Chapter 8-Through the Glass Darkly
Festus shouted into the house from the side door, "Addie! Matthew! Adam! I want t' see you li'l ranch hands, pronto!"
"Señor Festus," Luisa quietly chastised, "the littles are sleeping," she pointed toward the staircase.
Abelia approached him as he entered the house, wiping her hands on a dish towel, "Festus Haggen, why are you acting like you don't know this house's schedule? You've been with these children since they were born," she coyly smiled at her beau.
"I'm sorry. I done fergot the time since the bigs got home early. I need t' get after 'em about some thangs," he rested his hands upon his waist, his eyes smiling.
"Uncle Festus," Matthew walked toward him with a cookie in his hand and a milk mustache above his lip, "what do ya need?"
"Hi, Uncle Festus," Adam ran into the kitchen right behind his brother.
"Howdy, boys. Where's yer sister? I done need t' talk t' all of ya."
The boys eyed each other, as their uncle seemed more serious than usual.
"In the library," Abelia nodded her head in the direction of the room.
"Follow me, young 'uns," the hill man jangled through the kitchen and sitting room.
"This oughtta be good," Abelia whispered, smiling at Luisa.
Addie jumped at the sudden appearance of the three males in the library. She'd been eager to get back to reading Anna Karenina, since she hadn't had much spare time as of late.
"Sit down, fellas," Festus ordered, uncharacteristically terse.
"Are we in some kinda trouble?" Addie cautiously asked, rising from the chaise to join her brothers at the table.
"Kinda maybe," their uncle responded, squinting his one eye, the other remaining wide open. He continued, "I need for you young 'uns t' start pickin' up some slack around the ranch, startin' with yer very own horses. In case ya haven't noticed, we got a heap more horses at this place than we done had at the Triple D. Mr. Moose, Mr. Lacey, yer Pa and me don't got enough hours in our day t' be waterin' and exercisizin' yer ponies, and cleanin' their stalls. So this here is how it's gonna be from t'day on," he pointed his finger at each of them, "When ya git home from school, put on yer play clothes and get yer li'l b'hinds out t' the family barn. The three of yas will exercise yer own ponies every single day. Ya git me? That means ya can ride 'em or lunge 'em. Make sure they got clean stalls with water in 'em and in the trough in the corral. Keep 'em groomed, too, like good ranchers do. Any questions?"
The three oldest Dillon children had never experienced their uncle speaking to them so forcefully. He was normally gregarious and light-hearted. They briefly exchanged glances before Matthew offered, "Sure. We can do that. I guess once it got cold out, we kinda-"
"Stop right there," Festus held up his hand, "You kinda nothin'. Seems once we moved here and especially since," the scruffy man paused, swallowing hard, "especially since the baby passed, seems ya'll started t' get away with not doin' all yer chores. Yer daddy is runnin' 'round like a chicken with his head cut off, and yer mama is plum tuckered out and still kinda grievin'. So I'm gonna take it upon m'self as yer uncle and the ranch foreman to keep after ya," he pursed his lips, suddenly not feeling as confident as he had just a minute ago.
Adam stepped forward, "I'm goin' t' change so I can ride Pepper and clean her stall."
Festus grabbed the boy's sleeve as he ran by, stooping to meet his gaze, "Not till ya give me a hug, ya ain't."
Adam threw his arms around his uncle's neck while his brother and sister waited for their turns to hug the man whom they'd adored their whole lives.
Before he walked out of the library, Festus wiped an unshed tear from his eye. He figured it was about time the children fully resume their routines and responsibilities, especially now that Luisa had decided to remain in the Dillon's employ. In his heart, the honorary uncle resolved to do whatever he could to help make his beloved family whole again.
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Susan Bart hadn't noticed the winter breeze stinging her face as she guided her horse toward the Legacy D ranch. She was toasty inside from the knowledge that she could possibly bring the Dillons marriage to a screeching halt, due to something she'd overheard in Rat Hole Alley.
