“No need. I have a woodworking shop behind my house. I’m sure you will find everything you need. Just come over when you’re up and around.”
“I would like to do that,” Will admitted. “It sounds like a perfect arrangement. I could work at Bradley’s during the day and then come over there in the evening.”
“What about your work with the Indians?” Charlie asked.
Will shook his head. “I had decided that I wasn’t cut out for it, but now I feel it’s such a part of who I am that I can’t refuse. Still, I’m not sure that it will ever happen. Mr. Blevins said he had to move forward, and he couldn’t wait for me to mend. I wasn’t sure if he meant emotionally or physically, but either way I knew I wasn’t going to get a job offer.”
“I’m sorry about that, Will,” Edward said. “I guess we have a lot to pray about.”
“Yeah,” Charlie said, smiling, “just because Mr. Blevins has given up on you doesn’t mean God has.”
“I know He hasn’t given up on me,” Will said with a sigh. “I’m just not sure what it is He wants me to do now. Granite Evans offered me a job, so that’s another possibility. I don’t know what I’d do for him, but at least I’m not without options. Hopefully, the Lord will make things clearer than they are now.”
14
Frigid temperatures settled over Cheyenne on George Washington’s birthday, but it didn’t deter the gathering of the socially elite at Granite Evans’s fine house. Laura had dressed carefully for the occasion, donning a pale-yellow silk gown. The bodice was somewhat lower than she cared for, but with a little lace strategically positioned, Laura felt presentable.
When the party first started, she stood at her father’s side and greeted each new arrival, commenting on how pleased she was to make yet another acquaintance in Cheyenne. She marveled over the ladies’ fashions and gave brief conversation to the gentlemen as her father declared their position or interest in the city.
Names like Whitehead, Kuykendall, Sloan, and Baker were given. Laura tried to memorize each person, but after the first ten or so found it impossible. Her father commented that most of the city council was there, along with the mayor. It was important to him that they attended. Everyone who had even a remote possibility of seeing him put into the governor’s seat was significant.
UlyssesS. Grant had won the presidential election the previous fall and would take office in just a couple of weeks. Andrew Johnson had been unable to appoint a territorial governor for Wyoming, and everyone now knew it would fall into the hands of Grant. The man was a Northerner, and it was anticipated that he would appoint someone who shared his political beliefs. Still, Laura had heard someone say that her father had friends who were of a Northern persuasion—friends who had contacted Grant as soon as he won the election to suggest Granite Evans as a perfect choice for the job of governor.
Her father acknowledged that it probably wouldn’t happen the first time around, but with any luck, he could prove himself in the next few years. It was even possible that Grant’s appointment would hate Wyoming Territory and give up his position. If that happened, Granite Evans intended to be available and well-known to the president.
“You look absolutely beautiful.”
Laura had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t seen Will approach on his crutches. She smiled and gave a nod at the dark navy suit he wore. “As do you.”
“Mrs. Duffy helped me with the trousers. She opened the seam, and once they were on, sewed it shut again. She said she’d help me tonight and cut it open once more.”
“She’s full of ideas.” Laura pointed to the lace at her neckline. “She helped me to be a little more modest tonight.”
Will motioned his head toward the alcove in the front room where a small string quartet was playing. “It’s wonderful that your father was able to find musicians of such quality.”
“I find Father usually gets what he wants. He arranged for them to come from Omaha on the train. Not that thereweren’t musicians already in Cheyenne, but he wanted to be able to boast about these men who once played in Canada for the governor-general.”
Will smiled. “Sounds like something to boast about.”
“Are you able to enjoy yourself at all?” she asked. “I know it must be hard to get around on crutches in a room full of people.”
He lost the smile and gazed out across the room. “It is difficult, but you and your father have been so gracious to me. It seemed only right that I honor you both. I hadn’t expected an invitation to the party, but to refuse would have been akin to snubbing those who rescued me.”
Laura shook her head. “I never would have seen it that way. I told Father it wasn’t right to expect you to attend, but I am glad you did. I feel that I have at least one friend here. Father wasn’t interested in inviting my other friends. He said this was to be a party of Cheyenne’s cream of society.”
“Well, that clearly leaves me out. But I’m glad to be that one person you can call friend.”
His reply stirred something within Laura’s heart. It seemed honest and perhaps even heartfelt. She hoped it was.
“You’re also the only single man in attendance who isn’t looking at me as if I’m a slab of beef to be purchased.” She shrugged and gave a laugh. “I’m hopeful that most here are men who prefer chicken or lamb and bypass me quickly.”
Will chuckled and shook his head. “Haven’t you heard? This is beef country. More cattle are being brought in every day.”
“Well, then maybe there will be so many prized animals that they’ll soon forget about me.”
“I doubt any are as charming, witty, smart, or beautiful as you. It would be impossible to forget you.”
Laura was touched by his words as they seemed to come with a deeper sentiment than mere teasing. Every day Will seemed to do or say something that endeared him all the more to her. What would she do when he was gone?
