Edith and the Mysterious Stranger Read online

  Sincerely, Edith

  My Dear Charming Friend,

  You surely amuse me! I like you more all the time. No – I’m not a poet, but I love to describe things that impress me. Thank you for telling me about your music experiences. I think I understand you much better now.

  Do I love to hike? Now that’s an understatement of the year. Yes, I love to hike. Have you ever stood on the top of the Rocky Mountains in the early fall and looked down into the valley below? It’s a magnificent sight to behold.

  Last fall I went hunting with a friend when the leaves had turned color. We hiked to the top of the Rocky Mountains, almost forgetting the purpose for our little adventure. The hike was not only exhilarating, but it was so peaceful that my friend and I just sat there and talked about our innermost thoughts and desires in life. I could see other mountains before us that were even taller than the one we were on. Then when I looked down into the valley, I saw the most spectacular view before me. The valley below looked like a patchwork quilt, with a variety of colors before my very eyes. It was beautiful.

  Okay, I’ll compromise with you on the moon and stars. I’ll let the stars shine but the moon is too bright.

  Sincerely, Your Friend

  Edith realized that her mysterious friend loved the beauties around him. He acted like a sensitive person. She knew she was taking a chance by pouring out her feelings, but she needed a little help with a problem, and he was the only one she could turn to. She had tried talking to her mother, but she did not understand her discouragement at all. Perhaps her friend had an answer and could help her, so she made up her mind to ask for help.

  Dear Friend,

  Have you ever gotten discouraged with life and wondered if you were progressing or standing still? Sometimes I feel so discouraged with myself. I feel that I’m not making headway, not progressing in life. Then I look up at the clouds and see them moving across the sky, passing me by. What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so restless?

  Don’t get me wrong. I believe my Father in Heaven loves me and has a purpose for me. It’s just that I don’t know what my purpose is at times.

  Sincerely, Edith, A Discouraged Friend

  As Edith put the letter in an envelope for her mother to deliver, she pondered her feelings. Her discouragement was real, and many times she struggled with it. She needed advice and perhaps her friend could help. When she talked to her mother about it, she would tell her that it would pass and perhaps it was depression. But she needed something more than that kind of advice. Would her friend have anything new or different to say? Could he help her?

  After sealing the envelope, she walked into the kitchen where her mother was peeling potatoes and handed her the envelope.

  Martha smiled. “Another letter?”

  Edith nodded.

  “Do you like him?”

  “Yes, but only as a friend, so far. I’ve enjoyed our communication and it’s been fun. After Melinda has her baby, I’ll be heading back home.”

  Martha nodded. “It’s been grand having you here. I’ve missed having you around.”

  Edith smiled. “Me, too, Mama. I’ve really enjoyed being with you and talking so much. By the way, I’m real sorry for my ornery attitude when I first arrived.”

  Martha kissed her on the cheek. “Think nothing of it.”

  Edith sighed. Then she picked up a knife and began peeling potatoes.

  She gave her mother a sidelong glance and decided to ask a few questions about her mysterious friend. Perhaps she could worm some information out of her mother.

  “I’ve got it narrowed down to someone.”

  “What?”

  “The man I’ve been writing to.”

  “Oh?”

  “I think it might be Henry.”

  She carefully watched her mother’s eyes and actions to see if anything would give her a clue. She didn’t believe for a second it was Henry. She was trying her old tricks by watching her mother’s reaction.

  Martha smiled. “How do you know that?”

  “Well, he’s from over the mountain and plays the harmonica.”

  “You don’t think it could be someone you haven’t met?”

  Edith’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “There are plenty of single men in the county.”

  “County? That covers a lot of territory.”

  Martha smiled knowingly. “It sure does.”

  Edith narrowed her eyes as she looked at her mother. “Did you tell him to write to me?”

  Martha smiled with humor dancing in her eyes. “Oh my. Sweetie, I can’t answer any questions. He asked me as a favor, including that one.”

  “So, someone else told him to write me?”

