Reuben Cole Westerns

Chapter 3

EVEN though the living nightmare of the proceeding weeks and months was to prove otherwise, initially it was just what they wanted. As soon as they stopped their carriage and took in the first, full view they both knew. It was instinctive. No words were needed. They simply turned to each other and smiled. In that smile was utter relief. Months of deliberation, arguing, doubting, had finally led them here. As far from the leafy avenues of Nebraska City as they could imagine. Nineteen Hundred and Five, but this area still felt very much like the Wild West. The untamed frontier. The town of Bethlehem, right on the border with Utah. An old mining town, but as close, both agreed, to perfect as they could wish as they craned their necks and took in the ‘Elegance Hotel’.

With the money dear old, long forgotten Aunt Gwen left Lewis in her will, it was too good an opportunity to miss, especially with the promise it held for a good future. Fortunately, or so it appeared, Lewis agreed with his wife. Childless and reasonably happy, they had no one to consider but themselves. For the first time in their married life they could afford to take a gamble. They bought the ‘Elegance’ without a second thought and with very little change left from the inheritance.

For over four years, or so they were told, the hotel had stood empty. No one explained why, and certainly not the agent who introduced them to the property. “It’s ideal,” he said, rubbing his hands gleefully as the couple studied the artist’s drawing of the place. “The railroad has only recently arrived and soon businesses will take advantage. It’s on a direct route to California, and we all know about California, don’t we.”

The reality hit home as soon as the key fitted into the front door and the door opened, the hinges screaming their objection. A pungent smell of damp and animal droppings immediately hit the back of their throats. Sarah, gagging, held onto the closest wall, hand across her mouth, eyes squeezed shut. “Oh my Lord, Lewis. What is that smell?”

is “Dead rats probably,” he said. He marched forward, taking in the surroundings, despite them being shrouded in dust, cobwebs. Weak, sickly light trickled in from the badly boarded up windows, but adequate enough to pick out the details. “We’ve got some work to do to get this place up and running.”

Sarah moaned. “Haven’t we just. It’ll be worth it, in the end. If we manage it.”

He nodded. “If we don’t, we could still make it worthwhile.” He kicked his boot through the thick layer of white dust clinging to the floor. “It’ll take a lot of hard-work, darling. Elbow-grease and the like.”

She did her best to smile, but barely managed little more than a sneer.

During the subsequent weeks they would need to spend ages scrubbing, repainting, fixing and replacing, buying in new beds, furniture, fittings. None of it was going to be quick, but they resigned themselves to making a new life for themselves and both of them were determined to do their very best to achieve their dream.

“You think that nice Mr Cole would help us?” Sarah asked as she trailed a forefinger through the grime of the reception counter.

“Possibly. He would certainly know of some labourers who could help.”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Yes. But let’s get our bearings first, yes? I’ll check the upstairs rooms then we can begin to come up with some sort of plan.”

Smiling, she watched him mounting the broad staircase to the first floor and wished she had invited Mr Cole to help them as soon as she’d met him.