Mail Order Lorena

by Zina Abbott

  The wedding party left the Petersons’ bedroom.

  Eustace pulled Lorena aside. “We should go downstairs. I need to talk to Danny.”

  Danny motioned Eustace and Lorena to a corner of the sitting room. He handed Eustace a paper. “These are the two attorneys that were recommended.” He tapped his finger on the top name. “Both the stationmaster and Reverend Hicks recommended this man. If you walk to the next street past the hotel and turn left, his office is two blocks down.”

  Eustace took the paper from Danny. “Thank you. I’ll borrow some ink and a pen to record our marriage in her Bible and then we’ll visit one or both men. We’ll try to return by suppertime.”

  Lorena, with her hand in the crook of Eustace’s elbow, left the station. They walked almost a block before she turned to her new husband. “Do you mind sharing why you wish to see an attorney on our wedding day?” She wondered if her face radiated the joy she felt as he looked over to her and smiled.

  “No, I don’t mind. Considering your situation, I didn’t want an audience knowing our business. I hope the attorney is discreet. Let’s wait until we get off the main street.”

  The two continued walking in silence. They passed the hotel.

  As they turned left at the next street, Eustace glanced behind them to search for anyone following them. Even though he saw no one, he waited until they reached the solid side wall of a building. He removed her hand from his arm and held it as he turned to face her. He looked down until his gaze met hers. “I wish to adopt your daughter, Lorena.”

  “Oh, Eustace.” Her eyes brimming with tears, Lorena pressed her fingertips to her lips.

  “We’ll travel to claim her as soon as we can. She’s in Arkansas?”

  “Yes. Fayetteville. Our families were close friends in Hot Springs before my father was assigned to the church in Little Rock. They moved during the war.”

  Eustace nodded. “Not too far, then. Once we have her, I’ll defend her against anyone who comes for her. However, I think going through the courts to adopt her will protect her from any legal claims by your former father-in-law. Especially since you and Timothy were not married, once she is a Cantrell instead of a Mayfield, the elder Mr. Mayfield should lose interest.”

  “I love you, Eustace.” Lorena stepped closer to Eustace and rose on the balls of her feet. She kissed her husband’s cheek. Eustace turned to her with a glow to his face and a light in his eyes she did not quite recognize.

  “I would not continue kissing me in public like that if I were you, Mrs. Cantrell. You might receive a kiss in return of a nature that would scandalize the good people of Junction City.”

  .

  .

  .

  .

  Chapter 24

  ~o0o~

  Ellsworth Station

  June 28, 1866

  U pon hearing the horn announcing the approach of Benny’s stagecoach coming from the east, Eustace stepped out of the main door. Even though he and Lorena returned to the station the previous Saturday—less than a week ago—she quickly fell into the routine. He knew she had dinner prepared.

  Fergus, the driver who would be leaving for the west shortly, sat at the table, waiting, which was why Eustace had stayed inside. Even though he warned the man he now had a wife living at the station and would not tolerate any rude or suggestive remarks made to or about her, he still did not trust the man. However, his job was still to help Tom and Jim get Benny’s team unhitched and taken care of. He also needed to get the team for Fergus and his shotgun messenger, Gunter, hitched up and ready to.

  Eustace gave Benny enough time to climb out of the driver’s box and use the necessary before he stepped away from the animals and approached him. “Good trip, Benny? No problems, I hope. I see you brought three passengers.”

  “Good trip, I suppose. Drew that Sgt. Baker for escort again, though. Why he thinks he needs to tell me my job every time is beyond me. Really sticks in my craw.” Benny shook his head. “Big changes coming, Eustace, and I don’t think they’re good ones.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Railroad’s coming. With it already being at Junction City, Mr. Holladay, is cutting back service. The routes will be longer now. Starting the first of the month, I’ll be going all the way into Hicks Station, only they’re calling it Wilson’s Station now.” Benny shook his head. “Military escort or not, I really don’t like the idea of driving that far into Indian country.”

