Romance and the Rain

By B. J. Winkleman

Izzy and Bobby were best friends, since before they even started school together in the first grade. Why not? After all, their fathers spreads were next door to each other. Well, next door, if you consider their houses being almost five miles apart, in beautiful new state of Wyoming, in the late 1800s. They were always best friends, yet never becoming what Izzy had hoped. She had given up on him ever loving her as more than friends, when a handsome young man moved into the next ranch over and they fell deeply in love with each other.

Women being women and men being men, even in the late nineteenth century, they could hardly keep their hands off each other. Though they each had commitments to God as well as to themselves, that they would each stay virgins until their wedding night, it was very hard for them not to have sex. The want and then the need for each other were almost overpowering.

Would they be able to stay true to their commitment? And would Bobby turn bitter for the love he could have had, or would he find a love of his own as his two best friends had found?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503584648

B. J. Winkleman

The author B. J. Winkleman was raised in Elliott County, Kentucky. At the age of sixteen, she was married, and she and her husband have this year celebrated their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Mrs. Winkleman published her first book, Romance and the Rain, which was is set in the late 1890s in the beautiful state of Wyoming. This novel, Storms of Romance, which is its sequel, is set five years in the future from the first book. Betty believes that the message of both books still rings true today. The trials that men and women have when they truly love one another but still want to stay true to God by remaining virgins until they are married were as hard back then as they are today. This book speaks realistically to the feelings of these couples but does it in a way that the author herself does not have to be ashamed of. B. J. Winkleman hopes that the readers of her novel will enjoy reading her book as much as she enjoyed writing it.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

I ZZY AND BOBBY were best friends, since before they even started school together in the first grade. Why not? After all, their fathers’ spreads were next door to each other. Well, next door, if you consider their houses being almost five miles apart. Their ranches were nestled in the beautiful rolling hills and valleys, between the mountain ranges in Wyoming. Their families were both well established, since they had been there around thirty-five or so years and were very well thought of in the community, which they had watched grow, seemingly by leaps and bounds. Neither family was rich, but they were both well-to-do, as they say.

Bobby, John Robert Baker, was the youngest of three sons of Branson and Arvilla Baker. He was a very nice looking young man, with sandy-blonde hair and blue eyes, of nearly twenty. His older brothers, Vance and Blaine, were both married to local girls, each with a small child, and had small, but nice homes on Branson’s cattle ranch, where they all worked together, to make a comfortable living.

Most years at least, when there was not drought, rustlers, or fever in their valley. This year had seemed to be one of those years for the Bakers. Branson had contracted a new ‘Hereford’ bull and eighteen prime heifers from a ranch several hundred miles west of Hamilton Falls. Though their new breeding stock was healthy when they left Nevada, the stop over, just over the Wyoming line was ill fated. The train took on some cattle that were carrying ‘black leg fever’, which was deadly and very contagious. No sooner than the Bakers got the prime beef to their ranch, than they noticed that something was wrong. They had the vet to come out to the ranch immediately. He had just heard about the epidemic of the other cattle that had been on the train, and had also heard that they had already been destroyed.

The Bakers were devastated when the vet arrived, checked the cattle and told them the bad news. Branson was only grateful that he had not yet turned the new stock out with the rest of his herd. He and his sons, took their rifles from their scabbards, and shot the beautiful red and white beasts. They spent the rest of the day burying the diseased carcasses, so that no other animal could contract the disease.

This made for a lean year for all of the Bakers, but Branson was a strong man, and was not about to let this setback, consume his life. He told his family that they would get by, and that next year, the good Lord willing, would be better.

Branson and Arvilla, who were best friends with Izzy’s parents, had all thought and actually hoped, since the very first time they saw Bobby pull Izzy’s pony-tail, that their youngest son, would someday, maybe, even after they were gone, marry that pretty little girl, and perhaps join their ranches as one. Bobby always said though, that they were friends, best friends, and you don’t marry your best friend.

Izzy, Elizabeth Ann McGill, that is, was a very beautiful, young lady, with light brown hair and deep green eyes, of nineteen, who could hold her own against her sister, baking a cake, or against her brother, in a horse race. The McGill’s, Kevin and Etta, who also had a nice cattle ranch, where their son, Steven and his wife, Rachael, also worked and lived on the ranch. Suzie, their daughter and oldest child, was married to the young doctor in town, and was expecting a baby, which was exciting to both families, since they were all so very close.

