Cassies miracle, p.31
Cassie's Miracle, page 31
“Vic, go get Major from the livery and hitch him up,” Mayor Hook directed. “Come on, Sheriff, let’s get some cake. We’ll get it all hitched up, and then you can take a ride out to see your fiancé and surprise her! Tell her congratulations from all of us.” He put his arm across Ed’s back as he turned to walk with him back into the Town Hall. “You know, Ed, this is the best reason to lose a good sheriff. Please, tell that sweet girl we bear her no ill will,” Mayor Hook said, laughing at his own joke.
“Thanks, Hank, I will.” Looking back at the gift, he could barely contain his emotions. He hadn’t realized how much he would miss the job. Well, not so much the job really, but the people he served with. He hoped he could continue to stay close to them, maybe even serve on the city council in the future.
As Ed said his farewells, he removed his badge and set it in Mayor Hook’s palm. “Thanks again for getting my replacement so quickly. From the looks of it, we’ll be in good hands. And thanks again for the buggy and the Town Hall for the reception, it’s more than generous. I gotta go share the good news with my fiancé. She’ll be thrilled. Goodbye, Hank, my good friend,” Ed said with an ache in his throat. “It’s been an interesting ride.”
“That it has, that it has,” said Mayor Hook, pressing his lips together to control the quiver in his chin.
“Thanks again for everything, everyone.” He was feeling a little strange, realizing he wouldn’t be in charge of the law and order in Cheyenne anymore.
Mayor Hook replied, “No, thank you. I’ll see you at the wedding, friend. Good luck.”
Ed stepped out of the Town Hall to see Major hitched up to the beautiful new buggy. It looked grand. “You look pretty fancy, Major,” he said, smiling as his horse looked back at him as he stepped into the buggy. Taking the reins, he waved at the mayor and the council members who were standing on the Town Hall steps, waving back at him shouting, “Good luck!”
“Let’s go, Major. Let’s go get our gal.”
The buggy moved smoothly over the damp hard-packed road. Avoiding the few remaining puddles, Ed steered the buggy onto the grass, hoping to keep it as clean as possible. He pulled into the Hartford’s yard and jumped out of the buggy and tied the reins to the railing. Cassie came out as Ed came up the front steps.
“Ed!” Cassie exclaimed. “I’m so happy to see you.” She met him on the steps, standing eye to eye, wrapping her arms easily around his neck.
He hugged her tightly around the waist. “Cassie! Today I handed in my badge. I’m officially no longer the sheriff. When I went to see the mayor, he surprised me with a party, and I met my replacement. And look what the mayor and city council members gave us for our wedding!” Ed loosened his hold and motioned behind him.
“Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe it! That’s wonderful news!” Overwhelmed with excitement, she hugged him again.
“Do you want to go for a ride?” asked Ed, smiling at her.
“Yes! Let’s go right now. Let me just grab my shawl and leave a note for my aunt and uncle. They’re in town and I don’t want them to worry.” She ran inside.
“Are you ready?” Ed asked with a light chuckle as Cassie hurried to the buggy, her hair flying loose in the breeze.
“Yes, I’m ready now,” she said as he helped her up.
Ed easily maneuvered the buggy out of the yard and down the tree-covered lane.
“I still can’t believe it! What in the world made them think of getting us a buggy?” asked Cassie in astonishment.
“They said, every proper lady needs a buggy. And they’re right. It’s the first time I’ve needed a rig in Cheyenne,” said Ed, as they rode toward their future home. “Even though we’ll have a wagon to haul feed and equipment, you’ll need something to take into town. Besides, I’ve been thinking, I don’t think it’ll be safe for you to ride a horse much longer. I don’t want you to risk hurting the baby or yourself.”
“I was actually wondering about that myself,” she said.
“It’s my job to make sure you stay safe.” Ed put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “As I’ve told you before, I want you and the baby healthy. So, tomorrow morning I’m coming to get you so we can work on the house together. I want to make sure you don’t over-do it or do any heavy lifting.”
