A Visit to Melinda

By Kristi Hope

PART ONE

November 1, 1889

   Andrea Prescott stepped onto the boardwalk of Fresno’s most popular general store, Goodwins Mercantile. I never thought Fresno could be this busy, she mused, especially if it's going to rain.

  But in spite of the damp air, the dusty streets of her beloved town were crowded with wagons, horses, and pedestrians.

  Beside her, Jared whimpered. Andi quickly grasped his hand and guided him away from the hustle and bustle of the town as she made her way to the mercantile. 

  Stepping inside the store, Andi smelled the familiar smell of fresh coffee, new fabrics, and paint. She smiled as the shopkeeper greeted her from behind the counter.

  “Hello Andi! It’s good to see you. How’s the little man?” Mr. Goodwin said, smiling at Jared.

  “Good as gold.” Andi replied. She handed him the list she had written down for groceries. 

  “I saw you sister a little while ago. She wanted to know if you were in town.” Mr. Goodwin commented as he wrapped brown paper around the items. 

 Andi’s eyebrows rose. “I didn't see her. I must have just missed her.”

   Mr Goodwin stepped around the counter and handed Jared a peppermint stick. Jared squealed in joy.

  Andi smiled at her son and turned back to the shopkeeper. “I might visit her this afternoon.” Her gaze flicked to the window, where a sudden dark cloud was settling over the town. Her spirits drooped. “Unless it is going to start raining again.” 

  Mr. Goodwin chuckled at Andi’s face and handed her the groceries. “Be glad you have a little time before it starts. Do you need any help bringing these out?’

  Andi nodded gratefully. “Thank you.” She made her way out to the buggy, and settled Jared on the buggy seat. Thankfully, it had a cover. 

  After Mr. Goodwin set the last package in the buggy, the sky broke and water came down in sheets. Andi thanked him and quickly climbed into the buggy and turned to Jared. “Jared, how would you like to see Aunt Melinda?” 

  Jared’s face lit up, sticky peppermint all over his face. He clapped his hands together. “Aunt Mewinda!” 

  Andi grinned and urged the horse towards Melinda’s house. She hadn’t seen her sister since last Sunday's dinner. It would be more fun than driving a whole hour in the rain back to her home. Besides, she thought, I'm sure Melinda would appreciate it too. She couldn’t think of anyone who would want to be stuck indoors in this gloom.

  A rumble of thunder sounded overhead. Andi shivered. It had turned cold faster than usual. She clucked to the horse, and it broke into a fast trot. Jared squealed in delight. 

  A few minutes later Andi pulled up to a neat and tidy home where her sister lived. Thankfully, the rain had slowed to a drizzle, and she walked around puddles up to the door. With Jared in her arms, she knocked on the door. 

  “Andi! I was hoping you would stop by when you had the chance.” Melinda beamed as she opened the door and invited them inside. “I admit I haven’t seen you very much. I was so busy with the baby that I never really got the chance to come and visit.” 

  Andi grinned. “It’s alright. I was just stopping by to pick up some groceries, and Mr. Goodwin said that you wanted to see me. I decided it was better than riding back home in the rain.” 

  Melinda gestured her two guests into the parlor, talking the whole way. “I am so glad that you stopped by. With Peter gone and everything, I was missing seeing the family. Peter wasn’t sure if he wanted to leave us alone, but I assured him we would be fine.” Melinda invited her to sit, and Andi set Jared down on the carpet. He rolled around and smiled at his aunt and mama.

  Then Melinda turned hostess. “Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Milk? Sugar?”

  “Just a splash.”

  Melinda looked at her with a twinkle in her eye as she poured the milk into the tea. 

  “Whats wrong?” Andi said.

  “Oh, nothing! Here is your tea.” Melinda handed her the cup.

  Andi peered into the teacup. What was wrong? It looked like normal tea.

  Melinda laughed. “Nothing's wrong with the tea, Andi. Taste it.”

  Andi took a sip. It tasted like normal tea, with a small aftertaste. “What is it?”

  Melinda smiled. “Goat’s milk.”

  Andi blinked in surprise. “Goat’s milk? Where did you get it?”

  “Peter and I had been talking about getting a goat for a few weeks. I heard of the benefits of goat’s milk,” Melinda explained. “Goat’s milk is easier on the stomach for most people, and especially for babies and toddlers. We decided that it would be a good thing for baby William. And we decided it would be a better idea than cow’s milk because one goat would only yield about a half a gallon a day, so there would be less waste.”

  Andi was so surprised she didn’t speak. Melinda? Milking a goat? She opened her mouth to speak, but Melinda kept talking.

“ . . .  Last week Peter went to a friend of his who had goats. He generously offered us one of his best milk producers. Best of all, she has more baby goats on the way, so she will be producing milk all year long.”

