Second Best (Twin Series Book 1) Read online

  Second Best

  By

  Dallacey E Green

  Copyright © 2012 by Dallacey E. Green

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the Authors Imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Book designed by Carmelita Lake.

  ISBN-13:978-1468193886

  ISBN-10:1468193880

  First Edition: January 2012

  [email protected]

  

  For mother Blondel, my grandmother Gretna

  and my great-grandmother Elenora.

  Your courage, determination and love

  have made me into the person I am today.

  Thank you

  To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose

  under heaven...a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to

  mourn and a time to dance.

  Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1:Memory Lane

  Chapter 2:The Engagement

  Chapter 3:Her Husband

  Chapter 4:Unwelcomed Gifts

  Chapter 5:The Value of Friendship

  Chapter 6:A Change

  Chapter 7:The Other Friend

  Chapter 8:Surprises

  Chapter 9:Helen’s Returns

  Chapter 10:Scarecrow

  Chapter 11: The Unlikely Truth

  Chapter 12: Another suitor

  Chapter 13: The Christmas Cantata

  About the Author

  Chapter 1:Memory Lane

  It was a cold winter morning on December 22, 1947. The breeze was harsh and unrelenting as Cassie carefully walked on the icy covered ground. Her fingers were nearly numb, but with much determination she held onto the brown paper bag which contained her meager purchases. Her gaze fell on the snow-covered prairie plains of Valentine, Nebraska that stretched out from miles and miles of beautiful countryside; interrupted by cottonwood trees, 80 to 100 feet tall. Their long gangly branches swaying in the relentless wind like abandoned skeletons waiting for the rejuvenation of springs gentle warm kiss.

  A few evergreen trees laid in the distant, and she wondered how something’s could remain so beautiful while others looked marred by their surroundings. The area still had an old west quality about it. It received its name from Edward Kimble Valentine who was elected to the third district of Nebraska, serving in Congress from March 4, 1879, to March 3, 1885.

  Yes, Valentine was a lovely place and the people of this area did all they could to secure their history, as well as ensure their future. In fact, many of the animals originated in the land were becoming extinct. In 1935, 20,000 acres was set aside by Theodore Roosevelt to form the Valentine National Wild Life Refuge. This helped to preserve the existence of the elk, the antelope, and deer, as well as the buffalo which roamed these Great Plains before settlers came to dwell.

  But that was not all Valentine, Nebraska, was known for. Some of the natives to this land still said its name donated romance of the deepest kind. It was thought that two hearts which united in this plain could never be severed again. Love was the greatest resource they all cherished, and life would be nothing without it.

  As Cassie walked on her mind was filled with many thoughts. Thoughts which seemed to eat up the endless long miles. Three and a half miles is what she walked to the grocery store bright and early that morning, and three and a half miles is what she had nearly walked back. The sight of her home was in view; the large two-story Victorian house Nicholas built with its large front porch that wrapped around the front of the house, as well as the side of the building. All detailed in Victorian trimming, gleaming white. The hip-roof tower stood out with its finials raised on top. It was a lovely house, she was fortunate to have such a home, and yet Cassie felt the deep pain she carried for so long weighing down more heavily upon her.

  How could a house be the symbol of everything that had gone wrong? After all, it was built for Helen but had ended up her home. She blinked as the soft cool snowflakes fell carelessly onto her lashes. Her right leg throbbed at every step, as the whipping wind caused her to pull her gray, wool coat even more tightly about her. Valentine always had bad winters, but this winter seemed the worst.

  This day marked her first wedding anniversary. Anniversaries were supposed to be special occasions; they usually marked another year of love and laughter. But this was not what Cassie's wedding anniversary meant, and she knew everybody in town was also aware of it.

  They lived in a very small town. Everyone knew everybody. News traveled fast in this small town as it did in all others. Like Mr. Williams whose prized cow died just last month, right after he claimed it was the healthiest cow alive. The news of his cow’s death spread throughout Valentine in two hours flat. Mrs. Fitzgerald had a pet puddle. She use to go to the towns vet to get the dog groomed. But when the vet's son married someone else's daughter, she drove into Kilgore, even though it was twenty-five miles away, just to spite him. And Mr. Sam's, he was the teacher in the town's school. Well everyone knew Nelly made him lunch every day and sent it with her little brother Mickey because she hoped to turn his eye. But Mr. Sam's never ate Nelly's lunches; he gave it away to one of his students.

  Nothing was private in this town, and Cassie knew the minute Mr. and Mrs. Murphy laid eyes on her she was the lead topic that morning, perhaps the entire year. They were subtle, the Murphy's, asking her about Nicholas real nonchalantly, yet Cassie read into their question. She hoped they wouldn't ask her about him. She tried to avoid everyone's inquiry because they knew, the entire town was aware, Cassie's husband did not love her. Nicholas loved Helen her twin sister. That is why she came out so early despite the weather, in hopes to avoid as many people as possible. But avoiding the town people’s questions proved to be impossible. The truth was always there, plain to be seen, and there was no way for her to hide it. It was like this town’s history, it was open for all to see.

