by Danni Roan
Mae looked up as they approached. “I told you, you were terribly lucky to have a brother Mel.” Mae’s words were bright. “He rescued this poor creature.”
“The question now, is what shall we do with it?” Melissa asked, eyeing the roan horse before her.
“Oh, my!” Mae exclaimed, “I hadn’t even thought.” Her eyes were round and worried. “Aunt Jemma would never understand.” Her aunt’s words came to mind and she shivered.
“We’ll take the beast home with us,” Reese’s voice was kind. “I’m sure our groom can set him to rights, maybe some day he'll even be of some use.”
“But…” Mae began.
“But nothing,” Melissa jumped in. “We’re friends, we help each other.”
Chapter 8
“Miss Mae, you shouldn’t ought to be out here,” Marcus said, walking across the stable floor.
“Marcus how long have you been my aunt’s head groom?” the young woman asked, looking up as she pulled her gloves more securely over her fingers.
“As long as I can remember, Miss. I worked for Mr. Johnson when he brought Mrs. Jemma here as a new bride.”
“Then you know very well that she sleeps till at least eleven most days, and if she has no engagements, she takes her breakfast in her room.”
“Well, most days, yes, Miss.”
“I believe we’ll be alright, then, don’t you?” Mae’s smile was infectious as she looked at the lean, white-haired man who cared for her aunt’s small stable of horses.
“I reckon you’re right, Miss Mae,” he said smiling. “Shall I saddle Maud for ya,’ then?”
“Thank you, Marcus, that would be wonderful, but not that silly side-saddle, please.”
The older hostler shook his head. “I never did see a girl like you before,” he said chuckling, “but you do have that horse workin’ better than any of the boys ever managed.”
With smooth, practiced motions, he lifted a halter from a hook by a large stall, stepped inside and slipped the leather straps over the horse’s head.
“Maud’s a very easy animal to work with, so willing and gentle,” Mae offered, stroking the bay mare’s neck.
“Not as lively as you’d like though, is she?” Marcus asked knowingly as he settled the saddle over the horse’s back and began pulling the cinch tight. “Best use the back paddock so no one see’s you,” he added with a wink.
A moment later, Mae swung into the saddle, settling astride the horse’s back and checking her stirrups, the hem of the trousers she had persuaded Sean to give her peeking out from under her skirt.
The steady rhythm of the horse’s slow trot soothed Mae’s jangled nerves. The night before Jemma had had her dinner party, and despite the fact that Melissa was with her, it had been dreadful. She did not understand how Mel could smile and chatter with such boring, self-important people.
A slight shiver ran down her spine and she had to concentrate to get the mare to change leads as she moved smoothly around the open pen. She had to admit that she’d learned a great deal more about handling a horse from Marcus as he had schooled her in using the side-saddle.
Boston was so different from the Broken J, even the horses were different; all very tall and leggy and fashionable.
Snowflakes began to fall softly from a gray sky, fluttering down onto Mae’s face like an angel’s kiss.
“Miss Mae!” Ginny’s breathless cry drew Mae from her thoughts. “Miss Mae! Miss Middleton is up and is looking for you. She’s coming this way.”
“It’s alright Ginny, Mel won’t say anything.” She winked at the maid, shooing her away with her hand. “I won’t be much longer, anyway.”
Ginny scowled at the girl on the horse, but accepted her decision, even if she did grumble something that sounded like “useless cousins” as she walked away.
“Well, what do we have here?” Melissa Middleton’s voice carried through the frosty air. “You do get up to things when your aunt isn’t looking, don’t you?” The laughter in her voice made Mae smile, and she turned the mare toward the fence where her friend stood.
“I miss riding this way. Marcus indulges me, but please, not a word to my aunt. We’d all be in trouble then.
“I promise not a word.” Mel’s smile was full of mischief. “I just came out to tell you that you’ve received a letter.” She waved a fat envelope in the air.
“From home?” Mae squealed, throwing herself from the saddle and racing to her friend.
“It’s posted from Casper, Wyoming.”
