“I do, indeed, and it would appear my money was well spent in seeing to your education. I’m pleased that you have retained so much information.”
“It might surprise you to know that I can read and write Latin and Greek, and I am fluent in French.” She shrugged. “I can also speak a bit of Italian and German, as I picked those up in our travels through Europe.”
He chuckled. “A well-rounded scholar to be sure.”
Laura smiled. “It kept my mind occupied and saved me from being too lonely for home.”
The carriage came to a stop, and rather than respond to her comment, Father exited quickly and let Mr. Grayson help Laura down.
She looked up at the wide storefront. The beautifully designed sign atop the wooden building proudly announced the department store.
“Of course, this is soon to change. This entire block is owned by me, and I am arranging for everything to be done up in brick. I have a shipment of bricks due to come in spring, and a construction crew contracted to begin building in March. This is going to be quite the place. Now, come inside and see what we have. I believe you’ll be pleased.”
Laura followed her father. He was obviously happy withall that he had created, and she didn’t want him to think her anything but supportive.
Inside the store, Laura noted the abundance of light. Lamps were situated throughout the floor on overhead posts and arranged so that optimal benefit could be had below. Her father had arranged a variety of departments where all manner of things could be had. Most all were of interest to women, with one section furnishing intimate apparel and another perfumes, powders, lotions, and soaps. There was a department for ready-made clothing and another for hats and shoes. It was quite impressive.
“I’m surprised that you’re open on Saturday,” Laura said as she took it all in.
“Just half a day. There are many women who prefer to shop today rather than during the week. I try to accommodate them, and it has paid off in a most beneficial way. Saturdays are a valuable revenue day for the store.”
He pulled her along. “We have a salon in the back where our customers can sit and rest, even take tea. There are, of course, other stores that offer ready-made clothes and household supplies, but I offer everything under one roof—and of the highest quality,” her father announced. “Come and meet some of my staff.”
He led her to a counter where three women clad in black skirts and white blouses waited to help customers. Her father gave a quick introduction to the trio. Laura tried to memorize their names, but her father insisted on moving her on to yet another part of the store before she could speak to them.
Laura was rather relieved when one of the women she’d met approached him about a problem with one of the shipments and Father’s attention was needed.
“I’ll just look around the store,” Laura told him. “You go ahead and see to business.”
He seemed annoyed but nodded and left with the woman. Laura took a deep breath and glanced around the building. It was far more impressive than she’d imagined it to be. She was surprised by what her father had created but then chided herself for feeling that way. She really knew very little about him beyond what she could remember from childhood and his correspondence over the years.
Two women were walking down the main aisle as Laura rounded the corner. They were laughing about something and seemed to be having a wonderful time together. She smiled as they approached.
“Good morning, ladies,” she said, feeling obligated to greet the customers.
“Good morning,” the woman on the right replied. The other nodded and offered her hello as well.
Laura gave a nervous laugh. “This is my father’s store.” She wasn’t sure why she made that comment. It seemed completely out of place now that the words were out of her mouth.
“How wonderful. We love shopping here.” The woman on the right said. She extended her hand. “I’m Melody Decker. This is my dear friend Marybeth Vogel. You’re new to Cheyenne, aren’t you?”
There was an unexpected and immediate connection between the three women. Laura shook the woman’s hand and nodded. “I arrived just shortly before Christmas. I’m to make my home here with my father.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Melody said. “Do you yet have a church to attend?”
“No. I was hoping to find one.” She glanced over her shoulder, uncertain what, if anything, she should say about herfather’s lack of attendance. She looked back at Melody and Marybeth and shrugged. “Have you one to suggest?”
“Our church is quite satisfying. We attend the Methodist church. Currently, we meet at the school on Sunday evenings. We would love for you to join us for services. We meet at seven. You and your father would be very welcome.”
“I’m afraid my father would be too busy to join me.” She hoped they wouldn’t question her on the matter. Laura had no desire to dishonor him in any way.
“We could come by to pick you up,” Marybeth offered. “My husband won’t mind at all.”
“Or we could. Perhaps we could take turns,” Melody said, looking to Marybeth. The woman nodded.
“I would like that very much, especially given it’s at night. Why are the services in the evening?”
Marybeth took on this question. “We share the school building with another church. Their services are in the morning. We have quite a few in our congregation now. We were the first church to organize in Cheyenne, but alas, we weren’t the first to construct our own building. We’re hoping to get started next year. It’s just the matter of raising the money.”
