Cassies miracle, p.8
Cassie's Miracle, page 8
Uncle George peeked in and smiled pleasingly. “Your bath awaits, my dear!” He was proud of the home he had built and took pleasure in showing her all that he could provide for his family.
Cassie smiled and thanked him, gathered her clean clothes and toiletries and followed him across the living area to the door in the back corner of the kitchen. Inside the storage room a lamp illuminated the large cast iron tub full of steaming water. Beside that was a chair for her to sit on and undress. A small window behind the tub was draped with heavy curtains, allowing her complete privacy.
Clearing his throat, he backed toward the kitchen door. “Take your time and enjoy.” Uncle George excused himself and closed the door behind him.
Cassie smiled at how thoughtful Uncle George was by getting everything ready, even setting out towels on the bench beside the cast-iron tub for her. Her aunt and uncle had done so much for her already, with her own room, completely furnished and decorated so beautifully. It made her feel overwhelmed with gratitude for their love and concern for her.
Cassie could hear the couple’s muffled conversation as things were being moved in the kitchen. She began to undress, excited to get in the tub. The days on the train had been hot at times and wearing the same clothes three days in a row had left her feeling grimy. She carefully dipped into the warm water, not wanting to get a drop of it on the wood floor and allowed herself to relax and soak. Eventually, she began washing hair and body until she felt squeaky clean. Rubbing dry, she dressed in the comfortable house dress she had chosen. Thoroughly brushing the tangles out of her damp hair, she decided to leave it down so it could finish drying before braiding it. Gathering up the wet towels and her dirty clothes, she left the room.
“There, do you feel better?” Aunt Mabel asked as she emerged.
“Oh yes! Much better, thank you!” exclaimed Cassie. “Where would you like me to put my dirty clothes?” The room was fully aglow with lamps, as dusk had descended into night.
“Here let me take them, I have a tub of wash soaking right now, I’ll add yours and we can wash them tomorrow.” Aunt Mabel took the dirty clothes from her. “I made you something to eat. Just some hot biscuits and warm milk before bed.”
“Thank you, Aunt Mabel,” Cassie said, smelling the warm biscuits fresh out of the oven.
“Here, come and sit down, Cassie,” Uncle George said as he motioned to one of the chairs in front of the hearth where a small fire was now burning.
Cassie sat in the cushioned chair as Aunt Mabel brought over a plate of golden-brown biscuits with melting butter and a large glass of milk and set them down on the table beside the lamp and the family Bible.
“The warm milk should help you sleep,” explained Mabel.
Cassie thanked her and picked up a powdered biscuit and took a bite. It was flaky and buttery, just like her mama used to make. She ate and drank slowly as she watched the dancing flames of the small fire that popped and crackled cheerily. She was quiet, as Aunt Mabel and Uncle George talked about their preparations for her arrival and all the fun they had painting and picking out the furniture and decorations. Cassie smiled and tried to focus on their stories as she began to feel the exhaustion of the day seeping in. The warm milk was working its magic and she was struggling to keep her eyes open as she stared into the fire.
Aunt Mabel reached out and put a hand on Cassie’s shoulder, drawing Cassie’s gaze back to her. “My dear child, you must be tuckered out. Don’t let us keep you up. There will be plenty of time to talk in the days to come.”
“Yes, don’t let us keep you from sleep. You’ve had a long trip,” Uncle George said as he folded his newspaper and laid it on the table beside his chair.
“You’re right, I should get to bed. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll see you both in the morning,” Cassie said as she yawned.
Uncle George and Aunt Mabel stood and gave Cassie a hug and kiss goodnight and told her again how happy they were to have her with them. She thanked them again for taking her in and for the beautiful room and left them for the night.
Alone in her room, Cassie closed the door, pulled the curtains closed, and changed into her nightgown. She quickly brushed and braided her hair, then kneeled beside her bed on the braided rug and thanked the Lord for the safe journey and for her wonderful aunt and uncle and their generosity. She quickly closed her prayer before she fell asleep on her knees and climbed into the soft bed and blew out the lamp. Her head barely hit the fluffy pillow before she was sound asleep.