Scrabbling over the rail fence, Mae grabbed her friend’s arm and hurried toward the wide front porch of the house. She had no sooner settled herself on the wicker settee than she tore open the packet.
Dearest Mae, October 25, 1890
Let me first tell you that everyone here at the ranch is healthy and doing very well. Some are even better than fine. Your sister Alexis has married Reg and about time if you ask me. Who would have thought those two book worms would finally figure it out? I laugh every time I see them walking around the ranch hand in hand their heads together like two book ends. But then you know how Lexi is.
Fiona’s little one has finally arrived and not a minute too soon. I thought Deeks would have to hit Hank over the head with his hammer to settle him. Fiona didn’t have a lick of trouble and she’s had a little girl. They’ve called her Lilly and she’s precious. I get to baby sit any time I want to. Eric is thrilled to be a big brother at last. You won’t believe how he’s grown. I think he might end up as big as his father after all.
Eric sends his love and reminds me to tell you that Callie is working out perfectly with the cart. Your pa’s out just about every day and I think it’s the best thing for him. Ben says that Joshua needs to be out on the range even if it is in a two-wheeled cart instead of on a horse. Just keeping his eyes on the ranch gives him new purpose and he looks fine.
Of course Will’s just as bad as Ben and Josh and Katie isn’t much better when it comes to charging around the ranch looking after those daft cows. Though I believe Katie will be staying a little closer to home again soon since she’s expecting again. At least Will has enough sense not to tell Katie she can’t ride, unlike some others. Little Mary is walking and keeps your Nona on her toes but she’s so sweet.
Speaking of cows Ben bought me a new one. Ordered her from Wisconsin and had her brought out from Casper. She’s a brown Swiss and if someone can love a cow I think I do. Her milk is the creamiest I’ve ever seen and that’s saying something. We’re going to make ice-cream with it when the first snow falls. Nona ordered one of those ice-cream churns from a catalog and has promised Eric the first taste.
Billy sends his love but is busy wooing ‘Mizz Dora’ as he calls her. Honestly I think she’ll agree to marry him just so he’ll stop pestering her. He followers her around all day going on about how they aren’t getting any younger and should make the most of the time they have left. I don’t think she expected this when she decided to come visit her sons. If you ask me I think she likes all the attention at her age even if she will never admit it.
Clay and Meg are home again but who knows how long they’ll stay this time. Seems they’re off gallivanting around the country every chance they get. I swear your Grandmother Bianca will salt their tails if they don’t settle down soon. She was mumbling something about butter on cat’s feet the other day and glaring at Meg to beat the band. You know Meg though, she simply kissed Nona on the cheek and started singing a happy tune.
I do hope you are doing well and enjoying your time in Boston. Have you made any friends? I wish I could see all the fancy dresses you are wearing. What news of Sean? Are his classes going well? I’m sure it must be wonderful to have him there with you. It’s a comfort to have family nearby.
Do write soon and tell us all about the big city. I’ve enclosed your Ye-ye’s letter along with mine. He misses you but believes in what you are doing. Get the education they all want you to have and hurry home to us.
Your
loving Aunt Cathleen
By the time Mae had finished reading the letter, her hands were shaking and tears were streaming down her face.
Melissa reached over and took the letter from her friend’s hands before wrapping her arms around her and pulling her tight. “Don’t cry Mae, you’ll see them all soon. Catching up with those far away is always bitter sweet.”
Mae wrapped her arms around her friend. “I’m so thankful I have you, Mel. It does make it easier. I’m sorry for being so silly.”
“You’re not being silly, Mae. I can’t imagine how hard it must be coming to a new place. I’ve traveled, of course, but always with my family.”
Mae hiccupped and sniffled, but tried to smile.
“Here, dry your eyes,” Melissa said, handing a handkerchief to her. “Now what should we do today?”
Reese pulled the buggy to a stop in front of the imposing house and looked up to see his sister drying Mae’s eyes. What could possibly have already happened at this time of the morning? he wondered
A sudden surge of fear, or was it anger, welled up inside of him. Pulling the hand break, he looped the reins over the handle and bounded out of the cart.
