Edith and the Mysterious Stranger Read online

  Edith gave a deep sigh. As she watched Henry heft her trunk into the buggy, she wondered if maybe she was too hasty in her judgment, but at the same time he had been much too bold for his own good. More so than what she was use to, anyway.

  Edith knew that she was very picky when it came to men. She took courtship and marriage seriously and she knew what she wanted in a husband. In fact, that was why she hadn’t found the right one yet, because she didn’t want to lower her standards.

  She was looking for someone that was sincere but had a fun sense of humor, was confident but not overbearing, intelligent but a down-to-earth straight-thinking fellow. He had to be polite and mannerly but at the same time have a touch of romance in the way he spoke to her.

  These things were imperative in a relationship. Edith was picky, but she wanted to be happy in marriage and these attributes were important to her.

  Chapter 6

  Joseph, the Ranch Hand

  Joseph was sitting on an old tree stump on the Cozy J mending a saddle for Gilbert. The shadow of the barn protected him from the heat of the sun and a cool breeze gently ruffled his hair.

  He was bent over the saddle and was studiously working when an inanimate object hit his neck and interrupted him. He unconsciously swatted his neck as if it were a pesky insect and continued working on his project. After a few moments, he felt another object hit him on his shoulder, and he swatted at it, mumbling, “Pesky insects!”

  When he heard giggling from around the corner of the barn, he straightened his broad shoulders and narrowed his eyes. He would recognize that laugh anywhere. He continued repairing the saddle as if he had not heard the cheerful laughter of young John, knowing that it would not be the end of the little boy’s pranks and teasing.

  When he felt something hit his back and then his head, he jumped up, dropping his saddle to the ground, and said loud enough for his tormentor to hear. “That does it! You’re gonna get a whoopin’, little man.”

  As Joseph turned around, he saw John peeking around the barn, laughing uncontrollably. When their eyes met, John screamed at the top of his high-pitched voice, the tension building up as they stared at one another.

  Joseph grinned as he took large strides toward the little culprit, and John quickly turned on his heels and ran as fast as his little legs would go, giggling and screaming intermittently. Joseph knew exactly where he was going, the same place he always went when they played this game of chase.

  John dodged inside the barn, ran for the haystack, and burrowed his little body into a pile of hay. Not making a sound, he lay quietly waiting to be found.

  Joseph strode into the barn mumbling, “Where is that little mischief-maker? If I get a hold of him, he’s gettin’ a whoopin’.”

  John put his hand over his mouth, but it didn’t work as the giggle burbled from his lips.

  “Ah-ha!” Joseph said in triumph as he grabbed the giggling boy by the leg.

  A scream pierced the air with uncontrollable laughter as Joseph pulled the boy out of the hay and began tickling his mid-section.

  “I’ll teach you a thing or two,” he said with a grin as John doubled up with laughter.

  “Stop! Stop!” he screamed.

  Joseph grabbed John’s knee and tickled him as he said, “What’s the magic words?”

  “You can’t make me say it.”

  Joseph stopped, picked the giggling boy up, and threw him over his muscular shoulder. He turned on his heels and headed out the barn door toward the trough, with a broad grin on his face. His sky-blue eyes were laughing as he came upon Gilbert.

  When John saw his father, he yelled “No! No! Help, Pa! Joseph’s got me. Help!”

  Joseph chuckled. “This little culprit has it comin’, Gil. It’s about time I taught him a lesson. He’s gonna take a little swim.”

  John looked at the trough with widened eyes and sobered as he begged, “I’ll say it. I’ll say it.”

  “All right. I’m waitin’.”

  “Joseph is the best bronco rider on the ranch.”

  “Only the ranch?” Joseph said in feigned disappointment. “Is that the best you can do?”

  “Joseph’s the best bronco rider in town.”

  “Just our town?” he said as he stopped in front of the trough.

  “No, no! Don’t do it,” John screamed as he eyed the water in the trough. “The best in the country!”

  “Now that’s better.” Joseph laughed as he lowered John to the ground, and knelt beside him. “All right, little man. Now what? I’m waitin’.”

  John smiled and swung his little arms around Joseph’s neck and hugged him tightly. Joseph picked him up and held him, grinning the whole time.

  Gilbert was shaking his head with wonder. “The things you do just to get a little praise.”

  “Hey! I’ll take what I can get.”

  Gilbert chuckled. “You already know you’re the best bronco rider in the valley.”

  Joseph smiled approvingly. “Thanks, boss. By the way, I’ve got some extra tomatoes in my garden. Want some?”

  Gilbert nodded, wondering if it was good timing to ask him about meeting Melinda’s cousin. Would he be good for Edith? She was a wonderful woman with great qualities, but she never gave a guy a chance. First impressions were important to her. Would she look twice at Joseph, a farmer? Gilbert wasn’t sure. Perhaps he would give it a day or two before springing it on him.

  “I think a nice ripe tomato sounds delectable. Ours aren’t on yet.”

  “Follow me!” Joseph said as he swung John onto his shoulders and headed toward his farm.

  John leaned down and kissed Joseph on the top of the head and then wrapped his little arms around his forehead.

