“But we are praying for his clearance and appointment to come through soon,” Melody added. “Just be patient a little longer, Will. Just as we told you last night, things will come together soon enough.”
“I hope you’re right.” Will shrugged and looked again to Laura. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, as well, Miss Evans. I’ve heard of your father.” He chuckled. “Well, that is to say, everyone has heard of your father. He’s a visionary who has done much to better the town.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Laura replied. “I am rather fond of him despite our years of separation. I am very happy to be here at last.”
“Do you plan to stay on?” Will asked more out of politeness than real curiosity. She was an engaging woman, and it would be easy to get caught up in socializing, but he had to keep his focus on the plans at hand.
“I do,” she replied. “I don’t know what the Lord has in store for me, but I do know He has brought me here, and here I will stay until He moves me on. But do tell me more about your work, Mr. Porter. Do you have a particular Indian tribe that you will work with?”
He was surprised by her interest. “I hope to work with the Shoshone. They are a peaceful and interesting people, and I’ve done my best to learn about them.”
“What is their culture like?”
He squared his shoulders. “I don’t know that I have a simple answer for that. They live off the land. They use hides for their teepees. That is to say, their houses. It’s like a tent of sorts.”
“And they live in these even during the cold months like we’re having now?”
Will nodded. “They live quite well in them. They have figured out ways to make them warm. They usually have a fire right in the middle with venting out the top. They hunt and fish and move about as needed to get the things they need to survive. Life on the reservation will limit how much they can move about, but the government plans to supply certain foods, clothes, medicines, and such to balance the situation.”
Laura seemed to consider his words. “And the Shoshone are agreeable to that arrangement?”
“As agreeable as they can be. Life has been altered for them—for all the Indians. It isn’t always an easy transition, but the Shoshone have been quite amiable and peaceful. I’m encouraged to think they will readily accept the Gospel and Bible teaching.”
“I hope they will. I would like to see all mankind accept God’s Word.”
He smiled. “As would I.”
“Excuse me,” Edward Vogel interrupted. “Marybeth is exhausted, and I think it’s time we head home.”
“Of course.” Laura started to go but turned back. “Mr. Porter, I would like to hear more about your studies of the Shoshone culture. I find anthropology quite fascinating.”
Will was surprised by her comment but gave her a nod. “I would be happy to tell you about them.”
He watched her go. She seemed quite genuine and very personable.
“So what did you think of Miss Evans?” Charlie asked him after she had gone.
Will shrugged. “Seemed nice enough. Why do you ask?”
“I might be overstepping my bounds here, but it looked to me like you were rather taken with her.”
“What? Why would you say that?” Will shook his head. “I’m not hunting for a wife, if that’s what you think.”
Charlie laughed. “You seem on guard to such things.”
Will realized he had reacted rather strongly. “I think the long wait from the government has put me on edge. That and waiting for my mother and sister to join me here in Cheyenne. It feels as though the entire world has been slowed to a stop. I don’t want anything—or anyone—to cause further delay in my moving ahead.”
4
“Thank you so much, Marybeth, for inviting me to tea,” Laura said, accepting a cup and saucer from the expectant woman.
“I’m glad to have you join us.” Marybeth poured another cup and offered this one to the old woman Laura had been introduced to yesterday as Granny Taylor. “Sometimes we sew, and sometimes we share Scripture and what God has been doing in our lives. Always, however, we have the best of times, and our friendship grows in such a precious way. When I first came here, I knew nothing about Cheyenne or the people. I’ve been blessed so much to add these wonderful ladies to my list of friends.”
“I think we all feel that way,” Faith Cooper said. Laura had met her at church but knew very little about the woman except that she ran a boardinghouse with her husband.
“I know that I feel that way,” Melody Decker added. “I’ve known Granny Taylor the longest of all of you, but you’ve all become so dear and important to me. I couldn’t have made it through these last months without you. Losing Da was so hard, but you were all good to be there for me and encourage me.”
“The Bible says that we’re to bear one another’s burdens,” Granny said. “I’ve always found that to be of vital importance. As with any burden, when more than one person helps to carry it, the load is lightened. God encourages us to do that for one another so that none of us will fall down under the heavy load.”
