Della smiled at Wade. “He has a healthy appetite. Such a pretty baby, you’re lucky to have each other.”
Attie stroked her son’s back. “He is such a blessing.” She loved her brother and had loved Ma. Her love for her baby was different. She had never realized how fiercely she could love anyone until he was born. She would protect this boy with all her being.
“Unless you need Wade’s things this evening, why don’t you leave the parcels in the carriage so they’ll be ready for the train tomorrow?”
“If you think it’s all right, I will except for the blue dress. I’ll take it with me and wear it tomorrow.” She accepted the dress from Della. “I don’t know how I’m going to get all that’s left on the train. I should have bought only one dress so I could buy a large valise.”
Della rested her hand at her throat. “That was my oversight and I do apologize. Horace will take me back and I’ll get one on the way to Mrs. McCormick’s home. I’ll put everything except the basket inside the satchel so you’re all set tomorrow morning.”
Attie counted her change. “Please take this thirty-five cents, which is all I have left of the money from my prospective groom, Mr. Merritt. I have a little money in my room. If you’ll wait here, I’ll hurry up and bring you what I have.”
Della accepted the coins. “I imagine this will be enough but I have money with me if it isn’t. Mrs. McCormick doesn’t let me leave her home without a bit of cash for emergencies.”
Attie thought the matchmaker must be an angel on earth. “If you’ll buy the case then I’ll repay you tomorrow.”
Horace opened the door and helped Attie to the ground. She turned around to take Wade from Della.
“Thank you, Della, and you, Horace. You’ve been very kind and I appreciate your help more than you can know.”
“My pleasure, Ma’am.” Horace closed the carriage door then tipped his hat. “We’ll see you in the morning, Mrs. Bishop.”
Chapter Four
Attie could hardly wait to tell Hannah her news. She’d never had friends outside school because of her chores. She supposed that was why she’d welcomed Hannah so easily. Attie and her brother had missed a lot of school when their help was needed with the crops and garden.
Pa thought school was a waste of time after the fourth grade, especially for girls. They went any day they could get away. When she and Wade missed much, the school superintendent visited Pa to tell him how bright she and Wade were and that they needed to be in school.
The school superintendent and Pa were the same age. The man had something he held over Pa’s head to keep Attie and Wade in school until they graduated. She sure wished she knew what it was. Didn’t matter for her now but it might help Wade. She and Wade had speculated but neither could learn the superintendent’s secret.
Hannah must have been watching for her because she was waiting beside Attie’s door. “Well, what did you decide?”
“Come in so I can tell you everything.” They went inside the room and Attie laid Wade in the drawer. After she’d changed his diaper, he dropped off to sleep.
Hannah peered at him. “He sure is a good baby.”
“He’s the only one I’ve ever been near so I can’t judge.” She caressed his back.
Hannah acted surprised. “Don’t your friends have babies or didn’t you help neighbors care for their children?”
“No to both.” The truth was too embarrassing.
The other woman sat on the bed. “Tell me what you learned.”
Attie sat near her. “First, I can’t thank you enough for sharing her name with me. I was so impressed with her and she was unbelievably kind.”
Hannah groaned and made choking motions with her hands. “I can’t stand the waiting. Tell me if you found a groom.”
Attie laughed. “There was a man who’d sent the cash for a bride to come without corresponding back and forth. He sent extra for the bride—” She stood and curtsied. “me—to buy anything she needed before she came. Can you imagine?”
Hannah’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “My stars, he must be rich.”
Attie sat and took out his letter. “He says not but he sounds wealthy to me. Here’s the letter he sent but his minister also sent one and said his family was kind and loving.” She handed the groom’s letter to Hannah to read.
Hannah did and when she got to the end she squealed, “Texas? Attie, look he says, ‘If you want to look us up on a map, we are on the Medina River between Bandera and Medina.’ The man I’ve been writing lives between Medina and Bandera.”
