Your friend,
Thomas Barnes
She read the letter twice. Her mind conjured up another mental image of Thomas. He was grinning, and holding his hat in his hand. How nice of him to remember; I didn’t really expect this. I’ll have to answer it right away. Wonder how much it costs to mail a letter now?”
“It was a sweet letter,” she told Cora. “He told me how much he enjoyed our dinner. Apparently his father told his mother and she questioned him too. He said it took them two days to get back home.”
“How often do they come here?” Cora asked.
“He said every four to six weeks, but when the railroad comes through, they probably won’t need to come this far.”
“He sounds like he likes you,” Cora offered.
“I like him too, but with my uncertain future, I don’t know what can come of it.”
“You control your future for the most part,” Doctor Turner said. “A door closed when you wound up in the past, but another opened when you came to us. It’s pretty much what you make of it.”
“I’d hate the thought of never seeing my family again. It isn’t fair.”
“Abby, life isn’t fair. Have you noticed any changes since you started helping us?” the doctor asked.
“No, sir. What changes are you talking about?”
“For one thing, since we started following your suggestions about hand washing, and using carbolic acid, our infection rate has fallen. You haven’t been here long, but you’ve saved lives, and since we’re following your lead, the lifesaving will continue. You’re making a difference.”
Her eyes began to leak tears. “Now see what you’ve done.”
Cora hugged her. “Give life a chance, dear, you’ll enjoy it more.”
An answer…
Dear Thomas,
Thank you for remembering to write. I have read the letter two or three times, and shared some of the content with Doctor and Mrs. Turner.
Your mother sounds just like mine. She is always fearful I’m not going to find a suitable person or worse, that I’ll find the wrong person just as I did before, but too late to do anything about it.
I have been wondering if you’ve fallen from your horse daydreaming. After hearing you talk about stampedes, I fear for your safety. Maybe you should make sure you have a short horse so you won’t have far to fall.
Things are quiet here in the hospital, with our only patients being those injured in daily activities. The doctor is fearful of an Indian uprising of the Sioux. He is concerned about a chief named Red Cloud. Have you heard of him? Are there problems with them where you live? There are so many things I need to learn.
I look forward to seeing you on your next trip to Fort Laramie. Do you have any idea when that might be?
Thank you again for taking the time to write. It was a bright spot for me.
Sincerely,
Abigail Sanders
* * *
Two weeks later…
“Is Miss Sanders still here?” Thomas Barnes asked Cora.
“Yes, but she’s asleep right now. We were up most of the night with an emergency.”
His shoulders slumped. His disappointment was reflected in his voice. “I don’t want to disturb her then. Please tell her I came by and will come by again later.”
“You’re Thomas aren’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I know she wants to see you. She mentioned it after she received your letter.”
“She did?”
“She did. She guessed you would either be here this week or next.”
“Mrs. Turner, is she being courted by anyone? I know it’s none of my business, but I would like to know if I’m wasting her time and mine.”
“You’re not wasting your time,” Cora said, kindly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Turner,” he said, beaming.
“You come back in a couple of hours. I’m sure she’ll be up by then.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter eleven
You’re Back
Abby answered the door to the quarters when Thomas knocked. “You’re back! I thought it would be this week or next.” She kissed him on the cheek. “It’s nice to see you again. It doesn’t look as if you have any broken legs, arms or anything, so I guess you managed to keep from falling off your horse.”
“I’ve been looking forward to seeing you. I came by earlier, but Mrs. Turner said you were sleeping.”
“I probably was; I was in the hospital until around four. Some of the soldiers were hurt and we were helping them.”
“Indians?” he asked.
“Yes. A ranch was burned and the soldiers went after them. Colonel Hays was talking to Doctor Turner about it. He said as long as the settlers keep breaking the treaty, Red Cloud will fight.”
“I don’t blame them. If someone tried to take our ranch we would fight too,” he said.
“Mama came with us this time. Would you like to have lunch with us? She wants to meet you. I’ll try to keep her from playing matchmaker.”
Abby laughed. Good luck with that. I think that’s a thing with all mothers. I would like to meet them”
“You met my father when we were here before,” he reminded her.
“No, I saw him, but didn’t meet him. I was too busy trying to stay out of your way.”
“I guess that’s right,” he said. “While I’m at it, will you have supper with me? Mama and Papa are going to be staying with an old friend from Ohio.”
“If the doctor doesn’t need me, I’d love to.”
“Will you be here or at the hospital at lunch time?”
“Probably at the hospital,” she replied.
“By the way, I didn’t answer your last letter because I knew we were coming this week.”
“This is better.”
“I think so too,” he said. “I’ll be here for you around noon.”
“When will you be leaving?”
“Probably day after tomorrow. Papa likes to get an early start for home, so we don’t have to spend two nights on the road; and I don’t know if we will be finished early enough tomorrow to do that.”
