Alice said, “I am glad to be here.”
Dan said, “Bill after we get settled in, we will have you and Barbra out to the ranch for dinner.”
“Barbra would love that. Here comes your baggage.”
Bill helped the porter load the baggage into the buckboard and Dan added the two carpet bags. Everything was ready for Dan and Alice to leave; Bill and Dan shook hands and Alice gave him a hug and then Dan helped Alice into the seat of the buckboard, and they left.
Dan left the station and went north to 7th Street and turned west. They crossed the Trinity River and continued west on the Abilene Road. They talked as they traveled along. It wasn’t long before they reached the county road going south in the direction of the ranch. The road continued south until it reached the river crossing, then turned west. They crossed the Brazos River about mid-afternoon without any problems. Then turned south on the ranch road and turned west around the barn to the house.
As they approached the house, Dan slowed the team and said, “Hope you are not disappointed by your new home.”
“My home is with you, and the house looks inviting.”
They drove the buckboard up to the front of the house. Before Dan could get the team tied to the hitch rail, Tom and Bob were out of the house to help.
Dan said, “Tom, Bob this is my wife, Alice. Alice this is Tom Swanson the ranch manager and Bob Short our cook.”
Alice said, “I am pleased to meet you.”
Tom said, “I am very pleased to meet you, Alice.”
Bob said, “Pleased to meet you.”
Dan said, “It appears that you were expecting us.”
Tom said, “Bill Walker sent word that you would be here this afternoon.”
Dan asked, “Bob is the front room empty?”
“Yes, it is.”
Dan said, “Tom, can you and Bob put our baggage in the front bedroom, and I will show Alice the house.”
Tom said, “We can take care of that.”
Dan said, “Alice come with me.”
They went up the stairs to the porch and into the house. He showed her the parlor, dining room and kitchen, then he showed her the bedrooms.
He said, “The front bedroom is empty, so we can furnish it as we please.”
Alice turned him toward her and said, “I love you” and kissed him.
About the Author
Michael Skinner grew up in Texas,
but has traveled in New Mexico, Colorado,
Alaska and British Columbia
This book was inspired when he finished
breakfast at the Foster Hotel, Chama, New Mexico,
and walked out on the front porch and looked
across the street at the railyard for the
Denver Rio Grande & Western Railroad.
High Country Rescue Page 37