She shook her head as she glanced out the window in the direction of the barn. The light through the glass made it so the fine lines around her eyes and mouth were visible. Mrs. Cassidy was so young to have lost her husband. The last year had aged her. “The girls are vehemently opposed to the idea. Since they’ve taken on their father’s duties, I can’t argue. If they’re willing to do the work to stay, then who am I to argue? Anyway, all our friends are here. The last few weeks have certainly made me see how much community matters. I wish I’d reached out sooner.”
“Speaking of which, I have a question for you.” I laid out the idea for the party. “It’ll be a fun event to celebrate the season but also provide some financial relief to you.”
Mrs. Cassidy wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron. “Oh, you good people. I can’t thank you enough. Having people into your home, just for us? I don’t know what to say.”
“Perhaps someday you’ll be in the position to do for others. That’s how it is, isn’t it? Sometimes we’re in the position to help. Other times we need help.”
A worried look replaced the one of gratitude. “The girls and I don’t have anything we can wear. Nothing that wouldn’t embarrass us.”
“Mama is about your size. And my sisters and I have a few dresses to spare.”
“I don’t know. That’s too much.”
“Please, let us do this for you. For your girls. Don’t they deserve a fun evening where they can get dressed up and dance?”
“Yes, when you put it that way, I can see you’re right. I can’t deprive them of it.” She dabbed at her eyes again. “May I speak to you about another worry?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“My Shannon has developed a crush on your brother Flynn. I’m afraid she’ll make a fool out of herself. A girl like mine isn’t likely to attract a Barnes.”
I covered my mouth briefly as it twitched into a smile. “Mrs. Cassidy, you underestimate your daughter’s inner and outer beauty. She’s indeed caught the eye of my brother. It’s not only her who’s smitten. We were afraid you’d think him too much of a rascal for your daughter.”
“I’ve known all you kids from when you were small,” she said. “I remember him as a little boy. How sweet he was to the little ones.”
“True. He has a big heart, even if sometimes he causes trouble.”
“He’s brave, too. My daughter would be lucky to have him.”
“Well, now that we’ve got that settled, you and I should agree not to interfere. If they think they have our approval, it might cool the entire process.”
We were interrupted when Poppy and the girls entered the kitchen.
“What do you think, Poppy?” Mrs. Cassidy asked. “What’s killing our cows?”
“It’s the acorns that have done it,” Poppy said.
“Acorns?” I asked.
“Yes, acorns.” Poppy gestured toward the window. “There are all these oak trees just outside your fences. They drop their acorns and the cows eat them, not knowing they’re poisonous—gives them the very symptoms your girls described to me. We had a similar case last year on one of the ranches.”
“What do we do?” Mrs. Cassidy asked.
“You’re going to have to cut down the trees unless you want it to keep happening,” Poppy said.
“Or pick up a thousand acorns a season,” Shannon said. “We have enough to do.”
“Once the snow melts, the boys and Phillip can come out and help you fell the trees,” I said. “It’ll be good firewood, anyway.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” Mrs. Cassidy said. “We can’t afford to lose any more.”
“This should take care of it,” Poppy said. “And I’ll be around in the spring to check on them.”
Mrs. Cassidy started to cry again as she rose to her feet. “How can we ever thank you?”
“Keeping your girls here is enough thanks,” Poppy said. “Give it time, your circumstances will improve. I’ll be here whenever you need me and for the rest of the community. I have to make Lord Barnes proud that he sent me to Dr. Miller.”
“You already have,” I said.