“It doesn’t sound like you two are very close.”
“Sadly, we’re not. At least not as close as I wish.” Charlie followed her to the pump, where she hung the bucket for the next person to use. “Father has always focused on the family by way of the business. If the business is doing well, he presumes the family is too.”
“What a strange way of things.”
“I’ve often thought that myself. My father is a wonderful man. A well-respected man. But he’s never offered an abundance of affection or encouragement. And he has so seldom ever smiled that I can’t help but wonder if he even knows how these days.” Charlie could see his father’s stern, almost severe expression. It saddened him to think his father had never known true happiness. Charlie pushed the thought aside. “But that’s not important right now. We have checkers to play.”
She looked at him oddly, and Charlie thought she might question him about what he’d said. Instead, she nodded and turned away. “I’ll let Mrs. Cooper know we’re leaving.”
Melody disappeared into the house and was only gone for a few minutes. When she returned, she had rolled her sleeves back down and carried her shawl.
“I’m ready.”
They headed around the house and down the street. Charlie couldn’t help but enjoy her company. In fact, the more time he spent with her, the more he was assured that they were the perfect match. He was already losing his heart to her.
He hadn’t given a lot of thought to securing himself awife when he came west. He knew he was more than old enough and had established himself in his profession. And while he hadn’t purchased a home of his own, it was just a matter of time. Up until now, he’d not had any need for a place of his own. In Chicago, he had remained in his father’s house, and here it seemed reasonable to board where someone could take care of his needs. But after speaking to Melody’s father and examining his heart, Charlie knew a wife was exactly what he wanted and needed—no, Melody was what he wanted and needed.
“I just never thought of Da being sick, as well as injured,” Melody began as they walked. “Da’s always been so healthy and vital. Never a moment of illness. His fall was the first bad injury he’s had in years. And that’s saying something for a section hand supervisor. Accidents are commonplace in his line of work, but Da always seems to have God’s hand on him.”
“Yes, your father seems to put his trust in God completely. Still, pain can alter the way a man thinks or acts.”
“You sound like someone who knows.”
“Not firsthand, but there were a great many men I saw in the war who were injured ... some badly enough to die. It wasn’t an easy thing to see.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t. I doubt I’d be any good at nursing men through those kinds of injuries. I’d probably break down and cry alongside them.”
“That’s because you have a tender heart.” Charlie glanced over at her. She looked so worried, and he found himself wishing he could ease her of that burden.
They reached her tent a few minutes later. The flap was open to let in the fresh air, but Mr. Doyle sat on a chair outside. He got to his feet and extended his hand.
“Charlie Decker, how nice to be seein’ ya again.”
“Charlie walked me home, and I’m thinking you two could have a game of checkers while I finish getting supper on. Da, don’t you think we should ask Charlie to stay for supper?”
“I wouldn’t want to be any bother or extra work.” Charlie glanced from Melody to Clancy Doyle.
“Nonsense,” her father replied. “It’s our pleasure to have ya. Melody, bring the checkers and a chair. I’ll pull up the barrel.”
Melody glanced at Charlie, then nodded. Smiling at her father, she leaned over and kissed him atop the head. “This will be a grand evening.”
12
Melody woke up in the middle of the night to hear her father making his way outside once again. His nighttime visits to the privy were coming more and more often. Granny had said that older people were that way sometimes, but she couldn’t help but worry, what with so many people suggesting Da was ill.
She heard him return and asked, “Are you all right, Da?”
“I’m fine, darlin’. Just go back to sleep.”
He settled into bed, and it wasn’t long before Melody heard him snoring. She supposed she was worrying for nothing. Charlie had been with them all evening, and he didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, at least he’d said nothing about it. Of course, they hadn’t been alone long enough for him to say anything even if he had.
Thoughts of Charlie sent Melody to thinking back on her near fall. Being in Charlie’s arms had caused her to see him in a new light. She really liked Charlie. They had a lot in common and talked so easily about all sorts of things. Charlie was kind and gentle in his nature, and he loved God. Those were such important things to her.
But things were also just different with Charlie. There wasno pretense to their relationship. She openly told him about her outings with other men, men she was considering for a husband. Charlie always asked how things had gone and never seemed upset to hear what she had to say.
He wasn’t looking for a wife, and even if he were, he hadn’t applied to court Melody. He knew all he had to do was talk to Da. And Da already liked him, so there wouldn’t be a problem with getting Charlie approved.
She frowned. He obviously enjoyed her company, so the situation had to be that Charlie simply had no interest in getting married. Perhaps he couldn’t see past her being anything more than a friend.
