“Ready,” Carrie said with great enthusiasm. She loved going to church because there were so many other children there, and it was something different. Something that tookthem out of the confines of the shed or the Hendersons’ house. Marybeth had to admit she looked forward to it herself.
“Good evening, all.” Marybeth lifted Carrie into the back of the wagon, where the boys waited with blankets snugged around them. Samuel opened one end to admit Carrie.
Once Carrie was settled, Marybeth climbed up with Fred’s help and sat close by. Eve had tried to talk her into sitting with them on the seat, but there really wasn’t room. Marybeth told her she preferred to remain in the back in case the children needed something.
They drove to the new school, and the children waved and called out at the sight of their playmates.
Fred parked the wagon and came to help each of them down. Marybeth was glad the trip was a short one. She was more than ready to be inside where it was warm. March days hadn’t been so bad, but once the sun went down the nights were still quite chilly—even cold.
Melody found Marybeth almost immediately. She was such a petite young lady that she hardly looked much older than a child herself, even if she was Marybeth’s senior by five years. Marybeth admired the way she arranged her hair and clothes. She wasn’t trying to attract attention, but in her simplicity and beauty, Melody did just that. Marybeth couldn’t help but note the men who watched her from afar.
“Granny Taylor is back from Texas and anxious to meet you. I wrote and told her all about you and Edward and, of course, Miss Carrie.” She lifted the two-year-old in her arms. “And how are you today, Miss Carrie?”
“I cold.” Carrie gave a shiver and burrowed closer to Melody’s wool coat.
“I am too. Let’s get inside and get warm.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Marybeth said, following Melody into the schoolhouse.
Almost immediately, Marybeth found herself introduced to a white-haired woman. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Call me Granny. Everyone does. And I’m quite pleased to meet you. Melody wrote to me telling me all about you.”
Marybeth had no idea that she’d been the topic of Melody’s correspondences, but she was happy to finally meet the woman her friend so admired. “I hope you left your Texas family in better condition. Melody said they suffered all sorts of problems.”
“Oh, they did, but things are much better now. Thank you for asking.”
“I told Granny that as soon as she’s settled, we need to get together and have a long talk. I just know you’ll find a friend in her like I did.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She smiled at Marybeth and her wrinkled face seemed to smooth and brighten. Granny looked absolutely joy-filled. She exhaled rather loudly. “I’m just so glad to be home.”
“This is home?” Marybeth asked. “I would have thought Texas was more home, what with your family there.”
“Home is where I decide it is, and for me, it’s anywhere that old man is.” She nodded toward the man Marybeth knew to be Mr. Taylor. He had remained in Cheyenne when Granny went south to help their family. “My life is never the same without Jed at my side.”
Marybeth felt a pang of discomfort and looked away. She felt that way about Edward, and he hadn’t been at her side for some time now. With him feeling the way he did, he might as well have been a million miles away. Would he ever come back?
It was getting harder and harder to focus on the sermon when Edward’s absence was so obviously apparent. Marybeth got tired of explaining why he wasn’t there. Most folks understood, knowing that they were living in a shed on the Hendersons’ property. Folks figured their young family was doing what it could to raise money in order to build a house in the spring. And they were, so it wasn’t wrong that Marybeth let them think that was all the separation was about.
But Eve knew something wasn’t right. Melody did as well, although Marybeth knew neither would say a word. Still, it was there every day and night like an immovable wall that would never be gone.
When church was concluded, Marybeth allowed Carrie to go play for a bit with her friends. There was no sense forcing the child to ignore them just because Marybeth didn’t feel like talking to anyone.
Eve came to her side and hooked her arm through Marybeth’s. “You aren’t fooling me. I know you’re miserable.”
“Do you think everyone else knows it too?”
“No, you wear it well. You seem perfectly content, and your smile is sincere. But I can see in your eyes that you’re hurting.”
“Maybe I should take Carrie and leave Cheyenne. Edward is so unhappy that he stays away as much as possible. That’s not a good life for either of us, and it’s certainly not good for Carrie. She doesn’t understand why he’s gone so much. She was just getting used to having him for a father.”
“He’ll come around. I know he will. He knows what God has called him to do. He knows that, as a married man, he has responsibilities that go beyond providing financially.” Eve smiled. “Fred says he’s got a stubborn streak a mile wide, but that when he gets his head and heart straightened out, he’ll do the right thing.”
“So long as he doesn’t do it merely out of obligation.”
“Sometimes we do a thing out of obligation, and in time, we learn to take joy in it.” She caught sight of Mrs. Scott. “I need to speak with her. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“That’s all right. Take your time, Eve. You shouldn’t be rushing around anyway.” Marybeth watched her friend walk away. She was getting slower and more meticulous in her steps as the baby grew.
