by Danni Roan
“Thank you,” the older man said quietly. “I’ll begin to prepare.”
Cecil watched the man everyone called Hyke walk out of the dining room, looking happier than he had since he and his niece had arrived. The man was not well suited to the position he had been given, and if the arguments between him and Mrs. August were any indication, she wasn’t happy with him either. This trip to Wyoming would be a new start for all of them. They could begin again and grow into their new lives and responsibilities.
Without the demands of the business pressing on him, perhaps Cecil could even get to know the children and provide more for them than a roof over their heads and food to eat.
***
“Here are your tickets,” Abel grinned at his cousin, his dark eye shining. “Perhaps once you’re settled, I’ll come for a visit, but for now enjoy the journey.”
“Thank you for everything Abel,” Cecil grasped his cousin’s hand shaking it firmly. “The more I think on this plan the more certain I am that it’s the right decision. I don’t know how it will play out, but we can hope for the best.”
“You weren’t cut out for life in a city like this,” Abel agreed. “It’s also nice to see the children so excited about something. I’ll miss you, but Godspeed.”
In a moment the dark-haired man had spun on his heel, tipped his hat to Hester and disappeared among the crowd.
“Is that our train?” Jonas asked tugging on Hester’s hand. “When do we go? Can I blow the whistle?”
Hester laughed smoothing the boy’s hair. “I’m sure we will board soon,” she assured.
“This way,” Mrs. August huffed. The woman looked like a ruffled bird in a stiff black dress, but no one argued as she grabbed her carpet bag and stepped up into the coach before them. “It’s going to be a long journey, so we might as well get things organized.”
The housekeeper shot a hard glance at Hester, but said nothing more as the children clambered into the comfortable Pullman car.
“Is this our car?” Beverly asked. “I didn’t realize it would be so big.”
Hester smiled, trying to take in the beautifully appointed coach that could have been the drawing room of any fine house.
“I’ve never traveled like this before,” Cecil leaned close whispering in Hester’s ear. “This really will be an adventure.”
Hester grinned, her stomach doing little flips. “Where will the children sleep?” she asked.
“Miss Johnson,” Mrs. August snapped. “Come with me. We have much to do.”
Hester put a little skip in her step as she followed the staunch woman across the coach and out a door at the back.
“Nice digs,” Hyke grinned as he carried the last few travel bags into the coach. “We should be very comfortable on this trip.”
Cecil couldn’t help himself, throwing his head back and laughing at the comment. “I think you might be right,” he added slapping the other man on the back as he started to feel more like himself than he had in months.
A whistle blew and steam hissed as the porter called ‘all-aboard’. A mad rush of travelers moving to their seats entailed and the slow grind of steel on steel put the train in motion.
Cecil knew he was taking a risk with this move, but if it paid off, it would do more good than he could truly comprehend. Change was hard, but sometimes that change was exactly what you needed to find your destiny.
Chapter 10
“Where’s Jonas?” Hester asked as she tidied the coach on their second day of travel. “He was just here a minute ago.”
“I think he went up there,” Beverly said. “He followed Uncle Cecil.”
Hester looked toward the front of the car and the platform leading to the dining car. If the boy had gone with his uncle, she wouldn’t worry, but if he had set out on his own, there was no telling what could happen.
Dropping the fringed pillow on the settee Hester hurried to the exit in search of the boy with too much curiosity and not enough common sense.
Not finding Jonas in the dining car, Hester hurried forward into the other coaches where individuals and families sat on hard benches staring out the windows at the passing landscape. She spotted Jonas sitting next to a portly woman with two children of her own, and sighed with relief.
“Jonas,” Hester sighed marching toward him, just as the portly woman screamed jumping onto the bench and pulling her daughter tight.
“Hebbie,” Jonas shouted diving under a bench before Hester could reach him.
The boy scrabbled under one bench as boots, and shoes lifted amidst an uproar of shouts and screams.
“Snake!” A thin woman screamed falling into a dead faint in her companion’s arms.
“He’s harmless,” Hester raised her voice as more scrambling and screaming ensued. “He’s harmless,” she shouted again looking for the little black snake, as Jonas wriggled under another seat.
The flash of a strong hand shot out just as the little black racer shot across the aisle. “Don’t hurt it…” Hester cried reaching for the snake and coming face to face with Mr. Payton. “Oh, thank goodness,” she sighed, patting her chest where her heart pounded. “Jonas, what have we told you about keeping Hebbie in your pocket? It isn’t good for either of you.” She snapped, pulling the boy off of the floor and dusting his coat.
Cecil slipped the beleaguered snake into his pocket, hoping it would stay there as he grasped his nephew by the arm. “I think we’d better return to our car.”
