“I didn’t realize Omaha was this big,” Edward said, looking out the shaded window. “I suppose all the towns along the transcontinental railroad line will have the potential for such growth.”
“I suppose so,” Marybeth replied. She pulled the quilt and sheet up around Carrie’s shoulders. As she straightened, Marybeth couldn’t help but rub her shoulders.
“Want some help with that?” Edward asked as he cast his coat aside.
“Oh ... well ... if you like.”
He came behind Marybeth and began massaging the knots in her shoulders. Marybeth could have cried. It felt so good to have the muscles worked over. Carrying her sister around all day had really been too much.
“That feels so much better,” she said with a sigh.
“You can do the same for me sometime,” he replied.
“No time like the present. You’re taller, though, so I’ll need you to sit on the edge of the bed.”
Edward hesitated, causing Marybeth to turn and gaze into his eyes. “Come on. The food will be here soon. Might as well feel better.”
He didn’t say a word but did as she instructed. Marybeth put her hands on either side of his neck and started there. She pretended she was kneading bread. The muscles of his neck were taut. It took quite a few minutes of rubbing and pressing her palm into them before they started to loosen up. She worked her way down his shoulders and into his upper back, feeling him relax a little more.
The knock on the hotel room door caused them both to jump. Marybeth couldn’t help but giggle.
“Goodness, we’re acting like children caught stealing cookies.”
Edward actually smiled at this and went to the door. He opened it to find a steward with a tray.
“Your order, sir.”
“Bring it in,” Edward said. He glanced around the room. There was a small dresser across the room. “Just set it on top over there.”
The man nodded and did exactly that. Edward dug in his pocket for something to tip the man. “Here,” he said as the man headed for the door. “And thanks.”
The man took the coins and smiled. “Thank you. I hope the food is enjoyable.”
With that he left and closed the door behind him. Edward looked to Marybeth. “I’m sorry we don’t have a table and chairs.”
“I’m fine sitting on the floor.” She went to the tray and looked things over. “Oh, it looks wonderful. They even sent water and a glass of milk.”
“I’ll get the tray. You go ahead and sit where you want.” Edward picked up the food as Marybeth sank to the floor.
“This is as good a place as any.” She leaned back against the wooden footboard of the bed. “I just hope I can stay awake long enough to eat.” Edward positioned the tray between them and sat on the floor opposite Marybeth.
She lifted the cloth napkin. “Looks like there are two sandwiches and two pieces of apple pie. I’m sure I won’t need a whole sandwich or piece of pie. You can have what I don’t eat as I’m sure you’ll be able to polish it off and then some.”
Marybeth cut her sandwich in half. Eating in silence, she wondered if Edward was sorry yet that he’d included her and Carrie on this adventure. It would surely have been easier to travel west without them.
“Good eats,” Edward declared, easily downing the roast beef and bread. He didn’t balk at all when Marybeth pushed the other half of her sandwich toward him.
They said very little as they ate. Marybeth figured he had no more energy left than she did. She sampled the pie but found she was already more than full.
“I’m going to save the milk for Carrie in the morning. If you don’t mind.”
“I think that’s wise. We’ll need to catch the train early.”
“What happened to our crates?” Marybeth began cleaning up as Edward dug into the pie.
“They went on to Cheyenne. I arranged for them to lock them up at the station. We’ll get them the day after we arrive—or rather, later in the day. The train won’t arrive in Cheyenne until around three in the morning.”
“I remember you saying that. It’s still impressive to imagine getting on the train in the morning and getting to Cheyenne in only twenty hours or so. That’s nearly five hundred miles.”
