As a precaution, she covered Alex's face. She didn't want anyone looking at her beloved Silas, lest they take him away from her.
"Here ma'am," a kindly gentleman reached down from inside the train so he could help with Alex, but she bared her teeth and hissed at him. He hastily moved back from the drunken woman. She was right. If she wasn't careful someone would take Silas.
Lily struggled to get onto the train by herself and finally felt triumphant as she found her seat and gratefully sank into it. It was next to the window and she began pointing things out to Alex. She loved how he was so easily amused.
The little boy was fascinated by the adventure and didn't cry. It was a new experience and for the time being, it was fun. With all the new things happening around him, he hadn't thought about his family for a while.
They'd be along to collect him soon. That was one thing he was sure of. The train left the station at exactly two in the afternoon and according to the conductor they would be in Granger by five that evening.
~#~#~#~
Chapter Six
Something was wrong, Annie thought. The house was quiet, too quiet and she frowned. Then she remembered that Alex was asleep and Marie had gone to town with Samuel. She stretched herself and stood up, intending to look in on Alex, hoping he'd had as good a sleep and she had.
She felt somewhat refreshed by the long sleep and hoped her son had not needed her for anything. But really, he'd have howled at the top of his lungs if he wanted her.
Alex was not in his bed and she returned to the living room. Perhaps Marie had returned while she slept and taken him on one of the long walks that he liked. Yes, that was it. Then she noticed the open door and stepped out onto the porch.
She took a good look around and saw Alex's little outdoors boots lying on the porch. She knew Marie would never take him out into the snow without those. A feeling of unease crept into the back of her mind and try as she might, couldn't dislodge it.
"Alex, where are you?" She walked around the porch but only emptiness and silence greeted her. The barn, that's where he'd be. She went to the barn but found only their laborers Michael Grant and Emmanuel Bradley in there.
Neither of them had seen Alex because they'd just returned from checking on the tree seedlings planted on the new land that Richard had acquired for the purposes of growing his own lumber. They also let her know that Samuel wasn't back yet, or else she would have seen the buggy. So where was her son?
She began to panic as the uneasy feeling lurking just below her consciousness, flowered into full bloom. The two men offered to search the perimeter around the house while she went inside to check from room to room. Her son was nowhere to be found and she wanted to cry.
Marie and Samuel arrived just then and the three of them went through the house once again. Alex was lost and it hit her like a blow to the back of her head that Lily James must have felt exactly like this when her son drowned.
The aching nothingness that enveloped body and soul. And to think she had told Lily she understood what it had felt like. She'd had no idea, and for the first time realized how easily a woman could slip away when she lost a beloved child.
Annie began to cry and couldn't stop. Nothing anyone said would make her stop blaming herself. "I fell asleep and Alex must have woken up and gone off. Where is my son?" She sobbed while Marie and Samuel watched on helplessly. Michael and Emmanuel were also unsuccessful in their search.
"Mrs. Annie, let's go to town because we left Mrs. Myra and Cora visiting with mama. They'll know what to do," Samuel said. With instructions to Michael to rush to town in case Alex was spotted, the three of them left.
~#~#~#~
This was her fault. She should have been content with Alex since she knew about Richard's condition and not made such a fuss about having another child. Well now she had no child and the thought filled her with such dread that she wept in deeper anguish than she would have believed was possible.
Where was her little boy? He must be scared all alone out there, wherever he was. Was this God's way of punishing her for being greedy and demanding? If only Richard was here, but she'd insisted on sending him away so he could find her another child. What must he be thinking of her?
She had made her husband feel guilty about something that was beyond his control and she was deeply ashamed of the way she had been acting for the past few weeks.
Being envious of Cora for being pregnant, she had silently demanded a baby for herself, yet she already had one child which should have been enough for her, considering Richard's condition.
"Oh Lord," she wept silently. "Please forgive me for my selfishness. When Richard told me about his condition I decided that it was fine with me and yet I went ahead and made my husband feel as though everything is his fault. What have I done to my family?"
When the three of them got to Rita's house Annie collapsed in Myra's arms, sobbing wildly. "It's my fault. I fell asleep and left Alex unattended. I thought I would just close my eyes for a moment but I must have slept for at least an hour."
"Hush dear child," Myra soothed when Marie had told them about the little boy gone missing. "He must have wandered off somewhere and probably played himself to sleep again. Your laborers will find him and then everything will be alright."
"Why was I so demanding that I have another child? Now the only child I have is gone."
"Annie," Cora held her friend's shoulders. "Alex will be alright, you'll see. Please don't blame yourself. We'll find him."
"If only Richard was here," she covered her face with her hands. "But I just had to demand that he go to Granger today to adopt me a child. What kind of person am I?"
Annie was inconsolable and Rita asked Joanna to take her upstairs to Luke's room since it was larger than Joanna's and it would be easier for Dr. Reginald to make his way around it. Clearly they needed to send for him given Annie's distraught condition. Her nerves were shot and she was blabbering uncontrollably.
