Amelia's Journey (8 page)

Not too far away he spotted the herd as the cattle settled down for the night. Rustling in the grass and thumps as steer hit ground were music to his ears. All was calm and in good shape. Come spring, new calves would increase the herd and bring new life. He loved spring that brought newness to all of God's creation.

Most people would consider this a lonely place, but with the cattle, the coyotes, the winds through the grass, his thoughts of Amelia, and all the stars, he could no more feel alone than if he were in a room full of people. Of course if Amelia were beside him, it would be all the better.

A noise behind him and the nickering of his horse caused him to turn in his saddle. Zeke, the ranch foreman, rode up beside him.

“I saw your horse gone from the stables and figured you'd come out here. You like the beauty and quiet of the night as much as I do.”

“You're right, I do. Something about it gives me great peace.”

“Me too. When I'm out here, I wonder how anyone could not believe in God.” He pointed upward. “No one can ever tell me those bright stars just happened into space, or the moon or the sun just happened to be where they needed to be to give us light and life.”

Being a Christian made all the difference in Zeke's attitude. When he'd first come to the ranch, he hadn't been a believer, but working around Pa and Ma, you either became one, or you moved away in a hurry. Most usually stayed and became strong in their faith. That was Pa's way.

Ben stretched out his hand. “I found a piece of land over behind those rocks down by the old mill. I want to build a house there and bring home a bride. Pa says he'll give me a share in the ranch when I turn twenty next year.”

“That's good. You work as hard around here as any of our hands. You'll be a good rancher. Got anybody in mind for that house you want to build?”

“Matter of fact I do, but it's gonna take a heap of praying to get her to leave her home in Boston and come out here. Ma did it, but she and Pa were already married and had a family when they came.”

“Is that Mary Beth's friend?”

“One and the same. Ma sent a letter last week telling Mary Beth we'd be attending her coming-out party. Pa won't leave, so I'm going with Ma.” He had already started counting the days until he'd be back in Boston. The trip couldn't come soon enough.

The wind picked up and send a bone-chilling gust their way. Ben pulled his hat tighter on his head. “Getting colder out here. I think it's time to get on back to the house. I hope Ma left some coffee on the stove, and a piece of her berry pie will taste good. Care to join me?” He turned his horse back toward home.

“Don't mind if I do. Your ma's pie is about the best around these parts.” Zeke followed alongside Ben.

About half a mile from the house, Ben spurred his horse. “Race you to the stables.” Blackie took off like a streak of lightning, leaving Zeke to try and catch up.

After a cup of hot coffee to ward off the chill and a piece of pie to fill his belly, Ben would spend the rest of the night with sweet dreams about a brown-eyed girl with curls in her hair.

Isaac laid his robe across a chair and strode to the bed where Lenora already lay. She was just as pretty now with her lacy nightcap on and the covers pulled up over her chest as she was when he'd first seen her almost twenty-five years ago.

He sat on the edge of the bed. “I think tonight went very well. Both Mary Beth and Amelia were quite lovely in their gowns, and their dance cards were full. Amelia appeared to be enjoying the evening more tonight than I've seen at other events.” He reached over and grasped her hand. “You did a wonderful job with the menu and decorations. The house looked beautiful.”

Lenora sighed and shook her head. “Thank you, but I'm wondering if part of Amelia's joy was because Mary Beth told her of Ben's coming to the cotillion. Mrs. Haynes said she'd heard from Elizabeth and that she and Ben planned to arrive on Thursday of that week.”

“Mr. Haynes told me the same. He seemed to be quite pleased to have his grandson coming back. Ben is to be Mary Beth's escort.” With such a shortage of eligible young men, that was probably a wise choice for her. Amelia hadn't said anything yet about who would accompany her, but he hoped it would be Philip Barlow.

“Amelia must make her decision for an escort very soon, or there will be no young men left.”

Isaac lay back on his pillow and arranged the covers across his body. “It would please me if she chose Philip. His father and I have become good friends since our firm is handling some of their business.”

“That would be nice. He's a fine young man. I've been worried that she is still entertaining thoughts about Ben Haynes, but surely she realizes that such a union would never work out, much less have our approval.”

He leaned over and kissed his wife's cheek. “Amelia has too much sense to become involved with a cowboy who lives as far away as Kansas.” At least he prayed that was so. The last thing he wanted to do was forbid Amelia from her pursuits, but if they included Benjamin Haynes, he may have to do just that.

Chapter 8

A
nticipation for the evening sent shivers of delight through Amelia's whole body. In just a short time she'd see Ben at the Farnsworth mansion where the cotillion would be held, and she and her friends would be officially presented to society. He'd been in town since Thursday, but Mama and Papa had kept her so busy she'd had no opportunity to see him before tonight. Would he still be as interested in her now as he had been over a month ago?

With only two letters from him since he'd left, she feared that perhaps he'd lost interest, and the very thought of it filled her with dread. After all, they had only seen each other a few times, which gave them little opportunity to really get to know each other. None of that mattered now. Tonight, the last night of September, she'd find out if what she felt was real or only a fancy cooked up by her imagination.

