Frontier General Store

 

 

 

December 1883

 

 

Luke takes a last look at his creation and then hearing a voice hides it away under a pile of hay.

"Dad? You're not smoking out here are you?"

"Hell No Cowboy! Would I do that?" Luke says with some innocence in his voice but it's a hard pull toward believability.

"Sure if it was colder than a witch's..."

"Eh, eh watch that. Didn't like the last time your mother looked at me after Lulu came home with a little saying that she only could have picked up from us."

Lucky winces. "I remember that. You ready to head out to the hunting site?" He looks around. "I'm about done with Lulu's fiddle. It's restrung and I got the bow set up nice and tight. But Dad, I don't know anything about tuning the damn thing, my guitar sure but I've only just seen people play the fiddle not anything about it."

Luke nods consideringly.

"Well? You got any ideas?"

"Sure enough. Lets take a walk over to the Taggart's. Bout time we welcomed Dara to the neighborhood, and bring the fiddle."

"You think Dara knows?"

"Worth a shot." Luke takes the lead walking toward the Taggart's place. He steps up the pace until he gets into the sheltering cover of the trees. They did cut the wind down to something manageable. Course it would be risky to walk under a tree that was covered with snow and ice. Never knew when a branch could come down on a body and kill them dead or at least leave them in a world of hurt. But that isn't the case. It's just cold. Colder than a witch's titty.

 

 

 

 

Liz makes sure that all the presents she's made are carefully wrapped so that nobody can get into them. Not that Sarah or Gram would ever actually peek... that was more her thing. But knowing that she would peek makes her all the more suspicious of the others. Gram's sweater is done. For Sarah there was a shawl and gloves. That one had taken forever. Gram had spun the wool extra fine. Seemed when she was trying to work with it, it had been as fine as a spider's thread. And it had knit up so light and airy, until you layered it on itself and then it's as warm as Gram's sweater. Zander, well he's getting a pair of gloves and socks. He'd already gotten the muffler and been wearing it for a couple weeks.
Zander had been getting antsy lately. Not that he particularly wanted to move back to his own place but just testing to see how the leg was holding up. He was still wearing the splint of course. Gram would throw a fit if he didn't. But he'd graduated from using the crutches to using that fancy cane that Miss Cassadine had brought down way back when.
And then there is Lucky's present. The last one she had to get done. Liz pats the intricately patterned vest. It had been a piece of work. A challenge to make sure that Lucky never saw it while she was working on it. And another that he never caught her when she was eyeballing him for measurements, or that when he did that he figured it was for other reasons that she was giving him the eye. But it was good work. Even Gram had said so. Specially down to the finishing touch... which were buttons made out of elk horn. Zander had cut them from the antlers-- thin wafers of horn, then punched a couple of holes in them using a hot wire and then she'd polished the dickens out of them to make them shine.
Actually she and Zander had gone hog wild on those antlers. Rather than just making six for Lucky's vest, Zander had sawed one of the whole racks that the Cassadines had brought back. And they'd made buttons or drawer pulls out of the whole thing. Zander had also made a couple of little boxes out of some seasoned wood. They'd made a box for each of the ladies of the valley-- Gram, Miz Flo, Miz Laura, and Mrs. Lansbury. Figuring that they'd be the ones always stuck sewing on a button or two. Gram's was the nicest of course. Zander had lined it with cloth and the inside of the lid was stuffed with combed wool just like she'd done with his crutches. It could be used as a pin cushion. Rather than just a box for buttons, it was like a real little sewing box.

 

 

 

 

It's the first time that Carly and Lulu have been up to the Cassadine place since after Thanksgiving. Lulu is bundled up like a little sausage to the point of complaining that she is too hot as they walk up to the Cassadine place.