Hard eyes turned to follow the little trio out the back of the coach, making the hair on the back of Hester’s neck prickle. She hoped the event wouldn’t cause any real problems and was simply thankful that no one, even Hebbie was hurt. Jonas needed to learn to listen and to understand that he couldn’t go anywhere or do whatever he wanted. There were other people that needed consideration.
“What has he done now?” Beverly asked as Cecil entered the car with Jonas.
“Hebbie got out again,” the boy replied. “It wasn’t my fault.” His light eyes flashed at his uncle who still held his arm in a firm grip.
“Jonas,” Hester chided. “Hebbie is your responsibility. What if he had been hurt, or worse killed when someone tried to stomp on him?”
Jonas looked up his face twisting as realization set in. “I didn’t think,” the boy said. “It won’t happen again,” he choked looking at his uncle. “I’ll keep him in his jar from now on I promise.”
Cecil reached out ruffling the boy’s hair. “You have to start thinking of others Jonas. Ever person you meet, no matter how different, is just as important as you are. We’re starting a new life, and you need to realize what it means to be a man. If I find you’ve taken your little pet out of his jar again, I’ll turn him loose. It isn’t fair to the little critter to let it be frightened so.”
“Yes, Uncle,” the boy hung his head, but took the snake from his uncle and hurried toward the sleeping car.
“If you had been keeping a better eye on the boy, this wouldn’t have happened.” Mrs. August hissed at Hester, a stern look on her face. “I told you when Mr. Payton first made you their governess that it was a mistake, and this proves it.”
Hester folded her hands in front of her, but said nothing. Ever since Mr. Payton had charged her with the care of the children, Mrs. August had been against her. There was no point in arguing with the woman though. Without a word, the younger woman followed the boy to the sleeping car to see that he was all right. Everything the boy had ever known was changing, and though he was full of excitement now, it would all catch up with him soon.
A small hand slipped into hers and Hester looked down at Beverly, who winked at her and grinned. “Everything will be fine,” the girl smiled. “You’ll see.”
Hester felt the smile tug at her lips, as she prayed that what the little girl said was right. There were many obstacles ahead, and only time would tell how this would end.
***
It was almost dark when the train rolled to a stop in the tiny town call
ed Biders Clump and Hester felt every mile to her bones. She didn’t know what she would have done without her uncle who pointed out new things to the children along the way or kept them occupied in other ways.
They had made a game of counting the different animals they saw along the tracks, but there were far fewer of some of the magnificent creatures than there had been only a handful of years earlier.
Beverly had been in awe of the bright gold and white prong horn antelope that roamed the prairie lands, but Jonas had eyes for only the buffalo.
Hyke pointed out mule deer, elk, prairie dogs and anything else he could name, sounding almost as enthusiastic as the children at each sighting.
As the train slowed Hester hurried to the sleeping car, tucking any stray items back into bags, and checking to be sure that the hole punched lid was screwed down tight on Hebbie’s large jar.
It would feel wonderful to place her feet on firm ground once more and to smell something other than coal smoke, and hopefully, end the sensation of constant motion.
“Miss Johnson,” Cecil Payton poked his head into the room. “We’re here, is there anything I can do to help?”
Hester snapped the hasp on her old bag shut but shook her head. “I think I have everything together,” she smiled. “What do we do next?”
“There’s a boarding house here in town. We’ll head there for tonight then hire a wagon to take us to the new house. I’ve never seen the children so happy,” he finished, his bright eyes soft.
Hester nodded, longing for a chance to sleep in a real bed.
Chapter 11
“The train’s in,” George Olson poked his head into the living area of his family boarding house, nodding to his son. “I have a feeling it’s gonna be full.”
“You’re feelings are usually right Pa,” Ellery said handing his youngest daughter to his wife. “I’ll get the cart.” The tall dark-haired man winked at his sweet Ernestine, grabbing his hat and heading for the door.
“George, I’ve made stew and fresh bread if anyone’s hungry. This time of year certainly can get busy.” Polly Esther Olson called after her husband as he headed through the kitchen. “Make sure folks know, so they can come here or to the Grist Mill for supper.”
George crammed his hat onto his head of salt and pepper hair and grinned. “As long as you have some cookies for a snack or dessert, I’ll be happy with anything.”
Polly Esther Olson waved her husband out the back door with her dish towel. Every day was like this, with that man. His sweet tooth seemed to take up his whole mouth. Patting her white gold hair back into a neat bun, she gave her stew a stir and handed down a stack of plates to her granddaughter Alyssa. As the oldest of Ellery’s three children, she always wanted to help.
“How do I know how many to put on the table?” Alyssa tossed her golden braid over a shoulder as she walked to the long table.
“Put them all on and we’ll take away what we don’t need.” Polly said. “If George is right, though, we’ll have more than one table full.” The cheerful boarding house keeper gazed around the dining area that took up most of the back side of the house. One long table, separated the main kitchen from the rest of the room, but other smaller tables were available for any overflow.