Robin went in search of the Sheriff while Samuel was sent to find Jeremy who happened to be at the bank. Sheriff Edward Williams and one of his deputies Peter Sanders, arrived just a few minutes before Jeremy. Immediately they organized for a systematic search to be conducted around town.
Jeremy rode out to the farm to mobilize his own men and the Wests' workers so they could search further afield. After all, how far could a small boy walk on his own? He was bound to be nearby somewhere and all they had to do was search until they found him.
Annie could not settle down and the other women were glad when Dr. Reginald walked into the store. He was immediately shown to Luke's room and with Myra in attendance he examined Annie swiftly.
"She is in shock," he told Myra. "I'll give her some laudanum to calm her nerves and I want someone with her all the time. She should not be left alone. It's a pity that her husband is out of town."
"Thank you doctor, we'll make sure Annie is not alone at any time."
"This young woman's condition is worrying me," he muttered to himself. She looked too thin, as if she was not eating very well and he wondered what was happening to her. He made it his business to check in on the Wests once a month just to monitor Alex's progress since they were among his best clients and he'd noticed Annie's slow descent into ill health. He'd look into it more thoroughly when Alex was found.
"We will do our best to ensure she is alright," Myra escorted him downstairs.
"Please update me on the progress of finding Alex. In fact," he packed his bag. "Let me just drop my bag at the clinic and I'll be back to help in the search for that delightful boy."
The town was abuzz with news of the missing child. Those who were able, joined in the search, some riding out to Pilgrims' Rest Ranch to join up with Jeremy and his party, while others like Dr. Reginald and Robin rode all around town searching every nook and cranny. But little Alexander West was nowhere to be found: it was as though he had disappeared clean off the face of the earth. And it was puzzling them all.
>
Mercifully, Annie was still sleeping after being dosed by the doctor. For the moment, it was the best thing for her, especially as Alex was still missing.
"She needs to be in her own home in case Alex is found. Being in familiar surroundings will help soothe her a little as well," Robin suggested. "We won't stop searching for Alex. The search will continue until we find him. Meanwhile Cora and Mrs. Myra, you need to go with her and make sure she isn't alone."
"You're right Robin. We'll do that now, but we need someone to help us get Annie into the buggy," said the ever practical Myra.
Jeremy, who had just returned from the ranch entered the store, effortlessly carried Annie down the stairs, frowning at how light she was. It might have been because he was used to Cora's heavier pregnancy weight, but maybe not.
He mentioned this later that night to his wife and Cora sighed after swatting him for intimating that she was fat.
"Annie hasn't been eating very well. She complains about feeling too nauseous to eat and so just nibbles at her food. But she's definitely not eating enough."
"Richard should be here with his wife," Jeremy said. "If only there was a way to contact him and ask him to drop everything and come back right away."
~#~#~#~
Chapter Seven
"Little Angels Orphanage and Foundling Home," Richard read the sign above the plain white building. This was the place Robin had spoken of, that he and Sarah had visited in their quest to adopt a child. The front door was partially open so he pushed it and went inside. Though it was warm and looked like an ideal place where children would be safe, it was too quiet.
It was as if there were no children here at all. Or maybe the little ones were taking lunch since it was around noon. Somehow he expected that a group of children together meant noise. They were not naturally inclined to be quiet.
"Good afternoon," he greeted the pleasant lady seated behind the receptionist's desk. She looked to be in her mid-fifties but her kindly grey eyes twinkled with the brightness of youth. He unbuttoned his coat, took off his black leather coat and hat before placing them on the table in front of him.
"Good afternoon sir," Martha Willoughby looked at the smartly dressed man and smiled. Perhaps he had come to make a donation to the orphanage - and they really needed the money now that it was almost Christmas. In a bleak world, the poor little mites needed something to look forward to. "My name is Martha Willoughby, how may I be of assistance to you?"
"My name is Richard West and I live in Tipton," he hesitated briefly. "My wife and I have a son but we've been unable to have any more children. So we've decided to adopt a child, a baby girl if possible. However, even a small boy to keep our Alex company would be welcome. We desperately want to bring a child into our home and love it as our own."
Martha nodded. "Did you have a specific age limit or is any child alright for you?"
"We were thinking about a child either younger than Alex, or if older by about two years. He's almost two and we want the two of them to be companions for each other. A big age gap will defeat the purpose, so do you have any children in that age bracket? I realize that might be a tall order, but really, we'd be pleased with any child you are able to offer us."
The woman sighed. "Unfortunately at this time we have no children suitable for you, but that is not to say that a child or two might not turn up. How long are you in Granger for?"
"I wanted to return home right away but that was if I was able to find a child."
"All is not lost Mr. West. Please fill in this form and tell me where you will be staying in Granger, so that if a child comes in I can send one of my staff to get you."
"Are you the administrator of this place?" Richard quickly filled out the two page form and handed it back to Martha.