“Oh Ed, I’m so excited. Things are falling into place so nicely. It means so much to me to get the house cleaned before we move in. I’ll have enough work to do with the regular chores. Thank heavens Aunt Mabel is coming to help as well. With all three of us, it shouldn’t take long,” Cassie said with relief as she smiled up at him. “Thank you,” she said, knowing he had more important things he could be doing besides housework.
“My pleasure,” he said, kissing her forehead, then turned onto their road and drove under the shade of the trees to their homestead. As they pulled into the yard, Mr. Crowley stepped out from the cottage to greet them.
“Howdy, folks!” he said, waving. “That’s a fine rig you have there!” He ambled over and reached out and shook Ed’s hand and then Cassie’s. “Came to see the place again, did ya’?” he asked cheerfully.
“We were just taking a drive, trying out the new rig. Is there anything we can do to help you, Mr. Crowley?” asked Ed. “Any boxes that need lifted?” Ed wondered how the older man had managed the property alone all these years.
“No, I think I have everything packed that I’m going to take to the train. Oh wait, yes!” he declared, suddenly thinking of something. “There is one thing you could help me with. I need a ride to the train station. If you came in the morning, we could load up my trunks on the wagon and then drive into town. Everything will be yours after that, the wagon, the herd, the cottage and the homestead,” Mr. Crowley said resolutely.
“I’d be happy to. I’ll be here at seven o’clock to get you. Your train leaves at eight, right?” asked Ed.
“Yes, that’ll be plenty of time to load up the wagon and get it on the freight car. I really appreciate your help. It was lucky for me that you stopped by.”
“Yes, it was. Well, I’ll see you in the morning then.”
“Thank you so much. See you in the morning. Goodbye, Missy.”
“Goodbye, Mr. Crowley. And thanks again for your generosity. God speed and safe travels,” Cassie said.
“You’re welcome, little Missy. And thank you, God bless you.”
***
Arriving back at the Hartford’s, Ed exclaimed, “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! The mayor and city council insisted we use the Town Hall for our reception, free of charge. I hope that’s all right with you,” Ed asked, as he stopped the buggy at the porch steps.
“It’s fine with me. I’m sure everyone wants to thank you for your service and congratulate us. And as soon as I’m married to you, I don’t care what we do after that as long as you’re with me,” Cassie said, as Ed helped her out of the buggy.
“I feel the same way,” Ed said, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
“Would you like to come inside for a refreshment?” Cassie asked, as she pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders as the breeze picked up.
“Not today. I still haven’t packed up my things for the move tomorrow. But I’ll be here bright and early in the morning to pick you and Mabel up. Until then, my love,” he said, giving Cassie a soft kiss before he got back into buggy and drove away.
“Until then,” she said waving. “I love you.” She turned and hurried up the steps. “Tomorrow the homestead will be ours! Our own home!”
Chapter 16
Cleaning House
Wednesday morning dawned as Ed finished loading his clothes, guitar, and other belongings into the back of the buggy. As he turned in his key, he said goodbye to the Union Pacific Boarding House manager. He had now fully moved out, just in time for the new sheriff who needed a place to live. Ed drove the buggy out to the homestead where Mr. Crowley was waiting with the wagon harnessed and his bags ready. Helping him load the heavy trunks into the back, Ed then climbed in and drove Mr. Crowley to the train station, thanked him again for everything, and wished him God’s speed on his journey.
***
Cassie awoke with excitement, and a smile spread over her face. Today she would be working in her own home and the idea of it seemed almost too good to be true. She ate her morning biscuit, then dressed in one of Aunt Mabel’s oldest dresses and an old apron. Looking in the mirror as she twisted her hair into a tight knot, she tied a clean white cloth over it, covering every dark strand. She felt self-conscious, dressed in faded thread-bare rags with her hair hidden under a dishtowel. “Oh well,” she reasoned, “It’s better than getting dust and spiders in my hair and ruining one of my new dresses.”
Mabel and Cassie ate breakfast together and cleaned up the dishes well before Ed arrived.
When Cassie heard the wagon coming into the yard, she grabbed the bucket full of rags and soap and headed out the door. Ed pulled to a stop and put the brake on when he saw her coming.
