"Uh, Ty," Mr. Williams said after the girls had raced on ahead. "What do you think of that black mare yonder?"

"Oh, aunty!" Jamie ran into her arms and enclosed her in a hug. "Papa knew you would never want to ride a horse, so he's sending the chuck wagon into town, too. We more supplies before we begin setting up house!"

The desk clerk assigned Ellen to a room and once inside, she closed the door and took a second to orient herself.

She noted with appreciation that the room, although not fancy, was clean.  Woven wool blankets covered the bed, and she laid her bags down onto the small cot.  The washstand in the corner suddenly reminded her of the dust layered onto her skin from the stage ride.  Pouring a stream of water into the bowl, she splashed her face and rolled up her sleeves to wash her hands and arms.

Glancing briefly into the small mirror hanging over the washstand, she saw that her long braid of black hair was still tidily knotted at the back of her head.

“Now what?” she asked herself, turning to face the room. 

Everything suddenly seemed a bit unreal.  For so many years she had dreamed of coming to this town as a doctor.  It was the force which drove her through college, through medical school, which kept her fighting against all the prejudice a woman doctor received.  And now she was here...and suddenly felt unsure.

Suddenly she brushed her hands briskly across her skirt.  It was time to take action.  In her bag was a letter from a doctor back at the medical college.  Dr. Brenner had been a bit of a mentor to her – through college and after graduating.  The kindly, white-haired doctor had made no bones about thinking Ellen was crazy to think of coming out West for her first job. 

Ellen's lips twitched in a wry smile as she remembered the look he'd given her over his glasses.  “Might as well try to stop a train as change your mind once it's made up,” he'd grumbled – and promptly started trying to help her.

It had seemed an answer to prayer when he'd received a letter from an old friend detailed how the doctor who had been living in Tumbleweed Flats had had to leave on an undecided leave of absence.  He would be happy to have a replacement suggested by Dr. Brenner...

“I suppose the logical step would be to get something to eat, instead of worrying about doctoring,”  Ellen told herself.  The practical idea sparked another smile.  Her intense, imaginative and idealist side permanently warred the hard-headed, practical and down-to-earth part of her nature, and once in a while, she could step back and see it.

She figured that the hotel probably served food but she wasn't sure of the quality or cost.  Vaguely, she remembered seeing a cafe when she was walking to the hotel.  Getting a late lunch would probably be a good place to start.

Ellen hurried down the steps of the hotel.

"The room all right, miss?" asked the desk clerk.

Ellen paused in the act of going out the door of the hotel.  "Yes, thanks," she said, smiling politely at the clerk.  She turned quickly to go out the door -- and suddenly, with a surprised gasp, collided sharply with two girls who were hurrying inside.

Staggering back, Ellen felt herself turning red.  "I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, holding out a hand to the younger girl who had fallen.  "I guess I wasn't looking.  I'm new here -- I'm so sorry!"