On the Wings of a Winter Heart (Miracle Express, #5)

by Rebecca Lovell

  “He always was nice, that was the problem. He didn’t want our parents to be mad at me or him, which is why he did it.” Clara sighed and shook her head. “He’s been saying he’s sorry for almost ten years now. If I was still as angry at him now as I was then, I wouldn’t have let him stay with me. Are you sure you can’t stay a bit longer? You came all this way.”

  “No, I really must go. Thank you for the hospitality and the advice.” Joy got up from the couch and hugged her friend again. “I think I’ve made my decision. I just want Serenity to have her birthday party in our home before we have to move. Do you think they’ll let me?”

  “I’m sure Franklin can talk them into it, especially if he makes it sound good. You might have noticed, but he’s always able to persuade people to do what he wants. The good news about that is that he’ll likely get to stay in Mayfly.”

  “You don’t think he’ll leave after he gets my land?”

  “I don’t think so.” Clara’s smile had returned and she opened the door for Joy. “I think he might want to stay for you.”

  “I can’t imagine why. I’ll be seeing you soon,” Joy said. “If not at the shops, definitely at my darling daughter’s birthday party.”

  “Before you go, do you need some money for a coat for Serenity?” Clara had lowered her voice just in case any of her nosy neighbors were listening.

  “Yes,” Joy said, ashamed. Her pride wanted to tell her best friend that she would be fine, but the man from the bank really had taken everything she had. Clara held up a finger, then disappeared into the house. When she came back out she had some money in her hand. “I’m sorry to ask.”

  “No reason to be sorry,” Clara said. “If you know all about Freddie and my baby, you’ll know that Freddie left me a lot of money. I save as much as possible but three dollars isn’t going to break me. Besides, I think of you as a sister.”

  “Thank you so much.” Leaning over the threshold, Joy threw her arms around Clara and hugged her again. “Now I really must go.”

  They said their last goodbyes and rather than going straight home, Joy decided to go through town to get a new coat for Serenity. The dollar bills were still crushed in her hand as she walked, eager to get to the store and pick out a coat that would fit. It had been a while since Serenity had any store-bought clothes and Joy knew she would be excited too.

  As she walked, she kept her head up. She’d made her decision, one that would help her and her daughter, and possibly save Mayfly. Explaining it to Serenity would be hard, and she might be upset for a little while, but she would see the wisdom in it, or at least Joy hoped she would. She walked past the old dress shop where several men were working on renovating the store into an office. Franklin was nowhere to be seen and she was a little disappointed, but she really did need to get back to the cheese.

  I’ll tell him tomorrow, Joy thought with a smile. He’ll be so happy. I want to see him happy.

  Chapter Twelve

  While Joy was making her way to the store to buy a coat, Franklin was getting out of a buggy in front of the Ames ranch. He had been finding excuses for not going out there to talk to the rancher a second time, but he didn’t think he could put it off any longer. There were only two people he could ask for advice about the railroad, and this man was one of them.

  As he walked up to the house he looked around and saw that the pastures were full of cows and calves, and there were a few cowboys riding through them and checking them. He knew nothing about livestock other than the fact that this ranch was almost bigger than the rest of Mayfly combined.

  A man in a suit opened the door and motioned for him to come in without a word. The house smelled good and a woman approached him. Her updo looked precarious, as if it would slide off her head in no time. There was a stain down the front of her pressed white shirt and she gave off an air of desperation. She muttered something that could have been a greeting, then went up the stairs and disappeared. Franklin wondered who she was but he didn’t get a chance to ask before a booming voice came through a door at the end of the hall.

  “Franklin York, come on in here!” Everett Ames didn’t seem to be able to speak in a normal tone of voice, or at least he hadn’t when Franklin was talking to him. He went to the room where he’d heard the voice and found Ames sitting in a wing chair with a glass of some sort of liquor in his hand. “Come in, come in! I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”

  “I’m not sure what there is to recommend me,” Franklin said, joining Ames by the fire. The older man motioned to another chair by the fire.