  Martha hesitated and then slightly nodded her head in the affirmative. “I can’t tell you a thing. So, don’t ask any more questions.”

  Edith grinned. “You’re so easy to get information out of, Mama. Just like Christmas, you always let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, and I would figure out what you were giving me each time.”

  She touched her mother’s hand. “I understand. I won’t ask any more questions because he trusts you. At least I now know that you didn’t put him up to it.”

  “Thank you, my dear. I really appreciate it.”

  “How about papa? Is it papa?”

  All was silent. There was no answer to that question. Just a knowing smile.

  Chapter 17

  Eavesdropping

  Edith froze in her tracks as she rounded the corner. Henry was standing at the steps of her home. He had just kissed Martha on the cheek, and was holding a piece of paper in his hand. She quickly ducked behind the lilac bush, watching and listening.

  “Thanks, Martha. I’m forever in your debt,” he said as he waved the stationary in the air.

  “It’s my pleasure, Henry. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”

  What was that all about? What was he holding, and why was he thanking her mother? The paper was decorative like the ones she had written to her secret friend. Was Henry the mysterious stranger? Had her mother given Edith’s reply to him? No, he just couldn’t be. She and Henry had become good friends but nothing more. It could never be more.

  “Oh, by the way, Martha. How long do I bake them?”

  “About twelve minutes. When you smell the cookies baking, that’s a sign they’re done.”

  “Thanks. I really appreciate this recipe,” Henry said as he stuffed the instructions in his pocket and headed for the road.

  Edith breathed a sigh of relief. Her mother had given Henry one of her cookie recipes. She now remembered that he had once asked for it when he came by to visit. She stealthily inched her way around the bush so Henry couldn’t see her and then stood very still, not making a sound. She wasn’t in the mood for chatter, and Henry was the biggest gossip in town.

  Edith felt a hand touch her shoulder. She gasped. Her heart flip-flopped as she jumped a few inches from the ground. Hearing a soft chuckle, she quickly turned around. Joseph was standing behind her, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Joseph!” she said with exasperation. “What are you doing here?”

  He held a basket of vegetables in his hand as he replied, “Delivering red potatoes, zucchini, Hubbard squash, and delicious red tomatoes to your mother. She told me that you’ve been eating her out of house and home. So, I’m replenishing her stock.” Joseph raised a curious eyebrow. “So, what were you doing? Spying on your mother?”

  Edith’s eyes widened as she realized that he had been watching her. Not only that, he was right. But she couldn’t admit it.

  So she blurted out, “Of course not. I’m just…uh…just…”

  “Waiting for Henry to leave?”

  Involuntarily, Edith drew a sharp breath at his truthful question. How long had he been standing behind her? She was speechless and couldn’t think of a decent reply in her defense. She felt like a willful child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

&nbs
p; When Joseph noticed her startled look, he realized that he had embarrassed her, so he changed the subject. “Hey! Do you like fried zucchini?”

  “Fried zucchini?” she asked, bewildered.

  “Yup. Fried. I don’t much care for it steamed. I just slice a zucchini, dip it in a beaten egg and then dip it in some finely crushed breadcrumbs and fry it. You need to put salt on the breadcrumbs or in the egg for flavor. I tell ya, you’ve got yourself the most delectable meal ever. Try it.”

  Edith was relieved by the change of subject and at the same time was impressed by Joseph’s culinary advice. Of course, he was a bachelor, so why wouldn’t he know how to cook?

  “Thanks, Joseph. I think I’ll try it.” As she waved her hand toward home, she said, “Shall we?”

  Joseph smiled and gave a nod. As they meandered toward home, he talked about the vegetables he had raised that summer and how huge the banana squash had grown.

  “Edith, it was really a sight. You should have seen them. The vines began climbing up the apple trees and were hanging over the branches. They blossomed and turned into the largest banana squash I’ve ever seen. The largest one measured just over five feet long. I’ve never seen anything like it. They’re dangling over the branches, dozens of long golden squash.”