Hamilton Falls, a small but growing town, was a nice place to live and raise a family. Its bazaars, socials, and dances always offered something for the young people to do on Saturdays, and of course, on Saturday night.

The Hamilton’s first come to the area, around fifty years before and started a trading post. There were still outlaws and Indians to contend with then, but slowly a town started, rising up mostly from the mining in the nearby mountains and from the cattle ranching below.

The largest ranch in the area was the ‘Lazy H’, which was owned by the Hamilton’s. The elder Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were gone, of course, but their son, Charles, and his wife, Nadine, who he had met and married while he was on a buying trip back east, still lived there with their daughter, Julie.

That is, Charles had lived there, until the summer before, when he suddenly died. The doctor had said that it was his heart. It happened right after Julie graduated from high school. Charles was perhaps the most well respected gentleman in the area, so almost the whole town turned out for the grave side funeral. The men, all in their best black attire, and the ladies, in their long, black dresses, gloves and veils.

Julie, a redheaded, very cute little lady, was a year younger than Izzy and Bobby, but she was Izzy’s best friend; well, best girlfriend. Nadine and Julie were both devastated when Charles passed away, so Nadine decided to go back to Baltimore, where she still had family. This just about broke Izzy’s and Julie’s hearts, but they promised to write and to keep up with each other.

The ‘Lazy H’, which was on the other side of the valley, just past the Baker’s ranch, the ‘Box BB’, had been up for sale nearly a year, when the whole valley became abuzz with the news, that a new family from California, was buying it. All the ranchers in the valley hoped that the new owners would be as nice of neighbors, as the Hamilton’s had been.

Izzy and Julie wrote each other all winter, and when the spring of 1896 was in full bloom, Julie asked, in her latest letter, if Izzy could come to visit her in Baltimore for a month or so. Mrs. Hamilton had even said, in the letter, that she would pay Izzy’s train fare and her expenses while she was there. This, of course, made Izzy dance with delight, as everyone who saw her come out of the post office that day could attest to, when she had went into town to get the mail and pick up supplies. She could hardly wait to get home to ask her parents’ permission.

However, as she often did, she passed up the road into her house, driving the buckboard as fast as she dared push the horses, to go tell Bobby the exciting news. She saw Bobby and his family off in the distance, in the pasture, where they most always were this time of year, on a weekday, working with their cattle. They also saw her coming down the road, driving so furiously, that they all thought someone was hurt or something else was wrong. The four Baker men, Bobby, Branson, Vance and Blain, jumped on their horses, leaving their few hands working. They were able to keep only them on, since the ’black leg’ scare had used up most of their resources. They were all very scared as they galloped to meet her.

They all met up in front of the barn, where Branson exclaimed, What on earth’s the matter, girl!?

She answered him, almost out of breath, saying, Everything is wonderful! I may be going to see Julie in Baltimore. I’ve never been east! Of anywhere! she said, all aglow with excitement. Branson, Vance and Blain, all let out a simultaneous sigh of relief, while Bobby just laughed and shook his head.

Branson, trying to be the bold grownup, sternly scolded her saying, If I ever see you driving that team like that again, and no one ain’t dead, young lady, I’ll turn you over my knee, myself!

Izzy, dropping her head, realizing how fast she had been going and with a pouting smile, said, I’m sorry, I was just so excited. I had to tell Bobby my news, looking up at him with her big, green eyes. She knew she had it licked, when he smiled, looked at his sons and just shook his head. She was always so special to their family; it was like he and his wife had a daughter, and his sons had a sister. They were special to her, too, as if she had another set of parents and three more brothers.

Bobby stayed by the buggy to talk a moment, while his family went on back to work. How long will you be gone, that is, if your parents will let you go? he asked.

She said, A month is what the letter said. I guess more with travel time.

Bobby, by then pouting, himself, said, I can’t stand your being gone a month or more. What will I do without you?

Hey now, I’ll miss you too. But you’ll be busy with rest of spring branding. And besides, that new family will be coming soon, and I know you’ll want to see what’s going on over there, she said, trying to console him, in a coy way.

She could always get her way with him. Well, always, except for the time when they were both around thirteen, and she decided that she wanted to be more than friends, but be boyfriend and girlfriend. Bobby had told her then, that he did love her, but didn’t see her in that way. So after a while, she gave up and went back to being his ‘tom-boy’ pal, riding and racing their horses and things like that. She couldn’t lose him; after all, they were too good of friends for that. They had each had their little romances, nothing serious though, and they had told each other everything. All the girls simply swooned when Bobby walked into a social or dance. And Izzy, well, as Bobby would put it, she had to ‘beat the boys off with a stick’. They would all just stand in line to get a dance with her.