***
Cassie slept late into the morning and stretched and yawned before fully realizing where she was. She smiled and lay still, looking around the room, observing it in the morning sunlight streaming through the lace curtains. She heard familiar noises in the kitchen as pans rattled and smells of breakfast permeated the room. Her stomach grumbled hungrily; it was time to get up. Cassie made her bed, then sat down at the dressing table in front of the mirror and took her hair out of the braid and brushed it until it was shiny and smooth, then braided it again. She dressed in the simple light green house dress she had worn briefly the night before and pinned on her apron. Satisfied with her appearance, she came out of her room to behold her aunt standing at the stove, looking so much like her ma that it made her heart skip a beat before she registered it fully. The strong smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee brought her back to reality. Uncle George sat at the table reading the Bible and looked up, beckoning her to come and sit down beside him. She smiled and obliged.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
Before Cassie could answer, Aunt Mabel turned from the stove. “Oh Cassie! Good, you’re up!” she bubbled excitedly.
“Good morning!” Cassie answered, feeling the cheerfulness touch her heart. “Yes Uncle, I did sleep well.”
Mabel noted Cassie’s smiling eyes and color in her cheeks, she looked well rested and appeared happy. Aunt Mabel came and stood beside Cassie, leaned over, hugged her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “It’s so good to have you here, I can’t tell you how much we are already enjoying it! We were pretty lonely with just the two of us, but that’s in the past. You are such a blessing to us!” Aunt Mabel kissed her head again and released her to go dish up the food and bring it to the table.
Uncle George reached over and patted Cassie’s hand as it rested on the table. “It will take some time getting used to us, I’m sure. But we’re patient and hope eventually this will feel like home. Just don’t let us scare you with all our love and attention. We’ve been saving it up for years, and you’re now the lucky recipient!” he said as he laughed, making crinkles by his joyful eyes.
Cassie smiled at his teasing and felt their sincerity. “I already feel loved beyond measure; you both are most dear to me. As for feeling at home, you’re right, I’m sure it will just take a little time. I already feel better than I have in a long time,” she said, with a tightness in her throat. Just being with her aunt, who looked and sounded like an older version of her mother, brought her great comfort.
Aunt Mabel set the food on the table and sat down for the prayer. Following the blessing, she encouraged Cassie, “Eat up, the day is wasting and there are many wonderful things I want to show you,” Aunt Mabel said with a twinkle in her eye.
Cassie ate as quickly as she could, smiling weakly as they glanced at her occasionally.
Uncle George excused himself and headed out to do more chores on the large ranch, then he paused at the front door, turned and gave Cassie some last words of advice. “Don’t let her wear you out, Cassie. Mabel loves hard work and forgets not everyone is built as tough as she is!” He winked at them and left, closing the door behind him.
Aunt Mabel broke out in laughter at his teasing and Cassie joined in as Mabel waved him off. “Oh, that old goat!” Mabel teased as she laughed.
Cassie began cleaning off the table and asked Aunt Mabel where things were kept so she could wash the dishes. Mabel was happy to show her around the kitchen, then sent Cassie to the wood box for more wood to heat water for washing.
It was hard to believe that three days had passed since she had first left Missouri. Cassie thought of how her new life was beginning in her new home with some of the same daily rituals she had done for most of her life and it helped comfort her. She was grateful for the chores that would keep her mind busy. After the breakfast dishes were clean and put away, Cassie added more water to the large kettles and set them to heat for the wash tubs lined up outside on long benches next to the house. Together, her and Aunt Mabel worked, washing and hanging the clothes as they chatted about different things.
Suddenly, Cassie became overcome with nausea and excused herself before running around to the back of the house. She came back a few minutes later, looking pale and exhausted. Cassie apologized to her aunt for the interruption as she began hanging the clothes again. But Aunt Mabel could see that she was not feeling well and sent her in to lay down and rest for a while. She tried to argue, but Aunt Mabel was persistent, and she finally gave in and went inside. Cassie fell asleep quickly and awoke a few hours later, feeling much better. When she discovered that the house was empty, she went outside and found her aunt in the garden, pulling weeds.