  As they walked toward the west, Joseph noticed the sun was setting over the mountains, leaving a pinkish glow in the wispy clouds above. A couple swallows circled a tree, protecting their young, and the gentle lowing of cattle could be heard in the distance. What a beautiful day! Joseph felt lucky to live in such a blessed little community as this.

  Chapter 7

  Henry’s Visit

  It was Sunday and the family was seated around the table all except for William who was still feeling under the weather. He was still in bed recuperating.

  “Please pass the roast beef, Martha,” Henry said with a smile.

  As Martha passed the platter, she hoped that inviting Henry over was a good idea. This way her daughter could learn more about him. She had tried it once with Melinda and Gilbert, so why not with her own daughter?

  As Henry dished a portion of meat on his plate, he said, “Edith, your mother told me that you did all the cooking tonight. I’m really impressed with your skills as a homemaker.” He smiled. “Well, taking into consideration your career, that is. It’s hard to find a lady with such skills who has a career.”

  Then he looked at her up and down and smiled. She looked absolutely lovely in her white muslin dress.

  He cleared his throat and added, “By the way, did I tell you how nice you look this evening?”

  “Yes, Henry, you have. Several times.” Looking at her mother and seeing her disapproval, Edith quickly changed her attitude and forced a smile. “Thank you very much for your compliment. You’re very sweet, Henry.”

  When Henry touched her hand affectionately and smiled, Edith gently pulled her hand free, feeling uncomfortable with his boldness. Why didn’t her mother understand that she needed to do this herself without any help whatsoever? She would eventually find the right man without anyone’s help. But no, this was too much to expect from the Matchmaker.

  As a child, she used to be amused by her mother’s efforts as she watched her pair up couples. She had made many couples happy, not to mention Melinda and Gilbert. In fact, Edith used to think it was quite romantic. But tonight, it was far from romantic.

  “So, you’ll sing for me tonight, of course,” Henry said as if it was an order, rather than a request.

  Edith was appalled at his attitude, and she
quickly shook her head. She sang when she wanted to and not because she was ordered to. Besides that, she was not in the mood. Why she was feeling so rebellious, she was not sure. She had sung for her parents’ friends many a time. This was not an unusual request. Perhaps it was Henry’s attitude. He had been such a know-it-all during the whole evening, like some intellectual snob who was always right.

  Martha gently rested her hand on hers and said, “Of course she will, Henry.”

  And then she smiled at Edith as if she had no other choice. Edith tried to smile back at her mother, but it was another forced smile.

  After the table was cleared and dishes were done, they settled down in the living room to talk for a while and let the food settle. As she listened to the intellectual jabber of this educated man, she wondered what her mother saw in him.

  Aside from not having the same opinions about men, she and her mother got along terrifically. They could talk about most anything. That evening, before their guest had arrived, they had talked and laughed together. She had told her mother what was happening in her life, and her mother was supportive of her interests.

  Edith snapped back to reality and tried to listen to what Henry was saying, but not be bored at the same time.

  “So, you see,” Henry labored on. “Women should have the right to vote in the East. I believe in the equality of the sexes, as long as the women can have a meal ready on time without delay, keep the house clean, and take care of the children. That’s not a man’s duty or responsibility. When we get home from work, that’s our time to sit and relax after a long hard day. We all have our duties, and if women do theirs and we men do ours, then we’ll all get along much better. We all have our place in society. It’s going to take time for the eastern states to accept equality, but they’ll come around.”

  Equality? Was that his definition of equality? Did he actually say that it was not a man’s responsibility to take care of his own children and to not help around the house? That was it. Edith had had enough.

  She took a deep breath and exploded, “So, we have our duties and you have yours?”

  “Of course.”

  “I don’t like your definition of equality. How about Melinda? Her husband cooks when she’s busy with the children. Right now she needs the help because of her condition.”

  “Edith, don’t get me wrong,” he said patronizingly. “In times of emergency, one needs to make exceptions. But women should never take advantage of a man’s good heart or good nature.”

  “Advantage?” she snapped impatiently. “Gilbert helps her because he wants to, not because she demands it.”

  Martha quickly interrupted, as if she were trying to stop a fight that was ready to begin. “My dear, he doesn’t mean to insult women. He’s only stating his opinion. That’s all.”

  “Well,” Edith huffed. “Then I’ll state my opinion, as well.” She stood on her feet and took a deep breath as she clenched her fists tightly. “Women need help with the household chores at times. Do you think we have enough hours in the day to get it all done, especially with children and other outside responsibilities? Besides that, what’s wrong with a man taking care of his own children? With a father’s helping hand, a child can make the right decisions in life. You underestimate a husband’s role in marriage. By the end of the day, a woman’s exhausted and needs her husband’s help.”

  The whole time Edith was talking, Martha was holding her breath, waiting for what was coming next.

  Edith pointed an accusing finger at Henry and said, “How many times has a woman given up the idea of pursuing her talents simply because her husband could not help with the household chores and encourage her to work on her own talents so she could better herself?”

  The whole sentence came out in one long breath. After she was done, Edith waited for a response.

