Chapter 11 #2
They all gave her polite words of sympathy for Griff and asked avidly how life was with Red.
Somehow, without her noticing, they started talking about babies.
Libby had two sons, grown and on their own, both bachelors living nearby.
Leota Pickett had five young’uns at home, the littlest still in diapers.
Muriel surprised Cassie when she talked about two children she’d lost in a diphtheria outbreak just before they moved west. There were never any more children for her and Seth.
Muriel’s grief was old, and Cassie had the impression it was almost a comfort to her because it was all she had left of the two toddlers she’d lost.
The ladies started talking about how they brought the children into the world, giving shockingly specific details, then laughing wildly over things they’d said and done during their laboring.
Cassie was only vaguely aware that she was learning dozens of things she needed to know about delivering a baby.
And Muriel promised she’d come and help bring the baby, saying she’d done it many times, including for Leota’s youngest. All Cassie had to do was send word.
Cassie wasn’t sure how she’d do that, but Muriel mentioned that there was a ranch owned by a family of bachelors only a thirty-minute ride from Red’s holding.
Red would have plenty of time to ride to the Jessups’, and one of the Jessup hands could come to town.
They had everything settled, and Muriel had even come up with a swatch of cloth that matched Cassie’s singed dress. After Libby left, Muriel and Leota sewed on a patch while Cassie was still in the dress. She sat and watched them.
The two older ladies had dozens of suggestions for housekeeping that were a revelation to Cassie. And with a little encouragement, she told them about her week, including the array of mishaps that had befallen Red.
The ladies laughed hysterically until they couldn’t keep stitching.
Cassie didn’t understand their wild laughter at Red’s expense, but they wouldn’t let her feelings remain wounded.
They teased her until she was laughing with them and told her little ideas for handling livestock and gardens and lanterns. Cassie absorbed every word.
Leota overstayed the time she should be away from her children.
She explained to Cassie about Red taking over some of the stable chores so Maynard could come in from work early on Saturday, and how Leota cherished her few minutes at the general store with Muriel and her long evening with her husband at hand for a change. Then Leota hurried off.
Muriel propped a sign on the counter that said customers should holler for help.
She took Cassie into the back to start supper.
Cassie was able to help Muriel, but Muriel had lots of little tips for preparing dishes.
Cassie remembered working beside her mother in the kitchen occasionally when she was a child, but her mother had employed a cook, so preparing meals was a special event.
Her mother’s advice returned to her some because Muriel had the same patient way of talking.
The general store had a busy time later in the afternoon, and Muriel couldn’t visit with her anymore.
“I think I’ll start delivering Libby’s supplies to the diner,” Cassie said.
Muriel shook her head as she filled an order. “You just leave that for Red, now, Cassie. I’m not allowing you to tote bags and boxes.”
“But I want to help,” Cassie insisted. “I feel guilty letting Red pay all our bills. Red told me work and money are the same thing, so it’ll be like I’m paying for my dresses myself.”
“You’re a sweet girl to want to help, but—” The bell rang and another customer came in.
Muriel didn’t have time to talk. “Go ahead, then. Libby’s things are stacked by the back door.
But just take small things, and promise me the minute you get tired, you’ll stop.
Any little thing you take will lighten the load for Red later. ”
“I’ll be sure to quit when I get tired.” Cassie hurried to the back door.
At last, she was really contributing to the ranch.
She stopped with the toes of her boots touching the mountain of food Seth had set aside for Libby.
Cassie’s inclination was to forget about helping, but she’d made too big a deal about it.
And Muriel had said that even a little bit would help, so Cassie would just carry one thing at a time.
She appeared in Libby’s Diner with a fifty-pound bag of flour in her arms. “Where do you want this?”
“What in the world are you doing carrying that heavy thing?” Libby rushed to lift it out of her arms. “You’re in a delicate condition. Red would have my head if I let you deliver my groceries.”
Cassie didn’t want Libby to get in trouble. “I’ll just carry lighter things from now on. I’ll leave the big loads for Red. I promise.”
She hurried away before Libby could forbid her to help.
She crossed Main Street, went through the alley to the back of the general store, and went in.
The door didn’t close behind her, and she turned to see a crowd of men.
Each of them scraped their feet a bit and apologized for following her and picked up a case of this or a crate of that.
They delivered Libby’s groceries in one trip.
Cassie followed them back, carrying a small basket of eggs. She sheepishly offered them to Libby. “Does this ruin Red’s job? Neither of us did the work. We shouldn’t get paid for it.”
Libby just laughed. “You are a natural, honey.”
“A natural what?” Cassie didn’t know what she meant.
Libby laughed harder.
All the men had quietly returned to their seats and were eating at the meals they’d deserted.
Cassie gathered every ounce of courage she had, plus manufactured a little from out of thin air, and said, “Thank you all so much for your help. I appreciate it more than you can ever know.”
Every man stared at her as if she’d spoken some foreign tongue.
Then all jumbled together, they said, “You’re welcome, Miz Dawson,” or, “Glad to help, ma’am,” or something like that.
Cassie thought she heard someone say, “Red’s a lucky man.
” It occurred to her that any of these men might have asked her to marry him a week ago.
Cassie went back to Muriel’s.
Muriel was bustling back and forth, filling one order after another.
Finally, Cassie, who was sitting in rather nervous silence at the heating stove, gathered her wits about her enough to start helping.
She really thought she did help this time.
The crowd dispersed quickly after her efforts doubled the speed with which the customers, all men, were waited on.
She acknowledged all their kind remarks and asked their names.
Griff’s words about them being riffraff echoed in her ears.
Muriel heaved a sigh of relief when the store finally emptied.
She turned to Cassie and said, “If Red is going to keep coming in here and doing his odd jobs every Saturday, why don’t I hire you to work with me here?
Saturday afternoon is my busiest time. I’d love the help as well as the company.
Once the baby comes, we’ll set up a cradle, and any time the baby needs you to nurse him or change his diapers, you’ll be able to take a break in the back room. ”
“It sounds just fine, Muriel. I’d be glad to help. Would you let me work off Griff’s bill and then use what I earn toward the supplies Red and I need?”
Muriel said, “Griff’s bill is taken care of, but you can swap for supplies.”
“I’d need to ask Red first. But if it’s all right with him, I’d be most grateful for the chance. Do you think I dare to make all the men in town deliver Libby’s groceries every week?”
“What?”
Cassie told her how she’d managed to deliver that mountain of supplies.
Muriel laughed until she had to wipe her eyes on her calico dress.
So Cassie, who’d become the China Doll for her last husband, became an odd-job girl for her next one. Was that not an improvement?