by Janice Hanna
“We don’t have any choice. I…” How could she say the words aloud, that they had no money? “We’ll be fine, I’m sure.”
“Hmm.” The woman brow wrinkled a bit as she appeared to be thinking about Anne’s response.
Over the next few minutes, Anne saw lights from a host of lanterns as people from the other train cars made their way outside. Minutes later, she made out the sound of wagons approaching and the chatter of voices.
The porter reappeared and tipped his hat in her direction. “Miss, the railroad has sent a couple of company trucks and a wagon as well. We’ve emptied out the train cars ahead of you. We’ll be taking you to town now.”
“No sir,” she said. “I…well, I do believe my sisters and I will be fine. We’d like to stay aboard.” Her heart twisted as she contemplated her dilemma. What would she do if he gave her no choice but to leave?
The fellow lifted the lantern as if trying to get a better look at Emily and Kate. “Are you sure?”
“Y–yes.” Anne nodded and tried to look confident. Truth be told, the very idea of staying alone on this train made her feel sick inside. Still, she forced a smile. “Besides, I’m sure they’ll have the track repaired in no time.”
The woman across from her rose and placed a hand on Anne’s shoulder. “I do hope so, for your sake,” she said, offering a sympathetic smile. “But if you change your mind, look me up at the hotel. I would like to help…if you would allow me to.”
“Oh, I, well…” Anne shook her head. “That’s very kind, but my sisters and I will be fine. We’re on an adventure, you see. Just ask Emily. She’s writing a story about it.”
“We’re going to be rescued by a cowboy with a six-shooter strapped to his side.” Emily’s voice and expression grew more animated. “It’s going to be the most thrilling scene you’ve ever read, I can promise you that.”
“Indeed? Well, then, I might just wait with you.” The woman gave her a wink. “Sounds like a lovely ending to a story.”
“Oh, it’s just the beginning,” Emily said. “I haven’t decided on the ending yet.”
The woman leaned over and whispered, “Well, when you do, stop by the hotel and tell me. I’d love to hear all about it.” Then she turned her attention back to Anne. “My offer still stands. I would be honored if you would allow me the privilege of looking out for you until the track is repaired.” She ran her hands along the fine green linen in her skirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.
“If we don’t hear anything by morning, we’ll come to town,” Anne said.
“Promise?” The woman stopped fussing with her skirt and focused on the girls.
“Yes.” Anne nodded.
“When you get to the hotel, ask for Mrs. Witherspoon.” With a nod, she disappeared into the darkness.
Anne stared out the window, trying to find the woman amongst the evening’s shadows but not succeeding. A somber feeling came over her, and for a moment she thought about following on Mrs. Witherspoon’s heels all the way to the hotel.
“We are not beggars,” she whispered. “Not yet, anyway.”
“What did you say, Annie?” Kate asked.
“Oh, nothing, honey.” She offered a smile. “Isn’t this exciting? We’re living out one of Emily’s adventures firsthand.”
“Thank goodness there are no Indians.” Kate shivered.
“Not yet, anyway.” Emily turned to them, her eyes sparkling. “But there’s still plenty of time for them to appear and threaten our lives. I do hope a whole band of them will come at once, riding on horses and carrying bows and arrows. Can you imagine how exciting that would be? Maybe they’ll carry us off—far, far away from Dallas and Uncle Bertrand. Wouldn’t that be the very best sort of adventure?”
“I’m not sure ‘adventure’ is the correct word,” Anne said. “And I daresay, your imagination has run away with you once again. You’d better go and catch it.”
“What would be the purpose of having an imagination and not using it?” Emily’s gaze narrowed. “That would make me too much like everyone else in the family.” On and on she went, talking about the various complications to the scene she planned to write.
Anne finally managed to get a word in edgewise when her sister paused for breath. “Well, enough about how you would have written this scene, Emily. We’re not in one of your books. Not yet, anyway.”
