by Lynn Hubbard
“Sit up!” She hissed. “Thomas this is too much, regular seats are fine.” Jaelyn said worriedly.
Thomas frowned a bit. He had not expected this reaction. She was so unlike any other woman he had ever met. That was why he loved her so, she gave so much to him he wanted to give something back.
“Your father needs the space. Plus it’s a long ride and your family has done so much for me.” He insisted.
“You saved my father’s life, what in comparison have we done for you?” Jaelyn whispered as they both stood in the middle of the small room. Her parents were not paying any mind to the young couple as they were wrapped up in a quiet conversation but Chase was paying rapt attention.
“What have you done for me? You are my whole world Jaelyn. I did not begin to breathe until we met. I owe you everything and you shall have it.”
“I only ask for you.”
“Then you shall have me.” She watched in confusion as he pulled a small golden ring with a clear shimmering stone out of his pocket.
“Jaelyn Stafford, I would be amazed and honored if you would become my wife.”
Jaelyn stood in a shocked silence. So intense was the moment that neither of them heard the train whistle and when it set into motion Jaelyn was tossed forward only Thomas’ quick reaction kept them from falling to the floor.
He guided her to the closest seat and knelt by her feet still waiting for an answer as the train rumbled forward.
“Yes?” He prodded hopefully.
“Of course yes!” She said as tears filled her eyes and she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. She peppered his face with kisses not caring who was watching.
“What kind of jewel is that?” She asked when she could finally speak. ”It’s the most beautiful thing I ever saw.”
“It’s a diamond. This was my mother’s ring and I want you to have it.”
“Your mothers? Shouldn’t it go to your sister?”
Thomas snorted. “Mother had gobs of jewelry, Sally got all the rest. My father gave it to me on our visit. He wanted you to have it and so do I.”
Jaelyn hugged and kissed him again. She then hurried over to show her mother.
Chase sighed turning away from the happy couples. He looked out the window watching the scenery fly by as he contemplated his own future.
Chapter 5
California-Two weeks prior
Amelia Lovett sat in the dimly lit room. Rays of light crept through the dirty windows exposing the dust in the air. Sitting at a table, carefully considering her options, she looked around at the gruff men surrounding her. Her gaze returned to the cards in her hand as she laid down two of them on the scarred wooden surface. She accepted two more from the dealer and carefully hid her smile. Two more diamonds a flush.
She added more money to the pot and could just make out a subtle twitch from the man across from her. She shifted her hip slightly so she could easily grasp the gun in her waist band if the need arose. They all matched her bet and called the hand.
“I’m seeing red boys.” She said as she laid down her hand. Her smile widened at their curses. So involved she was in the game she jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. She inwardly cursed herself for not paying better attention to her whole environment.
“Sorry, ma’am I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She looked up still keeping a wary eye on the gentlemen at the table. The bartender was holding a piece of paper in his hand. It was a telegraph. She grasped it excitedly hoping it was from her brother, Riley. Folding it quickly she tucked it into her bodice. She turned her full attention back to the men at the table.
“Good day gents!”She stated with a wink as she quickly raked up the bills and tucked the proceeds away. She nimbly made her way around the close-set tables and out of the saloon.
Keeping watch to make sure she was not followed she turned her attention to her surroundings. She sucked in a breath of clean salty air. It was another wonderful balmy day in San Francisco. Wanting some place peaceful to read the note in private she headed to the port.
Large ships were anchored just off shore. They had their sails restrained from the billowing wind. How often Amelia had thought about hopping on one in hopes of a new adventure. Not that her life had been boring.
Her parents had met when Haden Lovett, her father, headed west to seek his fortune. His uncle had bequeathed him and his brother, Gavin, his mine at his death. Gavin had already settled with down the beautiful Abigail so he gave his share to his brother.
Haden not only discovered gold but also his most precious find, Amelia’s mother, Suzanne. Suzanne was his sun. Her golden hair out shinned the stars in the sky. He was very lucky to have discovered her in the mine camp and spirited her away from her family. Amelia was not able to recall much of her mother, she died from fever when she was five. Her father kept her spirit alive with stories of Suzanne and how much she loved her and her brother Riley.
Sitting on the dock, she unfolded her letter written in the small neat print of the clerk. She hoped in it was from her brother. She had not heard from him since last summer. Her eyes quickly flew to the bottom of the page. Yes! It was from Riley, excited; she quickly read the telegram.
Amelia tell father I am well stop
Sabrina is safe stop
Her Wedding at Montgomery April 4 stop
Love Riley stop
A plethora of emotions swept through her. Relief: Her cousin, Sabrina, had been found and was safe. Not only safe but engaged. Excitement: She was to travel to Mississippi for the wedding! Anger: Riley could have given her some more information! Where had she been? How was she found? Whom was she marrying?
With a sigh, she refolded the note and tucked it into her skirt pocket. She had always loved visiting Mississippi as a child. Her favorite pastime was running around the forest with Sabrina and Lydia and catching lightning bugs. One summer, they had taken mason jars to trap them with and punched holes in the top so that the tiny flickering insects could breathe. She also remembered them being switched for dumping out the canned vegetables to get an empty jar. It was bittersweet.
