Brave Beginnings Read Online Free

were
seated, more pleasantries were exchanged as Ernest complimented
their cooking and they replied with the expected ‘thank you’.
    Then the topics ranged from what the people
back in their old town were up to, how his parents were doing, and
how he liked working at the bank. It was mildly entertaining at
best, which was why Julia had a hard time focusing on it. Her aunt,
more of the talker, rambled in her usual fashion and seemed unaware
that, had it not been for her, the entire dinner might have
continued on in an uncomfortable silence.
    Since Ernest sat across from her aunt and
Julia sat between them, she was spared any direct eye contact with
him. She still didn’t know what she was supposed to say or how to
act. For the most part, she focused on her food and kept her mouth
full because as long as she did that, she wasn’t expected to jump
into the conversation.
    But then the meal was over and they adjourned
to the parlor, so she knew the time to participate in the
discussion had come. She sat in a chair by the window. Her aunt sat
in the other chair, leaving Ernest directly across from Julia on
the small couch.
    He offered her a smile, so she returned it
before she glanced at the dark street where a lone rider on a horse
trotted by. “Night’s getting longer,” she stated, aware the
observation was unnecessary.
    “Soon it’ll be time to celebrate Christmas,”
her aunt replied. “I do hope Gary brings Woape and Penelope over
for a visit.” She looked at Ernest. “Penelope is their
daughter.”
    “So Gary lives with the Indians? What tribe
did you say he married into?” He directed the question to
Julia.
    “Mandan.” Julia shifted in her seat.
    “Does he enjoy it there?”
    She shrugged. “I suppose. He hasn’t left.
Once he became an adult, he was running all over the place trying
to find out where he fit into this world. It looks like he found
it.”
    Her aunt let out a contented sigh. “Yes. He’s
settled down, and it’s done him a lot of good. A man needs a good
woman to make a home with.”
    “I won’t argue with that statement,” Ernest
said, turning his gaze to Julia.
    Heat rose up to Julia’s neck and face. There
seemed to be a silent message for her in his eyes, and she didn’t
know if it pleased her or not. When he directed his gaze back to
her aunt, Julia took a good look at him. From what she could tell,
he was very much the same man she knew in Sykeston. His outward
appearance seemed to be the only thing that changed. She couldn’t
find a single offensive thing about him, and this time she had no
brother to care for. Perhaps there was a second chance possible for
them. She should at least consider it if he brought it up.
    After all, did she want to spend the rest of
her life living with her aunt when she could have a husband and
children? When she last saw Chogan, she assumed that her course had
been set, and she’d settled into a peace about being an old maid.
But what if she didn’t have to settle for it? What if childhood
dreams could be resurrected?
    She considered the future she would share
with Ernest. It would be a pleasant one, she was sure. He’d be a
kind and considerate husband. She could live very well off his
salary. He was established and would provide their children a good
home. When Ernest glanced back at her, she lowered her eyes. She
knew she was blushing, but she hoped he didn’t notice.
    After a good twenty minutes of listening to
her aunt explain the time she and Julia had spent at the Mandan
tribe, the clocked chimed.
    “It sounds like you had quite the adventure,”
Ernest told her aunt as he straightened. “I hate to end a wonderful
evening, but I must get up early tomorrow for a meeting.”
    “I didn’t realize I rambled for so long,” her
aunt replied with a chuckle. “Well, you know me. Get me started and
I don’t stop.”
    “I enjoyed listening to you,” Ernest assured
her. “I might live near the Mandans, but I admit my knowledge of
them