"We're almost there." Carly reminds. She has a large bag that she is carrying all the supplies in. Miz Natasha better have that embroidery finished because it was time to put all the big pieces together. Carly had used the time away from the Cassadine place to make the little pieces into big pieces. They were almost to the point of putting together the layers and actually making a quilt. Which is amazing in itself but they were still on a tight timeframe if they were going to make it by Christmas.

"Carly, how you gonna quilt that whole thing? When we made the other quilt all the ladies helped and it still took all day."

"Been thinking about that, Ladybug." Carly admits. "What do you think I should do?"

"She needs to invite all the ladies over. Otherwise you're never gonna get done in time. Even if you burn the oil lamps all night long and you know Daddy won't go for that. It's wasteful."

"Out of the mouth of babes." Carly mutters. "I'll talk to her. You talk to Mrs. Lansbury. It might take all three of us to convince Miz Natasha." Carly and Lulu walk around to the back of the Cassadine place. It was a nice way to start the visit, first with Mrs. Lansbury having a chance to warm up by the cooking stove and have a mug of something warm before braving the front of the house. It also gave them time to find out the lay of the land... like where Nikolas was since it is his present they are working on. Although now the excuse for their regular get togethers is Miz Natasha teaching Lulu how to sew a fine seam. Nobody bought it in particular but nobody would say anything either since it would be insulting to Miz Natasha, that she couldn't be charitable.

Mrs. Lansbury already has the door open when the girls walk up. "Come in, come in!" Carly and Lulu step in quickly not wanting to let the heat out of the house. Mrs. Lansbury start helping Lulu with her layers, practically unwrapping her like one of those Egyptian Mummy's, twirling and twirling the little girl as the scarf keeps coming. "Good gracious, Miss Lulu! Are you in there?"

"Aunt Laura worries about Lulu catching a chill." Carly explains as she unfastens her own coat.

"If she doesn't sweat to death first. But I suppose your Mama has the right of it, always best to be prepared case the weather turns all of a sudden." Mrs. Lansbury looks up at Carly and her eyes go narrow. "Your Aunt have anything to say about that elbow of hers?"

Carly shakes her head. "Nope. If she had then Lulu and I wouldn't even have been let out of the house!"

"Mama and Aunt Bobbie both been worrying something fierce. Keep talking about waiting for the other shoe to drop." Lulu shrugs out of the last of her layers and sighs with relief. "I didn't hear the first one."

Mrs. Lansbury smiles at that. "Go on, child. Go tell Ms. Natasha that you're here and that I'll be along with the tea in just a minute. She might be out in the greenhouse checking on the roses."

Lulu goes running out of the kitchen, hollering as she goes. "Miz Natty, you here?! Mrs. Lansbury is making tea!"

Carly grins at Mrs. Lansbury. "I don't know why I get such a kick out of when she does that." Lulu had started in on the familiar name the last time they'd been over to the Cassadines tired of tripping over saying Miz Natasha. And while Natasha had winced she hadn't corrected the child. Only hoped that Lulu never did that around Stefan or Nikolas otherwise she'd never hear the end of it.

 

 

 

 

Dara sits on a stool a little bit away from the others, holding the fiddle to her ear as she strums on the deepest string, she hums a little and makes a minute adjustment on the peg. When she has the G to her satisfaction she moves on to the next string soon all the strings are tuned. She tests the tension on the bow. Then starts playing running scales up and down. The tone on the fiddle is clean with a deep resonance. Moving from scales she starts playing simple tunes. Silence falls in the Taggart house or near silence as the only sound that is heard is the fiddle and the tapping of toes.

Luke grins his eyes closed as he savors the sound of a skilled musician. Finally he can't resist and he reaches into his pocket pulling out his harmonica. He starts weaving a tune along with Dara's playing.

Lucky silently curses. He should have brought his guitar. He'd know better next time. Instead he keeps time slapping his hand on his thigh. Unable to resist he starts singing along with the old time song, his voice clear and strong. Gia joins in.

