“That’s the devil in him. Ya cannot be courtin’ Jefferson Lane without keepin’ company with his master as well.”
Da dug into the food with more gusto than Melody had seen in a while. She knew he’d lost quite a bit of weight since she was the one to take up his clothes. It did her heart good to see that he’d gotten his appetite back.
“Well, you needn’t fear, Da. I will steer clear of Mr. Lane.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He took a bit of coffee.
“I’m enjoying my new job,” Melody said. “I’ve been ableto help Mrs. Cooper with their garden. Of course, it’s just getting started.”
“Potatoes should have been in by St. Patrick’s Day,” Da commented.
Melody nodded. “I told her as much, but she wasn’t too worried. She felt certain we’d have more than enough time for them to grow. Said some old-timer told her we’d be having a long summer.”
Da seemed to consider this a moment. “That would please the railroad owners. They want very much for this railroad to be completed by next year or sooner.”
“I read in the newspaper that the stretch that’s coming up after the mountains is mostly desert-type land. Hot and dry. Full of snakes and other wild things.”
“I heard it as well.” Da dipped a piece of bread in the broth. “Such places are not a favorite of mine. I prefer the green.”
“I do too. This area is as dry as I care for.”
“The boys will have plenty to contend with as they build. I’ve heard there may be Indian troubles as well.”
Melody shivered at the thought of her father and the others being under attack. So far the native peoples they’d encountered had been a mix of friend and foe. Sometimes the Indians would sneak into the camp areas to steal cattle. Just last year Cheyennes had placed a branch across the tracks, thinking to derail a locomotive engine. They had instead derailed a handcar and killed most of the repair workers who were heading out to tend to the tracks. Those were exactly the kinds of incidents that caused the railroad to bring in the army to keep the peace.
There had been more warnings as the railroad moved west. Melody had been concerned about attacks on the town of Cheyenne, but with Ft. Russell close by, most ofthe citizens felt that the Indians wouldn’t chance an all-out attack.
Desiring not to dwell on the topic, Melody quickly spoke up. “I saw you had a letter from Ireland. Was the news good?”
“To me way of thinkin’ it was. Me brother, yar uncle David, wrote with news.”
“I’d love to hear about it.” She hadn’t been sure why Da had said nothing about the letter, but hopefully now she’d find out what it was all about.
“The family is good. They’ve been thriving. David’s girls are all married now and have wee ones of their own. Liam and Seamus, me younger brothers, are doin’ well with their families.”
Melody had never met her uncles. She had, however, heard stories of Da’s youth and the trouble he and his three brothers got themselves into. Usually, it ended in a huge brawl and even some nights spent in jail. She was glad her father had settled down to being a godly man who only fought when absolutely necessary.
“I’m glad they’re all doing so well. Was there anything else?”
“There was, and I’ve been meanin’ to tell ya about it,” her father said, putting down his spoon. “Ya won’t have known this, but me brothers and me shared in our da’s business.”
“A business? What kind?”
“A whiskey distillery. Ya know I had a problem with the stuff and me life was ruined at one time because of drink. When our da died and left us the business, I wasn’t involved much. When I got right with the good Lord, I knew I didn’t want any part of running it. I just felt it could lead me back to trouble. I picked up and moved to America instead. Last year, I finally wrote to me brothers and told them I’d likethem to buy me out. The letter from David was an agreement to do so and told me they’d be arrangin’ a transfer of money to America. I don’t know all the particulars just yet.”
“I had no idea.” Melody wondered if her father’s share would make him wealthy enough to stop working. With his back not yet improving, she worried he would just further irritate it if he hurried back to work. She thought of how she might pose the idea that he remain home for a longer recuperation.
“I never spoke of the business because it wasn’t important to me. I never intended to be a part of it and didn’t figure it mattered to us. However, the extra money will be somethin’ I can leave to ya. It’ll help ya after ya marry.”
“I was just thinking it might help you, Da. Your back is still not healed, and who can say if it will be in another month. The money might allow you to rest and fully heal. I know you love what you do and the men you supervise, but you aren’t a young man anymore.”
“Aye, and that’s for sure.” He looked momentarily saddened by the conversation. “Those days are gone forever.”
Melody didn’t care for his melancholy tone. “Still, after a long rest, you might be just as capable as you’ve always been. I think the worst thing you can do is rush your healing.”
“I’ll give it a thought. In the meanwhile, this is one of the best suppers I’ve had in a while. It’s been ages since we had corned beef.”
She smiled at how quickly he changed the subject. “Yes, it’s definitely been a long time.”
