Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) (33 page)

“I would be proud to call you my kin, ya know.” He said next to her ear.

He heard her sniffle a little and let her go. He climbed up in the saddle and gave her a wave.

“I will come by soon with news. Once your birthday comes we can see what can be done.” Clive said and was off.

* * * * *

Sept 1
st
  1850

“Happy Birthday, Aunt Angela!” Cooper said in a near yell as he swooped into the house. Violet and Angela were sipping coffee and Corinne was coming from her bedroom.

“Well thank you, Coop!” Angela held her arms open for the big hug that waited for her.

“Are you old now?” He asked with a mischievous grin that was irresistible.

“Yep, so very, very old.” Angela laughed and hugged him again.

“What are you going to do for your birthday?” Cooper asked.

“Well I am going to town with your big sister and Violet, but I was hoping later me and you could take a walk down by the creek. There is a special spot I wanted to show you.” Angela gave Cooper a wink.

“That would be great. I am gonna go help Pa with the horses but I wanted to say happy birthday first.” Cooper was out the door with the speed of a wild animal. The door didn’t close all the way behind him and Corinne laughed and took care of the swinging door.

“He is so dear to me.” Angela sighed and sipped her coffee, her grin stayed for over a minute.

“He is much like my little brothers were. So full of life.” Violet said with a sigh.

“I didn’t know you have brothers.” Corinne said it first but Angela looked up with the same inquisition in her mind.

“I do, but I do not see them. God gave me a fresh start and a new chance at life. I don’t think much about that time of my life anymore.” Violet said with a smile that seemed the tiniest bit forced.

“I will not pry Violet. You have been a Godsend for Lucas and me. Your privacy is your own. I would never force your confidence.” Corinne took Violet’s hand and squeezed it. “But I will pray for your brothers, as I am sure you do.”

“I do every day.” Violet said, her smile was real now.

“God saved me from a life of servitude and loss. I know what it’s like to get a new chance at having a family.” Angela shared. Her and Violet had a close bond. They didn’t have to know the full story of each other’s lives to know that hurt was buried down deep. They knew that only God and time could heal those wounds.

“Let’s stop being so weepy and go have fun today.” Violet stated.

“Who’s being weepy?” Lucas made and appearance from the back bedroom. He was wearing his work clothes and his broad hat in his hand. He looked ready to get to work.

“Us girls just being girls.” Corinne said with a laugh. She jumped up and got her husband a fresh mug of coffee.

“Actually before we go I would like a chance to talk to everyone.” Angela stood. 

“Well, you are the birthday girl. You have the floor Miss Fahey.” Lucas gave a slight bow and sat at the table. Once Corinne delivered his coffee she sat down as well.

“Today I turn eighteen, and if all goes well I will take action to do something that I hope you will consider wise.” Angela took a deep breath.

“You all know that I have been dreaming of making a place of my own for a few months and I had a place in mind but kept it secret. When Lucas informed me he was trying for the orchard property next to you I set the thoughts aside. I would never want to interfere with your plans and goals.”

Lucas sighed and gave a look to his wife. Her face showed the smallest amount of concern.

“I have talked to Clive about trying for the property across from yours, I have house plans, a business plan to grow almonds and olives in hopes of being a client of yours. I know you want to expand your business to express oils from them. I have been paying attention. Clive knows a great farm manager and a farmhand or two to help me run the place. I have the startup money and Clive thinks if he cosigns for me they will allow me to own the land under my own name if I promise to get married within a set amount of time to add a man to the deed.”

Angela looked from Lucas’s face to Corinne’s and saw they both looked pleased.

“I do not in any way want to offend you. I know you wanted the land, but once it was not to be I thought of the chance of knowing I could always live near you and even be a help to your business. It was consuming my thoughts. Please tell me what you think. I you say nay I will drop every plan and proceed no further. I love you both too much to offend you in any way.”

Lucas laughed and Corinne jumped up and squeezed Angela in a big hug.

“What a beautiful schemer you are, that is a brilliant plan. You will have the safety of your own income and we get to be ahead of schedule with our plans.”  Corinne gave Angela a kiss on the cheek.

“I can think of no reason how I would be offended. The plan would make my wife happy, having you live so near her. You have no idea how melancholy she would get when you were away. She tried to hide it, but she could not.” Lucas stood and hugged Angela as a sign of his goodwill.

“Have you met the land manager?” Lucas asked.

“I was hoping to meet him today. He currently works as Clive’s mercantile manager but longs to be back on the land. He had an accident and lost a hand but Clive says his farming acumen is superb. His name is Earl Burgess.”

“I have heard talk of him. Farmers all around seek his advice.” Lucas stated. “He is a good Christian man. Lost his family back East in a fever. Very sad. He came west to start over. He is still strong and able. Gets around with only one hand better than some men with two.”

Everyone laughed at Lucas’s description.

“I give you my full blessing, but will stay clear of any of the council meetings. My presence will do you no good. Mr. Prince is better off not seeing my face near him, it makes him irritable.” Lucas said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Well, Clive has a bit of a plan to make Mr. Prince take notice of my offer. It should be a fun spectacle, seeing Mr. Prince have to do our bidding. It will be mutually beneficial.” Angela said with a gleam in her eye.

“Well, let’s get to town.” Corinne said, now eager to hear from Clive all the plans. “A part of me is jumping for joy at the thought of foiling Mr. Prince’s schemes to run the land council.”

