Miss Eliza Montgomery : part 4- the journey ❄️

Just as planned, two days later she boarded the stage with her father and headed east. When they arrived that evening at their first stop, they checked into their hotel & headed to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner. At dinner her father explained that the next morning he would head back home as planned and that Trent Waters would be accompanying her for the rest of the journey. Her father simply stated he’d worked with him in the past.

In the morning she dressed and went down for breakfast. As she was finishing her meal, her father came in and said “Let’s go. I want to introduce you to Mr. Waters before we part ways.”

Introduce might have been a stretch to explain the brief interaction that occurred outside the hotel. The stage was ready to go and a tall man in a wide brim hat and a bandana covering most of his face was mounted next to it. Her father said to the man “Mr. Waters, this is my daughter Miss Eliza Montgomery” with a slight nod and tip of his hat, he didn’t say a word. She turned to her father. “Why isn’t he riding in the stage? And why does he look like a highway robber” she said in hushed tones. “The stage creates a lot of dust, the bandana just keeps it out of his nose and mouth. As for riding, he said he can watch for dangers better this way and can change out his mount along the way with the other stage horses”. Her father continued “He will keep you safe on the journey and handle the arrangements at the stops” he said quickly, then with a brief hug and kiss on the top of the head he helped her into the stage coach.

This was not what she was expecting. She could hardly believe her father was sending her off on this journey with not only a stranger, but one who looked more outlaw than protector.

By the time they reached the hotel that evening, it was dark. Stiff from sitting all day, Eliza made her way slowly inside along with some of the other passengers from the stage. Mr. Waters was already inside. The lighting was dim and though he had removed his bandana she could hardly see his face. He handed her the key to her room and said “I’m in the room just across from yours, if you need anything just knock, you aren’t to go anywhere without me. I’ve ordered a dinner tray to your room. The morning stage leaves at 8. I’ll meet you in the lobby in the morning.” Not waiting for a response, he took her bag from her hand and walked her upstairs. Setting the bag at her door before quickly turning into his own room.

All Eliza wanted was a hot bath & her bed. So when he dinner was delivered she ordered bath water and after her meal & soaking her stiff muscles for a while, she crawled into bed and fell fast asleep. It wasn’t like Eliza to sleep in, so she was quite surprised by the loud knock at her door the next morning. “Miss Montgomery” she heard Mr. Waters call. “The stage is leaving in 30 minutes and I need to make some arrangements for the day. Are you ready to go?”

“Well not exactly, I’m afraid I’ve over slept a bit.” Eliza said a bit embarrassed.

“Can you be ready in 30 minutes?”

Trent asked.

“Yes, I believe I can” Eliza called back through the door.

“Ok, I’m going to go make my arrangements, the stage will be ready outside in 30 minutes please be there” he said sternly.

30 minutes later Eliza stepped into the stage ready for another long day of sitting. At least she had her sketch book. A small boy and his mother sat across from her today & she sketched the boy as they road. By the end of the day though, she thought she would burst if she had to sit through another long stage ride tomorrow.

As she got off the coach she waved to Mr. Waters before he could head into the hotel. He of course was still wearing that odd bandana. She began to wonder what his face looked like beneath. Did he wear it to hide some deformity or ugly scars? When he approached she said “Mr. Waters, would it be possible for me to have a mount and ride tomorrow as well? I think if I have to sit all day again I might burst!” A simple “no” was all the reply she received. Hurrying after him she ask “and why not?”

“It’s too dusty for you to ride along side the stage, it’s not as safe for us to ride without the company of the stage, and I highly doubt you could keep pace to make it to the next stage stop before nightfall” Trent Waters replied in a monotone voice.

Eliza huffed off to the hotel. She didn’t even turn to look at him when Mr. Waters said from behind “here’s your room key Miss. Montgomery” she just put out her hand for the key then stomped up to her room. She actually slammed the door behind her. What in the world had gotten into her, this wasn’t like her at all. Sitting in a stage for so long must really be effecting her mood.