The older of the two had striking blue eyes, with crow’s feet in the corners of his eyes from extended time in the sun. He extended his hand. “Josiah Barnes, Mr. Fenton. This is my son Thomas.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Fenton,” the young man said in a rich baritone voice. He was a shade over six feet tall; lean, with dark black hair touching the collar of his denim shirt.
“We’re in need of some supplies,” the first man said. “I have a list here.” The paper fell from his hand, fluttered to the floor and landed on Abby’s foot.
Thomas bent to retrieve the paper as she stepped back. When he stood, he bumped her shoulder. “Excuse me, Miss,” he said. “My clumsiness is exceeded only by my bad manners. I’m Thomas Barnes.”
“It’s quite all right, Mr. Barnes. No harm done.”
He handed Fenton the list, and turned back to Abby. “If I had known there was such a lovely girl in Fort Laramie, I would have made it a point to come in more often.”
“I only arrived recently. I’m Abby Sanders. Are you from here?”
Flustered by her attention, he ran his finger around the inside of his collar. He removed his hat. “I guess. We have a ranch about fifty miles south of here, but we come here for supplies”
“That is a goodly distance to travel just to go to the store.”
“It’s the closest place around, so you do what you have to do and try to get enough to last.” He turned his hat in a circle holding the brim with his fingers. “I’d better get back to helping Pa. A pleasure meeting you, Miss Sanders.” He backed up and stumbled over the stack of bags of beans and went to the floor.
Amusement twinkled in Abby’s green eyes as a smile played on her lips. He recovered, and said, “I told you I was clumsy.”
“You did, but it wasn’t necessary to prove it. I believed you… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. My mother always said I talk too much.”
“Perhaps I’ll bump into you again. We’re going to be here a couple of days.”
“Perhaps. With your admitted clumsiness, you’ll probably wind up in the hospital and I’m going to be working there,” her smile showed the intended humor. “Nice meeting you, Thomas.”
“You too.”
“He seems like a nice young man,” Cora said.
“He did.”
“He liked you. Does he live nearby?”
“He said he lives on a ranch about fifty miles from here, and they came in to get supplies.”
“At least he’s not just passing through on the way to Oregon or California.”
Chapter eight
Thomas
“That’s a right pretty girl,” Josiah said.
“I didn’t pay that much attention. I was too busy stumbling around and bumping into things,” Thomas replied.
“Your ma bothered me that way when we first met. Does she live here?”
“She’s living with the doctor and his wife, and working in the hospital.”
“It’s a shame she’s not closer to us, since we only get in here every month or two.” Josiah said.
“As pretty as she is, she’s going to have the officers standing in line.”
“You can get in line. You never can tell what might happen.”
“Pa, why would she ever settle for a cowboy when officers in their fancy uniforms are around?”
“If you don’t say anything, you don’t get heard. I’m just saying.”
Later that day…
Cora saw the cowboy enter the hospital. He stood in the entrance, looking around nervously, pondering what to do. He made up his mind and started to leave. “Is there something I can help you with? Mr. Barnes, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, ma’am. I met Miss Sanders in the general store earlier today. I would like to speak to her if possible.”
“Wait here and I’ll see if she’s busy.
“Abigail, that handsome young man from the store is here, and wants to talk to you.”
“He wants to talk to me? Whatever for?”
“He’s a boy and you’re a pretty girl, it all makes perfect sense to me,” Cora said. “He’s pretty nervous, so don’t torture him by making him wait, go on.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Hello again. I didn’t expect to see you so soon,” she said.
“I, uh, I was thinking… What I’m trying to say is I was wondering if you might take a walk with me, and maybe we could stop at the café and get something to eat? If I’m being too forward, I apologize.”
“Are you asking me to have dinner with you?”
“I shouldn’t have come here,” he said. “I’m sorry if I offended you. I’ll just… I won’t bother you again.” He turned to leave.
“I haven’t been here very long, but is it a custom here to ask a girl to dinner, and leave before she has a chance to answer?”
“No, ma’am. I mean I don’t know. I’m just a cowboy, and I’ve never asked a girl to dinner before.”
“Thomas, I would love to have dinner with you, on one condition; you have to quit calling me ma’am. My name is Abigail or Abby, whichever you prefer.”
“I’m glad, Abigail. What time?”
“You’re the man, and you asked me. Tell me what time, and I will be ready.”
“It gets dark early, so would five o’clock be okay?”
“Are you afraid of the dark, Thomas?” she asked, teasing him.
“No ma… I’m not afraid of the dark, I just didn’t know if it would be seemly to be out past dark.”
“Five is good,” she said. “I’ll see you then.” He turned to leave and she said, “Thank you for asking me, Thomas.”
He floated out of the hospital, a foolish smile on his face and went back to his camp.
“Did you go see her?” his father asked.
“I did. I’m going to pick her up and she’s going to have dinner with me.”
Josiah thumped him on the back. “Good for you, boy. Wait until your ma hears about this. She’s going to be tickled pink.”
