Mary let Adam walk over to one of the chairs. “I don’t think that would work. Rick’s a judge. Judges aren’t supposed to be related to a lawyer who’s presenting a case in front of them, are they? Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?”
“I meant they could work in the same courthouse. I don’t think they need to work in the same room.”
Well, Mary supposed that would work, but she hoped Sally would let Greg do something else if he decided being a lawyer wasn’t something he wanted to do.
“Rick and Greg look so much alike,” Sally continued, turning her attention to Annabelle. “Just like you and your mother. Your mother wasn’t too much older than you when we left New York. I remember being in awe of her because she was older than me, and she seemed so strong and brave on the wagon trail. I was scared for most of the trip. I worried we weren’t going to make it. I heard some bad things could happen along the way from some articles I’d read before leaving New York. Indian raids, outlaws, tornadoes, snowstorms, wild animals…” She shivered. “Let’s just say I was glad when we got here.”
Mary shook her head. “Snowstorms? Didn’t you travel out here in the summer?”
“You never know, Mary,” Sally said. “There could have been an unexpected snowstorm that froze us all to death.”
“During the summer?” Mary pressed.
“The fact that we were out in the middle of nowhere for most of the trip with nothing but the things we had in the wagons left us vulnerable for anything,” Sally insisted.
Mary gave up. Apparently, there was no reasoning with Sally in this particular discussion. Dave had told her about the wagon trail, and from what he’d said, the days were so hot that a person could have fried an egg without the aid of a fire. Sure, he’d been exaggerating, but he had proved his point. There was no way they were in any danger of getting snowed on. But sometimes Sally had a tendency to be dramatic.
“I see Uncle Richard!” Isaac called out and ran for the doorway.
Mary hurried after him. “Isaac, you need to stay in this room.”
“It’s alright,” Richard said as he and another man crossed the threshold. He patted Isaac on the shoulder and smiled at him. “Mr. Conway and I are already here.” He proceeded to introduce everyone in the room, and when he was finished, he added, “You should see the entire family when we’re together. We need two rooms just to eat the same meal.”
Mr. Conway laughed. “My wife always says a big home is a happy home.” He nodded his head to everyone in the room. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“We’re excited to meet you, too,” Sally said. “We’ve never had an important reporter from Chicago interview someone in the family before.”
“Well, when we come across an interesting story, we can’t resist it,” Mr. Conway replied. “Even after all this time of people moving out West, there are those back East who can’t imagine that anyone can make a successful business out here. That’s why your brother’s story was inspiring,” he told Sally. “He’s proof that if you put your mind to it, you can make anything happen. It’s all about attitude.” He glanced at Richard and winked. “Don’t worry. We’ll be sure to add your wife’s contribution to your success. That might help convince the wives to join their husbands.”
“Are you thinking of moving out here?” Sally asked.
“No, but I have a cousin who’s thinking about it,” he said. “When the owner of the magazine mentioned the article, I volunteered to come down here. I’d like to get an idea of what he’d be getting himself into. This was an article of personal interest to me.”
“Will we get to see the magazine when it’s out?” Isaac asked.
“I’ll send some copies,” Mr. Conway promised.
“They don’t sell the magazine here?” Sally asked.
“I’m afraid not,” Mr. Conway said. “I’m sure we will eventually, but right now, we publish to the northern states. If you were in New York, you could get it there. Of course, if you were in New York, you wouldn’t be here for me to interview.” He chuckled.
Amanda and Jenny returned to the parlor, and Richard hurried to introduce Jenny to the reporter.
From there, a flurry of activity erupted as Richard, Amanda, and Annabelle got ready to go with Mr. Conway to visit Mark and Tony. Since Richard offered everyone else to join them, there was nothing Mary could say to dissuade Isaac from cheering for joy and running right out the front door.
There was no doubt about it. Talking with Dave about her day in town was not going to be easy.
Chapter Eleven
“This is a quaint little shop,” Sally whispered to Jenny and Mary two hours later as they stood on the boardwalk in front of Maureen and Connie’s store. “I have to admit that they have done a wonderful job.”
“They have,” Jenny replied. “They must know a lot of women. Look at how crowded it is.”
Mary was having trouble paying attention to what her sisters-in-law were saying. Next to her, Isaac was holding the pen Richard had given him from his office. Isaac had a wide smile on his face.
“Are you ready to go in?” Jenny asked, breaking Mary out of her thoughts. “I brought a couple of coins to buy one of their treats, and I promised Carl and Emma something if they were good.” She smiled at her children. “And you have been.”
Carl and Emma beamed at this news.
“I should get something for Greg and Laura.” Sally dug into her pocket and pulled out a few coins. She breathed
