He actually responded by sending her fifty dollars for her train fare and without a further thought, she had obtained her ticket and was now on her way to Tipton, Wyoming. She had boarded the train in Boston and apart from a brief changeover in Chicago the train would take her right to Tipton. As she settled back in her seat, which thankfully was next to the window she turned her head and hoped that no one would try to make conversation with her. She had to be very careful, even though she had read the newspapers daily to see if she was still being sought by the police.
"Good morning," a soft gentle voice hailed her and Annie turned and saw a young woman her own age with the greenest eyes she had ever seen. She had carrot red hair and was plump. There was a friendly twinkle in her eyes and Annie found herself warming up to the newcomer. "Is this seat taken?" she motioned to the place opposite Annie.
"No."
"Oh good," the lady put down a carpetbag at her feet. "I was hoping that I would get a window seat." Annie merely smiled. "My name is Cora O'Malley," she held out her hand.
"I am Annie Smith." If Cora thought Annie was hiding something she kept it to herself.
"Where are you traveling to?" Cora grinned and Annie had to smile at the happiness radiating from her companion's face. "I am sorry. My mother said my curiosity will one day get me into trouble. I am on my way to Granger in Wyoming. You see, I am a mail order bride and my soon to be husband sent me money for my ticket."
"I am also a mail order bride," Annie said shyly. The concept was still new to her, that men from the West would place advertisements in the newspapers with hopes of finding themselves brides who would leave all that was dear to them, and venture out to the Wild West to settle down there. Well, the ladies were probably as desperate as she was or else they would never leave the comforts of their homes for the unknown.
"Where is your husband from?" For a moment Annie almost told Cora about James but then she remembered that the lady was referring to her intended.
"Jeremy Paine is from Tipton. He is twenty five years old and a farmer."
"Oh," Cora's eyes glittered. "I read something about Wyoming. Tipton is not that far from Granger and we can probably meet once in a while."
"I would like that very much," Annie said with sincerity, happy she had a companion for the long journey.
~#~#~#~
If you enjoyed this chapter, you can read the whole story by clicking the following link: Second Chance
Abigail (Mail Order Brides of Hope Springs 3) Page 8
