“It shouldn’t take but just a few days. Your brother and his wife will need to sign the papers, but I’ll get it started.”
* * *
Denver…
Brett asked for an officer of the bank.
“Sir, I’m Wilson Stamford. I believe you asked for an officer?”
“Brett Williams, sir. My wife, Emma. I would like to convert this, please. Can you deposit it to the Wells Fargo in Helena?”
“Yes sir, I can, but if I may suggest, deposit with us and you can draw on it from your bank in Helena.”
“What would be the advantage to us?” Brett asked.
“Privacy. I would be the only person with knowledge of the transaction. Of course it would go on our books.”
“Sounds logical. I would like to open the account in the name of The Flying W Ranch, with signatories Bart Williams and Brett Williams. Is that possible?”
“Indeed it is, however, until we have the duly witnessed signature of both parties, only the opening partner could draw on the account.”
“But I can transfer funds from this bank to mine in Helena.”
“You can do that.”
“Can you take care of that? We intend to do some shopping, so I would like $500 of the funds now.”
“It will take some time to accomplish the transaction.”
“We’ll wait,” Brett said.
It took an hour for the transaction to be completed. When they left the bank, Emma asked, “How did you learn to do this?”
“Papa made sure we knew most of what we would need to know, since we would be running the ranch someday. We just didn’t expect it to be so soon. There’s a National Banking Act passed by Congress and Wells Fargo is part of the system. It’s under government oversight, so we only do business with a federal bank. There’s a lot of thieves in the state and private banks.”
“Now what are we going to do?”
We’re going shopping. You’re going to get some new dresses and frilly things, and so are Bart and I.”
She giggled. “You’re going to start wearing frilly things?”
“Why not? Let’s go shopping, and we’ll go home in the morning.”
“Sounds good to me,” Emma said,
Chapter eleven
We’re All Set
Bart met them at the train station. “How was the trip?”
“It was great,” Brett said. “I had it converted and we now have a little over seven thousand in the Wells Fargo Bank in Denver that we can draw on here. You’ll need to sign the signature card, have it witnessed, and mail it to the bank in Denver. I kept enough to go shopping for Emma and both of us. We can look halfway decent when we come to town now.”
“I loved Denver, but I was ready to come home,” Emma said. “I am a small town country girl.”
“I was successful too,” Bart said. “Instead of buying it, I filed claims on six sections. You need to go by the Land Office and sign the claims.”
“How did you do that?” Brett asked.
“Each of us, Emma included, filed a claim for one hundred sixty acres. The agent told me, we each can claim an additional one hundred sixty acres, but we have to put forty acres of each section in trees for ten years. I guess it’s to make up for all of the trees being cut. All told, we picked up close to a thousand acres that takes us right up to the Federal land.”
“You did well,” Brett said and clapped him on the back.
Why don’t we go by the Land Office and y’all can sign the papers today?”
“While we’re there, we can have him witness you sign the card for the bank and send that off,” Brett said.
“Your papa would be proud of you,” Emma said.
“I think he would too,” Bart said. “This is something we did, not something we inherited, and I’m proud of that.”
“Have you gotten any answers to your ad?” Brett asked.
“I haven’t checked since the day I went to the Land Office. We can stop in on the way home.”
The General Store…
“Silas, do you have anything for me?” Bart asked.
“That depends on which one you are. I have something for one of you.”
“I’m Bart.”
“I’ll get it.”
He returned with two letters which he handed to Bart.”
“Are you sure he’s Bart?”
“No, but if he isn’t, he broke the law. I’ll let you two sort it out.” Silas chuckled as he played along. “I don’t believe I have met this lovely young lady.”
“I’m Emma, and I’m married to one of these. I am one of the few that can tell them apart.”
“Nice to meet you. If there’s anything I can help you with, let me know.”
“I shall do that. Brett, I’m ready anytime you are.”
Anna Reeves entered the store as they walked out. “How have you been?” Emma asked.
“I’m well,” Anna replied. “Thanks for asking; and you? Are you keeping the twins out of trouble?”
“It’s been easy this week since I just had Brett to keep up with. We’ve been in Denver shopping. I don’t know what Bart’s been up to while we were away.
“We need to plan a time for you to come for a visit. It gets lonesome out there at times. There’s always Mrs. Crump, but our interests don’t lie in the same direction.”
Brett listened to the conversation and was startled when Emma said she was lonesome at times. I’m going to have to do something about that. “Hello, Miss Reeves. Nice to see you again.”
“Hi Brett,” she said, and turned her head to say hello to Bart. Her smile showed she could still tell them apart, and lit a sparkle in her eyes.
“Miss Anna,” Bart said.
“Mr. Williams. How did you find Denver?” she asked Brett.
“There was this huge iron machine that kind of followed some steel things on the ground. The man driving it seemed to know where he was going. When we were all finished, he turned it around and brought us back. It sure was better than trailing alongside a bunch of smelly cattle. That would have taken over two months.”
