Chapter 52
Butte Meadows, Nebraska - September 1874
Curiosity gnawed at Teresa as she rolled over in bed, peering at the still form of Violette next to her. "Did you get in trouble?" She whispered, hoping to pry some information loose.
Silence.
"Vee!" Teresa pressed, her voice laced with playful accusation. "Violette, I know you're awake,"
A muffled sigh escaped Violette as she rolled towards Teresa. "No," she mumbled, but the lack of conviction did little to dispel Teresa's suspicion.
"What did you talk about then?" Teresa persisted. "Come on, spill the beans!"
Violette hesitated, then sighed dramatically. "Boy-girl stuff," she said dismissively. "Nothing you'd be interested in."
"I might be someday!" Teresa countered, a pout forming on her lips. "Everyone treats me like a kid. It's not fair, I'm only a year younger than you!"
Violette shifted uncomfortably. "Well, Kid and Louise laid down some ground rules for Jeremiah and me if we want to..." she trailed off, searching for the right word.
"If you want to what?" Teresa prompted, her curiosity piqued.
"If we want to... pursue our relationship," Violette finished awkwardly.
"When you talk like that you so sound like an adult." Teresa snickered. "How did you learn to talk so fancy."
"Tutors I suppose." She shrugged.
"But how do you even know you like Jeremiah?" Teresa continued, her tone shifting to one of genuine curiosity. "He ain't smart like you."
Violette's lips curved into a small smile. "He's kind," she said softly. "The other day, he picked me a whole bunch of wildflowers."
A mischievous glint entered Teresa's eyes. "So, if you marry him, does that mean you'll move to Baltimore with him?"
Violette shook her head firmly. "I wouldn't think so."
"It's so boring here!" Teresa exclaimed with a groan. "Don't you have a huge house in Baltimore?"
Violette chuckled. "It's my sister's house."
"But still," Teresa persisted, "a big city must be amazing. There's always something going on, right?"
"Maybe," Violette conceded. "But there are good things here too. Like how everyone knows everyone else, and you can always count on your neighbors for help."
Teresa pondered this for a moment, a thoughtful frown replacing her earlier frustration. "Yeah, I guess you wouldn't have that in a big city, would you?" She admitted reluctantly.
"I don't think I've ever met my neighbors."
"Still I don't think you can live here with us once you get married."
"Teresa, I'm only sixteen. I'm not getting married anytime soon." Violette laughed.
Just then, a stern voice called out from down the hall. "Go to sleep, girls!" Louise commanded.
Teresa and Violette exchanged a giggle, the tension from earlier dissipating. Pulling the covers over their shoulders, they settled in for the night, Teresa's mind still buzzing with questions about boys, relationships, and the world beyond Butte Meadows.