I’ll see you before you go, right? Bobby asked, as she pulled away, more slowly this time.

She yelled back, You bet! You can’t get rid of me that easily. See ya soon! As she drove back to her ranch, she studied how would be the best way to approach her parents, to get them to say yes. She knew her mom would miss her in the kitchen and with the housework, since all the spring chores were in full swing. She thought her dad would be easier to convince than her mom would, because she could most often get her way with him. He had hired hands to help him, after all, but her mother didn’t.

They just had to say yes, didn’t they? As bad as she missed Julie, you would think so, she thought to herself, as she got to the barn. There was her dad, standing in the barn hallway, who had come back to the barn, to get something they had forgotten, when he and all the men had went out to work that morning. He was looking tired and aggravated. She wondered, as she came nearer to Kevin, if it was the right time to ask him about this, but she just couldn’t wait, she thought. She blurted out the whole thing, without even taking a breath. Then she just stared at him, waiting for a response, with her heart racing. He looked at her lovingly, and asked, jokingly, Was there a question in there somewhere?

Sighing, she answered, Yes; can I go, please?

He answered her, without even a pause, saying, Ask your momma; if she can get along without you, for that long, and you promise to come back my same girl, then it’s alright with me.

She grabbed him around the neck, and squeezed him so hard, that it almost took his breath. Oh, thank you, I love you so much, she said, then ran toward the house. As she hurried into the kitchen, she saw her mother standing over the sink, as she had seen her so often, working contently. She had run in the house so excitedly, that Etta knew something was going on, to have her daughter, so breathlessly entering the house from the yard.

Izzy, first handed her mom the other mail, and then handed her Julie’s letter, from behind her back. Before Etta could say anything, Izzy asked her to read it all, before she gave her an answer. Etta, thinking to herself, ‘Answer to what?’ sat down at the huge, well-worn, kitchen table, and started to read the three-page letter.

Izzy sat down, too, and waited patiently, trying not to make her mom nervous, while she was reading. As she sat there, she looked around, trying not to stare at Etta. Izzy had spent so many happy hours in this room, working, laughing and talking with her family, that it was her favorite room in the house. It’s big, black cook stove, to warm yourself by, on a cold winter’s morning; the long, blue-painted cabinet, with doors along the top and below, where they had prepared many a dish; and the large, wooden carving table, with its long turned legs; and the pump at the sink, with its long handle, which always would give a cool drink of water, all made her feel content there, also.

They had a nice dining room, but it was hardly ever used, except when they had company over. They always made all their guests feel so at home, though, that most often, everyone ended up in the kitchen, anyhow.

As Etta finished reading, she cleared her throat and she looked up at Izzy, and finally said, I don’t know about this now, honey; you are too young to go half way across the country by yourself.

Before Izzy could answer, her father, walked in the kitchen door, and said, looking at Etta, That’s right, that’s why you must go with her.

Izzy was filled with sorrow, then with glee, all in almost the same instance. Oh, momma, that would be wonderful! You’ve always wanted to see more of the country. We would have a wonderful time. I could see Julie and you could visit with Mrs. Hamilton, Izzy exclaimed, knowing that her mother had missed Nadine, almost as much, as she had missed Julie.

I can’t go and leave you here alone for a month, or six weeks more like it, counting traveling time, both ways by rail. I would miss you too bad and besides, I think I am needed around here a little, or at least, I hope so, she said to her husband, surprised at his suggestion.

Of course, you are both needed, Kevin explained, but you haven’t been back east in so long, I know you would enjoy it. You could even stop off in St. Louis for a week or so, and see your cousin, that you’re always writing to. Still, that would leave you and Izzy three weeks to visit with the Hamilton’s.

Etta, becoming cautiously excited, said, What about your meals, and washing your clothes and such.

Kevin thought a moment, before he answered, with Izzy looking at him, as to say, ’Come on, think of something!’.

I can go to the bunkhouse to eat; and as for my clothes, well, I think I can manage. And if worst comes to worst, I can always ask Suzie or Rachael for help. They wouldn’t mind, especially knowing what a wonderful trip it would be for you, and Izzy!