  A feeling of unease welled up inside of Eustace. “When did you hear this?”

  “Junction City, when we were there. I’d like to get something to eat first, before I say any more. I’d rather wait until after Fergus leaves. I want him to hear from the company rather than me be the one telling him I’m taking part of his route, especially if it means they’re putting him farther west.” Benny turned to face the door to the main room where Lorena was in the process of serving those eating first.

  “Sure, Benny.”

  Benny turned back and pulled a folded paper from his trousers’ pocket. “Almost forgot. This is from Isaac. He said to give it to you right away.”

  Eustace unfolded the letter only to discover two pages, one from Isaac and one from Holladay’s office. He read the first few lines of each before he grunted in disgust and scrunched the papers in his hands. After straightening them back out, he refolded them small enough to fit in his trousers’ pocket. I’ll have to carefully read this later, but not until I’m finished with the animals and get Fergus out of here.

  Eustace managed to get through helping the other two stock tenders with the animals. After Fergus, Gunter, and their two Denver-bound passengers left, he joined the rest of the men and Lorena at the table for the second dinner seating.

  Benny and Charlie, each with a cup of coffee in front of them, still sat at the table.

  Benny waited until Eustace finished eating before he cleared his throat. “Did you read Isaac’s letter yet? Don’t mean to pry into your private business, but I’m hoping you have more details than what we got.”

  Jim turned his head as he glanced back and forth between Benny and Eustace. “What’s going on?”

  “Benny brought me two letters, one from Isaac. He said Mr. Holladay is making some changes. We were busy, so I didn’t take the time to read everything. Excuse me.” Eustace rose from his seat at the table and moved to the light shining through the one glazed window in the building. Leaning against the wall so he faced the room, he pulled out the papers and read them.

  Folding the papers and again putting them in his pocket, he rejoined the group at the table. “It looks like Mr. Holladay is cutting costs by eliminating several of the home stations. Instead of Abilene and Salina having home stations, he’s turning Solomon River Station between them into a home station.”

  Benny pursed his lips as he rocked his head from side to side. “That makes sense. That station has enough room to serve meals. It’s too bad about Salina and Abilene being turned into stock stations, though.”

  Eustace nodded. “The Kansas Stage Company still has stations in those towns. Hopefully, the families can hang on until the railroad comes through.”

  Jim leaned forward. “What about us?”

  Eustace took a deep breath. “Ellsworth is being changed to a relay station with only two stock tenders.” Eustace glanced at Lorena and turned away. He heaved a shuddering breath and swallowed. What must she think of me now? “That was the information I received in the letter from the company. Isaac elaborated in his letter. When I saw him last week, I asked him to hold off resigning from the station so he could cover while Mrs. Cantrell and I leave long enough to take care of some business. Turns out, he had already written them to let them know his intentions. They are taking away his stationmaster position as of the end of this month. He’s not even sure if they’ll bring him back on as a driver after he has a chance to heal.”

  Tom rose halfway from the bench. “What about Jim and I? Are we out of a job?”

  Eus
tace looked over at Tom, who wore a worried expression. He understood his concern. They did the math well enough to know, if the company was keeping only two stock tender positions at Ellsworth station and, counting Eustace, there were three of them, one of them would lose their job. “I can’t say for sure, Tom. I suspect they will keep most, if not all, the stations open. I have heard that some closer to Denver are being moved to locations that will shorten the route or provide improvements. I’m confident that the company will have jobs for both of you. As for me…”

  Eustace hesitated and again turned to Lorena. He searched her face for an indication of what she thought about this. I asked her to marry me with the expectation I could provide a home and a decent income for at least the next year or more. Now, no stationmaster position for Ellsworth exists. Eustace turned and, one by one, caught the gaze of each of the men at the table. “I hope you gentlemen appreciate that Mrs. Cantrell is hearing this the same time you are. I have not had the opportunity to discuss what it means for us and our future. I’ll have to get back to you later.”

