Carter marched up the stairs to the Carnegie Library. Hopefully his friend Mark would have some time to talk some sense into him.
As he entered the beautiful building, the silence washedover him and calmed his racing heart. Between the meeting, the brawl, and the run-in with Miss Eleanor Briggs, his adrenaline was still pumping.
“Carter.” Mark walked around from behind the counter and greeted him. “What brings you to the library?” He winced as Carter got closer. “And good grief, what happened to you?”
As Carter relayed the story of the meeting and brawl, Mark cringed several times and covered his mirth with a hand.
“I know. Go ahead and laugh. Leave it to me to walk straight into a fight. But wait until I tell you what happened at the train depot.” He launched into the story of the part for the mill, his discussion with Gus, and the interruption of one Miss Eleanor Briggs. “I’ve never met anyone so high and mighty.” When he got to the part about him and Gus egging the woman on, he was smiling.
“You enjoyed it!” Mark laughed and smacked him on the back. “Not that I encourage that kind of behavior, but it sure is good to see you out of the mill and actually talking to a woman.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Carter crossed his arms over his chest.
His friend chuckled and grabbed a couple books. “Itmeansthat you say you want to settle down and have a family, but you sure don’t seem like you’re trying. You work long hours. You don’t speak to the women at church.” He walked over to a shelf and placed the books there.
“I’d rather it be me working the long hours than any of my men that have families. Since I’m single, it doesn’t take me away from a wife or children.”
“And that’s commendable. But Carter”—Mark gripped his shoulder—“we’ve known each other for a long time now. I’ve never known you to pursue a woman even though you’ve always wanted a family. I hate to say it, but if you’re expecting God to just plop one down in your lap one day, that’s not how He usually works.”
“It’d definitely be easier.”
Mark laughed and shook his head. “But not near as much fun. Just look at me and Rebecca.”
Carter studied his friend. He and his new wife were the perfect couple. Carter couldn’t compete with that. Besides, there weren’t any women in town who struck his fancy. Definitely not any in town who shared any common interests with him. “Yeah, but you two have books in common. You could probably discuss them the rest of your lives. Who wants to sit around and talk about milling wheat and”—he was hesitant to mention his one and only hobby—“fishing?”
“That’s it, then.” Mark’s face turned grim as he walked back behind the counter. “Guess I’m just going to have to tell Marvella to pray for a woman who loves fishing.”
“Don’t you dare.”
Eleanor dressed in the only gown she’d brought that was acceptable for a formal dinner. It wasn’t as fashionable as she would have preferred since it was several years old. Still, the lavender gown was good enough for a Montana affair. With its high neck and long sleeves, Eleanor felt amply covered and not at all showy. It was a far cry from the form-fitting fashions of the day. Her society friends back east wouldprobably be amused by her modesty. Not that she had seen or heard from any of them in years.
And not that she cared about having a new wardrobe created each season. Goodness, at this point, she simply cared that everything she owned be practical and modest.
It wasn’t as if they didn’t have the funds to supply her a new wardrobe. Not only did her father come from family money, but Eleanor’s maternal grandfather had been a wealthy shipping magnate and had given his daughter a home in the most fashionable part of New York City as a wedding gift.
Eleanor grew up in society, was taught etiquette and rules, and participated in all the grand events and activities. All while her father traveled and spoke around the Eastern Seaboard about conservation.
That was, until Mother became ill.
She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. They’d always had money to buy whatever they wanted. Except the one thing they desired most.
A cure for her mother’s cancer.
Everything changed after Mother died.
Oh, every time they were back east, she slipped back into the role, but her so-called friends only spoke of money, the latest fashions, and who wore what to which party.
Losing Mother changed her perspective.
About money.
About God.
About what she wanted out of life.
Eleanor sighed. Whatdidshe want out of life? She had no one other than Father to talk to about her restlessness, but she couldn’t share it with him when she didn’t even know what was at the root of it.
She glanced at the mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles in her bodice. She’d wasted enough time dawdling over her appearance.
