13
Lexa and Sammy could do nothing but stare at Travis Buchanan that evening, and Danny blushed to the roots of her hair every time he glanced in her direction. Eddie had never seen her sisters behave this way. She had exchanged more than one amused glance with Robert as well as Travis.
When Travis first arrived with their father, he, Robert, Morgan, Jackie, and Eddie all ended up visiting in the living room. The younger girls were helping with dinner, but they thought of innumerable reasons to come and ask something of Eddie or Jackie. At one point, Eddie mentally shook her head.
A rancher by trade, Travis looked the part in his dark jeans and cowboy boots. His wavy, dark brown hair was a little long on his neck, but his eyes were light blue and clear as a child’s. His teeth were startlingly white against his rugged features, and he was taller than Robert by two inches. His manner toward the family was courteous and gentle, and Eddie could tell that the girls felt very special when he spoke to them. Travis was very handsome, but the way her sisters were acting, she’d have thought they had never seen a man before.
Eddie was relieved when it was time for them to go off to bed. Even Jackie, who had been the only one not staring, was sent on her way, and the adults were finally alone. Eddie was on the verge of apologizing, but Morgan hadn’t noticed a thing and began to question Travis about the cattle business.
“About 1500. It fluctuates.”
“And to whom do you sell?”
“Whoever is buying. We drive cattle into the Denver stockyards and as far as Cheyenne.”
Morgan leaned forward intently. “How many men do you have working for you?”
“That varies with the season. I need more hands during roundup and less in the winter months.”
“Do you have trouble with thieves?”
Addy cleared her throat, and Morgan turned to her and smiled sheepishly. “Am I monopolizing the conversation, dear?”
Addy smiled in return. “Something like that. Sammy asked if you would come up and kiss her good-night.”
“All right. If you’ll excuse me,” Morgan said to the room at large and exited silently.
“I wonder if the girls will ever get to sleep tonight,” Addy commented. “It must be the wedding. I’ve never seen them this distracted.”
Eddie tried to stop herself, but at that moment she looked at Robert and they both burst out laughing.
“What did we miss?” Travis asked as his confused gaze met Addy’s.
“I don’t know,” replied the equally confused hostess.
“Mother,” Eddie nearly gasped. “They weren’t distracted; they were beheaded. And it’s not the wedding; it’s Travis. I’ve never seen Danny blush so many times in my whole life.”
Addy finally caught on. Her amused gaze went to Travis, who now understood as well. “Should I be worried that you’re going to elope with one of my daughters, Mr. Buchanan?”
Travis chuckled. “As lovely as they are, Mrs. Fontaine, I’m not in the market for a wife.”
They all laughed before Addy changed the subject and asked Robert if they were settled in at Mitch’s.
“Yes, we are. It’s very hospitable of him.” Robert hesitated. “He seemed tired, however.”
“Yes,” Addy agreed. “I don’t think he feels well. The winter is dragging on, and I think the wedding is on his mind. I might suggest he go see Doc Edwardson after next weekend.”
“He mentioned that he had something special for Eddie and me.”
“Oh, yes,” Eddie said, remembering that Uncle Mitch had said something to her before.
“He asked if we would come by sometime early next week and stay for dinner, just the two of us.”
“Oh,” Addy said, and Eddie turned to her and smiled.
“Do you know what it is?”
“Yes,” Addy smiled in return. “You’re going to be very pleased.”
Eddie was still smiling over this when Morgan joined them once again. They talked much too late. The following day was a workday, but a week was such a short time, and they all felt anxious for every moment.
Robert and Travis finally made their way to the back door of the store, through the shadowy interior, and up the stairs to Mitch’s rooms. His apartment had a door at the top of the stairs, but the main part of the living area was down a hallway, where the apartment split into several smaller rooms, all on one side. One room was a kitchen and dining area, and one was Mitch’s sitting room. The rest were bedrooms. Some of the rooms connected, and others stood alone. The original builder and owner had probably intended to rent the rooms out, but Mitch kept them for himself.
