Logan chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Things got much worse after you returned to Baltimore. For the first time in a long while, Moran was no longer the biggest threat in Oakmede.” Quickly seeing the curiosity in her eyes, Logan paused his tale while Sara finished cooking a stack of pancakes. “I’ll explain everything,” he assured her.
Momentarily appeased, Sara turned her attention back to the stove. Logan sat back and watched her work. There was no denying the life that she brought to any room. Even amongst the difficulties that had plagued their relationship, he knew that his future must lie with her…nothing else could satisfy the longings of his heart now.
Placing a platter of pancakes on the table, Sara’s attention quickly returned to Logan. “Now then, tell me everything. How did Moran finally slip up? And what could have overtaken Oakmede that was worse than Levi?” She stacked three pancakes on a plate and sat them in front of Logan, waiting for an answer.
“As it turns out, an adversary from my past stepped back into my life by the dealings of Moran…,” Logan began. He proceeded to tell her all about Philip Tucker and the plot he and Levi had hatched to dispose of Logan for good.
Sara listened, wide-eyed at the tale of the capture of Tucker, eventually leading to Moran’s arrest as well. She was so caught up in the story that she barely noticed her mother enter the kitchen. Mrs. Bailey grinned at her daughter’s captivation with their visitor. She poured herself a cup of coffee and joined the pair at the table, soaking in the excitement of life on the frontier.
“Oakmede sounds like quite a wild place,” Mrs. bailey commented, once Logan had finished his account.
“It can be,” Logan nodded. “It certainly was in the past, but the sheriff and I are working hard to fix that. Together we will make sure that it becomes the sort of place that Tom and Janie hoped to raise a family. Charley and Carter have learned how to work the land at such a young age. I want to ensure a future for them there.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Bailey agreed, “they’ve had quite an adventurous start to their lives! It hasn’t been without challenges, but I can see why Tom was drawn to the idea of ranching on the frontier. I’m thankful for good men like yourself, who are willing to stand for justice in those wild parts of our land.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Logan nodded. “I’m happy to do what I can.”
“I believe we’re all set to leave once everyone has finished eating. The coach should be here in about thirty minutes,” Mrs. Bailey urged.
Eager to begin their journey, everyone finished breakfast quickly and helped to clean up the dishes. By the time the coach arrived, Mrs. Bailey had ensured that all of their luggage was waiting by the door. Logan chuckled, watching her bustle about.
“I’ve never seen her so excited,” Sara whispered, placing her coat with their things. “This is the best Christmas present she could receive.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Logan smiled. “Make sure you both have your warmest coats. Baltimore winters are cold, but they’re nothing like the open plains.” He was interrupted by the coach’s arrival and promptly began helping the driver load their luggage.
Once everything was loaded, the three eager travelers climbed in. Mrs. Bailey gave the driver instructions to stop at the Jenkins’ residence before continuing to the station. Logan sat back in the seat, taking in the sight of the city he once called home. Though it had been years since he’d last visited, some things still remained unchanged.
A part of Logan’s heart was glad that they were far from the street he’d grown up living on. It held many unpleasant memories of a less than happy childhood. But something in him wished to see it one more time. Sara noticed the momentary drop in his demeanor.
“You seem suddenly distracted. Was there something you wanted to do before we leave?” she asked, reading the conflict in his eyes.
“No,” he sighed. “Perhaps some other time, but for today, I have with me everything I want to take from here.” He reached over and gave her hand a little squeeze.
“Alright,” she nodded, pulling her scarf a bit more snugly under her chin.
Their driver stopped in front of the Jenkins’ home along the way to the station. Logan stepped out of the coach, helping Mrs. Bailey to the road. She cheerily shared news of her travels with Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, arranging for them to watch over her home while she, Sara, and Logan traveled to Kansas for Christmas. Once all the details had been tended to, they set off for the train station.
Mrs. Bailey bubbled with excitement at the prospect of seeing Tom and Janie again, and over finally being able to meet her grandsons. Sara smiled at the glimmer in her mother’s eyes. They had not held so much life in years. Upon their arrival at the station, Logan came alongside Sara and took her hand.
“I’m glad that your mother is coming with us,” he whispered as an attendant took their luggage inside. “Tom was so anxious for me to tell her how much he misses her.”
“I’ve wanted so much to share with her everything about Tom’s life in Kansas. But there’s just nothing I can say that truly does it justice. Thank you for inviting her to come along.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he smiled. “Now, let’s get our tickets and find a place to sit. The train should be another hour or so.”
