Becoming a Family (Cutter's Creek Book 6)

by Annie Boone

  Janine could hardly wait until Jemma woke to tell her of her ingenious plan.

  But Janine knew better than to wake her up. She knew she needed to rest. Feeling especially proud of herself, Janine settled comfortably on the sofa and promptly went to sleep.

  It was only when the porter lightly knocked on the door that Janine woke.

  “Mrs. Hewitt? Will you and your guest be joining us in the dining car tonight or shall I bring your meal to your private car?”

  “I think tonight we will dine privately. It's been a long day for both of us.”

  “Just as a reminder tomorrow's lunch will be served off train as we take on more supplies,” the porter directed.

  “Yes, of course. I’ve dined at that stop in Craven in the past. It’s quite lovely. I know my new friend, Jemma, will enjoy it. Thank you, Sir.”

  Janine knew the dinner would be brought to the door in the next 30 minutes so she thought it best to wake Jemma from her sleep. That way they would both have a chance to freshen up before dinner.

  “Dear, Jemma? I do hate to wake you. But dinner will be here soon. Would you like to rise and freshen up? I've made arrangements to have dinner here so we don’t have to leave our private car. I know today has been stressful on you. And I wanted you to have the flexibility and the privacy of our car.”

  “Janine, you truly are a jewel. Yes, that is perfect. Perhaps after dinner we could stroll among the cars and just see the rest of the train?”

  “Why that is a splendid idea, Jemma. It will be so much easier now that they’ve the covered walkways between the cars. You practically had to take your life into your own hands when you were leaving one car crossing over the locking mechanism and entering the next car. I remember I had to take a deep breath and charge for it or I wouldn't have enough courage to do it,” Janine laughing recalled.

  “Honestly, Janine, I cannot believe that you would ever lack courage.”

  Both women went into their train cases and retrieved the necessities for freshening up. Janine watched covertly as Jemma looked in the small mirror hanging over the sink. Jemma poked and pushed at her hair and sighed heavily. She very efficiently took the bun down brushed her hair with short, purposeful strokes and was about to pin it back up.

  “Your hair is lovely, Jemma. Why don’t you leave it down?

  “Oh, that would be entirely improper,” Jemma answered quickly with an uncertain expression. “Don't you think?”

  “I suppose you're right for city life and teaching, of course. But out where I live things are a little more relaxed.”

  Jemma smiled. “I guess since it’s just us, it won’t hurt a thing. If we take a walk after supper, we probably won’t see anyone, so it won’t matter then, either. Thank you. It’s nice to relax.”

  Janine decided that now was a good time to tell Jemma about her invitation. She’d been going to do it while they ate, but now would be the perfect time. “Speaking of Cutter’s Creek, while you were sleeping I had the most brilliant thought. Why don't you and the children stop by Cutter’s Creek for a visit on your way back to Chicago?”

  Jemma looked shocked at the idea. “What? Stop for a visit? In Montana?”

  “Well, yes. It’s not too far from the Idaho Territory and it’s a lovely little town. Everything you could want or need is there. The people are such a friendly sort, too. I just know you would love it. You could meet, my Thad, and of course my precious boys! And then Tim and Delilah would love to have other children to play with while you’re there.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, Janine. It sounds delightful, but there’s so much going on for use right now. And I’d hate to be a bother for you. I don’t know when we’ll be coming back, anyway. I don’t know how long it will take me to settle Billy and Sylvia’s affairs.”

  “I know you’ve got so much on your mind. You don’t have to give me an answer right now. The offer is open ended. You’re welcome any time. Any time at all.”

  “It’s a very kind suggestion, Janine. I’ll think about it,” Jemma responded.

  “I just couldn’t wait to tell you about it. If you decide to visit, I know you’ll love our little town.”

  Janine winked at her and Jemma laughed for the first time in days.

  Chapter Five

  Jemma settled in to her space on the sofa closed her eyes and said a prayer of thanks for her new friend Janine. She reached into her train bag and pulled out her book. It was the first chance she had to actually read it.

