Charlie hadn’t checked to see whether Jefferson had an account with the bank but presumed he must. It might be interesting to see what kind of wealth he had set aside for himself since he’d started working for the savings and loan the year before. The bank wasn’t quite a year old, but Charlie knew from what Father and Jacob had said that Jefferson had been on board since the start.
Heading toward the boardinghouse, Charlie couldn’t help but wonder what the future would hold with Jefferson Lane. The man wasn’t at all happy with following orders. Jacob had never been one to tolerate insubordination. Had his health issues caused him to give the younger man free rein? Maybe Jefferson didn’t treat Jacob the same way he did Charlie. Jacob was older and better established in being a man in charge. He had no doubt set boundaries in place even before hiring Jefferson. Charlie remembered his father’s words.
“There must be a division between the worker and theone in charge, Charles. This is most critical. A manneeds to know his place, and it is the responsibility of the man in charge to put him in thatplace from the beginning. Anytime he tries to venture fromthat position, a supervisor must be ready to reassert authority and put him back into it. Otherwise, you’ll haveutter chaos.”
Those words, and so many others, echoed in Charlie’s head. His father had always been stern and commanding.He’d never once asked Charlie for an opinion but had instead told him what to think and do. The only time Charlie had gone against his father’s wishes was when he’d enlisted to fight in the war. Even then, however, Bertram Decker had had the upper hand. He’d quickly arranged for his son to be the aide for a high-ranking officer who preferred making battle plans to fighting. Charlie had seen less than two major battles, and those he’d seen only from the far rear echelons, where it was somewhat safe. At least as safe as any battlefield could be. Still, he’d hated his position of privilege when he knew his friends were laying their lives on the line. But at least he had been able to serve.
The opportunity to take over for Jacob at the savings and loan had come as a welcome change to Charlie. Not because he wanted to continue his hand at banking. Not even for the ability to be in charge. No, leaving for Cheyenne gave Charlie a chance to escape the men in his family ... as well as their scrutiny and criticism.
Charlie had tried numerous times to discuss his desire to teach and, perhaps, to build his own school, but no one cared enough to listen. He was always silenced with talk of new business opportunities and the state of national finance.
Coming to Cheyenne at least allowed him the freedom to make his own choices. To a degree. His father still expected to hear updates on Charlie’s state of affairs, and, of course, there were the quarterly reports that had to go in. Not to mention that Father expected to have monthly letters explaining the general conditions of Cheyenne and Charlie’s opinion of opportunities for growth. Not that his father would really consider Charlie’s opinion. He still treated Charlie as though he were ten instead of a man in his thirties.Maybe that was due in part to wanting to be called Charlie instead of Charles. Or maybe it was due to Charlie’s carefree spirit and general positivity toward life. Mother always said he was the happiest of all her children.
Charlie credited his spiritual walk for that happiness. Mother had helped him to understand the need for God’s guidance and direction from an early age, and in seeking to know God better, Charlie had learned a contentment that seemed to elude his brothers and father.
He cast a glance around the growing town and smiled. He could see being happy here. He could imagine himself building a school for boys and finding a young woman to marry. Melody Doyle came to mind as a possibility. She was quite pretty and so kind in her nature. Of course, Jefferson had voiced interest in the young woman. But if she was the one God had for him, Charlie knew God would arrange it in time. Charlie just needed to be obedient and mindful of what God wanted him to do, and right now it seemed banking was a part of the plan.
“Are you sure you want to take on a job?” Faith Cooper asked Melody as they made their way to the Coopers’ house. Melody had run into Mrs. Cooper on her way back to get food from Marybeth, and the conversation had led to Faith explaining that she needed to hire someone to help her with the boardinghouse.
“I’d love it. Da’s able to do for himself, even if the railroad won’t let him come back to work just yet. That in and of itself is a puzzlement. I’ve never known the railroad to turn down a hard worker like Da, but the doctor says he’s just not up to it, leastwise that’s what Da told me. Anyway, he doesn’tneed me at home all the time, and helping you would allow us to bring in a little money.”
“Are you in need?” Mrs. Cooper asked in a serious tone.
Melody moved the basket she carried from one arm to the other. “No, not at all. Da saved a good amount of money before he got hurt. We’ve been using the savings, but if I were to work, we could use my money instead.”
“Well, as far as I’m concerned you can start on Monday. I’ll need you there by five thirty to help with breakfast.” They’d reached the Coopers’, and she motioned Melody to follow her into the house. “You can see for yourself the dining room is just through there, and beyond is the kitchen. I’ll have plenty for you to do in the mornings just feeding this bunch.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Melody assured the older woman.
“And I’ll need help with the garden. My knees are so bad it’s hard for me to get down and plant. Do you think you’d be able to manage that as well?”
“Of course. I love to garden.”
“Then we have laundry. So much laundry. Most of the men want me to manage it for them, and that takes quite a bit of time. Not only that, but I change the bedding once a week and wash the blankets every month. Gerald is going to string me two more lines for drying clothes.”
“I can help with it all. When the vegetables start coming in, I can even help you to can and preserve them. Of course, by then I’ll probably be married off to someone, and they might have something to say about me working. Or I’ll be on down the track with Da.”
“Is your father really determined to find you a husband?”
Melody nodded. “He is, and if he doesn’t, I’ll have to leaveCheyenne and continue west with him.” The thought wearied her to the bone. “I’m hopeful, however. I really believe God would have me stay here in Cheyenne.”
“I hope so. I’ve come to enjoy our friendship.”
“Well, now you can enjoy me as your housemaid too.” Melody smiled and held up her basket. “I’d best go now. Marybeth Vogel is waiting on me.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
Melody hurried to leave the house, exiting out the front door. She paid no attention to where she was going and nearly ran into one of the boarders.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, putting her hands out to steady herself. Only after doing it did she realize she’d planted them in the middle of the handsome brown-eyed man.
“Forgive me again,” she said, pulling away.
“That’s quite all right. No harm done.”
“Melody, this is Wilson Porter. He’s a pastor newly arrived in Cheyenne. He’s hoping to set up a ministry with the Indians.”
“It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Melody Doyle.”