Susan's behavior wasn't always sinister. In fact, most of the time she exhibited a generous heart. But for some reason, when her thoughts turned to the former marshal being married to the former saloon keeper, she couldn't hide her dark side. She'd never been able to accept the fact that the big, handsome lawman had truly fallen for the former working girl.
She licked her lips in anticipation as she imagined herself informing Kitty Dillon that she'd overheard a very interesting row between two females. Susan would simply explain to her nemesis that she'd taken some mending to a lady in Rat Hole Alley, and had asked the kind woman if any of her neighbors might be in need of a few dresses that she no longer wanted. The washer woman pointed out a shack a few doors down, where a young woman lived with her step-father and little sister.
Susan practiced her shocking story out loud as her horse pulled her small buggy down the dirt road. She rehearsed, "Oh, Kitty, imagine my shock when I stepped onto the porch of that shanty and heard voices arguing through the thin door. One sounded like a child, begging a woman to stop seeing the former marshal. The woman just laughed, saying that they were 'in love' and that she'd 'never let him go'. Being a true woman's woman, I just left as quickly as possible, figuring you'd want to know." Brilliant, she laughed to herself. Now they'll both get what they deserve.
Adam was the first to spot the buggy kicking up some dust on their drive. He pulled his pony to a stop in the corral, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand.
"Uh-oh," he called to his siblings as they loped their ponies in a circle, one behind the other, "It's mean ol' Miss Bart," the boy pointed down the drive.
"Ignore 'er," Matthew shouted as he passed his brother.
Addie confirmed as she whipped by, "Yeah. Act like ya don't see 'er."
"Okay," the younger boy shrugged, lightly kicking his pony into a trot, "Let's go, Pepper!"
Susan Bart was so lost in her fantasy, she hadn't even noticed the children riding in the corral.
Abelia looked out the window when Mutt alerted that someone was approaching the house.
"Just what we need t'day," she whispered before stepping onto the porch to greet the uninvited visitor. "How can I help ya?" she coldly shouted to the smiling woman who remained in her buggy.
Mutt continued to bark and growl while Abelia acted as if she didn't hear the animal.
Susan shouted from her conveyance, smiling sweetly, "I need t' see the lady of the house."
I just bet you do. The part-time housekeeper replied, "I'll see if she's acceptin' visitors."
While she waited, Susan did her best to ignore the barking dog. This was a day she had dreamed about for years. This was the day she was going to shatter Kitty Dillon's perfect little world.
Kitty stepped onto the porch, looking somewhat pale and definitely thinner than usual. Her thick red hair was tied in a low, loose pony tail, giving the woman a youthful, but tired, appearance. She wore a thick, crème-colored woolen sweater, her arms tightly wrapped around her torso.
"Mutt, enough," she softly commanded before facing her uninvited visitor, "What can I do for you, Susan?"
The pretentious woman goggled at the fact that the dog quit barking immediately at his mistress' command. She confidently stepped down from her buggy, staring at her prey. Susan grinned, "I wonder if you have a moment? There's something I'd like t' share."
"Give me a minute," Kitty held up one finger, popping into the house to grab her heavy coat and her toddler. She quickly reappeared outside and bounded down the porch stairs, securing Scarlett onto her hip. She sighed, "Would you mind if we walked and talked? I've got something I need t' take care of."
"Not at all," Susan answered, unsure of herself now that a small child would be present for her big reveal.
Kitty subtly motioned toward the small barn as they strolled, "I just need t' grab something out of here." She placed Scarlett on the ground and whispered, "You stay here, Baby. Mama will be right back."
The small girl stuffed her thumb into her mouth and twirled the few red ringlets that had escaped her winter bonnet, wrapping them around her finger. She stared at the stranger with her big blue eyes, her mouth slowly moving as she suckled her thumb.
"My, you are a beautiful child," Susan spoke barely above a whisper, marveling at the little girl's likeness to her mother.
"Okay. We can continue our walk and talk," Kitty half grinned as she emerged from the barn, holding what appeared to be a small rug of evergreen branches woven together. She held her hand out to her daughter, "Hold my hand, Sweetie."
As the trio of females began their walk, Susan asked, "Where are we going?"