  She reflected on the last two and a half days of conversation she had just had with Janine Hewitt. Meeting Janine and those days of pure friendship was a wonderful start to this adventure. Yes, that's what she would think of all of the last week’s happenings – as an adventure.

  Sadness crept in as she thought of her wonderful brother Billy and sister-in-law Sylvia. They were too young to be gone. But Jemma knew better than anyone to thank God for today.

  It was a new day that he created for her and she would find a way to rejoice in it. She must find it in herself to be as strong as possible for her niece and nephew. They had been through worse than Jemma had. They had lost their parents. She would be a courageous example for them.

  She went back and forth remembering bits and pieces of her stimulating conversation with Janine and reading her book. Janine had made living in the bustling small town of Cutter’s Creek seem so exciting. She had shared story after story about the townspeople and how much the town had grown and was continuing to grow.

  Lost in her thoughts and reading, she didn’t realize that it was time for dinner when the porter lightly knocked on the door.

  “Ms. Hewitt told me when she departed that you would prefer to have dinner here in the car by yourself tonight, Miss Braithewaite. I hope that is agreeable?”

  “Yes of course, sir. Thank you. I would like to stay here in the carriage.”

  “Now if you need anything before we arrive in Lewiston late tomorrow afternoon you just let me know. I am here to take care of you. I'm afraid Ms. Hewitt would come and find me if I didn't take good care of you,” he said with a wink and a small smile.

  Jemma barely rested that night and the next morning flew by as the train began to head north toward Lewiston. The track took them over gorge after gorge on the way to the end of the track. She had read that the track here held more trestle bridges than any other part of the country. Jemma thought it was the most beautiful and most terrifying thing she had ever seen.

  The train made it through harrowing heights without effort. Even though it was frightening, she was grateful that the track had been completed just the year before. Otherwise she would have had to schedule a carriage and extend her travel two more days.

  The porter let her know that Lewiston was less than an hour away, and Jemma began to gather her few things that she had laid about the carriage over the last three days. The quiet time since Janine departed at Cutter’s Creek had given her the time to think, rest, and do some writing in her diary.

  She enjoyed the quiet with only the train’s rhythm sounding in the background. She and Janine had ventured out to stroll among the other cars. They had dined in the main dining car and had tea in one of the public salon cars.

  Since her friend left, she had just wanted to gather herself for what came next. Arriving in Lewiston and seeing Tim and Delilah would take all her wits to do what needed to be done.

  The train whistle sounded signaling to Jemma that she had arrived at her destination. There was a great amount of movement. The train line stopped here and everyone was disembarking.

  She had put on her best gray jacket and skirt that morning. She tidied her hair into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She put on the very sweet gift Janine had given her, a small cap with a beautiful dark feather circling the back of her head. It was nicer than anything she owned. Janine assured her that it was perfect with her gray suits. She chuckled to herself remembering what Janine had said when she gifted it to her:

  “I understand why
you need to wear somber colors, being in a grieving time and all. But there's no reason for you to look unfashionable while you do it. My mother insisted on buying me more hats than I can possibly wear in Cutter’s Creek. You would make me so proud to wear this hat, if you would take it, please.”

  As Jemma stepped off the train, she was met by a tired, grizzled-looking older man. He touched his hat lightly at the brim, nodded his head and said, “You must be Miss Braithewaite.”

  “Yes, sir, I'm Jemma Braithewaite. Are you Mr. Dean?”

  “Yes, ma'am. So sorry about your brother and his bride.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Dean. I know it's been hard on everyone, including you and your wife.”

  “Those children are just torn up. I'm so glad you're here. The Mrs. and I have not known what to do with them. Poor little Delilah cries herself to sleep every night.”

  “Oh the poor dear,” Jemma said mostly to herself. She was still not sure she was ready to face these grieving children. But what choice did she have? She was all they had left in the world, practically.

  Courage, Jemma,” she steeled herself.

