Laura looked up to find the woman standing just across the table. She nodded. “Yes, eleven. We’ll serve them luncheon in here upon their arrival, then retire to the front room for our sewing.”
“Yes, Miss. Curtis has already set up the table and chairs.”
The anticipation of seeing her friends was the only thing Laura could find any joy in. Confusion was holding her hostage, and with her father already gone, she had no way to resolve the situation. Laura briefly considered going to the store to confront him but knew that would be inappropriate. She was upset, and her questioning would only serve to upset her father as well. It would keep. Her decision was further confirmed when Rosey brought her the paper.
“I thought you’d want to see it for yourself,” Rosey said. “The president didn’t pick your father to be the governor.”
Laura read the headline announcing John Campbell would be the first territorial governor of Wyoming. She knew her father would be livid, but it didn’t matter. She still had to get answers as to how he ended up with the necklace.
In the meantime, Laura decided to share the matter with her friends. Granny Taylor always said that sharing the load made it easier to carry, and Laura felt as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders. If she told the women about the situation, they would pray with her, and Laura knew that would offer comfort and peace of mind.
By eleven, everything had been prepared, and Laura had donned a simple but fashionable gown in which to receive her friends. Marybeth and Carrie arrived first. Carrie held a little basket and showed it to Laura like a prize.
“Dis is my sewin’,” she said with great pride.
“How nice,” Laura replied. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
“I’ve just started her on learning to sew a straight line. She’s always wanting to do everything I’m doing, and I figured before the baby arrived, it might suit us both if I started teaching her to stitch,” Marybeth said, placing her larger basket on the table by the door.
“I think you are very wise.” Laura helped Carrie take off her bonnet and little cloak. The child was very polite and cooperated in every way as Laura unfastened her buttons. Just as Carrie slipped out of the wrap, she whirled around and wrapped her arms around Laura’s neck.
“Tanks you.”
“Good girl, Carrie. It’s always good to thank someone when they help you,” Marybeth said as Laura battled not to topple over.
As Carrie let her go, Laura straightened. “It’s not any trouble. Here, let me assist you with yours.” Laura reached over and helped Marybeth with her cloak.
“I woke up feeling particularly huge,” Marybeth said, rubbing her stomach. “I think the baby is starting to drop.”
Laura looked at her swollen abdomen and nodded. “It does look that way, although Granny spends more time with you and would probably be able to judge that better than I.”
“I hope I’m half as wise as Granny is when I’m her age,” Marybeth said, reaching to take back her basket. “There isn’t anything she doesn’t know. At least I’ve not found it yet.”
“She’s probably delivered her fair share of babies over the years. I learned midwifery at college, but I’ve only helped deliver one baby.”
“That’s one more than me,” Marybeth replied. “I never thought of a school teaching such things.”
“They wanted women to have practical educations.”
Just then, a light knock at the door drew their attention. Laura quickly received her guests and found the others had come together.
“I’m so glad you’re all here.” Laura helped them inside. Once the coats, gloves, and hats were dealt with, she motioned them to the front room. “Everything is ready for us. Feel free to set up your place for sewing.”
“Miss Laura, luncheon is served,” Etta announced from the doorway.
“Well, perhaps just leave your baskets and we can set everything out after lunch.” Laura hadn’t expected the announcement quite so quickly, but when she glanced at the clock on the mantel, she saw they had already kept Mrs. Murphy waiting fifteen minutes.
“Tell Mrs. Murphy we will shortly be assembled in the dining room.”
The ladies made their way to the table, and as had happened before, Etta offered to take Carrie with her to the kitchen where she could eat separately and the mess would be easier to clean up.
“We saw that your father didn’t receive the appointment to governor,” Granny said.
“I’m sure it is a disappointment to him, but I haven’t had a chance to even see him this morning.” Laura shrugged and gave a little shake of her head. “Let’s pray.”
Prayers were offered up, and Laura waited until the soup course was served before saying anything about her troubled heart. She had intended only to ask the ladies to pray for her to have wisdom in dealing with a pressing matter, but Granny wouldn’t hear of such an abbreviated request.
“I knew from the minute I came through the door that something was troubling you, Laura. Why don’t you just share it with us while we eat?”