She leaned back against the seat and offered up a rushed, silent prayer for their safety. Lord, You see the three of us. We’re like those Texas tumbleweeds. We don’t know where we are or where we’re headed, at least not tonight. But You do. And I trust You, Lord. Oh, and if there are any Indians out there—she shuddered—please keep them at a distance!
The porter entered their train car a few minutes later, after the voices outside disappeared on the evening wind. “Only a handful of passengers decided to stay onboard,” he said. “Most have gone to town. Would you follow me, please?”
Anne hesitated. “We have to move?”
“Yes, please. We would like our remaining passengers to stay in one area, at least for now. Follow me, miss.” He led them from one car to the other until they arrived at the dining car.
“Oh, I’m afraid I couldn’t…” Anne shook her head. The room smelled delicious, but she knew she couldn’t afford to feed her sisters. She had just enough hardtack and cheese to get them through the next twenty-four hours. If they shared.
“I’ve been given special instructions from the woman who was seated across from you to make sure you’re well-fed.” He smiled. “And when we leave here, you’re headed to one of our empty sleeper berths.”
“A sleeper berth?” Anne could hardly believe her ears. “But I don’t… I mean, we couldn’t possibly…”
“It’s all taken care of.” He nodded. “You three must have an angel looking out for you tonight, that’s all I can say about it.”
“An angel?” Kate’s eyes widened.
A theatrical sigh from Emily followed. “I was counting on a handsome cowboy with a six-shooter, but I guess an angel will have to do.”
“Indeed, an angel will do.” Anne smiled.
“I suppose you’re right.” The edges of Emily’s lips curled up in a delicious fashion. “I’ll just envision the angel with stupendous wings riding across the skies on a stallion.”
Anne did her best not to roll her eyes.
The girls enjoyed a lovely dinner with the handful of passengers who remained. Afterward, bellies full, they followed the porter to a sleeping car. While nothing could rival Anne’s bed back home in Denver, her berth did provide a spot to lie down and sleep. Or, try to sleep, rather.
When she eventually dozed, visions of a handsome cowboy with a six-shooter strapped to his side flitted through Anne’s mind. He rode a copper-colored horse with a mane that flew in the breeze as they raced across the plain.
The whole thing made for a lovely dream. A lovely dream, indeed.
Jake awoke to the sound of someone rapping on his bedroom door.
“Jakey,” his mother called out. “Something’s happened and you’re needed at the station. No dillydallying. They said it was important.”
Jake stumbled out of bed, still half-asleep, then crossed the bedroom and cracked open the door. “What is it?”
His mother stood before him, dressed in her housecoat, her hair tied up in rags. “There’s been a derailment several miles east of here.”
“Derailment?” At once, alarm shot through him.
“Yes, but no one was hurt. It was a freight train. Coal. But it made a mess of things, as you might imagine. So they’ve had to stop a train coming through from Amarillo.” She pulled one of the rags out of her hair, then another. “And you’ve been asked to transport passengers to town. Most will need a place to stay, from what I was told, so feel free to bring a handful here. I’ll cook up a feast tonight.”
“All right.” He dressed as quickly as he could and then swallowed a biscuit as he sprinted toward the door.
Jake made the journey to the station on foot as always…but traveled a lot faster than usual. Off in the east the early morning sun rose, casting a pinkish haze over the town. He took a shortcut, sprinting down the main street with his hat tipped forward. Hopefully folks would take it as a sign that he wasn’t in a talking mood. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear to be working.
“Howdy, Jake,” Reverend Johnson called out from the porch steps as he ran by. “How are things at O’Farrell’s Honor this fine day?”
“Fine, but I can’t talk right now, Reverend.” Jake paused to catch his breath. “We’ve got a situation east of town. Urgent. Folks will be needing a place to stay, so spread the word.”
“Will do. I’ll get right on it.” The reverend tipped his hat.
“Thanks.”
Seconds later, as Jake passed through the heart of town, the butcher stuck his head through the opening of his shop. “How’s life treatin’ you these days, Jake?”
