Page 134 of Conveniently Wed
She just had to make sure she wasn’t followed.
That sounded like the most reasonable plan she’d come up with yet, so she set the paper aside and rose to begin her morning toilette. Now all she needed to do was find a way to get to Montana.
The farther Leah walked down Walnut Street, the fishier the air became. Finally, the wharf stretched before her, the mighty Mississippi expanding behind it. Lined along the river’s edge were double-decker boats, chimney stacks rising from both sides like horns. Each boat had a large wheel on either side, at least those she could see. In addition to the ships lining the shore, a few more loitered in the middle of the river, as if they were waiting for an invitation to join the party at the shore.
Partymay not be quite the right description of what was happening on land, but it was definitely a large gathering of people and things. Wooden crates were stacked everywhere, some laying around haphazardly, while many others were stacked in tall rows, creating formidable walls. Wagons and horses waited patiently along the road as men moved between them, unloading and loading the wagons like armies of ants carrying crumbs of food. To add to the bedlam, herring gulls soared around the sky, occasionally floating down to land and waddle along the river’s edge, picking at remnants of who-knew-what.
Leah turned onto Main Street, walking parallel to the wharves and trying her best to avoid the moving wagons, and the muck left behind by the horses that pulled them.
Not only was the place busy, it was noisy too. Men called commands or banter to each other, each one trying to be heard above the din of the others. The gulls screamed their part of the conversation too.
Leah tried to appear inconspicuous as she made her way among the working men. Thankfully, she’d worn a simple brown walking dress so she didn’t stick out as much as she would have in a bright lavender or red gown.
Apparently she wasn’t completely inconspicuous, though, because almost every man she passed either doffed his hat to her or, if his hands were full, nodded in greeting. Most seemed respectful enough, but a few stares had made her itch. She moved swiftly past them.
As she strolled, she imagined the adventures each man had experienced aboard the various ships. Two men talking on a dock caught her eye. They weren’t in motion like most of the others, but seemed to be in the midst of intense conversation.
The older appeared rather distinguished, with a full but trimmed beard and a quick eye. He wore a well-fitting suit that didn’t disguise his lean, muscular frame. His companion, dressed more like a ship’s mate in shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, was speaking with great animation. The man with the beard had his head bent slightly, listening to his friend’s discourse. His piercing eyes caught Leah’s and watched her while he listened to his companion. Something about the man’s demeanor made her stop and wait while they finished speaking.
After giving a short answer—which sounded more like a command—to his friend, the well-dressed man moved toward Leah and presented her with a formal bow.
“Good day, fair maiden.” His voice was deep and resonant.
“Good day.” She gave him a polite nod.
“It’s not often our humble wharf is graced with the presence of a lovely lady amidst the cargo.”
Wisdom had taught her to ignore a comment like that, even if the way he said it sounded more fatherly than crude. “Is that your ship docked behind you, sir?”
He turned to glance at the craft in the water. It wasn’t the largest boat there, but his voice took on a hint of pride. “Aye, the De Smet. She’s a strong little lass. Only been in the water a couple o’ years, but she’s earned her salt. Can skim the Missouri better’n any raft out there.” He waved a rough hand in the general direction of the other boats.
It was hard not to smile at such obvious adoration. “So you generally travel the Missouri river north? Do you journey all the way to the Montana Territory?” Her chest tightened as she awaited his answer. It was too much to hope the first ship captain she spoke to would be going to Montana…and have passage available for her.
“Aye. She’s aimed for Fort Benton at daylight tomorrow. I’ve a regular supply run.”
Fort Benton, Montana. The hotel clerk had said that was the farthest town that could be reached by boat on the Missouri River. Her heart picked up speed.
“Do you…also carry passengers?”
He gave her a slow perusal, not trying to hide his appraisal. What was he looking for?
“A few.” He eyed her speculatively. “Who wants to go?”
Leah raised her chin and eyed him back, a move she’d seen her father make on many occasions. “I need to purchase passage to Fort Benton.”
His face was impassive. “And what’s your business there?”
She couldn’t imagine how that was any ofhisbusiness. But she could give basic details.
“I’ll be visiting a friend…near Butte City.”
He seemed satisfied with that explanation. “Fare’s $300. You won’t find a vessel to get you there faster than the De Smet.”
Leah’s heart surged, but she tried to hide her excitement with a nod. “Thank you. What time should I be prepared to leave in the morning?”
“Be here with your bags at six o’clock. We’ll be wavin’ goodbye to Louey by seven.”
“I will.” Leah reached a hand to shake on the deal, as her father had always done. He seemed mildly surprised but reached out to clasp her hand securely.
