Chapter Nine
Cassie walked down the path to Susan’s house right after breakfast the following morning. The air was crisp, and she wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Today, she was on a mission to secure Jane’s help so she could put more of her time and energy into her burgeoning dressmaking business.
Susan greeted Cassie warmly at the door, her blond hair catching the sunlight. “Morning, Cassie. Come on in,” she said, stepping aside to let her enter.
“Thank you, Susan. I won’t take but a minute of your time,” Cassie replied, stepping into the cozy kitchen where the smell of freshly baked bread filled the air.
Jane was there, her youthful face brightening as Cassie entered. “Good morning, Cassie!” she chirped, setting down the dishcloth she was holding.
“Morning, Jane. I have a proposition for you,” Cassie said, getting straight to the point. “I need help. Cooking, cleaning, and maybe learning a bit about sewing. Would you be interested?”
Jane’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Oh, yes! That would be wonderful!”
“Good,” Cassie nodded, pleased. “We can agree on a fair salary, and you’ll keep staying here with Susan, as I don’t have the space.”
“Of course, Cassie. Thank you,” Jane beamed, nodding in agreement. Jane had been the last of the ten orphans to travel to Texas and had been staying with Susan since her arrival.
Later that afternoon, Jane arrived at Cassie’s, apron tied neatly around her waist. She quickly set to work, tidying up the place with an efficiency that impressed Cassie. While pots clattered and the broom swished across the wooden floor, Cassie sat at her worktable, cutting patterns from brown paper.
“Cassie, where should I put these scraps?” Jane asked, holding a handful of fabric remnants.
“Over there, in the basket by the window,” Cassie directed without looking up.
“All right, Cassie,” Jane said. Jane had known Cassie her entire life, but it was different to be employed by her.
Jane cooked them a simple yet savory meal, and they had a quiet lunch together.
Cassie was thrilled by the time Jane was freeing up for her, and she was glad that Jane seemed happy to do the work.
CASSIE WATCHED AS JANEbustled around the kitchen, her apron swishing with each brisk step. The aroma of stewing beef and fresh bread filled the air, a testament to Jane’s growing culinary skills.
“John Miller was asking about me at the general store,” Jane mentioned casually, stacking plates with a clink. “And George Smith said he’d fix that wobbly shelf if I baked him one of those apple pies like the one I made last week.”
Cassie chuckled, shaking her head while threading her needle with practiced ease. “Jane, you’ve got the whole town’s batch of bachelors on a string. Might be time to pick one and let the others down easy.”
With a playful toss of her chestnut hair, Jane laughed, the sound bright and unburdened. “Oh, Cassie, but it’s so much fun being courted! Besides, how can I choose just one?”
The door creaked open and Andy stepped in, his dark hair tousled from the day’s work. Behind him, a tall figure loomed, wiping dusty hands on rough denim.
“Evening, ladies,” Andy greeted them. “This here’s Robert Myers, my new hired hand.”
“Please, call me Bob,” said the newcomer, his voice gruff but polite.
“Nice to meet you, Bob,” Cassie replied with a nod, her gaze flickering between him and Jane.
Dinner passed with a curious undercurrent, the air charged with an energy that wasn’t entirely amicable. Cassie noted the way Jane’s brow furrowed ever so slightly when Bob spoke, and how his responses to her chatter were terse, almost dismissive.
“Pass the salt, please,” Jane requested, her tone holding a hint of ice that hadn’t been there before.
“Sure,” Bob replied, sliding the shaker across the table without meeting her eyes.
Later, as they cleared the dishes, Cassie leaned close to Andy. “What do you make of those two? They’re like oil and water.”
Andy’s mouth twitched into a knowing smile. “Sometimes, that’s just how it starts. Give it time.”
The last of the supper plates were put back into the cabinet, and Cassie watched as Bob offered a curt nod to Jane. “Suppose I should walk you back,” he mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
“Suppose you should,” Jane responded, her voice edged with a playfulness that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
