Chapter Ten

Riley had told them that they should arrive in Denver at around four in the afternoon if the train was on schedule, and it was only a few minutes past that hour when the train pulled into the station. 

“Stay together!  And go slowly.  You are already tired, and the higher altitude can make you have trouble breathing and feel dizzy.” Riley warned as they gathered their belongings and prepared to leave.

Riley had made the arrangements for them to stay at Mrs. Dixon’s Boarding House, which was only a few blocks away.  He led them to a corner of the platform and left them there as he went to arrange for transportation.

Amanda was so tired that she felt she could go to sleep while standing and had closed her eyes, dreaming of a soft bed when she heard a soft moan, followed by Mr. Taylor’s cry of alarm.  Opening her eyes, she was dismayed to see that Estelle Taylor had collapsed on the platform.  Everyone crowded in to see what was happening when Sarah’s voice rang out.

“Stand back!  Can’t you see she needs air?”  Sarah pushed her way to kneel beside Mrs. Taylor and was already loosening her collar and checking her pulse.

“Look at her!  She thinks she is a real doctor!”  Emily said with disgust.

“She IS a REAL doctor.  Why don’t you step back so she can do her job?”  Amanda was quick to defend Sarah, knowing the hardship her friend had gone through in order to get her training.

Emily’s face turned red and her eyes narrowed, changing her pretty face into an ugly sneer.  “Don’t you talk that way to me!  Don’t you know who my father is?”

Amanda was saved from making a reply to that statement by Riley’s return.  Quickly taking charge of the situation, he went to Sarah’s side and talked quietly with her before picking Mrs. Taylor up in his arms and saying, “Follow me.”

Mr. Taylor was quite distraught and hurried after Riley, leaving the rest to gather the baggage and follow.  Riley had arranged for a wagon to take them the short distance to the boarding house, and now he placed Mrs. Taylor gently in the back.  Sarah and Mr. Taylor climbed in beside her.  Riley began loading their satchels and other baggage and told them to climb in.  They carefully did so, taking care not to disturb Estelle.

“I am not riding in the back of that wagon.  It’s filthy and will ruin my dress!”  Emily sounded appalled that Riley would even suggest such a thing. 

“Well, if you aren’t riding, I guess you will be walking.  Mrs. Dixon’s is up this hill about five blocks.  We’ll see you there.” 

Without another word, Riley climbed up beside the driver, who seemed to be having trouble keeping a straight face, especially when Emily practically jumped in the back when she thought they might leave her.

In less than ten minutes, they were in front of the boarding house where Riley once again picked up Mrs. Taylor in his arms and went up to the door, followed closely by Mr. Taylor and Sarah.  Mrs. Dixon, opening the door, sized up the situation at once and led them immediately to a bedroom located downstairs. 

The rest of the group climbed slowly down from the wagon, gathered their belongings, and started up the steps to the front door.  The house was a two-story frame house with a wide front porch.  Nothing had ever looked as good to Amanda and the others; but as usual, Emily was complaining under her breath about this not being what she was used to back home and that she hoped she did not have to share a room with anyone.

After showing Riley where to take Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Dixon returned to show the others the available rooms.  Mr. and Mrs. Taylor would be in the downstairs front bedroom where Mrs. Taylor was already resting and being examined by Sarah. 

Upstairs there were four more bedrooms, two on either side of the hall, each with a double bed.  Emily immediately claimed the first room on the right, slamming the door behind her.  From the looks everyone gave each other, Amanda did not think anyone wanted to share with Emily anyway.  She knew that she did not. 

Jane and Rebecca took the other room on the right, and Hannah took the first room on the left, telling Amanda and Beth that Sarah could share with her.  This left the last room on the left for Amanda and Beth.

“I hope you will be comfortable.  Now you girls try to take a little nap while I finish up with supper.  We’ll eat at six.  After supper, I’ll heat water for your bath. I’m afraid you’ll have to take it down in the kitchen.  My back just can’t take carrying all that water up these stairs anymore; but it’s warmer down there with the wood stove.  It’s still chilly at night here in these mountains.”

“But what about Riley, er, I mean, Mr. Jackson?  Where will he sleep?” Amanda asked.