  “Plenty, from what I hear. I heard tell that you took it on yourself to go ahead and start setting up that real estate office. Sounds like you’re about to have some good news for me.” Ames sat down his drink and poured a second, which he passed to Franklin. “Have a drink. This brandy is hard to get out here, so this is a rare treat. Would you like a cigar to go with it?”

  “No, thank you. I’m afraid I don’t have the news you want to hear.” He hated to have to be the one to tell Ames. Though the man was old enough to have salt-and-pepper hair, he was in fantastic shape. There were no pot belly, liver spots, or quaver to his voice on the horizon. He looked as if he could break Franklin in half, so he wasn’t particularly excited about talking to Ames.

  “You still haven’t gotten that land?”

  “No, sir. I am making headway with Mrs. Everly, though. I’ve almost talked her into it.” An idea popped into Franklin’s head. “If we took her house into account and offered her a little for it, it might push her over the edge.”

  “Her house, huh?” Ames looked as if he was considering it when the dark-haired little girl he’d seen at Joy’s house ran past the door to the study. Less than a minute later the frazzled woman Franklin had seen earlier was hurrying after her. “Eleanor Charlotte Ames, get in here this minute!” Eleanor appeared in the doorway, quieter than she’d been just moments earlier.

  “Yes, Daddy?”

  “You know better than to run in the house. Are you minding Miss May?” Eleanor’s eyes flicked away and he shook his head. “Eleanor, you need to start acting like a lady. I don’t want you to run through here like a hellion and ruin your clothes.” His voice softened for a moment. “Are your pups in your room?”

  “No, their mama wanted to go outside so I took them with her.”

  “You need to bring them back inside. It’s going to be colder today and they can’t stay out there. Go get them, and bring Angel and Cookie inside too.” His voice was stern and Eleanor nodded, then walked out of the study defeatedly. “That child is going to be the death of me. I go through more caretakers than I do cowboys.”

  “Angel, Cookie, and pups. You’ve got quite a full house. Are the two older ones the parents?” Talking about the dogs wouldn’t put off the conversation forever, but it would give him some breathing room.

  “Angel’s the mother, and the stud belonged to a friend of mine. Cookie’s a pup I couldn’t get rid of from the last litter. She’s a good dog for my daughter but I have a feeling she’s going to lose interest in Cookie now that there are new pups.” Ames shook his head. “I need someone to take care of this girl with a stronger constitution. In any case, we don’t have much longer to wait before AT&SF takes their railroad elsewhere.”

  “We’ve both got a lot at stake, Mr. Ames. I’m confident that I can have Mrs. Everly sell her land before the week is out.” It was a tall order and both of them knew it, but it was all Franklin could think of to say.

  “That’s good. I look forward to hearing about your progress.” Ames stood up and extended a hand to Franklin, who shook it firmly. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to make sure that child is really bringing in her pups. I give Miss May another two days at best before she quits.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, Mr. Ames, would you consider giving us part of your land if Mrs. Everly won’t sell? You’ve got quite a lot of acreage out here.” He knew what the answer would be, but there was no harm in
asking.

  “Sorry, Mr. York. I need all this land to raise my cattle. You need to treat your stock well or the meat’ll suffer, and I pride myself on having the best beef in the West. Never mind what those people in Texas tell you.” Ames said all this with a catlike smile and Franklin wished he could tell him what he really thought of his cattle. “You take care now, and good luck with Mrs. Everly. She can be stubborn, but she’s a good woman.”

  “Yes, I’ve become aware of that. Have a good day, Mr. Ames.” Franklin turned away from him and took the same way he’d been shown from the door earlier.

