Westward Hearts by Melody Carlson Page A

could be quite a profitable move.”
    He made a nervous laugh. “Don’t you go trying to lure me out on some harebrained quest, Mrs. Martin. My wife would sooner have me tarred and feathered than to entertain such a notion.”
    Fortunately, more customers had come into the mercantile, and Elizabeth was allowed to browse and shop in peace for a few minutes.
    “Elizabeth Martin!” exclaimed a female voice. “I thought that was you.”
    Elizabeth turned to see Mary Franklin approaching. The two had gone to school together as children but had never been close friends. Truth be told, Elizabeth had never cared for Mary and partly for good reason. However, she was determined to take the high road with Mary now. “Good morning,” she said cheerily. “It’s been a long time.”
    “Indeed, it has.” Mary peered curiously at Elizabeth. “Is it true what I’ve been hearing lately?”
    Elizabeth braced herself. “I suppose that would depend on what you’ve heard.”
    “Did Violet Lamott jilt your younger brother?”
    Elizabeth made a stiff smile. “The engagement is off.”
    “And is that why you and your entire family are fleeing to the West?” Mary’s eyes were still as piercing blue as Elizabeth remembered, but her previously auburn hair was now the color of a faded board, and she had gained a considerable amount of weight.
    “It’s true my family and I are venturing to Oregon,” Elizabeth said lightly. “Perhaps you remember my late husband’s younger brother, John Martin?” Elizabeth not only knew that Mary would remember John but also thought she might still regret that John had not proposed marriage to her. Mary had been smitten by John as a youth. “John and Malinda and their five children as well as the elder Martins have all settled quite happily in the Oregon Territory,” she continued. “They homestead in a lovely green valley just a day’s travel from the Pacific Ocean.” Elizabeth put several spools of thread into her shopping basket. “Malinda writes me that the climate is so mild, their livestock graze year-round.”
    “So it is true. You are leaving.”
    Elizabeth nodded as she browsed through the sewing notions. “We plan to depart Selma in just a few weeks.”
    “This is so sudden!”
    “If James had lived, we surely would have been in Oregon by now.” Elizabeth looked evenly at Mary. “So truly, it is not so sudden.”
    “But to pick up and leave like this?” Mary frowned. “I can only imagine how distressing this must be for you, Elizabeth. Such a demanding journey…for a woman your age…it’s inconceivable.”
    “Nonsense.” Elizabeth dropped a spool of white cord into her basket. “I’m looking forward to this trip as a great adventure. So is the rest of my family.” She glanced around to see that other shoppers were listening in. “And if you’ll excuse me, there is much to be done. But if I don’t see you again before we leave, I wish you well, Mary.” She made a genuine smile now. She did wish Mary well, especially since she had heard that Mary’s marriage to an older wealthy man was not a very happy one. Elizabeth reached out to squeeze Mary’s gloved hand. “And if you are truly worried for the welfare of my family and me, I invite you to keep us in your prayers in the upcoming months.”
    “Well, yes, of course.” Mary nodded quickly.
    Elizabeth made a few more selections, fended a few more neighborly inquiries, and finally decided to take her mother’s advice and defer the bulk of her shopping for Paducah and Kansas City. Merchandise was cheaper in Paducah because it was located on the Ohio River. It would also save time because no one would know her there. However, once in Kansas City, prices would probably jump much higher. And who could predict whether they would have all that was needed to complete a successful overland journey?
    This very subject had spawned a lively debate among their family the previous week. Without consulting Elizabeth or her