The O'Neal Girls Chapter 9

Chapter 9 

            The O’Neal family spent the day cleaning and repairing the house. Thankfully, Nadia had smelled the smoke when she did.  The kitchen was the only room that was damaged. The other rooms were mostly fine. The parlor and loft were somewhat blackened from the edges of the flames but they were not severely damaged. The family salvaged what they could and threw out the rest. They had to pitch most of the food and Paul had to buy a new stove.  

Paul’s friend and fellow lumberjack, Judd Peterson, came to help Paul repair the house. Judd lived up on the mountain about an hour and a half away. Judd was a skilled craftsman and he had his own saw mill. He came down bright and early to volunteer his help. He took some measurements, and then returned to his cabin to cut the wood.  He wasted no time bringing the wood back to the O’Neals. He worked carefully but quickly. He was a fun guy to be around and the entire family enjoyed his company.

            “I really appreciate your help, Judd,” Paul said.       

Judd pulled a piece of wood out of his wagon. “No problem, Paul. You were a good friend to me when I needed help. I’m just returnin’ the favor.” Judd and Paul headed to the cabin and put the piece of lumber in place. Paul held it in place while Judd hammered the nail. 

Nadia came out and observed the two. “Mr. Peterson…you have a funny hat.” 

Judd glanced over at the little blonde haired girl. “Call me Uncle Judd,” he said grinning at her. “You like my hat? It’s a coonskin hat.” Judd patted the fur hat on his head. He whipped it off and tossed it to Nadia. “You can try it on if ya like.” 

Nadia took the hat and examined it. “It’s fuzzy!” She placed it on her head and smiled. “How do I look?” 

Paul looked at Nadia and laughed. “You look good!” 

Nadia giggled and handed Judd the hat. “Thanks Uncle Judd.” She skipped off back into the house. 

“You sure got a nice family,” Judd said to Paul. He and Paul returned to the wagon to retrieve a beam of wood for the rafters. “You lucked out.” 

“I think God was looking out for us. We had always wanted a big family.” 

“Well now you got one!” Judd chuckled. “You got yerself a nest full of children now.” 

Paul nodded, “Yes we do.” 

~~~ 

Paul and Judd worked hard all day and the following day. They finished repairing the house so it was safe and livable again. After the younger girls went to bed, Paul met with Belle, Cassandra, and Danielle to discuss some things. 

“Doctor Young was so shocked to hear that Lillian made it through,” Paul sank down into his chair. 

​            “I was shocked too,” Belle said while she mended a shirt. 

​            “Everything is fine except one thing.” 

​            “What?” Danielle asked curiously. 

​            “The doctor said Lillian needs complete bed rest for at least one week. And even after those seven days, she still will be weak.” 

​            “Oh yeah,” Cassandra frowned. 

​            “You and Danielle will have to stay home more and help Belle take care of the house.” 

            ​Danielle made a face and Belle shot her an angry look. “I’m joking!” Danielle said quickly. “We’ll do whatever it takes to help out.” 

​            “While I was in Fairburn today I talked to a young man about coming to work for me—temporarily.” Paul looked uneasily at each girl to see how they would react. 

​            “Well, what did he say?” Cassandra blurted.  

​            “He said that he would. He works for his pa every morning but he would come to help at noon and stay until after supper.” 

​            “That’s good,” Belle nodded. 

​            “Who is it?” Danielle inquired. 

​            “His name is Joe Connolly; real nice fellow.” 

            A brief smile came to Cassandra’s face as she thought of having a young man helping with the work. Her mind instantly began creating images of a handsome, tall, strong man. 

​            “…and while you two cook, Belle can have Oakley duty,” Paul was saying. 

​            “So I have to help Cassandra cook?” Danielle whined. 

​            “Yes, and because I’m older, I’m in charge,” Cassandra said with an evil grin. 

​            “Paul!” Danielle cried pretending to be afraid. 

​            “You two sort out your problems in the morning. Right now, you need to get your rest.” 

​            “Okay,” the three answered. They said goodnight and began upstairs. 

​            “Cassandra,” Belle said pausing at the stairs. 

​            “Yes?” Cassandra answered. 

​            “Why don’t you and I switch bedrooms. That way, I’ll be closer to Oakley if I need to be with him.” 

​            “Sure, I don’t mind.” 

​            “I mind,” Danielle said teasingly. No one paid attention to her as Belle grabbed her things and moved them downstairs to the big room. Cassandra grabbed a bundle of clothes and other things and followed Danielle upstairs. 

