Rocky Mountain Sister (9 page)

Rosa sat down beside the girl. “Yep, one day your grandparents happened to stop in to grab a bite to eat while they was down that way. On the day they was there. Captain Harry, the man who bought us from the plantation owner, was real mad. He came in started beating me cause I wasn’t feeling so good. That is when your Grandma came storming through the kitchen door with her pistol. She threatened Captain Harry waiving her gun around everywhere. He never had a woman face him like that. Ole Harry didn’t do much cause your Grandpa was standing behind her with his shotgun.”

Rosa got up and poured another cup of coffee, then continued with her story. “Why, that old man was so scared. Next thing I know, I was being brought back here to this big ole house to help raise Christian. See, things always work out in the end. Now I ain’t never seen any of my family since that day, but I have been happy. I have my girl here with me and this is my family now.”

Cassandra looked up at Rosa and smiled. “Do you think that everyone here loves me?”

“I know they do child, and they are going to help you find your roots.” Rosa said to the child.

“Roots? Why are they going to help me find my roots? What are my roots? I am not a tree?” Cassandra was very serious in her questioning.

Rosa gave a little giggle toward the girl. “Your family sweetheart, they is going to help you find your family.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Cassandra walked on into the kitchen. From that day she was a different little girl. She felt like she was really loved by them all. Walking over toward Rosa, she said “Good morning Rosa.”

Rosa dropped the coffee cup and coffee spilled everywhere, coffee splashed on the table and the floor. “Goodness girl, you scared the living daylights out of me.”

“Oh Rosa, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Cassandra grabbed the dish towel and started cleaning the mess.

“Why are you up so early dear? You are never out of bed this time of morning?” Rosa sat in the chair still shaking from being scared.

Wiping up the rest of the mess on the floor Cassandra looked up at the older woman. “I couldn’t sleep. I have been so restless of late. Oh Rosa, I can’t seem to get a few things off my mind.”

The next couple hours Rosa and Cassandra talked about the last two weeks they were in Colorado. After the trial, things still had to be cleared up. Cassandra felt she needed to be getting back home. Now she was waiting on a letter from her sister to let them know what was going to happen.

Christian soon came into the kitchen. After kissing his sister on the cheek, he grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. “Cassandra, what are your plans today?”

“I am having lunch with Libby today, why?” Cassandra asked her brother.

“I am meeting Tori for lunch, we are going to set a date for the wedding and I thought if you were not busy, she might want to visit with you later. You know, maybe go over some of the details.” Christian wanted to get the plans in motion, he wanted to marry Victoria as soon as possible.

“Well I could make it a quick lunch. We could meet afterward I suppose. I really didn’t have any other plans.” Cassandra was excited for her brother, today she wasn’t feeling in the mood to celebrate.

“Cassandra, what is wrong with you? You are moping around here like a lost puppy.” Christian looked at his sister, he wasn’t for sure, but he had a feeling she was thinking of Jessie Harper more and more these days. She hadn’t been herself since she had returned from Colorado.

Cassandra looked up at Christian, she tried but couldn’t stop the tears. “Oh Christian, I don’t know what to do, I think I have fallen in love with Jessie. I can’t stop thinking about him.”

Christian switched to a chair closer to his sister and wrapped his arm around her. “Cassandra, what is all this crying? You are always so level headed. I am sure that things will work out just fine. Why are you upset? He seems like a fine man. Runs the ranch, takes care of family.”

“But you don’t understand, if I were to marry him, I would have to move to Colorado. Oh, how could I do that, I could never leave you? This is my home.” Cassandra held her face against Christian’s chest. She couldn’t ever remember crying like this before.

“First, this will always be your home. Just because you move away with your husband doesn’t mean you are leaving me and this family. Second, you love being in the mountains. You seemed so happy while you were there, And third, don’t think for a minute that I would ever be jealous by thinking I was losing you to your biological family. I know in my heart that I will always be your brother.” Christian pushed her away from his chest so he look her in the face.

Cassandra, if you love him, don’t throw it away because you think that I feel that you love him or the others more than me. We are family and always will be.”