  Henry was speechless. He drew in a breath of air and said softly, “I see what you mean. I never thought of it that way before. I didn’t mean to offend you.” Hoping to change the subject and the wrath of this woman, he took a deep breath and asked politely, “Would you mind singing for me?”

  At that request, she abruptly excused herself by saying she had a full-blown headache.

  Later that night, Martha walked into her bedroom, sat down on the bed beside her, and apologized. “I’m so very sorry for what I did. I shouldn’t have invited him over. I can see now that it was a mistake. I didn’t realize you were so annoyed with him until tonight. Please forgive me.”

  Edith touched her mother’s hand. “It’s all right, Mama. I understand that you’re concerned about me.”

  “Sweetheart, we need to talk.”

  Edith knew that meant a serious talk, so she took a deep breath and sighed. “All right, Mama. What is it?”

  “Edith, you never gave him a chance. You’re not looking at the inner person.”

  “The inner person?”

  “You know, his heart or the spiritual side of him. Henry has a good heart, and that’s why I invited him over. But Edith, you’re not allowing yourself to see beyond your own prejudices.”

  “Prejudices?” Edith said impatiently.

  “Just let me finish what I have to say. Please?”

  Edith nodded reluctantly, not sure if she really wanted to hear this.

  “I know that differences of opinion between couples are common. Your father and I didn’t always agree on issues at first, but with time we gradually helped one another to understand our own point of view. We learned to respect the other’s opinion. No one couple has everything in common at first. That would be impossible. What you need is to get to know a man deep inside first, not his outward appearance but his heart, his spiritual side.” Martha tapped her chest with her fingers for emphasis. “Inside here, Edith. Do you understand? Don’t challenge men so readily.”

  Martha smiled as she affectionately placed her hand on her daughter’s face and repeated, “Get to know a man’s heart, Edith. That’s what you have to look for.”

  Then she leaned over, kissed her daughter on the cheek, and left her with her thoughts.

  Edith snuggled into bed but didn’t go to sleep right away. She was too wound up. Was her mother right? Was she truly that hard on men, judging them and passing sentence all in one evening? She had been told by many a friend that she wasn’t giving men a chance. Was it because she had not looked at a man’s heart, the spiritual side of him? But how was she to do this? She was so used to judging men by first appearances.

  As a tear trickled down her cheek, she pulled her knees up to her chest and prayed. She prayed that some day she would learn what her mother was saying, that she would understand and look at the inner person, for the goodness deep inside.

  Edith swiped at her tears as they rolled down her cheeks and onto her pillow. Perhaps her mother was right. She needed to try harder. As she gradually relaxed, calmness came over her and she gradually fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter 8

  The Mysterious Stranger

  David was carrying a large bag of feed toward the corral. When he saw little six-year-old John split into a run and come to a halt right in front of him, he laughed. He noticed that John had become like a little puppy dog, following him around the ranch and chattering all the time. He also realized John’s admiration for him and David relished in it.

  With eagerness, John looked up at David and asked, “Can I help?”

  David stopped, looked down at John, and smiled. “Don’t know. Are you strong enough?”

  “Sure am.” John pushed his sleeve up and flexed his arm. “See? I’m strong.”

  David tried hard to suppress a chuckle. He dropped the sack to the ground, knelt beside him, and felt the small muscle in John’s arm.

  “Wow! You’ve got something there. I think it might be the beginnings of a muscle, young man.”

  John grinned. “You see?”

  Jenny had tied her mare to a post and was brushing her down when she was distracted by their conversation. She turned around
and looked down at the two of them. When she giggled, David instantly turned and faced Jenny. When their eyes met, he stood and nonchalantly walked over to her.

  “He’s got the makings of a real muscle there, I believe.”

  “Oh?”

  David grinned, his eyes flirting with hers as he spoke. “I love this age. They’re so eager to help out.”

  Jenny smiled. “Especially when they have a hero.”

  “Hero?”

  “Haven’t you noticed that he trails you around?”

  David hadn’t thought of being a hero to a kid before. He turned around and looked down at John who was struggling with the bag of feed, trying to pull it to the corral.

  David chuckled. “But a hero is someone you look up to. I’m not anyone to look up to.”

  “Sure you are. You make John feel good about himself, and that means a lot to a little boy. He seems to have more life when he’s around you. I’ve noticed you’ve got great qualities, David.” Then Jenny blushed and instantly looked down at the mare to avoid his eyes, as she brushed its side with faster strokes. “Anyway, you’re a hero to John.”

  This took David by surprise. She had blushed right in front of him. She liked him and he knew it. No girl blushes unless she likes someone, and that much he knew about females. Besides, he enjoyed flirting with Jenny. It was fun. He felt it was harmless flirting and she responded so readily. Of course, he realized he was just using her to get close to her father, but at the same time he was enjoying this harmless flirtation.

  David watched her brush the mare and shook his head. “Jenny, you are a puzzlement to me. You have a knack of building me up when you don’t even know me.”

  She looked up from her brushing and rested her hand on the back of the mare. “You’ve been here for a week and you never talk about your family. What are your parents like?”

  David nodded and then said, “Ma is a good woman, gentle and soft-spoken. Pa is quite the opposite. He’s a banker.”