Flo now realizes how Dara would have been tempted into trying to make her way making music. The young woman is better than anything she'd ever heard before. But the fact of it is there's just no place for a woman, and a black woman at that, to be able to play and not starve. Had to be heartbreaking to have something that tempted your soul in such a way and not being able to do it all the time. Seemed as if The Good Lord had given Dara a tough row to hoe giving her such a talent and then not letting her share it with the world. "Bless your heart, Child. I've never heard anything so fine." Flo shakes her head even as she applauds at the end of the tune. "I've enjoyed the Spencer's playin' afore but I swear it's like angels playing and singing."

"And that is definitely not the Spencer's." Marcus interjects. "No offense."

"None taken, couldn't agree more." Luke shakes out the harmonica and wipes it on his pant leg. "Dara, why don't you show them what you really can do." He starts playing one of Dara's signature songs from Jakes. Dara rests the fiddle on her knee and starts singing along with Luke's accompaniment, her foot tapping out the beat. When she gets to the chorus she puts the fiddle to her shoulder and starts playing while the others sing the chorus. And so it goes until Marcus gets up regretfully knowing he has to get around to his chores before it got dark.

Dara takes that as a cue and puts down the fiddle giving it back to Lucky. "It's a good instrument. Your sister is going to love it."

"Hope so." Lucky takes back the fiddle. He and Luke both get up and follow Marcus out of the cabin and toward the barn.

Dara looks at Flo and Gia. "Now I know what to get the Spencer's for Christmas."

"What's that?" Gia asks curiously.

"Cotton for stuffin' in their ears. Cats in heat sound better than someone first learning the fiddle."

 

 

 

 

Laura and Bobbie had rushed thru their chores and hadn't put up any blocks to the family going in all their different directions. Luke and Lucky to the hunting camp, and Carly and Lulu up to the Cassadines. They figure they have until dark to work on Christmas presents without interruptions. And new clothes were on the list for just about everyone. Lucky and Luke's Sunday best suits are still in good repair but they both could use new shirts both best and workday.
Laura rolls out the bolt of fabric onto the table. She is the best of the two at squeezing every inch from the bolts. Using one of Luke's shirts that had ended up in the ragbag then ripped to it's parts as a pattern for the men, Laura starts cutting. Bobbie pins the pieces back together and starts sewing, her fingers flying along the seams.
As soon as she is done cutting out Luke and Lucky's, Laura starts cutting blouses for Lulu and Carly out of the same fabric. Each could be made more individual with a little ribbon or lace. But they did look so darling dressed alike. She'd heard tell of a photographer who'd been out at the Quartermaines for Thanksgiving. It would be nice to have a picture of the girls together, of the whole family. Maybe the photographer would come around come spring to all the homesteads. It would be further proof that they'd been working hard on their homesteads.

As soon as she is done cutting both bolts of fabric, Laura sets that aside and gets the iron hot. She starts pressing the seams that Bobbie has finished making them look clean and professional, nuthin nicer than a crisp shirt or blouse right out of the box. Between the two of them they have an assembly line going. Each knows the other's next step with the skill of long practice and furthers the process working toward getting four garments done in the time it would have taken each of them to complete just one.

In the midst of a break, Bobbie goes up to the nook she shares with Carly and brings a piece of fabric out of a spot she'd had tucked away. She might not have Carly's way of putting colors together or even Laura's right way of doing things but she thinks the quilt top turned out pretty nicely. Only it didn't look right for a quilt top. "Laura, I was thinking...."

"Oh my this is lovely, Bobbie." Laura takes the pieced fabric from Bobbie and examines it.

"What would you think of maybe making this into a fancy vest for Luke, maybe jackets for the girls."

"It's so fine." Laura is already shaking her head but then she reconsiders. "Luke would surely get some use out of it. It would make him feel more cheerful I'm sure as a reminder that he'll be able to head back into town eventually."

"If my brother wants to go to town a little thing like Mother Nature isn't gonna slow him down. He'd walk thru a blizzard if he got a notion."