  Once he was out of Ames’s house, he took a deep breath and was rewarded by the smell of cattle and manure. The buggy he’d hired to come out to the ranch was waiting and he climbed into it, wondering how he was going to convince Joy to sell her land in less than four days. She seemed like she was getting closer to saying yes, but he didn’t know what to say to push her the last little way. He didn’t want to harass her about it, but he couldn’t just leave it alone, otherwise he’d have to leave Mayfly and with it, Joy. He’d become so used to seeing her face that he couldn’t imagine being back in Chicago, a thousand miles away from her and her beautiful smile.

  The buggy was as tired and worn down as the town itself, so Franklin felt every bump in the road. He was glad to get back to the stable so he could get out and pay the driver, then walk the rest of the way to his office. It was taking shape faster than he expected and he was proud of his men for their hard work. They were also men who would benefit from the railroad. Franklin wondered if knowing about how it would affect individual members of the town would help her decide.

  While he was thinking of Joy, he looked over at the store and saw her walking out of it with her basket in hand. She was smiling, and all he could see was how beautiful she was. Her blonde hair was partially pulled back with a comb, and a few strands were flying loose around her face. She reached up to brush them away and Franklin felt something stirring in his chest.

  “Joy,” he called, and she looked over at him. Her smile became a radiant grin and she hurried over to him. “Good afternoon. I see you’re doing some shopping.”

  “It’s what I need to make Serenity’s birthday cake. I have almost everything at home – eggs, milk, and chocolate of course – but I needed some baking powder and a few other things. I’m hoping that she likes it enough that she can forgive me for not having a birthday present for her.” She said this so casually that it was almost possible to believe it wasn’t breaking her heart with every word.

  “Serenity invited me to her birthday party a few days ago. I’d like to come, if that’s all right with you.” Franklin reached over and took the basket from her arm, surprised by how heavy it was.

  “Of course! It wouldn’t be complete without a handsome man helping me cut Serenity’s magic cake for the guests.” She was blushing as she spoke and Franklin beamed at her.

  “Then I would be honored to cut the cake. But what do you mean by a ‘magic’ cake?”

  “I think it’s actually called a marble cake but when she was smaller she saw me cut one and it was swirled chocolate and vanilla, and after that she just called it a magic cake.” Joy walked alongside Franklin with a sentimental smile on her face. “It’s her favorite.”

  “She’s the birthday girl, so what she says goes.” This made Joy laugh and the sound was like music to him. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing her a little gift.”

  “Of course not. The more presents the better.” Her smile faded slightly. “Her birthday is still hard for me. I planned to have her at home, but not on the floor. I dreamed of having George with me, and Clara, and having her come into the world happy and healthy.” She chuckled. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. No reason to bring sadness into your day.”

  “If I can help you bear some of your sadness, I don’t mind at all.” Franklin wished he could take her hand, but they were in public and it wouldn’t have done anything for her reputation. He didn’t care about his own, but the world was much harder on women for no reason he could discern.

  “You’re sweet,” Joy said, and he was pleased to see that she was blushing. “If you were planning on staying in Mayfly I might consider keeping company with you.”

  “I’m going to do everything I can to stay in Mayfly.” It was the truth, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell her that he would only be able to stay if she accepted the railroad’s offer. “So long as I get to make you apple pies every now and then.”

  “I would love you to make me pies.” There was a look of mock relief on her face that made Franklin laugh. “One less thing I have to do, and yours are much better than mine.” They stopped at the street that would lead into the neighborhood where Clara lived, and Joy reached for her basket. “Thank you for being a gentleman, Franklin.”

  “What do you think you’re doing? I’m carrying this to your house,” Franklin said. He held the basket tightly and Joy put her hands on her hips. “I don’t want to hear any argument about it.” He shook his head and kept walking.

  “I thought you would have business here in town.” Joy trotted to catch up with him and he shook his head again.