She remembered when they first received the news of her Uncle’s tragedy. Soon after, they learned of Sabrina’s disappearance as well. Riley had even gone to help with the search while she stayed behind to comfort their father; He had been very close to his brother. Now she and Riley were all he had left in the world. Her heart fell a bit more remembering the horrid manner that Lydia had died. She had always wondered what had happened to her, why she had ran away, why she never sent word.
Of course, Sabrina had no idea they had moved. Against all odds, her father had discovered a large vein of gold. Not wanting his children to befall the same fate as his Suzanne, he moved them to San Francisco and used the proceeds from the mine to start a mercantile. Her mother would have loved it.
A cry of a seagull captured her attention and she raised her face to the sky as she watched it glide on the breeze. The cool air sweeping across her face as she swiped at the tears that had escaped. Climbing to her feet, she scurried down the boardwalk to her father’s shop.
“Father!” She called out as she banged open the door excitedly. “I received a telegram from Riley. They found Sabrina!”
Her father came out from behind the counter and hugged her close with tears in his eyes. After first losing, his wife and then his brother he had almost given up hope that Sabrina would be found safely.
“Blessed be.” He murmured releasing Amelia. “Is she okay?”
“She’s wonderful! She’s getting married at Montgomery. And we’re invited!”
“Married?! But she is just a child.”
Amelia huffed at that. “She’s a year older than I am. She grew up as well. Her childhood ended a long time ago.” She said sadly.
A burden settled heavily onto his shoulders and he sat down on a stool deep in thought. Life was hard. He didn’t know if he had the will to go back to his brothers’ ranch. There was too much sadness,
too much loss there.
“We need to make arrangements for the store, we need to check the train schedule, pack... What am I forgetting?”
“I’m not going.” He said softly, as he stared at the ground, not having the courage to meet her shimmering eyes.
“What do you mean you’re not going?”You have to go!”
“I just can’t Too many memories. It took me a long time to get over the past and move on. I can’t go back.”
“You’re talking nonsense.” Amelia spat out in irritation. She loved her father dearly but she hated that he had seemed to almost give up on life.
“I’m staying.”
“Well, I’m going. With or without your approval.” Amelia said with a hitch in her voice as she moved towards the door.
A strong hand grabbed her arm. “Amelia! Of course, you will have my approval. In fact, I want you to take her a gift for me.”
He moved to the back room, Amelia noticing as if for the first time his stooped shoulders and slight hunch from working the mines for so many years. Her heart ached as she watched him lean down even more and open a safe. Amelia watched as he took out a small burlap pouch.
“Hold your hand open.”
She did as she was told and gasped as he opened the pouch and dumped out a gold nugget the size of a penny. Her hand dipped a bit, not expecting the weight of it.
Answering the questioning look in her eyes, he started to speak. “I always meant to give this to her father, but... Well, I would like Sabrina to have it. Cash it in and get her something nice.”
Amelia tucked the small pouch safely away. She hugged her father tightly. He had held onto that nugget for as long as she could remember. Maybe parting with it will help him finally overcome his grief.
Stepping outside onto the bustling street, she took a deep breath and collected her thoughts. She had so much to do. The wedding was only a month away. Her next stop was the train station to arrange for passage: for one.
Chapter 6
The train rumbled down the tracks taking Amelia farther and farther away from home. Although Amelia loved her family she had always had an independent spirit and no qualms about traveling alone. She looked around the gilded traveling car and her eyes fastened on a couple across the aisle. The wife was reading with her head tilted forward and her husband’s was thrown back against the seat next to her in a deep slumber. A loud snore rattled its way up his throat and she elbowed him in the ribs as he resettled in a more comfortable position. Amelia tried to hide her smile.
She watched them for a moment pondering if that was how her parents would have been if her mother had lived. If that’s how she will be one day. Sighing she drew her eyes away and stretched. It was nearly dusk. She figured she had better use the loo before it got any darker. She climbed to her feet and held onto the backs of the chairs to steady herself on the ever moving floor. She clumsily made her way up the long aisle only to find she had to go into the next forward car. She took a second to fumble with the lock on the door and slide it open. The blast of wind and dust in her face pulled loose most of her hair from its pins. So much for getting gussied up for travel she grumbled. Squinting her eyes, she precariously crossed the moving ground below to enter the next train. Making her way to the front she was dismayed to find a long line and a horrible stench coming from somewhere up ahead.
The conductor spotting the well dressed young woman hurried back to her.
Amelia covered her nose as he approached.
“May I help you madam?”
“Um I need to use the loo.”
“Are you ill?”
“No why?”
“I’m a bit embarrassed, but some of the chicken that was served was spoiled and there is much sickness. I would not suggest using this privy for a woman of your stature.”
“Is there another?” She asked hopefully.
He leaned close and spoke into her ear so she could hear him above the noise of the train. “The last car is a private one. I‘m sure they would be willing to share theirs with a lady of your quality.”
