Marybeth shrugged and lowered her gaze to the table. “But I can’t stop thinking about what would happen to us if you got killed out there. It’s pretty scary to consider. I can’tgo back home. There’s no home there, and I’d just be in the same predicament as I was before.”
“That’s not true. Inga would take you and Carrie in. My family would provide for you because you’re family now. I promise. They’re good like that.”
“I know they’re good people, but I wouldn’t want to be a burden on them. Besides, I’d still have to figure a way to get back there. I can’t imagine making that trip alone.”
“Well then don’t. You don’t have to make that trip at all. Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
She wanted to believe that. “I’m praying for you, and I know God is watching over you. I don’t mean to fret, so just pay me no attention. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“That’s not my thinkin’ at all, Marybeth. If you’re concerned about something, I want to know. I want us to talk about it. I can give you that much. In fact, there’s a lot I can give you. I do care about you. I love you and Carrie. Maybe not in the way you deserve, but you’re both very precious to me.”
Marybeth felt the sense of loneliness return. She knew he cared. She knew he’d be there to watch over them, but for some reason it didn’t satisfy her the way she wished it would. She wouldn’t say anything, however. She had agreed to this marriage. She’d known it would be in name only. She knew Edward’s conditions for their union, and she had agreed to them. Let it not be said that she would break her word and cause problems just because her heart felt overwhelmed by that sense of void.
“I think the shed sounds really nice.”
Edward nodded. “I think so too. It will see us through the winter months, and come spring, we’ll build us a real home.”
“A real home.” Marybeth swallowed the lump in her throat.
Would she ever have a real home?
10
“Mrs. Henderson, I’m so pleased to meet you,” Marybeth said.
The petite woman gave her a smile and shifted her two-year-old son from one hip to the other. “I’m very pleased to meet you. Please call me Eve.”
“I will, and you call me Marybeth.” She turned and looked at the framework of the workshop Fred had planned. “What do you think of this venture?”
“I love the idea. You have no idea how much. I think we could benefit each other greatly.”
Marybeth turned back to face Eve. “I thought the same. I’ve been most uncomfortable living in a tent.”
“We lived that way for a month in the summer, and I told Fred we absolutely had to have a house. Fortunately”—she lowered her voice—“we had the money needed to build. My father arranged for supplies and men to come to Cheyenne and help Fred build this wonderful home we now have.”
Glancing over at the white-washed two-story wooden house, Marybeth could only dream a similar place might one day be theirs.
“My father chided Fred about bringing us out here to the ‘ends of the earth.’” She shook her head. “I wanted so much to go back home to Indiana when Father left. This is not the kind of place I hoped to raise my boys.”
“Perhaps in time it will be better,” Marybeth replied. She saw Edward and Fred were approaching. “Did you fellas figure it all out?”
“We did. Why don’t we go inside and out of the cold?” Fred suggested. “I’m sure Eve has some coffee on the stove.”
“I do, and water for tea if you’d rather have that, Marybeth.”
“That would be wonderful.” She turned to where Carrie was playing with Samuel. “Carrie, let’s go inside.”
“Wanna play,” Carrie called back.
“You can play inside where it’s warmer. Now come on.”
“You too, Samuel. Inside right now,” Fred commanded. The boy immediately got to his feet and headed to the house. Carrie ran after him.
“So are you ladies in agreement regarding this transaction?” Fred asked.
Marybeth looked to Eve, and both women nodded. “The sooner it’s done, the better as far as I’m concerned,” Eve replied.
“Good. Then Edward and I will go get the supplies needed. I’ll also see if I can wrangle a couple of guys to come and help. A lot of folks owe me favors,” Fred said, opening the back door to his house. “We ought to be able to have this up and ready in a week or so.”
