A Promise to Believe in by Tracie Peterson Page A

it might be nice to talk to you,” Beth replied.
    “Maybe we could have a tea party, too.” Marie’s sarcasm seemed to give Beth strength.
    “I was just thinking of that,” she said, smiling. “Frankly, I was wondering if Rafe gave you all enough to eat.”
    Marie seemed momentarily taken aback by Beth’s boldness. Then a grin spread across her face. “Are you here to do your Christian good deed—bring food to those who are hungry?”
    “Well, if you are hungry, I can bring you some food.”
    “We eat enough,” Marie answered. She looked at the other two as if defying them to challenge her statement. Ellie and Regina simply looked to the ground and avoided Beth’s face.
    “I know you haven’t been here long,” Beth said, trying to think of something else to talk about. “Winters are hard here. It gets pretty cold.” She looked at the poorly constructed rooms that had been added to the back of Rafe’s Saloon and then back at their scanty, lightweight clothes.
    “I’ve been cold before,” Marie said. Her eyes seemed like hard bits of coal as she narrowed her gaze. “What are you really trying to say?”
    Beth gave up the pretense of social etiquette. “I just wondered if you have stoves in your rooms. I hope Rafe has provided you with plenty of blankets and . . . well . . . clothes.”
    Marie laughed harshly. “Rafe expects us to keep warm other ways, and clothes definitely have no part in it.”
    Ellie shifted uncomfortably. “It’s nice of you to ask, though.”
    Beth shook her head. “I’m not asking just to be nice. I can’t abide what you’re being forced to do. It’s a sin, you know.”
    Marie stepped closer. “You think we don’t know what society thinks of us? I’ve heard enough people preach at me, I could start my own church.”
    “If you know it’s wrong, why don’t you just . . . leave?” Beth asked.
    Marie made a face and mocked her. “Just leave.”
    Ellie stepped forward. “We don’t have a choice, Miss Gallatin.”
    “Call me, Beth, and of course you have a choice.”
    Ellie shook her head. “I have no one to help me—no money of my own. My husband died, and he was the only family I had. He didn’t leave me a cent.”
    Beth frowned and looked at each of the women. “I suppose that may be the case for each of you, but it’s still wrong. God never intended for you to do the things you’re doing.”
    “And what would you suggest, Miss Prim-and-Proper?” Marie asked.
    Beth tried to think of a good solution, but answers weren’t coming to mind. “Well, I don’t know exactly.”
    “That’s the trouble with you Christian do-gooders. You’re always willing to judge and tell everybody what they’re doing is a sin, but you offer nothing else. You can’t help us—so why don’t you go back to your safe little house and pretend you did your best to change the ills of the world.”
    “Marie, don’t be so mean,” Ellie interceded. “She’s just being nice.”
    “But nice doesn’t change a thing. She thinks she’s better than us, because she doesn’t have to stoop to our way of living.” Marie looked at Beth and for just a moment seemed to drop her guard. “She doesn’t understand how hard it is or how we’ve tried to find our way out.”
    Beth was humbled by the woman’s comment. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
    Marie shook her head. “For all the good it does.”
    “I think admitting one’s mistake is important,” Beth said quietly. “I know very little of what you’ve endured… I suppose I have made it all sound rather simplistic.”
    “But not because you were trying to be thoughtless,” Ellie said, smiling. “You just didn’t know.”
    “And since you don’t know anything about it,” Marie said in a tone that froze Beth to the bone, “you really should keep your nose out of it.”
    Beth nodded. “I suppose you’re right. I can’t change your situation, but you should know that if you need something, you can come to us. My