Chapter IV
The next two days were too busy for Rachel as she kept arranging everything for their visitor. Jeremiah and Theresa had reluctantly left their home to go to their Aunt Helen's house. They did not understand why they had to stay with her for so many days. School had not closed up for the summer holiday yet, and they did not want to stay away from home, from their family and from the riders for so long. Both children had grown quite fond of their step-mother's charges. Jeremiah felt very proud of his new friends and used to brag at school how the riders were teaching him to ride, break in horses and shoot. Most of this was basically untrue since his father would not allow him to involve in any risky activity, but as Theresa did not say a word against it he kept telling his deeds with the important Pony Express riders, which were making him very popular among his school friends.
Theresa was very sad; she was going to miss Rachel most. She had been just a baby when her real mother had died, so she did not have any recollections of her, which saddened her terribly at times. Rachel was gentle, kind and caring, everything that a mother should be. Theresa had even begun calling her 'mommy'. And now the young girl did not understand why they would have to stay at Aunt Helen's. She liked her, she was real nice but she was not a ma. Aunt Helen was too old and she was no fun. It was fine to visit her once in a while just for the day, but spending two whole weeks with her was something that Theresa was not looking forward to.
It was arranged that Ike would escort the children to their aunt's. Boggs and Rachel could not afford to go themselves as they had to go to Ft Laramie and pick up Louise. The banker had been reluctant to this decision and had been against it, but finally he had relented. Ike was good with children and Theresa was especially fond of him. So that was the final decision.
After the children had left, Rachel made arrangements for their trip and also had introduced several changes in Theresa's room, where Louise would stay, to adjust it for a young lady. Boggs was a bit annoyed and complained that she was making too much trouble for her. So as best as she could Rachel tried to cope with his husband's foul mood which had been the norm wince the letter had been received.
Despite his irritability, Boggs had managed to cool down a bit about the whole situation. He was still bitter and angered, but he had been able to talk about the matter to Rachel more calmly. He had not said much, but at least he had opened up enough for the station mistress to reassure him that everything was going to be fine.
Rachel was actually uneasy about the trip. She tried to show confidence, at least, when she was with her husband because she did not want to add to his problems, but deep inside she felt very nervous. John had not told her what was really wrong with Louise and when she had asked him straightforward, he had just refused to answer. So she was not sure what kind of situation she was about to find when she finally got to meet the girl.
Rachel was preparing some food for the ride to Ft. Laramie as all these worries crossed her mind. Somebody clearing their throat behind her snapped her out of the reverie, and as she turned round, she saw her husband smiling at her.
"Ready?" he asked her.
She nodded, happy to see him smile despite everything, and taking his hand, she let him steer her out of the kitchen and towards the yard where the buckboard was ready. The riders and Teaspoon were waiting to see them off. It was early in the afternoon. They would arrive in Ft Laramie late in the day and would spend the night at a hotel. The following morning they would pick Louise up and return to the way station around dinner time. They had talked about it, and thought it would be better if they did not have to spend the night out in the open with the young girl.
Boggs helped Rachel up on the wagon and after saying good-bye he urged the horse forward and began their trip.
Rachel was having a delicious time. She and Boggs had agreed not to talk about the matter at hand and to revel in their time together. She had welcomed this little truce with great pleasure. John had been in a terrible mood for days long and now he seemed more relaxed and cheerful. He was even making jokes and teasing her. This was the man she had married and missed on the last days. Rachel wished this trip would last much longer and cursed the reason that had lately changed her husband into a completely different person. The station mistress knew she was being selfish and unfair. She did not know the girl and was just beginning to dislike her for the effect she had over John. "Stop it, Rachel!" she thought, "shame on you. Give the girl an opportunity". However, she couldn't avoid the feelings stirring in her.
Rachel was quite curious what Louise would look like. The images that crossed her mind were nothing good. She had never met anybody with this kind of problem but knew what drinking did to people's minds. She herself had been a victim of this terrible pest and had also seen how her mother, another victim of alcohol, had withered to nothing. She remembered clearly her blank look, her bulging eyes and her senseless wanderings. At the end she had reached such a condition that she had not been able to recognize her own daughter. This image haunted Rachel and was afraid of what she might encounter when she met Louise. Boggs noticed the change in his wife's demeanor and asked her if she was fine. She just smiled at him and began talking teasingly about their plans for the night in town.
