Helene had been on the wagon what felt like months, but it had only been a handful of days.
The family she was traveling with welcomed her with opened arms. Helene was grateful but a little concerned about their disregard for her as a threat. For all they know she could have been the on to kill her family. Helene touched her temple at the thought as the wagon moved over the dirt and sand covered expansion.
Helene couldn't remember much, rather she couldn't remember a large part of her recent history. The brunette remembers her home in New Hampshire, of her parents and siblings. She rememebered being a nurse in the War, about her brother passing as well, anything after was.... hazy and jumbled up. Helene couldn't make sense of any of it. Borris and Maybelle, reassured her that the memories would come back eventually. That maybe she was so scared about what happened to her it was the shock.
"Yer brain don wen'd locked up on ya. Don wan remember some'n cause it to hard. To much hurt."
Borris said this to her the second night of them all traveling together. In a way he was trying to cheer poor Helene up.
Helene could only repay their kindness by helping Maybelle with cooking, cleaning laundry, and watching their kids while on the road. Helene enjoyed the children, every passing moment with them felt right. Like she belonged around children. They liked her back, with Helene's funny way of speaking, and her many tall tales of animals and fairies it made Helene the perfect traveling companion.
Sadly their journey together was coming to an end. Borris made his way to Highland at noon, when the sun was at its highest.
Helene and the children watched from the wagon as they passed into town. It looked like any other small western town. A few shops, houses, a saloon of course and a mail post. The kids saw it before Helene did and pointed out the church. This made Helene's chest swell. Living her whole life in a church, it wouldn't sit right with Helene if she was apart from God to long.
The wagon stopped, Borris had made his way to the back after helping Maybelle to get them out. Helene want first then the kids. As her boots made work of the beatened earth Helen gave the town a look over. The heat of midday clinging to her body.
Helene noticed the crowd of people just a few feet into the town. Turning to her traveling companions she smiled.
"Well, this is where we part ways. Are you wouldn't like to stay?"
The children pleaded with their parents they didnt want to part from their new friend, Borris and Maybelle just shook their heads. "Nah, we got te get on to our place. It ain't that far north of here. Maybe we come back sometim'n visit."
"I would appreciate that." Helene went in and gave Maybelle and the children hugs. Borris gave her a firm hand shake and then they were off again. Their little wagon and horse turned away as they road out. Helene waved to the children who were shouting from the back.
Not wanting to miss anything important, Helene hiked up her skirt and trotted over to the large group of people in the center of town. A gruff voice got louder as she moved to the back. A stiff looking man stood before the group, judging by the shiny badge on his shirt he was the law of the town.
"I thought the Mayor was going to see us..." Helene spoke to herself as she half listened to the sheriff.
At the mentioning of lodgings Helene replied her focus onto the sheriff. Work and the likes would be handled by the Mayor in time. For now they were expected to find a place to sleep before dark. As he turned away from the crowd. Helene took into her sights the West Inn. The saloon was not an appeasing place to her in the slightest. Besides she wanted turn in and be one of the first to speak to the Mayor about work. Helene had a hard time remembering who she was in the past couple years but she knew her talents. Medical work, child care, and cooking. Maybe the Mayor needed a maid or the town doctor a nurse. She would have to see.
As she walked over to the Inn a man passed by her, who she could only assume was the priest. She stopped, did a curtsey and bid him a good afternoon before turning her sights back onto her mission. She would need to visit the church before sun down to give thanks to her lord God.
Helene traveled up the worn down steps of the inn to the front door. The inside was a lot cooler than the town center, and Helene took a moment to let the cool air hit her face. She then went to the front desk addressing whoever was behind it.
"Hello? I just came into town... I would like a room if you have any to spare." Helene hoped that whoever heard her was a bit friendlier than the sheriff.
As she waited Helen realized there was another person in the lobby with her. A man who was probably a new comer like her. Helene nods his way.
"Hello, how do you do?" A simple and formal invitation for conversation. If he didn't take to it, Helene wouldn't be bothered. She was quite tired to begin with and wasn't up for any long conversations.
@The Wanderer