Chapter 19

 

 

Rawlins, Wyoming Territory ~ August 7, 1878

S ince the Draper Expedition vacated the hotel, the big question each day centered on whether or not travelers from either the west or eastbound trains, or the north or southbound stagecoaches, would spend a night or more at the hotel. Mary continued to offer a breakfast and supper menu to paying guests, but because she did not want to take business away from Ned Clawson who ran the U. P. restaurant, she did not open the hotel dining room up to the public. Thanks to Nancy having departed for her new husband’s sheep ranch, Blythe still kept her job helping Mary and Allen maintain the hotel.

Other than small talk, not much had been said since the letters addressed to Blythe arrived the day before. Allen brought them to her after his trip to the post office. She read them in her room during her lunch break. That night, as she and Mary prepared supper for three hotel guests staying until they could catch the stagecoach to Baggs, Blythe waited until Allen entered the kitchen for a glass of water before she told them the contents.

From that point forward, Blythe had been holding her breath. Between the talk about town, which included the news that she was with child, she waited for the Hayes to pull her aside and inform her that, due to her condition, she could no longer work for them. The couple would be well within their rights to tell her they could not have their customers seeing a pregnant maid cleaning rooms.

As Blythe, on her knees, mopped the third to the last stair, her spirits soared, and she felt a smile spread across her countenance as she looked over her shoulder and saw a familiar face. Eli Morgan.

“Welcome, Mr. Morgan. Have you returned from your travels so soon?” Mary, who stood behind the reservation table, greeted Eli.

“Just for a night or two, Mrs. Hayes.”

Blythe stood and turned, and her gaze met that of Eli’s. She read the compassion in them, and she felt her insides shrivel. He’s heard the gossip around town about me and the sergeant. Her smile wavered, and she returned her attention to mopping the remaining two steps.

“I volunteered to bring some of Dr. Poechet’s exposed photographic plates to the hotel for safekeeping so he might continue his searching for ancient bones.” He returned his gaze to Mary. “By the time he wrapped them in rubberized canvas and put them in a knapsack, I carried quite the load on my back all the way here.” He sighed and offered a boyish grin. “Also, unless there is a bathhouse in town of which I’m not aware, I hoped to rent a room and arrange for a bath. Maybe later this afternoon, or whenever it would be convenient for you.”

Blythe turned her head aside in an effort to hide her smile. During one of her conversations with Eli on the train, he mentioned that he did not care for dust and dirt. She looked over toward Mary. “I’m finished with laundry for the day. I can start heating bath water anytime Mr. Morgan is ready.”

“If it won’t disrupt your schedule, the sooner, the better for me.” Eli’s gaze held that of Blythe’s for several seconds before he turned and smiled at Mary. He signed his name into the register. “Since the room with all our belongings is a little cramped, I’d like to rent a different room, please. And…” His brow creased, and he glanced at Blythe. “I hate to ask Mrs. Greenly to carry heavy buckets of water upstairs. Perhaps you have something on the ground floor available?”

He knows I’m with child. Blythe felt her heart sink. If he made an issue about her not carrying heavy items, the Hayes might use that as an excuse to end her job. “I’m used to carrying buckets of water up the stairs, Mr. Morgan. Mr. Hayes and I usually work together with something like that.”

“This time of year, a ground floor room will be cooler.” Mary kept her gaze focused on the register as she made a notation. “I’ll put you in this single room across from the dining room.” She indicated the door set just behind the registration counter. “It will be quieter and more private than the front bedroom. Mrs. Greenly and my husband will let you know when they have your water heated.” Wearing a smile, Mary met his gaze and handed Eli the room key.

“Thank you.” Eli accepted the key. “And I’ll need directions to a laundry service.” An embarrassed grin spread on his face. “I have clean clothes to change into. However, unless I can find a laundress, I won’t for the trip home.”

“I’m afraid we don’t offer that service.” Mary kept a straight face and held his gaze. “If you check at the Hugus Mercantile, they have a board where people leave notices of services they offer. Otherwise, they carry a good selection of men’s clothing.”

“Thank you. I think I’ll drop my things in my room, the photographic plates in the storage room, and then see what I can learn at the mercantile. Will you be serving dinner in the dining room? If not, I’d be happy to pay to take my meals here and eat in the kitchen with the staff.”

Blythe raised her eyebrows. The Stapletons would never consider eating at a kitchen table with staff. Blythe knew Eli earned a good wage, enough to have servants. She found it interesting that he did not seem to be pretentious about it.

Her mother came to Blythe’s mind. She had gone from being the wife of a well-off merchant, to a widow with a good-paying job and savings that allowed her and Blythe to live modestly, but comfortably, to a woman who lost everything in a fire. Yet, she always taught Blythe to never think of herself as better than other people.

“We have other guests, so we will serve supper and breakfast in the dining room. Shall I count on you being there?”

“Yes, please.” Eli answered Mary but glanced at Blythe.

A smile on her lips, Blythe turned away. She would not sit at the same table with him, as would happen if they ate in the kitchen. However, in the process of serving supper and picking up used dishes, she would be able to see him. She could listen to the conversations he held with other guests. She knew a future with Eli was a hopeless prospect, but how she looked forward to what little time she could be around him.

“Mrs. Greenly?”

“Yes?” Blythe turned around and returned Eli’s smile.

“After supper, will you please walk with me and perhaps we can visit for a short while? By then, I should be fit to be seen with in civilized society.”

“Thank you. I’d like that.” Blythe felt a flash of heat to her cheeks as she smiled. To me, you’re fit as you are.

“Supper will be at five tonight, Mr. Morgan.” Mary never raised her gaze from the paper she studied. “Mrs. Greenly should be free for visitors about six o’clock.”