As Connie mulled the matter over in her mind, she saw Jim Barrows emerge from the bunk house and walk toward the barn. She was tempted to summon him, but could not quite bring herself to do it.
“The idea is ridiculous!” she told herself again. “I’ll not think any more about it.”
But Connie found that it was not easy to dismiss the matter from her mind. She caught herself studying the cowboy and pondering Forest Blakeman’s words.
Late afternoon brought a message from Mr. Postil in the form of a telegram sent out from Red Gulch.
“Expect three more guests Monday,” it read. “W. P. Grimes, son Cecil, and daughter Helena, arriving with me.”
Connie scarcely knew whether to feel elated or dismayed. But at least the message served to shake her from the lethargy into which she had fallen.
She promptly set Marie to work cleaning and preparing the guest chambers. The rooms were pleasant enough but they were barren. There were so many things needed—curtains, rugs and linen.
“I’m going to town now to buy supplies,” Connie told the servant. “I’ll just have to get credit, that’s all. And I’ll try to find another woman to help you.”
At the dry goods store in Red Gulch, the girl made her selections. As the owner wrapped up the package, he remarked casually:
“Well, so you’re going into the dude business?”