“I don’t care,” she said, realizing she was not acting like a lady. With a growl, she shook her head. “All right. I’ll remember I’m a lady. But Alice needs to stay away from me.”
Laughter came from Daisy as she took her by the arm. They walked around the area stretching their legs.
The stagecoach driver came out of the bushes and glanced at them.
“Ladies, this is your last stop before we reach Treasure Falls. We’ll be arriving within the hour. Get on board,” their driver said.
“Just a moment,” Francis Wiles said. It was rumored that she worked in a saloon in charge of the dice table.
The women all gathered around and Francis pulled out some dice. “Let’s throw to see who gets off the stage first.”
The women threw the dice and Daisy came in second with Blanche third.
“That’s not fair,” Alice whined and it was all Blanche could do not to knock her out. But that wouldn’t be ladylike. She had to remember to act like a lady, not a hooligan.
“You’re so right, Alice. Life can be very unfair at times,” Blanche said, trying to use the same type of tone and words that she thought Mrs. Newton would have said.
“Bitch,” Alice said beneath her breath.
Blanche pasted a fake smile on her face and ignored the woman. It would not do to arrive in Treasure Falls with a bruised cheek or bloody hands from fighting. She had to remember to always act like a lady.
Though she did not feel like one. And doubted she ever would.
“That’s it. Let’s go,” the driver said as they all began to climb back in the wooden contraption.
“Last time. I don’t think I ever want to ride in a stagecoach again,” Mary said.
“Me too,” Blanche replied.
When the stage started up, the women had grown quiet as they bounced around on their way to meet their husbands.
Blanche had never dreamed of a big wedding. She’d never had a suitor or anyone who sought her pleasure. But she had dreamed of a family. And no matter what, she would never leave her children. Nothing could take her from them.
She would be a good mother, unlike her own mother.
The horses picked up speed and the women glanced at one another knowing that soon, they would be arriving.
Soon they would face their destiny. Soon they would meet their husbands.