  “Walking you home is better than any business that could come up. I can deal with the office anytime, but I get to walk with you right now.” This seemed to have rendered Joy speechless for the moment and the rest of the walk was pleasant when her she found her voice and they chatted about everything and nothing. At that moment, Franklin couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the rest of his life. Chicago might have had more to offer, but he could only have Joy if he was in Mayfly.

  Franklin resolved to talk to her again on Sunday. It was cutting his deadline very fine but he needed to do what it took to stay with her. He had time to come up with a plan, but it had to be done quickly or leave Mayfly forever and go back to Chicago in shame. He wouldn’t let that happen.

  After the party. That was when he had to talk to her, the day after the party. If he had to, he’d tell her the truth, that he would be fired and have to leave. Franklin hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but he’d do what he had to.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “It’s time, Mama, it’s time!” Serenity twirled around the living room in the new dress Joy had made for her. She had been particularly excitable all day and Joy was ready for her guests to start arriving so she would have another adult to talk to.

  She hadn’t seen or heard anything from Franklin yet that day, but he’d promised to be there the day before, and to bring Serenity something special. Clara said he was gone before she left, saying he had some business to take care of. Joy couldn’t blame him for that, he was a busy man. She went into the kitchen to check the cake. The frosting was set perfectly so as soon as the other children arrived she would be able to cut them a slice that was still a little warm.

  A knock on the door got Joy’s attention and made her feel a little sick at the same time. Before she could tell her daughter not to answer the door, Serenity had already flung it open to reveal Eleanor and one of her other friends. The little girls came in together and Serenity dragged them over to see the Christmas tree. Behind them was Serenity’s teacher, Estelle, and Henry. Joy greeted the adults, looking behind them all the while in the hopes she would see Franklin coming up the steps.

  “I have cocoa for the children and coffee for the adults if you like,” Joy said to Estelle and Henry, keeping an eye on the three little girls by the fire.

  “Would it be too much trouble for me to have some cocoa instead?” Estelle was always polite and seemed to be well put together in spite of the fact that she taught a class of twelve children, all of different ages.

  “Of course not. I’ll get you some and bring it out here.” Joy smiled at Henry. “Coffee for you, I’m sure.” The older man nodded and Joy went into the kitchen to fetch their drinks.

  As she was pouring, she heard a knock on the door and went out quickly, hoping it was Franklin. Instead she found Clara in
a nicer dress than she’d ever seen her in and holding a colorful box in her hands. Disappointed though she was, Joy was happy to see Clara. She was always positive, and the only one in the room who knew she was going to sell her land to the railroad.

  “Hello, Joy,” she said, holding out the gift. “I brought something for our birthday girl.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be happy you did.” Joy took the gift to put on the table and tried to remain casual as she asked what was really on her mind. “Is Franklin coming?”

  “Of course he is. Nothing would keep him away from your house, and I think he’s glad to have an excuse to come out here. He left a little while ago, saying that he was going to get Serenity’s birthday gift. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s bound to be something special.” Clara smirked at her. “You’re not very good at hiding what you’re thinking.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Here, come make yourself useful and help me bring the coffee and cocoa out to the guests.” Joy led Clara into the kitchen and poured fresh coffee from the pot while Clara tipped cocoa into mugs for the girls. The two women took the drinks out and distributed them, Joy stealing glances at the door every few minutes, hoping that Franklin would walk through it.

  Once the rest of the guests – 3 more little girls from school – arrived, Joy decided it was time for them to cut into the cake. There was still no sign of Franklin and she began to worry that he wouldn’t make it there at all. She didn’t have time to waste thinking about it, so she brought Serenity’s magic cake out to the table. There wasn’t enough room for everyone to sit at the table, but they squeezed in as best they could to watch her cut into it.

  She had just finished passing out slices of the marble cake to the guests when there was a knock on the door that she could only describe as belonging to a man. With the adults and children gathered in two separate knots chatting, she was able to go to the door herself. Taking a deep breath, Joy opened the door after a nervous smoothing of her dress.