“Christian, you always know how to make me feel better. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Cassandra hugged him tightly. She loved him dearly.

“Anyway, the mountains are a beautiful place to for Tori and I to send our children when we need a vacation from them.” Christian refilled his coffee cup and gave a laugh.

“Christian Michael, it sounds like you want me to marry him and move.” Cassandra placed her fist on her hips and gave him a stare.

“Only for my own selfish reasons. You and I are family, a couple hundred miles apart is not going to change that Cassandra. Your happiness the most important thing. Anyway, the way I saw things, Jessie wasn’t ignoring you. I have a feeling he is missing you too.” Christian sat back down and grabbed a stack of freshly made pancakes and slapped them on the plate in front of him. “And I would have my own private fishing and hunting spot that no one here could take over. Who will get the best catch then?” Christian gave out a loud laugh before shoving a bite of pancakes in his mouth.

“Oh, Christian, what am I going to do with you? I love you so much. But I think you are counting your chickens before they hatch brother. Jessie hasn’t said nor made any intentions of his feelings for me that he would like to marry me.” Cassandra then filled her plate with pancakes and began to eat.

This day was beginning to be wonderful for Cassandra. She loved her brother Christian more than anything. Only now she had another brother, a sister, something she always wished she had, and another grandmother who loved her.

CHAPTER THIRTY

For weeks Cassandra just made do with her time. She patiently waited to her from Makenzie. She kept busy with preparations Christian and Tori’s wedding. The dress maker seemed to be needing them. The wedding was supposed to be in August, but Tori’s parents decided to go on vacation to Europe at that time. Moving the wedding back to July forth, leaving only two weeks left to get everything in order.

Rosa and Cassandra were making some of the decorations. New things were delivered every day. The parlor was stuffed with boxes of artificial flowers, ribbons and bows. The three hours spent writing invitations were enough to wear anyone out. Cassandra had to make a trip to the post office this morning and then back to the dress maker. She was meeting Tori today with her niece Sandra, who Tori wanted as the flower girl.

Cassandra stood in the parlor holding a light orange ribbon. The colors Tori chose were light orange and pastel pink. Cassandra wasn’t thinking they went together well, but it wasn’t her wedding. The ribbons were easy to find. Gabriella’s flower shop in Jefferson City had every color. The flowers had to be ordered from New York City and have yet to arrive.

Baskets were ordered and half had arrived already. They were to be used as center pieces for the tables. Cassandra wondered why Tori and her family didn’t have everything done by professionals around here and then it would be done, but Tori felt that this would help unite the families by helping with the planning and decorating. Cassandra had to admit to herself, she was enjoying this. She and Tori had become closer over the last couple weeks.

Oh Tori, I hope we can pull this off for you, so much to do and we are running out of time. Thank goodness you are not having Rosa bake the cake.
Cassandra thought as she started searching boxes and separating things.

Cassandra had been sorting ribbons, bows and some flowers for two hours when Rosa came in the room. Cassandra took a break and had tea with Rosa. Rosa and Cassandra were soon at it again.

Rosa picked up a big bow when the door knocker sounded at the front. She looked at Cassandra and shook her head. “Whatever is that girl thinking? This big bow will hide whatever it is on.” Both women laughed out loud as Rosa went to answer the door.

Rosa opened the front door and stood there with her mouth open. She couldn’t say a word. Shocked beyond her own control. Jessie Harper stood in the door way, a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

“Rosa, what is the matter, are you going to invite me in or leave me out here to wait for the snow to fall?” Jessie was smiling as talked. He reached in the middle of the bouquet and pulled out a beautiful red rose. “This my dear is for you, a rose for a Rose.”

“Forgive me Mr. Harper, please come in, come in.” Rosa invited Jessie in taking the flower from his hand. The smile on her face made Jessie proud. Rosa showed him to the parlor where Cassandra was in a heap of orange ribbons and bows.

Jessie leaned against the doorway watching Cassandra wrapping a ribbon around herself. The orange ribbon went from her shoulders down to feet. He didn’t mean to be here just staring at her, but he couldn’t seem to say anything. She was so a beautiful, even dancing around with the ugly orange ribbon wrapped around her body.

