Orphan Train Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 4

by Wendy May Andrews

  “I’ve brought you a beef pie. You and the doctor need to keep your strength up. I’ll just leave it here.”

  “Thank you, Melanie. How are you and Annie faring? Did she have many questions?”

  “It’s Annie, she had plenty of questions, but don’t fret, she’s untroubled so far. If you’re gone too long, though, I’m not sure how long that will last.”

  Katie chewed her lip in thought. “If you must, you can bring her by like this so she can see that I’m fine.”

  “I’ve done one better than that,” Melanie had declared with a conspiratorial grin. “I girded my courage and approached the father of one of her classmates to arrange a sleepover. Since there’s no school tomorrow, she will be going home with Mary after classes. I won’t have to face her questions until Sunday.”

  “Melanie, thank you so much. I know that must have been a challenge for you, but it was brilliantly done of you.”

  Melanie shrugged. “Apparently, they just had a litter of puppies, so I thought they’d be the best draw. But I cannot promise she won’t be asking for a pet after this.”

  The two friends shared a giggle before Melanie sobered. “Are you doing all right? You look a little wrung out.”

  “I didn’t sleep through the night. So I’m plenty tired, but I think I’m faring fine. I can’t say that I’m loving the experience, but I think poor little Matt would be beside himself if not for my familiar face.”

  “You’re an angel of mercy, Katie.”

  “Don’t go getting carried away, my friend.” Katie was embarrassed by her words and quickly waved them away, changing the subject. “I’ll see you soon. Thank you so much for the food. We’ve been so occupied with the sick that I haven’t been able to concentrate on keeping us fed. This will help so much.”

  Now it was Mel’s turn to look uncomfortable. “It was the least I could do. You’re the one doing all the hard work and taking the risk.”

  They shared a laugh over their mutual discomfort. Melanie, still grinning, waved and walked away.

  The meat pie had been delicious. And Melanie’s generous portions meant that there was plenty left over for another meal.

  Katie was relieved that Melanie had thought to speak with Mary’s father. She hadn’t wanted to ask it of her, knowing how she was still struggling with speaking to people, especially men. But with the litter of puppies, Mary was the friend most likely to keep Annie sufficiently occupied that she wouldn’t be overly worried about her new mother’s absence.

  Living in a small town was proving to be a blessing for them. Everyone was so kind and willing to help out. The voice calling from the gate was a testament to that.

  “Hello there,” Katie heard a questioning note from the feminine voice.

  “Grace? What are you doing here?” Katie asked when she opened the screen door.

  “Grandmother heard that you’ve been caring for the Mitchells and asked me to bring over some soup for you.”

  “That is mighty kind of the both of you. Thank you. And please tell your grandmother thank you from us, as well. Soup will come in handy as the Mitchells start to recover.”

  “So they’re on the mend, then, are they? The townspeople are wondering,” the girl added.

  “We’re fairly confident that the worst has passed,” Katie assured her. “But it’s best if everyone stays away for a while longer.”

  The girl nodded vigorously, relief clearly written across her face. Katie’s heart went out to her. “It was brave of you to do your grandmother’s bidding,” she said, keeping her tone low enough not to carry far, but loud enough for the girl to hear. Grace nodded shyly before scurrying away.

  The large pot of soup was going to be such an aid to them. They were nearly out of the broth she had made the day before. After the next meal they gave to the Mitchells, they would be out. She had been thinking of rationing it until she was able to make more, but now she wouldn’t have to. And it would do them good to have a little bit more substance with soup instead of just broth.

  Katie wondered if they would even be feeding the Mitchells anymore. They seemed to be regaining consciousness and were even moving a little bit. Surely they would be waking up soon. She certainly hoped the doctor was awake as well when they did.

  Matt interrupted her musings.

  “Can I do anything, Mrs. Carter?”

