Chapter 10 Mom Was Right

• Kenneth pulled to the curb and hopped out of his car, handing Michael a hefty-looking bag.
• Michael's eyes widened as he took the bag and felt its weight.
• It was easily over ten pounds! With beef prices hovering between ten and thirteen dollars per pound, this bag was worth over a hundred dollars!
• Michael, who had previously worked as a construction worker in the city for eighty dollars a day, couldn't believe his eyes. This bag of beef that Kenneth had bought was worth a day and a half's wages!
• "Hey, Ken!" he said. "No way, man! This is too much!"
• "Please, Mr. Bergstedt. I wanted to do this for you." Kenneth insisted. "If you say no, I'll never have the courage to ask you for help again."
• "Oh, you stubborn young man," the old timer chuckled, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and gratitude.
• "Is that Kenneth I hear? Bringing us this big bag of meat? Come in, come in!" A hearty voice interrupted, and a robust woman emerged from the kitchen, grabbing the bag from Kenneth's hands. Her face lit up with delight.
• This was Rosaria Brigg, Michael's wife, around the same age as Kenneth's parents.
• "Hi, Mrs. Bergstedt. I was in town and thought I'd drop off some meat for you folks," Kenneth explained.
• "Well, isn't that just wonderful!" Mrs. Brigg beamed. "I'll start cooking right away. Why don't you stay for dinner?"
• "Oh, no!" Michael's face darkened as he watched his wife scurry into the kitchen with the meat. He turned to Kenneth and apologized, "Ken, I'm so sorry for that..."
• "Not at all," Kenneth suppressed a chuckle. "By the way," he asked, "I have something I'd like to ask you."
• "Go ahead," the old man encouraged.
• "Why does it seem like everyone in the valley either gives me a half-hearted hello or tries to avoid me altogether?" Kenneth asked.
• He had picked up on this dynamic earlier that morning. To say the townspeople were deliberately avoiding him wouldn't be entirely accurate; it seemed more as though they were intentionally giving Casey a wide berth.
• "I'm partly to blame for this," Michael explained to Kenneth. "Some of the townspeople are quite jumpy and easily spooked., and there's a rumor going around that Daryl Cadman used to dabble in black magic."
• This was also why the community shunned Casey and her mother, Kim.
• Apparently, someone in the valley was spreading rumors that Daryl was into black magic before he died.
• The Mohler family had been close to Daryl and his family. But then, tragedy struck. Everyone in the Mohler family except Kenneth kicked the bucket, and Daryl joined them two years back.
• Here in this tight-knit valley, rumors spread like wildfire. Nobody wanted to get tangled up with a family marked by such darkness, so they steered clear, no questions asked.
• Kenneth scoffed. "This is a bunch of hooey! What are we living in, the Dark Ages? Who falls for such baloney?"
• He couldn't help but feel someone was stirring the pot, spreading these nasty rumors.
• "You see, our valley is pretty isolated. Many folks here haven't ventured out much. They are sheltered in this secluded haven, so their minds are a little cloistered. Can't blame them, I guess." Michael said.
• Then, he furthered, "There are still many who don't believe Daryl was some sort of villain. But somehow, gradually, fewer people are willing to be seen with him or those close to him."
• "Mr. Bergstedt, any idea who might be spreading these rumors about my uncle? What's their angle?" Kenneth asked directly.
• "I wish I knew. Maybe Daryl's widow might have some insights," Michael suggested.
• "Well, if possible, I'd appreciate your help setting the record straight. We're all part of this community, and we shouldn't let misunderstandings divide us," Kenneth said earnestly.
• "That's a great approach!" Michael agreed, genuinely pleased. Kenneth's suggestion promised to mend fences in the community.
• He continued, "By the way, Ken, are you sure you're not going out to see the world? You're really staying put in this little mountain valley?"
• "Yeah, I'm staying right here. This is home. Let the town know I'm carrying on my grandfather's legacy as a community doctor. If anyone's feeling under the weather or needs a hand, send them my way," the young man affirmed.
• "Oh! You're serious??" Michael exclaimed, barely containing his surprise.
• Kenneth not only intended to stay but also proclaimed his ambition to carry on his grandfather's medical legacy?! What a fantastic news!
• Jason Mohler, Kenneth's grandfather, was a celebrated community doctor in the neighboring valleys at the time. He practiced a blend of herbal remedies and holistic healing techniques.
• "Well, I've not only inherited my grandfather's medical skills but have also pursued further studies in medicine overseas," Kenneth explained, considering Michael's level of understanding.
• "Fantastic! That's amazing, Ken! You have to join us for dinner. I really want to thank you on behalf of everyone!" Michael exclaimed enthusiastically.
• "Casey already made dinner for me, Mr. Bergstedt. Maybe another time," the young man politely declined.
• "Alright," Michael acquiesced.
• Watching Kenneth walk away, Michael hurried to share the good news with Rosaria. He knew his wife loved to gossip, and the whole valley would be buzzing by noon tomorrow.