  It was a strange story really and she did not blame everyone's interest in what had occurred; only it pained her all the more to be reminded she was merely second best. Cassie knew the questions which raced through everyone’s mind, questions like why Nicolas married her instead of Helen. It was the very same question which troubled her thoughts every day for the past year, and she wished with all of her heart she had not married Nicholas. Cassie wished they had never met; only it was an impossible wish because one's fate and destiny always hold the upper hand.

  For as long as she could remember Nicholas was in their lives. Jeremy Baker, her older brother had befriended Nicholas since they were four years old. The two men still remained true friends. They were inseparable. Stranger, still they were closer than she and Helen had ever been. Though she and Helen were twins, there really wasn't much of a bond between them. The closest Cassie and Helen had been was in the womb, and when they entered the world each girl went in their own separate direction.

  In fact, you would have thought Nicholas and Jeremy were siblings because they were so very close. Her mother always said it was because Nicholas was the only real playmate Jeremy had. Jeremy was an only child for four years until they came into the picture. She remembered watching how Nicholas and Jeremy would play fun and challenging games together. Cassie always wanted to join in on the games but was unable to participate because older brothers didn't necessarily want their little sisters around...especially when there was a couple of years
difference between them.

  With Helen, it was different, though. For some reason or another, they let her in on the games while Cassie sat out watching. She didn't complain. Cassie never let them see how upset she was, but shielding the pain didn't make it hurt any less. She didn't blame them really. Helen was everything she was not. Helen was beautiful, witty, outgoing, fun and never seemed to worry about saying or doing the right thing. Doing the right thing came easily to Helen.

  Cassie was the complete opposite. They were the only set of identical twins in which it was easy to discern one from the other, even at a distance, simply by the way they walked. Helen did everything with dignified grace. While Cassie's movements were not as smooth and effortless, they were rather awkward, crippled.

  Cassie’s right leg was permanently injured at the young age of eight, after she fell off of her father’s horse Chauncey, leaving her with a noticeable limp. She broke her left ankle and ever since then it wasn’t the same. It didn't seem so bad to her at first. No one said anything about it when she returned to school. Maybe they said nothing because she avoided talking about it.

  Cassie stayed inside for recess helping the teacher straighten up the classroom, doing anything to make herself useful. Only after a short while the children at school made fun of her limp and laughed about how clumsy she was. This made her feel very insecure. Cassie became even shyer and soft spoken than she was before. Often when Helen's friends came over to their home for a visit, she would go to her room and read a book, or lay in bed crying. But when Nicholas came over Cassie was allowed to do neither of the two.

  Nicholas was always there at the Baker's home; eating dinner with her family, doing homework with Jeremy, listening to the radio programs that came on in the afternoon, like the mystery stories and quiz shows...he was always there. And even when Jeremy graduated from high school and went away to study law, Nicholas still came around and spent time with their family. He helped Helen and Cassie with their homework and science projects. At first it was like having Jeremy there, only Nicholas wasn't really their brother and as the time went by things suddenly began to change.

  At first, he brought them on his visits lollipops, chewing gums, and the kind of things little girls like. When they graduated from high school Nicholas visits were accompanied by lovely roses, lilies, and gardenias. Cassie said very little during his visits, but Helen was always so talkative. She would share the latest gossip in town or something really interesting she read about. Then she would say something witty and he would laugh. He was always polite and would try to include her. But Cassie knew Nicholas was there to see Helen, and so she said very little, usually making her escape after dinner.

  On December 8, 1941, the unexpected happened, the United States entered World War II. Then several months later, in 1942, Nicholas was drafted and was given a date to report for duty. Cassie watched in shock as he said goodbye to her family. She stood in the back not really knowing what to say.

  He looked at her with those light piercing brown eyes of his and asked her one question, "Cass, are you going to say goodbye to me?" He pulled off his cap with a mocking smile on his lips.

  Cassie did not know why she had done it then, but she fled out of the room. She walked a long distance, stopping by a stream only when the ache in her leg kept her from going any farther. She then sat down on the green, rich earth and wept until the cool evening wind swept across her dampened cheeks. No thought gave her comfort.

  Chapter 2:The Engagement

  It was strange seeing him leave, knowing he may not return like the many others who lost their lives serving their country. He was so young, she thought, even then and optimistic to go to war. Many of their neighbor’s son's were drafted also. Fred Miller, Anthony Johnson, Harry Moore, and a few of her cousins. The terror of the war filled her. Cassie found she could no longer listen to the radio report on where the US attacked, or who was the latest young man to lose his life.

  It was a painful three years. Her parents spoke about Nicholas every day and wrote him letters. Helen wrote also. She knew Jeremy kept up his contact with Nicholas. She never wrote any letters being far too shy, but Cassie prayed for him like she would have prayed for Jeremy. She wanted him to come back somehow, yet feared he might not. Then no one heard from Nicholas for nearly five months.