  Katie gave him a warm smile. “What would you be doing if your parents hadn’t fallen sick?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve already done most of the chores. I guess I would normally have homework to do. Or I would go play with some of the boys from school.”

  “I’m sorry that you have to stay away from your friends. This must be a boring ordeal for you.”

  The boy shrugged again. “I’m worried more than I’m bored.”

  “I know, Matt,” she answered softly. “But why don’t you go outside and play? Even by yourself, you should be able to find something to do. The fresh air and sunshine will do you good. And it’ll make it easier for you to sleep tonight if you’ve had a bit of activity through the day.”

  “I don’t think I’ll have any trouble sleeping tonight,” he replied with a grin. “I’m not used to doing all the chores by myself.”

  Now Katie was chagrinned. “Was it too much for you? I’m so sorry, Matt! I have been so preoccupied with caring for your parents that I haven’t thought that much about the chores outside of the house. Should we get someone to come in and do some of them for us?”

  Matt was quick to protest. “No, no, not at all, Mrs. Carter. I don’t mind doing it one bit. It’s harder work than I ever did back in New York, but I actually find it quite fun. And since I can’t go to school, it gave me something to do.”

  “Of course. I sure hope this passes soon. I’m not making any sense at all, am I?” Katie waved a hand in front of her face, trying to distract herself from the tears wanting to form in her eyes.

  Matt grinned at her. “I think I will go out and see if I can find any frogs.”

  Katie laughed. She was so glad she had adopted a girl, she thought with a slight shudder as the boy hurried to put his shoes on and ran from the room.

  She was puttering around, tidying the house, when the doctor re-entered the room. She was preoccupied with scrubbing the stove and didn’t hear him until he spoke.

  “How have—” he began before she whirled around and stifled her squeal of fright.

  With a hand upon her chest she panted. “Doctor Jeffries! You nearly scared the wits out of me.”

  He chuckled but quickly apologized. “I’m so sorry! I did not mean to startle you. I didn’t realize cleaning the stove required quite that much concentration.”

  Katie had to laugh at his attempt at a joke. “It shouldn’t require that much thought, you’re right. But I’m exhausted, and everything is a challenge at this point.”

  He smiled in agreement, and her breath caught once more. The man was remarkably handsome in a studious kind of way. Being as tired as she was, her resistance was weak, and she found her heart rate was picking up from his proximity. She tried to hide her discomfort with activity, setting back to work scrubbing the stove.

  “You don’t really need to be doing so much work here, Mrs. Carter,” the doctor admonished. “You are going to wear yourself out even more than necessary.”

  “If they pull through, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are going to be weak for some time. Mrs. Mitchell won’t be able to do as much as she would no doubt usually do. I cannot think she would mind if I set the house to rights before I leave.”

  When she caught his gaze on her, she raised her eyebrows. “What?” she asked. “Don’t you agree?”

  “I do, and I am certain she will appreciate your thoughtfulness. I just didn’t expect it from you.”

  Katie flushed. “Why not? Because I’m a single woman trying to make a home without a husband?” she demanded. “You’re rather repetitious, doctor.” She probably shouldn’t have said that, but she couldn’t bring herself to re
tract her words.

  With a roll of his eyes, the doctor turned on his heel and left the room to check on his patients. Katie stared after his retreating back and bit her lip in indecision. She ought not to have been so defensive. Maybe that wasn’t what he had meant at all. She wanted to follow him and apologize, but this was not the time or place for her personal feelings. They weren’t there on a social visit. With a shake of her head, she returned to her task.

  The rest of the day flew past as they continued to care for the Mitchells. They had both indeed regained consciousness and were awake and eating the soup Mrs. Jenkins had sent over.

  “I cannot believe you have been here for two days caring for us,” Mrs. Mitchell croaked past her raw throat.

  “Don’t try to talk too much — spare your energy,” Katie protested, not wishing to be embarrassed by her thanks.

