Heart of a Hero (H.O.C. #3)

Chapter 5

Lottie received a letter from Sally a month after their wedding. She smiled at the name on the front of the envelope: Mrs. David Harmon.

Dear Mrs. Harmon,

Congratulations on your nuptials, dearest friend. I hope you are finding that married life agrees with you. I promise I won’t be so formal in my next letter. I thought it would make you smile to see your married name in script, just as I did the first time I received a letter after marrying Buddy.

Much is taking place in little old Erie, Colorado. We now have frames for both a hotel and a church in progress. The town has grown by at least one hundred souls since you left. The railroad provides room for growth as well as the coal mine. You knew that already. Mamie and I find we are almost unable to keep up with the dress shop. We’ve hired on a young lady who has just finished her schooling, and she seems to be quite handy with a peddle machine.

On a more personal note, we have a new person helping me. Her name is Daisy. She has had a tragic youth, but she is quite remarkable with the children. She’s even taught me how to cook. Mamie has helped so much in that area, as well. Daisy is well educated, loves music, and even sewing. She stays with Abby and Michael when I work in the shop. She is wonderful. I honestly have no idea how I would function without her.

Speaking of functioning without help, Mrs. Banks says hello. She has also hired a girl from Mrs. Edna’s home and so far she says the young lady is wonderful, but she’s not you.

Really, everyone here is thrilled for you and your marriage. I had a sneaking suspicion you would not return when you left. I hope your leg is healing well.

One last bit of information for you. I am, once again, in the family way. Three babes in less than three years is quite a bit, but Buddy can’t stop grinning to save his soul. I told him we need to slow down. He said it wasn’t possible. I just gave it to the Lord. He’s the only one who can do anything about it. I hope we have another boy. Yes, Buddy raises Michael as his son, but I think he would be over the moon if he had one that was truly his. Not to say, oh never mind. You understand.

I pray this finds you well. Please write soon. I do miss my closest friend.

Sincerest regards,

Mrs. Buddy Brand

Lottie exhaled loudly. She loved being married to David, but there were times she missed her friend. The day’s chores were finished and she wasn’t due to help the Colonel’s wife until this afternoon. She was hosting tea and dinner for some incoming officers and had requested Lottie’s help in preparing the meal and the house. Lottie loved a diversion from the mundane, so she had accepted.

“Hello, beautiful! Are you day dreaming?” David’s arrival startled Lottie as she sat on the porch absentmindedly staring into the prairie grass.

“You scared me, David. How did your day go?” She stood as he shook the dust from his jacket and boots before stooping to kiss his wife.

“Nothing different happened today: Horses, guns, Generals, and lots of sunshine. Are you ready to go to Colonel Dudley’s? I’m sure your help, and good cooking, will be greatly appreciated.” He smiled at the thought of Lottie’s expertise in the kitchen. He looked forward to her dinners daily.

“I hope so. Doing laundry for soldiers is one thing, but working in the kitchen is where I flourish. Sure, we’re nearly twenty years past the Emancipation Proclamation, but some of these Officer types have not received the message. Mrs. Dudley is kind enough, but I think she sees me as nothing but a help. I’m a soldier’s wife, too.” Lottie spoke so quietly that David couldn’t tell if she was near tears or subduing her frustration.