  After shooing the men out of the room, Eustace helped Lorena dump the used dishes in the dry sink. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into their bedroom. After closing the door, he sat her on the stool to the dressing table while he sat on the edge of the bed in front of her. He reached over and took both of her hands in his. “Lorena, I’m so sorry. I did not see this change coming. If I had, I never would have asked you to walk away from a secure job and marry me.”

  Lorena shook her head and leaned toward him. “Don’t you say that, Eustace. I’m so relieved you asked me to marry you before you found out, or I might have lost you for forever. I’m sorry for you that your plans have fallen apart, but I’m not sorry I married you.”

  Eustace leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. “I’m not sorry, either.” He leaned back and inhaled deeply. “I’m just not sure what we will do now. I do know a stock tender’s wages are not high enough for me to support a wife. The company will not allow enough food for an extra person, and by the time we take the extra out of my pay…” He released her hands and raked his fingers through his hair. “I can’t afford for us to stay here, Lorena. I’ll be paid through this Saturday, and then I’m out of a job. The only home I can offer you is an empty shell of a house on mostly neglected land back in Georgia.”

  “I see.” Lorena dipped her chin and gazed off to the side for several seconds before she again focused on Eustace. “My suggestion, Eustace, is to do what we planned last week. If Mr. Holladay decided everything changes the end of this month, which is in two days, we’ll pack our things and put them on the stagecoach leaving tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Eustace, the truth is, I don’t want to live someplace where other people believe we are encroaching on their land. From what I heard in Salina, the government has not made any treaties with the Cheyenne. Think about it, my love. You wouldn’t want people moving in on your land and taking it over while it is still yours, would you?”

  “You’re right. I won’t tolerate anyone squatting on my property.”

  “Let the government solve things with the Cheyenne and the other tribes first. If Jim and Tom want to stay and work for Mr. Holladay, that is their choice. Tom already knows how to bake biscuits, and I’ll write out instructions for cooking simple meals with the supplies they’re sent. I prefer we be the ones to leave. We can fit what little we have on the stagecoach.” She smiled reassuringly. “We’ll pick up your pay at Junction City—or have it sent to my sister’s house.”

  “I’ll have to figure out how far my money will take us.” Eustace sighed and shook his head.

  “Eustace.” A look of pleading in her eyes, Lorena leaned forward and rubbed her palm along his forearm. “Will we pick up Olivia soon? Keep in mind, I still have most of the money I earned my last two months at the saloon.”

  Eustace nodded. “Yes. Whatever else we have to do without, we’ll travel to where your daughter—our daughter—is staying. I promise you that, Lorena.”

  Lorena scooted closer. “My love, we also need to visit my father’s attorney in Little Rock. In his last letter, he said he needs to discuss a trust my mother set aside for Arabella and me. I don’t know any of the details. However, in the last letter I received from my sister, she said she would like us to travel together. Perhaps we can pick her up on our way to Fayetteville and Little Rock? Then, unless you prefer to go somewhere else, we can go to your home to Georgia.” She smiled as she halfway stood so she could kiss his cheek. “Even if you eventually decide to sell your land, I would love to see where you grew up.”

  Eustace, a smile on his lips, stared at his wife. “Are you sure, Lorena?”

  Lorena grinned and nodded. “If a work opportunity becomes available and you decide to change direction, we will. If not, let’s go to Georgia.”

  Eustace rose to his feet and pulled Lorena up with him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight until his lips met hers. As their kiss ended, he spread his fingers and lifted his chin to pull her head against his neck. “I love you, Lorena. I don’t know how I ended up being so fortunate as to have you for my wife.”

  Lorena tucked her head under his chin and turned it so that her ear pressed against his collarbone. “I love you, too.”

  As he savored the moment, Eustace closed his eyes. He leaned away and used his knuckle to lift Lorena’s chin so he could gaze into her eyes. “Let’s go find Jim and Tom and let them know that, for now, their jobs are secure. Then, in between packing, you can teach them some of the basics of cooking while I start loading the stagecoach and take care of the livestock. We’ll find Olivia and go to Georgia.”