Amelia smirked at that, she was half insulted and flattered. Another gust of foul odor filled the car as the door opened and released a rather white faced man and a green faced one took his place.
Amelia nodded her thanks and made her way back to her own car. She passed her seat and again went outside to cross over to the last car. She wondered what kind of people could afford their own private car. Well she would soon find out she rationed.
By the time she arrived her hair was completely lose and billowing around her in the wind and she really, really had to use the bathroom. The outer door was locked so she had to hold onto the railing as the wind threatened to rip her hair from the roots and knock with her other hand. When knocking didn’t work she resorted to pounding.
Chapter 7
Chase was somewhere between consciousness and sleep. His eyes drifted shut as he finally relaxed to the swaying sensation of the train. After all the travel and bustling about it was nice to finally unwind.
His peace was interrupted by a droning sound. The resonance could be heard over and over again above the clank of the wheels. Ever alert, he slowly lifted an eyelid. He gazed around the car to see if anyone else had heard the odd noises coming from the doorway. They had not. Aggravated not a soul seemed to notice the eerie sounds he climbed sleepily to his feet and opened up the inner door. Grabbing the swaying wall for support he stepped up to the outer door.
He was startled to find a white, ghastly face peering in through the small square window. An eerie howl arose from its mouth and a chill stole through him. The whipping hair reminded him of a childhood legend his mother used to tell him about: It was a banshee. Had he angered the Gods somehow?
An amazingly human like hand smacked the glass in front of him and he quickly wiped the sleep from his eyes. Taking a brave step forward he unlatched the door and the beast was upon him. He instinctively grabbed it and wrestled it to the ground as his family scrabbled over to see the disturbance.
“Are you insane?” It screeched in an unearthly voice. Chase felt a sudden pain in his ear as his mother quickly summed up the situation and twisted. With a yowl, he was forced off the creature so that his ear would remain intact. He watched in slow motion as Thomas and Jaelyn hurried over to help it up to its feet.
“I am so sorry Miss. My brother is a dimwit. Are you okay?” Jaelyn asked the sputtering girl who was still trying to claw her way to Chase’s face.
Taking a deep breath to try and force down her anger. Amelia closed her eyes and forced herself to calm down. She tried to smooth out her petty coats and windblown hair.
Chase watched the scene from behind his mother. Before his eyes she seemed to transform from a windswept creature into a beautiful young woman. Chase sat and stared in bewilderment.
“Just fine thank you. I am very sorry to intrude upon your family. The conductor suggested I might be able to use your privy? The one nearest to my car is unserviceable.” She blushed trying to explain her situation.
“Oh, of course!” Jaelyn said elbowing the still dazed Chase out of the aisle so she could show their guest to the back.
“What is wrong with you?” Anna badgered her son as he slumped into a corner like a beat down dog.
“I don’t know, I was trying to sleep. I thought she was a banshee.” He mumbled, the words sounding ridiculous even to his own ears.
“A banshee?” Anna asked with a scowl.
“You know like the legends.”
“Of course I know the legends; apparently you’ve been running around in the woods for way too long. That poor woman.”
“Poor woman? She almost ripped my eyes out!”
“Was that before or after you manhandled her to the ground?” his father, Jonathan, asked with an amused chuckle.
Chase huffed as he lay back down. He tilted his hat down low to cover his reddening face. See if he tried to save their lives again. He pretended not to hear the woman’s sk
irts rustling as she whisked past him a little while later as she made her way haphazardly back to her seat.
***
The rest of the trip passed uneventful for Amelia. She spent most of it detangling her hair. She was able to locate a bobby pin or two and somewhat clip it back up on top of her head. Inwardly she was still fuming over the rude treatment she had received earlier. Who cared if he was tall, muscular and handsome. You cannot go around attacking people.
A banshee. How daft did he think she was? She muttered to herself for the umpteenth time. She noticed the travelers nearby giving her odd looks and scooting further away as if she was crazy. Maybe she was going nuts; after all, why had she just spent the last day thinking of how her skin tingled in the places he touched her with his large warm hands.
The train slowed to a bumpy halt and she sighed with relief. At least she would be rid of him once she switched trains. Quickly, she gathered up her belongings and hurried off to beat the crowd departing.
It took Chase’s party longer to unload. Thomas and Chase helped Jonathan down the steep steps to his annoyance. He was getting along very well with his crutches and frowned upon relying on others for help. However, the steep staircase was a hazard to even the able bodied. They were taking no chances with his wellbeing.
The transfer to the new car went smoothly for the group and Chase was glad that he did not see the Woman from yesterday among the other passengers loading the new train. Not that he was looking for her.
They had another car rented out this one even nicer than the first, to Jaelyn’s chagrin. Even though he was more comfortable if possible Chase was anxious to arrive in Mississippi. He not only wanted to see Brock and Sabrina again, he wanted to get the Hell off these trains. He was not used to being cooped up for such a long length of time. He missed his home and the freedom to hop on his horse to ride wherever and whenever he wanted.
