He counted out the money to her and had her sign a slip of paper. “Are you satisfied with your transaction? Is there anything else I might do for you today?”
“I’m completely satisfied, Jefferson, and I don’t need anything else.”
She put the money in her little purse and turned back to Charlie. “Do you have a church yet? If not, I would love to extend the invitation for you to come and join the Methodist services. We meet at the public school since we don’t yet have a building of our own. The services are at seven in the evening because another congregation uses it in the morning.”
“Mrs. Cooper invited me to the Methodist services as well. I intend to be there on Sunday. Perhaps I’ll see you. Unless, of course, there is more than one Methodist church in Cheyenne.”
“No, it’s the same one. I know the Coopers well. It will be nice to see you there. We have a wonderful service. Dr. Scott is our fearless leader, and he’s so knowledgeable about the Bible, as well as being a talented physician. I must say I’ve learned a great deal under his instruction.”
“I shall look forward to seeing you there.”
“How come you’ve never invited me to church, Melody?” Jefferson asked.
She looked back at him. “I could have sworn I had ... back last year. I do apologize if I was remiss. Of course you are welcome to join us. Speaking of the school, have you heard that the school board is already looking to expand and tryingto figure out how to accommodate the ever-growing number of children? I heard that no fewer than ten private schools have been formed.”
“Ten?” Charlie asked.
Melody nodded. “Apparently with all of the new families arriving, the school is overflowing. At last count, there were nearly one hundred thirty children who wished to attend but hardly the room for half that many.”
“What are the requirements for opening a private school?” Charlie seemed quite interested in the topic.
“I have no idea,” Melody replied. “I can’t imagine it’s much more difficult than to just announce that you’re willing to teach and have a location. One young lady in our church has opened a private school in her parents’ house on O’Neill Street. I believe her students are all quite young, but of school age.”
“Fascinating.” Charlie rubbed his chin. “Teaching was always my first love.”
“And yet you’re here.”
“My father and grandfather were bankers. They felt it was a family duty to continue. My brothers took right to it, but I ... well, not so much.” His eyes seemed to twinkle. “Yet here I am, as you pointed out.”
“There’s always the opportunity to change directions, Charlie.” She glanced over at Jefferson. “And never too late to join us at our church. I shall see you gentlemen next week, if not sooner at services.”
She headed outside. She rather liked Mr. Decker. He was nothing like his stuffy older brother. That man was most serious, and rarely had she seen him so much as crack a smile. Melody shrugged. She supposed happiness came in different forms for different folks.
“Miss Doyle is quite a pleasant young lady,” Charlie told Jefferson after she’d gone.
“Yes, she is. I’ve long thought of asking to court her.” Jefferson didn’t particularly care for the sappy smile on his employer’s face. “Her father works for the railroad. He was injured in an accident at the warehouse and is still on the mend. Soon, however, I’m sure they’ll be leaving us. Folks go just as quickly as they come, it seems.”
“What about you, Jefferson? Will you go as quickly as you came?”
Jefferson had stopped in Cheyenne after leaving his parents’ home in Denver. Completely by chance, he had managed to intercede on Jacob Decker’s behalf when a freight wagon nearly knocked him down in the middle of the street. Cheyenne was well-known for its dangerous roads.
Lady Luck had smiled upon him, and Jacob had been so grateful that he’d hired Jefferson on the spot to come work at the new savings and loan. Now, however, he had to work with Jacob’s younger brother, and the man wasn’t nearly as easy to manage.
Having heard so much about the new end-of-the-tracks town to the north of his parents’ home, Jefferson had decided to make his way there, hoping for a chance to make his fortune. The only other place that held any interest was California, and that seemed much too far away. But he wasn’t about to share his plans with Charlie.
“I don’t intend to go anywhere. My parents are in Denver, and Cheyenne gives me just the right distance to be on my own yet know they’re nearby. I’m on a mission to make my fortune and prove myself a capable man.”
“I suppose in one way or another, we’re all doing that.” Charlie started for his office, then turned back around. “Do you really think starting up a school is as easy as Miss Doyle made it sound?”
He shrugged. “Cheyenne seems content to set the rules as it goes. The school is, as Melody said, overflowing. The school board has decided to build a large addition onto their new building. They’re going to charge a fee per student to raise the money. They are asking for folks to volunteer time and materials to build it. Perhaps they’ll hire more teachers, and you could apply.”
“No, my desire is to have my own school so that I can teach from a faith-based perspective. I want my pupils to have the Bible as the foundation of their education.”
“I’m sure there are enough religious folks around here to accommodate your desires, Mr. Decker.”
Charlie smiled. “The possibilities seem endless. And Miss Doyle brightens thoughts of staying here in Cheyenne even more. Do you know her well?”
“Well enough.”
