JASPER ARRIVES AT STEEPHILL RANCH
Misty Creek, Montana - 1825
Jasper rode back – the beloved sight of Steephill Ranch warming his heart. As he drew closer, however, he was seized by a momentary attack of panic at the thought of his youngest sister coming out. It seemed so ominous, somehow.
“Jasper!” the object of his thoughts cried happily as she came riding toward him – her auburn hair fanning out behind her.
“Petula!” Jasper replied as she trotted over toward him. “You shouldn’t be riding astride like that. You know how much Mother hates it.”
Petula gave her brother an impish smile. “There are only a few more days to go. before I have to forever behave like a simpering damsel, Jasper, so I fully intend to enjoy them before I give up my wild childhood.”
Jasper sighed. He loved his family, particularly Petula. She was impetuous and headstrong, but altogether adorable and completely sincere.
“Say something, Jasper,” Petula said, looked at him worriedly. “I don’t like your brooding silence.”
Jasper sighed again. “It’s nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re growing up and I feel change in the air.”
Petula laughed. “I know what you’re worried about, Jasper. Papa and Mama will be looking at every girl who comes to my Ball as a prospective bride for you.”
Jasper snorted impatiently, sounding almost equine. “They can look all they want, but I am determined to take my time.”
“You’re 28, Jasper,” Petula said, her voice concerned. “So there’s bound to be pressure on you to marry. And it’s not such a bad thing at all. I’m rather looking forward to being an aunt!”
“An aunt? I’m not even close to being married and you want to be an aunt?”
“Race you to the stables!” Petula laughed, galloping away and throwing her brother a challenging look over her shoulder.
Jasper shrugged and took off after her; allowing her to beat him to the stables.
“Generous to a fault!” Petula declared, jumping off her horse as Jasper cantered up and stopped.
“What do you mean?” Jasper asked, innocently, inclining his head.
“You let me win. You gave away the race. Why do you do that?”
“You won, fair and square,” Jasper insisted.
Petula shook her head indulgently. “Jasper, I love you, my brother, but you need to grow a tougher skin and not keep letting your heart rule your life.”
“Wipe your feet, you two!” Rebecca Riley instructed adamantly as Jasper and Petula walked in, Jasper wiping beads of perspiration from his brow. Riding the fences was hot work. He leaned down to peck his mother on the cheek and then straightened up and grinned in an amused way as she chastised him for not washing before coming in for lunch.
“How are the plans for the big banquet coming along, Mother?” he asked, skillfully turning the conversation to Rebecca’s favorite subject.
“Not as smoothly as I would have liked.” Rebecca replied, shaking her head. “We’ve just had another setback.”
“Setback?” Petula cried, jumping up from her chair. “We are going to have my coming out ball and banquet, aren’t we, Mama?”
Rebecca threw her youngest child an impatient look. “Of course we are, child!”
“What is the setback, then? I do hope nothing goes wrong. I want everyone to have a good time.”
Rebecca bustled over to the table and sat down. “Angelica has received word from her mother that her father has taken a turn for the worse and she has to hurry back home.” Their mother sighed. “I can’t prevent her from going…but I have found a replacement.”
Petula dropped her head into her hands. “A replacement? But nobody can cook like Angelica can! Nobody can handle a banquet with her flair! This is just too bad!”
“What’s too bad?” Petula’s brother Jeremiah asked, striding in and taking a chair.
“This isn’t something you or I can do anything about, Jeremy,” Jasper said. “Probably best you don’t ask for details. Women issues, you know.”
“Details about what?”
Everyone turned to look at Thomas Riley as he entered the dining room, and Rebecca hurried over to him.
“Come, Thomas dear, let’s eat,” she said soothingly as her husband kissed her cheek.
“Papa! Mama has just revealed to us that Angelica has to rush to her sick father’s side and can’t be here to cook for my banquet!” Petula pouted in a pretty way.
Jeremiah and Jasper exchanged meaningful looks, and began to talk about ranch business with their father.
“My baby girl will have the finest banquet, just you wait and see!” Thomas roared above the sound of his son’s voices.
They were interrupted as two maids came in bearing trays of food, which they set down on the table.
“This looks good,” Jasper remarked, inhaling the aroma appreciatively.
“Well, it’s been prepared by Angelica’s replacement,” Rebecca explained. “This way, we can judge her skills.” She patted her daughter’s hand. “You see? Everything will be fine.”
“Wait!” Thomas admonished as his children made a move to begin serving themselves from the appetizing food laid out before them. “Let us pray first,” he said, and pronounced a short blessing over the meal.
“I feel almost disloyal to Angelica right now,” Jeremiah said after only a few bites. “because this food is delicious!”
Rebecca heaved a sigh of relief. “I trust she will do just as well on Petula’s big day.”