"Up the hill," Kitty quietly replied before asking, "What is it you'd like t' share, Susan?"
They walked up the small hill in silence, until reaching the summit. Suddenly, the news of Matt Dillon's infidelity didn't seem as exciting as it had been just a few minutes ago. This is your chance, Susan! Pull yourself together.
"Well, I was dropping off some mending today and-" Susan immediately stopped talking when she realized where they were. She held her breath as she witnessed Kitty Russell Dillon gently lay the tapestry of woven branches upon her child's unbelievably small grave.
"Mama, what dat?" Scarlett pointed at the greenery.
"It's called a grave blanket, Baby. It's like a decoration for the winter, since we can't leave flowers," Kitty gently placed her hand atop the little girl's head as she stared at the gravesite.
Susan Bart could barely swallow as she studied the tiny headstone displaying the child's name, date of death and the phrase, "Forever Our Angel".
"Kitty," she muttered, "Angela Faith-what a lovely name you gave your baby."
The redhead studied her visitor, genuinely grinning, "Thank you. We liked it and found it fitting. It actually came to me in a dream."
"I never did extend my condolences," Susan softly spoke, "I'm very sorry for your loss," she kept her head lowered.
"Thank you," Kitty faintly responded as she reached for Scarlett's hand, "It's still very difficult for us."
"I can't even imagine what you've been through."
The redhead sighed, "Goodbye, Baby girl," and as had become her custom, Kitty kissed her fingertips and touched the top of the marker, adding, "Mama loves you."
Susan felt tears fill her eyes when the redheaded toddler imitated her mother's actions. She'd kissed her little fingers and placed her chubby hand atop the stone, saying, "Bye, Baby. Scarlett love youuu."
Kitty turned on her heel, still holding her daughter's hand. She took a deep, cleansing breath, asking, "Susan, you'd mentioned something about mending?"
"Um, yes," the unnerved woman had to think fast. She'd made a command decision to take the high road with Kitty Russell Dillon today, "I wanted to share that I have found a woman who does some perfect mending. You name it and she can fix it. She also does laundry, but I've got Magda for that."
As the women neared the family barn, Matthew shouted as he dismounted his pony, "You okay, Mama?"
Kitty smiled brightly, "Yes, Son, I'm just fine, thank you."
"He's a nice young man," Susan complimented.
"Thank you," Kitty grinned, keeping her eyes focused on the ground in front of her, "He worries about me. He's his father's son, that's for sure."
For the first time that she could remember, Susan Bart had not been irritated by such a statement.
Kitty changed the subject, finally turning her attention to her neighbor's face, "So where can I find said laundress?"
"She's in the first row of houses in Rat Hole Alley. Her name is Carol Gibbons. She has a little sign out front that says, 'Mending and Laundry'. She lives there with her son. I believe his name is Pate."
"Oh, we know Pate," Kitty acknowledged as she reached her porch, placing her hand on the banister, "I thank you for the recommendation. I just may start t' take our bedding to Mrs. Gibbons." She climbed the stairs and opened the front door, depositing her young daughter inside. She half-heartedly apologized, "I'd invite you in for a cup of coffee, but I need to feed Maggie and we've got t' get supper started."
"Oh, don't worry. I've got to be on my way, anyhow. Good afternoon," Susan nodded her head and made her way back to her buggy.
"Good afternoon," Kitty grinned while watching her usually nosy neighbor disappear down the drive. I wonder what you really wanted, Miss Bart, she contemplated as she reentered her home.
As she made her way back to the Bar Moon, Susan Bart's head and heart were flooded with conflicting emotions. While she'd despised Kitty Dillon for years, she couldn't help but feel sadness for the woman's recent loss. For now, I'll keep this tete a tete to myself, she thought. For now.
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Kitty sat upon a stool in Doc's water closet with Maggie straddling her lap, burrowing her face into her mother's chest. The nine-month-old had a terrible cough with congestion and a high fever.
"Kitty," Doc instructed, "lean over the steam with the baby once I pour the hot water into the bowl."
