Chapter 22

 

 

Rawlins, Wyoming ~ August 16, 1878

A s Blythe began heating the water for laundry, she felt more light-hearted and confident about her personal situation than she had in two weeks. In that one day Sgt. McGilvey spent in Rawlins, he had called her reputation into question and destroyed every shred of hope she had of a good future with him as her husband and father to her unborn child. She had waffled between being upset he rejected her and grateful he had. He was another self-serving man like Wendell, Jr. Now, both of them were part of her past.

The sergeant’s visit had been followed by Eli’s reappearance in town. At the time, she fretted over the gossip taking place and what people might think of her. Once he left again, she realized she had treated him abominably. However, after several sleepless nights of praying and agonizing, as Blythe sat in church with the Hayes the previous Sunday, a feeling of peace came over her. She chose to accept the outcome as a blessing in disguise. She still had no idea about what she would do with her future, but she knew it would not be tied to a lifetime of disrespect and abuse—physical or verbal—with Peter McGilvey as her husband. Somehow, something would work out for her and her unborn child.

Mary walked out of the back door and over to Blythe. “How much more water do you need to heat to finish the laundry?”

“I’ve just started.” Blythe blinked as she stared at the wash water just now beginning to steam. “I can put this in the tub and start the rinse water heating. I think I can wash everything in one load.” She looked up and her gaze met Mary’s. “Why?”

“Your favorite scientist who prefers regular baths and clean clothes over sweat and trail dust is sorting through his belongings in the same downstairs bedroom I rented to him a week and a half ago.”

“Mr. Morgan is here?” Her voice suddenly choked with emotion, Blythe cleared her throat. “You want to know how quickly I can heat bathwater?”

“Yes.” Mary drew out the word. “He asked if you still work for us. I assured him you do. Evidently, he left his associates behind for them to get in a couple more days of fishing. He came back and turned his horse in to the livery. I think there’s something…or someone…in Rawlins who interests him more than the fish in Muddy Creek.”

“Oh. I’ll get the water going as soon as I can.” Her heart pounding in her chest and her emotions a jumble, Blythe looked from side to side, trying to decide what to do first.

“Take a breath, Blythe.” Mary stepped over and placed her hand on Blythe’s shoulder. “He’ll be here until the train takes him home this Monday.”

Blythe swallowed as the burst of excitement and joy she just experienced vanished. Eli would be in Rawlins only a few more days. Then he would board the train to return to his home and his job in Iowa. She found it a bitter pill to swallow.

“Do the laundry first so you can get the rest of the work finished early enough to have time to visit with him later.” Mary stepped away and turned toward the kitchen. She called over her shoulder, “Besides, it will do him good to wait.” She turned to face Blythe and stepped backwards. “Before you go walking with him tonight, put on that blue dress you wear to church. It’s much more flattering on you than the gray.”

Although she would not enjoy Eli’s company for much longer, she was determined to enjoy seeing and speaking with him while she could. Her fingers fumbled more than usual, but Blythe managed to wash and rinse the laundry. She started bathwater heating while she hung sheets and towels on the line.

Once the water was hot, she entered the kitchen where Mary and Allen sat at the table with sweetened vinegar water. “Is the tub already in his room?”

“Yes.” Allen rose from his chair. “He’s upstairs rummaging around in his trunk, but the tub is in the downstairs room ready to be filled. I’ll help you.” He picked up two buckets and followed Blythe with her two buckets outside. “Don’t fill them real full, Blythe. I’d rather we make an extra trip.”

“Thank you.” Blythe bit her lip. Although she was still able to carry the buckets, she knew her boss already worried about her working too hard.

Allen set one bucket on the floor and knocked. When no one answered, he opened the door with the key and entered. After he poured his buckets into the tub placed on a square of rubberized canvas, he left.

Blythe stepped over and set one bucket down. She slowly poured in the water from her first bucket, and then her second. She picked both up by the bails and turned to leave. She froze in place, her gaze captured by Eli’s. She blinked, and then her gaze absorbed his sky blue eyes, his mussed hair worn longer than usual, his week-and-a-half growth of beard, and his rumpled roughing it clothes. He looked less like a university instructor and more like a laborer or ranch worker—or a man who had been exploring the wilderness. His time on the trail had tanned his skin and filled out his muscles. She wanted to never stop looking at him.

“Hello, Blythe.” His voice soft, Eli looked down at his clothing and then, one at a time, at each hand covered with streaks of dirt. His gaze once again found her face. “I’m sorry you had to see me like this. I hope after I clean up, I’ll look fit for company.”

“You look fine, Eli.” She held her arms out and looked down at her gray gown covered by her apron. “I’m not exactly dressed for a cotillion myself.”

“You look beautiful, Blythe.” Eli stepped into the room and held out his hands. “Here. Let me take those buckets.”

Feeling heat rush up her neck into her face, Blythe offered a close-lipped smile and shook her head. “They’re empty now. They weigh next to nothing.” Suddenly aware of how improper it was for her to be alone with him in a bedroom, even with the door open and her boss just outside, she started toward the door. “Enjoy your bath while the water’s hot.”

“I will. And Blythe?”

Standing in the doorjamb, Blythe turned. Her gaze again feasted on the face that had become so dear to her.

“Mrs. Hayes said the hotel had only one guest they knew of this morning, and then I showed up without reservations. She had not planned on offering guests a supper menu in the dining room tonight. Will you please join me for supper at the restaurant?”

“I will.” Blythe offered him a wide smile. “Thank you. Hopefully, I’ll be off between five and six.” She quickly turned to hide her tears. She would go to supper with Eli this night. She would enjoy every minute of it and store the memories of these last days and hours with him so she could recall them in the years to come. For she knew, on Monday, only three days away, he would board the eastbound train and begin his return trip to Iowa.