Cassie startled Mabel, as she approached. “Oh, Cassie dear, you’re awake! I hope you feel better.” Aunt Mabel stood up, brushing the dirt from her hands.
“Much better, thank you. I didn’t realize how exhausted I was. I must have slept for hours. I’m sorry I left you alone to do the chores.” Cassie stood at the garden’s edge looking for a place to start weeding.
“It’s not your fault dear, you’re worn out from the trip and that’s understandable. I’m about to go in and make dinner if you would like some?” Aunt Mabel brushed the dirt from off her apron as she stepped over the rows of young plants, leaving the garden.
“I’d like that. But let me make it while you take a break. I’m feeling much better, really.” Cassie reassured her with a smile.
“We’ll do it together.” Mabel slipped her arm through Cassie’s and they went inside to wash up and make the noon meal.
Dinner was ready when Uncle George came in from working with the animals and commented on how tasty everything was. As they finished up, Uncle George offered to take Cassie for a horse ride.
Cassie was thrilled at the opportunity to see the countryside and the “family business.” She clapped her hands and responded, “Oh yes! I would love that, more than anything!”
Cassie missed riding through the fields on her horse, Midnight, immensely. What a wonderful treat it would be, to go riding on this beautiful June day.
Out in the corral, Uncle George saddled up Ginger, one of the mares that was used for herding cattle, then helped lift Cassie up onto the horse, as Aunt Mabel stood by.
“George, dear, she wasn’t feeling very well this morning, please take it easy.” Mabel’s hands wringed nervously, unsure if it was such a good idea. It was George and Mabel’s responsibility to keep Cassie safe and Mabel worried that something might happen to her.
“I’ll be careful,” reassured Cassie as she situated her skirt and took the reins from Uncle George, grinning ear to ear.
“I won’t let anything happen to her, Mabel, dear.” George mounted his horse and led the way out of the corral down to the creek that ran behind the house.
Cassie followed George through the trees along a worn path as she kept to the shade. The tall grass and wildflowers tempted the horses to grab a mouthful every few minutes. Cassie loosened the reins and allowed Ginger the pleasure of grabbing a mouthful, patting Ginger’s neck. Ginger was a beautiful red bay, with a shiny black mane and tail. Ginger kept picking up her pace, seeming to be almost as excited as Cassie about being on the open plains. Uncle George could hear behind him and hurried his horse along to give them space. As they came to a clearing, George slowed to let Cassie come up beside him. Together, side by side they headed toward a gentle incline, were miles and miles of grassy plains were dotted with grazing cattle.
Uncle George pointed to the cattle. “Our herd is mixed in with other herds on the open range until fall, then we’ll have a roundup and sort them all out. Some will go to market and the spring calves will be branded. We started with around 150 head of cattle, but our herd has nearly doubled the size in the past two years. Last fall, we sent a third of them to market and kept the rest, to grow the herd.
Cassie listened intently as Uncle George explained further.
“I’m not a big rancher, there are other ranch owners who have much larger herds. Last year I was told that there are over thirty thousand head spread out over the one hundred miles surrounding Cheyenne, and even more when the cattle drives arrived from Texas in the fall.”
“How do you do it all?” she asked, astounded at the number of cattle to sort.
“Oh, I don’t do it alone. I hire ranch hands and local cowboys to help with the roundup in the spring and fall. It’s busy during roundup, but for the most part, the cattle ranch is self-sufficient. It’s a prosperous endeavor to be a cattle rancher in Cheyenne these days,” Uncle George said proudly.
Cassie had a new appreciation for Uncle George as she rode beside him, thinking of his success and hard work. Before her lay miles and miles of thick grass and low hills. As they turned back toward the homestead, Cassie noted the grove of trees hiding their own piece of heaven from the world. She looked up at the clear blue sky and felt the sun on her face. Today’s ride made her feel so free. She smiled and asked, “May I ride her back to the ranch in a trot? I’m a good rider and will be careful.”