Placing his foot on the first stair he tugged his jacket straight, composed his features and called a cheerful, “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Melissa called. “Now aren’t you early?” she said, rising with a smile. “It looks like today is going to be full of surprises.”
“Mel, I told you I’d come for you this morning.” Reese tried to look at Mae from around his sister’s shoulder. The young woman had dried her tears and was smiling again.
A minute later Mae came bouncing over to her companions. “What did you have in mind today, Reese?”
“Yes, Reese, what did you have in mind?” Melissa’s smile was wicked as she studied her brother’s face, noting how his eyes lingered on Mae.
“How about a drive in the park?” Reese said boldly. “It is the first snow after all.”
“Can I drive?” Mae asked, looking thrilled with the idea.
“Why not,” Melissa offered, ignoring her brother’s scowl.
“I’ll just let Aunt Jemma know I’m going with you.”
“And change your clothes,” Mel chided, tweaking her brother’s cheek as she spun on her heel and followed Mae into the house.
***
The park was nearly empty on such a chilly day as a light skiff of snow began to turn the ground white. The sharp clip-clop, clip-clop of the sleek horses’ hooves echoed sharply off the dark trees as they drove along.
“Mae, do you have to go so fast?” Melissa scolded, holding to the light rail at the front of the two-wheeled carriage.
“It’s more fun that way,” Mae said smoothly, making the turn around the far end of the driving path.
“At least she hasn’t turned us over yet,” Reese muttered a roguish grin on his face.
“Before I came to Boston my cousin Sean, Eric and I built a cart for my father. He doesn’t get around as well as he did before, so we made it for him to be able to be out on the range,” Mae spoke, her concentration still on the horse.
“You built it?” Reese’s voice betrayed his surprise.
“Uncle Deeks worked on it as well of course, he’s a blacksmith. In the end, it was perfect. My pony Callie pulls it. I thought it would take me ages to teach her, but she took to it well.” She reined the trotting horse to a walk and lifted her face to a waning sun.
“You are telling me that you built a cart and trained your own pony?” Mel’s voice was incredulous.
“We do all sorts of things on the ranch. We’re so far away from everyone else we pretty much have to be self-sufficient.”
“And you ride astride?” Mel tittered, already knowing the answer.
“Yes, honestly Mel, it is so much easier,” Mae rolled her eyes. “Side saddles are silly.”
“Someday I must see it. I must see you and your sisters chasing cows.”
“You can ride along with me,” Mae laughed feeling free again, as she hadn’t in a long time.
“Here, give me the reins,” Reese snapped, quickly taking the lines in his hands as another buggy approached.
“That was rude, Reese,” Mel’s voice was peevish.
“Mel, you know very well that it’s frowned upon for women to be driving in the park.”
“But why?” Mae asked. “At home women drive all the time. I’ve even seen a woman muleskinner once. She and her husband drove teams of up to twenty mules at a time, hauling supplies to faraway places in the prairie.”
“Twenty mules all at once.” Reese had pulled the horse to a stop out of sheer surprise.
“Yes. Father used to have supplies delivered twice a year from Casper and the teamsters would drive massive wagons pulled by six teams of two, or even more.”
“Twelve horses,” Reese played with the two lines in his hands, trying to figure out how someone could manage so many animals at once.
“Once I saw a skinner flick a fly off a horse’s shoulder with his whip without touching the horse. They are highly skilled and they know their horses very well. I always thought it would be fascinating to drive a team like that. Sometimes Billy would let me drive the chuck wagon, but that’s different.”
Mel giggled, “Which one’s Billy again? Is he the old cook that’s courting your brother-in-law’s mother?”
“Yes, that’s Billy. He’s more fun that you would believe. We used to play checkers and he’d sneak me cookies when I was in trouble with Nona.”
“What’s a Nona?” Reese asked, lifting a hand to rub his forehead. He’d never heard of such a mixed up family and he could not keep it straight in his head.
