Chapter Ten #2
With a deep breath, Ellie steeled herself with the reminders of Grandfather’s words in her ear.
“I love to paint. I don’t know if I’m any good at it, but it brings me joy.
For a while, my tutor would bring me art supplies, and I’d paint when I was done with my studies.
She researched different elements of art so I could learn them, and she found different techniques to teach me as well. My favorite’s watercolor.”
If possible, Louisa’s smile grew even wider.
“That’s not the least bit silly, Ellie. There are magazines back East who take paintings for publications and pay for them, especially paintings depicting life out West.” She giggled, her optimism bolstering the dreams Ellie had never dared to dream.
“I know a couple of folks who work in some smaller publications, and I’d be happy to ask my parents to share their connections as well.
Folks in the cities love to hear about life in the West, and many magazines publish the paintings along with stories. ”
“Oh, yes,” Callie added. “My mentor’s aunt, Beth Carson, in Pine Creek has been publishing dress patterns and designs through national magazines for years.
She designs the dresses and creates step by step instructions for how to make them, then sends them off to the magazines in all the major cities. It’s been quite successful for her.”
Could it be possible? “Are they able to print in color?” She’d seen a few magazines over the years, but they were all in shades of gray, black, and white.
“Or would I need to use charcoal?” Was she seriously entertaining this idea?
It seemed far too wonderful to even imagine.
Louisa was right. Micah had told her over and over again she didn’t have to work, but was it possible she could find purpose in her art?
Would she ever be able to bring herself to move in with him and make herself vulnerable in that way?
“Some can, some can’t,” Louisa said excitedly.
“They use something called chromolithography, and it’s quite fascinating to see.
” Then, Evelyn returned with their plates, and Ellie’s growling stomach betrayed the more pressing matter at hand.
As their conversation shifted to other things, Ellie couldn’t help but wonder what could become of her paintings. Would Micah think the idea silly?
The thought of the cowboy she’d married set her brain barrelling down a track she’d told herself she’d not go down again.
What if he didn’t support the idea because he wanted her to use her inheritance money?
It would break her heart if she received the money only to find another man had proven himself untrustworthy - especially Micah.
Doing her best to shake the thoughts free, Ellie prayed silently the Lord would guide her path.
He was with her, and if everything they all said was true, He could be trusted even when no others could.
Evelyn hurried out from the kitchen, placing their ticket on the table as she went by to help another customer. Studying her, Ellie turned her attention to Callie. “Did you tell me Evelyn has mostly taken over the restaurant from her parents now?”
“Oh, yes,” Callie replied. “She was always so driven from what I remember as children. She and Zeke Sutton were quite close as kids, best friends and even more so once he started working here washing dishes.”
Louisa’s eyes widened. “They never courted?”
“No, he left town the day he finished school to join the Texas Rangers, but Jacob said he writes to her every time he writes to the family.”
“Poor Zeke,” Louisa responded. “It really did a number on him being the youngest of the crew. He never got a chance to bond with their mother, though I suppose Micah was quite small when she passed as well.”
“He was,” Callie agreed. “There’s also likely some misplaced guilt there on Zeke’s part.
She died of childbed fever after he was born, and from what Jacob has told me, his labor was long and difficult.
Of course, it wasn’t Zeke’s fault in the slightest, but with the upbringing they had it wouldn’t surprise me if Truett Sutton actively blamed his youngest son for his wife’s death. ”
Evelyn moved by again, and Callie flagged her down. “Evelyn, have you heard from Zeke lately, by any chance?”
The woman’s eyes widened, their color a remarkable shade of green. “No, why? Has something happened?” Her voice edged toward panic, but Callie quickly shook her head.
“Oh, no, I’m sorry. The Suttons haven’t gotten a letter from him in a while, so I thought you might’ve heard something. I’m sure he’s fine - just busy with work.”
“They’d have informed the Suttons if something was amiss,” Louisa assured her.
“Yes, I…I haven’t had a letter since the summer, but I’ll let you know if I do.” The previously loquacious and joyful woman now only looked sad, a little anxiety wafting from her as well. “Is there anything else I can get you ladies?”
“No,” Callie said with a smile. “I think we’ll pay our tab. As always, thank you for such a delicious meal.”