It was well into the second week of December and, according to the newspaper that now came directly from Denver every day instead of on the mail coach three days a week, snow had been predicted by evening.
Priscilla looked at the threatening sky and hoped she and Mitch could get to the Beekers’ house and back before the snow began to fall. She really didn’t want to miss seeing Mrs. Beeker. Little Emily had been having some issues in class over the last couple of weeks and when she showed up in the same dress three days in a row with no lunch, Priscilla decided to make the trip to their small farm outside of Dogtown.
With no means of transportation, Mitch had offered to drive her when she presented him with her problem. They had gotten closer since Thanksgiving. She’d often thought his uncle had something to do with Mitch’s change of attitude toward her. She still wasn’t too sure of her own feelings where he was concerned. She liked him, felt a very strong attraction to him, but she had no interest in a relationship or the confinements that would bring with it. For as much as Ellie loved teaching, Max had been forced by the Board of Education to fire her when they’d married.
Priscilla was dressed for the weather and waiting outside her door when Mitch pulled up. He hopped out of the buggy and helped her up
onto the seat. “Do you think we can make it out to the Beeker farm and back before the snow?”
Mitch slapped the reins on the horses’ backsides and the two animals trotted off in rhythm. “I think so. The newspaper said evening, and it’s only two o’clock. I think we’ll be fine.”
“Who’s watching the store?”
“Ian’s there, thank goodness, because someone needs to keep an eye on Ernest. The man is blind as a bat.”
“It’s really nice of you to let him still work there.”
“My father started that back when he bought the store from Ernest. The man was lost without having a place to go each day, so Père let him hang around and it turned into a sort of part-time job.”
Priscilla pulled up the collar of her coat. “Brr. The air is much colder here than in Oklahoma. We get pretty low temperatures in the winter, but not usually this soon.”
Mitch reached behind him and grabbed a blanket that he tossed at her. “Here, wrap yourself in that.”
She snuggled into it, covering up all the way to her nose. Despite the cold weather and threat of snow, she was enjoying the ride. The air was very clear in Colorado, and the pine trees and aspens gave it a very different look from Oklahoma. She thought of Papa’s automobile and how, with the windows rolled up, it kept the cold air from blowing in your face. As much as she begged, he wouldn’t allow her to drive it. Yet he’d bought the automobile because Mama wanted to learn to drive. But then, she’d never known her papa to deny Mama anything.
Mitch pointed up the road. “We’re almost there. I’m surprised there’s no smoke coming from the chimney. I hope everything is all right there.”
“That’s why I wanted to make this trip. I’m afraid everything is not all right.”
Little Emily came to the door as they pulled up. “Miss Cochran! What are you doing here? Am I in trouble?”
Her little face was pinched with anxiety, and Priscilla was sure things were not going well in her home. “No, sweetie. Mr. Beaumont and I just wanted to stop by and say hello to your mama and papa. Are they inside?”
She grew even more solemn. “My papa’s not here, and Mama’s not feeling well.”
“I was afraid of this,” Mitch mumbled to her as he helped her out of the buggy and they made their way into the house. Priscilla had brought a basket of food items, not at all sure what she was going to find.
Mrs. Beeker was lying on a sofa in the parlor, bundled up in blankets and looking quite miserable. Mr. Beeker was nowhere in sight.
Priscilla removed her coat and knelt down alongside the woman. “Mrs. Beeker, I’m Emily’s teacher, Miss Cochran. I don’t think we’ve met.”
The woman stared to rise on one elbow and fell back down again. “Oh, Lordy, am I embarrassed as all get out to have you see me and my place looking like this.” Tears formed in her eyes and slid down her gaunt cheeks.
“It looks to me like you’re ill.”
She nodded. “I think it’s the influenza that’s got me. I can’t hardly get off this sofa to even take care of Emily. Every time I stand up I feel like I’m about to fall over.”
“Where’s Emmet?” Mitch said.
“Last week he went to Denver to see his own ma who’s been feeling poorly, to help her out since he’s all caught up with the farm work for a while. Me and Emily were taking care of the animals just fine until I got sick, now she’s doing it all.” She bent from the waist and coughed, falling back on the pillows.
“Tell us what we can do, Mrs. Beeker.” Priscilla took the woman’s hand in hers.
“The best thing you can do is to bring Emily to my sister’s house so she can take care of her until I’m feeling better.”
Priscilla turned to Mitch. Do you know where Mrs. Beeker’s sister lives?”
“Isn’t she out there by Milkens’ farm?”