Her heart almost stopped beating. “You don’t think it’s the same man?”
“Of course not. I’ve been writing Reginald Spencer. He goes by Reggie and Reg. His family owns an apple orchard and farm close to Medina.”
She looked at Tate’s photograph. “He’s a fine looking man but looks nothing like Reggie described himself. Reggie has sandy hair, a short beard, and a small mustache.”
Attie grabbed Hannah’s hand. “Saints be praised, that means we’ll live near to one another. I hope we’re close enough we can visit real often. Well, as often as we can get away from our chores.”
Hannah’s fingers pressed and smoothed folds in her skirt. “I hope I hear from him soon. Oh, Attie, he sounds so nice. I’ll be awfully disappointed if he’s changed his mind and chosen someone else.”
Attie sympathized with her friend. Hadn’t she been worried until this morning? “I’m sure it’s like you said and you have to allow time for the mail to reach him and then his answer to reach you. It might even be another week before the letter comes.”
Hannah shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t think I can stand this not knowing for another week. I’m a nervous wreck as it is.”
“Since he lives on a farm, he might not have the letter for several days until he can go into town and get the mail. Then he has to write the letter and wait to go back into town to mail his answer.”
She took out a piece of paper from her purse and wrote out Tate Merritt’s address for Hannah. “You take this and you’ll know how to contact me.”
Hannah slid the note into her pocket. “I’m going down to see if the mail has come. I’ll bring you back your lunch.”
In all the excitement, Attie had forgotten food. She needed to eat so her milk would be rich for Wade. He was such a tiny baby. She still worried he might die. If she and her brother hadn’t kept him away from Pa, she was sure Wade would have met with a mysterious accident.
Hannah returned in a few minutes. “The mail came and I have a letter.” She stopped in mid stride. “Oh, Attie, I’m so excited I forgot your lunch.”
Attie shook her hands in front of her. “Forget lunch, what does the letter say?”
Hannah plopped on the end of the bed and opened the envelope. She read the missive then clutched it to her breast and lay back on the bed. “Thank you, God.”
Attie nudged her friend. “Well, what does he say?”
Smiling but with tears in her eyes, Hannah handed her the letter.
Dear Miss Jensen,
I was pleased to receive your reply to my letter. I am delighted you agree to become my wife. From your correspondence, I believe we will fit very well. I have sent the funds to Mrs. Mercedes McCormick. After she deducts her fee she is to secure your ticket and give you the balance for your expenses. She will insure you reach your train then send me a telegram with your arrival time.
Mrs. McCormick will have the instructions but I am sure you will be curious and will want to know them. You take the train—you will have to change trains—to San Antonio, Texas. I hate to say but from San Antonio you have to ride the stage to Bandera. My parents and I will meet you there. You and I will be married in Bandera and then proceed to our home about half an hour away.
I look forward to meeting you in person.
Sincerely,
Reggie Spencer
Attie returned the letter. “Hannah, please go see Mrs. McCormick and ask if you can
leave in the morning when I do. We can travel together—unless you’d rather not travel with a baby.”
Hannah jumped up and hugged Attie. “Traveling together would be wonderful. I’ll go right now.”
She twirled with arms outstretched. “Oh, he wants me to come marry him.”
Attie was excited but so tired. She tried to convince herself she had the energy to go downstairs to collect her lunch. She wasn’t having success.
Hannah opened the door and set her lunch on the washstand. “Now I’m going.”
Attie ate the sandwich and two cookies and drank the milk. She had to launder the diapers so they could dry before tomorrow. First, she needed to nap while Wade was sleeping.
Chapter Five
The following morning Attie, Wade, and Hannah waited in the boardinghouse lobby. When they saw Mrs. McCormick’s carriage arrive, Della was driving and Mrs. McCormick was inside. Behind that vehicle, Horace drove a cart. When the two conveyances had stopped, Horace climbed down and came to the door.
