“Do you suppose we could get something to eat?” she asked, shifting Carrie to her right shoulder.
“That was my thought. First, though, let’s see about a room. Then I can leave off our bags, and maybe you and Carrie could wait there while I find something for us to eat.”
“I’d like that,” Marybeth said. “I don’t know whether I’m hungrier than I am tired or the other way around, but I would love to be able to put Carrie in a bed.”
“I understand. She has been a handful. I never knew a little girl could have so much energy.”
Marybeth gave Edward a smile. “You handled her perfectly. I’ve never known anyone but Pa to have such patience with her.”
As they exited the train depot, Edward looked up one side of the street and down the other. “Looks like there’s a hotelthat way. Let’s stop and see if they have any rooms. Seems like a nice place—at least on the outside.”
Marybeth nodded and followed him to the three-story building. She gave a silent prayer for provision. The last thing they needed was to be traipsing around Omaha looking for a place to stay.
The wind picked up as Edward opened the hotel door and ushered Marybeth inside. She sighed in relief at the warmth that washed over her. Thankfully, Carrie didn’t even stir.
“Evenin’ folks. Lookin’ for a room?” a balding man asked from behind the reception desk.
“We are,” Edward replied, putting the luggage down.
“You’re in luck. I have just one room left. That’ll be two dollars. Just sign here.” The man turned the registry book around and handed Edward a pen.
Edward signed the book and paid for the room while Marybeth did her best to stay on her feet, holding Carrie. She hadn’t realized just how very tired she was. The train had been noisy and exhausting. Dirty too. It was hard to keep Carrie clean since she wanted to crawl around on the floor and explore under the seats.
“It’s on the second floor at the end of the hall,” the proprietor told Edward as he handed him a key. “Room number is on the key, and the bathroom is just next door.”
“Is there somewhere I can get some decent food and bring it back here to the hotel?” Edward asked. “My ... wife and daughter are exhausted.”
“We have a dining room here. I can arrange that for you if you like and have it sent up,” the man replied. “Get you big beef sandwiches and some of the best apple pie you’ll ever sink your teeth into. Maybe some milk for the little one.”
Edward looked to Marybeth. She nodded. Anything soundedgood at this point. Edward paid the man for the food and took up the bags once again. He led the way upstairs, and Marybeth followed. Carrie felt ten pounds heavier than she had just moments before. It would be so good to be able to put her to bed and relax.
They reached the room and made their way inside. It was quite nice. The full-sized bed was framed with a wooden head and footboard. The mattress looked thick, and there was a nice quilt atop it with two additional blankets folded across the foot of the bed. Two dollars had seemed an outrageous price, but the accommodations were better than expected.
“Those pillows look comfortable,” Edward said, pointing to the head.
“I thought the entire room looked amazing.” She placed the still-sleeping Carrie on the side of the bed farthest from the door, then began to unbutton her coat.
“She’s completely done in,” Marybeth said as she moved down to untie Carrie’s bootlaces. “I hope she’ll sleep through the night.”
“Won’t she need something to eat?”
“No, remember you got her that glass of milk earlier? She drank it all and ate the last pieces of cheese and bread. I’m sure she’ll be fine. I wish we could both have a bath, but I’ll wash her up in the morning.”
Marybeth set Carrie’s boots aside and slipped her out of the coat. She went to one of the bags Edward had lugged upstairs and opened it. After retrieving Carrie’s nightgown, Marybeth grabbed a large piece of waxed canvas and a thick towel.
“I’m completely done in as well. Who would have thought sitting on a train would wear a person out?”
“It wasn’t the train. It was the little girl who wanted tobe everywhere at once on the train,” Edward said, smiling. He glanced around the room. “This should suit the two of you well. I’ll wait until the food comes and then see about finding another place to sleep.”
“No!” Marybeth hadn’t meant to reply quite so loudly, nor in such a desperate tone. “Please don’t go,” she said more calmly. “I would be afraid to be here alone. Can’t you stay?”
He nodded. “I can stay. I just didn’t know if you’d be comfortable with me here.”
“You’re my husband, Edward. Of course I’m comfortable having you here. I don’t even mind sleeping in the same bed. After all, Carrie can be there between us.”
“I can sleep on the floor. The place is clean, and with a couple of blankets, I should be just fine.”
Marybeth didn’t argue with him. She was just relieved that he would stay. She spread open the waxed canvas and positioned it and the towel under her sister in case she had an accident in the night.