“Please be sure to fill me in later darling. I will get the wagon for you ladies. I will be off to the west fields today.” Lucas kissed his wife and waved to Angela and Violet.

“Be safe, my husband!” Corinne said.

“I will, my wife.” Lucas said before he shut the door.

The wagon could be heard, as it pulled in front of the cabin, harnesses jangling and horses ready for their duties. Angela and Violet climbed into the back and sat on the side benches.

Corinne put on her leather gloves and drove them to town in safety. The road was only a little muddy from the recent rains but there were no mishaps.

The road in town was a little worse for wear but the ladies were able to get into Clive’s store without soiling their skirts. Clive was waiting at the front counter with his son, JQ.

Clive welcomed the ladies and gave Angela a birthday kiss on her hand. He laughed and took the ladies across the street to the Milliners.. He insisted on Angela picking out a new hat.

“A woman must get a new hat at least once a year.” Clive said in a high-pitched voice. “It keeps her from swooning.”

The women enjoyed Clive’s antics and once several hats had been tried on Angela settled for a dark green velvet bonnet with lace and two elegant feathers that wrapped across the top.

“That is so fetching with your red hair.” Violet stated emphatically.

Angela made all the girls try on hats with her and made notes mentally to the hats that everyone fussed over.
It was always good to have a gift idea waiting in the back of your mind.
She had been poor for so long, suddenly having her own money to be a blessing to others had its merit. She knew she would be smart with the money her parents left her, but she would also be generous.

The meeting with Earl Burgess went extremely well. He was of medium height but was stocky and seemed strong. He had been informed about the prospect of land management and was excited for it. Clive had filled him in.

“I hope you won’t mind working for a woman.” Corinne stated once introductions were made. “I know some men get themselves all tied up when they have to do the daily work when a women is the one that pays ‘em.”

“I know some men like that, I am not one that minds working for any man or woman. My mother ran a thriving farm market when I was a youngin’ and she was able to maintain good working relations with all the farm hands. My ma and pa were equals in business. I have no qualms in working for ya, Miss Fahey. Neither iffen you do get married I will gladly show respect to yer husband as well. I am looking forward to getting back to what I love doin’.” Earl said. He had a big friendly grin and he used it often.

“I hope you don’t mind my asking, why do you not want a farm of yer own. You are still young enough to have your own place.” Angela asked, feeling bad for asking but her curiosity was genuine.

“I was saving to get my own place when I lost my hand. It was a long recovery and I nearly lost every dime I had while I laid in bed. Clive was kind in offering me a job to get me back on my feet. Someday I may like to start up a farm of my own again. But the land is a part of me, whether I help you build yours or my own, the joy is the same in seeing a farm take shape. The reaping and sowing is in my blood. I would be honored in helping you get your dream started.” Earl’s voice was solid and his intelligence showed in his eyes. He was a good man fallen on hard times. Angela could see that he would be loyal and work hard for her.

“We will be in touch. If you would walk the land with Clive and I some day soon we can make a detailed plan to show the land council. We do not want to have any reason for anyone to deny me because of ill preparedness.” Angela said calmly, but her resolve to get the land was growing within her.

Earl nodded. “Yes Ma’am. Any night you wish. Just let Clive know and I will be there.”

Clive gave Earl a pat on the back and thanked him. The women decided to go do some more shopping. Corinne was trying to convince Angela that she needed her own horse.

Angela said she would look at saddles and think about it. Corinne knew it would take time to convince Angela to trust the large animals but she was determined to someday make a rider out of her friend.

* * * * *

Clive came by the Grants a week later with the paperwork in his hands. They had settled with Clive as the cosigner. Angela would be able to be the landowner with Clive as a cosigner until a husband was procured.

“You have two years to build a dwelling, and within that time to also break ground on at least two
acres of fresh land.” Clive read from the paper. “They added an addendum. They want a husband on the deed within four years.”

Angela huffed a little at them dictating when she needed a husband.

“Well, I had hopes of starting the house before the winter?” Angela asked Clive with a twinkle in her eye.

“We shall see, Red.” Clive said.

Corinne and Angela shared a smile and they both looked to Clive with their eyes wide. They had a few ideas on how things should get started.

—— The End ——

Wildflower Series

Book 1 – Finding Her Way

(first release named Seeing the Elephant)

Book 2 – Angela’s Hope

Coming 2014 … Book 3 – Daughter’s of the Valley

Coming 2014 … Book 4 – The Watermill

Also by Leah Banicki

Runner Up – A Contemporary love story,

Set in the world of reality TV.

Connect with me online:

https://www.facebook.com/Leah.Banicki.Novelist

Please share your thoughts with me.
[email protected]

The self-publishing world is very rewarding but has its challenges. Please remember to spread the word about my books if you like them. By using word-of-mouth you help to bless an author. Thank you, Leah B.

If you find glaring mistakes in this manuscript please let me know. I do my best and my beta-readers and editors work very hard but we all are human. Please email me with the mistake and location (at least the chapter), thanks.

If you love to read Christian romance you should check out these authors!

**Books by Patricia Strefling**

Edwina

Cecelia

Beyond Forgiveness

Ireland Rose

Rose’s Legacy

Cadence

Wedgewick Woman

Stowaway Heart

Lacy’s Lane

Lacy’s Life

Lacy’s Legacy

* * * * *

Also Available

**By Patty A. Gammons**

Hazards on the Hardwood