“We shall explore the matter together, then,” Melody replied. “Shakespeare is quite popular, but I have never attended such a performance, although I did hear a couple of his plays read to us in school.”
With that, they made their way to McDaniel’s and, after purchasing their tickets, entered the variety hall and took their seats. The entire room was soon filled, with every seat taken and a couple dozen people standing around the back of the room.
Once the play began, Melody found herself caught up in the story. The actors were quite good at their roles, and the costumes captivated her. The performance was like nothing she’d ever seen.
She glanced over at Sam, who seemed only slightly interested in the tale of murder and revenge. By the end of the first act, Sam was soundly asleep, and while Melody found herself wanting to see the play, she gave Sam’s arm a pat.
He stirred and opened his eyes. “Oh, sorry. I worked hard today.”
“Why don’t we just leave. We can go ahead to supper as you planned and then head home.”
He nodded without even a pretense of argument. He helped her from her seat, then led the way out. Melody gave one backward glance toward the stage. Maybe someday she’d have a chance to seeHamletthrough to the end. She very much hoped the young man was able to find justice.
Outside, the skies were still light and people plentiful. Sam gave her an apologetic look. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep like that.”
“It’s not a problem. I know railroad work takes a lot out of a man. Da always came home on Saturday ready for rest.”
“I sure hope he’ll start feeling better, but...”
His words stopped, and Melody gave him a quizzical look. “But what?”
Sam pushed his hands deep into his pockets. “Well, some of the boys are worried that he’s worse off than he lets on. Maybe really sick.”
“Why would you say that?”
He shrugged and kept walking. “Just the way he’s been. A couple of the fellas talked to him when he came to see the railroad doc. They said he didn’t look good at all, and they wondered if maybe ... well, they wondered if he hurt himself worse than they thought when he fell.”
Melody couldn’t imagine that was the case. “Da is doing good. He’s still enduring some pain, but he’s much better.I’m sure he’ll be rejoining his team soon. June first is what he’s told me.”
Sam seemed relieved. “I hope you’re right. We’d hate to lose him. He’s a good one. I wish he’d settle down here in Cheyenne so I could still be around him. He’s taught me a lot.”
“Has he now?” Melody laughed. “He’s taught me a great deal too. I suppose we have that in common.”
“I reckon we have a lot in common, Miss Melody, but maybe just as important is how I’ve admired you for a long time. I think you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, and your reputation for kindness is well-known. Everybody who works with your da knows you’re a good cook. We’ve always enjoyed it when your da brings in your cookies or handpies. You’re really quite the gal.”
She sobered for a moment. “If that’s how you feel, why didn’t you seek to court me prior to Da’s announcement?”
He chuckled. “Your da told us back in Omaha that you were off-limits.”
Melody shook her head. “That sounds like him. But that was then, and this is now.”
“Look, I didn’t speak about his health to worry you. I hope you won’t say anything to him about it.”
“Of course not.”
Melody could see the concern in his expression. Maybe the poor man feared losing his position, but Da wasn’t that petty regarding a man speaking his opinion. On the other hand, there was the tiniest nagging doubt in the back of her mind. What if Sam was right, and Da was worse than he let on?
Monday was as fair a day as Melody had seen that year. She arrived at the Coopers’ with sunlight dawning on thehorizon. Da had only come halfway with her because they met up with Edward Vogel on his deputy marshal rounds. Edward had offered to walk her the rest of the way, and Da hadn’t even offered a reason why he shouldn’t. It wasn’t like Da to hand over his responsibilities to someone else, even in something as simple as escorting Melody to her job. Still, she tried not to let it worry her. Maybe Da had plans and needed to get back to the tent.
After tying on her apron, she went to work in the kitchen scrambling eggs and making coffee. Mrs. Cooper was busy frying up bacon and chatting about the church bake sale they were soon to have. They had definitely fallen into an easy partnership.
“If we keep having the sales, we’ll have money for a church before we know it.”
“It’d be lovely to have our own place of worship,” Melody agreed. “And to have services during the day instead of at night.”
“So many churches share the school. Did you hear that the men were joshing about having a prizefight to raise money? I guess so much money changed hands at the fights last week that it caught their attention. They said it in jest, but it is rather startling that good men would bet money on other men beating each other to a pulp.”
“Yes. It’s never been of interest to me, but Da seems to enjoy a good fight.”