He removed his hat and gave a slight bow. “Good morning, ladies. Miss Jensen, do you have a trunk?”
“One and it’s in the storage room. I’ll show you which one is mine.” Hannah led him to the room just behind the reception desk.
Mrs. Murphy stood with arms crossed and a scowl on her face. “I don’t give refunds for the paid days remaining.”
Attie glared back at her. “I didn’t ask for one, did I?”
Horace returned carrying Hannah’s trunk. He set it down by their valises. “Let me help you to the carriage and I’ll return for the luggage.”
Attie carried Wade and her purse. She looked at the satchel.
Hannah said, “I can carry mine, Horace, if you’ll get the trunk. We’re eager to get away from here.”
Meredith sat on the lobby couch pretending to read.
Hannah said, “Meredith, why don’t you carry Attie’s valise for her?”
“Oh, if you insist.” Meredith made a show of inserting a book mark then closing her book. She slowly approached and picked up the one carpetbag as if she were being terribly inconvenienced.
Attie and Hannah called goodbye to the others in the lobby and hurried to the carriage. When they reached it, Horace had set the trunk into the cart and returned to open the carriage door for them.
Meredith set the carpetbag on the lawn.
Attie smiled at the unfriendly woman. “Thank you for your help, Meredith.”
Hannah waved. “I’ll send you a note to let you know how I’m doing as a wife.”
Meredith was pale. “Don’t bother.” She turned and slowly walked to the house with her back ramrod straight and her chin high.
Attie watched her. “I see why she’s so grumpy. Her corset is laced too tight.”
Hannah laughed.
The basket was on the seat ready for Wade. “Oh, you’ve included a blanket.”
“Della enjoyed shopping a bit for your sweet boy. She mothers me and she extended the same to you.”
Attie sat on the seat facing the matchmaker. “You inspire those who work for you. Or, perhaps you only choose kind people.”
The matchmaker tilted her head as if in thought. “I chose Della and Horace carefully. They’re married and appear quite devoted to one another and to me.”
“I know they admire you a great deal. Della confided you were kind and generous and neither she nor Horace would consider ever leaving you.”
Mrs. McCormick beamed. “Thank you for passing that on to me. Knowing when people think well of you is always pleasant.”
They arrived at the train station at twenty past nine. That was close enough that Attie wanted to rush. Mrs. McCormick proceeded as if she had a world of time. Since the matchmaker must do this often, Attie mustered her patience and simply followed. Hannah stayed close beside Attie.
After she’d purchased their tickets, Mrs. McCormick gave each of them a change purse and a ticket. “You each have the same ticket but your grooms sent different amounts for meals. I urge you to eat in the dining car even though you can save money by getting off at stops. Sometimes, the food at stations is spoiled and could make you ill.”
Hannah looked at Attie and then the matchmaker. “I’ll be afraid to get off. I’d hate to have the train go without me.”
“Me, too. And, I’m slow when carrying Wade—even in this lovely basket.”
“Ladies, since you’re going to the same place, I combined part of your money to get you a private compartment. Mrs. Bishop, this will be much easier for you to feed your son. Miss Jensen, this means that you can sleep stretched on a bed but you’ll have to take the top bunk.”
Attie couldn’t believe her fortune. “A compartment? We’ll travel like royalty.”
“I do hope you have a pleasant trip. Please write to let me know if you are satisfied. I truly believe these are fine men. If I’m wrong and you feel threatened in any way, immediately go to the sheriff or a minister and find a safe place to wait. You can wire me collect and I’ll wire funds for you to return to Atlanta.”
That wouldn’t help Attie but she was relieved to know she had a way out if things didn’t look proper.
She hugged Mrs. McCormick goodbye. “Thank you for your help and your counsel.”
They boarded the train and were shown to their compartment. When the porter had moved on to help someone else, Attie and Hannah sat and grinned at one another.
The train jerked and hissed and picked up speed as they left the station and Atlanta behind.