Laura sighs. "I know."

 

 

 

 

"Watcha making?" Lulu questions Mrs. Lansbury.

"Fruitcake and aren't you supposed to be in the library?" Mrs. Lansbury carefully measures brandy into the tins containing cake, fruit and nuts.

"Miz Natty and Carly are consultin'. I'll go back when they stop. I figure consultin' is just another word for fightin'."

"That is often true." Mrs. Lansbury agrees.

"Carly figures that Miz Natty is gonna have to have a quilting bee if she's got a chance in hell of getting the quilt done afore Christmas."

"Don't swear." Mrs. Lansbury goes over to her jar of pepper jelly and scoops a little bit. "Open up."

Lulu makes a face but then sticks out her tongue. Mrs. L drops a bit of the jelly on the little ones tongue and ignores the faces and complaints that while vehement have nary a swear word. Lulu finishes her commentary on Mrs. Lansbury's meanness with an ugh before going on to what she was saying. "Miz Natty doesn't like the idea of a tie quilt. She wants it really quilted. She's trying to talk Carly into staying here full time until she finishes the quilt. She says Mr. Stefan won't mind if she runs the lamps all night long."

"Really."

"And then Carly told her no way. It wasn't gonna happen. Cause she has other things to do than working her fingers to nubs to an ungrateful wench who couldn't even bother to be polite to the rest of the folks in the valley and that Miz Natty is just afraid that nobody would show up if she invited them." Lulu watches with fascination as Mrs. Lansbury pours the last little bit of liquor into each tin and then seals them back up and puts them back in the pantry to season a bit more. "And then they started to get really loud so I left. I don't see why I get pepper jelly on my tongue when they say things that are so much worse."

"Because they are grown women even when they don't act like ladies. And you will be a proper young lady at all times. Of course a proper young lady doesn't raise her voice..." Mrs. Lansbury decides to cut short the etiquette lesson as Carly and Miz Natasha's less than dulcet tones reach her all the way in the kitchen. Instead she just sighs and shakes her head and goes back to working on the cookies that go along with tea. "After tea you and I will go along the valley and find out what day would be best for a quilting bee."

 

 

 

 

Nikolas makes his way down to the Hardy's to visit with Zander. He checks in with Audrey in the house to find out that Zander is out in the barn. With a quick wave he is on his way. "Zander?"

"Back here." Zander calls out.

Nikolas makes his way back in the efficiently stuffed barn. Since it is still daylight all the animals are out in the corrals getting what sunshine they can. Zander has taken over a spot that is cleared in the back of the barn. It looks as if it is used for the variety of chores. The harness and saddle for the horse are hanging on a nearby wall. There is a corn crib set up for shelling the corn needed for flour and the like. The loft area is filled with fragrant hay, ready to be tossed down as needed. One side of the barn has a covered portion where wood is seasoning out of the elements. "What are you doing?" Nikolas asks. The Hardy's barn isn't that big he would have seen his friend if the barn had been empty... more toward the end of winter.

"Trying to figure out what I'm going to do with this." Zander holds up a corner of one of the elk hides. "I suppose I could save it until someone goes into town..." He shakes his head. "Guess tis the season but I'm wondering what I can make out of it myself. Pull up a..." Zander looks around seeing no place for Nik to sit down and then grins at his friend. "Have a lean. Fill me in on what happened when the Jacks came to dinner oh yeah, and when you went over to those Quartermaine folks. Your Aunt is always raving on the Quartermaines this and the Quartermaines that. Was it all that fancy?"

Nik starts laughing as he leans against one of the stalls. "Oh it was. Right up until they served dinner. If you didn't look out the window you'd think you were in a house back east. Except for the occasional random bullet hole from the Indian Wars but most of those have been covered with family portraits. Things are definitely much more blunt out here. Now back in Russia or Europe too there is much conversation about who is getting married and who has the best prospects but it is done... discreetly. Do not be surprised if all of a sudden the Hardy's receive an older gentleman caller."

