and he hastened her back to his private car. She didn't hesitate as she walked back with him, and suddenly he wondered if he was creating an awkward situation for her. He was a single man after all, and one never knew who might be on the train ' he so seldom thought of things like that, but he didn't want to cause Amelia any harm.
Don't be silly, Jeremiah, I'm hardly a young girl. She pooh-poohed his concern with an elegant hand, and he noticed that she wore a remarkably pretty emerald today. He wondered that she wasn't afraid to wear her jewels on the train, but Amelia appeared to be totally unconcerned. Her mind was filled with pleasanter things than worrying about gossip or jewel thieves, or the fears that filled other women's minds. By the end of the second day they shared, Jeremiah was filled with admiration for her. He was almost sorry he hadn't met her years before, and he told her so. And as he said the words, she was touched, and her eyes caressed his face.
What a lovely thing to say. '
I meant every word. I've never known anyone like you before ' you've got more spirit than anyone? know, Amelia. His eyes were gentle on hers. Your husband was a lucky man.
I was the lucky one. Her voice was as soft as a summer breeze, and Jeremiah held out a hand to her. They sat silently, with the countryside sliding by, looking into each other's eyes, the rest of the world lost to them.
Have you never wanted to marry again?
She shook her head with a gentle smile. Not really. I'm content as I am. I have the children to keep me happy and busy and fulfilled ' my house ' my friends. '
There should be more than that. They exchanged another long smile, and he gently touched her fingers again. She had exquisite hands, it was no wonder her husband had given her such magnificent rings. They looked well on her, as did the expensive clothes she wore. And as he looked at her he suddenly wondered what it would have been like to be married to a woman like her. It was odd to think of her in Napa though ' coming home to her after working at the mines all day long.
What were you thinking just then? She loved the look in his eyes, there was a world of depth there.
About Napa ' my mines ' what it would be like to have you there' .
She looked startled at his words, and then she smiled. I suppose it would be an interesting life, wouldn't it? Certainly very different from New York. She couldn't even begin to imagine it. Are there Indians where you live?
He laughed. Not the way you mean, but yes, some. But they're all very tame and ordinary now.
No hooting and hollering and throwing tomahawks? She looked crushed and he laughed again as he shook his head.
I'm afraid not.
How disappointing, Jeremiah.
We find other ways to have fun.
Like what?
His Saturday nights in Calistoga instantly came to mind, but he forced himself to think of other things. San Francisco is only seven or eight hours away.
Do you spend a lot of time there?
He shook his head. Honestly, no. I get up at five, have breakfast at six, leave for the mine after that, and come home when the sun goes down, and sometimes long after that. I work on Saturday mornings he hesitated, but not for very long and on Sundays I tap my foot, waiting to go back to the mine.
It sounds like an awfully lonely life, my friend. She looked sad for him and it touched his heart. What difference did it make to her if he worked too hard or was alone? Why have you never married, Jeremiah? She seemed distressed.
Too busy, I guess. I almost did once, nearly twenty years ago. He smiled at her and looked unconcerned. Maybe it just never was in the cards for me.
That's nonsense! No one should grow old alone. But she would too, unless she married again.
Is that what it's all about, why people get married, so they won't be alone when they're old?
Of course not. Companionship. Friendship. Love ' someone to laugh with and talk to and share the aches and the sorrows with, someone to spoil and to love and to
Don't be silly, Jeremiah, I'm hardly a young girl. She pooh-poohed his concern with an elegant hand, and he noticed that she wore a remarkably pretty emerald today. He wondered that she wasn't afraid to wear her jewels on the train, but Amelia appeared to be totally unconcerned. Her mind was filled with pleasanter things than worrying about gossip or jewel thieves, or the fears that filled other women's minds. By the end of the second day they shared, Jeremiah was filled with admiration for her. He was almost sorry he hadn't met her years before, and he told her so. And as he said the words, she was touched, and her eyes caressed his face.
What a lovely thing to say. '
I meant every word. I've never known anyone like you before ' you've got more spirit than anyone? know, Amelia. His eyes were gentle on hers. Your husband was a lucky man.
I was the lucky one. Her voice was as soft as a summer breeze, and Jeremiah held out a hand to her. They sat silently, with the countryside sliding by, looking into each other's eyes, the rest of the world lost to them.
Have you never wanted to marry again?
She shook her head with a gentle smile. Not really. I'm content as I am. I have the children to keep me happy and busy and fulfilled ' my house ' my friends. '
There should be more than that. They exchanged another long smile, and he gently touched her fingers again. She had exquisite hands, it was no wonder her husband had given her such magnificent rings. They looked well on her, as did the expensive clothes she wore. And as he looked at her he suddenly wondered what it would have been like to be married to a woman like her. It was odd to think of her in Napa though ' coming home to her after working at the mines all day long.
What were you thinking just then? She loved the look in his eyes, there was a world of depth there.
About Napa ' my mines ' what it would be like to have you there' .
She looked startled at his words, and then she smiled. I suppose it would be an interesting life, wouldn't it? Certainly very different from New York. She couldn't even begin to imagine it. Are there Indians where you live?
He laughed. Not the way you mean, but yes, some. But they're all very tame and ordinary now.
No hooting and hollering and throwing tomahawks? She looked crushed and he laughed again as he shook his head.
I'm afraid not.
How disappointing, Jeremiah.
We find other ways to have fun.
Like what?
His Saturday nights in Calistoga instantly came to mind, but he forced himself to think of other things. San Francisco is only seven or eight hours away.
Do you spend a lot of time there?
He shook his head. Honestly, no. I get up at five, have breakfast at six, leave for the mine after that, and come home when the sun goes down, and sometimes long after that. I work on Saturday mornings he hesitated, but not for very long and on Sundays I tap my foot, waiting to go back to the mine.
It sounds like an awfully lonely life, my friend. She looked sad for him and it touched his heart. What difference did it make to her if he worked too hard or was alone? Why have you never married, Jeremiah? She seemed distressed.
Too busy, I guess. I almost did once, nearly twenty years ago. He smiled at her and looked unconcerned. Maybe it just never was in the cards for me.
That's nonsense! No one should grow old alone. But she would too, unless she married again.
Is that what it's all about, why people get married, so they won't be alone when they're old?
Of course not. Companionship. Friendship. Love ' someone to laugh with and talk to and share the aches and the sorrows with, someone to spoil and to love and to
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