Melody slipped her arms around him. “I know he’d be most pleased.”
Charlie kissed her with great tenderness. Melody sighed and leaned against him as he pressed another kiss on her forehead. She could just see Da in heaven, elbowing the Lord and saying,“That’s me girl. That’s me darlin’ girl.”
21
Charlie paced nervously as he waited for the train to arrive on the evening of June 2. His father would soon be in Cheyenne, and who could say how things would go after that? Charlie was hopeful, however, that after the long train ride his father would be tired, and they could put off discussing the bank until tomorrow.
There was a part of Charlie that missed his parents’ home in Chicago. Truthfully, the time he’d spent there had been good overall. His mother was a gentle soul, whose faith in God led her in all decisions and actions. When people in her circle of society needed advice, they always came to Abigail Decker, including Charlie. His father, on the other hand, although a man of faith, was far more severe and stern in his guidance. There was little in the way of sympathy or understanding for mistakes made, which was the reason for Charlie’s anxiety now.
He heard the whistle before he saw the train. The evening skies were still light, and as the steam puffed heavenward from the locomotive, it formed little clouds against the purplish-blue heavens. For a moment, Charlie thought of apainting he’d once seen with a similar setting. Then the train whistle blasted again, and all pleasantries faded. He drew a deep breath and steadied himself as the train came to a stop.
Lord, I need strength to deal with this moment. Help me, please.
Charlie watched as the depot personnel went to work, and the porter stepped from the train, then turned around to assist others.
At nearly seventy years old, Bertram Decker cut a fine figure. He stepped onto the platform and secured his hat before looking around to find Charlie. His suit was impeccable despite having traveled for hours, and he looked as spry as a man half his age. When their gazes locked, Charlie called out, “Father!”
Charlie came forward and impulsively gave his father a hug. “It’s so good to see you again. I wish the circumstances could be better.” He bit his tongue. He hadn’t meant to bring up the problem.
His father patted him on the back and pulled away. “I hadn’t expected such enthusiasm.” He surprised Charlie with a smile. A genuine smile. “But it’s good to see you too, Charles. Your mother desperately wanted to join me, but I assured her this was to be a very quick trip.”
There were few people arriving on the train this evening. Charlie retrieved his father’s small trunk without much of a wait and then led the way to the hotel. He had reserved a room at the nicest hotel Cheyenne had to offer and hoped it would meet with his father’s approval.
Father glanced up and down the street. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. Jacob made it sound like Cheyenne was the very pit of hell itself.”
“Up until a few weeks ago, it truly could be called that. So much has changed, almost overnight. The railroad movedwest, and so did a great many of the troublesome characters. Of course, they’re still close enough to Cheyenne that many come back on the weekends. But as the bulk of the gambling houses, brothels, and saloons move with them, that will stop, and there will be nothing Cheyenne has to offer that the new end-of-the-tracks town won’t give them. By the way, how is Jacob feeling?”
“Much better, but I don’t see him returning to Cheyenne. As I conveyed, he didn’t find it much to his liking.”
They secured Father’s room at the hotel and deposited his things before Charlie suggested they go to dinner.
“I’m sure you didn’t have anything decent to eat on the train.”
“No, that’s true enough.”
“We have several decent restaurants here. Belham’s is probably the best. I made a reservation for us. It’s just a few blocks from here.”
“Then lead the way.”
Charlie did just that, pointing things out as they walked. “The town is growing quite rapidly. In fact, they call it the Magic City because it sprang into being like magic. Men who followed the tracks west said it was unlike any of the other towns along the way. We have a great many stores established, mercantiles, hardware, clothing, bakeries, and such. There are still more saloons than churches, but the latter are coming along nicely. The church I attend meets at the local school, but they plan to start building next year. Oh, and there are hospitals and doctor’s offices—we now have nine doctors—and of course several banks, including ours.” Again, Charlie wished he’d not mentioned anything to do with the dreaded subject. He hurried to continue.
“There is a fort nearby. Fort Russell. The soldiers are oftenin town for entertainment. Most stay on the west side, which is the seedier part of town. However, there are those who are of a better class.”
They reached the restaurant and were immediately shown to a beautifully set table. Belham’s had fine linens for the tablecloth and napkins and uniformed waiters to see to the customers’ needs.
Charlie and his father took a seat and placed their orders for the steak dinner and coffee. The waiter had just left when Dr. Scott passed by the table. Charlie got to his feet and introduced his father to the man.
“Dr. Scott is a physician as well as the lay minister at our church. Dr. Scott, this is my father, Mr. Bertram Decker.”
“Mr. Decker, I’m pleased to meet you. I’m a big fan of Charlie’s. His Sunday school classes have been well received.”
“Charles is a capable teacher, I’m sure,” his father replied. “It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Scott. How does a doctor of medicine end up taking the pulpit?”
“Need necessitates strange choices. We actually have another man who preaches from time to time too. It won’t be long before there will be a need to replace me as well. I have no intention of filling the job indefinitely. Right now, however, it seems necessary, and I do enjoy it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I only stopped in to check on the owner.” Dr. Scott turned to Charlie. “You might remember he had a stroke last week.”
“I do. It was quite a surprise.”
Dr. Scott nodded. “Since he and his wife live above the restaurant, it was easy enough to see to him on my way home.”
