“Good to meet you. I figured you were new to town. I’m one of Cheyenne’s deputy marshals. I usually work evenings, but Sunday’s a day of rest for me.”
Charlie shook the man’s hand. “Good to meet you, Mr. Vogel. Or should I call you Deputy Vogel?”
“Call me Edward.”
“I’d like that. You can call me Charlie.”
“Are you related to Jacob Decker, then?” Edward asked.
“Yes, he’s my brother. He fell ill and moved back to Chicago. Our father sent me here to take his place, at least temporarily. We’re hoping Jacob will recover and be able to return. Starting a bank on the frontier was his idea.”
“Kind of like coming to the ends of the world after living in Chicago, eh?” Edward smiled. “I haven’t lived here all that long myself, but I know it was quite a lot to take in when we arrived at the end of last year. We hail from Indiana.”
“Then we were neighbors,” Charlie replied.
“Well, except you were at the top of your state, and wewere at the bottom of ours. But close enough. Glad you could join us here today.”
“Edward, I see you’ve met Charlie,” Melody Doyle said, coming to join them. Beside her stood the woman and little girl who’d sat next to her in church. “Charlie, this is Edward’s wife, Marybeth, and their daughter, Carrie.”
Charlie gave a slight bow of his head. “Good to meet you.” He locked eyes with the little girl, who was reaching out to him.
“When she takes to someone, she immediately believes they should accommodate her,” her mother said. “Carrie, the man doesn’t need to hold you.”
“I don’t mind.” Charlie laughed. “It has been ages since there were any youngsters around to hold.”
The little girl dove from her mother’s arms, and Charlie had no choice but to catch her. “Hello there. I’m Charlie.”
“Chawie,” she said and patted his face with both hands.
“I feel like I should go around and apologize to everyone for Da’s announcement, but especially to you, Charlie.” Melody’s cheeks were flushed as she met his eyes. “Here it is your first Sunday with our church, and you’re forced to experience my father’s outspoken ways.” She gave a nervous laugh. “But Da is determined.”
“To find you a husband?” Charlie asked.
“Yes.”
Carrie held out her arms to her father. Edward took his daughter and smiled at Charlie. “Carrie seems to approve of you, but then, she approves of most everybody. We’ll have you over to the house some Sunday.”
“I’d like that.” Almost immediately they were surrounded by others in the congregation who wanted to welcome Charlie. He tried for a time to keep a side glance on Melody, butshe was soon swept up in a circle of women who seemed to want to discuss the new turn of events.
Charlie chuckled to himself. Cheyenne was looking better all the time.
Melody stretched out on her cot and nestled down into the beautiful quilt Granny Taylor had given her that evening for her birthday.
“I wasn’t sure if we’d have a chance to see each other tomorrow, so I wanted you to have it tonight,” the older woman had said as they left church.
“Oh, Granny, this is such a surprise.” Melody had taken the quilt and hugged it close. Just as she did now.
“You’re a dear girl, and it does me good to bless you with this gift. I hope you enjoy it for many years. The double star pattern is my favorite.”
Melody knew it would be her favorite as well. She loved Granny Taylor and sought her advice and counsel as she might have her own grandmother, if she were alive. Granny and her husband, Jedediah, had been a part of Melody’s life since Omaha. Jed had put in to stay in Cheyenne when the railroad continued west, and that was part of the reason Melody had desired to stay as well. Knowing he and Granny would be close by would be almost as good as having Da with her.
Still, it was hard to imagine life without Da there day-to-day. He always made Melody feel that she was loved and cared for. Despite his rough-around-the-edges personality and readiness for a fight, Da was the gentlest of men when it came to dealing with his daughter.
“Ya still awake?” her father asked from the other side of the curtain.
“I am, Da. Do you need something?”
“No, just wanted to be sayin’ happy birthday to ya. Me watch shows midnight.”