Sara nodded and led her mother to an open bench while Logan tended to their fare. Sara watched Logan, basking in the surreal feeling of returning to Oakmede. Somehow, a part of her had never left. Logan glanced over and caught sight of her staring at him. He flashed her a grin that quickly spread to her face as well. Sara’s heart soared.
When Logan joined them, he held passage for Sara and her mother to share a sleeper compartment, while he had his own just inside the next carriage. Sara could only imagine how expensive three such tickets must have been, yet he’d paid it willingly to invite her back into his life.
As the usual sounds of a Baltimore morning were interrupted with a blast of a train whistle, Mrs. Bailey eagerly rose to her feet. Sara marveled at the wonder in her mother’s eyes. She had wished for so long to be able to send her mother to Kansas, but financial responsibilities were never-ending. At long last, Mrs. Bailey could meet her beloved grandsons.
The train soon crawled into the station, making its presence felt as it shook the earth. Logan flashed Sara a smile, watching her mother enthusiastically collect her coat and gloves. A new spring in her step ensured that the three of them occupied the front of the forming line of passengers.
The three of them were soon shown to their respective compartments. Mrs. Bailey looked around the small room, fascinated with the idea of a bedroom on a locomotive. Such luxuries had always been far out of reach. She soon found the little hanging compartment and hung her coat, settling in and peering out the window at the station. The train whistle soon blew overhead, and the locomotive roared into motion.
Sara sat back on her bed, reveling in the fact that she was sitting on a train once more. The thought that her day to day routine might be all that life had for her had worn on her heart lately. Her mood instantly lifted as she watched Baltimore disappear from view.
Once they’d left the city far behind them, Sara and her mother made their way to the dining car. There, Logan waited for them with lunch already waiting. Sara smiled and took the seat beside him.
Nearly a week of travel remained ahead of them, and Sara was glad for it. The train allowed for nothing but time to rest, and such a break was much needed. Despite her best efforts to join the conversation, the scenery outside firmly held Mrs. Bailey’s attention. This offered Logan and Sara a few moments to themselves.
“What do you plan on doing, now that Moran is out of the picture?” Sara asked, enjoying her meal.
“It seems like there will be a lot less work to do,” Logan chuckled. “I’m happy in my position at the sheriff’s office. And the idea of keeping the peace in Oakmede suits me well.”
“Yes,” Sara agreed. “You’re a good man for the job.”
“Tha
nk you,” he grinned. “And of course, there will be plenty of work to be done on the ranch. Tom and Mr. Hodges have been working tirelessly to ensure a good cattle drive come March. A good drive will enable more cattle to be bought, providing that much more work. I’m happy to help wherever I’m able to.”
“It will be wonderful to see the ranch back on its feet and thriving! I know it will be a long-awaited relief for Tom and Janie. I want to see them enjoying the life that they moved west to find.”
“I agree, and I don’t think such an outcome is far off,” he said, taking a bit of his sandwich. “Once Moran has had his trial, the saloon will likely be forced to pay back any wrongful gains. Things are looking up all around.”
Having nowhere else that the three of them could all comfortably visit, Logan, Sara, and her mother spent most of the day in the dining car, only separating ways for the night.
That night, as Sara lay in bed, she wondered what would await her in Oakmede. Whatever it might be, she finally had Logan back in her life and she wasn’t about to let anything steal him away again.
Chapter 23
Six days passed, each much like the last, until the train finally entered Kansas. Though much of the plains looked similar, Sara could tell that they were growing near to their destination. A knock on the door one evening confirmed her suspicions. An attendant informed them that they would be pulling into Oakmede before lunch the following day.
The morning of their arrival in Oakmede finally came, with excitement pulling Sara and her mother out of bed early. The sky was just growing light when an attendant arrived at their compartment with coffee that Mrs. Bailey had specially requested. Sara perched herself on the edge of her bed, warming her fingers on her cup and gazing out the window. The chill that radiated from the glass made Sara glad she’d brought her warmest coat.
“I recognize this bit,” she said, pointing out the window. “We’re nearly there!”
Mother peered out the window, taking in the unusual scenery. The landscape was mostly barren at this time of year. Clumps of trees that had once offered shade and protection from the heat now stretched their bare branches toward the sky.
The first snowfall of the year had already blanketed the ground, and the snow reflected the grey of the sky. Still, there was a cheeriness to it all merely knowing that Tom and his family were only a couple of hours away now.
“It’s a funny feeling to be somewhere you’ve never been and yet find it familiar,” Mother said, sipping on her coffee. “You’ve told me so much about Kansas and Tom’s life here, somehow I feel as though I recognize it all too.”
Sara smiled, swirling her coffee around in her cup. “I’m glad to know that I’ve given you a taste of things here. Just wait until you see the ranch. It’s far better than I could’ve described it.”
