Chapter 16
Laura headed downstairs has the Nor'easter howled outside the house. It was early but she wanted to get head a start on the Christmas baking. To her surprise Cassie was already up. She was mixing a batch of cornbread. There was a pot of Turkey giblets boiling on the stove. Laura smiled at her, “Making cornbread stuffing?” She asked.
“No cornbread dressing. The giblet broth will make it moist and not dry. That booger is raising a ruckus out there.”
“They do but if we’re lucky except for a bit of debris it leaves a beautiful blanket of snow. It’s starting to ease up.”
“Shut up! It sounds the same to me.” Cassie laughed. “Sorry I didn’t realize who you were yesterday.”
“What you see is what you get when it comes to me. Which of my books have you read?”
“Smuggler’s Cove. I love the historical stuff. Was it really a red light district during the Revolution?”
“It surely was. It was perfect for smuggling guns, ammo and powder to the patriots.”
“Well Jenny Scott was an interesting woman. Her husband actually sent her to work in that brothel?”
“She was a beautiful and charming woman according to my sources. He knew that her beauty would attract men and that men love to brag. He was someone that wasn’t upset by sex. If she could use her body for the cause then was just one more sacrifice that had to be made.”
“I don’t think I would have done it. It just seems wrong.”
“It saved a lot of lives and helped George Washington to know what the rank and file of the British Army was thinking.”
“Do you have a big cast iron skillet?”
“Sure in the pantry let me get for you.”
Laura returned to kitchen with the skillet and Cassie started smearing shorting on the sides. The wind started dying down and the snow changed over to large fluffy flakes. Laura started making coffee. Cassie put the skillet in the oven to make the cornbread. “I can see where Clay gets his level head. It’s too bad that he doesn’t use it sometimes.”
Laura laughed, “Men need a good rolling pin to keep them in line.”
“Well with Clay it had better be made of solid hickory.”
Hank entered and kissed Laura, “I will wait a little while before feeding the horses.”
“Good idea. It looks like a real winter wonderland out there.”
Lisa come in wiping her eyes, “Why so early, people?” She laughed.
“Well because we have lots of baking to do.” Laura replied.
“There are a lot of presents to be wrapped too.” Lisa said.
“Those guys have gone crazy with the wood working.” Laura agreed.
“Well the weather won’t clear until mid-morning so Christmas will be a sunny day.” Hank said, “We have lots of time.”
“Did you finish Lisa’s present?” Laura whispered in Hank‘s ear.
“The lap desk is done. It is down in the workshop.”
“She will love it. Ric made Debbie one.” Laura said.
Clay came in, “Did I hear workshop?” He asked, “You restored Uncle Tom’s and Uncle Mike’s Shop!”
“We had too, we needed for the remodeling.” Hank replied, “There are times when the old ways are best.”
Pete was stretching as he came in, “We need all hands on deck at our new place. We have some remodeling to do with that back parlor.”
“My tool belt and tools are in my sleigh.” Clay laughed.
“I wish my family was this close. My mom and dad can’t stand each other.” Cassie sadly shook her head.
Clay put his arms around her, “Take a look around this room. You have plenty of friends and family in this old farm house.”
“We do have a full house that’s for sure. I need to get the girls started on sewing and quilting the new place mats and napkins.” Peg said as she came in, ‘Now see here Cassie, you are family now so don’t be eating green persimmons or Tom and Mike will come calling to scold you.”
“Adam told me about Uncle Tom’s visit, so I will be on my best behavior.” Clay nodded.
“Can I help with the quilting? I want to learn or relearn actually my grand mamma taught me when I was little.” Cassie asked.
“Well just finished whatever you were cooking first.” Mary replied laughing.
The day seem to drag by but everyone was busy and having fun. Cassie was now feeling cheery and full of the Christmas spirit. The kids were busy with different projects. Mary and Peggy hummed carols as they baked.
Several times Laura had to slap Hank’s hand way from the sugar cookies. Lisa and her family helped Meg and Sue wrap gifts.
It was midafternoon when Clay’s mom and dad arrived along with his sister Kathleen. Robert Morgan looked around the family parlor and smiled. He had courted his wife in that very parlor.
Debbie got up, ‘Hi Uncle Bob, you are a sight for sore eyes.”
“Well we don’t get out as much as we use too.” He laughed.
He sat down at the chess set and watched them work on little stocking stuffers. Karyn was learning to crochet from Barbara. She had never imagined doing any sew crafts. But in the few days she had been there it had grown on her. “Karyn, you are a natural.” Barbara said.
“You know I’ve always thought that sewing was something from a bygone era. Now I realize that I was missing something. It is fun and very relaxing.” She replied.
“There are a lot of things like that. We think just because we can go to a store and buy something we don’t need to know how to do things. The Goths and Vics I came in contact with when I lived in California preferred hand stitched clothes. I’m going to have my hands full here. Between my sewing and working our new farm I will have very little time for anything else. That reminds me, we need to get back to our sewing. We have placemats to finish.” Gabby said,
“You will have plenty of help on that farm.” Debbie replied.
