Part of her wanted to plant her feet and object. This was happening too quickly. She needed to decide if she even wanted to ride with strangers before she met him.
But she followed the livery owner, past rows of stalls on either side. A few horses nickered greetings as they passed, and the man returned soft words to each, though he kept walking.
When they stepped into the yard, the warm, relaxing touch of sun eased her tension, at least a little.
Two Stones paused in his work and turned to regard them. The flat line of his lips made his expression unreadable.
Up close, he was even taller than she’d first thought, with broad shoulders that spoke of much physical labor. His dark eyes studied her as though he could see right through her carefully composed facade to her apprehension beneath.
The livery owner spoke first. “Two Stones, this is Mrs. Beaumont. She’s needing passage to Walnut Springs, and mayhap on to t’e Balfour Ranch. Since ye and yer missus are headed that direction, I told her ye might be able to see her there safely.”
Two Stones studied her another long moment. She met his gaze as steadily as she could, doing her best to project an air of quiet confidence despite the fluttering in her middle.
“I have two trunks, and I’m happy to pay.” She added, “For your trouble and any provisions needed for the journey.”
At last, Two Stones gave a single nod, his expression still unreadable. “We have room. You are welcome with us. The journey will be long.”
Us.She sighed at the term. “Thank you. I am prepared to do what I must.” She hesitated, then added, “Your wife...will be traveling with us as well?”
He gave another nod, and a glimmer of a smile flashed in his eyes.
Relief eased through her. “I look forward to meeting her. When do you plan to depart?”
“First light tomorrow. We can meet here.”
Tomorrow. So soon. But also, not soon enough.
“Thank you.” She took a step back and glanced at the livery owner. “Thank you both for your assistance.”
Now if she could find her way to the hotel, she could organize her thoughts and change into a dress more fitting for this next step in her new life.
CHAPTER 5
Mandie’s entire body ached from so many days of jostling on this wagon’s unforgiving seat. Yet, according to Two Stones, they would finally reach Walnut Springs by the end of today. Thank the Father above.
The quiet man had proven to be every bit as capable and trustworthy as the livery owner promised. And his wife, Heidi, who sat beside Mandie on the wagon bench, had become a wonderful new friend—and nothing at all like Mandie expected.
She was a white woman, and apparently Heidi and Two Stones had only been married last December, not long after Heidi came west to join her father in one of the mining towns. Her father passed away soon after her arrival, but with his final breaths, he’d begged Two Stones to marry his daughter—a strong recommendation for the man’s character.
Their marriage might have started out as a union born from hard circumstances, but anyone who saw the pair together could easily see the love flowing between them. Two Stones was gentle with her, giving her such deference. And he truly seemed to enjoy her presence. Though reading his thoughts and emotions could still be a challenge because of his stony expressions.
Soon Mandie would say farewell to these two new friends.
Yet how wonderful would it be to finally reach the town of Walnut Springs, where she would have a proper bed and a real privy and bathtub. Layers of grime caked her, pasted on through many hours of sweat.
Even now, her mind could conjure the exquisite feel of sinking into a tub of steaming water, the heat soothing her travel-weary muscles. Lavender-scented soap would wash away the grime of the frontier, leaving her skin soft and refreshed. She’d take her time combing out the tangles in her long brown hair until it gleamed. Then she would put on a fresh dress. Something wonderfully clean.
After all that, when she looked and felt like herself again, she could send a message to Mr. Balfour to let him know she’d arrived.
Two Stones had said they could take a different trail directly to the Balfour ranch and reach it at about the same time as they would the town, but she’d rather take time to make herself presentable before meeting the man she might marry.
Despite the discomfort of the journey, she couldn’t deny the raw beauty of this majestic land. Peaks rose around them in every direction, a few still wearing snow-capped crowns that glinted in the midday sun. This was a world apart from the genteel society she’d left behind in Savannah, where every moment was dictated by the expectations of others.
Beside her, Heidi shifted on the seat. “Looks like the rain will be here soon.”
Heidi extracted her hand from the crook of her husband’s arm and turned to reach into the wagon bed behind them. “We’ll be wanting these oilcloths again for shelter.”
Mandie took one of the coverings, but she would wait until the first drops fell before she opened it to hold over her head.