Etta finally agreed, reluctantly, after she talked to Suzie and Doc Rivers, as everyone except Suzie, still called him. He was a little older than their daughter, maybe five years or so, but they seemed to love each other deeply. She also talked Steven and to Rachael, who seemed to be part of their family, since the first time Steven had brought her home to meet them. They both said that they would be glad help.

She was excited at the thought of seeing St. Louis, her hometown again, as well as her cousin, whom she had been close to, ever since she was a child. She was also very excited about going farther east, as that was something she had always wanted to do.

Izzy was ecstatic, as anyone might well imagine, at the thought of seeing Julie, of course, and seeing all of the eastern cities, that she had always heard about. She had never been any farther east than the one time, when she was about twelve, that she went with her family and the hands on a cattle drive, just over the border into South Dakota, and she didn’t consider that ‘east’ at all. Izzy and her mom sent letters to her mom’s cousin and to Julie and her mother, making all of the arrangements. When they received their answers back by return mail, which took about three weeks, they started packing and getting things ready so that Kevin could manage, as Etta put it.

Finally, the seemingly, long awaited day came, when Izzy and Etta were scheduled to leave on the afternoon train. Kevin planned to drive them into town, meet the rest of the family and then, they would all have dinner at the hotel, as a going-away luncheon.

It just so happened, that their leaving, was on the very same day that the new family, that had bought the Hamilton ranch, were supposed to arrive on the train. At least, that was what their small, once a week, town newspaper had read. Bobby and his parents came into town to see Izzy and her mother off; and to meet that very train, with the new Phillips family arriving from California. They said their ‘good-byes’ in front of the hotel, so that the family could have some alone time with Etta and Izzy. As Bobby was telling Izzy good-bye, he felt more sadness about it than he had expected, telling her that he thought that it would never be the same again; that perhaps she would grow-up too much, while she was gone.

Izzy tried to comfort Bobby, as they hugged, telling him that nothing could never change their friendship, wherever she was. As she started to kiss him on the cheek, he turned suddenly and they, somewhat accidentally, kissed on the lips. They both laughed and then, he held her closer than he had ever held her, which brought a tear to her eye. Then, while they were all talking, standing there on the front porch of the only hotel in town, they all heard the train whistle and knew it would be there any minute.

Bobby and his family left them, so that the McGill’s could have their lunch. The hotel had a nice restaurant and dining room, which was just fancy enough, they all thought, for any special occasion, with its china, silverware, and white table clothes and napkins.

They had plenty of time for their meal, because the train would have to unload and take on water and wood, before it was reloaded with passengers and went on eastward, around an hour or two later.

CHAPTER TWO

B OBBY HAD DRIVEN the largest wagon that the Bakers owned to town that day, as to offer the Phillips’ family help with crates and boxes and such that they would probably have with them, on the train. Branson had said that their being kind to their new neighbors would not cost them anything; and that they needed to make the newcomers feel welcome, right from the start, by offering as much help as they could manage, with still keeping up with their own ranch work and such. He had always been that way, which made his family, even more proud of him; always ready to help a neighbor, or even a stranger, if there was a need.

Branson and Arvilla had driven separately from Bobby, in the largest and nicest buggy that they owned, which would handle around six passengers or so. They had used it a lot, when their children were growing up. They had read, in the paper, that the Phillips’ had three sons, the same as they had, but did not know their exact ages.

They left their friends, who they were saddened to see leave, but also happy for them that they were able to take such a holiday. They got to the train station, just as the passengers had started to unload. Branson saw a family of five getting off the train and assumed correctly that this was the Phillips family. He walked up to them, his hat in hand, being the gentleman that he was and introduced himself, his wife and his son. The Phillips’ were a younger couple than they were, probably in their middle forties; but seemed very friendly and happily surprised by their new neighbor’s gesture. They introduced themselves as Zach and Abigail Phillips. Their oldest son was Andy, who was twenty-one; next was Teddy, who was fifteen; and lastly was Cody, who had just turned thirteen, they said.

The two families stood there in front of the station for a few moments and talked a bit. The station was very busy, with people buzzing around them, meeting their loved ones, who were arriving; and the conductor, hurrying his helpers, with the unloading of cargo and such. He was always checking his pocket watch, shouting orders that he was trying to stay on schedule.