• As soon as Kenneth entered the house, he was greeted by the delicious smell of a hearty meal.
• Casey had prepared a lavish dinner that evening featuring freshly baked sourdough focaccia and ground beef goulash.
• He remarked, 'Oh wow! Casey's cooking is impressive, both in how it looks and tastes!'
• "Casey, Ken's back. Let's set the table quickly," Kim instructed.
• "Mrs. Cadman, you don't have to be so formal. I can do it myself," Kenneth replied.
• "Okay, dear. Just make yourself comfortable. Don't be shy," Kim said.
• The more Kim observed Kenneth, the more she warmed to him. Suddenly, a wonderful idea popped into her head.
• "Since you enjoy it so much, I'll make it for you every day from now on!" Casey said to Kenneth gleefully.
• Meanwhile, watching Kenneth and her daughter rekindle their innocent childhood bond, Kim silently made a decision in her heart.
• "Ken, dear, would you mind helping me with something?" Kim asked hesitantly.
• "Oh? Whatever trouble you're in, just let me know. If it's within my power, I'll never say no!" Kenneth replied enthusiastically.
• "I... I was wondering if you could let Casey stay at your place until her new semester starts?" Kim asked cautiously.
• "Uh???" Both Kenneth and Casey were stunned into silence.
• "Mom! What are you talking about?" Casey exclaimed in disbelief.
• Kenneth was utterly stunned.
• On the other hand, Casey was mortified, her face burning with embarrassment. Her mother was being way too blunt and evident with her intentions!
• Kim had always known about Casey's feelings for Kenneth. However, there was absolutely no need to rush into matchmaking so aggressively, right?
• "Please don't misunderstand. It's just that Ron and Tony's situation isn't resolved yet. I'm worried they might show up at the house unexpectedly. I'm not scared for myself, but I'm concerned for Casey's safety. She's a lovely girl..." Kim explained helplessly.
• "Don't worry, as long as I'm around, neither Ron nor Tony can get within a step of your house!"
• "You've just moved back to the valley, so you naturally have to live in your family's old estate. I'll feel better if Casey stays there with you. I must stay here to look after this house; it's the last thing Daryl left us."
• "Mrs. Cadman, this..." Kenneth didn't know how to respond to her plea.
• Kim's words had made his intentions abundantly clear: she was determined to bring him and Casey together.
• "Casey," Kenneth whispered, "I need your thoughts. Living together could potentially damage your reputation as a young woman."
• He hoped she would stand firm and refuse her mother's proposal.
• To his surprise, however, Casey's response was far from what he had anticipated. "Actually, Mom makes a good point. Would you let me move in with you for a while? Until school starts, okay?"
• Kenneth's jaw dropped, his mind struggling to process her words. This was completely unexpected! He never imagined Casey would be so eager about moving in with him! How could he possibly turn her down now?
• "Ken, please help me again and consider it a favor to your late Uncle Daryl." Kim pleaded.
• "Mrs. Cadman," Ken responded sincerely, "Please never say that again! Your family's concerns are my concerns. I couldn't possibly turn a blind eye no matter what!"
• "Then it's decided," Mrs. Cadman announced firmly. "Casey will move in with you tonight."
• "But-but what about you without Casey?" Ken raised an eyebrow in concern.
• "What's the big deal?" Mrs. Cadman dismissed his worry. "My leg pain is gone, and my back is no longer a problem. I'll be back working on the ranch tomorrow."
• "No way! That's not happening," Ken asserted. "I'm not letting you go back to work until I've cured every one of your ailments."
• "Alright then," Mrs. Cadman acquiesced, "Whatever you say, I'll follow your instructions!"
• As the evening wound down, Casey's cheeks tinged with embarrassment, and she retreated to her room to pack her things.
• By 10 p.m., she was back at Mohler Manor with Kenneth.
• "Casey," Ken said thoughtfully, "you're old enough now. Living with me might raise some eyebrows in town, and it could affect your future prospects."
• Casey brushed off his concern quickly, "Who says I'm looking to settle down? Even if I do, I want to marry you..."
• "What? What did you say?" Kenneth inquired, bewildered.
• "Nothing. Oh, right, where am I supposed to sleep?" Casey couldn't bring herself to say it aloud. She thought it best to keep it quiet.
• Despite Kenneth's sharp hearing, he pretended not to hear every word Casey said. He felt conflicted, always seeing Casey as a sister and having no romantic feelings for her.
• How could a man like him, stained with so much guilt, even think of tarnishing Casey, this pure soul?
• "You can sleep in my old room."
• "Alright," Casey said, nodding in acknowledgment.
• She proceeded to unpack the bedding she had brought along and spread it out on the vintage wooden bed. While old, this bed was a testament to Kenneth's grandfather's craftsmanship, standing the test of time and remaining as sturdy as ever.
• With the bed prepared, Casey found herself in a slightly awkward situation.
• Kenneth's house lacked the privacy one would expect in a bathroom.
• Similar to most countryside settings, the bathroom was located outside the main house and consisted of a kitchen, a livestock room, a toilet, and a bathing area.