Chapter Seventeen
The sound of the cart’s wheels crunching over the dirt road mingled with the soft rustling of leaves in the wind as Daniel and Edith headed into town.
“Shouldn’t take long to pick up your new clothes,” Daniel said, glancing over at her. “Afterward, we’ll stop by Mary and Samuel’s for lunch.”
Edith nodded, though she kept her eyes on the road ahead. “Thank you… for everything,” she murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of the cart.
“It’s no trouble,” he replied, offering her a small smile.
The town slowly came into view, the familiar buildings lining the dirt road as they approached the general store.
Daniel pulled the cart to a stop, and they climbed down.
Edith could already feel her stomach tightening with nerves as they entered the small store, the scent of dry goods and fabric filling the air.
Mrs. Taylor greeted them with a warm smile as soon as they walked in. “Well now, Edith,” she said, her hands resting on her hips. “Good to see you again. I’ve got your dresses ready, just like I promised.”
Edith smiled shyly, her fingers twisting together. “Thank you, Mrs. Taylor. I appreciate it.”
Mrs. Taylor gave her a knowing look as she bustled over to a wooden counter, where several folded dresses were waiting.
When Edith reached out to touch the fabric, her fingers brushed against the soft wool and cotton, and for a moment, she felt a little thrill.
It was such a simple thing, but to her, it felt like a gift.
“These will fit you nicely,” Mrs. Taylor said, inspecting her work one last time. “They’ll hold up well for your work, but they’re good enough for Sundays, too.”
Edith gave a small nod, her throat tight with emotion. She had never had anything like this before, and the reality of it was almost overwhelming.
After exchanging a few more words with Mrs. Taylor, Edith followed Daniel back outside, the bundle of dresses tied up in paper in his arms. She kept glancing at them, still half expecting it all to disappear, to wake up and realize it was a dream. But the fabric was real, and it was hers.
Their next stop was Mary and Samuel’s apartment over the saloon. When they arrived, Samuel greeted them at the door with his usual booming laugh. “Well, look who’s here!” he said, clapping Daniel on the shoulder. “Come on in, Mary’s just about done with lunch.”
Edith couldn’t help but glance around as they climbed the stairs, the tiny worry in the back of her mind that her father could be lurking around.
The warmth of Mary’s kitchen enveloped Edith as they stepped inside, the smell of chicken pie and fresh bread making her stomach rumble. Mary was bustling around, setting the table, and when she saw Edith, her face lit up.
“Sit, sit,” Mary insisted, waving her toward the table. “You must be hungry after the ride into town.”
Edith sat beside Daniel, her hands resting lightly on the table as she watched Mary serve the chicken pie.
The room felt cozy, filled with the clatter of dishes and Samuel’s gruff chuckles as he and Daniel exchanged small talk.
Edith felt a sense of peace settle over her, the kind she had only begun to recognize in these last few days.
As they ate, Samuel leaned back in his chair, a curious gleam in his eye. “So, Daniel,” he began, his tone teasing, “what’s this I hear about you teachin’ Edith how to hunt?”
Edith flushed, glancing down at her bowl.
Daniel chuckled, meeting Samuel’s gaze. “Yeah, I’ve been showing her a few things. She’s got a quick mind. Picks up the skills fast.”
Mary raised her eyebrows, clearly impressed. “That’s wonderful, Edith. You’ll be able to take care of yourself out there. There’s nothing wrong with knowing how to survive in the woods.”
Edith finally looked up, smiling softly. “It’s been nice,” she admitted. “Being outside, learning how to do something useful. I never really had the chance before.”
Samuel nodded approvingly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “You’ll be a good hunter in no time,” he said. “It’s a valuable skill to have, especially out there.”
Mary chimed in, her tone warm. “Daniel’s a good teacher. I’m sure you’ll do well, Edith.”
For the first time in a long while, Edith felt a flicker of pride. There was something about learning to hunt, to provide for herself, that felt empowering. She wasn’t helpless anymore. She was learning, and it felt like progress.
Daniel caught her eye and gave her a small smile but then quickly looked away.
She noticed how he always did that—how he’d glance her way and then look off before their eyes could fully meet.
It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him do it, and now she was starting to wonder why.
Was it the scars? The ones that ran down the side of his face, faint but visible, like a mark left by an old wound? Did he feel self-conscious about them?
To her, his scars didn’t make him less—they made him more. They added to his strength, his ruggedness. To her, they only made him more handsome.
As the conversation began to wind down, Samuel suddenly grew more serious, leaning forward on the table with a concerned expression. “Heard some troubling news from town,” he said, glancing between Daniel and Mary. “Another girl’s gone missing. No trace of her, just like the others.”
The warmth of the room seemed to dim. Edith’s stomach tightened, her mind racing.
She couldn’t help but think of the newspaper clipping she had found—the sketch of the woman.
Could the clipping have been about another missing woman?
The thought sent a chill through her, and she glanced up at Daniel, who had gone still beside her.
“That’s the third one this year, isn’t it?” Daniel asked, his voice low, a note of worry creeping into his tone.
Mary nodded, her face drawn with concern. “It’s terrifying. Poor girl’s family must be beside themselves. It’s hard enough for women out here—no one should have to live in fear like that.”
