After a Time by Laurie Salzler

Author:Laurie Salzler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction / Westerns
Publisher: Bedazzled Ink Publishing
Published: 2016-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

SHE WALKED THE length of town and then some to get to the post office. It was housed in a white-washed shack close to the railroad station. She cussed silently as she navigated the rutted road. Weighted down by the rifle and what felt like ten pounds of bullets, trickles of sweat seeped from her chest wrap. By the time she arrived, her shirt had plastered itself to her skin. Except over her covered breasts. She pulled the material away and flapped it to dry as best she could. There were a few people waiting in line, so she took the opportunity to splash some water on her face from a water trough used primarily by the stagecoach horses. By the time she dried her face and brushed the dust off her clothes, the post office was free of customers.

Feeling refreshed and more confident, she took a bold hop onto the porch and walked in.

The man looked up and her heart skipped a beat. He was the very same man who ran the ticket counter for the train. She hid her surprise and strode up to the counter. So far she saw no recognition on his face.

Counter to ceiling iron bars completed the cage in which the man sat. A wooden structure with a series of square compartments lined the back wall. Several were filled with envelopes and assorted scrolls. To the right was a framed Postmaster certificate. She assumed he was the named Lawrence Heyburn noted.

“May I help you?” Lawrence peered over the top of his glasses.

“Yes, sir. I’m here to apply for a post rider job.” Mayme rested the gun in the crook of her arm.

“Can you ride fast?”

“Yes, sir.” Mayme thanked her lucky stars he didn’t ask if she had a horse.

“Can you shoot?”

“Yes, sir. Exceptionally, if I do say so myself.” Mayme kept her eyes locked on his.

“Very well.” Lawrence rose from his seat and retrieved a scroll from behind him. He unrolled what she now recognized as a crudely sketched map. Several notes with names had been written along lines drawn in all directions. He studied the map in silence, rubbing the stubble on his pointy chin. “Most of the routes have been filled.”

Mayme’s heart sank as she stared wordlessly at the map.

“However,” he said, running his finger over the parchment. “There’s a route to Oro Fino Creek that needs a rider. A man named Pierce discovered gold up there and now there’s enough settlers up there for a mail delivery.”

“I’ll take it,” Mayme said quickly.

Lawrence inspected her over his spectacles. “Hold on there, son. This here route runs through some pretty rough country.” Mayme just kept her steady gaze on him. “And it’s a year round job you know. Snow gets deep up there. It may be more of a job for a man.”

Mayme shrugged and said in a firm voice, “I can handle it. When can I start?”

Lawrence acknowledged her acceptance by sliding a piece of paper and pencil in her direction. “Do you know how to read and write?”

“Yes, sir.

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