Martha laughed, shaking her head. "I am one of the orphanage wardens and I work with Mrs. Nina Hoxton when it comes to making placements for the children. Usually I accompany the family that are adopting back to their home, just to make sure the child will be safe. I guess I'm like you Mr. West and love children as much as you obviously do."
"Is Mrs. Hoxton in? May I speak with her please?"
"She has stepped out briefly; she mentioned that she wanted to see the Mayor about our program for next year. If you return this evening she will be here, since she lives at the back of the orphanage."
Richard nodded. He reached for his wallet. "Where can I make my donation to the orphanage? Should I wait for Mrs. Hoxton or will you accept it?"
"You can leave it with me, but I will need you to sign this form," she pushed a short form and he quickly read through it. He had to fill in his name, age, residence and his occupation, as well as the amount he would be donating. Once he did that he handed over two hundred dollars and received a receipt for it.
"Thank you very much madam. I will return later this evening to see if God has sent us an angel."
"Thank you for your kind donation and I am praying that God will fulfill your wish for a child, to meet the needs of yourself and your wife."
She hesitated for a moment. "And for the sake of the child too. They all need to be loved for themselves too."
"Amen." Richard agreed with her and stepped out into the cold afternoon. He pulled his thick coat closer around himself and fastened the buttons, drew his gloves back on and pushed his hat onto his head.
He was disappointed but hopeful. "Lord, please come through for us," he prayed silently, walking towards the Baptist Guest House, where he intended to put up for the night and where he had left his luggage. No, before he went there, he would go and pick up something special for Christmas for Annie and Alex. It would help pass the time before he went back to the orphanage.
Thinking about his family made him sigh. He hated being away from home for more than a few hours, but he had to stay the night in Granger since he would be returning to the orphanage that evening and wouldn't make the return train. Since he'd be here, he also decided to go again the following morning before leaving for Tipton, should his quest this evening be unsuccessful.
~#~#~#~
Lily James looked at the screaming child in her arms and wondered how he came to be there. Her head was hurting. This was not Silas, perhaps someone was playing a nasty joke on her. She looked around, wondering where she was, having forgotten about starting a new life in Granger.
She had just stepped down from the train and was walking out of the station, unaware that people were looking at the strange looking woman who was carrying a wailing child. She had no money, having spent the last of it on buying some food just before the train left Tipton.
The child was obviously not used to the kind of food sold at the train station and had refused to eat it. Now his small face was scrunched into a scowl and he was red, weeping and crying for his mother. Or rather, screaming for his mother with all the strength his well developed lungs would allow.
"Whose child is this?" She frowned at Alex and he cried harder. His crying was irritating, making her nervous and angry. She needed a drink badly, having had her last one just before they boarded the train. Lily was an addict now and couldn't last long without her whiskey. Why was this child so loud?
"Shut up," she growled at him and Alex only cried the more. He must be hungry, she thought. What was she to feed him on? It was getting colder and after wandering around with the child who was refusing to be appeased she finally stopped someone in the street.
"Sir," she tried to hush Alex. "A lady asked me to watch her child for her at the railway station but I have waited in vain and she is not yet back. This is not my child and I don't want to keep him out in the cold. Do you know of a place where I can take him?"
"Yes ma'am," the middle aged man looked at the disheveled woman, noting the wild look in her eyes. He decided to accompany her to the orphanage and soon Alex was handed over to one of the wardens who immediately gave him a bottle of milk which calmed him down. When Martha returned to thank Lily she found that the woman
had left.
"Thank God she had the presence of mind to bring the child in out of the cold," she told the elderly gentleman who merely shrugged and took his leave. Martha immediately thought about the kind man who had made a generous donation earlier that afternoon.
She would prepare the necessary papers and then send one of the cleaners to the Baptist Guest House where he had said he would be staying. She knew he would be glad to receive this child, since he looked well and healthy, but best of all, was the right age. Martha was sure this child would find a good home with the Wests. It would be a Christmas miracle for Mr. Richard West and his wife.
~#~#~#~
Lily hurried out of the orphanage, glad to finally be rid of the child. What possessed her to bring a child who wasn't her own all the way here was beyond her. Then she noticed that she was still carrying his little riding crop. With shrug she made her way down the street in search of a saloon.
She needed a bottle of whiskey urgently and the only way she could make money was to turn a few tricks and she felt lucky when she got two customers in quick succession. They were in a hurry and didn't mind using the barn out the back.
She blew all the money she made on a large bottle of whiskey and staggered outside, remembering to take the small riding crop with her. She had no idea why she was holding onto the silly toy but she did. It was something her lost son Silas would have played with. It was the only thing her fuddled mind could think of. But she didn't want to think, but rather, fall into the blessed oblivion the whiskey provided.
A few saloon girls jeered at her, acting all territorial and not happy that she should encroach on their hunting grounds. She didn't want to upset them and so walked for a while. She was tired and needed to rest, so with the bottle of whiskey clasped in her hands, wandered around for a time, oblivious of the cold and the snow that had started to fall in large flakes, covering the landscape with white.
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