Free Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander Page A

had her fill of men in authority and of their having influence over her life.
    A knock sounded.
    "Molly?" Rachel's voice carried through the closed bedroom door. "The boys and I will meet you by the wagon, all right?"
    Molly opened the door. "Thank you for your patience, Rachel. I'm nearly ready." She smoothed a hand over the delicate lace-tiered skirt, sensing approval in Rachel's soft exhale. "Thank you again for being so generous with this:"
    "It's beautiful on you, and looks like it fits well:"
    "It does:" And would, at least for a little while. "I'll take extra care with it, I promise. And I'll return it as soon as my trunks arrive:"
    "You can keep it for as long you need:" Rachel's look grew reminiscent. "Come October, two years will have passed since my Thomas was killed. It's time for me to move on, I know. Some would say it's past time:" Her fingers trailed the waistband of her dark blue skirt. "I started wearing colors again a month ago:'
    Molly hardly considered that dark a blue a "color" but said nothing.
    "Out here, men and women tend not to wait as long as they do back east before moving ahead with life and remarrying. It's not that people don't miss their loved ones. They do-it's just that, typically, there are no other family members. And there are children to be raised and ranches to be run:" A fragile look crept in behind Rachel's eyes. "If not for James, I don't know what I would have done. Or would've had to do. He moved in right after and took over responsibilities I just couldn't handle at the time:"
    Molly imagined the number of men who must have lined up to court the beautiful young Widow Boyd, especially with a ranch as part of the deal. "I'm guessing you had plenty of eager suitors:"
    Rachel's cheeks pinkened. "Thomas hadn't been buried two months when they started calling on me. But having the sheriff for a big brother provided a strong deterrent:" Her smile was sheepish.
    I can well imagine, having seen him in action yesterday. He can be quite ... commanding:' Which was all the more reason for her to be out of Rachel's house and on her own.
    Rachel touched her arm. "Is your stomach still upset? Because if you need to see a doctor, we can stop by his office while were in town:"
    "No, no, I'm fine now." Molly shook her head. When the bout of nausea had hit earlier, Rachel had insisted on accompanying her to the privy. "Too many trains and stagecoaches, I'm thinking:" The last thing she needed was a visit to the town doctor. That was one person she wouldn't be able to fool for long.
    Rachel motioned down the hallway. "Take your time, and come on out when you're ready."
    Leaving the door ajar, Molly finished getting ready and worked the last few hairpins into place. Two books on James's dresser drew her attention, as they had last night, and told her something of the man who lived in this room. Her gaze went to the Bible with its cracked, worn leather binding, then to the thick volume entitled Unchanging Laws of These United States. Shreds of paper were tucked at odd angles every few pages.
    Neither of the volumes was surprising, considering her initial impression of the man. She had a feeling that James McPherson on the outside was exactly who he was on the inside. She turned away from her reflection.
    After putting the room to right, she joined Rachel and her sons out front, doing her best to avoid puddles from yesterday's rain. She gathered the full skirt of the black dress and climbed up to the bench seat. Rachel was busy doing something with the harnesses, and Molly admired her skill, which was far above her own. She knew how to harness a single mount but not a team. And she certainly didn't know how to hitch a wagon. Rachel seemed to know how to do it all.
    With yesterday's accident still close in mind, Molly was none too eager to chance the winding mountain roads in a wagon or coach again. But like James, Rachel inspired trust, and Molly determined to sit back and not grip the seat-too