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  CHAPTER TWO

  As she walked down into the valley where her sister's home was located, Martha felt happy and full of energy. Heading around the field, which she had helped till and plant over the previous few weeks, she saw that the guests had all arrived.

  The women were all seated at the table talking excitedly. The two children were running around playing with their father and Ethan.

  When the children saw Martha, they came sprinting towards her. Before she knew what had happened they both had a tight grasp of her legs.

  "Happy birthday Martha," both children screamed at the same time.

  Martha laughed and squatted down, mussing their hair. "Why thank you. That's so very kind of you both," she said.

  "What presents did you get Martha?" little Louise asked, her blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders.

  "I haven't opened any yet. Maybe I haven't got any presents at all," Martha said with a mischievous smile.

  The children looked shocked. "No presents? You must have presents," little Nathan said, his face pale with fright.

  Martha laughed. "I'm just joking. I'm sure whatever I have is absolutely beautiful. What would a birthday be without presents?"

  The children laughed, realizing that Martha had been joking with them.

  She took each of the children by the hand, and walked toward the table.

  Cassie stood and came to her. She was dressed in one of her prettiest outfits, a blue cotton dress, and had a wide grin on her face. "Everything's ready. All you need to do is take your seat at the head of the table," she said, gesturing to the empty chair.

  Rachel, Hettie, Mabel, Alice and Julia all gave Martha hearty birthday wishes as she took her seat. Martha felt distinctly uncomfortable for a moment. She wasn't used to being the centre of attention.

  Ethan and Daniel, who was Julia's tall, quietly courteous husband, took their places at the long table. Daniel sat his two laughing children down by his side, and, leaning down, whispered words designed to calm their excitement. Cassie and Rachel went inside and brought out a fine spread of food which they laid out. The children had to be held back from helping themselves to the delicious looking dishes.

  Once they all had a drink in front of them Cassie stood.

  "I'd like to wish my beloved sister a truly happy birthday," she said, raising her glass. Everyone agreed and toasted Martha. "And I'd like to take this chance to say a few words," Cassie continued.

  "Please Cassie. You're going to embarrass me," Martha said with a smile. She looked at Hettie who gave her a warm smile.

  "Not at all," Cassie continued. "If I can't sing the praises of my sister on her birthday, when can I?"

  "You're just going to have to sit and take it Martha," said Ethan with a grin.

  Cassie paused, and looked around the table. "I can't tell you how happy it makes me that we are all gathered here on such a special day. It is such a gift to be surrounded by all our friends and family to celebrate my beloved sister's birthday."

  Cassie looked at Rachel and Martha. "If anyone had told me four months ago that my sisters and I would be here, like this, I would have told them they were mad. I feel truly blessed that we are all together as a family again."

  Cassie reached down and clasped Ethan's hand. "I want to thank my wonderful husband for making my sisters feel at home." Cassie laughed slightly. "Especially since he went to so much trouble in the first place to bring them here."

  Ethan laughed and nodded in agreement to the rest of the guests. "I guess you're right there," His brow furrowed, serious for the moment. "But I would have done the same, no matter what, to bring these wonderful sisters back together."

  The rest of the guests murmured their agreement.

  Cassie continued: "But to Martha I want to say this. You are the most special person. I have always loved you, and I will always do whatever I can to be a help and support to you. We've had our disagreements over the years, like all sisters do. But we have stuck by each other through all the trials of life. And we have emerged triumphant. Out here, in the West, we are all going to build ourselves a new life; a better life than we could ever have hoped for back East. And, with your qualities of strength, integrity and perseverance, I am sure you will do just fine."

  Cassie raised her cup again. "To my beloved Martha. Happy birthday, my dearest sister," she declared.

  Everyone raised their cups and wished Martha a happy birthday. The tears welled up in Martha's eyes, and she had to look away to mask the emotion which threatened to overwhelm her.

  Hettie placed her cup down. "May I take this opportunity to say on behalf of everyone who is not family here, that we wish you the most happy birthday, my dear," she said.

  Hettie's voice rose to it's usual elevated pitch whenever she warmed to a speech. "Ever since you and Rachel arrived in our little town, you have both shown yourselves to be fine young ladies. You have both been a huge boon to our community, and I look forward the blessings that the future undoubtedly holds for you both."

  "Presents! Where are the presents?" little Nathan cried out, and everyone laughed.

  Gifts were handed to Martha one by one. She opened the gifts, amazed by the care and thought which had gone into their choosing. Martha felt genuinely touched by everyone's generosity.

  Cassie came up to Martha with a large parcel wrapped in delicate, flower patterned paper. Ethan stood by Cassie's side, his arm around her waist.

  "For you Martha. From Ethan and myself. We hope you like it," she said softly.

  Martha looked at her sister, and thanked her wordlessly with the warmest look she could summon. She tore open the paper and drew out the most beautiful blue dress she had ever seen. She let it hang down in front of her. The fit looked perfect; the fabric was soft; the buttons and lace were elegant and tasteful. She hadn't seen anything so nice since she had come from the East.

  "Oh Cassie. It's beautiful. Ethan. Thank you," she said, looking at him. He nodded in quiet acknowledgement.

