Free Amelia's Journey by Martha Rogers Page B

Sweetwater Springs isn’t Boston, but it’s a nice-size town.”
    Isabella’s smile didn’t reach her eyes, which held little interest in what he was saying. “How quaint.”
    Quaint wasn’t exactly the word Ben would use to describe the town he loved, but Amelia may think of it in the same way. He must tell her more about the ranch and Sweetwater Springs when he danced with her again.
    â€œI would think that after you visited your sister and saw all that the city has to offer, you would be loath to return to such a primitive setting.” Distaste laced her words and sent doubts racing through Ben’s heart.
    Amelia wasn’t the snob that Isabella appeared to be, but he would be asking her to give up a lot if she consented to living in Kansas as his bride. He’d tell her everything, even the harshness of the winters and the spring storms that could wreak havoc in only seconds of time. Then if she came, saw for herself what it was like, and still cared about him, he’d have no qualms about her coming.
    Mercifully the music ended, and Isabella returned to her table. He endured two more dances with young women who flirted and cooed with their wiles to draw his attention, but his wish was to be again with Amelia.
    When her turn finally came, Ben resolved to make this time count. Despite his body complaining of all the activity in his formal clothes, no discomfort would keep him from his few minutes with Amelia. Then he remembered the night of Amanda’s wedding.
    â€œI see you’ve kept your shoes on tonight. They must be more comfortable than the ones you wore to the wedding.”
    A grin lit up her face, and she giggled. “Not really, but I wasn’t about to let anything keep me from this dance. I’d walk on hot coals if necessary to spend time with you.”
    He brightened. “And I with you. I’m so sorry I didn’t have time to write more before we came back. Pa kept me so busy, and then I wasn’t sure how long it would take for a letter to get here. Mary Beth did send letters home, and the one with our invitation took a week to reach us. I promise to do better when I go back.”
    He proceeded to tell her all about the town and its people just as he had Isabella. Amelia listened with interest that had been absent in her friend. “So you see, Sweetwater Springs has none of the conveniences of Boston, and the ranch is away from town, but it’s a wonderful place with friendly people.” If she married him, they would have their own place on the ranch. He gulped and his eyes opened wide. He hadn’t intended to think along those lines this soon, especially since he hadn’t even asked her father permission to call on her.
    â€œOh, Ben, I’d love to see it.”
    Now he’d opened Pandora’s box, and he’d have to deal with the situation sooner than he had planned. “I’ll talk to my parents about sending your parents an invitation to come visit next spring. Perhaps your parents will be willing to come west and visit old friends.” Between now and springtime, he’d have time to properly show his intentions, albeit by distance. Whenever he returned to Boston for a visit, he’d have to do everything he could to win the approval of Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle.

Chapter 9
    A ll through the night and even into the Sunday church service, Amelia replayed her time with Ben. He did like her and wanted her to visit his home. But Papa would never accept Ben as a proper suitor as long as he lived halfway across the country. God answered her prayer for Ben to care about her, but no answer came as to what to do with it or how to approach Papa.
    The service ended, and Papa hurried Mama and her out to their carriage without his usual long conversations with other elders. After she and Mama were settled in their seats, Papa peered at her over his spectacles.
    â€œWe are headed to the Haynes’s home, where we