“True enough,” the older man agreed. “We’ve definitely not accounted in a realistic way for our school system. No sooner is the school in place than it’s already bursting at the seams with students. We are going to have to add on to accommodate the one hundred-or-so students. And then there’s the need for teachers.”
“Teaching is my first passion. My heart has been to open my own school for boys. One based on strong Christian principles.”
“We could definitely use men such as yourself in that capacity. Perhaps when your brother recovers and returns to Cheyenne, you could consider taking up that role.”
“I used to teach Sunday school back in Chicago and feel positive that I could design an entire curriculum around the Word of God.”
“I like the way you think, Charlie. This town could use more men like you.”
“I want to do God’s will and feel teaching is where God has entrusted me with talent. Banking is not my desire at all.”
“God often puts us in positions that we feel are uncomfortable.Yet it has also been my experience that those positions are necessary for some other purpose. They teach us something that has been missing in our life or guide us to learn something we’ll need later on down the road. Don’t despair, Mr. Decker. In everything, trust it to God and seek His kingdom first, as Luke twelve admonishes. Then all the rest will be added unto you.”
“I am, Dr. Scott. I assure you. It’s the only way I’ve continued to stay the course.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I hope that God is settling you well enough in our town.”
“He is. I have a wonderful place to live for the time being. I’m at the boardinghouse run by the Coopers. They’ve been so gracious and kind. And Mrs. Cooper is quite the cook.”
“Yes, she’s known for her kitchen abilities, to be sure. We have bake sales from time to time to raise money for the building fund. Her cakes, pies, doughnuts, and strudels are known far and wide and always bring in the highest price.” Dr. Scott leaned closer, as if sharing a secret. “There’s an officer at Fort Russell who has a standing order for her apple strudel. He’ll pay any price.”
“All this talk of food is making me hungry. Would you allow me to buy you lunch?”
“No, I’m afraid not. I have a patient to see. I was just on my way there. If you don’t mind, I would enjoy taking you up on the offer another day.”
“Of course, Dr. Scott. I’d like that very much.”
“Thank you. I’ll bid you good day.” He tipped his hat, and Charlie did likewise. He liked Dr. Scott very much and appreciated his heart for God.
Thoughts of opening a boys’ school came to mind again as Charlie made his way down the street.
Lord, could it be possible that You brought me here forsuch a thing? Could I ever manage to convince Father that this is my calling?
The tiny ember that had always burned for his dream seemed to flame up momentarily. Dare Charlie allow it to burn—to stir him to action?
“Oh, that was a wonderful meal,” Melody told her father as they arrived back at their tent home. “I have to say that I love a good beef steak, and having it on my birthday with my da makes it all the better.”
Da lit a match to see his way inside. Melody let her father go into the tent first and waited until he had the lamp lit before pulling the flap down behind her and tying it closed. The night was chilly, so Melody started a fire in the stove.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“No. Just come and sit a moment, and I’ll give ya yar birthday present.” Da disappeared behind the curtain that separated their living space from the sleeping area.
Melody sat down at their little table and looked around the room. The tent had been home for a long time now. Except for the winter months, Melody spent very little time inside. Da usually pulled the chairs outside to sit and enjoy the close of day. Often they would eat out in the open air and visit with the neighbors.
She had to admit that she was tired of tent living. There was no room for anything that didn’t serve a precise and necessary purpose. She had grown so weary of this life. Enough so that it made the prospects of settling down with a stranger sound appealing. She couldn’t help but smile. Da would see to it that the man wasn’t a stranger. Da had a way of gettingevery secret and quirk out of a person. She supposed it was the way he put people at ease that caused them to divulge their hidden bits of life.
“Here ya go. I thought long and hard about this gift, and when the opportunity presented itself, I knew it was the right thing.” He came to the table and sat down. He placed a large envelope in front of Melody. “And it’s not like ya’d be havin’ room for much else.”
Melody laughed and looked at the strange gift. She opened the envelope and pulled out several pieces of paper. Scanning the first sheet, Melody realized it was a stock certificate for the Union Pacific. She fanned through the other pieces of paper and found them all to be the same.
“To be sure, these will be worth a lot in a few years,” Da began. “I’m thinkin’ if ya save ’em and add to ’em ya’ll have a fortune and never have to struggle as we have in the past.”
Melody stacked the papers together. “Oh, Da, you always give such thought to my gifts. Thank you.” She got up and kissed his cheek. “This has been a wonderful birthday. My only wish is that you would soon feel completely healed and be free of pain.”
“Oh, I’m not doin’ that bad, darlin’. Ya needn’t worry about me.” He gave her a hug. “But I am gonna be headin’ to bed. It’s been a long day, and ya’ll be needin’ me in the mornin’.”
She hugged him. “Goodnight, Da. I love you.”