  Her parents went to visit the Andersen's twice a week. Even though she rarely liked to go out, Cassie would accompany them on these visits. In their last visit which was just the other day, Cassie watched as Nicholas' mother broke down, crying hysterically.

  "I'm so scared Isabelle. He hasn't returned any of my letters in months. I write to him, but he doesn't write back. Nicholas must be..." Mrs. Andersen was weeping again.

  "Hush, Constance. You'll make yourself sick."

  Eva came into the room then with a plate of sandwiches.

  "Eva, please bring a pot of tea for Mrs. Andersen," her mother requested.

  Eva looked like she was about to cry also, and nodded, leaving the room.

  Cassie felt paralyzed then. She sat in the rounded back chair, her hands lying on its cherry wood arms, watching her mother comfort his.

  It was a sad time, a sobering age for any child to live in. Why did people have to die? She wondered. Didn't God care that so many people were dying?

  Cassie confided these questions to her mother, as she came into the room to check on her later that night. Her mother smiled down at her in a sort of painful way.

  "God knows best child. He doesn't like our sufferings anymore than we like them."

  "Then why doesn't God do something to change it, Mother?"

  "I don't know if I can clearly answer your question, Cassie. All I know is, I am a mother. I see things through a mother’s eyes. No mother likes to watch her child suffer, but sometimes it's through the suffering the child learns a valuable lesson. The horrors of war should teach us how to love and not hate each other. We bring these dreadful circumstances on ourselves. We are all on this planet together and we need to learn to get along. One life is equal to another no matter what country we come from.”

  “God made all men and he wants us to value each other, as He does. If we did so, there would have never been any wars or the fear of a war in the future. God sent His son to die for every man who has ever lived on this planet. God's gift to us, His Son is priceless, which makes us priceless also. He could have stopped the sorrow Christ suffered on the cross. He could have put an end to His suffering, but God didn't. Even God in His almighty power doesn't step in when He wants to; because there is a great reason we don't readily know now, but someday He’ll reveal it. If Christ didn't suffer we would have no chance at salvation. It was a gift, a sacrificial gift and we will reap with immense blessings someday from His sacrifice."

  "Heaven?” Cassie asked.

  Her mother nodded.

  "I don't like this war, Mother."

  "Neither do I, Cassie." Mrs. Baker kissed her daughter on her forehead. "Good night." She then tightened her pink satin robe and turned off the lights.

  One spring day, early in the morning as the sun shined brightly in the sky, Cassie sat on their front porch looking down the road. Her mind was troubled. Would anything ever be right in the world again? He was dead, she feared. It was then that she heard her sister scream. Helen ran down the road towards a tall soldier dressed in his uniform. She couldn't see his face at first because his cap caused a shadow to pass over his face, but Cassie guessed it to be...Nicholas!

  She sat in her chair in awe. Her mother came running from the house next. Her father followed, with Jeremy on his heel. In less than two minutes, they all surrounded Nicholas and he was receiving hugs and kisses, kisses and hugs. Nicholas laughter traveled to her ear as she watched him approach the house. She didn't know if she was dreaming or if any of this was actually real.

  If it was a dream Cassie didn't want to wake up, but she did look up to the sky and say, "Thank you, God," in her small, soft-spoken voice.

  Bo
th the Andersen's and the Bakers celebrated Nicholas' return for days. Nicholas was back for a few months when he finally announced his intentions to her parents. Cassie knew he would have done so years ago if the war had not stopped him.

  It was no surprise to Cassie when Nicholas finally did propose to Helen and she accepted. She remembered Helen beaming. Nicholas was smiling from ear to ear. They were so happy as they announced the news to her parents. The wedding was the talk of the town. It was impossible to go anywhere without somebody inquiring about the wedding details. People made friendly jokes like Nicholas always wanted to be in the Baker family, and so the Baker's second son was finally going to be their son-in-law.

  Everyone was excited and called them a handsome couple. Nicholas said he wanted to bring his bride into their own home and so he set out on building a new house for Helen. He quickly began to build their home on the six hundred and fifty-acre farm he purchased three years earlier, right before he was drafted into the war. When the towns’ people asked Nicholas what the hurry was, he teased that he couldn’t bring his bride into an old barn. The barn was the only building on the property; the old house was demolished years before.

  Helen was very particular about what she wanted for her wedding. A homemade dress was not going to be good enough. One of their Aunts who lived in Lincoln invited Helen to spend two months with her so she could purchase the remaining items she needed for the wedding. Their parents were reluctant at first, but they eventually allowed her to go. Who would have known then how their decision would have changed everything?

  Five weeks was all it took, outside of Cherry County, for Helen to fall in love with a prestigious Jewish young man by the name of Daniel Meir. And thinking of no one’s happiness but her own, Helen eloped with this young man, informing her parents about her hasty marriage two weeks later.