In a place like Silver Gulch, where life was hard and people were focused on their own survival, this kind of generosity was rare. When they reached Faith's cabin, Colton hesitated at the door. "I've got to get to my shift at the mine," he said. "But I was wondering if I might call on you tomorrow. Bring some more wood.
Maybe fix that loose step on your porch. Faith should have refused. She was a new widow, and accepting the attentions of another man so soon would raise eyebrows. But the thought of facing another day alone was unbearable, and Colton had been nothing but respectful. "That would be fine, Mr.
Reed," she said. "Perhaps you could join us for lunch. It's the least I can do to thank you." A smile transformed Colton's weatherbeaten face, making him almost handsome. I'd like that very much, Mrs. Sullivan.
As he walked away, Faith watched him go, Emma babbling in her arms. For the first time since Thomas had fallen ill, she felt a small spark of hope that perhaps they would survive this after all. The next few days fell into a pattern. Colton would arrive in the morning, bringing firewood or game he had hunted, and spend an hour or two making repairs around Faith's cabin. The loose step was fixed, the leaky roof patched, and the squeaky door rehung.
They would share a simple meal, during which Colton would entertain Emma with his whittling or funny faces that made the baby girl giggle. Faith learned that Coloulton had come west after the war, where he had fought for the Union, despite being from Virginia. He didn't speak much about his family, or what had happened after the war. But Faith sensed there was pain there he wasn't ready to share. He had worked as a ranch hand in Colorado before coming to Montana territory to try his luck in the Silver Mines.
Not that I've had much luck, he admitted with a rise smile. But the work is steady, and that's something. In turn, Faith told him about growing up in Philadelphia, the daughter of a school teacher who had died when she was 16. "She had worked as a seamstress until meeting Thomas, who had dreams of making his fortune in the West. He was so certain we would strike it rich, Faith said softly, remembering her husband's enthusiasm.
He wanted to build a big house and give Emma all the things he never had growing up. Colton nodded. That's a good dream, honorable, but perhaps not realistic, Faith added with a sigh. I sometimes wonder if we should have stayed in Pennsylvania. Can't live on whatifs, Colton said gently.
You made the best decision you could at the time. That's all any of us can do. On Monday morning, Colton arrived earlier than usual to accompany Faith and Emma to the general store for her first day of work. Faith had prepared as best she could, packing a small bag with Emma's necessities and wearing her blue calico dress again, now freshly washed and pressed. Nervous," Colton asked as they walked through town.