MACEY'S DREAM Chaper 1

MACEY'S DREAM

Chapter 1

Perched lazily atop her window ledge, Macey gazed dreamily toward the breathtaking view of a velvety black nightime sky, with majestic mountains off in the distance.  Doing so, she envisioned a tall, dark and handsome stranger riding up the shadowy, tree-lined laneway on his gleaming, black stallion; to rescue her from her virtual prison.  In her mind's eye,  he would come to a halt under the massive, old oak tree to gaze up at her; their eyes locked in a loving embrace.

Macey sighed as she wrapped her slim arms around her and whispered a soft prayer, asking Him to send her someone to love and cherish. 

She had been ill for quite some time and as a direct result, her parents and Aunt Sarah were afraid to let her beyond the small front yard.  Feeling that, as long as she was kept confined to the house and yard, they could keep better watch over her health.  At times, she was known to become very lethargic; making her parents wary to let her out of their sight, lest she become ill and faint with nobody close at hand to help her.

She was a very beautiful young girl of fifteen years with long, thick wavy hair the color of Mahogany, dark brown doe-like eyes and skin, a silky, pale ivory.

During the long days, she longed to run up to the meadows, throw up her arms, tip her head back to look up to the heavens and drink in the fresh air and sunshine. How utterly exhilarating it would be, to feel the soft caresses of a gentle breeze flowing through her long thick hair as she'd spin and spin; enjoying the freedom of it all.  Oh, to walk down to the trickling clear stream and sit while dipping her toes into the cool, rippling waters that rushed past. She sighed dreamily at the mere thought.

In their front yard, she felt the big old oak tree had become both her companion and enemy, depending upon her mood.  Some days she would sit or lie beneath it's strong and sturdy limbs as she daydreamed about the day her Prince would come and carry her off.  While other days, she would glare at it with resentment and bitterness because it was like her keeper; preventing her from being able to pass.

One starry evening, while resting up in her room with soft, pink roses on the walls and the elegant, white four-poster bed with a thick, soft down quilt, she heard light horse hoofbeats off in the distance.  As she lay atop her bed listening to the horse's hoofbeats, she realized they were drawing closer to the house.

While the mysterious rider approached,  Macey rose and slid over to the window ledge to peer down at the newcomer as he dismounted and strode to the front porch in the moonlight. 

The man appeared to be young, in his early 20's, and stood tall with a solid, muscular frame.  He sauntered with an easy gait; his face in shadows under the brim of his worn cowboy hat with the moonlight at his back. 

Macey didn't realize Kurt had noticed the slight movement in the upstairs window. While riding up the laneway, he noted the lacy curtains fluttering slowly in the breeze, and the outline of a long, flowing white nightgown in the moonlight. 

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Kurt was new in town and had talked to several of the townsfolk about finding work in the area.  Old Mr. Miller down at the General Store had said, "I understand Frank Patten on the outskirts of town, is in need of an extra pair of hands.  Heck,  ol' Joe, his best worker up and passed away on him just two weeks back. You can find it by going north aways and then turn down the lane to your left.  You can't miss it. Tell 'im ol' George sent ya.  And you come back for a visit anytime, son.  What was your name again?"

"Kurt, sir.  The name is Kurt.  And thank you kindly for the information," Kurt replied, tipping his hat to the old man as he left the General Store.  With the new information he'd gleened from the storekeeper, Kurt set out for the Patten homestead.

As far as he was concerned, Ravenwood was a temporary stay.  As he rode along, he couldn't help but notice it was a beautiful area with its serene, majestic mountains in the distance with valleys and meadows that spread out all around like a giant, green, velvet blanket; dotted with pinks, whites and lavenders of the wildflowers. To make the view perfect, an eagle soared high above.

It wasn't long before he saw the homestead up ahead along the dusty laneway.

Now, as he stood on the front porch of the homestead, he wondered what lay in store for him. The porch itself was in good repair, as was the house with a fresh coat of white paint and green shutters with potted plants placed under the window in various places on the porch floor.  To the right, was a wooden swing where a person could sit and reflect upon their day.  There was the massive, old oak tree in the front yard standing tall with its thick strong branches that appeared as if it were the protector of the house and the family that dwelled inside this quaint home.  It gave a person the feeling of a true family home of love and harmony. Indeed, it was a home cared for with pride.

