“Yes, I do. I have four children. Well, actually they’re my nieces and nephews. My brother died last month.”
Mrs. Bonner’s eyes clouded. “I’m so sorry. What about their mother?”
“She passed away of influenza.”
“Oh, how difficult for those children. And now you’re raising them yourself?” Her voice softened and she reached out to pat Tori’s arm.
I’m trying to. “Yes, they’re wonderful children.”
“Where are they now?” Mrs. Bonner glanced around as if expecting the children to dart out from inside Tori’s small tent.
“They’re in Arkansas City where I left them, so I could take the train. Michael, the oldest, will bring them in our wagon. I figure they should be here sometime tomorrow, if all goes well.” Her stomach rumbled.
“Well, you do have your hands full for such a young woman.” Mrs. Bonner sighed and crossed her arms over her middle. “Would you like to join us for supper?”
She hesitated only a moment. “I’d appreciate that, ma’am. Being too nervous this morning, I skipped breakfast, and must admit the smells coming from your campfire have my stomach growling.”
Mrs. Bonner took her arm. “Well let’s go over to the fire and grab a bowl. Soup’s ready.”
Tori frowned. “I don’t want to sound like a worrier, but do you think it will be all right to leave my lot unattended?”
Charles Bonner walked over. “We can keep an eye on it from here. We’re also watching the lot next to you for the gentleman who settled there earlier.”
“That’s good to know. Thank you, both.” Tori accepted the full-to-the brim bowl from Mrs. Bonner.
They all ate the delicious soup, making light conversation. Happy to have someone to talk with, the older couple gave her a sense of security, something she hadn’t had in a long time. They shared stories of what they hoped to do with the land they’d claimed. The Bonners planned to open a restaurant. If the soup gave any indication of Mrs. Bonner’s cooking skills, her restaurant would be successful.
“So you’re a teacher?” Charles Bonner asked as he mopped his bowl with bread.
“That’s right. When I arrived in Kansas to take care of my nieces and nephews, I couldn’t find a job. I’m sure there will be a need for teachers here, and I plan to do some tutoring until a proper school can be set up.” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.
Charles regarded her with an authoritative, but friendly, smile. “Education is very important. There are many, many families here. They’ll want schools set up first thing, I’m sure.”
She smiled at his enthusiasm. “That’s what I’m counting on. In the meantime, I’ll do some baking—not much, pies, cookies and such. I’m hoping to sell some of them for income before school starts.”
Mrs. Bonner looked up abruptly. “We’ll need some of those things for our restaurant. I can cook anything, but baking has never been one of my favorite things to do. I’ve always been able to put bread on the table, but poor Charles has never had many baked goodies over the years. Why don’t you give me some samples when you get set up, and maybe you can supply us.”
“I would love that.” Tori relaxed as all the tension seeped from her. She’d been so worried she hadn’t made the right decision in coming here, but after claiming land on her own, and now talking to the Bonners, any other plan seemed out of the question. Everything would come together.
“I’m amazed you have everything set up so fast. You must have made very good time coming in.” Tori wrapped her fingers around the warm cup of coffee and took a sip.
“Ye
s, we did make good time. We have a new wagon. Charles wanted to be sure we got here fast and safe.” She grinned and nodded toward her husband. “I must admit, I had my eyes closed most of the way.”
Charles smiled at his wife, then turned to Tori. “She’s not joking, you know. Frances wants everything to be slow.” His eyes twinkled. “I tried to explain to her why they called it a race.”
It amazed her how quickly she felt comfortable with this couple. Glad to have made friends, not just neighbors, she leaned back and enjoyed their company. “Since I came in on the train, I didn’t see the race begin. Where did you start?”
Mrs. Bonner gathered up dirty dishes. “We came in from Caldwell. There were thousands of farmers, cowboys, and old soldiers in buggies, wagons, and on horseback in our group. We all helped one another cross the Cimarron River before we made camp at Buffalo Springs. Yesterday being Easter Sunday, a preacher in our group held a service, and the men played baseball, and organized foot races afterward. Such a wonderful group of people.”
Charles took up the story. “When the bugles sounded at exactly twelve noon today, all I could see for miles was dust and horses. Hats flew off, wagons swayed back and forth, and the race began. This will be a day that goes down in American history, mark my words.”
The rest of the day passed pleasantly in the Bonners’ friendship. The plot of land on the other side of her remained quiet the whole afternoon. The lines at the Federal Land Office must have been long.
As darkness settled over the new town, Tori crawled into her tent. She undid her bindings and took a deep breath. Though it felt strange, and in some ways naughty, she couldn’t resist massaging her sore breasts. Angry red lines crisscrossed her chest from where the bindings had cut into her.
She yawned, stretched, and took off her spectacles. After fixing the small bedroll, she blew out the lantern the Bonners had lent her. After pulling on her nightgown and braiding her hair, she laid her tired body down and slept peacefully for the first time in days.