“Oh, fair to middlin’.” Jake slowed his pace to a fast walk. “But I’ve really got to—”
“Speaking of Midland, I’ve got a sister over in Midland who’s had a little trouble finding a husband.” He wiped his hands on his bloody apron and offered a crooked grin. “Want me to send for her? I think she’d be perfect for you. Of course, she’s got a little temper. But I daresay you can tame her in no time. She needs a strong fella like you, if I do say so.”
Jake swallowed hard and kept on going.
Off in the distance he could make out the mercantile. Unfortunately, Cassie Martin stepped out onto the front porch as he sprinted by. “Well, hello there, stranger.” She ran her fingers through her long brown locks of hair and took a couple of steps in his direction, her broad physique causing her to lag a bit behind him. He slowed to a walk. “I looked for you in church last Sunday but couldn’t find you.”
“Oh, well, I was there. I was sitting with my mother, as always. But I really can’t talk right now. I—”
“Are you getting excited about your best friend’s wedding this comin’ Saturday night?” She sighed. “Everyone in town is talking about it. It’s going to be the most beautiful ceremony the folks in Groom have ever seen.” Then she added the words, “For the time being, anyway.”
Jake turned back to give her a quick glance. “Yes, but as I said, I really can’t talk right now,” he tried to explain. “See, there’s been a derail—”
“I just love weddings.” Cassie’s blue eyes sparkled. “Virginia is going to be a beautiful bride, and there’s nothing lovelier than a bride, now, is there?”
“I don’t suppose so.” He shrugged but kept walking.
Cassie’s mother stepped off the mercantile porch, her eyes brightening as she looked Jake’s way. “ ’Course, there are plenty of girls around here, should a man be looking for a beautiful bride,” she called out loud enough for everyone in town to hear. “Problem is, some fellas can’t see the forest for the trees.”
Jake glanced to his right and his left, seeing nothing but wide-open plains and a few scattered buildings. “Yes, well, I—”
Falling into step behind him, Mrs. Martin lit into a list of all the reasons he needed a good woman in his life, singing the praises of her daughter along the way. Cassie began to puff and pant, clearly struggling to keep up.
“I’ve really gotta go,” Jake managed at last. “I’m needed up at the station.”
He gave the Martin women a little wave and then took off sprinting, far more concerned about the condition of the train track than the condition of his love life.
Chapter Four
From time to time, we at the Panhandle Primer highlight one of our fair towns. This week I’ve chosen to focus on the tiny town of Groom, incorporated three years ago in 1911. Located about sixty miles east of Amarillo, this small town might look like just a dot on the map to some, but it has served as home to some of the most famous cattlemen in Panhandle history. Chief among them was the late Colonel B. B. Groom, for whom the town was named. He purchased thirteen hundred head of cattle back in ’82 and never looked back. Unfortunately, his dreams of having the largest ranch in the country didn’t pan out. Still, you can’t blame a fella for trying. And that go-get-’em spirit lives on in the modern-day ranchers of Groom. Ask any one of them to show you his patch of land and he’ll flash a smile so bright it’ll light up the Panhandle on even the darkest day. —“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the Panhandle Primer
Anne awoke to the sound of horses’ hooves. She yawned and stretched, trying to get her bearings. Where am I again? Ah yes, a sleeper berth on the train. Thanks to her angelic benefactor. Anne eased herself into a sitting position, careful not to awaken Kate, who slept soundly to her right. And Emily…
Turned out Emily was already wide-awake and staring out the window. “Ooh, look, Anne. You’re not going to believe it!”
“What is it?” Anne followed her little sister’s pointed finger and looked at a cluster of young men standing outside the train. Bunched together in a group like that, she could barely make out their faces.
“Do you think they’re thieves, come to rob us blind?” Emily pressed her nose against the glass. “Oh, I do hope they are. I can only imagine the stories I will one day tell my children and grandchildren about the time I barely escaped with my life.”