He gave a solid knock to announce his arrival and stood there waiting, when the door opened to reveal an older man with a strong, stocky build with short, dark, wavy hair that turned silver at the temples.  His skin was a deep dark tan from long hours in the hot sun.  The strong hand that gripped his, was leathery and calloused.  His eyes were a mixture of qualities that took a person a few seconds to read.  What he saw in the older man's eyes was serious, no-nonsense while at the same time there was a hint of gentleness and compassion.  This was a man Kurt knew he could learn to befriend and respect in no time at all.

Suddenly, Kurt realized the man was standing there with a puzzled expression in his eyes.  He cleared his throat and spoke up saying, "Hello, sir.  My name is Kurt.  I was down yonder in town speakin' with an older gentleman at the General Store about work.  He told me to come and see you. He also said to tell you that 'ol George sent me. You see sir, I'm new in town for a spell and in need of good honest work during my stay here in Ravenwood".

Delighted at the unexpected news, Frank stepped back to let the newcomer into their home and replied, "Well, I'm mighty pleased to meet you son.  Won't you come in?"

Frank turned toward his wife and said, "Katie, this young man's name is Kurt and he's new to our humble town.  He's looking for honest work.  Kurt, this is the missus, Katie."

He then went on to say, "You may just be the answer to our prayers son.  'Cause ol' Joe, bless his soul, passed on a couple of weeks back and I'm in need of help out here with getting the crops in.  The pay's not much, but you can have 'ol Joe's place out in the barn if ya' like.  And the missus' here is the best cook in Ravenwood.  So, you'd have good homecooked meals while you're here."

With that said, Frank turned toward his wife with a wink and a smile while Katie returned her husband's smile with love in her eyes.

As Kurt took in the introductions and information, he nodded and replied, "Well, that sounds mighty impressive Mr. Patten.  It sure is tempting. I'd be mighty thankful to you, sir".

"Y'er welcome and that's Frank to you...Kurt", Frank replied with a heartwarming  smile and a twinkle in his eyes.  "I just thank the Good Lord for sending you our way.  Katie and me was just talkin' the other day about what we were fixin' to do. What with ol' Joe gone and all the crops to bring in. There's a mighty load of work to be done out in the fields over yonder".

Kurt reached out his hand to shake Frank's, when there was a slight creak of a floorboard at the top of the wooden stairs.  He furtively glanced up in mild curiosity while Frank cleared his throat.  He noticed Frank and Katie's eyes as they met across the room and their nod in agreement.

Kurt watched and listened as Katie called up the stairs, "Macey, dear!  Could you please come down to the kitchen for a minute?  There's somebody here we'd like you to meet."

There was a long pause and then a muffled reply, "I'm sorry mother, but I'm just too fatigued to come down just now."

Kurt glanced at Katie curiously as she answered her daughter with a sigh, "Ok dear.  That's fine.  Get some rest then."

Katie looked sheepishly back at Kurt as she said,  "I'm sorry.  That's Macey, our daughter.  She's been ill for some time now.  The doctors can't figure it, so we keep a close watch over her.  I'm sure you'll get to meet her in time".

Kurt was more than mildly curious by this time as he wondered about the mysterious daughter esconced up in her room.

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Upstairs,  Macey was sitting at her window contemplating.  She could have gone down to meet the stranger, but for some odd reason, she could not bring herself to go down there.  The very thought made her shudder.  She wasn't able to make out the conversation downstairs, so she wasn't sure of the reason for the stranger's visit.

What is wrong with me? she thought.  I've never been rude before.  Why should it be different this time?  But it was, and she couldn't figure out why. 

While Macey sat and contemplated, the men finished up their business talk and headed out the door towards the barn.

Still seated at her window, Macey heard her father and the stranger as the kitchen door creaked open and shut as their boots softly scudded on the wooden porch floor as they left the house to wander over to the barn.  She inched backwards out of the moonlight so as not to be caught watching them.  As she sat there, she couldn't help but notice the stranger stood a couple inches taller than her father and his shoulders, straighter and more broad.  Gazing at his horse, she couldn't tell the color of the stallion, but she could see his coat shone under the silvery moon and it was very well fed and groomed.  She was becoming more curious about this stranger by the minute and was even more curious over the fact that her father seemed to be talking to him like an old friend.  Why are they heading for the barn? she pondered.

It was then, the realization struck her.

This stranger, whoever he is, is spending the night!  What is father thinking?  Why, sure.  Father had hired hands on the farm over the years.  But, normally he likes to get to know them for a couple of days before deciding whether to hire them on or not.  Is this man a friend or foe?




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