“Oh, don’t you worry none.  I have a small room off the kitchen with a single bed in it.  He told me that would be fine for him.  Now you two get some rest.”  Mrs. Dixon replied.

Amanda and Beth were only too glad to do as she suggested; and pausing only to wash their faces and hands and remove their outer clothing, they lay on the bed and were quickly asleep.

Amanda was awakened by a soft knock at the door and rose to answer.  Finding Sarah, she opened the door wider so that she might enter the room. 

“What time is it?” Beth asked sleepily.

“About five-thirty.” Sarah replied.

“How is poor Estelle?” Amanda wanted to know.

“I think she will be fine.  The journey has been hard on her, and I think the heat and the altitude affected her.  I’ll be keeping a close watch on her.  I asked her if I could speak with you about her condition.  She is expecting a baby in September.  She has not seen a doctor.  She did not want Riley or Mr. Mercer to suggest they delay their trip until after the baby was born.  She thought it would be better to try to go ahead and make the trip while they could travel with the group.  I’d have to agree, especially now that she has had this spell.    I wanted to tell both of you so that you can help me keep an eye on her and help her so that she will not overdo. 

“I have already discussed this with Riley, and he has decided that we will delay our trip by one day in order to give her more time to rest.  Beth, if you agree, you and I will help her with her bath tomorrow.  Mandy, I may need your help also.

“Since, we are staying an extra day, we will probably want to wash our clothes, and I hope you will help with the Taylors’ laundry.  She needs to rest and take it easy.  I don’t want to take any chances on her losing the baby.”

Amanda and Beth agreed to do all they could to help.  Sarah left to tell the others that supper was almost ready, and Amanda and Beth brushed their hair and changed into clean clothing before going down to the dining room. As they descended the stairs to the first floor, they were met by the delicious aroma of their supper.  When they entered the dining room, the entire group was waiting, so they sat down as Mrs. Dixon brought in the food. She asked Mr. Taylor to bless the food before serving.

Being hungry, everyone began eating the roast beef, potatoes, and biscuits, followed by apple pie.  Amanda pushed her clean plate away with a sigh.  The meal was just good, plain food, but Amanda thought nothing had ever tasted so good.  Emily had complained a little until Riley told her that she had better get used to eating plain food because there wasn’t anything fancy about Seattle.  Emily looked at him in disdain and continued eating.

 Mrs. Dixon announced that the women could take a hot bath in the kitchen.  Emily was upset when she found out that several would have to share the same bath water.

“I have never heard of such!  Why, at home, the servants bring the water right up to my bedroom!”  Emily exclaimed.

“Well, you won’t have any servants in Seattle, and you might even have to take a bath in the river!” Riley returned. Amanda thought that he was losing patience with the other woman.

Everyone else was excited about the prospect of a bath and the opportunity to wash some of their clothes.  All of the women except Emily insisted on helping Mrs. Dixon with the dishes.  They felt this was the only fair thing to do since she would have to heat all the water for the baths.  Riley left the house, saying he would be back later.  Mrs. Dixon told them there was an establishment a few blocks away where gentlemen could get a shave and a hot bath.  Mr. Taylor accompanied Riley.  The women hurried to get finished before they returned.

Emily insisted that she bathe before anyone else. The others awaited their turns patiently.  Sarah went to check on Mrs. Taylor and reported back that she was sleeping peacefully.  Sarah and Beth would help her with her bath on the following day.

Finally the last of the bath water was emptied, and each settled down in her bed for a good night’s sleep.  Sarah came in to share in their nightly devotion.

“I wanted to thank you for agreeing to help with Estelle.  Luckily, the trip to San Francisco will be shorter than the trip thus far.  Riley said we would rest for several days there.  He needs to order some supplies for different ones in the community, and I want o check on sources for medical supplies. If Estelle is not better then, I may suggest that they stay there and sail to Seattle later.  I know they are both anxious to get to Seattle, just like all of us; but they don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the safety of the baby.”

After a short devotion and thanks to God for their safe passage and the health of Estelle and the baby, the women were sound asleep within minutes of getting into their beds.

The next day was spent washing clothes and resting as well as helping Estelle with her bath and laundry.  They all felt greatly refreshed when they left early the next morning, after thanking Mrs. Dixon for her kindness.