  “Let me grab your trunk and we will be on our way,” Mr. Dean said gruffly as he made his way to the pile of baggage. Jemma saw him take his handkerchief out of his back pocket and wipe his eyes. It was obvious that even a week later, everyone at the farm, including the owner, was still in disbelief.

  Jemma followed along breathing deeply and trying to stay calm. The next few days would surely be a trial. Jemma was eager to get off to a good start with Tim and Delilah. If she could, it would be a good indicator on how the next few months would go.

  Jemma hopped up into the rough wooden wagon beside Mr. Dean, and they started to make their way out into the country. Jemma noticed how beautiful the land was. The train station had seemed dusty, loud, and too crowded. But heading away from the city center and the loud noises of the cargo being moved from the train, Jemma could see what Billy had described in his letters.

  Billy would often write her and describe it to her in intimate detail. He always had such a way with words and their letters over the years were really the only connection that Jemma had to her brother.

  It did seem so strange that Lewiston, even though it was over 100 miles to the Pacific coast was considered a port. The river passage was a great discovery. And with the train making its way all the way to Lewiston, the west was coming alive.

  It was over an hour, but it seemed like just a few minutes when the wagon finally stopped in front of a low-slung farmhouse. Standing on the front porch was a little boy. He looked like a miniature Billy. A small girl with wild, white-blonde curls sticking in all different directions from her head stood beside him.

  The boy held the girl’s hand and both of them looked sad and afraid. Jemma’s heart just broke for these poor orphan children who were her niece and nephew. The next few moments would be the most important, Jemma knew.

  She jumped down from the wagon leaving all her possessions behind. The most important thing was to get to the children and love on them. She walked to them with purpose, but she didn’t rush to them. She put on a sincere smile because she was truly happy to see them.

  “Good afternoon, Tim and Delilah. I’m your aunt Jemma.”

  Jemma made sure not to make them uncomfortable by an overt display of emotion. She put on her most friendly voice that said, ‘You can trust me. I am safe.’ It was a voice that she’d had to use many a day on that first day of school with children who had never been away from home.

  Tim was first to speak, “You look like my dad. But with long hair and prettier skin.”

  “Thank you, Tim. That's quite the compliment. Your dad was always thought to be a handsome man.”

  Delilah spoke up then and said, “My mommy is pretty. My mommy was pretty. She's gone to Heaven now. I miss her.”

  Jemma gently kneeled down on the top stair of the front porch so she would be on the child's level.

  “Delilah, your mommy was the most beautiful woman I've ever known. And you're right she is in Heaven. She is with the angels now and they think she’s very beautiful, too.

  Delilah asked curiously, “Do you think they dance? Mommy and the angels?”

  At that somewhat unexpected question Mrs. Dean came through the front door, “Children your dinner is ready. Come on now. Back to the kitchen and let your aunt get settled.”

  Tim led Delilah back to the kitchen and Mr. Dean took Jemma’s trunk to the front room off the main hall.

  “I guess it's not really a guest room as much as it is a parlor turned into a guestroom,” Mr. Dean said.

  Jemma responded graciously, “Mr. Dean, I know how hard all of this has been on all of you.”

  At that Mr. Dean swallowed deeply and said, “Miss Braithewaite, your brother was a son to me. I miss him as if I would miss my own flesh and blood.”

  “I know you do, Mr. Dean. He felt the same about you. He would often write to me of your kindness and hospitality. If you don't mind can you tell me what happened?”

  “It was late at night and Billy heard the horses kicking up some kind of racket. He ran to the barn thinking that a fox had gotten in. We've been having some problems with those critters.”

  He stopped for a moment as if thinking about the issues they’d had with predators on their farm. Jemma nodded for him to continue.

  “Anyway, Sylvia ran to get me as Billy ran into the barn. When, Sylvia, the Missus, and I arrived, the barn was completely in flames. Sylvia ran in to help Billy get the horses out. She was always so good with those animals. They seemed to listen to her.”