“Don’t make too much of this, Pa. We’re going home tomorrow, and I’ll probably never see her again.”
“If it’s meant to be, then you’ll see each other again.”
That evening…
Abby was waiting when he arrived. “It’s nice to see someone that’s prompt.”
The fort was teeming with settlers. A fifty-wagon caravan had stopped on their way to Oregon and Sacramento to replenish their stock of flour, sugar, and salt. In three days they would leave, off to tackle the mountains.
“Did you come on the Oregon Trail?”
“I did. Pa and I walked most of the way. Mama walked a good bit, but she rode some. It was tough on the women folks.”
“It sounds as if it was hard for everyone,” Abby said.
“I guess it was. When we set out, we were going to Oregon, but this was as far as we got. Pa homesteaded some land and so did I when I was old enough. Pa bought more, and we bought some cattle. We have a nice sized herd now. We went to Denver a while back and bought some more to add in with what we had. We are mostly selling to the Army now. When the railroad gets here, we’ll start shipping them to the East. Since the end of the war, it’s been picking up.
Just listen to me chattering like a magpie.”
“Was your father in the war?”
“No, thank the Lord. Ohio didn’t have much involvement early on, but we heard tell they started mandatory conscription after we left. We got here in 1862 just in time to take advantage of the Land Donation act.”
“The war was a terrible thing, for the country. A lot of good people had their lives cut short,” she said.
“Where did you come from?”
“Near Columbus.”
“We were almost neighbors then. We came through Columbus.”
Abby’s experience with the wagon train that lasted nearly two weeks had given her a feel for life on the trail, so she decided not to ask about his time with the wagons. “What’s your ranch like?”
“
Our closest neighbor is about five miles away. The railroad will be coming through there in the next year or so. Right now it’s a big collection of tents for the workers. There’s a sutler, but he works out of his wagon and doesn’t have a lot, which is why we have to come here for supplies.”
“Do you have brothers or sisters?”
“Just me. Ma and Papa wanted more, but it never happened. We have a big old house and no one to put in it.”
“What’s your mother’s name”
“Sophie. Her real name is Sophronia, but she’s mostly called Sophie. Papa is Josiah.”
“What’s it like living on a ranch?”
“We get up early, and make sure there’s water for the animals in the barn, as well as fresh hay. We milk the cows, and after we’re done with that, Ma usually has breakfast ready. Then it’s out to take care of the herd. If it’s stormy, we stay with them to try to keep them from spooking.”
“What’s spooking?” she asked.
“Stampeding. If one starts running, they’ll all start and scatter all over hell’s half acre. Then you have to spend a couple of days rounding them back up.”
“It sounds exciting.”
“I guess you could say that, but it’s dangerous as all get-out.”
“Why so?”
“If they start running, the only way to stop them is to get out in front, and turn the leaders. You do that, by getting in close and making them turn and run themselves out. They’ll run over anything in their way, so if your horse goes down, you’re both dead.”
“Have you ever been involved in one?”
“Not in the past two weeks.”
She put her hand on his arm and sent waves of heat racing up to his shoulder and spreading out. He liked the warm touch and made no effort to move his arm. “That must have been scary.”
“It scared me, just like it always does. If it doesn’t, there’s something wrong with you. That’s enough of me talking; tell me about yourself.”
Chapter nine
About Me
“I’m an only child, just like you, only I was born and raised near Columbus. My father is an attorney. I went to college. I was engaged to be married in June.”
“What happened?”
“I called off the wedding after I found him with someone from his office.”
“Does that mean what I think it means?”
“Probably.”
“He was a fool,” Thomas said. “Doing something like that when he’s about to marry a fine woman such as yourself. Out here, something like that will get you shot.”
“That would be a waste of a bullet. Let’s talk about something else, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. I apologize. It was none of my business. We’re leaving tomorrow morning. I wish we were going to be staying longer. I’m enjoying your company.”
“I am too. How is it you’re not married? You’re not are you?”
His face turned crimson. “I’m not. There isn’t an unmarried woman within fifty miles of the ranch. Look around the fort. You won’t see many here either. This area was settled mostly by miners. Unmarried miners. I’ve heard tell some of them have advertised for wives from back East. Mama said I should find out about it.
“Miss Sanders, it’ll be a month or so before we’ll be coming back. Will you still be here?”
“I honestly don’t know.” She looked in her lap at her trembling hands. “This is so embarrassing. I don’t know how I got here. I was found in the middle of the trail by Mr. Watson, who’s a wagon master. I had nothing except what I was wearing. I traveled with them several days until we met some wagons returning home. Mr. Watson arranged for them to bring me here. Even the dress I’m wearing belongs to Mrs. Turner. They were kind enough to take me in and let me work in the hospital.”
His forehead was wrinkled; his face had a pained expression. “I don’t understand any of that.” His expression turned to one of shock and concern.
“I don’t either. I’m living it, and I have no idea of what is going to happen next. Thomas, don’t look at me like that. I’m not asking for pity or anything. I’m firm in my belief that something good will happen.”