“You were lucky you found him.”
“It wasn’t hard. He has this house right down Last Chance Gulch. We just went there and waited till he showed up.”
The things I could tell you about travel would blow your mind. “I’d better get to work getting these things together for Letty,” she said. “Will I see you in church Sunday?” she asked Emma.
“Brett and I’ll be there,” Emma said. “I don’t know about him.” She nodded toward Bart.
“I’ll be there too,” he promised.
“I’ll look forward to seeing all of you then.”
Home…
“You didn’t read your letters yet,” Brett reminded Bart.
“No, but I’m going to after I take care of the horses.”
“You can help us get these things inside. Some of them are yours.”
“Leave mine in the carriage, and I’ll bring them in.”
He opened the letters in the barn. He ruled one letter out because she was eight years older than he was. The other didn’t sound too bad, but he had another girl on his mind.
“You can read them if you like,” he said and tossed the letters on the table. “Neither of them appealed to me.”
Brett picked both of them up. “I can see why this one didn’t catch your interest, but what’s wrong with the other?”
“Nothing’s wrong with it, I just don’t think I’m interested.”
“There’s something you should think about,” Brett said. “You ran the ad saying you were looking for a wife. These ladies are not likely as well off as you are, and can probably not afford to waste money on postage when there’s no hope for them.”
“You’re putting your feelings on the line when you answer an ad,” Emma told him. “Getting no answer can be hurtful. The one letter is obviously looking for someone with material things she can latch onto. The other is pretty impersonal and doesn�
�t say anything about her circumstances. Did you happen to read my answer to Brett’s?”
“No, I didn’t ask and he didn’t offer.”
“Basically, I gave my age, and height, and said I was considered nice looking. I also told him I was looking for marriage and there were no candidates where I lived because of the war. I didn’t ask about what he had, but said that I would like to hear about him. I gave him a reason to write back. Neither of these did that. You want my opinion?”
“I’m almost afraid to ask,” Bart replied.
“I’ve met her twice counting today, but I feel like Anna is a good woman, and I like her. She is a beautiful girl, and has a nice personality. She has a sense of humor. I get the idea she would be fun to be around. Letty said she’s had a hard time of it and to me that means she’s probably vulnerable. That’s not an encouragement, by the way. Try to get to know her.”
“Are the two of you conspiring to match me up?”
“What if we are? You’re family and family looks out for each other,” Brett said.
“You know what? I think I’ll go look for some more gold.”
“Don’t forget, you promised to be at church Sunday,” Emma reminded him.
“I did, didn’t I? I guess I’ll just have to go to church.”
Chapter twelve
Discouraged
“What’s the matter, Anna?”
“I went through several years of therapy after the train accident, and finally thought I had put it behind me, but the earthquake and not knowing what happened to my parents is getting me down. I don’t believe I’ll ever get back, but how do I know if this is going to be the end of it?”
“I can’t answer that for you, but I believe God has a plan for all of us. It’s not always what we want or expect, but it is His plan. Your being here is a part of the plan. I also believe He will never send us more than we can handle. If you are meant to go back, then you will, if not, this is your new life, and you should embrace it to the fullest. I shouldn’t run on like this. Jack is the preacher and I’m just the piano player and mother.”
“Letty, you’re the sweetest, most caring person I’ve ever met. In either world. Thank you.”
Sunday…
“Do you mind if I sit here?” Bart asked.
“Not at all. Maybe you can help me keep Carrie under control.” She broke into an open friendly smile; Bart thought the sanctuary had suddenly brightened because of it. “Actually, she’s a good kid. She’s just very curious and wants to explore everything.”
“That’s what Mama said about Brett and me.”
“I can see why… Two toddlers at the same time would feed off each other. A friend of Mom’s told us her second child didn’t double her work, it quadrupled it.”
The opening hymn started and they turned their attention to the front. Carrie climbed on Bart’s lap, settled in, and soon fell asleep. Anna offered to take her, but he shook his head. “She’s fine.”
At the end of the service, Letty came down to claim her daughter. “Will you just look at that? She’s used to being around a lot of people, but I’ve never seen her take to someone like that.”
“She knows a nice person when she sees one,” Bart said.
After Letty took Carrie and left, Bart said, “Anna, a new opera house has just opened, and they’re doing Hamlet. I would like to see it with you.”
“I don’t know. I don’t know if I have anything suitable. I’ll ask Letty what’s proper.”
“This is Helena, we’re not fancy here.”
“Then you’ve been there before?”
The Langrishe just opened a month or so ago, and I haven’t been there yet. Brett just bought us some new things in Denver, and I need to show them off.”
“Is what you’re wearing new?”
“Yep. First time.”
“It must be nice having someone the same size and everything. It would be like having two wardrobes.”
“Or having one split one between two people,” he said grinning.”