"Oh? Someone sparking on Miz Audrey?"

"No, although I wouldn't put it past him. I was informed that Mr. Edward Quartermaine has a... tomcat personality when he is not in the company of his wife. Since she is confined to a wheelchair... he is often not in the company of his wife. But no, much of the dinner conversation was about his legacy, his dynasty, not yet procreating. He is shopping for wives for his grandson's... AJ Quartermaine who runs the mine, and Jason Morgan who runs their ranching operation."

"Hold on a minute there. What about that Miss Emmie you told me about. The wild one who is such an expert on horses. Where does she come into the mix?"

Nikolas frowns. "I received the impression from the Old Man, as he is referred to, that callers would not be welcome where Miss Emmie is concerned. He has plans for her with some... Derek Barrington? A cattle baron on the far side of their... spread. Mr. Quartermaine's matchmaking appears to be the reason that all of his grandchildren spend as little time as possible around the big house when he is around. I believe they fear being caught at a weak moment and agreeing to something they will regret for the rest of their lives."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Hold your horses here. You received an impression that you who is rich as Croesus himself would not be a welcome caller as far as Miss Emmie's family is concerned?" Zander shakes his head in disbelief. "What in the hell do they want?"

"Another puzzle." Nik shrugs but then he considers and not for the first time. What exactly would make the Quartermaine's happy? "Chaps."

"Excuse me?"

"Chaps. Like the local cowboys wear. That is what you should make out of the elk skin. Or perhaps some piece of riding gear, saddle bags or the like."

Zander nods his agreement and then adds his own idea. "I've noticed the way the girls in this valley have a habit of appropriating a man's hat whenever they are out in the weather. Not that Sarah does but if Elizabeth gets a head start on me in the mornings it's not like I can actually catch her." Zander pats his splinted leg.

"That is scarcely the height of fashion." Nikolas disagrees.

"Haven't noticed too many out here following fashion cept maybe your Aunt. Think that perhaps Miss Gia set the fashion as far as hats here in the valley. And Miss Carly set the trend as far as stealing a man's hat as far back as the first cattle drive when she borrowed her Uncle Luke's." Zander thinks on it a bit more and then offers up an opinion. "I think I am going to make Sarah and Liz their own hats. Liz to get mine back on a regular basis but I think that Elizabeth has a point. The bonnets or straw hats that the women normally wear-- well they don't offer any real protection from the elements and some of them are just... dangerous."

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Lansbury sets a brisk pace down the valley. Lulu is happy with that pace since it allows her to skip along with the older woman. Mrs. L keeps the child's hand tucked firmly into hers while keeping her bag and parasol in the other. The parasol was more for protection from critters than for any actual weather. It worked fine for rain or even excessive sun but there appears to be little chance of that. But a good whack with the parasol would slow down all but the most vicious of creatures.

"Miz Natty will be happy that Mama and Aunt Bobbie can come day after tomorrow. And they'll bring the quilting bars."

"Yes, it will be a great help." Mrs. Lansbury agrees. She opens the gate to the Taggart's place. Lulu lets go of Mrs. Lansbury's hand and goes racing up toward the cabin.

"Gia! Miz Flo! Are you home? Are you there?" Lulu knocks on the door after announcing her presence.

"Hello, you must be Lulu Spencer."

"You Miss Dara?" Lulu asks suspiciously.

"I am." Dara looks down at the little bundle that is standing at the doorway.

"You don't look like a bird. Daddy says you got a voice like a bird."

"I think that's probably a good thing." Dara says wryly. "If you're looking for your Daddy he's already headed home. You must have missed him on the path."

Lulu shrugs not that you'd notice under the layers. "Daddy always cuts thru the woods. But I'm here with Mrs. Lansbury." Lulu points to Mrs. Lansbury who is just now climbing the stairs to the cabin.

