Word Count: 24,010
Summary of Events:
Ezra and his fellow hands were having lunch when the foreman ordered him to go help a calving cow, an order one of the ranch owner's sons took offence to due to such a task always seeming to be given to Ezra, but Ezra obeyed regardless. Gwendolen got off the train at Cheyenne to stretch her legs and saw that the newspapers had reports on her disappearance, prompting her to book a seat on a stagecoach, instead of continuing on the train. Ezra went and met with the ranch owner who explained why the foreman seemed to have a prejudice against Ezra and why he had no plans to fire either man. Gwendolen got off of the stage at Butte — the end of its run — and decided to explore the town before deciding what to do for the night; while doing so she spied a newsstand . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
"Striding across the street, she went over to the newsstand and found that, once again, it was the front page headline: Michigan Millionaire's Daughter Missing.
As she read the article she found that it gave her name, but no description, along with saying that she was last seen at the Pontiac train station throughout the day on Friday, and it was determined that she'd taken a train.
Once again it also stated that her father had put out a thousand dollar reward for her safe return to Pontiac, along with also saying that Ambrose had put out a reward of two thousand five hundred dollars for her safe return, and preferably by June.
Three thousand five hundred dollars total for her return. But she didn't want to go back. She couldn't go back. She'd been safe this far out west, and had yet to meet any unsavoury individuals.
But she couldn't stay here either. Even though the newspaper didn't give a description of her. She had to keep going. Somewhere, anywhere.
Quickly she made her way back to the stage depot.
"Are you here to pick up your trunk Miss?" the man who'd moved it before asked.
"No," Gwendolen replied. "I was wondering when the next stage leaves town."
"Eight o'clock tomorrow morning," he replied. "It's the border run."
"There's none leaving yet today," Gwendolen said.
"No Miss," he replied.
Gwendolen sighed. She could at least stand to spend the night.
"What hotel would you recommend?" she asked.
"I'd recommend the Montainview," he replied. "My family runs it, actually."
"It's clean and secure?" Gwendolen asked.
"Yes Miss," he replied. "My Ma's stickler for keeping things clean, and we've never had a robbery or a fire yet. I'll take you there."
Gwendolen nodded as he rose and picked up her trunk. Like the young Ricky had done in Cheyenne, he carried it on his back until they arrived at a rather small and simple structure, but one that looked well-kept and generally presentable.
He opened the door for her and she stepped into a small, but clean, presentable, and homely room where a young woman sat behind a desk. She smiled.
"You're a good thing for business Clovis," she said.
"I try to be," he replied.
"Good afternoon Miss," she said, smiling at Gwendolen kindly. "What sort of room would you like? North, south, east, west, first, second, or third floor?"
"Whatever you have available," Gwendolen replied. "And I'll just be staying overnight."
"Would you like to have dinner and breakfast included?" she asked.
"Yes please," Gwendolen replied.
"Because Clovis brought you we'll give you a deal too," she said, before naming the price.
Gwendolen opened her purse and laid out the money, although she noticed to her discomfort that she didn't have much money left. She wouldn't likely be able to get much further, and she was glad she was only going to be staying overnight."
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