~~~ 

Belle woke up the following morning and went to take care of Oakley. She looked up at the loft and called up to them. ​ 

​            “Danielle! Cassandra!” 

​            Danielle dragged herself out of bed and stumbled over to the banister. “What?”  

​            “You two are in charge of breakfast! And the others need to go to school and Paul needs to get to work!” 

​            “I’ll be down.” 

 ​           Belle walked away to the couch and Danielle jumped back in bed. Cassandra looked at Danielle. 

​            “What did she want?” 

​            “She wants us to make breakfast.” 

​            “What did you tell her?” 

​            “We’d be down.” 

​            “And…?” 

​            “And what?” Danielle demanded sitting up. 

​            “You’re still in bed.” 

​            “I don’t want to make breakfast. I’m still tired.” 

​            “It doesn’t matter,” Cassandra said getting out of bed and reaching for her calico dress. She yawned, “Come on, we have work to do.”  

​            “Fine!” Danielle jumped out of bed and fumbled for her dress. 

~~~ 

  

   ​         Ten minutes later, Cassandra and Danielle were in the kitchen in their yellow calico dresses. Lillian, Belle, and Cassandra had begun sewing dresses for the girls when Lillian and Paul had officially adopted them. They were finally ready for the girls to wear. Belle and Nadia’s were blue calico, Elsie and Faith’s were green calico, Lynn and Megan had soft purple calico and Hannah and Jinger had red calico. 

​            “Danielle!” Cassandra shouted running over to the stove. 

​            “Oops,” Danielle said. 

​            “You need to pay attention!” 

​            “You told me to chop up this!” Danielle shot back, holding up a bowl of fruit. 

​            “I wanted you to multi-task.” 

​            “You expect me to—?” 

​            “Ahem,” Paul said as he entered the kitchen. 

​            “Hi, Paul,” Danielle said quickly. 

​            “I trust that breakfast is going smoothly?” 

​            “Smoother than…smooth!” 

            ​Cassandra glared at Danielle but turned a hopeful smile at Paul. 

​            “Okay…when will it be ready?” Paul asked. 

​            “Uh, twenty minutes,” Cassandra answered. 

​            “Elsie, Faith, and I will be out in the barn.” 

 ​Elsie and Faith followed Paul outside, leaving Cassandra and Danielle to finish up breakfast. 

~~~ 

“Jinger!” Danielle called as she placed a platter of food on the table. 

​            “Yes?” Jinger said walking over. 

​            “Will you take this to Lillian?” Danielle handed Jinger a tray of food. 

​            “Sure,” Jinger said accepting the tray and walking carefully over to the bedroom. 

​            Lillian was awake when Jinger entered the room. Lillian looked weak and tired but she managed to offer Jinger a smile. 

​            “Morning,” Jinger said with a smile as she came to the bed. 

​            “Good morning,” Lillian returned. Jinger presented Lillian with the tray and Lillian looked over the food gratefully. ”Who made it?” 

​            “Cassandra and Danielle.” 

 ​Lillian glanced back down at the food. “Is it safe?” she asked with a teasing smile. 

​            “I hope so!” Jinger giggled. 

​            “Thank-you for bringing me my food.” 

​            “Sure. I better go eat so I can get to school on time.” 