Amy nodded, “You will be surprised at how many of the Elders and Program girls will be there by your side. We’re all about helping neighbors.”
Bob smiled, “We still have that old time notion out here. I know city folks pitch in too in emergencies and I guess at other times too. Here it is natural as the air we breathe.”
Chyanna shook her head, “They do but you have to ask several times. From what I’ve seen here you don’t have to do that.”
“It’s like cleaning up our bedrooms before breakfast. You see something that needs doing, you just do it.” Lisa agreed, “I need to get back to the kitchen, my break time is over.”
“We may move at a slower pace but we don’t work that way.” Terri laughed, “Those are big fluffy flakes out there. It is a good time to take you guys to see the meadow.”
“We can’t wait to see it, you guys said so much about it.” Chyanna said looking out the window.
They girls headed back up to sewing room. Robert smiled has he watched them. “Laura and Hank brought this place alive. Tom and Mike, I know you were guiding them. That reminds me Tom, I brought this for you.” He said placing the tin of tobacco on the chess table.
Polly came in wearing an apron, “Bob, Mary is going the scold you for bringing that pipe tobacco. So Terri, how have you been doing?”
“Pretty good our little book shop is humming along. How have you been?”
“Like that book shop I’m humming along only the tune is a little slower.” Polly laughed.
“How do you like Cassie?” Faith asked.
“I love that girl. She’s had a hard life but that didn’t dampen her spirit. She and Clay are made for each other.”
Faith laughed, “Yeah, I watch that show a few times. They sounded like an old married couple. It’s hard to believe that Christmas is the day after tomorrow.”
“Time seems to fly the older you get.” Terri laughed.
“Well Faith, don’t you worry it slows back down once you reach our age.” Robert laughed.
“I can’t believe this old place was ever a hovel” Polly said looking around the parlor.
“Laura picked herself the right man.” Bob nodded.
“Is that a hint?” Terri giggled.
“It could be. You, Faith and Tiffany aren’t matched up yet are you?”
“Well I ran into Ted Pierce yesterday and he went on and on about Tiffany.” Polly nodded.
“Ted is a good man but I don’t know if he’s the right man for Tiffy.” Faith chucked.
“You two just stay out of it.” Mary said as she came in. “I expect that those two will get along fine without any advice from us.”
“I’m already in love with this area. It is much more down to earth than Seattle.” Chyanna said.
“It does seem to wrap you in its arms and say welcome home.” Cathy agreed.
Mary nodded, “That is because love feeds on itself. The more you love the more it grows.”
Laura came in wearing a bright smile, "Ok everyone that’s going to the meadow better get ready, I have the sleigh ready to go.”
Cassie grabbed her jacket and gave Mary a peck on the cheek. “You’re sure you don’t need me Mrs. Mary?” she asked.
“Stop using the Mrs. Mary or I will be having you scrub the cake pans.” Mary chucked.
Cassie hugged her and followed Laura. The girls joined her out by the sleigh. Cassie was watching the horses pawing the grown, “They seem impatient.” she laughed.
“They are, don’t worry they are good horses.” Laura giggled.
Cassie drink in the scenery as the horses walked at a leisurely pace. She wasn’t the least bit homesick. Everything about Grey Mountain fascinated her. She could feel the magic all around her. The love of a family that she had just met combine with the love of new friends wrapped her in an enchanted spell.
They stop at the meadow and they all did the ritual then waited, when they heard the leaves rustling they all entered but Cassie.
“Come on lass you’re be welcome here.” A musically voice whispered.
Cassie entered the meadow full of curiosity at what would happen. Debbie went to an old apple tree and started singing the meadow hymn. She looked at Cassie and smiled, “I can feel the magic of the woods and the meadow flowing through me.” She said joyfully.
“I can feel it too; it's like a warm stream of water.” Cassie agreed.
She explored several more spots and smiled at everything she saw. She looked down and found a tarnished bracelet. She picked it and looked at it curiously.
“What have you found,” Laura asked as she walked up.
“It’s just an old bracelet.” She said.
“Oh my stars and garters, I lost that when I was 10. It belongs to Mom.” Laura said in wonder.
“Well then you need to give it back.” Cassie replied.
“We should clean it up first. Some Salt and vinegar will take the tarnish right off. Place a sheet of foil in the bottom of glass baking dish, add the vinegar, salt and water. Then put the bracelet in it overnight.” Tiffany explained.
“Mom will be very happy to have this back.” Laura said.
It was getting late when they returned to the farm. The glowing of the setting sun was bright orange with streaks of gold. Laura brought the horses around the front of the Farmhouse. The huge Christmas tree filled the window and casted steams of colored lights on the fresh snow. She carefully turned the sleigh and smiled.
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