Lazy Days Read Free Page A

Jerome driving our wagon. For awhile, I wasn't sure how
things would work out, but the good Lord sent us a good man."
    "I'm right happy to hear that, ma'am."
Mr. Smithson shifted the reins to his other hand, guiding the horses around a
pothole.
    After almost an hour, they arrived on the
outskirts of town. "Now where exactly are you meeting Mr. Jerome?"
asked Mr. Smithson.
    "He said he'd meet us in front of the Grand
Hotel. We're traveling by stagecoach to St. Louis and then on to Westport
Landing by steamboat." Hallie could barely contain her excitement. She
glanced around at Timmy and he gave her a smile that warmed her heart.
    Mr. Smithson pulled the buckboard to the main
cross street in town and guided the horses to the hotel, sitting on a corner. Contrary
to its name, the Grand Hotel wasn't so grand with its faded façade in desperate
need of whitewash and repairs.
    Hallie anxiously scanned the few men smoking and
laughing on the wide porch and an older couple strolling the warped boardwalk.
Glancing farther down the street she saw Mr. Jerome dismounting his mare. As if
her presence were a magnet, he turned and looked directly at her. Hallie's
heart hammered. She was entrusting her life, and the life of her son, to a man
she'd met fewer times than the number of fingers on one hand.
    Mr. Jerome tipped his hat and then wrapped the
reins of his horse around the hitching post.
    Mr. Smithson jumped off the buckboard and came
around to help Hallie down. Timmy and Daisy scrambled off the wagon's bed and
Hallie chuckled when the impish girl unexpectedly planted a kiss on Timmy's
cheek.
    "Cut it out!" he admonished and jumped
backward.
    Daisy only grinned. "Don't forget what I
said."
    Timmy rubbed his cheek and replied, "You
can't know that."
    "Yes, I can."
    "Cannot."
    "You just wait and see, Timmy Wells," Daisy
huffed, and climbed onto the seat Hallie had vacated.
    Distracted by the exchange between Daisy and her
son, Hallie jumped when Mr. Jerome said, "Mornin', ma'am," and placed
her hand over her heart.
    "Sorry, ma'am. Seems I have this way of
startling you."
    "No. No. I'm just nervous about leaving a
place I've lived for so many years." She paused and then remembered Mr.
Smithson. "Goodness, where are my manners? Mr. Jerome, I'd like you to
meet Mr. Smithson. He’s the gentleman who purchased my farm and he and his
family have been angels during this difficult time. And this is his daughter,
Daisy."
    Mr. Smithson stuck out his hand. "I'm pleased
to me ya, Mr. Jerome."
    Mr. Jerome offered his hand in a firm shake.
"Likewise, sir." He nodded and smiled at Daisy, "And pleased to
meet you, too, little lady." He turned his attention to Timmy. "Good
to see you again, Tim."
    Daisy responded, "Howdy, sir."
    Timmy responded, "You, too, Mr.
Jerome."
    He glanced at the back of the wagon. "I
take it that's your trunk, Mrs. Wells."
    "Yes. It contains all my worldly possessions,"
Hallie laughed nervously.
    Mr. Jerome reached and tugged the trunk to the
edge of the wagon bed. Mr. Smithson grabbed the handle on the other end.
    In a flash, the trunk was safely stowed at the
edge of the boardwalk to be reloaded when the stagecoach arrived. Hallie opened
her reticule to peer at her pocket watch—ten thirty. The stage was due to
arrive at twelve and leave at one with fresh horses for the four to five hour
journey to St. Louis. She sure hoped it was on time.
    Hallie glanced at her son, who was casting sour
looks at Daisy. What is wrong with Timmy's attitude? She scowled and
motioned for him to stand beside her.
    Mr. Smithson reached to pat Timmy's shoulder.
"Well, Timmy and Mrs. Wells, I guess this is goodbye.I wish you
all the best in your new life and I'm right sorry about your husband."
    "Thank you, Mr. Smithson. Again, I
appreciate all you and your wife have done for Timmy and me."
    Mr. Smithson smiled. "Well, you know our address,
so don't forget to write. My Sarah loves gettin' letters."
    Daisy smirked. "Yeah, Timmy, don't forget
to write.