  They ate the beautifully prepared meal, and the conversation was filled with jokes and laughter. They played games, sang songs and the children had to be restrained from getting too carried away, otherwise they might have burst with sheer joy. The last time Martha could remember having such a fine birthday was when she had been a very small child.

  Later in the afternoon, Martha was suddenly overcome by a curious tiredness. She guessed that the excitement of the day had been just too much.

  She went to the small room she shared with Rachel, and sat down on the wide bed that Ethan had somehow managed to fit into the tiny space. Martha was suddenly aware of how quiet it was inside the house, and she felt temporarily relieved to be on her own. She felt slightly guilty, since everyone had gone to so much trouble to make sure she'd had a wonderful day. And it had been a lovely day; one she would never forget.

  However, her joy was tinged with the sadness which had been gnawing at her for weeks. Here, in the quiet of the room, she felt the melancholy all the more keenly. It was just as well she was away from the guests. She didn't want to worry any of them, least of all her wonderful sisters.

  There was a gentle knock at the door and Martha looked up. Hettie's face peered round the corner.

  "Are you feeling well, Martha?" she asked.

  "Of course I am Hettie. Everything is just so wonderful," Martha said, trying to control the surge of emotion she felt.

  Hettie came to the bed, and sat down next to Martha. "Forgive me my dear. But I think I can tell when someone isn't being honest with me."

  "No, Hettie. Really. Everything is fine. I just needed to rest a little. Everyone has been so wonderful to me today. I hardly feel that I am worthy of such generosity.

  "Don't be so hard on yourself, Martha. Of course you are worthy of everything that has been said to you today."

  "Oh Hettie." Martha rested her head against Hettie's shoulder. "I don't know what to do."

  "What do you mean, Martha?" Hettie wrapped her arm around Martha's s
houlders.

  "Things have been very hard for Rachel and I. We have tried so hard to fit in. Cassie and Ethan have been so kind to us. But I can tell we are becoming a burden to them."

  "Don't say such a thing."

  "But it's true Hettie. Look at the room we have to live in. This room should be for Cassie and Ethan to use. Not for Rachel and I."

  "Cassie and Ethan love you both very much. They don't want to see either of you come to harm."

  "If only we could have both found husbands."

  Hettie shook her head. "Alas. That hasn't been as easy as I hoped. I feel mainly responsible for the fact neither of you are married yet."

  "No Hettie! It isn't your fault at all. You have only been kind and supportive to Rachel and I. If anything, I feel we have been too demanding in our choices for husbands."

  "That's not the case my dear. Some of the men we have presented you with have indeed been, how shall I say, less than desirable."

  "I only wish that Rachel could find someone she can accept. But she is young, and has fanciful ideas of what a husband should be."

  "When a woman is young, and has read as many romance novels as Rachel, it is bound to be difficult to find a young man who will live up to those very high expectations," said Hettie.

  "This isn't like back East. Maybe we should lower our expectations."

  "Nonsense. No young lady of mine is going to have to settle for second best."

  Martha sighed. "Maybe I have too high an opinion of myself."

  Hettie shook her head. "You just want the best for yourself and your younger sister. That is perfectly understandable. The happiness of you both is very important to me."

  "I really want to be more involved in the life of this wonderful little town. Make a difference," Martha said.

  Hettie smiled. "I'm sure there is a role for someone with your fine qualities."

  "Hettie you are wonderful. I just wish I could speed things along somehow. I'm sure there must be someone on your list of potential husbands who would be acceptable to myself and Rachel."

  Hettie's brows furrowed, and she paused for a while, deep in thought. "Perhaps there is something you can do Martha."

  "What do you mean?"

  "If you were more involved in the matchmaking, perhaps you might find someone more suited to you and Rachel. Maybe you could help others in the process."

  "Do mean that I should become a member of the Matrimonial Society?"

  "Why not. There is no rule that says only myself, Mabel and Alice can be involved in solving the marriage shortage in Sweetheart Falls."

  Martha took a deep breath. "I don't know Hettie. It's such a responsibility."

  Hettie stroked Martha's hair. "One that you have already proven yourself to be more than capable of taking on."

  "But what does it involve?"

  "If you come and see me at home tomorrow, I can take you through what we do," Hettie said. "We have a great many letters from back East, and some local candidates. If you look through them yourself you may find someone to your liking."

  "I trust you and Mabel and Alice. I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate what you have been doing for us."

  "I know you value what we have done so far. It's perhaps just a bit of luck that's needed. Luck can change in a heartbeat. Can't it?"

  Martha looked at Hettie and saw the look of absolute earnestness in her eyes. She knew that Hettie would do everything possible for herself and Rachel. It would be worth a try.

  "Apart from which, it will give you a chance to make a difference to the life in our town," Hettie continued. "I know you've wanted to do something meaningful since you arrived."

  Martha smiled. "Perhaps you're right. It takes time to fit in when you move to a new town."

  Hettie patted Martha's hand. "I think you have both done admirably, my dear. Now let's get back to a party which, I believe, is still going on," she said.

  Standing up, she extended her hand to Martha. "Come my dear. Don't be sad on your birthday. The future is bright. You'll see I'm right," she said.

