Page 45 of Wild Spirit Revival

“Sounds lovely.”

Elijah caught his mother’s knowing look as they left the kitchen. He straightened his shoulders, determined not to let her see how Molly’s presence affected him. As they stepped outside, Elijah couldn’t shake the feeling something significant was going on between them.

They made their way toward the new corral. Elijah’s boots crunched on the packed earth, while beside him, Molly’s shorter steps matched his pace, her presence a warm counterpoint to the cool night air.

Clearing his throat, he broke the comfortable silence. “What was it like, growing up in Chicago?”

“It was certainly different from Montana. The city is always alive, always moving. Nothing like the peace out here.”

Elijah nodded, trying to picture the bustling city. He’d grown up on the ranch, never traveling more than a few hundred miles away to drive their cattle to market.

Approaching the corral, he found himself wanting to know more. It was an unfamiliar feeling for the taciturn rancher.

“Tell me more about Chicago,” he said.

Molly’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm as she began to describe her beloved hometown. “The energy there is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. You should see the lumberyards along the river. Stacks of timber as far as the eye can see.”

“Sounds like quite a sight.”

“The Union Stockyard is enormous,” Molly said, her voice filled with a mix of awe and nostalgia. “Father told me the stockyard was over four hundred acres, and covered with pens, railroad chutes, and office buildings. It’s impressive.”

Watching the horses inside the corral, he found himself captivated by her descriptions. He’d never given much thought to city life, knowing he’d never want to live in one. Her words did paint a vivid picture. “What about the wheat farming around Chicago? I heard it’s big business back there.”

“The grain elevators are enormous, Elijah. Father said Chicago’s become the wheat capital of the world. It’s incredible to see the ships and trains coming and going, all laden with golden grain.”

He nodded, impressed by the scale of it all. He was about to ask another question when her excitement seemed to surge anew.

“Oh! And have you ever heard of Montgomery Ward?”

“Can’t say that I have,” he admitted.

“It’s this amazing mail-order catalog,” she explained, her words tumbling out faster now. “You can order almost anything you can imagine. Clothes, tools, kitchen tables. Even ranch equipment!”

Elijah tilted his head, skeptical. “Ranch equipment? Through the mail?”

“Yes. They come in pieces, and you assemble them yourself. But that’s not all…”

As she launched into a detailed list of the catalog’s offerings, he found himself torn between amusement at her excitement and a growing sense of interest in the world beyond his ranch.

“They even offer some new-fangled bicycles.” Her cheeks were flushed with enthusiasm. “Can you imagine riding one of those out here on the prairie?”

“I think I’ll stick to my horse.”

He leaned against the fence, his mind whirling with all the information Molly had shared. His hard disposition began to crack at her genuine pleasure in sharing information about her hometown. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and he found himself smiling despite his usual reserved nature. The way her eyes lit up as she spoke stirred something within him, a curiosity about the world beyond Wild Spirit Ranch he’d rarely allowed himself to indulge.

“Chicago also has some truly magnificent museums and art galleries.”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Art galleries? I can’t say I’ve ever been to one of those.”

Her face brightened. “They’re wonderful. There’s so much to see, it can take a full day.”

Elijah marveled at how easy their conversation had become. He’d never been one for idle chatter, but with Molly, the words seemed to flow naturally. It was a strange feeling.

She nudged his arm. “You know, Elijah Beckett, you simply must visit Chicago someday. It would be quite the adventure.”

“And what would a rancher do in a big city like Chicago?”

“There’s so much. The architecture alone would leave you breathless. And the restaurants. You wouldn’t be bored.”

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