Lunch…
Thomas called for her at twelve. “They’re going to meet us there,” he said. He led her to a table, where she recognized his father from the time she had seen him at the sutlers. His mother was wearing a long, dark green dress with puffy sleeves. They accented her blonde hair and green eyes and reminded her of her own mother.
“Mama, this is Abigail Sanders. She’s from Columbus. My mother, Sophie and Papa, Josiah.”
“I’m pleased to meet you both.”
With a critical eye, Sophie looked at Abby. “So you’re the girl that’s responsible for turning my boy into this… whatever he is. His description didn’t do you justice, Abigail. You’re a lot prettier than he described. How long have you been here?”
Abby smiled. “I don’t know about the turning part. This is only the second time I’ve met him, but he is a polite, sweet young man. I’ve been here a little over two months,” Abby answered truthfully. “I’m staying with the doctor and his wife, and helping in the hospital where I can.”
“You’re not married?”
“No, ma’am. I came close, but changed my mind.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but Thomas told me about that.”
“I don’t mind. I’ve gotten over it. I guess I was fortunate to find out.”
“I’d say so. Thomas said you graduated from college.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you going to be a teacher?”
Since it was the only profession open to women, she answered, “Yes, ma’am. I haven’t decided where. The Army has a small school here, but they have a teacher already.”
“Our area is growing, and when the railroad comes through, we believe it will open us to the rest of the country. One thing it’s going to do is help ranchers like us. We’ll be able to sell to a much bigger market,” Josiah said. “We’l
l have a need for a school in Laramie by then. You might consider our area.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Abby said.
After they finished the meal of beef stew, Sophie said, “Abigail, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again, but I don’t make the trip here very often. Josiah, I need to be getting back. Betsy was going to show me some of the cloth she just bought.”
“The pleasure has been all mine, Mrs. Sanders,” Abby told her. “I hope your trip home is safe and uneventful. We’ve several troops injured after an ambush by the Indians, so be careful.”
“Nice to see you again, Miss Sanders,” Josiah said. “I always bring a couple of our hands along, just in case. Thomas, we won’t be leaving until the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir, I’m glad to hear it.”
Later…
“I’m sure you’re tired, so I’ll walk you home. Can I see you tonight? And tomorrow?”
“If Doctor Turner doesn’t need me. Thank you for lunch. I enjoyed it. I’m glad I was able to meet your parents.”
“He came by earlier, but didn’t want to wake you,” Cora told her.
“He mentioned that. His mother is with them this time. I had lunch with them. She’s a nice lady and is very proud of her son. They’re going back to their ranch day after tomorrow.”
“His father said the rails are getting closer and they will be needing a school. He suggested I consider teaching there.”
“What do you think?” Cora asked.
“I don’t know what to think. I’m afraid to think I may never get home again, but somehow, I think my future is tied to Laramie.”
“It’s only a tent city for railroad workers from what I understand. That’s no place for a woman.”
“I guess you’re right, Cora. I feel like a fish out of water. I can’t continue to live off you and the doctor.”
“You’re not living off us. You’re working for the Army, and you’re very good at it,” Doctor Turner told her.
“If the Indians continue to act up, the Army would have to take soldiers from the field and assign them to help. Cora isn’t in the Army and you see how much she helps. If she decides she doesn’t want to do it any more, we’ll be hurting in more ways than one.”
“I hope you’ll forgive me, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in Fort Laramie.”
“Neither do I, dear,” Cora said. “What about the nice young man you’ve had lunch with? When he came by and you were asleep, he asked if you were being courted by anyone, because if you were, he didn’t want to waste your time. I told him you were not, and his face broke out in a smile brighter than the afternoon sun. I also told him he wasn’t wasting your time.”
“I like him, and think he likes me, but there’s a problem.”
“What problem is that?”
“I think we’re related. I think they are the ancestors of my mother. It’s been proven marriage between relations carries a risk.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Before I jumped back, I was reading some diaries I found in Grandpa’s barn. They were written by Sophronia Barnes. That’s the name of Thomas’ mother.”
“If you’re from the future, then you haven’t been born yet. If you haven’t been born, you’re not related are you?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been wrestling with that. I do exist. I’m here.”
Chapter twelve
Bar B Ranch and Fort Laramie
Back home…
“I wonder what she would say if I asked her to come here?” Thomas asked his mother.
“I wouldn’t come if I were in her position,” she said.
“Why not?”
“There’s nothing here for her. There’s no school where she could teach, and no way for her to earn her keep.”
“She could live here and it wouldn’t cost her anything,” he said hopefully.
“Just her self-respect,” Sophie said. “How could she have a good feeling about herself under those circumstances? How much time have you spent with her total? Less than five hours? Have you even talked about a relationship?”
“No, ma’am, but those mail order brides marry someone they’ve never met.”