Alyssa smiled her soft eyes bright. She loved living next door to her grandparent’s boarding house. The past year and a half had been hard, but she was starting to believe in peace, love and joy once more.
After the loss of her mother and their father’s recent marriage to the woman who had come to help George and Polly look after them, Alyssa was finally hopeful that life had purpose once more.
With a shy smile she took the plates and began setting the table, taking care to lay everything out the way Ernie had taught her.
“Where’s Pa?” a dark-haired little boy trotted into the kitchen, a cur dog at his heels.
“He went with grandpa to the station, Georgie. And how many times has grandma told you not to bring that dog into the house?” Alyssa glared at her youngest brother.
“Sorry.” The boy grinned dashing for the back door, the shaggy, short legged dog racing him outside before anyone else could scold.
“I’ll have a talk with him,” Ernestine walked into the room, little Sophia toddling at her side. “He knows better, but he forgets.”
“He’ll learn,” Polly laughed smiling at her newest daughter-in-law. “Did Mark go with the men?”
“No, he’s finishing his homework incase Becky and Grady stop by later,” Ernie replied. She had come to love this family as no one she had ever known. They were so much to her, and she loved being a part of the help and healing of her new household. “He wants to get top grades this year.”
“I’m sure you’re helping him achieve his goal.” Polly looked back over her shoulder as she shoved a tray of biscuits in the oven. “You’ve been wonderful for the children dear.”
“You’re a kind woman Polly Esther,” Ernestine said. “Now what can I do to help?”
***
“Looks like a good group tonight,” George called to his son as they trundled toward the depot. “We’ll start with that bunch,” he added indicating a group of four adults and two children. “They don’t look like they know where they are.”
“I came to help,” Georgie raced up beside his grandfather taking his hand as his little dog gave a yelp.
“We’re glad to have your help,” George grinned. “How about you run along up there and introduce yourself to them folks with all the trunks,” he added with a grin. “I reckon they’ll need a place for at least tonight.”
Georgie grinned racing ahead his dog at his heels, coming to a stop in front of a staunch looking woman who glared down at him.
“Who are you?” the woman in the black dress asked.
“I’m Georgie, I come to tell ya you can stay at the boarding house. You and your husband and all the kids too.”
“Husband?” Mrs. August huffed. “I am not married.”
“Then who’s that old fella?” Georgie asked as Mitch, the dog, barked again.
“That is Mr. Johnson and he works for my employer Mr. Payton,” Mrs. August snipped. “Now where is this boarding house, and do they have decent food?”
“Who are you?” Jonas walked out onto the platform, Hebbie’s jar held tight in both hands. “Is that your dog?” He pushed forward interrupting the conversation between Georgie and Mrs. August.
“I’m Georgie,” the younger boy grinned, “and this is Mitch, Pa let me keep him. Is that a real snake?” Georgie’s eyes grew wide.
“Hello,” an old man with white hair and dark brown eyes stopped at the platform stairs. “I see Georgie found you. If you’re lookin’ for a place to stay Ellery and me can bring your bags. The boy can show you the way to the boarding house.”
“I’ll be happy to show ‘em grandpa,” Georgie grinned. “Come on.” The boy turned heading toward the stairs as George and Ellery began loading bags and trunks on the cart. “Oh, and the food is good,” Georgie added. “My grandma is the best cook in Biders Clump.”
Hester hurried to pick up the last few bags falling in behind the children, while Hyke held back helping with the rest of the baggage. It was a strange procession trailing behind the boy and dog as they crossed a street and headed toward a tall building down the street.
Perhaps Mrs. August wasn’t impressed with the offer of accommodation, but Hester would be happy to come to a full stop for the first time in days.
A smaller hand took Hester’s and she looked down at a tired and bedraggled Beverly. “Are we really done traveling?” the girl asked. “All I want is a hot meal and a good sleep.”
“Yes, we are really here,” Hester replied. “The first few days might be rather awkward, but if we all work together, you’ll soon have a new home you can be proud of.”
Beverly flicked her eyes to Hester, but didn’t say anything else. It seemed that she was finally starting to understand what this move meant.
“Don’t worry,” Hester smiled again. “I’m sure in no time at all you’ll be making friends and feel right at home.”
***
“Grandma we have guests!” Georgie’s voice echoed down the hall making Polly cringe. The boy was too bold by far, but there was no time to worry about that as he led a group of six toward her.
“Hello,” she greeted, drying her hands on a dish towel. “Have you come far?” She studied the hard looking woman in the dark dress, a younger man with dark hair and hazel eyes in a smart suit and a young woman in an outdated dress followed by two children. “Please come into the kitchen, and I’ll get you some coffee. Dinner will be served in a matter of minutes. It’s simple but hearty fare. I’m Polly Esther Olson, but you can call me Polly.”