  The woman looked as though she were going to protest, but then must have realized the wisdom in Katie’s words as she slumped back onto her pillow with a weak smile and a nod.

  By the time the ill couple had finished the soup and were sleeping again, Doctor Jeffries had decided they were well and truly on the mend. “You ought to go home and have a proper sleep, Mrs. Carter. You have gone above and beyond your neighborly duty and should feel free to leave them in my care now.”

  When Katie went to protest, the doctor overrode her. “I am sure the neighbors will bring more food. You bathed Mrs. Mitchell after her fever broke, changed the bedding, and have washed all the sheets. There is really nothing more for you to do here. And I want you to get a proper rest before you end up one of my patients.”

  Katie gave him a wry smile in reaction to his last words. “Are you very sure you will be able to manage without me?” She flushed with embarrassment and began to stammer. “That’s not to say that I was so very useful, but an extra pair of hands and being a woman…” She trailed off as he began to chuckle at her expense. She wanted to resent his amusement but couldn’t prevent her rueful smile.

  “You were far more help than I could have hoped for, and I would have been in trouble if not for you. But yes, I am quite certain that the worst has passed and I can manage from here. If that changes, I promise to send Matt for you.”

  This finally mollified her, and she agreed to depart. With a start, though, she realized that it had already fallen dark. The doctor caught her apprehensive glance out the window as she gathered her few things and said farewell to Matt.

  “Matt, will you be comfortable sitting with your parents while I escort Mrs. Carter home?” Doctor Jeffries asked the boy.

  Before Matt could answer, Katie protested. “I am perfectly capable of walking home on my own.”

  “I am certain you are capable, my good woman — that is not a question. I would just be left to wonder if you had found your way successfully and would not be able to have a peaceful night for worrying. If you allow me to escort you home, with a lantern to light the way, we can all rest easy tonight.”

  When he put it like that, Katie feared it would be churlish to refuse. She offered him a helpless shrug and inclined her head in acceptance.

  Matt had been nodding vigorously along with the doctor. “It’s much better this way, Mrs. Carter. You never know what might be out there in the dark. I wouldn’t want to be wandering about by myself. But I’ll be fine here in the house until you get back Dr. Jeffries.”

  Katie grinned at the boy, picked up her small bag, and preceded the doctor from the house.

  They walked along in companionable silence for a few minutes before the doctor remarked, “You must be anxious to get home to your daughter and your usual life.”