Jessie couldn’t stand there any longer. He wanted to hold her in his arms, look her in the eyes and see her beautiful smile. He had missed her and wanted to tell her. “Good afternoon beautiful.”

Cassandra froze in the spot she was standing. She knew Rosa went to answer the door, but then got caught up her bows and ribbons. She was excited, she knew the voice coming from the side of the room. She was also embarrassed.
Was he watching me dance in this silly ribbon?
She thought to herself.

Cassandra turned around, she was so happy Jessie was here. Trying to hurry across the room in little steps because the ribbon was around her legs, Cassandra smiled and laughed all the way. “Jessie,” was all she could get out. When she reached his open arms, she squeezed and hugged him. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“I could go back home if you are not happy to see me. Looks like I got here just in time for the party.” Jessie kissed her cheek, but didn’t take his arms for around her waist.

“Party? We aren’t having a party.” Cassandra didn’t move from the comfort of his arms. She knew it wasn’t proper. Right now she didn’t care about being proper.

“Oh, then I think you somehow knew I was coming. You are wrapped in this ribbon. I figure that Rosa is giving you to me as a gift.” Jessie gave Cassandra a tight squeezed before he let go of her.

“Oh dear, look at me, I must be a sight.” Cassandra looked down at the mass of orange ribbon she was wrapped in.

“A very beautiful sight.”

Cassandra started to unwrap the ribbon, but Jessie took over. “You are my gift, sweetheart, I will unwrap you.”

Both of them laughed as Jessie unwrapped his gift. The woman he was going to ask to marry him.

“I can’t believe you are here. Why did you come?” Cassandra asked anxiously.

“Honestly, I couldn’t keep myself away, I wanted to see you, so we packed up and came as soon as we could get away. Oh and your brother wrote to let us know his wedding was moved to July.”

“We, who came with you?” Cassandra was more excited now than when she first saw Jessie.

“My ma and sister came with me. We haven’t been off the ranch since pa passed away, I thought it would be good for them. I hope you don’t mind.” Jessie was hoping Cassandra would show them around while they were here.

“Jessie, that’s wonderful. Where are they? You didn’t leave them standing outside, did you?” Cassandra started to walk toward the door. She couldn’t believe he would leave them standing on the front steps.

Jessie grabbed Cassandra’s arm. “Hold on a minute, they are not standing out on your door step. We got rooms at the hotel.”

“Jessie Harper, you didn’t, why didn’t you bring them with you. Oh my, they must think I am a horrible host.” Cassandra didn’t know how to handle this. Her grandmother had been an excellent host to everyone. “Rosa, please come here.” Cassandra rushed toward the kitchen, she had to make sure rooms were ready for their three unexpected guest.

Jessie followed her down the hall to the kitchen. At least he figured it was the kitchen, he smelled fresh coffee brewing in the direction they were walking. Well, he was walking, Cassandra was at a fast pace.

Rosa got Jessie a cup coffee and set him at the table. Next she sat Cassandra down with some hot tea to calm her down. After she heard what the commotion was about, she set the wheels to action with her own daughter, one of the maids of the Vandevier house, getting the rooms ready.

“Now Jessie, as soon as you gulp that there cup of coffee down, you need to go on down to that Hotel and fetch your family. We can’t be having Miss Cassandra here in a huff. Then when you return, we can get you set in your rooms. Mr. Nathan will be home for dinner early tonight.” Rosa was thinking in her mind what to make for dinner that night.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Later that evening, Rosa had everything ready for a fine dinner. Everyone sat down to smells of baked chicken in cinnamon, mashed potatoes, corn and for desert, fresh peach cobbler. The smell coming from the table made Jessie’s mouth water.

“Harper, how would you like to see the Shipyards and see how we work around here?” Christian asked Jessie.

In between the bites of delicious food, Jessie told Christian he would love to go with him. “Sounds like the women are going to be busy with your wedding preparations.”

The wedding became talk of the table the rest of the meal. Then they separated with the women helping clear the table and men went into the den to talk.