  “No! Are you exaggerating?”

  “Nope! You’ll have to come over and see them.”

  “Did you measure them?”

  “Sure did. I wanted to know how long they’d grown so I could brag a little.”

  Edith laughed. “Brag a little?”

  “Of course. Men need a little something to brag about. It’s in our nature. You know what I mean? We brag about how big a fish we caught, how large a buck we shot, how many head of steer Gilbert raised this fall, not to mention the shooting competition we men have between us. Then we brag about how many times we got a bull’s-eye.” He chuckled with a bit of merriment in his eyes.

  Edith grinned and said, “Women brag a little differently. We brag about a bargain we got at the store, a fantastic meal we cooked, and about our children and their accomplishments.” Then she laughed as she said, “And how about that apple pie! Wasn’t it the best one ever?”

  Joseph burst into laughter. “Hey, did you hear that I’m the best bronco rider in town? Little John told me so.”

  Edith giggled. “He did, eh? Well, that little man sure knows what he’s talking about. It just has to be true. In fact, he told me that I was the best nurse in town.”

  Joseph grinned. “Okay, how did you get him to say it? Did you hold him over a water trough like I did?”

  She burst into laughter. “Really? Did you really do that?”

  H nodded. “It’s a game we play. He throws a pebble at me, I act furious and chase him, and then he hides under the haystack in the barn. After I catch him, he has to tell me what a great bronco rider I am. So far, I’m the best in the country.”

  “Oh my!” she said as she held her sides from laughing. “All I did was tickle him. He loves to be tickled.”

  Joseph smiled as he watched her laugh.

  When they reached the house, Edith opened the door and called, “Mother! You’ve got company. Joseph is here to replenish your stock of food that I’ve been eating since I arrived.”

  Martha peeked around the corner from the kitchen and smiled. “Come on in, Joseph. I was expecting you.”

  Martha took the basket from his hand with a sly smile. “I’ll give it right back. Just wait for a moment while I empty it.”

  Martha walked into the kitchen while Edith headed up the stairs, calling over her shoulder, “Thanks for the recipe on zucchini, Joseph. I’ll try it tonight.”

  When Martha returned, she handed him the basket as she winked. “Thanks, Joseph. I really appreciate it.”

  Joseph grinned. “Me, too, Martha. Me, too.”

  Then he turned and meandered out the door, feeling lighter on his feet than usual. Being with Edith always brightened his day and made his heart flutter with joy. Whether or not she felt anything for him, he definitely knew he was becoming quite fond of her. In fact, he knew that his relationship toward her was changing to something deeper than friendship. But how did she feel about him?

  ***

  Martha went to Edith’s bedroom and stood beside her door. “Want a tomato sandwich? We have some fresh ones just waiting to be cut.”

  Edith was cleaning and arranging her room, as she said, “Yum! I’m trying a new recipe tonight, one that I got from Joseph.”

  Martha smiled knowingly. “You like him, don’t you?”

  Edith turned toward her mother and shook her head in denial. “We’re just friends, Mama. Don’t make something out of nothing.”

  “But I see something in your eyes that’s new, Edith. I’ve never seen you like this before. You seem to be happier lately.”

  Edith smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. “I know. But it’s not because of Joseph. Did you send my letter off?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I did. Yesterday.” Then she held up a letter and grinned. “And I received this sometime today.”

  Edith’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the envelope. Before Martha could blink, Edith had it in her hand and was sitting on the bed opening it. Edith’s heart was racing, and her countenance was glowing with undeniable joy.

  Then she glanced up at her mother and said, “I’ll tell you what he said later. I need just a little privacy right now, Mama.”

  Martha couldn’t help but notice the brilliance in her daughter’s smile. She had a lilt in each step and her attitude was more positive than the day she arrived. She even found Edith humming as she did the dishes and folded the clothes. This man, who was writing to Edith, was gradually changing her daughter’s outlook on life. She was much happier. She was her old self again.