“Good morning, Cass,” Ed said, jumping down from the wagon as she wished him good morning. “I got Mr. Crowley off to the train. The homestead is ours now, darling,” he said, grinning broadly as he walked towards her. “What can I help you with?” he asked, seeing Cassie with a bucket full of supplies, wondering if there was more.
Cassie descended the steps, meeting him at the bottom. “I think we have it all, but thanks,” she said, holding the bucket with both arms until he took it from her.
Ed noticed Cassie’s worn-out clothes and dishtowel scarf. “You can dress in your oldest gown and hide your hair, ‘Cinderella,’ but I still think you’re beautiful,” pronounced Ed, giving her a hug around the shoulders and a kiss on her forehead as she smiled up at him.
Cassie decided to stop worrying about how she looked. “If Ed thinks I’m still beautiful, regardless of what I’m wearing, then what does it matter,” she thought as they walked together to the wagon.
“Up you go, my little princess in disguise,” he said, helping her over the wheel and then handing her the bucket while smiling at his little rag princess.
“Oh, Ed, you’re such a tease. You always make me feel pretty, even in this old thing.” Cassie smiled demurely at him as she rolled up the loose-fitting sleeves.
Mabel emerged from the house, dressed in an equally worn dress, cheerfully swinging a bucket of cleaning supplies from one hand. “Good morning, Ed,” she said as he greeted her and asked how she was. “Wonderful! It’s a wonderful day for cleaning. I think we’re all ready to go. George is checking on the herd this morning, so he’ll be along later,” Mabel said as she handed him the bucket and climbed into the wagon with his help.
Sitting beside Cassie, Ed clucked to the horses and headed to their new home as the sun rose on a dewy morning. The birds were chirping, and insects were busy buzzing in the warm sunlight, and a subtle breeze rustled the leaves overhead as they neared their final destination.
The homestead was incredibly picturesque in the morning sunlight as it shone on the white cottage––like a beacon amidst the wooded grove. Dewy blades of grass sparkled as if dressed in diamonds as flowers tipped their colorful heads toward the bright rays, smelling like a freshly picked bouquet. The rich soil was still wet from rain among the thicker grove of trees, giving off a clean earthy aroma. Cassie placed her hand on Ed’s arm and squeezed it. Her face radiated with joy as he reflected her sentiment.
The milk cow mooed from the corral, signaling their arrival to the other animals.
Cassie smiled. “Our home,” she whispered with emotion, leaning her head against Ed’s arm.
“Yes, our home,” he said proudly as he pulled the wagon to a stop and gave her a quick squeeze.
As Ed began unhitching the horses, Cassie and Mabel took their cleaning supplies into the cottage.
Mabel used to call on Mrs. Crowley regularly, since they were close neighbors. Once Mrs. Crowley fell ill, Mabel visited more frequently, bringing food and helping with housework when she could. It had been over a year since her passing, and Mabel hadn’t been inside the house since. Oh, she had tried, but Mr. Crowley was too proud to let her come in and clean, insisting he was doing well enough. So, Mabel did what she could to help Mr. Crowley by dropping off bread or baked goods when making her neighborly rounds. Mabel expected the place would need some work, but when she opened the front door, she was taken aback by its magnitude. The once immaculate home now appeared to be decaying. As she walked around the rooms, pulling back the shabby curtains, she noticed a layer of grime covering the panes of glass. Then, running her fingers along the hearth and windowsill, she disturbed a thick layer of dust that had settled there. As she approached the kitchen, an overwhelming odor assaulted her senses and she held her finger to her nose.
“Well, Cassie, we have our work cut out for us. The first thing to do is open all the windows and let some fresh air in. Then we can remove all the curtains and wash them later. I doubt we will be able to hang them again. Maybe they could be used as rags if they survive,” Mabel said.
Cassie grinned. “I’ll get the bedroom curtains,” she said, setting her bucket down on the kitchen floor. “Let’s take the rugs outside and beat them on the line while we’re at it,” she suggested, seeing how dingy they looked, caked with dirt and grime.