“You’re mistaking concern and sympathy for pity. I simply cannot help but feel sorry for someone in your situation. It is not pity.”
“My mother said the same thing. I had better get back to the doctor’s quarters. They will be wondering what happened to me.”
“I’ll walk you back.”
At the doctor’s quarters…
“I appreciate you listening to me,” she said. “This has been one of the nicest evenings I’ve had in a long time, and I enjoyed it. Very much.”
“Would you mind if I write to you? I’ve never written or received a letter, but I would like to know how things are going. It will be at least a month, maybe longer before we’re up this way again.”
“I’d like that. I don’t know if I will be able to answer, though.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “Good night, Thomas. Thank you for a very pleasant evening and a nice dinner.”
“It was my pleasure. If I don’t see you again, meeting you has been one of the best times for me.”
She watched him from the entrance to the quarters as he made his way to the gate. That is a nice man. I wonder if I could be considered kin to him? I don’t see how, since I haven’t been born yet. A rueful smile momentarily appeared on her face. She sighed and went into the quarters.
“Did you have a nice time, dear?” Cora asked.
“It was very nice. He’s a good young man; an only child like me. I wish he lived closer. He wants to get married and his mother has been pushing him to look into mail-order-brides.
“They came out from Ohio in 1862, which would have been right after the war started. I think they started conscription later that year.
“He was really sweet. Said he’d never written a letter before, and wanted to know if he could write to me. Of course I said yes, but told him I had no idea what the future held for me. I came close to telling him my story, but decided against it because I didn’t want him to feel sorry for me. I can design highways, or build bridges, but none of those skills will help me make my way here. I hate to have to depend on the charity of others.”
“Don’t worry about that with us. You’re earning everything you get.”
“It’s kind of you to say that, but I keep hoping this is a dream and I’ll wake up at Grandma’s and everything will be normal.”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“No, if it were, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. What I knew as Laramie is a tent city for railroad workers. Thomas says the railroad will be there in less than a year.”
“There’ll be a lot less wagons passing this way when that happens,” Doctor Turner said.
“Do you think they might shut this fort down?” Abby asked.
“No, we’re still responsible for the settlers in this area, and Fort Bridger is too far away to assume the responsibility.
“If you’re worried about staying here, don’t be. As long as we’re on the post, you have a place and a job here if you want it,” Doctor Turner told her.
The next morning…
Hat in hand, Thomas entered the hospital. Abby saw him standing at the door, “Hello,” she said. “I thought you were leaving this morning. I didn’t expect to see you.”
“I didn’t expect to be here, but I just wanted to tell you goodbye.”
“Thank you, Thomas. I appreciate it, and I’m glad you came. Be sure to stop in the next time you’re up this way, and don’t forget, you promised to write. How long will it take you to get home?”
“The most part of two days. We’ll be home tomorrow before dark. I have to go, Papa’s waiting.”
“Goodbye, Thomas.” Her smile lit the room and captured his heart.
Chapter ten
Life in Fort Laramie
Doctor Turner prevailed on Colonel Hays to employ Abby a
t the hospital assisting Cora. The stipend was small, but she did have room and board. Cora was teaching her to sew and she had purchased fabric from the store. She began to make dresses and underthings. The sewing and her work at the hospital left no time for anything else.
The few young unmarried officers at the fort soon learned she was living in the doctor’s quarters and began paying attention to her, asking her to dinner and to the Commanding Officer’s Ball. She refused the invitations, as she remembered the cowboy from the area she called Laramie.
Two weeks later…
At the dinner table, Cora said, “I have a surprise for you. This came today.” She handed Abby an envelope. “I do believe this is from that nice young cowboy you met a while back.”
Abby laid it on the table by her plate. “I’ll save it for later,” she said, behind the blush in her cheeks.
After she cleaned the dinner dishes, she went to her room and read the letter. A warm feeling crept over her when the face of the handsome young cowboy filled her mind.
Dear Miss Sanders,
I want to start by thanking you once again for having dinner with me. Pa has accused me of daydreaming and said he was afraid I would fall off my horse if my mind didn’t catch up with what I was supposed to be doing. He was smiling when he said it.
Our trip back to the ranch was uneventful. We spent the night in a grove of cottonwoods near the river, and I had a sound sleep, dreaming of our dinner together. I hope you don’t think I’m being forward, but it was the first time I’ve had dinner with a girl and it was special to me.
Papa told Ma about our having dinner. She was pleased and wanted to know all about you. I told her what little I know.
I guess you think it’s silly of me to go on about someone I’ve only known for a day and five minutes, but I assure you it is permanently written on my brain.
I’ll close for now, and take this over to tent city so it can get into the mail. I have no idea how long it will take, since I’ve never done anything like this before. If you can find the time from your responsibilities and are of a mind to, I would like to hear from you. Pa says if you address it to me at the Bar B Ranch, Laramie, it will make its way to us.
Romance in Time: An Oregon Trail Time Travel Romance Page 4