“Thank you, Miss Evans.”
“Call me Laura.”
“And you call me Etta.”
Laura stopped long enough to look the housekeeper in the eye. “I will, Etta. No matter what, I hope you know I will endeavor to be a good friend to you. Times are changing, and I believe it is possible to be friends with the people who work for you, and frankly, I need friends.”
Etta picked a piece of lint off Laura’s sleeve. “Well, then you have one in me.”
“Thank you. Already, I feel better.” Laura took up her Bible and purse and hurried downstairs. She was adjusting her hat when she heard the Vogels pull up outside.
Father was nowhere to be seen, so she pulled on her cloak and headed out to meet the Vogels. Mr. Vogel was already on the ground by the time she reached the carriage.
“Thank you so much for the ride,” she said as he handed her up. “I’m quite excited to visit your little church.”
“We’re glad to have you. It’s a very welcoming church, and I think you’ll enjoy the services. Our pastor is rather new. You may have heard of Dr. Scott who started us out, but he’s moved on, as has Reverend Allen. But Reverand Cather does a very nice job.”
“This is our daughter, Carrie,” Marybeth said. “This is Miss Evans, Carrie. Say hello.”
Laura smiled at the little girl. “You are the cutest little pixie, Miss Carrie.”
“I’m free.”
“Free?” Laura looked to Marybeth for an explanation.
“She means three. She’s almost three years old. Her birthday is coming up on the thirtieth, and she’s only too aware of it. I suppose that is all my doing, but I can’t help but be excited about it.”
“Well, I hope you have a very happy birthday. I love birthdays.”
Carrie snuggled closer to Marybeth. “You come to my birfday, please.”
Laura laughed. “That would be delightful.”
“We are planning a little party, and you would be very welcome. We’ll have supper and then cake. Wednesday evening at six.”
“I’ll send word tomorrow if I can make it.”
Marybeth nodded and put her arm around Carrie. Carrie patted Marybeth’s abdomen. “My mama have a baby.”
Edward got the carriage moving as Laura responded, “I didn’t know you were expecting.”
“I am. Mrs. Decker is as well. We’re both due in April.”
“Congratulations! How exciting.”
“We’re pleased to be sure. Melody is absolutely convinced we’re having boys. I’m not sure why, but she feels very confident of the matter.”
“Well, no matter, I’m sure you’ll welcome either boy or girl and be happy for it. I wish you the very best.”
“Thank you. By the way, how is your father doing?”
“Well. He’s very busy,” Laura answered, hesitating to explain further. She’d hardly seen him since arriving in Cheyenne and wasn’t at all sure what he was up to or when they might have more time together.
“Be sure and invite him to come to the party too,” Marybeth said, shifting Carrie. The child was too excited to sit still.
“I will, but as I said, he’s very busy. He’s had so many meetings.”
“He wants to be governor, as I hear it,” Edward threw in. “I think he’d probably make a good one. Folks around here admire him. He’s been quite generous to the community.”
