A Promise to Believe in Read Online Free PDF Page A

for men and one for women—and the storage shed were on the opposite side. The yard in the middle was utilized for the visitors with a nice arrangement of homemade chairs and small tables. Many a night, Gwen took her comfort here watching the starry skies overhead or the soft glow of amber and pink twilight reflected on the mountains.
    “Gwen, there’s a freighter coming in,” Lacy called from the back door.
    Stretching to relieve her sore back, Gwen waved. “I’m coming. Hopefully it’s Joe bringing us a nice supply of flour and sugar.”
    “Not to mention coffee and tea,” Lacy added. “We’re very nearly out, and I figured I’d have to go to Bozeman for more.”
    Gwen had nearly reached the house when she spied Lacy’s rather snug-fitting pants. “Lacy, I need to say something, but I don’t wish to start a fight.”
    Her sister frowned and put her hands on her hips. “What did I do wrong this time? I scrubbed the kitchen just like you showed me.”
    “It’s not that. I don’t know why you’d even say such a thing. I can’t remember the last time I gave you grief about something as serious as what I need to say today.”
    “Then you’d better just let it out and get it over with,” Lacy said, crossing her arms.
    “You have to stop wearing britches.” Gwen squared her shoulders and met Lacy’s defiant gaze. “The men are starting to talk. They are noticing your . . . well . . . how shall I say . . . womanly attributes?”
    Lacy laughed. “They’d notice them whether I was buried in layers of petticoats or walking naked down the street. They notice you and Beth, as well. They’re men, and they’re looking for wives or companions. Of course they notice. We’re some of the only single women in a two-hundred-mile radius.”
    “But the pants are much too form-fitting. Look at you—there isn’t an inch of you that isn’t clearly defined. It wasn’t so bad when you were a little girl and your form was straight up and down. Now you have curves and . . . well . . . curves.” She sighed. “I worry that you’ll attract inappropriate attention, and people will think less of you—or of me for letting you go about that way.” Gwen knew that while Lacy wouldn’t care about her own reputation, she wouldn’t want Gwen or Beth hurt.
    Opening her mouth to retort, Lacy closed it again and let her arms go limp. She looked rather defeated, and Gwen felt sorry for her. Her sister was still such a child in so many ways.
    “The split skirts are fine. They at least give more fullness. I wouldn’t ask you to give them up,” Gwen hurried to add.
    “I suppose I can stop wearing the pants, but when winter gets here, I may go back to them. I’ll at least put them under my skirts. They’re warmer than petticoats.”
    “That would be acceptable,” Gwen said with a smile. “Thank you, Lacy. I know how hard everything has been for you.”
    “It’s been hard for you, too, and I don’t aim to make your life even more troublesome,” Lacy countered. “I heard you talking to Major the other night. You told him you blamed yourself for Pa’s death. You’ve mentioned this before, but I never thought much of it. But you think you’re cursed, don’t you?”
    Gwen hadn’t expected this line of questioning, but nodded. “I can’t help it. Everyone I love has died, except for you and Beth. I’m tempted to leave before something happens to either of you.”
    “Oh no. You aren’t running off and leaving us,” Lacy said, shaking her head vehemently. “We’re in this together. You aren’t a curse, in spite of what you believe. That’s just nonsense. Now come on. The freighter will be looking for a meal, and if it’s Joe, he’ll be looking for a big meal. I’ll get the coffee on the table.”
    Gwen nodded and followed Lacy back into the house. She washed her hands at the washbasin and dried them thoroughly, then hung up her apron.
    “Freighter has a passenger,” Beth announced as Gwen walked toward