"This isn't my first sick baby, Doc. I know what t' do," Kitty wiped the sweat from her brow, wet tendrils clinging to her cheeks, "but isn't the steam making her fever worse?"
"No, Honey. Once we ease this congestion, you and Maggie will both sleep easier," he set down the tea pot as Kitty pulled the towel over her head to form a steam tent.
Maggie whimpered as she whooped, but she was too exhausted to fight her mother. After a couple of minutes, Doc lifted the towel so mother and child could take a breather.
"I'll take the next steam bath. You look like you could use a break," Doc offered, taking in the haggard appearance of his surrogate daughter.
"That's okay, Doc. No need for you to get all sweaty, too."
The babe coughed violently, suddenly throwing up a glob of phlegm and snot all over the front of Kitty's dressing gown.
"There we go, Baby, there we go," her grandfather gently patted her back.
"There we go, alright." Kitty sighed, scrunching her face as she turned her head to the side, "I think there's some in my hair."
"Give 'er t' me. I'll wait for the next coughing fit while you clean yourself up and then we can clean her up," he reached out to take the crying baby from her mother.
"Okay, thanks," the exhausted redhead offered a weak smile, "I'm gonna take a cool bath upstairs," she commented as she slowly headed toward the door.
"I asked Buck and Moose t' fill yer tub an hour ago, so now it should be cool," he mumbled from beneath the fresh towel where he and Maggie waited for her to get more relief.
Fifteen minutes later, Doc lightly knocked on the door to Kitty's bathing room.
"Kitty, Maggie needs t' get in the cool water with you," he spoke with some urgency, interrupting the woman's rejuvenating soak.
The worried mother quickly popped up into a sitting position, wiping the dripping water from her face.
"Come on in and bring 'er to me."
"I'll close my eyes, Honey," he slowly ambled into the washroom, his eyes tightly closed, holding the naked, shivering baby out in front of him.
"Oh, Curly, don't be ridiculous," she chastised, "for the love of Pete, open your eyes so you don't drop my baby."
Doc did as she commanded, shocked to get a glimpse of his beloved girl's body. Could it be that Kitty had lost even more weight?
"She's pretty hot. The lukewarm water will help with her fever," he turned his body away from her, "She coughed up some more phlegm, so that's good. I think the worst of her coughing is over."
"Come 'ere, Maggie Lou," Kitty soothed, cradling her little one tightly on top of her chest, "let Mama rinse you off," she slowly poured water over the fussing baby's back using her cupped hand.
Doc swiped at his mustache, happily noticing that the tone and timbre of the weary mother sounded more like her old self.
"I'm gonna get cleaned up-"
"Doc," she interrupted, "Are the kids all in bed?"
The proud grandfather turned his head to the side, speaking over his shoulder, "They most certainly are. Abelia got Ezra and Scarlett ready for bed and Luisa sang them some songs in Spanish instead of a story. They were asleep in no time. Matthew got after Adam about a bath and those two are asleep. Last I saw, Addie's reading in her room."
"Matt and Festus aren't back yet?" Kitty asked, kissing Maggie's forehead as the child gave in to her need for sleep.
"No," he quietly answered, stuffing his hands into his pockets, keeping his gaze toward the closed door, "I sure hope they aren't gone for days. We have too many children and jobs around here for the ranch owner and foreman to be part of a week-long posse."
"You can say that again," she whispered.
"I'll send Luisa up if she's still in the house," Doc offered as he stepped toward the door.
"Doc, just leave Luisa to her evening. Please send Addie in and ask her to prepare a clean diaper and Maggie's proper nightclothes."
"I can do that. Don't hesitate t' call if ya need me," the elderly man winked over his shoulder.
Within a few minutes, Addie appeared in the doorway of her parents' water closet, her book at her side. She grinned at the sight of her baby sister sleeping against her mother's bosom.
"Mama, I'm here," she softly announced, placing her book on a side table as she grabbed a fluffy white towel, "How do you want to do this?"
"Open the towel and cradle Maggie into it. Hopefully she'll stay asleep," Kitty instructed as she handed over the chunky cherub. "Got 'er?" she whispered.
