“I suppose I must continue to circulate and play hostess to our guests.” She smiled and gave a sigh. “Pray for me.”
Will nodded. “I can finally say with confidence that I will.”
Granite Evans was delighted by the number of prominent citizens attending his party, especially given the fact that the weather was cold and snow seemed impending. His only frustrations were the small size of the house and lack of a great room for dancing. The new house would have a third-floor ballroom to rival any home in Cheyenne. But little good that did him now.
Still, the people of Cheyenne knew he was an important figure. His department store was so successful that he was considering adding another floor next year. He had three warehouses full of goods to fill every inch of the new addition. It would be a wonder unlike anything west of the Mississippi. Then, of course, Granite had his investments, and they were doing quite well. It wouldn’t be long before he could forgo the stage and wagon robberies along the routes into Cheyenne. Underhanded dealings and thieving had gotten him to this place of success, but he certainly didn’t mean to continue with it forever. If his illicit activities were ever found out, he’d be taken off the president’s list of men to consider for the position of governor—or worse.
He made the rounds from one gathering of guests to another, pausing here and there to listen to the gossip and comments with keen attention to anything political. Secondto that were the comments given about Laura. He hadn’t come right out and said he was seeking a husband for her, but given that many on the list were widowers or single men, no one could have failed to realize his intention.
Throughout the evening, he also watched Laura as she moved among their guests. She was all graciousness and ease. She seemed to have a natural affinity for entertaining and small talk. Nothing seemed to cause her discomfort or distress. Such confidence was uncommon with most of the women Granite had known, with exception to the wife he’d lost.
Laura’s mother had been equally self-assured. She hadn’t had grand parties to host, but with the small responsibilities she faced, Meredith Evans had managed her duties with great skill. She had been the most beautiful and exceptional woman Granite had ever known. And now her daughter took that role.
“I wonder if I might have a word with you about your daughter.” The young man who approached him was one of Granite’s top prospects for Laura.
“Of course, Mr. Aldersgate. What did you have in mind?”
Will tested his walk while the doctor observed. Except for feeling a little off-balance now that the weight of the cast had been removed, he had no pain and felt just fine.
“There’s nothing wrong with me,” Will said, giving an abrupt turn to prove his point. “I do still have the occasional headache, but you said that would pass in time. I believe I’m back in good order for the most part.”
The doctor closed his bag. “I agree. Perhaps you’ll be able to dance a jig at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. I do hope,however, you’ll avoid the streets from now on, or at least the wagons and teams on them.”
“I can assure you I will be more observant. I’ve waited too long to enjoy this freedom. I won’t be eager to put myself back in the position of invalid very soon—if ever.”
“I’m glad it worked out well,” the doctor replied. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I must be on my way. I have a surgery to tend to at the hospital.”
They shook hands, and Will walked the doctor to the door. Outside, it was as if spring had come to Cheyenne and the world was made new. After a week of rain, the sun shone down from endless blue skies above, and there was a warmth to the air that was deceiving. A person could easily get caught up in the momentary turn of the weather and forget that it was barely the first week of March. There was always the possibility of late snow.
“A glorious day,” the doctor said, raising his free hand to the sky. “Hard to believe we could see an icy rain or snow before nightfall, but that’s the way of things in Cheyenne this time of year.”
“I was just thinking that very thing,” Will agreed. “Good luck with your surgery, and thank you again. I’ll be by tomorrow to pay my bill.”
“No need. It’s already been covered by Mr. Evans. He insisted, so if you have a problem with it, take it up with him.”
The doctor waved and moved off toward the street. The hospital wasn’t all that far away, so he’d come on foot and would return the same way. Laura had offered to take him back by carriage, but the doctor assured her he enjoyed the walk.
“I see you’re on your foot, bare though it might be,” Laura said, coming up behind Will.
“Oh!” He looked down. He hadn’t even realized or thought about the inappropriateness of parading around his host’s house without shoes. “I’m sorry for my thoughtlessness.”
Laura giggled. “It’s really not a problem.” She followed him as he made his way back to his room.
He went to the trunk where he kept his clothes. He rummaged around, looking for a matching sock. “I’ve been so used to only needing one sock and shoe, I’m not even sure where the other shoe has gotten off to.”
“It’s over here by the door. And the mate to the sock you’re wearing should be right there on top of your clothes.”
Will slowed down and realized he’d knocked it aside in his hurry to locate it. He pulled it from the trunk just as Laura returned with his shoe. He sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s going to feel so good to walk about once again.”
“I suppose this means you’ll be leaving us.” Laura handed him the shoe. She looked rather sad. “I will miss being able to just come here and talk to you about things.”
“Speaking of which, the doctor told me that your father paid my bill to him.” Will placed the shoe on the floor beside him.
“Yes. We discussed it, and Father felt that since I helped to cause the accident, he would cover the charges. Given the situation, I feel it’s only right.”
“As I’ve stated on many occasions, it was my own distraction that caused the accident. You could hardly know that I was going to step out into traffic.”
“Well, it’s done now, and you’re on the mend. I’m so grateful it wasn’t worse than it was. So what will you do next?” she asked.