  .

  .

  .

  .

  Epilogue

  ~o0o~

  Outside Eatonton, Georgia

  August, 1866

  E ustace pull the covered buggy to a stop. A feeling of excitement and anticipation he had been incapable of experiencing at the time he first returned after the war filled him. He turned to his wife and smiled. “This is it, Lorena. We are on Cantrell land now.” He turned his attention to the horse snorting and impatiently stomping his hoof. “Settle down, Jubilee. We’ll get there soon.”

  “It’s beautiful, Eustace.” Lorena brushed back the dark brunette hair on Olivia’s head as the baby slept. She laughed at the young stallion’s antics. “It’s almost like he remembers this place as his first home.”

  “He might.” Eustace turned and grinned. “I still marvel that I was able to buy him back for so much less than what I sold him for. It’s a shame my former division agent was discharged after Ben Holladay took over the line, but it worked well for me. Unfortunately, Jubilee has always preferred to carry a rider over pulling a wagon or buggy.”

  Lorena pointed. “Is that the main house?” She leaned over and kissed her child before she turned to Eustace. “I’m so happy Olivia is comfortable with us now. It about broke my heart that first day we saw her when Arabella and I walked into the room where she was, and she started crying as she reached for my sister.” Lorena sighed. “I know it is understandable that she would still recognize Arabella where I was a stranger. When I was forced to give her up, she was so little.”

  Eustace turned his gaze to the child in Lorena’s arms. “She seems to have warmed up to both of us. As long as we keep her with us rather than leave her with strangers for any length of time, I think she’ll be fine.” He looked straight ahead and clicked his tongue at Jubilee. He still marveled at how quickly little Olivia, just now a year old, had taken to him. Even more, it surprised him how much he had grown to love the child that looked so much like her mother and now bore his surname.

  “Is that the main house?”

  Eustace’s gaze followed Lorena’s pointing finger. “That’s it. Just keep in mind, it looks better at a distance than it will up close. I haven’t done much of anything to it since Sherman’s men came through and did their damage.
We’ll be grateful when Eldon shows up with the wagonload of furniture we bought.” He turned to Lorena with a smile. “Coming when it did, your mother’s trust money was very fortuitous. In addition to helping your sister and brother-in-law with their land, we’ll at least have a bed to sleep on.”

  “It will help our tax situation, too.”

  “True. We’ll need a few more things to live comfortably, and I do want to buy some good mares to breed with Jubilee. However, it’s your family money. I don’t want to use it all. I hope to save some for when our children are older.” He loved having Olivia for now, but Eustace looked forward to the day when he and Lorena would have more children.

  Lorena leaned forward and squinted. “Over by the side of the house, is that the older couple you told me about?”

  Nodding, Eustace turned toward Lorena once again. “Yes, that’s Janus and Minerva. I wrote to tell him we would be coming, but I couldn’t narrow the date down to more than the first half of August.”

  Lifting her eyebrows, Lorena turned to face her husband. “He knows how to read? I understood it was against the law to teach slaves to read and write. Has he learned since the war ended?”

  “Janus is old enough, he learned before the big slaveowners started complaining so heavily about slaves knowing how to write to one another. He worked the stables and breeding operation with me and helped me with the recordkeeping.” Eustace snorted in disgust. “It was a confounded annoyance to keep people outside the family from finding out and causing trouble.”

  “So, after they were freed, they never left here?”

  Eustace shook his head. “Their children left, but this was their home.” He turned to his wife. “Lorena, Janus was born on this plantation and Minerva on the one next door. My daddy bought her when he found out the two wanted to be together. They are getting up in age. Whatever we decide to do—stay here or move to the West again—I will help them get settled wherever they want to be. Whether they want to stay here with whoever owns the land, or go with their children, or go with us, I don’t want them turned out with nothing during their declining years.”