred her senses and found its way into her soul. A sense of disappointment came over her; Forrest was not there and she would be denied such wonderful music. Quietly she entered the room expecting it to be empty and she jumped in surprise when she saw him sat on a sofa indulging in a book.
Cassandra turned quickly intending to retreat out the door before he could even notice her but as she turned to leave, he called out, "Miss Cassandra, would you mind giving me the pleasure of your company for a few moments, please?"
Chapter 7
Feeling her back and jaw tense Cassandra turned towards him. Her first instinct was to snap that she would not join him. Her second was to tell him exactly what she thought of him. But something in the way he was looking at her changed her mind. After all she had told herself she would be polite for Amanda’s sake. Unsure what to do she hesitated on the spot.
Forrest took this to be a sign of her agreement and a not unpleasant smile crossed his face.
"Miss Cassandra,” he said standing and offering her a seat. “I cannot help but feel that you have found me disagreeable and a nuisance to you from the very minute I arrived. I can only assure you that it was not my intention for you to dislike me so very much and I would like to know what it is… What I have done that has offended you so much?"
Gray eyes were contrite and sincere but all Cassandra could feel at that moment was anger. How dare he ask her that? How dare he even know? She had been civil towards him or at least not completely rude, so for him to point out her bad behavior was an absolute outrage! She strode into the room and stood a few feet away from him eyes blazing. It was time to tell him what she thought, maybe then he would leave. "If you want to know so badly then I won't deprive you of this information,” she said. “You have offended me dearly, Mister Caloway and your offense is that you came here to marry me, having bought me like a horse at auction."
Forrest was taken aback by her aggressive stance and her words. He couldn't, for the world of him, comprehend what she was getting at. He stared at her for a moment with his mouth hanging open, trying to read her expression but could see nothing but anger there. All that he was able to say was, "I beg your pardon?"
"You heard me!" Cassandra replied, visibly
shivering with anger now. "You made a deal, an arrangement with my aunt. One that I was not a party to nor did I accept and you expect me to just go along with this like some cow and do your and my aunt's bidding? Well, sir, I refuse to let my aunt, you, or anyone else for that matter dictate how I live my life or who I choose to marry. I will marry if, when and whom I wish and your deal with my aunt is of no meaning to me whatsoever.”
Forrest felt himself reeling from her words and even more impressed with her courage. This woman was no wall flower. She had courage and heart and he was drawn to her even more but what about this? He was astonished that her aunt was a horrid enough lady to make the arrangements without Cassandra's knowledge or agreement. It was no wonder she despised him so much. His fantasy that a woman as beautiful as her had chosen to marry him without looking at him or knowing about his wealth was shattered. At least now he understood why she was so antagonistic towards him. He might have been as well if the roles were reversed.
Forrest looked at her a moment longer before his face broke into a smile. Cassandra was shocked to see him smiling at her after she had just practically yelled at him.
"Well, Miss Cassandra at least I now know what it is that has offended you so much,” he said before she could tear into him again. “I wasn't aware that you were kept in the dark in regards to your aunts promises and I shall therefore not hold it against you. If you don't want to marry me, then that is your prerogative and I would be a madman to say otherwise. I would never dream of forcing anyone into anything and certainly would not force a lady such as you into marriage. So, if that is what you are worried about I assure you that you are a free woman and no promises made by your aunt stands."
Cassandra just stared at him, she could feel her mouth opening and closing, but no words would come forth. Had it been that easy? A hand went to her chest; no way had she ever imagined this conversation going the way it just had. She had expected him to rage and yell. To tell her that she was bound to promises made by her aunt. This man had surprised her beyond words by the way he handled the situation and by how easily he had set her free. A weight lifted from her shoulders and she wanted to sing and dance and even to hug him. This man did not pressurize her. Instead, he respected her freedom and made it clear that her decisions were her own. So very few people had ever done that for her and it brought tears to her eyes. She could not help but be in awe of him and grow to respect him just that little bit more.