Edith felt her heart pound in her chest as her thoughts raced back to the sketch.
She had only glanced at it briefly, but the image of that woman had stayed with her.
Could it really be connected to the other disappearances?
Her throat felt tight, and she realized how close she had come to being in that kind of danger herself.
Mary, sensing the tension that had filled the room, reached out and gently took Edith’s hand. “We should pray,” she said softly, her voice filled with quiet strength. “For her safe return, and for all the girls.”
Edith’s fingers trembled slightly as she nodded, grateful for Mary’s steady presence.
Daniel and Samuel followed Mary’s lead, reaching across the table to join hands.
Daniel reached for Edith’s other hand to join the circle, and she barely hesitated as she tucked her fingers into his.
The room grew still, the weight of the moment settling over them like a heavy blanket.
Mary bowed her head, and they all followed.
“Lord, we come to You in this time of fear and uncertainty. We pray for the safe return of this missing girl and for all those who have vanished before her. Protect the women in this town and give strength to their families as they search. Guide us all, Lord, and bring them home.”
Her voice was steady, a quiet plea to God, and Edith found herself squeezing Mary’s hand just a little tighter.
She closed her eyes, the tension in her chest easing slightly as she listened to the words of the prayer.
She didn’t think she had heard anyone else pray out loud before, really praying to God.
When the prayer ended, a soft silence filled the room. Edith let out a slow, steady breath, feeling the weight of the words linger in the air like a calming breeze. The comfort of the prayer wrapped around her, offering a sense of peace that had been foreign to her for so long.
Mary was the first to break the quiet, her voice gentle but filled with resolve. “We’ll keep praying,” she said, her gaze sweeping over Edith and Daniel. “And we’ll trust that God will bring her home.”
Edith nodded, her mind still turning over the events of the day, but the prayer had soothed the racing thoughts.
It was strange to feel such comfort in the midst of worry, but knowing she wasn’t facing the unknown alone brought a calm she hadn’t known before.
With Daniel and Mary beside her, she felt a quiet strength building within.
Mary rose from her seat and began clearing the dishes, but she wasn’t about to let them leave empty-handed.
She reached for a small bundle of bread and preserves from the counter, carefully wrapping them in a cloth before handing them to Edith.
“Take this with you,” she insisted, pressing it into Edith’s hands.
“You’ll need it, especially with all the work ahead. ”
Edith’s heart swelled with gratitude as she accepted the gift. “Thank you, Mary. For everything.”
Mary smiled warmly, patting Edith’s hand. “You take care of yourself, child. We’ll see you again soon.”
After exchanging farewells with Samuel, Daniel helped Edith climb into the cart, the bundle of dresses and food carefully stowed beside her. Edith kept a hand on the package of dresses, anxious to get back to the cabin.
***
They arrived back at the cabin just as the late afternoon sun dipped behind the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing.
Edith carried the bundle of new dresses inside, her heart racing with anticipation.
It had been a long time since she’d worn something that truly belonged to her—something new, untouched by her past.
She went in straight away to change while Daniel took care of the horses.
She carefully unfolded one of the dresses, a soft cotton in a pale blue that felt smooth beneath her fingers.
The thought of trying it on made her nervous but also filled her with an unfamiliar sense of excitement.
She slipped on her new underclothes and stockings, then pulled the dress over her head and buttoned the front.
When she looked in the mirror, she could not have been happier. The dress fit snugly, the fabric soft against her skin. For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn’t drowning in someone else’s cast-offs. This was hers.
Daniel stepped in, pulling off his hat, but the moment he saw her, he froze. His gaze lingered on her, and Edith felt her breath catch in her throat. The intensity of his stare made her feel both exposed and… admired.
“You look lovely,” Daniel said, his voice huskier than usual but filled with sincerity.
A rush of warmth spread through Edith, her cheeks flushing a deep red. She had never thought of herself as lovely before, but hearing Daniel say it made her chest swell and her heart race.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the joy in her heart unmistakable.
She tried to fight the smile tugging at her lips, but it was useless.
The dress wasn’t fancy, but it was hers, and the way Daniel looked at her made her feel like she was more than just a girl in a simple dress.
She glanced down, smoothing the fabric nervously. “It feels strange,” she admitted softly, “wearing something new, something that’s mine.”
Daniel stood slowly, still watching her, his expression softening. “You deserve that, Edith,” he said quietly, stepping closer. “You deserve more than you’ve been given.”
Her heart fluttered at his words, and for a moment, they stood there in the cabin, the fire crackling softly in the background. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to thank him for everything he had done for her, for seeing her in a way no one else ever had.
“Let’s get a better look,” Daniel suggested, stepping closer to her. Her breath caught in her throat as he took her hand and spun her around. The skirt swirled around her ankles, and she laughed.
“Now, that’s a sound I could get used to,” Daniel told her as she stopped to face him.
Her eyes met his, and her cheeks flushed again. Swallowing hard, she tried to keep her smile despite how her heart skipped a beat. “We should get somethin’ on for dinner.”
As she turned and set to work preparing their dinner, Daniel came to work beside her. In the quiet comfort, they worked together, and Edith wondered if life could always be like this.