Chapter 57
Butte Meadows, Nebraska - September 1874
Gabrielle woke at dawn and dressed quickly. Baltimore awaited, and tough decisions loomed.
Reaching the stage, she was relieved to learn they were leaving for the train depot that afternoon. With tickets and luggage secured, she hurried to the McCloud house to fetch Violette.
"Good morning, Gabrielle," Louise greeted her at the door, a dusting of flour in her hair.
"Are you cooking?" Gabrielle gasped, surprised to see her sister in the kitchen.
"The girls are helping make apple turnovers," Louise explained.
"Vee, I can't believe it! You never set foot in the kitchen before," Gabrielle laughed.
"I've learned a lot since you've been gone," Violette said proudly.
"Well, we'll have to continue exploring your talents when we return to Baltimore," Gabrielle replied.
"Brie, can't I stay a little longer?" Violette pleaded.
Gabrielle sighed. "Let's step outside," she said, ushering her sister out.
"I don't want to go home yet," Violette begged.
"I don't want to have this argument again," Gabrielle said quietly. "You know I have to go home. You told me yourself what is going to happen if I don't."
"Why can't I stay here?" Violette whined. "I barely got to spend any time with Buck! You had more time with him than I did."
Despite understanding Violette's yearning for her brother, Gabrielle couldn't help the flicker of selfishness in her stomach. The thought of the empty house, the silence echoing loneliness, was a burden Gabrielle had to face alone. Buck's voice, a faint echo in her mind, offered a gentle reminder: "She needs to spread her wings."
"If Buck agrees," Gabrielle said cautiously, "you can stay."
Violette's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes, but pack your bag. We leave if he says no."
The front door creaked open, revealing Louise. "Sorry to eavesdrop," she said with a smile. "You two were a little loud." Louise gestured toward the porch chairs. "Vee, why don't you head inside and let me talk to your sister for a moment?"
"I apologize we were so loud." Gabrielle said, sitting down next to Louise.
"Don't worry about it." She smiled and grabbed Gabrielle's hands. "Having a teenager around might be overwhelming for Buck with his work schedule."
"I know," Gabrielle said, her voice thick with emotion. "I want them to have time together. Buck mentioned also he wanted more time with Violette. I feel awful it wasn't a priority."
Louise squeezed Gabrielle's hand warmly. "Don't blame yourself. We'd love to have Violette stay as long as she'd like."
"I wouldn't want to impose," Gabrielle began.
"No imposition at all," Louise interrupted with a smile. "Just as long as Violette and Teresa don't mind sharing a room."
"I could send money for boarding and..."
"That's not necessary. We're happy to have her," Louise reassured her. "But there's something you should know that's happened since you've been gone."
Gabrielle's brow furrowed. "What is it?"
"Jeremiah and Violette seem quite taken with each other," Louise said with a shrug. "Jeremiah asked permission to court her."
"Oh," Gabrielle sighed, realizing how quickly Violette was growing up.
"We talked to them both and set some ground rules for their 'courting,'" Louise explained. "And don't worry, they're being closely supervised."
Gabrielle considered it for a moment. "I suppose that's alright."
Louise's smile was mischievous. "Just let us know when you'd like Violette to come home. Teresa and I wouldn't mind a little train ride to Baltimore with her. It could be a fun adventure."
"That sounds wonderful," Gabrielle replied, a small smile finally breaking through. "And when you get there, I'd love to take you both around the city."