Anne began to fan herself. “They’re just local men, silly. Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Humph. Well, if they’re not thieves, then they must be cow-boys.” Emily giggled. “A couple of them are wearing hats. And they are rugged and handsome, just like the fellas in my story.” She glanced out of the window once again. “Most of them, anyway. But I don’t see any six-shooters.” She looked at Anne with a shrug. “How are they going to rescue us without guns? It won’t be nearly as exciting.”
“We’re hardly in need of rescuing.” Anne yawned. “I slept really well in this berth. You?”
Emily groaned. “I want to get off this train. They could come aboard at any time and rescue me and I wouldn’t fuss one little bit.”
The porter’s voice rang out, awakening Kate, who startled. The youngster glanced up then rolled back over.
Anne cracked open the door of the train car to respond to his call. “Yes?”
The porter tipped his cap. “Miss, we’ve received news that the damage to the track is more severe than expected.”
“What does that mean?” She fussed with the door to keep her body hidden behind it.
“From what I’ve been told, we’ll be in Groom for the better part of a week.”
“A week?” Anne, Emily, and Kate spoke in unison.
Anne had barely managed, “Whatever will we do?” when Emily began to cheer.
“Oh, it’s perfect! See, I told you we were on an adventure, Anne! One more week to do as we please without Uncle Bertrand around!”
“If the people here don’t know us, they can’t possibly tattle to Uncle Bertrand when we’re naughty.” Kate mumbled, still half-asleep.
“When, or if?” Anne asked.
“When.” Kate let out an exaggerated yawn.
“You’re forgetting one very important thing.” Anne popped her head back inside the car, her thoughts a jumbled mess. “We have no place to stay in this godforsaken place.”
“And no food to eat.” Kate sat up, now frowning.
“Those problems have been solved for you, miss.” The porter’s voice sounded from outside the door. “Several of the local families have offered to open their homes to folks in need of a place to stay. I do believe that would offer the best possible alternative to this otherwise uncomfortable situation.”
Anne peeked her head back around the door. “I don’t know how I feel about that.” She shook her head. “Staying with strangers seems so…unsettling.”
“You’re such a scaredy-cat.” Emily plopped down on her bed and crossed her arms at her chest. “We’re having an adventure, remember?”
“Yes, I remember.” And what an adventure it was t
urning out to be. Anne could never have predicted any of this. She turned back to the porter. “Can we telephone our uncle to let him know of the delay?”
“Of course. As soon as you get settled. Or we can wire him from the station in Groom for you.”
“That’s fine, I suppose. Though I do have to wonder what he will think when we don’t arrive at the station in Dallas this afternoon.” He’s bound to be angry. Very angry.
“The folks at the station will let him know. But if you would feel better contacting him personally, that can certainly be arranged.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’ll go fetch your luggage while you get dressed. Then some of the nice local gentlemen will assist you fine ladies down from the train and drive you on to your destination.”
“That would be fine.” Anne turned back to the window, glancing down at the handsome cowboys standing alongside the track. Her gaze shifted to one in particular. He didn’t look like the others—not quite as rugged, maybe. And he had a welcoming face. For a moment, he glanced her way. She could read the interest in his eyes as their gaze met. Just as quickly she turned away, her heart rate skipping to double-time.
Yes, indeed. It looked as if staying in Groom might be very unsettling indeed.
Jake stood outside the train, his gaze shifting from the beautiful young woman at the window to the porter, who approached with luggage in hand.
“How many of you fellas can help transport these folks to town?”
Cody raised his hand. “I brought the Model T. It can hold five, counting you and me. Where are we taking them, though? The hotel is full.”
“It’s my understanding that several families in town have offered to help house them for a few days,” the porter said.
It took Jake only a couple seconds to respond with, “I’ll take a handful back to our place.” Who else in the county had a home with so many bedrooms? Yes, they could surely take at least one family.
“Very nice.” The porter pulled out his pocket watch and gave it a glance. “Would you mind helping some of the ladies down from the train?” the fellow asked. “We’ve got quite a few who need assistance in the next car.”