​            “Have a good day, dear.” 

~~~ 

Cassandra and Danielle were hanging up the laundry when a young man rode up the drive. 

​            “What is he riding?” Cassandra said squinting to see. 

​            “It looks like a donkey,” Danielle replied shading her eyes. 

            ​Joe Connolly came up to the barn. He climbed off a gray donkey and tethered him to the barn and strolled up to the girls. He had unruly red hair and bright green eyes. He was smiling as he came over; hands shoved into the pockets of his overalls. He was tall and muscular and had an overall friendly nature about him. 

​            “Howdy, ladies,” he called in a sonorous voice. 

​            “Hi!” Danielle and Cassandra responded. 

            ​He came to a stop and offered the girls his hand. “Are you Mr. O’Neal’s daughters?”  

​            “Yes. Well…sort of,” Danielle replied, shaking the hand.

 ​Joe’s brow wrinkled in confusion. 

​            “We’re his adopted daughters,” Cassandra clarified. 

​            “Oh; I see.” 

​            “Paul is still out in the woods but he’ll be here shortly. Belle’s making lunch and I better help her.” Cassandra left Danielle and Joe and rushed into the house. 

​            Sure, leave me to entertain this guy. You probably left to go gossip with Belle about how handsome he is. Danielle shook her head in disgust. 

​            “I have to finish this laundry—” Danielle began. 

            ​Joe interrupted her, “I’ll help.” He picked up a couple of clothespins as Danielle reached for a sheet. 

​            “So, you work with your pa at the blacksmith?” Danielle asked.  

​            “Yup,” he said handing her a clothespin. 

​            “And you’re from Ireland?” 

​            “Yeah, my brogue isn’t as noticeable now. My Pa’s brogue is really thick still.” 

 ​Danielle hung up a dress. “Is the blacksmith job working out good?” 

​            “Yes, it’s very good.” 

            ​Danielle accepted another clothespin from him. “Then why are you working here?” 

​            “I was offered a job. Why not take it?” 

​            “Isn’t there anything more?” Danielle persisted. 

​Joe looked a little uncomfortable. “Well…uh…” 

​            “Sorry, I talk too much,” Danielle apologized. 

​            “No…I reckon I ought to be honest with you…” 

            ​Danielle hung up another dress and watched Joe closely. 

​            “I kinda like your sister,” he said in a rush. 

​            “Lots of people like my sister,” Danielle said hanging up the last shirt. 

​            “Yeah, but she’s so pretty and nice. Smart and gentle too. I’ve seen her in Fairburn a couple times…she’s an incredible girl.” 

 ​           Danielle rolled her eyes, It figures, everyone falls for Belle. But this poor guy has no idea how Belle and Caleb have basically committed to each other. “Well, the laundry is done and here comes Paul. Thanks for the help.” 

“No problem.”   

            ​Paul came in from the woods on Strawberry. He waved to Danielle and Joe and proceeded to dismount. “I’ll be right in!” 

​“Okay!” Danielle called back. Joe picked up the empty laundry basket and followed Danielle into the house. Danielle directed Joe to the wash room and followed him. 

~~~ 

​            Meanwhile, Cassandra was rambling away about Joe. She and Belle were walking about the kitchen putting together chicken sandwiches. 

​            “He’s really nice,” Cassandra said. 

​            Belle merely nodded and continued making sandwiches. 

​            “Belle! Come on, don’t you think he’s nice…and good-looking.” 

​            “Well most guys I’ve seen aren’t ugly,” Belle replied shortly. “And he seems nice.” 

​            “Seriously, Belle,” Cassandra said with slight annoyance. 

​            “Cassandra, I don’t want to stand here and gossip.” 

​            Cassandra sighed loudly and helped Belle take the food to the table. “Food is ready!” she called, leaning out the door. 

​            Paul hurried into the house and Danielle and Joe finished washing up. 

​            “This looks great,” Paul said after he prayed. 

​            “Sure does,” Joe said shoving a bite of sandwich down his throat. 

​            Paul explained to Joe what he would be doing that afternoon. He told him about chopping down trees and some of the precautions they would need to take. 

​            “We also spend some days cutting the trees down for the mill. And I have one other town I deliver wood to, Elm Springs. I deliver to Elm Springs every two or three weeks.” Paul finished his meal and he and Joe left the house. 

​            “Thanks again for the meal,” Joe said to Belle and Cassandra as he strolled away. 

​            Belle and Cassandra smiled politely to him. As soon as the men were out of earshot, Cassandra burst out in excitement. 

​            “Belle, he likes you! I’m certain of it!” 

​            “Cassandra,” Belle pleaded. 

​            “He did say he liked you,” Danielle said. 

​            Belle glared at Danielle sharply. Danielle had only urged Cassandra on. 

​            “I’d give anything to be in your shoes!” Cassandra said excitedly. 

​            Belle picked up the dirty plates and carried them to the sink. She proceeded to wash them as her mind wandered. Joe seems sweet…but he’s not what I like. I like Caleb, not Joe.