Two hours later, Sara and her mother met Logan in the dining carriage, finding that an attendant already had their luggage waiting for them there. Mrs. Bailey slid into a seat next to the window, straining to see the approaching station. She clutched her hands in front of her chest.
“They’re here! I can see them!” she exclaimed, gazing at her son’s smiling face. “Oh, to be together once again!”
“It will be the best Christmas!” Sara agreed.
Logan smiled and took Sara’s hand. “They’re all so anxious to see you both. Charley and Carter have been asking about their aunt.”
“I’ve thought of them often,” Sara sighed. “This whole place has stolen a piece of my heart.”
Outside on the platform, Tom held Janie’s hand as they waited for the train to stop. Charley and Carter jumped up and down, waving enthusiastically. Once the attendant had opened the door, Mrs. Bailey didn’t bother waiting for help down the steps. She rushed into her son’s warm embrace.
“Mother!” he exclaimed, holding her tightly. “Oh, how I’ve missed you!”
Logan stepped out onto the platform, lending Sara a hand down the steps. The boys scarcely let Sara reach the ground before rushing to her.
“Aunt Sara! I knew you’d come back to us,” Charley bubbled, hugging her waist.
Carter soon joined the embrace, clinging to Sara’s leg. “We’ve missed your bedtime stories,” he informed.
“I couldn’t stay away for long,” she laughed, glancing at Logan with a grin. “I’ve missed you both terribly. And I can’t wait to tell you more stories!”
Janie joined the Logan and Sara, giving Tom a moment with his mother. “I’m glad you’re back safely,” she said, discreetly nudging Logan’s arm and motioning toward Sara with an inquisitive look. “Have the two of you made amends?” A simple nod was all the answer Janie needed. A smile spread over her face, and she gave her brother’s hand a squeeze.
Soon, Mrs. Bailey and Tom joined the others. The boys straightened up and were properly introduced to their grandmother.
“What a handsome pair of young men,” she praised. “You both look just like your father did around that age.” Stooping down, she welcomed them into her arms.
A cold wind whipped across the platform, urging the family to carry their celebration to the warmth and protection of the house. Tom helped his mother onto the bench of the wagon while the others piled into the bed. Janie tucked the boys under a heavy quilt, offering a blanket to Sara as well. Together, they set off through Oakmede.
The town looked different than it had when Sara left. Now covered with a blanket of snow, windowsills and doorframes were boldly outlined in white. Evergreen wreaths adorned windows with bright holly berries shining against their deep hues. Somehow, even under the grey sky, Oakmede looked cheerier than ever before.
Sara waved to Genevieve through the front windows of the inn, laughing as she saw her surprised expression. The boys bubbled with excitement over the celebrations to come in the days ahead. The reunion had arrived just in time, as Christmas was only a few days away.
Arriving at the ranch Tom excitedly led his mother around, showing her all the bits of his life in Kansas. Logan helped Sara carry their trunks into the guest room that had been Sara’s home not long ago.
“I know it’s cold out, but would you care to go for a short walk?” he asked, pushing the second of their trunks into the closet.
Sara smiled, having been hoping for a few moments alone with him. “I’ll get my coat.”
Logan nodded and went to get his own. Meeting on the veranda, he gently took her hand. Down the steps and across the yard, they walked in their same comfortable silence that they’d come to enjoy so much. It wasn’t until they were out on the path that Logan spoke up.
“I feared that I might never feel your company in Oakmede again. Your presence here makes everything more welcoming,” he commented as they walked along.
Sara gave his hand a squeeze, causing him to look at her. “I’ve missed being here…and I’ve missed you. I was really only here for a short time, but it came to feel like home so quickly.”
“I’m glad for that. And with the sheriff and I cleaning up the town, it will soon be a safe place to call home again. Things are quieting down once more.”
A cold wind blew across the open fields, causing Sara to shiver.
“Do you want to go back to the house? I don’t want you to be too cold,” he urged.
“No,” she shook her head with a smile. “I’m enjoying a few moments with you. I don’t want to waste a moment of it.”
Logan stopped and grinned at her. With a glance around to be sure no one was watching, he pulled her near to him and gently kissed her. As he backed away, Sara rested her head on his shoulder for a minute, not wishing for his embrace to end.
Noticing movement in the yard, Logan released her. “I suppose we should be getting back.”
Reluctantly, she agreed. As they returned to the house, Tom finished his tour of the property with his mother. Happily, they all met in the kitchen for coffee, enjoying time to reminisce and make up for the lost time.
Partners in Justice and Love: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 26