Chapter Twenty-One: Elizabeth

After so many days of sitting on the train and then sitting in a jolting stagecoach, it was a relief to stand for a while. From Chicago to the Wyoming territory, nothing of note had happened. I'd been half afraid there would be some attack by the native people or from bandits.

There had been stories at each stop from other travelers that had made my blood run cold. But I had reached the territory city of Cheyenne and then made the journey further into the territory.

There had been five other men on the stage and one woman. Conversation had been difficult to keep up as the stage traversed the rocky, uneven path that was the 'road.' The constant motion did nothing to calm my nerves.

And now, here I was. Sitting across from Noah Coleman.

I'd only had a vague vision in my head of what he would look like. Tall and rugged. Maybe dark hair. And I will admit I thought he would have a beard and wear furs and skins like some kind of mountain man.

Being met by a man who was only a couple inches taller than me had been a bit of a surprise. His hair was a sandy brown with streaks of silver at his temples. He was shaved and was dressed as many men I'd seen on my journey: brown pants, white shirt, a brown vest, and boots. While most men wore a gun, Noah did not.

His voice was a low baritone that made my heart skip a beat every time I heard him speak. How had a man who sounded so great not had women falling at his feet? Did he just not talk to people, and they didn't know?

We drank coffee and ate dried apple pie. Mrs. Royal, a lovely woman who couldn't have been much older than me, had welcomed us into her cozy cafe and then given us space to become better acquainted.

Not that we talked about anything important. Merely how the weather had been for my journey and how long it had taken me to get there. Awkward conversation strangers might have had anywhere in the country. How could we get past that?

An unwelcome solution presented itself ten minutes after we sat down. A burly man entered the cafe. He immediately removed his hat as he stepped towards our table. "Mr. Jones," Mrs. Royal exclaimed, trying to get his attention. There was an odd note of panic in her voice. "This is a surprise. What can I get you?"

"I don't need anything, Mrs. Royal," he responded, without even looking at her. "I'm here to speak to the lady."

Noah tensed, pursing his lips. Well, I could guess what the man thought he needed to tell me.

"We have not been introduced, sir," I said, doing my best to imitate my mother at her most disapproving. It felt impossible to look down my nose at him when I was sitting down, but I tried to do it, anyway. "Who are you?"

His face flushed. "I'm doing my moral duty, ma'am," he said stubbornly. "You don't know this man and what he has done—"

"This man is Mr. Noah Coleman, is he not?" I interrupted to ask. Confirm the facts first and attack the discrepancies after.

"Well, yes, he is but—"

"Then I must tell you that I know him." I cut him off again. "We have been corresponding for many months now. He's told me there have been baseless rumors being spread about him this summer. You intend to tell me that he has trifled with a young girl's affections, do you not?"

"Well, that's not—"

"From what I have been told, this is a rumor that has not been proved one way or the other," I continued, without giving him a chance to speak. "Do you intend to tell me you have proof of his misdeeds? A witness, perhaps, who saw him with the girl?"

The man tugged at his collar. "Well, not exactly, but—"

"Then what can you possibly have to tell me? When you have someone with proof and not just something someone said at some point, you may bring up the topic again," I informed him. "I do not know you, so I cannot think why I would take your word against someone I ‌know. You haven't even had the courtesy to give me your name."

Was that last bit too much? Too harsh? Mr. Jones ducked his head and turned on his heel. Out he hurried like there was a wolf on his heels. "He still didn't introduce himself," I commented, lifting my coffee cup. Oh, dear. My hands were shaking. "How very rude."

"Well," Noah said with a slight laugh. "You probably rattled him by being reasonable. Here I was worried about how you would feel meeting the town. Looks like I had no reason to worry."

"We could use a bit more sense and reason in this town," Mrs. Royal commented. Her expression was a mixed one of amusement and bemusement. "It seems in short supply lately."

At some point, I would have to talk to the town about these rumors, but not just yet. It was nice to see Mrs. Royal was on Noah's side. She was just one person, but that was something.

"My parents raised me to always be sure of something before you believe it," I told her. And how foolish I had appeared when I'd forgotten this! "Rumors and gossip have a way of distorting the truth. There have been many fools that took information at face value only to be humiliated later because of it."

The other woman let out a laugh. "You're either going to make many friends or many enemies, Miss Garrison. I look forward to seeing what happens," she said before she walked away.

Oh, dear. Concerned, I turned back to Noah. "I'm sorry. I think I have spent too much time with my friend Molly. She loves nothing more than to tell it like it is, as they say."

