Chapter 23
I'll be taking a break over the holidays and hope to get back to you in the New Year. A Happy Christmas to you all.
"So, did you have a good afternoon at the book store?" Adam asked as they dined that evening in the hotel restaurant.
"It was glorious. I hope I haven't bought too many books."
"Never. Books are a great education," Adam told her, hoping to put her mind at rest. "When everything is finalised here and you have money of your own, we can go to San Francisco, where there are many book stores and you can purchase more, if you wish."
"Well, I only plan to go to San Francisco when I leave Nevada and travel abroad," Julie said. "But I might just buy a few more books before I leave."
"Well, I think that may be way in the future after you have settled your mind on your inheritance." Adam took a sip of his wine and smiled at Julie.
"What," she said.
"I was just thinking that I hoped it would be some time before you think of leaving. I've just got used to your company."
"And me yours. But I still need to disappear somewhere abroad for safety."
"Alright, but we'll discuss that at some future time," Adam said, as he wiped his mouth with his serviette. "Are you ready for coffee?" He asked.
"Yes please," she replied. "That was a delicious meal, Adam. Thank you."
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
I wish he'd stop calling me that, she thought. It sounds as though he means it.
They finished their coffee and decided to return to their room. Once there Adam told her of his afternoon at the bank.
"I've made arrangements for the bank account in your name to be transferred over into my name and once all the stocks and shares have been sold, the money will be put into that account, which will eventually be transferred to Virginia City, where we will add your name to the account and instruct the bank manager to authorize any withdrawals you may wish to make. How does that sounds?"
"It sounds good, but how long will all this take, do you think?"
"I don't know. Just as long as it takes to sell all the stocks and shares. The transfer over to Virginia City will take less time," Adam tried to explain. "But I think we should be thinking about at least a week from tomorrow."
"And what am I going to be doing while you're attending the bank?" Julie asked.
"Actually, I don't need to be there until the sale is complete, so we could just be enjoying Denver and it's surrounding area. What do you think?"
"Well, that sounds better than just sitting around doing nothing."
"And while we are doing that, we'll need to talk about what we are going to tell my family when we return."
"And what about the sleeping arrangements?" Julie asked, giving him a look.
"We will continue as we are now."
"What?!" She cried.
"Keep your voice down. You want the whole hotel to think we are having a fight?"
"I don't want that. I think we should tell them the truth of the matter."
"And I thought you didn't want them to get involved."
"They mustn't get involved, for their safety's sake."
"Then we shouldn't tell them, only that we decided to get married in a private ceremony," Adam said ending this conversation. "I think we should get ready for bed and talk it over more fully tomorrow."
"Oh I see, you're taking a stand again."
"Let's not argue about it, especially when in the hotel. Other guests could get suspicious if they here us arguing just after we got married. It will spoil the image we are trying to make. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand, but I don't like it." She turned away from him, picked up her nightgown and exited into the bathroom, locking it behind her.
I'm going to have trouble with her, he thought, as he watched her leave the room. …..
The following morning after they ate breakfast, Adam hired a buggy and headed away from the city to see more of the surrounding mountainous area.
"It surely is a magnificent sight," Julie said, smiling.
"It's good to see you smile. It lights up your face," Adam told her.
"Who couldn't not smile at this vista," she said, ignoring the compliment. Am I ever going to be able leave this man, she thought. He's been so good to me and treats me with such kindness. The thought made her smile disappear.
"Something wrong, Julie?"
"No, nothing."
"Are you cold. We can go back," Adam suggested.
"No, I'm fine, Adam," Julie quickly answered. "But could we go back and have lunch somewhere?"
"Of course," he agreed.
Adam turned back towards Denver City, returned the buggy and walked to the restaurant that they both had liked before for their lunch.
"What else can we do in Denver?" Julie asked, as she began her beef sandwich.
"How about a ride tomorrow," Adam suggested.
"Well, that would be nice, but I don't have appropriate clothes for that," Julie answered.
"No problem there. After lunch we can go to a dress shop and find you a riding suit."
"No, oh no. You're not spending any more money on me."
"But I wouldn't be, would I. You're going to pay me back when you are able, remember."
"Oh yes, of course. That's alright then, we can do that."
Adam permitted himself a little smile at her persistence regarding his spending his money on her.
They finished their lunch and walked around the main street of Denver in search of a dress shop.
"There's one over there," Julie cried, pointing across the street.
"Okay." Adam said, and they made their way across the street and entered the dress shop.
"Good afternoon," an older woman addressed them. "May I be of help to you?"
"Yes," Adam spoke. We're looking for a riding outfit for my wife."
"Nothing fancy, just a split riding skirt and jacket to match," Julie said.
"I have a few in stock, but I can arrange to have one made for you if they're not what you are looking for," the lady suggested.
"Thank you, but I'm needing one for tomorrow and would like to look at what you have in stock, please," Julie said.
"Of course. Please take a seat and I'll bring them out." The lady indicated the padded bench situated by the front window. Then left them as she disappeared into a back room.
She returned with two samples for Julie to view.
"You'll need to try them on to see if they fit," Adam told her.
"Of course. Thank you Mrs…"
"Mrs Simms," she said in introduction and asked Julie to follow her to the dressing room.
Once there, Mrs Simms offered her help.
"Thank you," Julie said. "Your help will be much appreciated.
Meanwhile, Adam waited on the bench and looked around the shop. He spied shoes and boots. She'll need boots, he thought. After a little while Julie emerged from the dressing room and did a twirl for Adam to see the outfit.
"It fits perfectly," he said. "But do you like it?"
Julie went over to the long mirror and studied herself, and smiled.
"I've never had a riding outfit before, it seems a little strange to me. What do you think of the color?"
"I think dark blue becomes you," Adam told her. "What are the other colors," he asked.
"There's a dark green and light brown," Mrs Simms told him.
"Would you try the brown on for me?" Adam asked.
"Okay. I won't be long."
"Take all the time you need, no need to rush," he said.
Julie disappeared again and returned later in the brown outfit.
"Wow," Adam said. "I think that suits you much better, not that the blue was bad."
"I'm glad it fits too. Should I have this one?" she asked Adam.
"Of course, if you want it."
"Then this is the one I'll have."
"Mrs Simms, before Julie takes it off, could we see some boots to go with it?" Adam asked.
"Why yes, of course." After asking her size Mrs Simms brought over a few pairs in different colors. "I think you should go with the dark brown boots, they'll go so well with the lighter brown of the skirt."
"You're right, Mrs Simms," Julie agreed. "May I try them on?"
"Of course."
Once Julie had the boots on she walked around the shop testing them out.
"They seem very comfortable."
"Then we'll have them too," Adam said.
"One more thing," Julie said. "I'll need a blouse, a white one, please. Nothing fancy but perhaps with a little collar."
"Of course. Can I show you what I have?"
"Yes, please."
After making up her mind regarding the whole outfit, Julie returned to the dressing room to re-dress into her day dress, while Adam paid the bill, thanking Mrs Simms for her assistance.
"Thank you for that, Adam," Julie said, as they walked back towards their hotel, Adam carrying the purchases.
"You're welcome. Don't forget you'll be paying me back," he said, with a grin.
"Of course," Julie answered seriously.
They entered their room at the hotel and Adam placed the purchases on the bed.
"Shall we have an early dinner?" Adam suggested.
"Yes, that would be fine, and thank you for today."
"My pleasure."