“When do you think we could get around to finishing it?” Edward was encouraged by the idea and didn’t want to waste any time. Not only would the shed provide better shelter, but it would be on the same grounds as Henderson’s house, and that would be safer than the tent.
“If you have the money, we can get started tomorrow. We both have the day off. No reason you and the missus can’t come by and see what’s going on. You and I can take the wagon and get some building supplies out at the sawmill. I have plenty of nails.”
“That sounds great.” He knew his tone betrayed his excitement. “I think this will be a great surprise for Marybeth.”
Marybeth lay awake listening to every sound ... every footstep. Despite what Fred had said, there was plenty of activity in the area, and half of that was folks using the bathroom facilities. The nights seemed endless, and she couldn’t keep from fearing what might happen. There was only a tied flap between her and anyone who might want to enter the tent and cause trouble.
The ground was hard, and she rolled to her side, desperate to ease the ache in her hips. There had been mention of Fred loaning them some old cots, but so far no one had delivered on that idea. She pulled her knees up and hugged them close. What time was it, anyway? Edward had the only timepiece, and she was sure he’d taken it with him as he usually did.
Carrie seemed unconcerned with Marybeth’s worry. She slept peacefully, clutching her doll. The temperatures were dropping, but Carrie seemed quite comfortable—hard ground and all. Melody had come by earlier in the day to say that her father had said it was going to snow in the next day or two. He’d read the signs in the clouds and felt it in his bones. Figured it would be a bad storm.
It was hard to imagine what she would do. She and Carrie would probably be alone, and so far, Marybeth hadn’t found anything she could put around the tent to help buffer the wind. Maybe tomorrow she’d ask Melody for ideas.
She yawned and closed her eyes. The Bible verse from Psalms came to mind again.“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”It offered her comfort, and she murmured it over and over, feeling a sense of calm wash over her.
God was in control. She didn’t need to be afraid. Stretching back out, Marybeth relaxed and let herself drift off to sleep.
———
When Edward showed up later that morning, Marybeth shot up from her pallet. The rifle was hanging overhead. Edward had made a place for it there to keep Carrie from getting her hands on it.
“Is that you, Edward?” she whispered in the dark.
“It’s me.” She heard him strike a match. The glow illuminated his face as he lit a candle. “Sorry if I scared you.”
“That’s all right. I haven’t been able to sleep much tonight anyway.” She tightened her robe sash. Sleeping fully clothed had been a necessity, and the robe added one more layer to fend off the cold.
“Was there trouble?” Edward asked.
“No, just my fretting.” She left Carrie sleeping and moved to the table. “Are you hungry?”
“No, I ate late. Why don’t you sit, and I’ll tell you an idea Fred and I had tonight. It might afford you some comfort.”
Marybeth did as he suggested and waited for Edward to join her. He took off his holster and gun and hung it up on a peg near the top of the tent pole.
“Fred is building a shed behind his house. Kind of a workshop. It’s going to be about five feet wider and ten feet longer than this place. He suggested we spend the money we would be using for rent and help him get the place finished instead. Then he’d let us live there until we could build our own house on that lot we’re being given by the city.”
“We’d be in a building?” Marybeth questioned. “Beside their house?”
“In back of it but yes. Fred said we could decorate it however we wanted, and he’d put in a cookstove rather than a heat stove. That way we could have our own meals and such.”
“That would be wonderful.” She didn’t want to get her hopes up too much.
“It wouldn’t be like having a real house, but we can’t build until George sells your property. Fred said he wouldn’t charge us rent because we would have helped him finish off the place. There’s a pump at the back door of his house and a privy just a ways from where the building would be. Clotheslines too. And you’d have his wife and children as company.”
“It sounds too good to be true. When will it be built?”
“If you’re in agreement with us using the last of our savings to do this, he said we could come over later this morning and see what’s what. He and I can go get supplies and get started today.”
“I haven’t even had a chance to meet Mrs. Henderson. What if she doesn’t go for this idea?”
“I asked Fred if he thought she would have a problem with it, but he assured me she’d love the company. She hates it here. Hates being away from her family back east. You’d be good company for her.”
“I’d love to be company for her. It gets lonely here.”
He looked at her oddly for a moment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I never really thought about you being lonely.”
She forced a smile. The last thing she wanted was to worry him. “It’s not that bad. I think it just seems compounded by you being gone all evening and then most of the night. I have too much time to think, especially after Carrie falls asleep. I try to go to sleep when she does because I know she’ll wake up early and want to play and eat.”