  Jemma kept nodding as he told the story. Tears springing into her eyes.

  “But as soon as she had entered the loudest crash I think I've ever heard exploded through the air. And that's when I knew the hayloft had given way. It surely trapped them. I tried to run in and find them but it was too hot and the flames were too high. Two horses ran terrified past me and knocked me out. I came to when one of the farmhands dragged me out and poured water on me. But it was too late for Billy and Sylvia. I'm so sorry Miss Braithewaite, I'm so sorry.”

  Overcome with emotion he did not want to show in front of Jemma, Mr. Dean ducked out of the room. She heard him pass over the front porch and out into the great wide space of the yard.

  Jemma sat on the edge of the sofa, which was made up like a bed. She let herself give into loss that she felt. She bowed her head into her hands and sobbed quietly.

  She opened her eyes to see Delilah standing there in front of her.

  “Delilah, are you finished with your dinner,” Jemma asked.

  “No, Aunt Jemma, I came to get you. I want you to eat with us. Will you?”

  The last thing Jemma wanted to do was try to eat anything. The weight of the world seemed to be pressing down on her, but she knew she had to be strong for this little girl and for her brother. She made a silent vow to control her emotions. Courage, Jemma, remember? Courage!

  “Of course I'll come eat with you, precious. You can show me the way to the kitchen now, all right?”

  “Were you crying because of my mommy and daddy?” Delilah asked.

  “Yes, I was, honey. I miss them.”

  “I miss them too, Aunt Jemma.”

  The little girl reached up to put her arms around Jemma and she engulfed the little one in her own arms. As they snuggled together, Delilah whispered in her ear, “I think they're dancing in Heaven.”

  Jemma leaned back so she could look into her niece’s face. “You think they’re dancing? That’s a lovely thought, Delilah.”

  “Mommy and Daddy would always dance on the front porch when they thought we were asleep. I used to peek through the window and watch them. My mommy danced like an angel. So I know she's dancing with the angels now.”

  Jemma whispered back, “I think you're right, Delilah. Now let's go eat some dinner.”

  Dinner was a very quiet affair. Mr. Dean did not come in. Mrs. Dean busied herself at t
he stove and the kitchen sink.

  Jemma sat at the simple farm table and tried to carry on a casual conversation with the children, but it was difficult. The best thing for them to do would be to just eat, Jemma decided. So she became quiet and concentrated on trying to eat her own dinner.

  After the dishes were cleaned and put away, Mr. Dean came into the sitting room where Jemma and the children sat together.

  “Might I have a word with you, Miss Braithewaite?” he asked.

  Jemma felt the weight of the world upon her shoulders at that moment. The ominous meaning of his words were difficult to handle, but she knew that this was a big part of the reason she was here. To take care of the issues regarding Billy’s estate. If there was anything. She didn’t even know. She imagined she was about to find out, though.

  Chapter Six

  “You’ll need to go into your brother’s cabin and pack up the children's things. I haven't been able to do it and Mrs. Dean has been so busy with the children she hasn't been able to, either.

  “I thought that would be something you would want to do, anyway. I don't know how much you want to take back with you…” he trailed off. It was obvious he was still broken over losing Billy and Sylvia.

  While Jemma desperately wished she wasn’t here to take care of her brother’s affairs, she was pleased to see how much he was loved here. The Deans were confirming exactly what she already knew about the kind of man her brother had been.

  “I'd love to see the cabin tonight, but I’ll probably wait until tomorrow to actually begin to pack things.”

  “There’s no rush, but I’m sure there are things the children need in there. I would guess you want to get back to Chicago as quickly as possible.”

  “I’ve arranged transport back in two days. I thought that would be easier for the children, if that isn’t too much trouble for you… for me to stay a few days?”

  “No, of course not. You're welcome to stay here. But I also imagine you’re probably eager to get the children settled in their new life. That boy is really going to struggle being in town, I’m afraid. He’s spent his entire life out here in these wide-open spaces.”