Branson then offered to drive them on to their new ranch, which they told them that they had bought, sight-unseen, from a very reputable broker that they knew personally. The broker had seen the ranch up-for-sale notice in all the larger regional papers, and had come and looked at it himself. The Phillips’ then told them, that they would need to hire a rig or something to get their belongings from the train. Bobby spoke up boldly, as the fine young man he was, and told them he had brought their wagon in, just for that reason and would gladly stay and get their stuff. Andy then said he would stay and help and then ride back with Bobby, which would make for a more comfortable, long ride, for the rest of the family. It was all then agreed, and the Phillips’ were very glad to find out that they had such good neighbors and told the Bakers so.

Andy and Bobby struck up a good conversation, while they waited at the dock for their turn to load their wagon. Bobby told Andy all about the town, pointing out certain attractions, as they backed the wagon up to the dock. There was, of course, the hotel with its restaurant, bank, saloon, dry goods store and the mercantile, and so on. Andy told Bobby, that they would need to get some livestock, mostly a couple of horses, and a milk cow, just to start with, and then work on whatever else the ranch and house needed, until their new ’Hereford’ breeding stock came on the train with their hired hands the next week. Bobby told Andy, that the Baker’s and the McGill’s, as well as some other ranches, had good stock that they could sometimes, possibly sell. The livery kept good horses also, but Bobby told Andy to watch out for the owner, as he was a good guy, but a slick trader.

Andy took in all of Bobby’s advice, thanking him for his help. His father also had given him a list of supplies to pick up at the general mercantile, just the essentials, until they could be a little settled and come back to town for the rest. The store was filled with customers, all ready to greet the new, very handsome young man. They all were already trying to get him fixed up with a girl, their daughter or niece or whoever. He saw right away that this was going to be a friendly town to live in.

On the way through town in the wagon, they passed the hotel, where Izzy happened to be looking out dining room window, as her family had just about finished their lunch. She saw Bobby and Andy, as they went by. Seeing Andy for the first time, which was the way it was for everyone, she thought to herself, that she hoped that this good-looking, dark haired young man would be a new friend to them all. In fact, as she told her family to look out the window at him, she stared at his beautiful face and his trim, strong looking body and thought to herself that he was very, very, good looking. Just for a moment, she wished that she were not leaving that day. Kevin said that he and Steven would go over, get to know them, and try to be of help, starting the next day.

On the way to Andy’s ranch, he and Bobby talked, non-stop, becoming fast friends. They discussed everything, from the weather of the region, to the Saturday entertainment, to the available girls in the area. Bobby told him also, as they passed the road into the ‘Circle M’ ranch, about the McGill’s and their spread; and then he started telling him all about Izzy. He told him all about their growing up together, about their adventures and their wonderful friendship. He also told him about her leaving, that very day and the whole story about Julie. He had plenty of time, since they needed to drive the fully loaded wagon very slowly, not wanting to damage the contents of his new neighbor’s belongings. He also told him of the way that Izzy and Julie missed each other and how it came about that the Hamilton’s moved away and sold the ranch to Andy’s family, in the first place.

Andy thought to himself that Izzy sounded like a very nice girl to be friends with, when she returned from the east. He then asked Bobby, with a smile, if she was pretty and Bobby told him that she was the prettiest girl around. Andy then inquired if they were going steady or anything. Bobby said, that they were just friends, but best friends, he added, with a kind of warning glint in his eye. The way Bobby said it, made Andy to know that Bobby really cared for her and did not want her to be hurt.

As the two went on with their journey, they also passed the road into the ‘Box BB’ ranch. He then told Andy about his family and all the trouble that they had had that spring with shipping in their new breeding stock. They each said that they hoped that nothing like that would happen again, to any of them. Bobby also told him about their ranch and then inquired what would be the Phillips’ spread brand. Andy said that he was not sure, but his father would probably stay with the brand they had in California, which was the ‘Bar P3’ brand, standing for Zach’s three sons, which Bobby thought was kindly neat.

The way into the Hamilton ranch, now the Phillips’ ranch, which everyone would have to get used to saying, was rather overgrown. The large arch over the entrance, still read the ‘Lazy H’, above, and ’Hamilton’, below, of course. Andy said as they entered, that they would have to work on that soon, to let everyone know that they were ‘open for business’, as he put it, with a grin. When they got to where they could see the ranch house, Andy was pleasantly surprised on how well that the large, two story, stone house had held up, since no one had been living there for almost a year. It’s tall, stone columns on the front porch made the entry look massive. There was one cracked windowpane on the second floor and the yard was overgrown some, but the house seemed to be mostly intact.

