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“I would love that, but how on earth am I supposed to find a western man to marry in Massachusetts.”
“You know what I do for a living, don’t you?” Elizabeth asked.
“No. I truly don’t get out much. I only have one afternoon a week off, and I guard it.”
“I am a matchmaker. I get letters from men—and sometimes women—seeking a life partner. I have a letter from a man I believe would be perfect for you, if you’d like to read it before you dig in the dirt for a while.”
Cassandra bit her lip. It sounded like the opportunity she needed to change her life, but what was the catch? There had to be something bad that would come out of it. “Am I obligated to marry if I read the letter?” she finally asked.
“Of course not.” Elizabeth led her to the room across the hall, where a desk was against one wall, and a sofa was perpendicular. “Sit down while I find the letter.”
Cassandra nodded, sitting on the sofa, waiting patiently for Elizabeth to find the letter. She’d had a hard time sitting still her entire life, preferring to move around and do things to sitting quietly.
When Elizabeth finally handed her the letter, Cassandra glanced down. The man had beautiful penmanship if nothing else.
June 2nd, 1895
Dear Potential Wife:
My name is Cameron Royal, and I live in Mountain Home, Montana. My mother and I live here together on a ranch on the Royal River. We have everything we need, including twenty men who help me work with the cattle.
The only thing we don’t have is a wife for me, and a mother for my future children. My mother is itching to bounce her grandchild on her knee, and she is getting to an age where she needs help with the gardening and other chores around the house. She is a lovely person and would appreciate the company of another woman on a regular basis. She’s even said she’s willing to teach you to cook and clean if you do not know how to do those things.
I’m a decent looking man, but there are just not enough women to choose from here in Montana. There are usually five or six men for every woman, and no one needs that sort of competition when looking for a wife.
I hope you will consider my offer. My only real needs in a wife are that she is able to work, and she is young enough to bear children. If you meet both of those qualifications, and you would like to marry me, I would love to have you. Send me a response via telegraph so that I will be available to fetch you from the train station upon your arrival.
I’ve included money for train fare and for spending money along the way. I do hope you’ll agree to be my wife.
Sincerely,
Cameron Royal
The more she read, the more excited Cassandra became. She liked the idea of marrying a man who would let her play in the dirt, and it sounded like that was one of the main things he needed a wife for.
“I want to do it,” she said after a minute. “I want to marry Cameron Royal.” She liked the way his name felt on her lips as she said it. “How soon can I leave?”
Elizabeth laughed. “As soon as the Randalls have someone to take your place, I suppose.”
“I’ll talk to them as soon as I finish digging in your dirt.”
“As soon as you have a date when you can leave, I’ll get the train fare taken care of and you will be on your way to being Mrs. Royal.”
Cassandra got to her feet and clapped her hands. “Is it all right if I take my shoes and socks off in here so I don’t get mud on my shoes? The Randalls are very particular about whether or not I have mud on my shoes.”
“That’s fine.” Elizabeth looked amused.
In moments, Cassandra’s feet were as bare as the day she was born, and she walked to the back door. “I’ll be back.”
She went to the vegetable garden first. She enjoyed flowers, but they weren’t as necessary as the vegetables were. As the daughter of a farmer, she knew how important fruits and vegetables were to people.
She carefully weeded between the rows of potatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. Oh, this garden was wonderful, so full of foods that made her happy.
Hours later, she did her best to brush the dirt off her dress, and her knees. She was covered in it, as she’d expected to be. Thankfully, when she went back into the house, Elizabeth called for a maid to bring her a basin of warm water.
“You really did make a mess,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.
Cassandra grinned. “It was glorious. I pulled so many weeds, and I dug my toes into the dirt. It was exactly what I needed to make my afternoon off perfect.”
