of her skirts and followed. Pippa thanked everyone and climbed the stairs behind them.
Leah met Daniel’s piercing green eyes. Looking at his tanned face and chestnut hair bleached gold from the sun, she noticed a few lines that hadn’t been there last time she’d seen him. He was broader and more muscled than Will, his strength unrestrained by the fabric of his neatly pressed shirt, but his features were harder, leaner than she remembered. The war had seasoned his still-handsome face, but it was now a man’s face. No doubt they’d both lived a lifetime in the years that had separated them.
Overshadowing her relief at seeing his familiar face was a rush of regret and loss. As youngsters the three of them had been close until Will had declared his feelings for her. He had seemed a good choice for a husband. His family were merchants, and he had a head for business and figures. Daniel had been the adventurous one, the one talking about heading west and starting a ranch. Back then thoughts of the unknown seemed reckless and frightening. She’d sought only security and familiarity.
She’d had no idea what was coming. None of them had.
When the two friends had joined the army, she had implied that she would wait for Will. Time and distance had quickly come between them, and through sporadic letters they’d agreed to end their courtship. That’s when Leah met and married an academy graduate. At the time a future in the east, living the life of an officer’s wife, had seemed safe, protected—glamorous even. However, Charles had turned out to be shallow and self-centered. His assignments had taken them to truly uncivilized parts of the country.
She’d been terrified. In the ensuing years, she’d had plenty of time to regret her choices. She’d come here to make a fresh start, but how could she plan for the future or hold on to a shred of dignity when she had to face both men who’d known her when she’d still had hopes and dreams? That had been a lifetime ago. Everything was different now—everything except the fact that she was still looking for security, but this time for two.
Daniel gave her an awkward nod. “Send for me if you need anything.”
“I will.” She wanted to bury herself in his strong embrace and seek comfort and safety, but she had no right. They’d once been the best of friends, but now they were estranged friends with years between them. She was going to have to move on as planned.
He exited the boardinghouse, and she felt as though a light had gone out. Turning, she made her way up the stairs.
Aunt Mae had shown Hannah to her room and now opened the door for Leah to enter hers. “It’s freshly cleaned and gets morning sun.”
“It’s perfect, thank you.”
Leah was strong and determined. She would find work. She would select a kind and thoughtful husband. Feelings were too complicated, and she couldn’t trust them. She was here to rest and take care of herself. Because this baby was going to live. She would take no risks. No more travel. Cowboy Creek was her new home, and she was going to make the best of it.
* * *
Daniel entered the Cattleman Hotel and glanced into the restaurant. Will sat at a table with Reverend Taggart, so he joined them. The reverend stood and shook his hand. “That was quite a welcome, Mr. Gardner.”
“Call me Daniel, please. And we’re honored you and your daughter chose our town. How is your room at the boardinghouse?”
“It’s more than adequate, thank you.”
“Will and I want to show you the church. We’ve been meeting on Sunday mornings, and those willing to take turns have led services. It will be good to have a real preacher. Your house is being finished and should be ready to move in to by the end of the week. Maybe you or Hannah would like to pick out the furniture.”
“I’m a simple man, and my daughter won’t be staying with me for long once she finds a suitable partner. I don’t need much, but if it makes your job easier, I’d be happy to select a few items.”
“There’s an adequate furniture store at the corner of First and Grant,” Daniel said. “Select what you need and put it on my account. Irving will know you’re coming.”
“That’s mighty generous.”
“It’s our job to take care of the man God has called to our town. We appreciate your willingness to come.”
“When we saw the advertisement for brides, Hannah and I felt we should write you. I didn’t want to send her off alone, and she was determined to come. It felt right.”
“Did you have a church in Chicago?” Daniel queried.
“Indiana, actually. Lafayette.”
“Wasn’t that where a man set out in an air balloon to try to make it to New York City with mail several years back?” Will’s eyes lit with interest.
“Yes, indeed. That was quite an event. Due to weather, the fellow landed in Crawfordsville, however, and the mail was delivered the rest of the way by train.”
“Have to give him credit for trying,” Daniel added. “Would it work for you if I show you the church and your house tomorrow morning?”
“That sounds good. I’ll meet you outside the boardinghouse?” The reverend stood and extended a hand.
Daniel nodded and both he and Will stood to shake his hand. The reverend left the restaurant.
“He seems like a good choice,” Will commented.
“He does.” A stocky young man poured Daniel coffee and took his order. As soon as he’d walked away, Daniel looked at his childhood friend. “What are we going to do?”
“About what?”
“About Leah, of course. Her lieutenant husband died and she’s a widow.” He shook his head, still stunned by her arrival. “Leah’s a widow. Her folks are gone, too. It pains me to think of her being alone and feeling so desperate that she answered our ad.”
“All of the women who answered the ad were desperate,” Will replied with perfect logic. “We have to figure that much. Most places have very few men of marriageable age left.”
“I know. The women all have their reasons. But this is Leah.”
Will tilted his head in concession. “You’re right. It may not have worked out for the two of us, but she’s the closest thing either of us has to family.”
And family was the most important, yet rarest commodity these days. “Like you said, it’s safe here,” Daniel said.
“The streets are not dangerous for a woman,” Will agreed.
“But we don’t know every last man. You can bet those gals will be buried under invitations to dinners and invited for rides and asked to picnics and all manner of social things. It will probably be confusing to have so many different men as husband prospects.”
Will raised his eyebrows. “We can’t choose for any of them.”
“I know. But maybe we could give Leah our guidance.” They sat in silence until Daniel’s meal arrived. He picked up his fork. “We need to talk to Noah. I wish he’d come today.”
“You knew he wouldn’t. He didn’t want any part of it. He only comes to town when he has to.”
“After I eat, I’m going to see him. Come with me.”
Will took a sip of his coffee and grimaced. “Cold. All right. I’ll go change and head for the livery.”
Will had Daniel’s brown-and-white skewbald gelding saddled when he arrived. They headed west. A few miles away from town, they encountered a small herd of buffalo. Interrupted from their grazing, the beasts lumbered away. Daniel and Will sat astride their horses and watched. As they stayed there without moving, several turkeys strutted out of the long grass and pecked at the ground. Daniel patted his horse’s neck, then slowly drew his rifle from its scabbard on the back of his saddle,