The Bakers and the rest of the Phillips family were already inside, pulling sheets from off the furniture that the Hamilton’s had let go with the place, trying to shake the dust out of them, as they went.

Andy and Bobby backed the wagon up to the front door, as close as they could get it and all the men and boys started carrying in the boxes and crates and such. Abigail and Arvilla were talking a mile a minute, instructing which box went where. The ladies had already had plenty of time to look around and get an idea where Abigail would want things. They were already sure that they would be good friends and Arvilla also had told her, on the way in, about the other ladies and their committees, women’s clubs and activities and such and especially about her best friend, Etta McGill, who had left that very day on her trip, but said that she was sure that she would like her, as well.

The boys, Teddy and Cody, had already ran down to the large barn and stables, to check them over, for their father, they said, as they were running back to help with the house, before their mother had a chance to scold them. The boys ran up the huge, walnut staircase, with their carpetbags in hand, to hurry and try to pick out their own rooms. But their mother told them as they came back down for the boxes that went upstairs, that she had already picked the largest bedroom, which had been the Hamilton’s master bedroom, Arvilla had told her, for she and husband, of course. She also told them that Andy would get to pick his choice next, since he was the oldest. They grumbled, but conceited and made Andy go up right then to pick, so they could start on their rooms. Teddy would be next and lastly, Cody, which he complained about.

However, the house was so huge and nice, be it dusty, he quickly saw that all the bedrooms were desirable and was pleased with himself, because his was the room that he wanted anyway, he told all of them, with smile. The upstairs once had a total of five bedrooms, before Mr. Hamilton had contracted ‘indoor plumbing facilities’ to be put in the smallest of the bedrooms, which left four; just enough, so that all the Phillips’ boys could have their own rooms. Their house was so far the only house in the valley, not counting town, of course, with such a luxury, Arvilla had told them.

The downstairs was just as nice, with the large ‘drawing’ room, as the Hamilton’s called it, which they mostly used when guests came to visit. That room had a large oil-burning chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. Charles Hamilton also had put in oil-burning lights throughout the whole house, several years before he passed away, which made life a lot easier, not having to constantly fill lamps with kerosene.

The house needed a lot of attention, but everyone pitched in and helped. There was the yard to cut back away from the house, which Mrs. Phillips said she wanted done first thing in the morning, if they could find the tools, because Abigail was afraid that there would be snakes trying to get in the house.

As evening was fast approaching, the Baker’s said that they should probably get back home before dark. Branson told them that they could borrow his son, Bobby, to help for a few days, until they were settled. Mr. and Mrs. Phillip’s said that was terribly nice, but asked if he would not be needed at home. Branson said he could get along without him a few days; that at least he could help until their hands got there, and besides, what else were neighbors for. Bobby agreed with his father quickly, because he was sure that he and Andy were going to be good friends and he wanted to get to know him better.

Bobby left the large wagon and team, because the Phillips would not have any way to travel into town, until they purchased some stock. So, then the Baker’s headed home, feeling that they had met some wonderful people. They were all tired, but a good tired.

Bobby and all the Phillips family spent the next week, washing, cleaning, cutting, chopping, and everything else that comes with moving in to a new place. The McGill men all came over, starting on the second day, introducing themselves and gave their help also. They all got along so well, as they worked together, as if they had known each other for years.

Bobby was really impressed on how hard that Mr. Phillips worked. He had wondered, before he got to know him, if he would work as hard as someone who was not rich. Andy told Bobby, one day, when they were working alone, that they did not always have money, but that his father had always worked really hard, but also had made some good investments. Zach had owned a nice ranch in California, as well as some town interests, Andy told Bobby, as they worked side-by-side. Their hometown, though, seemed to get closer and closer, year after year, and Zach was a man that liked wide-open spaces, Andy added. Bobby asked him, if he didn’t miss his home and his friends. Andy said that he did, but he also liked the adventure of it all, the new people, new places and such.

The day came when the breeding stock and the hired hands were supposed to arrive on the train. The Baker men and the McGill men all went into town to help herd the cattle to the very much improved ‘Bar P3’ ranch, which Zach had decided to keep as the name and brand.