  Andi gaped at Melinda. “You never told me you had a goat. I thought they were just as annoying as sheep.” She did not forget her lamb, Jasper, who was just as irritating as fun.

  Melinda laughed again. “Oh Andi, they are a lot easier to milk than cows. And way quieter. All you need to do is get a pail and start milking. They take a lot less time than cows too. Easier on the hands.” She eyed her. “Would you like to see?”

  Nodding, Andi rose from the settee. After assuring herself that Jared was asleep, she followed her out the back door into her yard, and a sturdy fence complete with a gate fenced off a portion of the yard, a brown doe stood chewing her cud. Two frisky kids jumped around her.

  Andi’s eyebrows rose. Melinda had really meant what she said. She knew she wasn’t lying, but it was still hard to believe. She followed Melinda as she unlatched the gate and stepped inside the pen.

   Melinda pointed to the brown doe, who stood chewing her cud. “That’s Nutmeg.”

  Andi reached her hand out towards the doe. Nutmeg sniffed it and resumed chewing her cud. “Melinda, I never thought you would actually do something like own a goat. I thought . . .” She trailed off.

  “Thought that I was too ladylike for it?” Melinda finished her sentence.

  Andi nodded, cheeks burning.

  Melinda sighed. “I thought so too, but I realized that owning a goat doesn’t make me ‘unladylike’, it just opens new opportunities for William, because I want him to grow healthy and strong. Besides,” she said, smiling, “he would love to play with the baby goats. They really are cute!” 

  At that, they both went back in the house. As they said their goodbyes. Andi couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a goat. No, she mused, Riley would never agree. But still, the thought crept over her the whole ride home.

2

Andi’s Idea

 Later that day….

  Andi slid the heavy pot of stew away from the fire and stirred it. A delicious aroma wafted up, and Andi smiled. She took a plate from the cupboard and dished up a heaping plate of the beef stew for Riley.  Wouldn’t he be pleased!

  As she set it down on the table, a familiar call echoed through the house. “Andi, I’m home!” 

Andi grinned. Just in time! She dished up a plate for herself and sat down just as Riley shook his hands from the pump. He sat down and said the blessing.

   “So, what did you do today?”

  Andi smiled. “I had to go into town for groceries, but it started raining. So I went over to Melinda’s and visited with her the rest of the afternoon.”

  Riley took a bite of stew. “How is she doing? I heard Peter’s gone off to San Francisco.”

  Andi nodded. “But she is doing just fine. And she appreciates all the help everyone has been giving her,” she grinned. “especially with the new goats she has.”

  Riley nearly choked on his stew. “The what?” He wiped his mouth and looked at Andi. “I haven’t heard of any farm animals she acquired. But, I suppose I haven’t seen her in a while.”

  Andi’s eyes sparkled. “They are the cutest things I have ever seen! The kids, I mean. That's what you call a baby goat. A kid.” She held her breath. Perhaps Riley would consider getting one. Just one.

  Riley looked at her carefully. “Don’t get any ideas, Andi. Remember what happened last time?” 

  Andi rolled her eyes. “For pity’s sake Riley, that was a lamb. A goat is not a sheep. Melinda told me that goats are very neat and tidy. And they don’t stink.”

  “I heard from reliable sources that goats are mischievous, demanding, and that they escape out of nearly every fence that is put up.”

  True, but still….

  Riley shook his head. “I will not make the same mistake twice. And neither will you.”

  “Riley –”

  “No, Andi.” His voice was firm.

  Andi sighed. So much for her great idea.  

3

Another Visit to Melinda

A few weeks later….

  “Riley, Melinda offered for us to come out to her place this afternoon. She said she feels lonely and would love to have us over.”

  Riley clucked to the horse. It broke into a bouncy trot. “I’m sure that can be arranged. What time did she say was fine with her?” 

  “Any time, but she prefers around 3 o’clock.” 

  “Then three it is.”

                                                      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  “Andi, Riley, it's so good to see you again!” Melinda opened the door and welcomed them in. 

  Andi smiled. “How is William?”

  “I just put him down for his nap.” Melinda ushered her visitors into the parlor and offered them tea. Riley took off his hat politely, and Andi set Jared down beside him.

  After a few minutes of chatting, Andi spoke up. “I am sure Riley would love to see your new additions to the family, wouldn’t you, Riley?”

  Riley gave her a I-know-what-your-doing look and smiled at Melinda. “I suppose I would. I heard you got a few goats.”

  Melinda’s eyes lit up. “It was Peter’s idea, really.” She rose and led them toward the familiar backyard and showed them the animals.

  Riley seemed impressed and asked a few questions about them. “So, do they require a lot of care? It must be hard to care for them and your William.”

  Melinda shook her head. “Not at all! They just eat the backyard grass. They trim grass so well, ranchers often used them to eat all of the weeds, too.”