Ft. Laramie, the following day
Rachel and Boggs stopped the wagon in front of the building where the letter said Louise was staying. The building was tall and impressive. It was an old military hospital but it looked more like a prison than a place for the sick. Rachel did not like the look of the building, and wanted to get away from here as soon as possible.
Rachel had felt her breath stop as soon as they had caught sight of the building. The feeling of uneasiness had come from the moment she had woken up in the morning. She knew she was being stupid. There was nothing to be afraid of, but the way her husband had reacted and his words about Louise made her fear the worst. But what possibly could go wrong? It was true that it was a great responsibility, scary indeed. She had taken care of many people throughout her entire life, her mother, her late husband, the riders, the children. She had a natural maternal instinct, but now she would have to deal with somebody who perhaps would be hard to control. She did not know what it would be like and it upset her more than she was ready to admit. Besides, the fact that her husband kept avoiding telling her about the girl's condition did not sit well with her at all. She did not want to push him, and perhaps the reason why he did not tell her was that he was as ignorant as her. He had not seen his daughter for four years and Rachel supposed he had not been too eager to being updated about the girl's situation.
Rachel smiled as she remembered their night together in town. They had had a romantic dinner at the hotel restaurant and afterwards they had walked hand in hand under the stars. She had felt over the moon as if she were free from all problems. Then back in their hotel room they had enjoyed a night full of love and passion.
As the couple stopped in front of the hospital, they descended from the wagon and Boggs squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"You'd better wait here," he said.
"Why?" she stuttered, not happy about his request.
"I think it will go better if she sees me alone," he explained.
"Oh, I see," she agreed, and nodded in understanding.
Rachel watched her husband head towards the entrance of the building and ask something to the private who was posted by the door. The soldier motioned him to go inside. Then Rachel watched him disappear through the huge wooden door. She stood there wriggling her hands in a gesture that gave her fears and impatience away, but she could not help it. This situation was totally unnerving, and the thought of two whole weeks ahead with this uninvited guest made her even more jittery.
Boggs knocked at the door of Dr Stevens' office. The sentry had told him that he was in charge of the "special additions" to the hospital. He heard a "come in" from inside and stepped in.
Behind an oak-wooden table the army doctor was sitting among a pile of documents. He was a middle-aged man and had the appearance of a man who had seen everything under the sun. An experienced army officer. His countenance was hard and inflexible, which reminded him more of a sergeant than of a doctor. Boggs introduced himself to the doctor and explained the reasons for him to be there while the physician watched him scornfully.
"I thought you would never come," he grumbled. "All the others are gone and she's the only one left." He talked with the venom of a snake. "People tend to think that the army is devoted to charity. This hospital is aimed to keep our courageous soldiers alive and healthy and when a bunch of idiots take up the rooms and space that should be saved for our brave men, it's something intolerable."
Boggs listened silently to the doctor's harangue. At a first glance he had not liked the man at all and his words had just confirmed his initial impression. Now all he wanted was to kick the doctor hard, leave the place and forget about the whole issue. But no, he had to bite his tongue, listen to this stupid man, and then play the role of a concerned father. He cursed himself inwardly for his bad luck. Why couldn't things stay the way they had been just a few days before?
"Where's my daughter?" he asked.
Doctor Stevens motioned for him to follow. They stepped out of the room and crossed a yard where several wounded soldiers could be sighted: Some were walking on crutches, others sitting in the sun and a few of them engaged in conversation. The doctor and Boggs went up some stairs that led to a very long corridor. They walked along the passage and after passing a dozen doors they stopped before one. The doctor took a key from his jacket pocket and unlocked the door.
"She's in there," he said gruffly. "Now you can take care of your business and leave. You know the way."
After these authoritative words, the doctor turned around and left Boggs in front of the door. The banker watched as the doctor reached the stairs and disappeared from his view. Boggs diverted his gaze to the door in front of him, and looked at it carefully, and after a few minutes he took the knob and turned it. The door clicked open and Boggs pushed it slowly as he entered.