“I guess that is true too.”
“If you’re uneasy about going alone with me, I’ll ask Emma and Brett to go.”
“It’s not that,” she said. “It’s just…” She made up her mind. “What time does it start?”
“Seven. I could call for you at six and we could have supper, or I can pick you up at six thirty.”
“Six is fine. Thank you for asking. I’ll look forward to it.”
“As will I. I see Brett and Emma are in the carriage, and I hate to keep them waiting, so I will see you Saturday at six.”
“I saw you sitting with your girlfriend,” Emma said on the way home.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he protested. “I was just sitting next to her.”
“I was talking about the one on your lap,” she said.
He laughed. “You got me that time. She just crawled up there and went to sleep.”
“Do you like kids?”
“I never thought about it before, but I guess I do. Someday, I hope to have a couple of my own. Before you ask the question, I asked Anna if it was all right to sit next to her. I also asked if she would like to see the play on Saturday at the new theater.”
“And?”
“At first, she was concerned she might not have anything appropriate, but I told her we’re not fancy here, so she decided to go. We’ll have dinner first and then go.”
“Good for you. I hope you enjoy it.”
“Thank you, Emma. I’m sure we will.”
“I was lucky with Emma,” Brett said. “Not everyone winds up with a jewel the way I did. I like her.”
“I like Emma too,” Bart said.
* * *
The Owens’ House…
“I’m going to a play with Bart Williams Saturday evening,” Anna told Letty.
Letty’s smile broadened in approval. “I’m glad. It will do you good to socialize a little. You haven’t had any fun since you came.”
“In my time, unless it was in college, Mom dressed up for something like this play.”
“No one in town has a dress as pretty as the one you have. Wear it, and you’ll be the belle of the ball.”
“You think it is appropriate?”
“I think it is entirely appropriate, and you’ll be the envy of every woman there. I’d be surprised if you don’t get asked where you purchased it, so you might have an answer ready.”
“I don’t want to lie about it,” Anna said.
“You don’t have to. Just say you got it at a small shop and if they ask more, just say it’s not in Helena. You might add ‘yet’, but I wouldn’t worry about it. It would be the complete truth.”
“You are a sneaky person.”
“The Lord helps those who help themselves,” Letty said with a feeling of confidence she was doing the right thing.
Saturday…
“I’m here for Anna,” Bart told Jack when he answered the door.
“I’m pretty sure she’s ready,” Jack said. “Come in and have a seat. I’ll tell her you’re here.”
When Anna walked into the room, Bart’s jaw dropped. “I was not ready for this.”
She frowned. “You don’t think it’s appropriate?”
“That’s not it at all. I have never seen anyone as beautiful in my life. I… I can’t find words to describe it. You’re going to make me look like a sheep herder.”
Her heart sang with delight at the praise. “Thank you.”
“I should have brought my handgun.”
“Why?”
‘When the men see you, I’m going to have to fight them off. It would have been easier if I could just shoot them.”
“I’m ready whenever you are,” she said.
“I’d be happy to just sit here and stare at you.”
“You’re going to turn my head with all this flattery.”
“I wouldn’t want to do that. Let’s go have dinner.”
The Cosmopolitan Hotel Restaurant…
“Emma asked me if I did. I never thought about it before, but I guess I do. I would like to have some of my own someday.”
“You think you would be a good father?”
“Well, I had a very good example. Papa was strict with us but fair. He made sure we knew how to do the important things, but we never doubted he loved us.”
“You say we. You are speaking for Brett too?”
“It’s a funny thing. I don’t know whether all twins are this way, but we know what each other is thinking most of the time. I went off for several days a while back and didn’t tell anyone where I was going. Emma got worried and made him look for me. He knew right where I was.”
“That wasn’t very thoughtful of you was it?”
“It wasn’t and I apologized for it. We’re fine now. Enough about me. Tell me about yourself.”
“There are some things I don’t want to share, but I was an only child. I grew up right here and went to college, and have been trying to figure out what I’m going to do.”
“Have you? Figured it out I mean?”
“Not yet. It may take some time. Things are sort of confusing right now.”
“I’m a good listener, so anytime you want an ear let me know.”
“I just noticed the time, hadn’t we better get going or we’re going to miss the opening?” she asked.
“You’re right. We had better go.”
Chapter thirteen
A Pleasant Evening
After the play…
The parsonage was dark when he walked her to the door, save for a small lamp in the living room. “It has been a lovely evening, Bart. I enjoyed it very much,” Anna said. “Thank you for asking me.”
“You made it perfect for me by accompanying me. I would like to see you again,” he told her.
“You will if you’re at church tomorrow.”
“That’s not what I meant, but I will be there. Will you save me a seat?”
“I shall do that very thing. Goodnight, and thanks again.”
Belle of the Ball: A Historic Western Time Travel Romance (An Oregon Trail Time Travel Romance Book 2) Page 5