  “Really!” He scratched his chin. 

  She laughed and stroked her goat. “Yep!”

  After a few more minutes, they decided it was time to leave and said their goodbyes. Riley was quiet on the way home. 

  “What’s eating you?”

  RIley smiled at her. “I might just be rethinking my words from a few weeks ago.”

  Andi gasped. “Oh, really?”

  Riley chuckled. “If all she said about goats is true, I might be thinking of a new addition to the ranch,” he said. 

  Andi squealed then put a hand over her mouth not to wake Jared. Inside she bubbled up. 

   Riley smiled again at her excitement and clucked to the horse. “A couple of the pastures are overgrown.  It might be good to get an animal like that can eat them down without doing it by hand.”

   Andi grinned. “Do you suppose we should get one with a kid? Jared would love it.”

   Riley nodded. “I will be on the lookout.”

   Andi smiled happily and gazed out at the scenery along the road. She couldn’t help daydreaming about goats the whole way home.

4

The Visitor

December 23, 1889

   “Andi! I’m home.” Riley said as he burst through the doorway of his home. All was still.

   Frowning, he looked around and saw a hastily scribbled note on the kitchen table. “Went to town for groceries. I’ll be back soon. Love, Andi.” He read. Nearby, a fresh slice of bread was on a plate on the table. A slab of butter sat on top of it. Thanks, Andi.

  RIley smiled and sat down. Just as he started eating, he heard the rumble of a wagon up the road. That isn’t the sound of our wagon, he mused. Riley stood and brushed aside the curtain. A man was coming up the driveway. 

  Riley opened the door. “Howdy! Can I help you?”

  The man exited the wagon and took off his hat. “Is this the Prescotts’ place?”

  Riley stepped off the porch. “It is,” he said, “And you are…” He waited for a reply.

  The man smiled. “Elisha Brown.” He shifted his weight. “I heard you were looking for a nanny goat with a few kids. Am I correct?”

  Riley nodded. “We’ve been looking for a few weeks. Why?”

  Elisha grinned again. “I might just be having what you want.” He waved Riley to the back of his wagon, where a nice-looking goat tied next to two spotted kids. 

  “I heard… Well, I’ll get straight to it. I’m selling this quality milk-producer. My wife doesn't have a use for them, as she is getting on in years and can’t milk the nanny every day.”

  “How did you find out about us?”

   Elisha smiled. “A man by the name of… Peter Wilson I believe. Are you a friend of his?”

   Riley nodded again. “He is my wife’s brother-in-law.” He gazed thoughtfully at the goats. Andi would really love them. “How old are the kids?”

  “About three weeks now.”

   Riley frowned, deep in thought. “How much?”

   Elisha scratched his chin. “Well… I was originally aimin’ for 20 bucks, but since you seem like a nice fella…” He paused. “I’ll sell the bunch for 15, cash on hand if you will.”

  Riley shook hands with him. “It’s a deal.” 

5

Christmas Day

December 25, 1889

  “Andi, I have something to show you.”

  Andi looked up from where she was cleaning up the last of the paper gift wrappings from Jared. It had been a busy Christmas morning with squeals and shouts of joy as Jared opened his gifts. She smiled thinking about it. “What is it?”

  Riley chuckled. “It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?”

  Curious, Andi followed him out the back door into the yard. Her curiosity rose when he strolled into the barn and stopped in front of the last stall. “Look inside.”

  Andi peeked over the half door and gasped. Inside was a goat and two kids! “Oh, Riley!” She opened the door and rushed inside. The nanny goat appeared healthy and well taken care of. The two kids frollicked around the stall. She reached out a hand. The mother goat sniffed it and chewed her cud, just as Melinda’s goat had done. She turned toward Riley, bewildered.    

  “Where did you –” 

    Riley laughed and held up a hand. “Hold your horses. I know you have a lot of questions.” He gestured to the family. “A man came over a couple of days ago. He offered us this family. I thought it might make a good Christmas present,” He paused. “Has it?”

  Andi leaped up and flew her arms around Riley. “Oh, yes! The best Christmas present ever.” She untangled her arms and smiled. “Thank you!”

  Riley grinned and leaned against the stall’s half-door. “I don’t think I had you completely fooled, though.” 

  Andi grinned as she remembered being so curious of why Riley was in the barn so much the past two days. Nor did she miss the elaborate hammering she clearly heard behind the barn, but she was too tired to check it out. Now she knew. “So that's why you were in the barn so much.”

  Riley nodded. “I had to make sure they kept quiet so as to not ruin the surprise. Besides, who wouldn’t love to watch those two babies run around all day?” 

  Andi smiled. “I’ll go get Jared to see the kids. He will adore them!” As she crossed the short path to go up to the house from the barn, she couldn’t help wondering what she would name them. No, I’ll let Jared decide.

End of Part One