"Hello, Is Mrs. Taggart at home?"

"Mrs. Lansbury, is that you?" Flo comes down from the loft of the cabin where she'd been up working on a few projects of her own. "Let me get the kettle on."

"That won't be necessary. I have just come to extend an invitation to you and Miss Gia at the Cassadine house for a sewing bee the day after tomorrow."

"It's a quilt from Miz Natty but you can't tell Nikolas cause it's his Christmas present and if you told him then it wouldn't be a surprise." Lulu tells Flo. "Mama and Aunt Bobbie are going to be there."

"Ah." Flo nods and hides a grin. Miz Natty?!

"You are welcome as well, Miss." Mrs. Lansbury turns to Dara.

Dara looks over at Flo and shrugs. Flo is the one that answers. "We'll be there."

"Excellent! Come along, Miss Lulu. We have to be to the Hardy's." Mrs. Lansbury holds out her gloved hand to Lulu and together they start back up the way.

"Who was that?" Dara asks after Mrs. Lansbury is out of hearing range.

"She is the housekeeper for the Cassadine place up a piece. And the Cassadines might not realize it but she is surely the glue that keeps that family together. It'll be a good opportunity for you to meet all the ladies of the valley. And it's about time Miss Cassadine started being more involved in the doings here in the valley. Quilting is about the only thing that pulls her out of her shell. Don't be taking offense if she seems a bit... stuck on herself. It's just her nature and she is like that with everyone."

 

 

 

 

Nikolas notices the two women walking in his direction as he leaves the Hardy's place after his visit with Zander. The conversation has him considering the two carefully as they approach. He recognizes the two straight off even if they aren't a typical duo in the valley. Mrs. Lansbury and little Lulu Spencer. At least he assumes it's Lulu by the size even if there isn't anything else to identify her since she is covered from head to toe and is as round as she is tall. Mrs. Lansbury is dressed as is her custom in black from bonnet to boots. It's the bonnet that Nikolas really notices for the first time realizing that Mrs. Lansbury doesn't see him until she is right upon him and his horse. He calls out to get her attention. "Good Afternoon, Mrs. Lansbury. Miss Lulu."

Mrs. Lansbury turns starting at the call a bit. "Master Nikolas." She turns in the direction of the voice and sees him up upon Sheba.

"Hello Mr. Nik." Lulu waves. "Are you going back to your house?"

"I am." Nik nods. He swings down from his horse and walks over to the duo. "But I think I shall conduct an experiment first if I could have your assistance."

"What kinda experiment?" Lulu asks curiously.

"Would you hang on to Sheba for me please?" Nikolas hands the reins to Lulu.

"Sure." Lulu agrees. She pulls the reins down so that she can pat the horse on the side of the neck as she watches while that funny Mr. Nik conducts his experiment.

Nikolas asks Mrs. Lansbury to stand where she is on the path and asks her to tell him when she can see him while looking straight ahead. Then he goes behind her and walks up on her side. He notes that it takes some time before Mrs. Lansbury indicates she can see him. He is practically in front of her. Just to be thorough he does the same from the other side. He finds the results appalling but doesn't give his thoughts away. "I forgot to tell Zander something. Shall I walk with you back to the Hardy's?"

"If you like, sir." Mrs. Lansbury is used to the oddness of the Cassadines and doesn't think anything of it knowing she will find out the reason for Master Nikolas' behavior in time enough. It has been the nature of the Cassadines to conduct their little experiments on staff before taking them further afield. And this had seemed harmless enough compared to the potions that are Princess Helena's passion.

Nik takes back Sheba's reins from Lulu and then with a shrug he tosses the little girl up onto the horse's back. Holding the reins in one hand he extends his arm to Mrs. Lansbury. "Shall we, Mrs. Lansbury."

Odder and odder. What is this family coming to? Mrs. Lansbury sighs and takes the arm that is offered shifting her parasol and bag to her other hand.

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