Chapter 25
Monday, October 27, 1890
Helena, Montana
The Cartwright Farm
Elinor buttoned her sacque coat over the day dress, wondering if she really needed it, or if she should just bring a shawl. She knew the sacque might get too warm on the ride back, but it was early yet, and she was sure the autumn chill would persist until mid-day. The sacque was shapeless and she wanted to look her best—it was her first time to Mrs. Yates’ sewing circle.
More than a month had passed since Emmett had come to stay. Elinor kept expecting him to leave at the drop of a hat, the way Gideon talked, but he hadn’t yet.
Gideon had held his tongue, and didn’t say a word when Emmett disappeared into town, and those mysterious trips had dwindled to maybe once per week. Gideon had also worked hard at not trying to convince Emmett to stay. Instead, he just accepted Emmett’s presence for the entire cutting, without making jokes, or pressuring him in any way.
The two men had worked together to bring in the final cutting in record time, and Gideon expressed his appreciation—it was the largest crop he’d brought in, and he was glad he hadn’t had to do it alone. Emmett had helped manage the hay stacking crew well, which had allowed Gideon the freedom to run the buckrake, without worrying that the stacking was done properly. The first stack had dwindled as local ranchers carted off huge wagonloads of it, until at last, the second enormous haystack was half-gone as well.
Even after the cutting, Emmett stayed on. He made noises about leaving all the time, eyeing Gideon with suspicion when he gave little reaction to the comments, and then following up with a glib remark about how difficult it was to leave such fine cooking behind.
Elinor was happy to have someone who took so much pleasure in her cooking—though her husband, too, had taken to complimenting her meals—and enjoyed Emmett’s mirthful demeanor and easygoing attitude. She did miss the quiet evenings at home with Gideon, which she had relished, and she knew he missed them, too.
Gideon often talked to her at night about how he could gently broach the subject of building his brother a small cabin near the house, without his brother feeling the need to take off. Emmett always accused Gideon of trying to yoke him into farming, and things were going so well, Gideon didn’t want to scare him off. So they endured the lack of privacy.
“Adelaide!”
Elinor heard her husband’s voice calling from outside. She longed, once again, to hear her own name on his lips. Perhaps if Emmett decided officially to stay, they could finally build a cabin for Emmett and have privacy again. Then she could work up the courage to tell Gideon the truth. Emmett kept them busy and entertained, so that Gideon hadn’t remembered that she had never answered his question about whether she had anything else she was hiding. Instead, they had become very close, and their marriage flourished as it never had before. Once cutting was over, he was true to his word, and came in earlier each day, whenever possible.
It was only the specter of being found out, and the guilt her deception produced, that cast a shadow on her happiness. If Gideon already knew the truth and had forgiven her, Elinor’s life would be perfect. A few times she’d had her confession ready on her lips, when Emmett was gone into town. But Gideon was so eager to take advantage of their time alone, that their bedroom door no sooner closed, then he made it clear that talking wasn’t in his plans for those evenings.
She decided to stick with the sacque, and avoid Gideon’s lecture on proper Montana traveling attire. She tied on a wool bonnet, then took her sewing kit and went outside.
Gideon waited in front of the house, holding a horse by the reins. “Emmett is saddling up his horse now. I’ve loaded one of the saddle bags with emergency supplies, in case the weather turns foul. There’s a blanket, a little food, matches, candles—”
“Really, Gideon, I’m going into Helena, not exploring unknown mountains with an Indian guide,” she chuckled. She could see how irritating his “mother hen” routine must have been to his younger siblings. Gideon touched her arm. “Adelaide, I’m serious. We’ll be heading into your first winter in Montana soon, and winter comes early here. We’re not likely to see more than a cold rain for a while yet, but you never know. I told you about that time it snowed in July.”
“I still think you’re pulling my leg.” Now I know why Emmett was so eager to get out on his own, as a boy.