Uncle George nodded his head. “Just don’t let Aunt Mabel see you doing anything but walking the horse, or I’ll have some explaining to do.” His mouth spread into a cheerful grin as he teased Cassie with his warning.
“I promise!” Cassie patted Ginger’s neck. “Are you ready for some fun?” she whispered into Ginger’s ear that twitched with wonder. Cassie secured the reins tightly in her hands, nudged the horse forward and kicked a little harder in the stirrups and got Ginger into a good gallop. The wind blew her bonnet back off her head, threatening to loosen her hair from its braid. Cassie leaned forward to be able to move smoothly with the horse. Down the gentle slope of soft grassy earth, they flew. She looked over her shoulder and caught sight of her uncle. Cassie smiled and kept going until the ground leveled out where she passed some cattle that had been grazing. The cattle closest to her moved off, some of them running a few yards before they resumed eating. Cassie reached the road that ran past the homestead and slowed the horse to a walk.
“This must be the road that heads back towards home,” she thought. “How funny…already I’m thinking of it as home.” Cassie slowed and let Uncle George catch up as they neared the lane that ran through the grove of trees that hid the homestead.
“You really can handle a horse, Cassie!” Uncle George shouted as he neared her. “I haven’t seen many women ride as smoothly as you. You’re a natural horse woman,” he said beaming as he came up beside her.
Cassie smiled at him. “Thank you for taking me riding.”
“My pleasure,” Uncle George said tipping his hat to her.
Cassie’s love and appreciation for him grew even more that day as they traveled down the long lane through the shady trees. Aunt Mabel came out of the house and met them at the gate, opening it for them as they rode through, then closed it behind them. Cassie dismounted with Uncle George’s help, not because she needed his help but because it was the polite thing to do. Cassie patted Ginger’s neck as she nuzzled Cassie’s shoulder.
“How was the ride?” Mabel watched Cassie and George with pride as she stood by the gate.
Cassie handed Uncle George the reins and ran to Aunt Mabel and gave her a big hug. “It was the best ride ever! Ginger is a wonderful horse! I loved the wide openness of the prairie and even the wind. Oh, and the pretty cattle, there are so many!” Cassie chattered on and on, explaining all the beauty she had enjoyed, but was careful to leave out the part about her galloping home. Talking excitedly, the women left the corral arm in arm.
Half-way across the yard, Cassie shouted over her shoulder, “Thanks again, Uncle George!”
Uncle George grinned and hollered back, “Any time, Cassie, any time!”
That afternoon Aunt Mabel and Cassie finished the laundry, ironed the clothes and put them away. Mabel found it much easier with Cassie’s help and a lot more enjoyable. Her company had made the time fly by.
That night while sitting in front of the fireplace, Cassie began composing her first letter to Madeline. She wanted it to be ready to take with her when her aunt and uncle went into town on Thursday. Cassie had decided to go to the bank as well to take out a small amount of money to purchase a riding dress.
***
The next day started bright and early. Cassie awoke before sun-up and dressed in her house dress, ready to help with chores. Today would be mending day, along with all the other daily chores that needed done. She didn’t want to be a burden in any way and determined to do her part. The only thing that kept nagging her was how tired and nauseated she was. Cassie had hoped the motion sickness from the train ride would be wearing off. Aunt Mabel would start worrying if she continued to act sickly. Usually by afternoon she would be feeling better, but not today. She ate only a small amount at dinner and was barely able to keep it down.
That afternoon as they sat on the red velvet chairs, Aunt Mabel worked on mending stockings, while Cassie worked her crocheting. Mabel was delighted to see the project Cassie had started.
“I declare! Aren’t you talented! I’ve never seen such a pretty pattern. And what a beautiful color of yarn,” exclaimed Aunt Mabel.
“I learned the stitch from my friend Madeline while on the train. I planned on making a baby blanket to send to her sister who’s expecting soon. Well, that is if it is a girl and if I get it done by then,” Cassie said as she crocheted.