"At least you always know where you stand with a person like that," he responded with a smile. And a moment later, his smile faded. "She wouldn't talk about you behind your back."

For a moment, I wondered what my own family was saying now that I wasn't there. It couldn't be that much different from what they'd said to my face. "That is very true." I applied myself to finishing the pie in front of me.

All too soon, Noah was standing up. "I know you've been sitting for a long time, but it's time to head out," he said, holding his hand out to me. "It's a bit of a drive to the Harpers' house."

I couldn't keep from grimacing. When I'd first set out on my journey, it had been a novel experience to sit for so long, but I had quickly found it tiresome. To do nothing just didn't feel natural. Not even Mrs. Elliott's Housewife could keep my attention for hours on end.

"I'm sorry," Noah said, his face sympathetic. "The cost of living in a territory like this, I'm afraid."

"No, it's fine," I assured him quickly. "I'm ready."

"I look forward to seeing you on Sunday," Mrs. Royal called over. "The preacher will be here then. You have excellent timing."

Noah sputtered before he managed to thank her. I felt my cheeks heat up as I realized why she'd said what she did. She thought we would be married on Sunday. Well, maybe. If we decided we suited each other enough to take the chance.

"I'm sorry for that," Noah repeated as he escorted me out. "I don't know why she said that."

"It's not your fault. I suppose it should be reassuring that she assumes we're going to be married that soon. Better than the town assuming...well, something worse, you know?"

It was sweet to see the color creep up his neck. "That's true," he agreed after he cleared his throat. "I'll help you into the wagon and then get your trunk."

The hair on the back of my neck crawled as I took a seat on the wagon seat. But when I glanced around, unlike before, I couldn't see anyone nearby.

Strange. It had barely been half an hour, and suddenly no one was interested in me? Not that I thought myself so incredibly fascinating, but Noah had said there were seldom visitors to the town. Was it because I was Noah's guest that no one was curious about me? Had Mr. Jones already begun complaining about how I had spoken to him?

With ease, Noah hoisted my trunk onto the bed of the wagon. He came around and climbed up next to me. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes." I wasn't really, but what else could I say?

He slapped the reins, and the wagon jolted into motion. We left the little territory town behind us. At least traveling by wagon meant being in the fresh air. I was grateful for the bonnet I had bought in Kansas City, for it kept the bright sun out of my face.

The road we traveled was unlike any I'd ever seen in Indiana. It was barely a trail through long grass that I could barely make out. We bumped along the uneven, narrow path, and I frequently had to grab the seat to keep myself upright.

"It's a bit of a journey to some of the homesteads," Noah commented, breaking the silence that had stretched between us since we had left town. He'd had a serious expression on his face, and I wondered what he'd been thinking about.

"So you said," I responded with a laugh. He'd emphasized this in his letters. Was he afraid the distance would scare me away? "It's a beautiful one, though."

He smiled. "I thought so when I first came here."

"Do you think differently now?"

He paused, tilting his head. "No," he said slowly. "I suppose I've just become used to seeing it every day."

Was that human nature? To see something so often, you lose sight of the beauty, to longer appreciate what you had? I'd realized after Father died that I hadn't appreciated him as I ought to have, but I'd thought he would live for many decades more. Then...he was just gone.

Clearing my throat, I shook my head. "When life gets busy, it can be all too easy to forget to appreciate what we have," I said softly. "But life has a way of reminding us, even if it is too late sometimes."

"That's true," he agreed, glancing over

This wasn't exactly the ‌conversation I thought we would have at our first meeting. What kind of impression was I making? First, I put a stranger—well-meaning though he might have been—in his place, and now I was being maudlin.

I should have asked Molly for lessons on how to flirt!

My cheeks flushed at the thought. No. I was no flirt, and I wouldn't act like someone else. I was who I was, and if Noah didn't like it... Well, then we would know we didn't suit each other.

"I hope nothing has upset you," Noah commented.

"Hmm?" I glanced at him quickly.

"It's just that you have a frown on your face," he said. "Is there something on your mind? I know it's none of my business, but it sometimes helps to talk things through. You don't have to tell me."

He blurted it all out, as though he wasn't sure how I would react. Well, I had no intention of telling him what I had really been thinking. "I was thinking of my older brother," I said, choosing the sibling who hadn't been far from my mind. "He was not happy with my decision to come west. I wonder if he has forgiven me or not?"

Wait. Should I have said that? Would Noah take it as a judgment against him?

"Ah," Noah responded with a nod. "I'm sure he will. In time. My sister was furious when I told her I was leaving our hometown. She... Well, she had a lot to say about my decision. I wrote to her often, but it took about three years before she responded. And two years more before her letters didn't contain any accusations for having left."

