Wyoming Engagement by Joyce Armor

Author:Joyce Armor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: novella
Publisher: Joyce Armor

Chapter 7

Abby sat at the dressing table and studied her image in the mirror, willing herself to remember something, anything. For just a moment, she had a vision of countryside speeding by and the sight of some kind of prairie animal, then nothing. It was so uncomfortable staying here now that Bodie’s mother and Caroline were entrenched. Could she find a place to stay in Medicine Bow? With what money? Her shoulders sagged. It was so frustrating. Maybe we should get married right away. That would take the wind out of Mrs. Farnham’s sails. And then a thought occurred to her. What about her family? Why hadn’t Bodie contacted her relatives? Where were they? Who were they? Or was she an orphan?

An hour later, coward that she was, she was still hiding in her room, sitting by the fireplace reading Huckleberry Finn, when someone knocked on her door. Thinking it was Mrs. Glines, she said, “Come in” and Caroline rustled in. How many petticoats was this woman wearing?

“I cannot understand it,” the young woman said.

Abby marked her place and set the book down. “What?”

“What he sees in you. You’re nothing like me.”

Abby almost laughed. She might be injured, but she had no trouble counting her blessings that they were nothing alike and taking on this evil little vixen. “Well, you know what they say. Beauty is but skin deep.”

Caroline narrowed her eyes, unsure if she had been insulted or not.

“You’re nothing. You do not even know your background. Look at your clothing. What could you possibly give him?”

It was odd, Abby thought, that she had no qualms about that herself. Caroline obviously did not know it, but even in her present state of ignorance, Abby knew the most valuable things in life were intangible. She smiled, which she somehow knew would really bother the other woman. Obviously you have a bit of an evil streak in you as well.

“Love,” she said. “Loyalty. Honesty. Faith. Kindness. The only things that truly matter.”

“Oh, pish,” Caroline scoffed.

“That’s all you have to say?” She picked up her book again.

“No, I say you are nothing but a fortune hunter. And you’re not married yet.”

She smiled what Abby could only describe as a mean smile and flounced on out of the room, making that aggravating rustling noise. She and Bodie’s mother made a good pair. Abby tried to get back into the story she was reading but gave up after she read the same page three times. Could Caroline be right? Was she after Bodie’s money? That seemed a little far-fetched at this point, since she had no idea if he had any money. She only knew that she was attracted to Bodie because of his kindness, his mastery of his world, the respect he showed Mrs. Glines and even his mother, when she didn’t always deserve it. And it didn’t hurt that he was ruggedly handsome, strong and protective. She looked at her engagement ring. Yes, if her face was not still bruised, she would marry him today.

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