“I’m not. That’s why Emmett is going with you.” He cast a glance back at the barn and lowered his voice. “I should just take you myself.”
“Nonsense. Once Emmett offered, you couldn’t very well tell him no, without insulting him, could you? Besides, we’ll be fine.” She handed her sewing box to Gideon, who slipped it into the other saddlebag.
“He’ll be bored,” Gideon said as he buckled the bag closed. “He won’t sit, waiting for you and Constance to get finished with your sewing circle at Mrs. Yates’ house. He’ll end up at the saloon.”
“We’ll be fine,” she repeated, “and so will he. You know he’s been to the saloon far less often, lately, and we’re taking horses as you asked, instead of the wagon, so you don’t have to worry about him insisting on driving. Worst thing that will happen is he’ll fall off his horse.”
“That’s not funny.”
“If Emmett falls off a horse, he’ll find a way to make it funny,” she tittered.
Gideon laughed, in spite of his grim mood. “True enough. I suppose he’ll keep himself in check, knowing he’ll be meeting up with you two ladies afterward.”
“That’s exactly what I think, too. So stop worrying. We have to go meet Constance. It’s too chilly a morning to leave her waiting by her gate.”
Emmett emerged from the barn leading his own horse. “Ready?”
“Almost,” Gideon said, and held Pepper’s reins for Emmett to hold.
Gideon moved to the side to help Elinor mount. Once she was atop her horse, she shifted so that she faced forward, but her legs draped to the left. Then she hooked her right leg up over the side saddle’s double pommel, and smoothed her dress so that the shape of her legs weren’t outlined.
Emmett flashed her a brilliant smile, and she noticed the change with astonishment. “You shaved your beard!”
“Of course. Couldn’t escort two fine ladies into town looking like I’m fresh off the claim, could I?”
“You look very fine, indeed.”
It was true—the handsome face she suspected lurked under the wiry whiskers was finer than she’d anticipated, with prominent cheek bones that highlighted his wide, light green eyes. With the scraggly beard gone, and his hair clean, his mop of brown-gold curls made him appear his true age of twenty-two, instead of the ten years older that he’d seemed when she first met him.
He has the same dashing looks as Gideon, alright. It’s a shame that they’ll be wasted on a bachelor miner’s life. She pushed such thoughts away. It was none of her business. “It’s a fine day for a ride, isn’t it?”
“Sure is, not a cloud in the sky. After a week of clouds, it sure is a sight for sore eyes. Let’s get a move on, we don’t want to leave Mrs. Pruett waiting.”
“Don’t work too hard dear,” Elinor warned. “There is a pot of stew keeping warm on the back of the stove that you can have for your dinner, along with a fresh batch of rolls cooling on the table. If you could just put them in the bread box when you come in for dinner, and serve yourself up some stew, that’s all you’ll have to do. You don’t even need to worry about supper, because I made plenty of extra rolls and stew to stretch for our supper…if you don’t mind the same meal twice, that is.”
“I don’t mind a bit.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
Gideon waved to them both before turning to head for the barn. Elinor and Emmett set out for the Pruett farm.
The sun warmed Elinor’s arm wherever the dark blue sleeve of the sacque was covering her, but her exposed face was quickly chilled in the frosty October morning air.
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After a few minutes, Elinor glanced over at Emmett. “You’ve been with us a while, now.”
“Have I?” He looked straight ahead.
“Yes. Over a month.”
He cast a glance at her. “Am I wearing out my welcome?”
“No, not at all. We both adore having you. I was just surprised you didn’t head back to your claim, before it got too cold to get much work done.”
“Already cold out in the mountains. Probably have quite a bit of snow out at Rimini.”
“Oh.”
They rode on another minute in silence. “Do you like it out there? At your claim? I mean…you don’t get…bored?” She had wanted to say “lonely”, but feared he would think she was trying to match him up with someone.
“Nope. It’s quiet. Let’s a man have a chance to think.”
“That’s a lot of thinking.”
