“Better, thanks.”
She nodded and turned to go as Marybeth closed the door behind her. Edward sat staring at that closed door for a long time. What in the world was he going to do? He’d never wanted to hold anyone more than he wanted to hold Marybeth. He wanted to be the one to cheer her and put a smile back on her face. And he sure as all get out didn’t want separate bedrooms.
Marybeth did her best not to appear distraught or upset as she pulled on her gloves. She couldn’t very well explain the crux of her problem to Melody. She glanced up and saw Eve at the back door to her house. Marybeth waved, and Eve motioned them over.
“Would you please pick me up some peppermint oil? I’m battling morning sickness, and I’m all out. The only thing that ever helps me is peppermint tea.”
Marybeth came to the back step. “Of course. Do you need anything else?”
Eve shook her head. “Just the things we talked about earlier. Here’s another dollar in case you don’t have enough.”
Marybeth took the money and slipped it in her pocket. “We’ll be back before you know it. I’m just sorry you have to watch Carrie when you don’t feel well.”
“She’s already asleep. The boys too. They were so rambunctious this morning. Made me glad Fred had to work extra hours. But at least he has tonight off. I cherish the nights when he can be here with me. I just never feel quite as safe without him.”
Marybeth nodded. She felt safer with Edward at home too. Even an injured Edward was a force to be reckoned with, and she knew he would keep them protected from all harm. She pushed aside their earlier conversation. Somehow, she had to find a way to be content with the bargain she’d made.
“We will be back as soon as possible.” Marybeth shifted the basket and smiled. “Try to get some rest while everyone else is sleeping.”
She and Melody crossed the yard and headed for the street. Thanks to wagons and carriages, there were sets of ruts to follow rather than having to trudge through thesnow. Marybeth put Edward out of her mind and brought up the fact that the church was now meeting at the new school.
“I like it better than meeting at city hall,” Melody declared. “It’s warmer and a lot more comfortable.”
“Dr. Scott says we’re getting a good savings set aside to build our own church. He thinks in maybe another year, or two at the most, we’ll be able to start.”
They talked about what the new church might look like and some of the new congregants, then the conversation turned to the Union Pacific’s plans.
“Da says they’ll get started clearing more land when they can. They’ve already graded fifteen miles west of town. He says there are over fifteen hundred men working to cut trees in the foothills. The railroad intends to have over a hundred thousand ties ready before they start laying tracks come April. It causes a slowdown for regular folks to get lumber, but Da says it’ll get shipped in from back east.”
“Edward is talking about us building our house in the spring,” Marybeth said, hoping it was a safe topic. “I suppose we’ll have to order the things we’ll need.”
“You might be able to get them up from Denver. I don’t know when that railroad route will be put in place, but in the meantime, there is the freight and stage road. With that and the regular train service, we’re doing pretty good for quality and quantity of supplies.”
“It does seem like we’ve been getting better and better selections. I was glad to see milk again last time we went to Armstrongs’.”
“Yes, and theLeaderadvertised fresh oysters at Spaid’s. Da loves oyster soup. I make it for him whenever the oysters are available.” Melody glanced heavenward. “I’m so glad it’sa sunny day. Makes me think spring really will come around before long.”
Marybeth agreed. She was already weary of the snow and cold. It wasn’t that she hadn’t lived with it in Indiana, but with this town situated out in the middle of nowhere with few trees and miles of open ground, the winter seemed much crueler. More isolating and deadly. Whenever the wind picked up, Marybeth worried about whether or not they’d have a blizzard.
“Melody Doyle!” a man’s voice called out. “Melody!”
Both women looked in the direction of the voice. A man came running toward them. Marybeth tensed until he drew near. He was hardly more than a boy.
“Ya need to come. Your pa got hurt. Ain’t all that bad, but he’ll need ya to help get him home. He sent me to find ya.”
“What happened to him, Zach?”
“Fell off one of the ladders.”
Melody looked to Marybeth. “I’m so sorry. I won’t be able to help you with the groceries.”
“You go ahead. Your father needs you.”
“He’s probably thrown his back out. I just hope he hasn’t broken something.”
“Doc said he didn’t think he was busted up, but he’s hurtin’ pretty good,” the boy replied.
Melody shook her head. “I hate leaving you to manage for yourself. You shouldn’t be alone. Why don’t you head home, and we’ll try again tomorrow?”
