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Just as she thought she’d gone too far, she saw the street the woman had said to turn on. From there she was on empty roads with fields as far as the eye could see. It was interesting to see the difference between Massachusetts and Texas.
It took her half an hour to reach the ranch, and she was thrilled when it came into view. She could see the stable, much larger than the barn, next to the blue house she’d been told Mrs. Dailey lived in.
She rested her bike against the stairs for the front porch and climbed them, knocking on the door.
The woman who answered the door was older, more her grandmother’s age than Mrs. Tandy’s. “I’m looking for Mrs. Susan Dailey?”
“Yes, of course.” The women gave her bicycle a strange look, but then she opened the door wide. “If you’ll wait in the parlor.”
Sydney gratefully sat in the chair indicated by the woman and closed her eyes for a moment. She was used to riding long distances but not in the heat. That heat felt as if it was the very hottest day of summer. It was brutal.
Sydney wasn’t certain how long she sat there before she opened her eyes, looking around her. A woman who was much closer to Mrs. Tandy’s age sat with a little girl on her lap, watching her sleep.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
Mrs. Dailey smiled, nodding. “I don’t mind. Could you tell me who you are?”
Sydney burst into laughter. “I suppose that information would help. My name is Sydney Weatherby, and I was sent to Fort Worth by your sister, Elizabeth.”
“Now you’re starting to make sense.”
“I came here to marry a Randy Ranch, but when I arrived, I found out he was a brothel owner, and I’m not even supposed to know what a brothel is!”
“Oh my! Well, Mr. Ranch owns a good portion of Fort Worth. You don’t want to marry him. He spends more time in his own businesses, including the Red Door Saloon and Gambling Establishment than he should.” Mrs. Dailey shook her head. “So, do you want to stay here and find a husband with me, or do you want to take that long train ride back to Beckham?”
“You’d let me stay?” Sydney was shocked at the offer.
“Well, sure. My sister sent you here, so I’ll help out. We have room, now that our two oldest boys have moved out. The oldest is even married!”
“Well, maybe you should introduce me to your second oldest then,” Sydney said, joking.
“That’s not a bad idea!” Mrs. Dailey said. “You’re sure pretty, and looking at your bloomers, I’d say you like adventure.”
“I do! I enjoy riding my bicycle more than anything. I was joking about you introducing your son, though I would like to stay. I can pay room and board.” Sydney had always saved the money she’d been given by her parents for ribbons for her hair. She had enough ribbons! Who on earth needed to buy more?
“There’s no need for that. You just meet people and see what you see. It’ll be fun to have another Beckham woman around. Do you know Alice Miller?”
Sydney thought for a moment and then remembered a girl who had worked for the mercantile back in Beckham. “Oh, sure! Everyone knows Alice.”
“She’s married to my oldest son, so there will be three of us Beckham ladies here.”
“Wait…I thought Alice and Mrs. Tandy were sisters?”
“Oh, they are.”
“And you and Elizabeth are sisters?”
Mrs. Dailey looked highly amused at the confusion on Sydney’s face. “My four oldest are sons by marriage.”
Sydney nodded. “I’m so glad to hear that!” She’d been picturing not so nice things until that information was shared.
“You need to call me Susan. Let me show you to the room you can use, and I’ll let Mrs. Hackenshleimer know you’re staying here.”
“Is that who answered the door?”
Susan nodded. “Yes, she came with the house, husband and four oldest sons. She’s our housekeeper.”
“I see. Well, I’m thrilled to meet her too. Texas is hot.”
