Marybeth could see the pain in her eyes. Pain mixed with anger. She couldn’t blame Eve for the way she felt.
“Perhaps we can wire someone from your family, and they could come here to accompany you and the boys. You certainly can’t travel alone.”
“Yes.” Eve seemed to consider this for a moment. “I’ll send a telegram to my father and mother. They’ll manage it all. They’ll know what’s best.”
Melody came into the room and locked gazes with Eve. “Edward told me what happened. Oh, Eve, I’m so sorry.” She came and knelt beside Eve. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you. Da said not to worry about a thing. He’ll be by to check on your coal and water situation.”
“Thank you. Thank you both. Hopefully once Fred ... once he’s prepared, I can pack the boys up and take the train home.”
Melody looked over her shoulder at Marybeth. Her expression was one of questioning.
“Eve plans to return to Indiana to bury Fred and ... live. She doesn’t want to stay in Cheyenne.”
“I don’t blame you.” Melody took hold of Eve’s hand. “We’re all here for you, Eve. We’re praying for you and the boys, and we’ll do whatever we can to get you through this sorrowful time.”
“I hate to interrupt,” Edward said at the door, “but the boys are up and Carrie too.”
Melody dropped her hold on Eve and got to her feet. “Would you like to talk to the boys alone?”
Eve squared her shoulders. “I should. Yes. Bring them here.”
“I’ll take Carrie home and get her dressed,” Marybeth said. “Then I’ll come right back and fix breakfast.”
She didn’t wait for a reply but followed Edward out into the hall. She met his eyes and saw a reflection of sadness that equaled her own. Without pause, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. She could hear his heart beating steadily. His breathing was rhythmic ... constant. He was alive.
“I’m sorry for the wasted time. I’m sorry for not loving you as I should,” he whispered against her ear. “You deserved so much more than I gave. Forgive me, please.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Marybeth replied, pulling away. She held his gaze. “Nothing.”
Edward didn’t get a chance to speak. Melody was coming down the hall with the children. Eve’s boys were laughing and running in circles around Carrie. She was giggling and clapping. Marybeth wished their happiness could go on and on.
“Carrie, come here. We need to go home and get you dressed. Then we can have some breakfast.”
The little girl perked up at this. “Eat more.” She clapped again and the boys clapped too.
Dear Lord, why couldn’t the children go on being happy and carefree? Why did Fred have todie now? Why is this life so cruel?
25
Marybeth spent the week after Fred’s passing helping Eve pack up the things she wanted to keep. There wasn’t a lot that she cared about, considering all that had happened.
“Most of the things we have are things we picked up here. They don’t hold sentimental value. We were going to wait until spring to send for the rest of our things. I’m glad they’re in storage back in Indiana,” Eve told her.
“I wish you didn’t have to go, but I certainly understand. After all, you have family to care for you, and that is so important. Especially with the baby coming.”
Eve folded one of the boys’ shirts. “I don’t think I could go on if not for them. My father and younger brother should be here tomorrow, and I know when I see him, I shall fall apart. I’ve only stayed strong for the boys.”
The boys had taken the news hard at first. Samuel cried a lot, and David wandered around asking for his papa. Having Carrie around to play with seemed to soften the blow. David and Carrie were rather oblivious to the loss, but Samuel felt it quite keenly and often paused in play to come to his mother for comfort.
“I wish there was something more I could do.”
“Maybe you can help me find someone to buy this place. I’d like to have it resolved before I leave,” Eve replied.
Marybeth hadn’t considered that Eve would sell the house. She and Edward were living on the Hendersons’ property and would probably have to leave if someone else bought the place.
“Perhaps we could buy it,” she said, thinking aloud. “I’ve been waiting to hear from Edward’s brother-in-law about the sale of my house back in Indiana, but maybe it would be enough to buy this place.”
Eve looked at her for a long moment. “Money isn’t important. My family is rich. I want you to have the house. I’ll set up the papers and transfer the deed to you and Edward.”
