And the enormous railroad station filled with travelers.
Elsie listened as though every word were part of a wonderful adventure.
Then she noticed Lydia's sewing book.
"What's that?"
"Patterns."
"Can you make dresses?"
"Yes."
Elsie looked toward her mother.
"Can she make me one?"
Ruth raised an eyebrow.
"She just got here."
Lydia smiled.
"I'd be glad to help."
Elsie's face lit up.
"A blue one?"
"If we can find blue cloth."
Ruth laughed.
"You'll spoil her."
Lydia looked toward the girl.
For a moment, she imagined what it might be like to have a child living in the cabin.
Someone asking questions.
Someone needing warm clothes.
Someone whose laughter could fill the empty spaces.
The thought surprised her.
Everett had once told her she would make a terrible mother.
He said she was too large.
Too timid.
Too foolish.
Eventually, Lydia stopped allowing herself to imagine children.
Now, watching Elsie examine the sewing patterns, she felt a quiet longing return.
Gideon noticed her expression.
But he said nothing.
Later, when the visitors had gone, he approached her beside the stove.
"You liked having Elsie here."
Lydia smiled.
"Very much."
He nodded.
"She's a good girl."
"She is."
He hesitated.
Then asked, "Do you miss children?"
Lydia looked surprised.
"I've never had any."
"I know."
She lowered her eyes.
"But I always thought I'd like to."
Gideon watched her.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain what to say.
Then he sat beside her.
"I wouldn't mind a noisy house."
Lydia looked up.
He smiled faintly.
"Though I suspect Elsie would have me building a second cabin just to hold her questions."
Lydia laughed.
Then rested her head against his shoulder.
Gideon remained very still.
After a moment, he leaned gently toward her.
Neither spoke.
But something hopeful settled between them.
The first reliable news from St. Louis arrived in January.
Miss Mercer sent a letter by courier after corresponding with an attorney in Missouri.
Gideon and Lydia opened it together.
The letter confirmed several important facts.
Everett Bowman's death had been recorded following the warehouse fire.
The identification had relied heavily on personal effects and statements from Charles Vane.
There had been no reliable direct identification by Lydia.
The death record had allowed Everett's remaining creditors to begin estate proceedings.
But unusual financial transactions had occurred shortly afterward.
Certain funds moved through companies associated with the Vane family.
And a man identifying himself as Edward Vane had appeared in business correspondence from Wyoming Territory.
The Missouri attorney had not yet proven that Edward Vane and Everett Bowman were the same person.
But there was enough information to justify further inquiry.
Lydia read the letter carefully.
Her hands trembled.
Gideon sat beside her.
"What does Miss Mercer recommend?"
He pointed toward the final paragraph.
"She wants us to come into town when the road clears."
Lydia nodded.
"And then?"