“The advertising for a husband is different. I don’t know anything more than what I’ve heard, but I think it’s because there are no eligible prospects where they are. There are quite a few eligible officers and soldiers at the fort.”
“You could have gone all day without reminding me of that. I like her. A lot.”
“Does she know that? Do you know how she feels toward you?”
“No, ma’am. But she kissed me on the cheek. Two times.”
“After you had dinner. son, that’s what friends do. I suggest you keep communicating with her.”
“I know you’re right and all that, but I wish you weren’t.
The next day…
Dear Abigail,
It’s only been three days, and already I miss you. It’s a strange feeling for me. When Papa and I went to Denver for the cattle, I missed Mama, but this is different.
Ma really liked meeting you. She said it was nice to be able to put a face on the girl I had been telling her about. I didn’t tell you before, but the only reason she was with us was for the chance to meet you.
“I didn’t mean to go on like this, but I’ve never felt this way before. If this is embarrassing or upsetting you, please tell me. I don’t want to do either. I asked Miss Cora if you were being courted and she told me no. I wish we weren’t so far apart. I would enjoy the privilege of doing so.
I’m going to close before I convince you I’m hopeless as well as clumsy.
I’d like to be more than your friend.
Thomas
“Mama, I’m going to ride down to the tent city and mail this letter. Tell Papa I’ll be out to help as soon I get back.”
“Be careful and keep an eye out for trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Fort Laramie…
Cora handed the letter to Abby. “He must have written this as soon as they got home. The young man is smitten.”
Abby read the letter. “I’d like to know what you think,” she said and handed it to Cora.
She smiled as she read the letter, When she finished, she handed it back. “I think the last line says it all. He’s asking for more than friendship. He’s worried about his competition with the soldiers here. The distance and infrequent visits are a handicap. The next step is up to you. You have to decide if you want to take that step or not.”
“I knew you were going to say that. I’m going to have to give it some thought. Thanks, Cora.”
Three days later…
Dear Thomas,
I received your most flattering letter, and hardly know what to say. That your mother would undertake a trip of such proportions just to meet me is quite overwhelming. I am pleased I made a favorable impression.
I don’t think I’ve ever been courted. I’m not even sure what it entails. It does sound interesting, however.
We have had no more casualties from skirmishes with the Sioux. I hope it continues to be the case.
The next time you make the trip, I would like to sit down and talk to you. I am pleased to be considered to be your friend, but more than that requires a discussion.
“Please give my regards to your parents and tell them it was a genuine pleasure meeting them, and I look forward to the next time, if there is to be one.
I have to go; it seems I’m needed. I do hope it is not serious.
Sincerely,
Abigail
Abby was invited to the Post Commander’s Ball by Lieutenant Harrison, one of the young officers. She was surprised at his dancing ability until she learned West Point teaches its young officers to dance as part of their social education.
Dancing had been a favorite activity of hers, and Cora encouraged her to accept the invitation. When he came to pick her up, he was resplendent in his dress uniform. He lin
ked his arm, to hers and escorted her to the ballroom.
“Miss Turner, will you permit me the honor of a dance, providing Mr. Harrison doesn’t object?”
“Of course, Colonel. It would be my pleasure.” Moving across the floor, the colonel asked, “Any new developments in your situation?”
“No, sir. I’m still in the dark about what happened, and it would appear I’m destined to remain in this time, so to speak.”
“Doctor Turner has been keeping me informed on your contributions. He tells me the infection rate is down significantly, thanks to you.”
“That was a simple matter of sterilization,” she replied.
“It has been duly noted and recorded. I will return you to Lieutenant Harrison now.” He gave her a sweeping bow and said, “I thank you.”
“My pleasure and privilege, Colonel.”
The other officers vied for dances and left only two with Lieutenant Harrison. He walked her back to the doctor’s quarters, but when he moved to kiss her, she demurred. “Thank you Lieutenant. I enjoyed getting out, but I must go in now.”
“I thought we might take a walk, since it’s such a nice evening,” he said.
“Thank you again, but I think not.
“May I call on you again?”
“I don’t think so, Lieutenant. I really must go in. Good night.”
“Did you have a nice time dear?” Mrs. Turner asked.
“It was nice to get out, but I felt very out of place,” Abby said. “I think I would have enjoyed it more if Thomas had been my escort.”
“He couldn’t have attended had he been here since he is not an officer.”
“Everything was so stiff and formal. It didn’t seem as if anyone enjoyed themselves.”
“It’s an important event for young officers. Their careers can be made or ruined at the Post Commander’s Ball.”
“That’s a shame. I hope Lieutenant Harrison’s wasn’t affected in a bad way.”
Chapter thirteen
The End of the Drive
It was another two weeks before the next letter arrived.
Romance in Time: An Oregon Trail Time Travel Romance Page 5