Meanwhile, Izzy and Etta had been on their journey, seeing a lot of beautiful country as they traveled, with layovers in several towns that they passed through. The train had its usual cars with seats and a nice dining car, as well as a car with sleeping berths, which made the time go quicker, not having to stop the train, but every so often.

The two ladies were always close, as mother and daughter, but they were becoming friends, as the miles went by; talking and laughing, with Etta telling Izzy all about when she and Kevin first met and their romance, with the trials and feelings of a young woman. Izzy saw her mother, for the first time, not only as the mom that she had always loved, but also as a woman with wishes and needs and a life before they came west.

They also discussed the subject, which was very hard for most parents to discuss with their children; the subject of sex, which she had never heard her mom say the word aloud before. Where ‘babies come from’ was taught to her by her siblings, as they had all seen what goes on during the breeding of cattle and horses on the ranch. And she had seen calves and colts being born, enough to learn, by the time she was eight that babies are not really brought by storks or found in the cabbage patch, as she had been told when she was about four years old.

However, the feelings and desires of a woman and man, was a new subject, for her and mom, but was well past time for, according to Etta. Izzy was nineteen, and her mother knew that she would need to know these things, so she could be prepared for them; if not with Bobby, then with whoever she was to fall in love with. Etta told her that a lady does not let a boy ‘go too far‘, as a true lady must remain a virgin, until her wedding night, which any man will respect, if he truly loves the girl.

Their time in St. Louis was fun and interesting for both of them, as they spent time with Etta’s cousin, June and her family, which Izzy had never met. In the four days that they spent there, they saw all the sites and all the improvements that had been made since Etta had moved west with her husband.

When Etta and Izzy finally arrived in Baltimore on a different, but similar train, Julie and her mother, Nadine, were waiting at the train station to meet them. Izzy realized quickly, how different a big city was from her hometown in Wyoming. The tall buildings, sometimes even four or five stories were amazing to Izzy. The brick streets, instead of dirt or cobble stone, were also a new sight for her and her mother. Imagine, not getting your shoes all dirty, when it was raining, she thought several times. The shops, with their clean window fronts, were nice and inviting. They spent their days there, seeing the sites, eating in café’s, going to plays in the park, and shopping, of course.

Their evenings were spent, in the Hamilton’s new home, which was grand; eating their suppers, which were served by their butler in their large, elegant dining room, talking about old times and getting up to date on any news.

Julie was different, somehow, too, Izzy thought to herself. Her red hair had darkened some, making it even prettier and her freckles were almost gone. She had ‘blossomed’, too, as Etta had put it, filling out her lovely dresses, quite beautifully. Izzy told Julie, privately, about the good-looking, new boy she saw with Bobby, that day when they left town. Julie asked about Bobby several times, whom Izzy knew she had always had a secret crush on. Julie had always been shy, though and all the young ladies admired Bobby. He had never seemed to have time for a real romance, but was friends with all the girls.

The day too soon arrived, for Julie and Nadine that Izzy and Etta had to leave. The McGill ladies were saddened, too, but were starting to get a little homesick. They all promised to stay in touch and to let them know about the new family that had bought the Hamilton ranch.

The trip home seemed to take longer, than the trip east, even though there were not as many stops. It was going to be one day less than six weeks, that they had been gone, if the train was on schedule. The time they had spent with the Hamilton’s, seemed to fly by. However, on the train, heading westward, it seemed, as they thought about their family and friends in Wyoming, as though they had been gone six months.

CHAPTER THREE

T HE FRIDAY MORNING that their train arrived in Hamilton Falls, all of the McGill family and Bobby, of course, were at the train station to meet them. There were tears, hugs and kisses all around. Kevin told his ladies that he had a party planned at the ranch that evening, to welcome them home and to let everyone meet the Phillips’ family, whom he had become great friends with. He told them that everything was all arranged and they didn’t have to do anything to get the party ready, except put on one of those pretty new dresses, that they had written to him, that they had bought ‘back east’. The housework had all been completed the day before and the hands were doing all the outside setting up and decorating in the yard, with Japanese lanterns, and such; and that they had a pig, roasting in a pit. He also said that all the guests, at Rachel and Suzie’s request, were all bringing dishes for their potluck feast.

Izzy could not wait to see all her friends and to have the chance to be really dressed up, when she met the new Phillips family. She spent the afternoon bathing, pressing out her finest new dress, and doing her hair up just right. Her father was right, the house was clean and looked nice and festive and that everything was being taken care of, thanks to Suzie and Rachael. Etta even had