“Yup.”
“And what do you think about…when you’re out there in the wilderness, surrounded by trees and wild animals?”
He shot her a serious look from under the brim of his hat. “I think to myself…I sure would like to have more friends out here than just the squirrels.”
He caught Elinor by surprise, as usual, and she burst out laughing.
Emmett joined in, and when their laughter had died away, he looked at the road ahead of them. “I know you think it sounds like a lonely existence—and it is sometimes. There are moments I’d give my right arm for someone to talk to, or a woman of my own to have at my side. Someone cooking for me, washing clothes, keeping things tidy…”
“Oh, you’re awful!” she giggled.
“Maybe I should find myself a mail order maid!” He grinned, and winked at her.
“Oh, Emmett, really!”
“No, but seriously, I’d be lying if I didn’t say there were times I could appreciate female companionship—of the friendly variety, I mean.”
“Emmett!” she chided.
“Sorry, ma’am.” He tipped his hat toward her in mock apology. “Didn’t mean to offend your delicate sensibilities.”
She should be irritated with him, but as usual, she forgot all about the impropriety of his words once he’d smiled. “If it’s so lonely out there, why do it? Why give up the comfort of a wife and family, for the hope of striking it rich? Is the wealth really such a draw?”
He thought a moment and shook his head. “No. Well…partly. But it’s also the serenity of life out there. There are other miners I can visit, but we all enjoy a lot of time to ourselves. I don’t think a one of us would last long on a mining claim if we didn’t. Obviously, my Pa was like that, lasting as long as he did, away from us.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I like my life out there. Being here with you and Gideon has been a pleasant change of pace, and it’s probably too late in the year to bother heading out to the claim—not when I can have a warm bed and home-cooked meals here.” He smiled at her. “But come spring thaw, I’ll be headed back out there. It’s where I belong.”
“You don’t think you belong with family?”
“Boy, you and Gideon are just two peas in a pod, aren’t you?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, family is nice. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a draw here—especially now that you’re here. After Ma died, it didn’t feel much like a family. It felt more like four kids just trying to get by, living alongside each other. Ma was the hub of our family wheel, so to speak. Once she was gone…well, the rest of us didn’t feel much like sticking around. But you…you’re a lot like my Ma. I mean, you’re very different, but you have the same gentle heart, the same sweet temperament, and you know how to be just nosy enough to get a fella to thinking, without driving him off,” he snickered.
“I’m sure that last part was intended as a compliment.” She arched an eyebrow in his direction.
“It was. Any comparison to our Ma is a very big compliment.”
“She sounds lovely, I wish I could have met her.”
“Me too.” He looked away, blinking rapidly. “You would have got along real well.” He cleared his throat. “And there she is,” he raised his voice, “how’s it going, Mrs. Pruett?”
Constance sat astride her horse, her full skirt tucked modestly around her legs. “Emmett Cartwright! I heard you were here visiting, but I’d never have known it if Adelaide didn’t tell me—I haven’t seen you come by a single time!”
“My apologies, Mrs. Pruett. I’m a wretched scoundrel that’s for sure.”
“You’d think I was nothing but a neighbor to you, instead of the woman that kept you supplied in baked goods for nearly a year!”
Emmett turned to Elinor. “Dear Mrs. Pruett did indeed keep us well-stocked in baked goods after Hattie left to get married. Our first year out here on the farm, Nina was a terrible baker—a fine cook, but a terrible baker—and if it weren’t for Mrs. Pruett’s baking lessons, my poor brother and I might have starved!”
“Oh, so you do remember,” Constance said as they pulled up alongside of her. She frowned in mock irritation. “I still haven’t heard you say you’re coming over.”
“I didn’t want to impose! I’ll come over anytime you like—and not just to sample your delicious baked goods, either. Even if you hadn’t baked a thing, I’d be happy to see that big, smile of yours. It always brightens one’s day.”
“Oh, you!” Constance blushed—a first, as far as Elinor had ever seen.
