Edward laughed. It was good to be together. He didn’t feel nearly so full of despair and sorrow as he had just days ago. Carrie—and even Marybeth—was good like a medicine.
Marybeth opened the sack of biscuits and handed one to Edward. She took up another and sampled it. “Oh, this is so delicious. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed anything as much as this simple fare,” Marybeth said in such a tone of satisfaction that Edward couldn’t help but hurry to taste the food. She handed a piece of her biscuit to Carrie.
“It is very good,” he agreed. “I feel kind of guilty because I had a hot meal at lunch while you had bread and cheese.”
“It just makes this even more appreciated. Maybe we could get some groceries tomorrow, however. We can hardly expect the Hendersons to feed us every night.” She gave him a smile and continued. “Did you have a good day? Did Fred tell you what all you’d be doing for your job?”
Edward frowned. Fred had educated him the best he could and informed Edward that he and Fred would be working together—evenings. That would leave Marybeth and Carrie alone, and it wasn’t something Edward was looking forward to telling his wife.
“He did,” Edward replied and popped a piece of biscuit into his mouth before adding anything else.
“While you were gone, I met the sweetest young lady. Well, she’s slightly older than me, so I guess I shouldn’t call her that, but she seems so much younger than me. Anyway, her name is Melody Doyle, and her father, Clancy, works for the railroad. They live in the tent next to ours and said they’d come by tonight so she could introduce her father.”
Edward nodded and ate a few bites of the roast to put offthe news he knew he would have to share. Maybe they could get through the entire meal before he had to tell her.
“She brought us some sugar cookies, so you can have that for dessert. Now, tell me everything about your job.”
Edward knew there was nothing to be done but come right out with the truth. “Fred and I will work at night. The evening and early morning hours. We’ll start about four in the afternoon and work until four or so in the morning.”
He could see by the way Marybeth’s eyes widened that the news was a surprise. Edward wished he could follow up with something encouraging, but there was nothing, and he knew the first thing that would come to her mind.
“What ... how ... so Carrie and I will be alone all night?”
“I don’t much like it myself, but Fred assured me you’d be fine. They have a regular patrol that comes through on the east side. The mayor and other important city figures live over this way, and they pay for a group of private guards to watch over the area. No one even dares to venture over to this part of town because they know it’ll spell trouble. I wouldn’t have agreed to the job if Fred hadn’t assured me.”
“I see.” She went back to focusing on the food. “I suppose we’ll be all right, then.”
“I know it’s not a perfect arrangement, and I’ll feel much better when we have a real house instead of a tent.”
Marybeth didn’t look up as she cut into her piece of roast beef. “Yes, I will too.”
Edward couldn’t begin to push aside the guilt he felt. “I’ll tell him no and go to work for the railroad, if you prefer. They’re hiring men to stay here in Cheyenne and work. I could do that.”
At this Marybeth raised her head and met his gaze. He saw no condemnation in her eyes. She shook her head slowly.“You came for a reason, and that was to be a lawman. Fred no doubt trusts you and needs you, and I want you to honor your word to him. God will watch over Carrie and me. I was just taken by surprise. That’s all.”
Edward nodded. “I was too.”
She smiled at him. “I suppose we should remind ourselves that there are bound to be a great many more surprises for us. We’ll just take each thing as it comes. I believe in you, Edward ... and in the decision we made.”
“And you don’t think we’ve cursed ourselves for the way we handled things?”
A moment of hesitation left her pondering that very question. She shook her head. “No. Not really. Do you?”
“I do not.” He breathed the first easy breath he’d had since learning about his hours. “God will see us through this. I still believe it was His plan for us to come here.”
“I do as well, and I’m not going to be afraid. I’m going to trust in God.”
“I trust God!” Carrie said, pushing her empty plate toward Edward. “More, pease.”
“And this is my da, Clancy Doyle,” Melody introduced.
The Doyles had come calling just as she’d promised, and Marybeth couldn’t help but like the older man. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Doyle.”
“As am I,” Edward replied.
“Now, there’ll be none of that,” he said in his Irish brogue. “I’ll not be Mr. Doyle to anyone. Call me Clancy.”
“I’m Edward, and this is Marybeth,” Edward countered. “And the little one there is Carrie.”
