Amelia's Journey by Martha Rogers Read Free Book Online Page A

work as well, but Ben welcomed the diversion it would create. It would also put his mind to business rather than on one brown-haired girl with an independent spirit. A smile creased his face at the memory of her.
    Gideon leaned over and winked. “That smile isn’t for all the work we have to do. I bet it’s for one pretty girl named Amelia.”
    Ben’s cheeks burned. “And what if it is?”
    â€œWell, now, I say you’d better forget her. A fancy young woman like her isn’t going to fall for a cowboy like you.”
    â€œOh? And why not? Ma came out here with Pa, and they’ve done very well.” That’s the hope he could cling to with all his heart. They had come and been happy, so maybe he and Amelia could do the same.
    â€œHa! I don’t think Mrs. Carlyle is anything like Grandma Haynes is. Mrs. Carlyle is a snob.”
    â€œGideon, that’s no way to speak of Mrs. Carlyle. If you can’t do better than that, then keep your words to yourself, and if you don’t, I’ll tell Ma.” Although the boy spoke some truth, he didn’t need to voice his opinion like that, and Ma would never stand for his criticism of her best friend.
    â€œI’m sorry. But I still think you’re wasting your time mooning over Amelia.”
    Wasting time or not, Ben couldn’t help but think about her and what it would be like to have her as his wife.
    When they arrived at the ranch house, Ben gazed out to the prairie before climbing down from the wagon. Someday, he and Amelia would have a home out there. He believed with all his heart that God would provide the way despite any opposition from his or her parents. No matter how long it took, he’d dream and plan until it happened.

Chapter 6
    A melia waited while Maeleen buttoned up the back of the blue and cream dress to be worn to the dinner tonight, the first of many parties to come. Amelia didn’t look forward to it with the enthusiasm her parents expected. However, out of respect for them, she would smile and enjoy the evening as much as she possibly could. Having Mary Beth along would help, but not enough.
    Maeleen stepped back. “Now, ye be all fastened up, and if ye don’t mind me saying so, ye be a beautiful lass. And a good time ye and Miss Haynes should be having, but I dunna see the spark in your eyes.”
    â€œYou’re right. I don’t really want to go, but Mama and Papa expect it, so I’ll go and have an enjoyable evening for their sakes.” She pulled one curl over her shoulder and tilted her head to peer into the looking glass. No, that was coquettish. She shoved it back to her neck and patted the waves on the side. There, that was better.
    After Maeleen left, Amelia reached over for her letter box and removed Ben’s letter. Once again she devoured the words as he described arriving home and resuming his chores at the ranch. She let her hands drop to her lap and imagined Ben in his work clothes and on a horse. A smile played about her lips. What a grand picture that made.
    Mama stopped in the hallway by the door. “You look lovely, my dear. Now come, Papa has the carriage drawn around, and don’t forget your wrap. The evening air is cool, and we don’t want you to catch cold after the first dinner party and miss the season again.”
    Amelia hid the letter in the folds of her skirt. “Yes, Mama.” She waited until her mother left before stuffing the letter back into its box. She picked up the shawl matching her dress and shrugged. A lot of good it’d do if the air were truly cold, but she never again wanted to be as ill as she’d been last year. When Amelia stepped into the hall, Mama was already halfway down the staircase.
    Papa helped Amelia and Mama into the carriage. As Amelia smoothed her skirt so as not to wrinkle it during the ride, she remembered her afternoon with Ben a few weeks earlier. How she wished he could be her escort for