“That’s a great idea,” said Mabel. “You might as well pull off the bedding too. Then, we can boil everything in the large kettle outside. I’ll have Ed start a fire,” she said as she opened the front room and kitchen windows and left to find Ed. She could tell this was going to take a few days. There was a lot to get done before the newlyweds could move in.
Cassie took down the curtains in the master bedroom, seeing they were paper thin, almost nonexistent, noting they were worse than rags as she piled them on the bed. She opened the windows and breathed in the scent of damp, woody pine and spruce that surrounded the property. In the garden behind the house, she could see flourishing green plants of various sizes amidst the damp mounds of dirt, and noticed the weeding would need to be done soon. Returning to her inside work, she gathered the two rag rugs from the bedroom floor and took them outside to hang on the clothesline.
Ed was already gathering the wood to start the fire for the boiling kettle when she passed. He smiled up at her as he crouched down to light the kindling. As she tried to lift the heavy rugs up and over the ropes on the clothesline, Cassie struggled, not quite managing to get them high enough to clear the line. Ed, seeing her predicament, came rushing over to lift them for her, quickly swinging them up and over.
“There you go,” Ed said, winking at her.
“Thanks, Ed. What would I do without my ‘Prince Charming’?” Cassie teased with a twinkle in her eye. It was such fun to be working with him.
“It’s my pleasure to reach the high places for you, ‘Cinderella.’ No need to struggle,” Ed said, teasing her right back as she strolled back into the house. He loved helping her, and even more, he enjoyed watching her, even if it was just doing chores.
Back inside, Cassie pulled the blankets and sheets off the sagging bed, noting Mr. Crowley had taken his wife’s quilt with him. Piling the bedding on the floor, Cassie began tugging at the mattress ticking, trying to get it off the bed; unfortunately, it was too large and heavy for her. Before she could go for help, Ed was standing beside her, taking it out of her hands.
“I wondered if you might need my help. This is too big for you to manage alone. Here, I’ll take it,” he said, smiling. He lifted it easily and carried it outside, emptying the insides of the thick canvas shell into the fire that was now roaring and quickly consumed the dry straw.
They carried out the old furniture to be cleaned with Ed’s help; the two red parlor chairs, the small writing table under the front window, and its chair. After beating out the dust from the cushions, scrubbing the upholstery, and polishing the wood until it glowed, they were satisfied to let them air out in the sunshine. Next, the rest of the rugs were taken up and beaten on the line, while the floors were swept and scrubbed with lye soap until they gleamed. Finally, inside and out, they washed the windows to sparkling, saving the curtains for washing later, piling them in baskets with the bedding.
Next, Cassie moved on to the smaller bedroom. The frames and mattress ticking of the two beds were dismantled and placed in the barn for later use. In the master bedroom, the ropes were removed from the frame and placed in boiling water, to be restrung later in the day. Finally, the mattress cover was washed with lye in the kettle of boiling water outside and hung on the line to dry and bleach in the sun.
While Cassie worked in the bedrooms, Aunt Mabel began scouring the kitchen, emptying the cupboards and wiping them down inside and out, disposing of old food and broken dishes she found inside. The smell was greatly improved when she removed the rubbish bin from under the sink, full of rotten left-over food. Finally, Ed took the old bucket out far from the house and buried its contents.
By dinner time they were all ready for a break. Climbing into the wagon, they rode back to the ranch to eat. They had made significant progress that morning. The washed things were drying, and the house was slowly becoming bright and clean. When they’d finished their dinner of cold sandwiches and milk, they returned to the cottage to resume cleaning the kitchen.
Mabel started on the cast-iron stove, which badly needed scraped, scrubbed, and polished. It was rusting in spots, and burnt food and grease coated everything. Mabel sanded down the rust, then scoured the grime away until it was smooth and clean, then polished it until the outside shined like ebony.
Once the cupboards were clean, Cassie began working in the pantry, taking out the old boxes and baskets so they could wash the shelves. Suddenly, Cassie let out a blood-curdling scream and came running out of the pantry. She was jumping around in a frantic state, shaking her skirts as she continued to scream.