  This change was refreshing, but she hoped it would last once she found out who the mysterious stranger was. Edith was sticking to her guns about what kind of man she wanted to marry, and that worried Martha. She wondered if her daughter would ever listen to her heart.

  Chapter 18

  Gored by a Bull

  Edith heard a rap at her bedroom door and slowly rolled over on her side, groaning. Wearily, she answered, “Yes? What do you want?”

  William opened the door and peeked in. “Hey, sleepyhead, you’re wanted for an emergency.”

  “Emergency?” she moaned slightly, her voice barely audible.

  William’s voice was sober as he answered, “Yes. Emergencies even happen early in the morning before the sun is up. One of Gilbert’s ranch hands is badly hurt. An angry bull gored him this morning, and the doctor is out of town. He’s gone fishing for the weekend.”

  Edith’s eyes widened as she sat up in bed. “I’ll be downstairs in a few minutes, Papa.”

  William smiled, “That’s my girl. I’ll have a buggy ready and waiting for you.”

  “Thanks. I’ll hurry.” Before he shut the door, Edith asked, “Oh, Papa?”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you know who was hurt?”

  “No, dear. I didn’t ask. Why?”

  “Oh, just wondering.”

  After William left, Edith kicked off the blankets, hopped out of bed and washed her face. The cool water quickly woke her up. As she patted her face dry, anxiety grabbed at her heart as her thoughts strayed to Joseph and David, hoping neither of them had been hurt.

  She quickly dressed and secured her hair into a soft chignon. After brushing her teeth, she grabbed her black medicine bag and headed downstairs. Waiting in the living room was a lean, tall man standing motionless with his back toward her, looking out the window.

  When she approached him, he turned around. His eyes were creased with worry as he asked, “Are you ready?”

  “Joseph!” she blurted out, relief spreading through her as she looked into his eyes. “I was so worried it might have been you that was hurt…” she stopped, feeling embarrassed by admitting her feelings.

  Joseph saw the relief in he
r face and smiled. “No, I’m fine. It was Sam. Gilbert sent me to get you. He’s hurt bad…in the stomach.”

  Joseph quickly strode toward the door and held it open. As he led her to the buggy, he explained, “All of us were herding the cattle to another pasture this morning, and an ornery old bull took his anger out on Sam. He didn’t even know what hit him. Gilbert took him home and sent me to get you.”

  Joseph took the medicine bag from Edith’s hand and helped her into the buggy. After handing her the bag, he climbed in. “I’ll leave my horse here and get him later.”

  Joseph whipped the reins and yelled, “Hee-ya!”

  The horse responded instantly and galloped toward the outskirts of town. Anxious about Sam’s condition, Joseph whipped the reins once again, ignoring the rough road as the buggy jolted from side to side.

  Edith was thrown against him repeatedly but she said nothing as the wind rushed into her face and sifted through her hair. She knew they had to hurry.

  When she bumped into him once again, Joseph turned to face her and said, “Edith, I’m sorry for such a bumpy ride, but I’m worried about Sam.”

  Seeing the concern on his face, she said, “That’s all right, as long as we get there on time.”

  As they traveled through town, Edith felt the wind tugging at her hair. She put her hand on the side of her head to hold it in place, but it was to no avail. She had arranged her hair so quickly that she had not secured it well enough. The wind did a dandy job on her hair and she regretted not wrapping a scarf around her head before leaving.

  When they pulled into Sam’s yard, Joseph climbed down from the buggy and tied the horse to a hitching post. Edith quickly tucked the loose strands of hair into place the best she could, but she still felt frumpy.

  As she blew a loose curl from her eyes, Joseph looked up and smiled. “You look nice. Don’t worry so much.”

  Then he took her bag and held his hand out to help her down from the buggy. She gathered her skirts together in her hand and carefully stepped down. As they approached the porch, Sam’s wife opened the door and welcomed them inside.

  With an unsteady and shaky voice, Judy said, “Thanks for coming. Gilbert just arrived. He put Sam in the bedroom. He’s still unconscious.”