Mother Lode
Page 41
“I collected your things this afternoon at O’Laerty’s. Your suitcases are waiting in a locker. The train leaves at four o’clock.”
“Train? Today?” It was all coming too fast.
“Yes. I packed your clothing, a few books, and your sketch pad. Here’s the sum we have for you.” Mr. Foster pushed the bag across the table. “Perhaps not as sizeable as your father meant you to have. We’ll get the ball rolling on that, too. But for now, this will give you a start.”
Jorie could only swallow.
“There’s about a hundred fifty dollars there.”
Mr. Foster placed the ticket in front of him. “This will take you to Chicago, and there you’ll change trains to Denver, then—”
The door opened, ushering in the elated scream of a little girl.
“Jawie!” the child squealed.
Eliza came running up to him, with Helena on her heels. He swooped her up in his arms, buried his head in her chestnut curls. Tears filled, then overflowed their banks.
She gave him a quizzical look. “Why are you crying?”
“Your brother’s about to leave on a long journey, Eliza.”
She looked frightened and pulled back.
“Are you going away to die like Mummy did?”
He pulled her to him. “No, Izzy, I’m not going to die.”
“Promise?”
He looked at Earl. “Promise.”
“Where are you going?”
“Out west.”
“May I go with you? S’il vous plait?”
Jorie’s stomach turned. Maybe he’d saved her just in time.
“Not this time, Izzy. I want you to stay here and be very happy with Henna.”
“Will you come back?”
Jorie took her small face between his hands, and pushed out the words, “I will, and I’ll write to you every week.”
Jorie closed his eyes, and held Eliza closer. For one sweet moment, all he knew was the sweet breath of his little sister. Then he said, “I can’t thank you enough, Helena.”
The Irish woman wiped her eyes. “Oh, be gone with you, now.”
Earl stood up. “I’ll get your traveling cases.”
The party rose and headed for the platform, with Eliza in Jorie’s arms. When the train announced its arrival with long, piercing whistles, he reluctantly handed her over to Helena and picked up his bags. He gave Izzy one more kiss and looked at Earl, unable to speak.
“Say hello to Mr. Muir for me, kid.”
Jorie returned the grin. For the first time he felt a kind of peace. And maybe, even something close to hope.
SHELDON, Mother Lode