Boundless

Chapter 4

I pushed open the large door of the Beverley house and snow started flying into my nose and mouth. It had begun falling harder since I'd been outside last. The flakes caught in my hair and eyelashes and the strong wind made it impossible to raise my head.

I glanced back inside. Ezra had disappeared to help his father calm the guests and Mrs. Beverley was nowhere to be seen. I thought about my family at home and stepped off the stoop.

Now that I was completely out of the house, the wind began blowing harder, successfully knocking the air out of me. I thought of my route home–only three blocks–and began walking. The way home would take me past the Beverleys' bank.

After only a few steps I began shivering. I had opted for my more fashionable thinner coat than a more practical heavy one. I had assumed that my father would be there to pick me up.

I could barely see my hand in front of my face.

Stories of children lost in blizzards never to be found, flooded into my mind. They would become lost and confused then wander out onto the plains, never to be seen again. Why had I ever thought that this would be a good idea?

I began running until I saw a dim light across the street. I wasn't sure where I was but I knew the light meant shelter.I made my decision then hurried across the street. Without knocking, I barged through the door. Inside, my father was pulling his boots on and Mother looked stricken. "Thanks heavens!" she ran over then wrapped her arms around me.

     "What was it like?" Katherine Gall's big hazel eyes watched me. "Was there dancing? Did Ezra look absolutely handsome?" When other girls my age heard that, they crowded around me and leaned in.

"Yes," I smiled, "but it would have been so much better if you were there."

"Oh, Rebecca," Katherine waved off my comment. I looked over her shoulder as the door opened and saw Charlie Wallis shaking snow off his boots. Just the person I wanted to see.

"Charlie!" I called and walked over to him. "Do you know anything about the robbery?" Charlie was the sheriff's son and therefore was the first to know anything about any crimes.

"Nothing definite but my father believes it was the Hull Gang."

I had seen the Hull gang's wanted posters hanging on the post office walls. The gang was comprised of three brothers. The oldest, Christopher, was the most wanted of the group–he was the ringleader. His younger brother Samuel was of slightly less priority but the newspapers commended him on his shooting skills. I hadn't heard much about the youngest, Nathan.

I was beginning to formulate more questions for Charles to answer but organ music began signaling the beginning of the service. My father always began his services with the organ; he called it good for the soul.

I could still see the congregation whispering–nothing could put the robbery from their minds. Mine, on the other hand, drifted to Ezra and his unmade marriage proposal.