Would it be the same for me? Would my brother not respond to my letters for years?

"I sent a letter when I reached Cheyenne," I informed my companion. Did he even care about what I had done? "Well. I had a few letters to send. To John. My sister. My friend Molly. I wanted them all to know that I had arrived safely. Molly and Maryanne, at least, were interested in how traveling by train would be."

"That's good."

'Good' because I had written them? 'Good' because they were interested in my trip? I wasn't sure what he meant, and didn't want to question him.

I'd spent enough evenings in my mother's company when she was a hostess to know when to direct a conversation. "There were no trains when you came west, was there? What was the journey like for you?"

That should keep us occupied for a while!

~*~

I was almost sorry when we reached our destination. Listening to Noah talk about the wagon train he'd been part of was fascinating. He'd driven his own team of oxen from Independence, Missouri, across the country, until he'd left the main trail to reach his own homestead claim. He had defended himself and the rest of his party from dangers along the way.

His voice was a calm baritone that I could have listened to for hours. It reminded me of when my father would tell me stories when I was a child. There was just...something that kept me glued to his every word.

But we arrived at the homestead that belonged to the Harper family, and I was very interested to meet the family that had stood by Noah through all his trouble.

The homestead looked both similar and different from the farms I'd seen in Indiana. There was a barn, the weatherworn boards making the structure blend into the horizon. A fence contained a couple of cows, and chickens roamed freely in the yard.

A woman, short and solid, came out onto the porch that stretched across the front of the house. "Welcome!" she called out, waving her hand.

"Afternoon, Mrs. Harper," Noah responded, bringing the wagon to a halt. He set the brake and then wrapped the reins securely around the wood. "I've brought Miss Garrison."

"I can see that. You're both staying for supper, aren't you? I have a stew simmering and fresh bread to go with it."

Noah jumped down and then turned to help me down. "I wish I could," he said, reaching for my carpetbag. "But I really should get back to handle the evening chores."

Mrs. Harper tutted, shaking her head, and then sighed. "Well, I won't deny there is always something to do on a farm," she said. "But I hope you're going to spend some time with Miss Garrison."

He turned to face me. "Perhaps tomorrow I could take you to my homestead?"

"Yes, of course. I would like that," I told him honestly. Seeing where I might spend the rest of my life was important. Would it be as well tended as the Harper place seemed to be? "Thank you for meeting me today. I enjoyed our conversation."

Color crept up his neck. "I did as well."

Should I offer my hand? How did one say goodbye to one's betrothed one just met?

"Oh, for crying out loud," Mrs. Harper proclaimed with a dramatic sigh. "Noah, just kiss the girl on the cheek already."

A laugh left my lips before I could stop it. Noah's face turned beet red. "Mrs. Harper," he said, glancing over. "You make it very difficult to be comfortable with Elizabeth with you watching us."

The lady turned around. "Does this help?" she called out, her tone merry and full of mischief. "Don't take too long. I have things to do, and I'm sure Miss Garrison is just as eager to be off her feet for a short time."

Noah muttered something under his breath as I fought off laughter. He stepped forward and pecked my check like one of my nephews would have done. I wasn't sure whether I should be amused or disappointed.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he called to Mrs. Harper. Then, he climbed up into his wagon and set off.

"Men," Mrs. Harper huffed as she turned around. "It is a good thing women are patient, otherwise nothing of any significance is ever done."

Though I had only known her for a few minutes, I had the feeling she and I would be friends. "Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Harper."

"I insist you call me Martha," she told me. "And you shouldn't thank me yet. I'm sure you will earn your keep just like everyone else here does."

"I am happy to do so, if you promise to go easy on a Hoosier girl who doesn't know what to do."

~*~

Dear Molly,

Well, I have finally arrived in the Wyoming territory. You will undoubtedly call me insane for being heartily sick of train travel and stagecoach travel. I can't imagine what it must have been like or how hard it must have been to travel by covered wagon.

You would like it out here, and not just because women can vote. It is truly beautiful and is nothing like Indiana. I would not dare to compare them, but I think I am going to like it here.

I have already been made aware of how the town here views Noah. Someone who didn't give me his name made a point of coming to me as soon as I arrived. He was determined to tell me the whole story and seemed taken aback that I already knew about it. I hardly know what he might be saying about me to those I have met. You would have been proud of how direct I was with him.

But Noah is not completely friendless. Two women, Mrs. Royal and Mrs. Harper, have made themselves agreeable and I daresay they will be my friends as well...