Now the two guests moved as silently as possible in order not to disturb their host. Once in their room, which sported two small beds, they found he had left a lantern burning.
“Well, what did you think?” Robert whispered as both men sat on their own beds to undress.
“I think you’re marrying the kindest woman God put on the earth.”
Robert smiled, his chest filling on a huge sigh of contentment. “She’s wonderful. That big house has been just plain lonely without her.”
“It isn’t long now.”
The men were silent as they continued to ready for bed. Robert was under the covers first and said, “It’s too bad Jackie’s not a little bit older.”
“It wouldn’t matter, Robert; she would still seem too young. Even Eddie seems young.”
Robert raised up on one elbow and stared across the room.
“I don’t know what you mean, Travis. You’re younger than I am by three years.”
“It’s not a measurement in years, Robert. Eddie is very mature, and she’s going to make you a wonderful wife.” Travis fell silent then, and Robert gave him a moment. “I haven’t shared a lot with you, Robert, but my life before Christ was pretty worldly. I did a lot of wandering. I look into the eyes of those sweet girls, and I know they haven’t seen anything of what this sinful world has to offer.”
This Robert could understand. A man wanted a wife who would understand him, and even have an understanding of what he was thinking before he said it. Eddie had done that on countless occasions in her letters; she could read between the lines and guess Robert’s thoughts before he voiced them. Travis was not saying he wanted a worldly wife, just one who would understand where he’d been.
“I’m glad you told me, Travis.”
“Yeah, me too. Good-night, Robert.”
“Good-night, Travis.”
“Now,” Mitch’s eyes sparkled, his color looking better than it had all week, as he locked the front doors of the store and turned to his niece and Robert. “I’ve made some dinner, but first I want to give you your gift.”
Eddie smiled in anticipation. Mitch’s mood was infectious.
“My gift to you is to pick out anything you’d like.”
Eddie gasped. “Oh, Uncle Mitch, how sweet.” She turned to Robert. “How shall we ever decide?”
Robert looked surprised as well and shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know.”
“Well, there must be many things you need, settling into a new home and starting a life together,” Mitch said with vigor as he began to move about the store. “You’re sure to need this satchel, Eddie. And here, Robert, is your shaving brush in good shape? This hairbrush is a good one; I’ve carried this brand for years. And these gloves, Eddie. Even if yours are in good shape now, you could lose one on the trip to Boulder.”
It took Eddie and Robert a moment to realize he meant anything and everything they needed. Eddie was shaking her head, but Mitch spoke with the firmest voice she’d ever heard from him.
“I want to do this, Edwina. You’re my niece, and I have a store full of goods that you won’t be able to shop for in the future. I will do this.”
Both Robert’s and Eddie’s protests stopped in their mouths. They nodded and let Mitch move about the entire store, selecting things for their home or their own personal needs. Eddie was feeling overwhelmed but managed to mention the shipping cost.
“There’s no need to worry about that,” Mitch told them. “I’ve two trunks in the back that belonged to your Aunt Clara. We’ll load those up, and they’ll go with you.”
Eddie’s sigh was heartfelt, and she hugged Mitch tenderly.
“You’ll have to come and see us, Uncle Mitch, to see how we’ve used all these things you’ve given us.”
Mitch patted her back. “I’m getting a little old to be traveling about, honey.”
Eddie only smiled. “Well, we’ll be back often, and we can write and tell you everything in between.”
Mitch only smiled.
“I’d better run to check on this dinner you have started,” Eddie offered, moving toward the stairs with graceful strides. Mitch watched her go, but then looked back to see Robert studying him intently. The younger man thought about Eddie’s words but saw the truth in Mitch’s eyes. The older man was very aware that he’d been found out. It took a moment, but his voice finally came low and solemn to Robert’s ears.
“I don’t want anything to spoil this Saturday for her. Do you understand that, Robert?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
Mitch’s hand came out, and they shook. Robert thanked him, but it was an effort to push the words around the tightness in his throat.
“Uncle Mitch, Robert, I’ve put supper on.”
“We’ll be right up,” the older man called. With one more glance at each other, they started toward the stairs.