It amused her to see other people as affected by his charm and sense of humor as she was. She lamented, again, that he had such a wild streak. No decent woman would ever want such a man—and she shuddered to think of what kind of woman would fall for his handsome face and endless charm, when he would never offer marriage in return.
“Well, ladies, let’s get going. I don’t want to get an earful from Mrs. Yates about me making you ladies late. I’ve never been her favorite person.”
“No indeed,” remarked Constance, “not since you and your friend were at your horseplay outside church, and trampled her newly-planted flowerbed out front.”
Elinor gasped.
“It was an accident!”
“It was carelessness. But she forgave you anyway.”
“Did she forgive me when I got caught for setting the outhouse on fire?”
Constance threw him a look that was supposed to be stern, but failed miserably. “I’m sure she did, she’s a fine Christian woman. But I don’t think you’ll be invited over to dinner there any time soon.”
“Fine by me—I heard her apple cobbler pales in comparison to yours, Mrs. Pruett.”
“Well,” chimed in Elinor, “I’ve had Constance’s apple cobbler, so I don’t think any woman would find shame in knowing her cobbler didn’t measure up to Constance’s—it’s simply divine!”
They signaled their horses to move on down the road, all three of them laughing and chatting easily.
Elinor was looking forward to a fun morning free of work or responsibility. Her housework was caught up, dinner and supper was made, and she was finally getting a handle on the cooking and sewing. This might be the first day I’ve been able to fully relax since I’ve arrived, she thought. Things are finally falling into place.
Chapter 26
Emmett had said he had business to conduct at a few places in town, and that he’d meet them in front of the mercantile. Elinor was relieved to see he was waiting for them when she and Constance arrived after their sewing circle—she had worried Constance would have to witness him walking out of the saloon across the street.
“There you are. And how did the gossip circle go?” He leaned back and tucked something into his saddle bag.
“It’s a sewing circle, Emmett, and you know it,” chastised Constance. “We don’t engage in gossip, and the pastor’s wife surely wouldn’t tolerate it.”
“Sure…of course. I suppose none of you shared any news at all.” He could barely conceal his smirk.
“Well,” Constance looked toward Elinor, flustered, “news isn’t
the same thing as gossip. We didn’t share any news that was unflattering.”
“What’s that you have there?” asked Elinor, trying to deflect the attention off her embarrassed friend. “Is that a book?”
Color flooded Emmett’s cheeks.
He’s got his brother’s ability to blush. She couldn’t resist. “Emmett Cartwright, I didn’t take you for a reader! What book is it?”
“Why don’t you keep your mind on your own affairs, sis?”
“Come on, now! Share. What book did you buy?”
“It’s just a book on mining that I got from the library, alright? Nothing wrong with a fella improving himself, is there? Sheesh. You ready to go, or not?”
Maybe we don’t give Emmett enough credit. We assume when he goes to town, he’s going for drink. Clearly he has other interests, as well.
“Could we stop by the post office, first?” Constance asked. “I’d like to check for mail.”
“Oh, good idea, we’ve only been in town once since cutting was done.” Elinor was hoping she’d have a letter from Addie by now.
When they reached the post office, Emmett tied his horse to the rail, then each of the women’s horses as well. Then he came around to help Constance dismount.
“I do envy men’s ability to just step into a stirrup and swing a leg over their horses,” she said as she watched, “while we ladies are forced to seek the help of a man to mount, or find something tall to stand on. It’s quite unfair.”
“I didn’t even think of that—I should have escorted you both right to the Yates’ door.”
“Not at all.” Constance smoothed down her skirt. “Mrs. Yates’ oldest son usually stands by the door to help the ladies dismount—we’re not the only ones who rode in on horses instead of taking a wagon, today. You know, on rare occasions you’ll see women here in full, wide skirts who ride astride. I envy them, too, for the convenience of it. But the scandal of it deters me from the temptation.”
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