"I do. I'll take her into your room where I put her stuff," Addie enveloped her sister into the absorbent cocoon as she headed for the warmth of her parent's bedroom.
Kitty entered wearing a clean dressing gown, thrilled to see that someone had started a fire in the fireplace. She folded her arms, holding her elbows as she watched Addie tenderly diaper and dress her sister. Addie was careful to not wake the now snoring infant.
"Oh, Pumpkin, you're doing a wonderful job," Kitty complimented as she sat at her vanity, toweling her hair.
"Thanks. Mama. We were all worried about her," the miniature version of Kitty whispered as she finished pulling on Maggie's woolen pink socks.
"She'll be fine, Sweetheart. Just a case of the croup, coupled with a cold," Kitty glanced at her eldest child through the looking glass while she brushed her hair.
"Want me t' put her in her crib?"
"No, thank you. I'm gonna let her sleep with me," Kitty flipped her hair upside down to untangle the knots.
Addie sat at the foot of the bed, her legs dangling through the spindles of the brass footboard. She carefully studied her mother, who continued with her nightly routine.
"Adelaide?" Kitty turned sideways on her bench, meeting her daughter's gaze, "Can I help you with something?"
"No, Ma'am," she replied, "I'm just wondering if I'll look exactly like you at your age."
Kitty turned to face the eleven-year-old, grinning like a Cheshire cat, "Probably, but with a lot less wrinkles. All those years in the Long Branch with nasty smoke hasn't been kind to my skin."
"Mama, don't be ridiculous. You're the prettiest woman I know."
Kitty rose and slowly approached the bed to pull down the covers. She tenderly moved Maggie to the middle, near the headboard, propping her up with a pillow. She giggled, "Well aren't you a flatterer?!"
Addie jumped off the bed and made a quick trip into the water closet to retrieve her book. She held it up, commenting, "This is getting really good, Mama," she sat against the brass headboard on her father's side of the bed.
"By the way," Kitty cleared her throat, "You are done with Anna Karenina, my darling. The subject matter is far too advanced for an eleven-year-old."
"Mama! I'm just getting to the really good part. Anna left her husband and baby for the Count and they're moving to Italy," Addie whined, "Please don't make me stop."
"Hand it over, Toots," her mother held out her hand to receive the gigantic novel.
"Why can't you be like other mothers and not pay any attention t' what I'm reading?" the girl scoffed, angrily crossing her arms across her chest.
Kitty laughed, "You can blame my age, Pumpkin. I waited so long to have my babies that I don't want t' screw it up."
Addie studied her lap as she asked, "How could a woman leave her baby for a man, anyhow?"
"Well, do you think it's okay for a man to leave his baby, like my father did?" Kitty arched her ginger brows.
"Gosh, no. But a man doesn't grow a baby. I guess that's why it's easier for men to leave. I mean, think about it. Could you leave Maggie?" Addie studied her mother's face.
Kitty caressed her daughter's lightly freckled cheek, studying her serious expression, "Never. I couldn't leave any of you."
"So why did Tolstoy portray Anna the way he did?"
"Well, I'm further along in the book than you are. She very much loved the Count far more than her husband, so I guess she figured she could start a new life with him. I suppose she figured she could have children with him, too. She was young enough," Kitty offered with a half grin.
Addie tucked her legs under her nightgown, "But, Mama, say you loved another man and you wanted t' leave Daddy-"
"Adelaide Jane," Kitty interrupted, "you're talking nonsense. This is just a book."
"Just a book based on something that does happen. Hear me out, please. Just say it happened. Wouldn't you take us with you? You wouldn't leave your children. Not ever…right?" the child waited patiently for her mother's answer.
Kitty rolled her eyes, "Okay, I'll play along. Say some rich, handsome man comes t' Dodge and sweeps me off my feet and wants me to go off with him. Yes, I would take my children with me," she paused, winking, "Especially my favorites."
"Mother!" Addie playfully hit her mother with a pillow.
"Hey," the elder redhead chastised, nodding toward Maggie, "be careful around one of my favorites."
TBC