Hannah hugged herself. “We’ve done it, Attie. We’re traveling in high style on our way to our husbands.”
Attie peered around the fancy mahogany enclosure. “I’ve never even been on a train before. I’m so excited I don’t know whether to look out the window or examine the compartment.”
“I rode the train to Atlanta but not in style. This is so much nicer than sitting with everyone else.” Hannah checked every surface.
Attie moved Wade’s basket from the seat to the floor. The train’s movement jostled the basket and she was afraid it would slide and fall. “Did you ever think you’d be traveling like this?”
“Never. These compartments are real costly. Pa inquired about one when he sent me to Atlanta to find a husband.”
Hannah chewed at the corner of her lip a few seconds. “Attie, I’m sure Mrs. McCormick must have spent some of her own money for our tickets.”
“Oh, I hope not. She’s so nice I don’t want her to lose money on us.” She knew Della and Horace helping her as they had was far beyond the usual.
“I wonder why she would, don’t you? I think it’s you. There’s something about you that aroused her special interest. You are really nice but it’s more than that.”
Attie frowned and shook her head. “I can’t imagine what that would be. She and I aren’t similar. She’s a successful matchmaker and I’m a destitute widow.”
Mrs. McCormick couldn’t have known how destitute, could she? Surely she believed the story Attie had told her. She was certain she didn’t deviate from the tale she’d concocted.
Hannah arranged her skirts and tucked her purse in the corner of the seat. “She’s a rich widow. Perhaps she was poor in the past.”
“She surely isn’t now in that beautiful home with servants.”
It was Attie’s turn to worry for a few seconds. “I wonder why she answered the door when I called there. Don’t you think Della or Horace should have?”
Hannah nodded. “See, there’s something we have in common. That tells me she hasn’t always had servants. So, someday you and I may be as wealthy as she is.”
Attie looked at her new friend. “No, we’re marrying men who work the land. We’ll have plenty to eat and a safe place to live, but we aren’t entering partnerships which will have us living in a house like hers. I’d as soon have a husband and be happy as live in a mansion alone.”
“You’re right. Oh, but I’m so happy to be in this fancy train compartment now. I w
on’t have to sleep sitting up to be seen or gawked at by whoever passes me.”
“Like on the stagecoach. I was afraid to go to sleep for fear I’d drop Wade. We are plenty lucky, Hannah.”
Attie smoothed her hand on the red plush seat. “I do feel like a queen riding like this. Imagine carpet on a train. If I ever do have money I’ll repay Mrs. McCormick. I must admit I’m excited to have this experience now.”
“You said it, though. We’ll never have a lot of money. We sure are off to a grand start, aren’t we?”
“Atlanta is as far from home as I’ve ever been. Seeing the countryside will be amazing. I wonder what Texas will be like?”
“Reg made it sound real pretty. He said it’s different from Atlanta, though.”
“I can’t wait to find out. I hope Tate’s as nice as his letter made him seem. He sure is nice looking.”
A week later, Attie was as tired of the stage as she could be. After the luxury of the train, they endured the stage.
Hannah blotted her face with a handkerchief. “I see why Reggie said he was sorry I’d have to ride the stage. I’ve never imagined so much dust. You’re smart to keep a cloth over Wade’s basket except when you’re feeding or changing him. My hair will be dust colored by the time we arrive in Bandera.”
Attie held Wade and hid her breast with her shawl as she fed him. She glared at the man in the facing seat who leered at her. She was sure he wanted to see her breast.
She pulled the shawl higher. “I’m exhausted but we’ve seen incredible landscapes. I thought my heart would stop when our train crossed the Mississippi River. I never knew a river could be so wide.”
Hannah helped her keep her shawl in place. “I was sure our rail car would tumble off that barge and into the water. I wondered if that had ever happened but was afraid to ask.”
Wade finished eating and she burped him. She struggled to change her son’s diaper with the other passengers staring. Why couldn’t they look out the window?
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