Despite her usual lack of concern for her appearance, this evening she took extra care with her dress. Maeleen had done wonders with her hair, and Amelia admired the effect of the upswept hairstyle with six perfect curls falling from just below the crown. She secured the silver comb embellished with six small diamonds atop her hair. It had been a gift from her father just for this night.

“Amelia, it's time to go.” Her mother entered and stopped. “Oh, my dear, you are beautiful. Your father is going to be so proud to be your escort this evening.”

“Thank you, Mama. This is going to be a wonderful night.” Not just because of the meaning of the occasion, but also because of a certain Kansas cowboy.

She followed her mother downstairs where Murphy waited with their wraps. Papa grasped her shoulders and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful, my precious girl. I'll be the proudest father at the ball tonight.”

“Thank you, Papa.” Amelia pulled her cloak together and fastened it at the neck.

A few minutes later she sat in the carriage with her parents. Once again her thoughts wandered as her parents conversed with each other. If she could see Ben right away, she'd be able to put his name on several of the spaces for dances, that is, if he still wanted to be with her as much as she did with him.

When they arrived at the home, the twelve girls to be presented were escorted to a room where they would assemble before the presentation. Names were checked and places assigned for presentation alphabetically, which meant Carlyle would come very close to the beginning.

Mary Beth made her way to Amelia. “This is so exciting. I'm so glad Ma and Pa were willing to let me stay for this. Of course Mama went through hers years ago and wanted me to have the same experience.”

That was fine for Mary Beth, but Amelia wanted to know about Ben. Before she had the chance to ask, Mary Beth said, “And you should see Ben. I must say my brother looks quite handsome in his formal clothes.”

Amelia's heartbeat quickened. Only a few more minutes and she'd see him. Everything else paled in comparison to being with him tonight.

Ten minutes later the hostess for the evening lined the girls up and led them to where their escorts waited. Amelia breathed deeply and willed her heart to stop pounding as she stepped through the door to the hallway where her father greeted her.

He grasped her hand and tucked it around his elbow. “Ready, Princess?”

His childhood nickname sent a warm feeling to her heart. Then she glanced behind him, where she spotted Ben. Her breath caught in her throat when his gaze met hers. Amelia sent a quick smile his way and turned her attention back to her father. The whole exchange had lasted only seconds, but her father must have noticed from the frown he now wore.

She turned on her brightest smile. “This is going to be a wonderful night. I'm so proud to have you escort me.”

His mouth then turned up to a smile, and he squeezed her hand as music filled the hallway and the line proceeded forward. After each girl and her escort had been announced, the orchestra played her favorite piece of music.

When all had been presented, they headed to their assigned tables. Amelia picked up her dance card to find it already filled in. She had forgotten that was the custom for this cotillion. The names of all the young men present were listed, including Ben. Somehow his name appeared twice, as did two of the others. Whoever had made out the form couldn't have known Ben was one she wanted as a partner more than once.

During the sets preceding the one with Ben, Amelia's gaze had no trouble finding him and knowing where he was at all times. At the same time she managed to keep her attention focused on her partner. When it finally became her first turn with Ben, her knees shook and she could barely breathe.

Ben smiled and placed one hand at her waist and the other on her hand. “I thought this moment would never come.” The music began, and he swept her to the dance floor with a grace and ease that belied his cowboy background.

Heat rose in Amelia's cheeks, but her voice lodged in her throat. She merely returned his smile and nodded. After a minute or so, she swallowed hard and found her voice. “I'm amazed at how well you know this dance. Did you learn on the ranch?”

He lifted his chin and chuckled. “As a matter of fact, I did. Ma taught me. She said if I was going to attend such affairs, I needed to know what to do. Then Mary Beth and I practiced after I arrived here.”

“Well, it certainly paid off. You're one of the best partners I've had.” The smile remained on her lips, but a grimace filled her heart. What a stupid subject of conversation. She didn't want to talk about his dancing ability, but she couldn't be so bold as to tell him how much she had missed him.

His hand tightened around hers. “I've missed you and wanted to come yesterday to call on you, but Ma insisted you would be much too busy as Mary Beth was getting prepared for this evening.”

Amelia's body became light as a feather, and she followed his steps, floating on air. He had missed her. That's all she needed to know. They had no need for words, for his eyes told her how much he cared. The music ended all too soon, and Ben escorted her back to her table.

He bowed toward her. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Carlyle, and I look forward to our next one.”

After he strolled away, her heart continued to pound in her chest. Not wanting to see her parents right then, she headed upstairs to the room set aside for the young ladies to check their appearance. When she entered, several of the girls stood around Mary Beth.

Isabella practically swooned. “Where have you been hiding that handsome brother of yours, Mary Beth Haynes? If I'd known men like him grew in the west, I might have planned a visit there.”

Mary Beth's laughter filled the room, and the other girls tittered and giggled. “If you had to live with him, you might not be so quick with your praise.” She glanced over at Amelia and winked.

Isabella turned around, her eyebrows raised. “Amelia, how did you manage to get his name on your card twice? He's not on mine until later, but I watched him, and he dances divinely.” Her sigh and fluttering lashes brought another round of titters.

“I don't know, but I've known Ben and Mary Beth since we were children. That may have something to do with it.” Amelia left the girls to their talk and hurried through adjustments to her hair and gown. The time would drag until next he held her in his arms.