“Nona is my grandmother. She and my grandfather Isadoro emigrated from Italy. They came right through New York, you know. Grandad is a builder and is the one who started all of the buildings on the Broken J when his daughter Cammie married my pa.”
“So her name is Nona?” Reese asked, sending both girls into fits of laughter.
“No, Nona is Italian for Grandmother,” the girls squealed in unison. “Everyone calls her Nona.”
“Oh, well that clears everything up.” Reese rolled his eyes dramatically.
The silvery titter of female laughter echoed in the crisp clear air of the park as Reese turned the buggy toward home with a shake of his head.
Chapter 9
“Your aunt is expecting you in the parlor,” Carver said softly as Mae entered the house. “She has guests.” His stern face was passive and his eyes gave nothing away.
“Thank you, Carver,” Mae said, shaking off a chill that raced down her arms. Who could possibly have come to visit? No one simply dropped in unannounced in Boston; it was unheard of. Thoughts scurried like rodents through Mae’s mind as she walked toward the parlor.
She paused for a moment, collecting herself before entering. Her aunt was always very formal and she didn’t want to disappoint. If she did, she would be lectured for ages about it.
Pulling her gloves from her hands Mae entered the parlor, freezing for a moment in her tracks as she took in her aunt and the woman sitting across from her at the small round tea table.
“Oh, there you are dear,” Mrs. Middleton smiled brightly at her. “I was doing some shopping today and your aunt was kind enough to allow me to come for tea.” Her bright smile set Mae at ease, as out of habit she dipped a slight curtsy.
“I trust you had a nice morning,” Jemma’s smile was less welcoming than her companion’s, her eyes assessing.
“Yes, thank you, Auntie.” Mae replied, finally moving once more. “We, Melissa, Reese and I, went driving in the park.”
“I hope Reese wasn’t reckless,” Mrs. Middleton spoke, “he’s too easily bored these days.” She shook her head to add emphasis to the statement.
“Is he often reckless?” Jemma Johnson questioned, a look akin to worry dashing across her face.
“No, not exactly reckless; he does like to
push the limits though. Sometimes if not for his dedication to his sister, I think he’d leave Boston all together. I don’t know what will happen to the boy once he leaves school.”
Mae had settled herself on a chair by the table and poured a cup of the still-steaming dark brew. As she sat the pot back on the tray and looked up, she noticed all eyes on her. Whatever had she done this time?
“He seems to be having a good time escorting the girls about town now,” Mrs. Middleton spoke again, the corner of her mouth turning upward.
“I’m so grateful that Mae has such good friends.” Jemma seemed somehow pleased with the situation.
“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to speak to you personally about Mae joining our family for another outing.”
Mae looked at her best friend’s mother, wondering where this conversation was leading.
“I’m sure you know that my husband and I have a house on the Cape.” Again, Mrs. Middleton addressed Mae’s aunt. “Every Thanksgiving we spend a week there and we were hoping that Mae might come along to keep Melissa company.” The older woman, so similar to her daughter in a more mature way, lifted her cup to her lips, her eyes never leaving the piercing blue ones of her host.
Mae’s breath froze in her throat. Melissa hadn’t said anything about a house on the Cape, or even Thanksgiving. A cold shiver of hope and dismay ran down her back. She couldn’t imagine spending Thanksgiving alone in this big house with her aloof aunt, but what if Jemma said no?
At home, Thanksgiving had always been full of food, fun, and fellowship. Her grandmother and her great-grandfather would cook for days, squabbling the whole time about the dishes to prepare. She and her sisters would make pies, cookies or other treats and the men would hunt for turkey, venison and even prairie chicken for the feast. Sean’s family would come down from the mountain and everyone would have a wonderful time.
“That sounds like a splendid idea,” Jemma’s voice startled Mae, and she turned stunned eyes toward her aunt. “I think Mae would benefit from more festive events. After all, being with young people of her own standing can only be a good thing.” She offered a tight smile to her guests.