  "Oh Hettie. Thank you."

  "Thank me when you've found yourself a beau worth marrying," Hettie answered.

  That night Martha's dreams were filled with images of everyone who had been at her birthday parties, past and present. It was as if all her previous birthdays had been rolled into one. She saw her parents; her school friends; the various young men who had come courting.

  Martha felt as if she was being swept up, and thrown from one birthday party to another. One moment it was as if she were five years old, the next a young woman of eighteen. It was all confusing and disturbing. It felt as if she had no control over her life - as if she were a pawn to be moved about by others more powerful and capable than she. In her dream the sensation of panic was palpable.

  She awoke, suddenly, in the darkness of the night with a start and a yell. Rachel, sleeping in the same room, comforted her sister as best she could, speaking quietly to Martha, soothing her with reassuring words. After a while Martha went back to sleep, her sister's soft voice lulling her into a warm and dreamless slumber.

  Next day Martha was up bright and early. There was work to be done. Her birthday had been wonderful, and she hoped, the first of many out here in Wyoming. Cassie and Rachel joined her in making the breakfast, cleaning up and making sure the animals were tended to.

  By lunchtime it was time to leave for town. Cassie had offered to drive Martha in for her meeting with Hettie. They both got dressed up for the visit. Hettie always liked to see the sisters at their best, and they didn't want to disappoint her.

  They got on the buckboard and headed down the trail that took them into town. The sun shone down on their bonnet covered heads, and there was a mild breeze in the air. It was a beautiful day.

  "I heard you yelling in your sleep last night," Cassie said after a while. "Those dreams again?"

  Martha frowned. "Let's not talk about that Cassie."

  "Why not. I pays to get things off your chest." Cassie smiled. "I am your sister after all."

  Martha sighed. "They're just silly dreams. They don't mean anything."

  "They've been going on a while. Since you and Rachel got here."

  "I was having them back East too."

  "You want to tell me about them?"

  Martha shook her head. "Not really. They'll go soon enough. Once I get busy, I won't have time to dream."

  "Well, let's hope your bad dreams will go. They'll be replaced by some good ones. Dreams about the good times ahead."

  "You think so, Cassie?"

  "I'm sure they will. Life out here is okay. Don't you think?"

  Martha nodded firmly. "It sure is better than back East."

  Cassie held the reins tight as the buckboard moved down a hill.

  "I know our relatives weren't the best behaved."

  "That's an understatement," said Martha .

  Cassie sighed softly. "I think it's time to move on from that. Forgive and forget. They had their reasons for doing what they did."

  "I have forgiven them Cassie. Surely I have. But it's the forgetting that's difficult."

  Cassie patted Martha's hand reassuringly. "The forgetting will come. Once you find yourself a husband."

  Martha threw her head back. "If I find a husband. Not when I find one."

  "Hettie isn't going to let you down. She must have had her reasons for not finding you someone yet."

  "She says that. But how hard can it be? Rachel and I were in town, and we saw Charlie Brigham getting married. His new wife sure looked pleased."

  "Maybe Hettie has higher standards than you think. She only wants the best for you."

  "But how long are Rachel and I going to have to wait? You know what Rachel is like. She's too impatient to wait for anything, never mind a husband."

  "Rachel will be fine. You can both stay with us as long as you need to. There's no hurry to move out."

  Martha knew that wasn't true. There was a hurry. She lo
oked down at Cassie's growing belly. Martha couldn't think of imposing on her sister once she'd had the baby. It wasn't fair on Cassie; she'd already done too much for Martha and Rachel.

  "Ethan already built one extension to the house," Cassie said. "He can build another."

  "I know you mean well Cassie. I'm so grateful to you and Ethan for what you have done. I don't want to impose on you both any more than I have to."

  "You are not a burden to me, Martha. You have to believe that." Cassie's voice was firm, bordering on irritation.

  They rode on in silence for a few moments, and then Cassie spoke again: "However, I understand your need to have a life of your own. We're all grown up now. You do what you think you have to do. You know I'll always love and support you in whatever choices you make."

  Martha rested her head against her sister's shoulder. She closed her eyes, and savored the sensation of the buckboard's movement; the sound of the rolling wheels; the feel of the fabric of her sister's dress against her cheek.

  "How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful sister as you, Cassie?"

  "You're going to embarrass me."

  "It's the truth. Look at what you've done for me and Rachel. I don't know any other sister who'd have done such a thing."

  "I only did what was right. Don't forget, my husband had something to do with it as well."

  Martha smiled.

  "Anyway. Perhaps Hettie will have a surprise for you today," Cassie continued. "You never know with her. She's always got something up her sleeve."

  Martha knew that Hettie always had something up her sleeve. That simple truth didn't make her feel any better. In fact it only made her more nervous about the upcoming meeting.

  CHAPTER THREE

  They arrived at Hettie's house, and parked the buckboard. It was a relief to stand in the shade of the porch. Martha was always impressed by the size of Hettie's home, which occupied two floors, and had a large garden to the rear. It was clearly the house belonging to one of the most important inhabitants of Sweetheart Falls.