She looked at him, and Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. She was so beautiful, and he could easily lose himself in her blue-eyed gaze. Planning a future with her wasn’t hard at all.
“There are four large bedrooms upstairs,” Charlie said, moving her into the dining area. “The kitchen is just beyond this room.”
“The dining room is quite big—and has its own fireplace,” Melody said, looking around in awe. “I’ve never lived anywhere with this much room. Even the houses we lived in were much smaller.”
“I figure we’ll need the space. After all, I’m hoping for a large family,” Charlie said, wondering how she’d react. They hadn’t discussed having children, but he figured it was about time.
“Oh, I do too, Charlie,” she said, giving his arm a squeeze. “I want an entire houseful. I was always so lonely as a child. There were always families around us with dozens of children, and I envied them so much.” She met his gaze and smiled. “I’m so glad you want a large family.”
“That brings me to another matter. I have a favor to ask you,” he said, remembering what he and his father had discussed. “Would you mind if we married a week later than we discussed?”
She frowned. “Why?”
“I’d like my mother to be here. Father believes he can send for her and have her here by the end of next week, but not by this Sunday.”
Melody’s worried look faded as she reached up to touch his cheek. “Of course. How thoughtless of me. She must be here.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I knew you’d feel that way, and I knew you’d love this house as much as I do. I’ll get the details worked out, and we’ll secure it and have the builder start on the school. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.”
“It makes me happy too.” She put her head against his chest and sighed. “I know Da would be happy as well. I can almost hear him saying, ‘Good on ya, Charlie boy. Good on ya.’”
Charlie laughed and lifted her far enough to swing her in a circle. “I can hear him saying it too.”
23
Melody found herself in tears at the strangest times. Mourning her father came in ways that she could never have anticipated or planned for. Sometimes just smelling the coffee brewing would set Melody awash in sadness. Da had loved his coffee. It was one of the first smells she could remember as a child. There was always a pot of coffee on the stove.
Once, when she was helping Marybeth clean house, a memory came to mind of her father and mother. Mother had just washed the floor of their little apartment, and Da had come in from a deluge of rain. He tracked mud into the house from one room to another until he came to where Mother was still mopping. He had looked at her and then the floor and the mess he’d made. Without a word, he slipped off his shoes, then took the mop from her hands and went to work, dancing a jig and cleaning at the same time. Melody had been very young, but she could still remember her mother’s laughter. Why did they both have to be lost to her?
Through it all, Charlie was the epitome of understanding and concern. He would allow for her tears, offering comfortand love in return. He never grew impatient with her or chided her for her sadness, and it only served to endear him all the more to Melody.
Charlie’s mother arrived on Friday the twelfth. Melody went with Charlie and Mr. Decker to welcome her and her servants to Cheyenne. Melody had feared the older woman wouldn’t like her or would feel that she and Charlie had known each other far too short of time. However, Abigail Decker was a charming and loving woman.
“You are as pretty as a china doll,” she told Melody. “But I have a feeling you’re made of much sturdier material.” She embraced Melody and whispered in her ear, “We shall be great friends, my dear.” Melody immediately loved her.
They went for dinner at Belham’s, and Melody listened to story after story about Charlie and their family. They had grown up with plenty and had never known want. But Melody felt she had been just as blessed. Da had always provided for them, and while they may not have lived in luxury, they did live in love. She related this when Charlie’s mother asked to hear something of Melody’s childhood.
“I was an only child,” Melody said. “And my father’s darling girl.” She smiled at the memory of him calling her that. “Da loved railroad work and moving from place to place. He was a wanderer at heart and never seemed to settle down. My mother took it in stride. She loved Da more than life. I was always amazed at their love for each other. It devastated us to lose her. I was only ten, but I knew what they had was special and prayed I’d know that for myself one day.”
“And do you think you have that with Charlie?” his mother asked.
Melody glanced over at Charlie and nodded. “I know I do. I sensed it in our first words. Charlie was the kind offriend I needed and wanted. I had other friends, but Charlie’s friendship filled a void that I hadn’t realized was present. I enjoyed talking to him about everything, and he was gracious about it all. Even when I told him about my experiences with other suitors.”
Charlie’s mother smiled. “That sounds like my Charlie.”
“It wasn’t easy to hear her speak of being with other suitors, let me tell you,” Charlie interjected. “I was quite happy to hear of her misery on those outings.” Charlie’s parents laughed at this, and Melody couldn’t help but smile.
They continued to eat and talk until finally it was time to leave, and Melody couldn’t suppress a yawn. It had been good to be with Charlie’s family, however. Her spirits were more uplifted in this small gathering than they had been since Da’s death.
They walked Charlie’s parents back to the hotel and bid them goodnight. Before they could part company, Abigail Decker spoke up.
“Melody, I wonder if we might spend some time together tomorrow. Just you and me. I know you probably have a lot to do to ready yourself for the wedding, but I would very much like to have some time alone with you. I also have a gift for you.”
“You’re very kind. I would be happy to see you tomorrow. Charlie, why don’t you walk her over to Marybeth’s around ten? Marybeth and Carrie will be gone with Edward doing the shopping and such. We can have the entire house to ourselves.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Mrs. Decker replied. “I promise I won’t keep you but an hour or so.”
The next morning at exactly ten, Mrs. Decker stood outside on the Vogels’ porch. Charlie was at her side, carrying a large box.
