“We’re leaving soon, and I don't know how I will ever thank you for all of your help, Solomon, but you are under no obligation to us. I want to be able, no, I need to be able to support us. It's important to me. Do you understand?” she asks.
Solomon stares at her with her hair tumbling around her shoulders and her lips swollen from his mouth and smiles. “I do understand, but I will have you both in my life. No matter what choice you make or where you go, I would like a chance to win your heart.” He looks at her with such hope, and she is glad that she’s not a fool, because only a fool would say no to him.
Faith steps into the space between his legs, and her hands find their way into his hair again. Seated, his mouth is the perfect height. “You better work fast, Solomon because I can't seem to keep my hands off you. Your beard drives me crazy, and your mouth is heaven…” her sentence is cut short when he kisses her again and his hands roam her body.
Solomon groans and pushes her back and stands up, out of breath once more. “Okay, time to make some choices.” He pulls out the paper and hands it to her. It is on letterhead from Western Union.
“Three choices. One is for a job here, not happening.” He balls it up and tosses it on the floor. “The other is in Boston, and another in Texas.” She glances at Hope and finds her sleeping. She's too small to be traveling to Boston. That would take way too long. “Texas…” she whispers.
“What do you think of Texas, Solomon?” she asks with excitement.
“I think it's a fine place to start a life,” he answers with a grin.
“That settles it then, Texas!” she says with a leap of excitement.
Her smile fades, and she asks, “What about Aiden?”
In a flash, Solomon's demeanor changes from gentlemen to a warrior. “He will never bother you again.” The promise in his voice has chills running over her body.
“Alright, I need to get back to the Western Union Office, then to the art district and the train depot. Will you help me?” she asks.
“I'm at your disposal all day, my lady.” Solomon makes her wait to exit while he checks the area. He loads her painting's and bags before they leave.
After a quick stop at the Western Union office, she's surprised to find out that the job comes with a small house, with the telegraph inside. The house is in the center of town. The pay is excellent, and they need to her start as soon as possible. The tickets are provided, and Faith will be leaving on the one o'clock train. She's excited about this new phase of her life.
That leaves only three hours until her train leaves, it hits her. “So soon, I had thought we would have more time.” She murmurs as he leads her outside to the wagon.
“Now, sugar. I will be back before you know it, and you can telegraph me if you need anything. We can write to each other. If you have time?” He asks, heading to the art district.
She reaches out and rests her hand on his. “I will make time for you, Solomon.”
He lifts her hand and kisses it. Outside of the first art gallery, Faith is nervous. She has never dreamed of selling her art, and this is important to her future.
Solomon is scanning the street and surrounding buildings looking for signs of Aiden. He speared the note to the wall on purpose, he could be watching them even now.
“Solomon will you carry my art inside for me?” she asks startling him. Each painting is covered in brown paper and tied with a cord, and he stacks them carefully while she waits with the baby.
“Let’s go make you famous!” he jokes.
They walk inside the gallery and instantly Faith is intimidated. The gallery is lined with art from many cultures and varieties. Her paintings are all landscapes. Rich, vibrant colors and movement. They might not have a market for them. Richly dressed couples are walking around and drinking wine.
“May I help you?” A prim looking gentleman asks.
Faith looks at him, and his slicked back hair, suit, and black mustache and has the urge to run, but Solomon clears his throat.
“Yes, I have some art to sell.” Faith blurts out.
“I see. You are in luck. We are looking for new artists, and the demand has increased greatly. Follow me.” He walks to the back wall and grabs a knife to slice the rope binding the first one. He speaks to another man who joins them, and Solomon holds her hand while they wait for the first one to be revealed.
One of the men gasps when the paper is freed. He says something in French and turns to look at her with a smile. “This is yours?”
Faith smiles, and pride fills her chest. “It is. This is an oil painting of Mt. Arias when the first snow covers the caps. You can see it is still autumn in the valley with the vibrant colors of the trees in the landscape around the base of the mountain, but the hint of what is to come looms overhead.”
Solomon is stunned. He's never seen anything so beautiful! The colors and movement. The trees seem to move with an unseen wind, the same wind, which, blows the snow swirling around the top of the mountain.
“Oh! I must have it!” A woman's loud voice calls out. She had followed the gallery owner, and when he revealed it, she was sold!
“Of
