“Impetuous. That’s what you are. Wait a year. If you’re still all google-eyed over Miss Scott, send for her to come visit.”
Ben lowered himself down to the edge of the seat. “If I don’t act now, I might lose my chance with her forever.”
His father snorted. “If that happens, she wasn’t the lady for you. Problem solved.”
“I’m sure you were not so laissez-faire about it when you pursued mother.”
“Don’t you get uppity with me, Benjamin.”
The door clicked.
“Who’s there?” his father called out.
Evie peeked around the door’s edge.
“What are you doing, daughter?”
“You two are speaking so loudly, I couldn’t help but hear.”
Despite his knotted gut, Ben’s lips threatened to erupt in a smile. She’d probably had her ear pressed to the door panel.
“Well, get on down the hall with you, then.” Father dismissed her.
She clasped her hands behind her back and wiggled into the room, closing the door with her foot. Dark waves of hair cascaded across her shoulders and down her back. “But I could help.”
Father’s eyebrows bunched together. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m a good writer, and I could learn to be a decent editor.” Her complexion glowed.
“You’re a girl.” Father’s voice rose.
“A girl you sent to college at Oberlin.” She crossed the room to the desk. “Let Ben go to Texas and rescue his maiden from the Comanche. I’ll help while he’s away?—”
“The Comanche?” Father’s eyes popped wide.
“She’s not under literal attack at this moment.” Ben rolled his eyes toward his sister. Just like her to dramatize and romanticize the facts he’d shared with her privately. “But the danger is real. A war chief is the one who proposed to her. If she declines, he could take her captive.”
“If she’s entertaining a war chief, she deserves what she gets. I can’t believe you’d keep company with such a woman.”
Ben clenched his jaw. “She lives on the frontier alone with her nine-year-old brother. If a war chief comes calling, she has little choice but to feign interest to buy time.” Shewasfeigning, wasn’t she?
“Send her a telegram. Tell her to either move into town or call troops to protect her.”
Ben narrowed his eyes. “You don’t understand what it’s like there.”
“Let me help with Ben’s work.” Evie swung her arms wide. “There’s no law that says a newspaper reporter has to be a man. Women can write. Look at Harriet Beecher Stowe. Lincoln said her book helped start the war.”
“See what trouble writing got her into?” Father glowered. “Your place is in the home, young lady.”
“You sent me to college.”
“So you can be a helpmeet to your husband and teach your children. If you go poking your head into a man’s world, you’ll ruin your chances of marrying a decent gentleman.”
Ben scoffed. “Any man should count himself blessed to have a chance at winning Evie’s heart. She’s a gem, and in addition to her feminine charms, she can write as well as I can. I’m sure she could polish her editing skills in no time and be an asset to the paper.”
“I’m not throwing my daughter into the world of men.” Father slammed his fist on the desk.
“I can look after myself, Father.” Evie flipped her hand against her skirt.
