“What’s the new scent you’re wearing?”
She looked surprised and gave a light laugh. “I hardly expected you to notice such a thing. It’s a new floral perfume from my father’s store. Do you like it?”
“I do. It suits you better than the other.”
Laura studied him for a moment, then smiled. “You never cease to amaze me, Wilson Porter. Now, come along. Father is waiting.”
He followed her slowly, making certain to manage the crutches without mistake. The last thing he wanted was to reinjure his foot and leg. Once they entered the dining room, Rosey was there to help Laura get him settled at the table.
“Look who has decided to join us, Father.”
“Mr. Porter. It’s good to see you up and around.” Granite Evans gave him a nod.
“Thank you, sir. Your generosity has been a blessing to me, but I’m certain to be headed home soon. At least as soon as the doctor tells me I can manage the stairs.”
“I’m not sure how you would even attempt that with abroken leg.” Laura took her seat and placed her napkin on her lap.
“I suppose a little finessing will be needed, but I’ll figure it out,” Will assured them.
Dinner was served, and to Will’s delight it was one of Mrs. Murphy’s delicious beef Wellingtons. Apparently, this was a favorite of Mr. Evans, as they had it at least once a week. When everyone was served, Will noticed that Mr. Evans picked up his fork and knife to dig right in while Laura bowed her head for an apparent silent prayer.
Still feeling rather distanced from the Almighty, Will picked up his napkin and arranged it on his lap until Laura had finished. When she glanced over at him, she smiled.
“I’m so glad you felt up to joining us this evening. It will no doubt give Father some better and more lively conversation.”
“Your conversation has always been enjoyable, Laura.” Her father cut into his beef. “However, it is good to see Mr. Porter doing so well.”
“It’s all due in thanks to you two. Had you not taken me in, I would probably have fared far worse in lingering in the hospital. I thank you both.”
“You’re quite welcome. It’s only right to help out our fellow man,” Laura’s father said.
“Especially when I was the one responsible for having run him down,” Laura added.
“No, the fault was all mine.”
“Still, I felt obligated, and I’m glad I did. It’s been nice to get to know you better. The Vogels and Deckers as well as others have spoken so highly of you.”
“I understand you’re a preacher and your plan is to go to the reservation to save the souls of the Indians,” Granite Evans commented.
“I don’t know that it’s my ambition to do that any longer. After all, it was Indians who killed my mother and sister.”
Granite picked up a goblet of wine. “I suppose that would cause a fella to reconsider his heart on the matter. I personally don’t believe the Indian has a soul to save. As far as history shows me, they’ve failed to contribute anything of quality to our society.”
“But, Father, they are people. Of course they have a soul. You can’t be one of those who believes them to be nothing more than animals.”
Her father shrugged. “I’ve seen no proof to suggest otherwise. They have been vicious killers all along the rail line. Ask some of the others. It seems in this town anyway everyone knows someone who has suffered at the hands of the Indians. Why, prior to the war, we were always reading in the newspaper about some skirmish or attack in the West.”
“You have to admit they have been provoked on many occasions. Fired upon at first glance, rather than waiting to see if they were friend or foe.” Will was surprised to find himself defending the Indians and began eating to hide it.
“Will makes a good point, Father. All of this land was once theirs. Their homelands have been ripped away and their needs compromised. They were reliant upon hunting and fishing, and a lot of that has been taken from them.”
“Bah! They owned nothing. They don’t believe in land ownership. They think it all belongs to the Great Spirit or some such thing. They believe it their right to move freely and take their people from one place to another.”
“So as not to completely use up the resources of an area,” Will offered without thinking.
“Exactly. I’ve read about the Indians, Father. They are very mindful of the land’s ability to produce for them, be it fromthe animals on it or the plants that grow. I believe, given the fact that they’ve been around here for who knows how long, they know well enough how to maintain the grounds and animals for their benefit.”
Her father looked at her oddly. “You sometimes surprise me with your comments, Laura. I would never have expected such talk from you. I suppose that women’s college taught you this.”