  “Oh, I have missed Annie almost unbearably, it’s true. But there is something so satisfying about helping someone who is in such desperate need of aid. I think I envy you your profession, doctor. You get to have this experience every day.”

  ~~~

  Wyatt chuckled. “Luckily for the folks of Bucklin, there aren’t people in dire need every single day. But you are right, it is an immensely satisfying way of life.”

  He couldn’t decide if it was a reflection from the lantern or her own inner joy, but the lovely little woman at his side seemed to glow as they walked along.

  “I’m sorry that I was resistant to the thought of staying when you first asked it of me. I am delighted that I was able to help poor Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell. They likely would have died if not for the train load of orphans, wouldn’t you think?”

  Wyatt lifted a questioning eyebrow and was rewarded by her sweet laughter drifting out. She quickly defended her position. “Think about it, doctor. If not for the train, I wouldn’t have been knocking at their door. And they wouldn’t have had Matt. Even if I hadn’t come along when I did, I’m sure Matt would have realized he needed to go for help eventually. But if not for the train, he wouldn’t have been there. No one might have noticed they were ill until it was too late.”

  “I guess you have a solid point there, Mrs. Carter. Besides the Mitchells, I’m sure there are many in this town who would consider the arrival of the train of orphans to be a godsend. You are certainly a positive addition to the company of our town.”

  Despite the dim light, Wyatt could see that her color was heightened. It was most becoming. He almost held his breath as he took in her beauty. He tried to be nonchalant. She bashfully kept her silence.

  “What do you suppose you will do first when you get home?” he asked to change the subject.

  “I’ve thought of burning my clothes, but I used to be fond of this gown, so I will try not to do anything so drastic.”

  Wyatt couldn’t help but chuckle. “Why would you do something like that?”

  “I have never gone so long without changing my clothes,” she explained. “Almost three days, including sleeping in them,” she said with a shudder. “I may not burn them, but the first thing I intend to do is have a thorough bath.” She must have questioned the correctness of discussing this with him as she hurried to add, “And then I feel like I could sleep for a week. But probably being in my own room without keeping an ear open for anyone’s moans, I’ll be able to sleep like a rock and waken fresh as a daisy by morning.”

  “I certainly hope so.” Wyatt almost moaned himself over the fervour in his tone. He didn’t want her reading anything into his enthusiasm. He quickly tried to explain himself. “You were such a help — you deserve your rest.”

  “Thank you, doctor. I will take my sleep seriously, as doctor’s orders.”

  He was surprised and heartened by her teasing tone. She always seemed so serious. He was glad to see her being playful. But it made his pulse quicken, which was not at all acceptable. Wyatt questioned the sanity of offering to escort her home, not that sending her off on her own would have been acceptable. He sighed heavily.

  “That sigh sounded rather deeply genuine, doctor. Are you feeling all right?”

  Her solicitous tone only served to make his pulse quicken further and his palms began to sweat. Maybe he was catching the fever the Mitchells had, he thought in desperation.

  “I find I’m more tired than I had realized,” he excused.

  She made a sound of protest. “You ought not to be out here with me. I really could have managed on my own.”

  The doctor now offered an exaggeratedly heavy sigh. “I am well aware of just how capable you are, Mrs. Carter, but I can assure you, no gentleman of honor would allow you to traipse about the village on your own in the dark. While most members of our town are fine upstanding citizens, you can never be sure who might be passing through, besides the wild creatures you could encounter. Now quit your protests, and allow me to do my duty.”

  He could hear the disgruntled growl in his voice but wasn’t prepared for the loud laugh that emitted from his companion. “Very well, doctor, I will cease resisting your assistance and will admit to you that I am relieved not to be out here in the dark alone. I am still not accustomed to the sounds of nature at night, and I would probably be besi
de myself with terror by now if not for you and your lantern.”

  There was a quiet pause while Wyatt quelled his surprise at her words and waited to see what else she would say. His patience was rewarded. “But I still feel badly that you are out here with me when you could be tucked up getting some rest.”

  “Don’t pay it any mind, Mrs. Carter. A doctor’s duty is often discharged in the wee hours of the night. It seems most illnesses wait for the night time to pounce. And babies love to arrive in the middle of the night as well.”

  Another gurgle of laughter followed his words, and Wyatt had to grin.

  “So when do you ever sleep?” she questioned.

  “It’s a small town, Mrs. Carter, it certainly doesn’t happen every night. But I’ve learned to take my sleep when I can get it. I have slept in the sunshine in an open field more times than I can count. In fact, the time I was late arriving when you were with Mrs. Jenkins was after the arrival of the Channing twins. It was a difficult labor, and I hadn’t slept a wink, so on my way to Mrs. Jenkins’ I came across an inviting patch of grass and meant to only take a couple of minutes, but it ended up being a couple of hours.”

  “Oh dear. That explains why your cheeks were so pink when you arrived. I hadn’t really noticed at the time, since I was beside myself with worry over poor Althea, but I wondered about it later. Now I will cease holding a grudge for your absence.”

  He could hear the smile in her voice even though he avoided looking at her.

  “I appreciate your forgiveness.”

  She gurgled with laughter over his dry tone.

  “You can be remarkably entertaining, doctor. I would never have known.”

  “I think, perhaps, you might just be overcome with your exhaustion at this point. Everything seems to be setting you off into peals of laughter.” His comment met with more laughter from her.