“We’re all well,” Edward replied. “How are you feeling? How’s the back?”
“Oh, the doctor would be sayin’ I still need time to recover. He won’t clear me for work because he thinks the fall caused more damage than we first believed. I say I’m doin’ just fine.”
“Da needs to relax and enjoy this rest. He’s worked hard all his life and a few weeks off won’t be the end of him.”
Edward laughed. “I agree with Melody.” He held up the plate. “Marybeth sent this. It’s cake. And mighty good cake, if I do say so.”
Melody took the plate. “Your wife is a wonderful cook.”
“She says the same of you, and I have to agree. That last batch of hand pies you brought over were devoured the same day. Carrie and I couldn’t leave them alone.”
Melody smiled and put the plate on the table. “Can you stay to visit?”
“No, it’s nearly four, and I need to be at work. If you feel up to it, Clancy, I’ll try to stop by tomorrow.”
“And wouldn’t that suit me fine,” the older man answered. “Maybe ya can be tellin’ me what’s happenin’ in the seedier parts of town. I’m sure there’s plenty the papers ain’t sayin’.” He laughed heartily.
“That’s probably true, although they love to tell all the exciting details when they can.” Edward tipped his hat. “I’ll see you then.”
“Da, I’m gonna walk to the Vogels’, and I’ll be back later. Do you have all that you need before I go?”
“I’m fine. Stop fussin’.”
She kissed the top of his head and followed Edward out of the tent. Melody tied the flaps loosely then smiled up at the sky. “It’s so beautiful today. I hope winter is completely over.”
Edward walked with her part of the way just to make sure she was safe. He knew their side of town was much calmer and less inclined to lawbreakers, but he couldn’t shake off the thought that something bad could happen. All around them people were starting the work to frame houses that wouldone day grace the neighborhood. Piles of lumber could be seen on many of the empty lots. He wanted to give Marybeth a house of her own, but he also wanted to send her to safety. What was he supposed to do? God hadn’t made that exactly clear.
“How’s Marybeth been doing?”
“Why do you ask? You just saw her yesterday,” Edward said, laughing.
Melody frowned. “She’s just been different the last few weeks. I’d say since you got injured, if I’m honest. I suppose seeing you nearly killed was hard on her.”
Edward hadn’t fully considered how his getting hurt had affected Marybeth. His mind had been on his own troubles.
“I know it was hard on her,” he admitted. They stopped at the corner where he would head off toward town. “I’m glad she has a good friend like you, Melody.”
“It’s my pleasure to be friends with both of you. You’re good people, as Da says. And good people are a blessing we should never overlook.”
Edward nodded. “I agree. I’d best get a move on. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
“I’ll set up something for you and Da to eat. He’ll probably want to play checkers.”
“Sounds good.” Edward tipped his hat again and headed toward town.
Melody’s comments about Marybeth being changed bothered him. He knew the reason she was different was no doubt his comment about sending her back to Indiana and effectually ending their marriage. His being shot hadn’t helped matters, to be sure, but the conflict in their marriage was a bigger problem now.
At least he’d been able to speak with her honestly andadmit to his anger toward God. There was a part of him that wondered, however, if he’d ever be able to let go of his fear. He wanted to put it aside. He’d never been the kind of man who was overly afraid. During the war, he had performed without hesitation. As Fred had reminded him, he was usually the first one to volunteer for dangerous missions. Even after his brothers had been killed, Edward faced the enemy bravely. What had happened to his trust in God—his courage?
He walked into the jail at precisely four and found Fred talking to the city marshal, D. J. Sweeney. Sweeney won the position in a municipal election held back in January and had been hard at it ever since.
“Hello, Vogel,” Sweeney said as Edward joined them. “I was just telling Fred that I had a conversation with some of the UP men. The railroad officials are anxious to get moving west. The president and Congress are pressing them to get started as soon as possible. They want this railroad completed so the country can move forward. They’ve been stockpiling materials since December, and those big warehouses they built are full to overflowing.”
“I didn’t realize they’d brought in that much.” Fred gave a whistle.
“They’ve got their workers itching to go too. Right now, the estimated population of Cheyenne is seven thousand people. They figure that’s gonna drop to less than half when the UP presses on west. Of course, plenty of men will be sticking around. This will still be the Union Pacific’s divisional headquarters. And once that spur connects us to Denver, we’re going to be busier than ever.”
“I suppose they’ll move out a lot of the buildings in Chicago and take them west too,” Fred surmised. “I won’t be sorry to see that shantytown torn down.”
