Orphan Train Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 4

by Wendy May Andrews

  With a deep breath that seemed to go all the way to her toes and an effort that appeared truly valiant, she brought her gaze to meet his and finally answered his question.

  “I actually quite like it, Mr. Miller. Anyone I’ve met has been remarkably kind. Katie, I mean Mrs. Carter, and I cannot get over how clean everything is. We had rather expected it to be dry and dusty, but it’s not. It’s much more green than I thought it would be. And the air and water are so clean. We remark on it nearly every day.”

  Cole watched in fascination as she became more and more animated as she talked, as though she were able to forget whatever caused her fears as she warmed to her subject.

  “Did you not have clean air and water where you come from?” He knew she was from New York but didn’t think that great city was so very dirty.

  “Have you ever been to New York, Mr. Miller?”

  “I’m originally from Boston, myself. I had visited, of course, in the course of business, but I haven’t spent much time there. None at all in the past seven years, of course. Since we moved out here, I have had absolutely no desire to return East.”

  “I can fully understand such a sentiment.” She nodded and smiled, seemingly a completely different person than the one who had arrived on his doorstep half an hour ago. Cole wanted to extend their time together.

  “You aren’t feeling homesick?” He couldn’t help the surprise from sounding in his voice.

  Her cheeks turned pink and Cole held his breath, hoping she didn’t turn into the nervous wraith she had been earlier. Her shoulders lifted in a small shrug.

  “There isn’t much home to be sick for, I’m afraid. New York doesn’t hold anything for me anymore. Everything here is so lovely. I can see this being my home forever.”

  Cole hesitated to ask, certain it would put her walls back up, but he couldn’t just leave it.

  “Are you one of the orphans, too?”

  She offered him a half-hearted smile. “In a manner of speaking, I guess I am.”

  It was obvious to Cole that there was a world of information left unsaid, but he couldn’t pry any deeper. It was unusual for him to be so intrigued by a woman. Especially one he had just met. No doubt it was the lack of single women in town that was causing this unprecedented reaction. He really ought to excuse himself from the situation. He had no wish to make the poor woman uncomfortable. But watching the little girls playing together, he could see that Annie was still keeping part of her attention on the two adults, so he needed to keep Miss Jones there a little longer to ensure the child was properly settled.

  “I never did get your answer about why you are so taken with the cleanliness out here in Missouri.”

  The woman’s lips quirked into a crooked smile, as though she were contemplating an amusing answer. “Well, as I mentioned, I was actually prepared for Missouri to be dry and dusty, so I was expecting dirt and am therefore quite pleasantly surprised. But, unfortunately, while there are beautiful, clean parts of New York, I did not grow up in those neighborhoods. Where I lived was rather cramped and a little filthy, so I am quite enjoying the space here. And some of the illnesses in my neighborhood were thought to be caused by the water, so I always boiled any water I drank. It is a lovely experience to be able to drink cool water straight from the well in our backyard. It is one that Mrs. Carter and I appreciate every morning. I think it will take me quite a while to get to the point of taking that for granted.”

  Cole watched in fascination as she seemed to grow flustered. He rather thought it was from sharing such personal thoughts. His supposition was confirmed when she tried to turn the subject.

  “But never mind about me. I’m a boring old tale. Please, Mr. Miller, tell me what brought you and your family to Bucklin.”

  Turning his gaze back to his daughter and away from his visitor’s pretty features, Cole allowed his mind to drift back to the past.

  “Despite growing up in a well-to-do family in the heart of Boston, I always craved making my own way in the world, as well as wider spaces than the city allowed for. I didn’t want to follow in my older brother’s footsteps into our father’s business. I knew I’d always play second fiddle to Jonathan if I stayed.”

  The way she was nodding made him feel as though she could understand his sentiments. Warmth spread in his chest. He continued his tale.

  “I was young and headstrong. I convinced our neighbor’s daughter to join me in my westward adventures. I don’t think she truly thought we’d stay here. She never fully understood my need to be free of my brother’s shadow. I’m pretty sure Sheila expected us to have our little adventure here for at most a year or two. She thought I’d get tired of working so hard physically and would want to return to the city. But I had been completely honest with her before we married. I have no interest in being my brother’s underling.”

  “Of course not, who would?” Her understanding made his throat feel tight. Why couldn’t Sheila have ever understood? He shoved the unwelcome thought away.

  “Anyway, I won’t bore you with all the details. As it turned out, Sheila eventually tired of life here and her inability to convince me to return East.”

  Miss Jones’s jaw dropped in suitably appropriate shock. “She left you?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” He echoed her earlier words. “She claimed she was just taking Mary home to meet her grandparents, but I suspected she wouldn’t be returning. I didn’t have the heart to deny her. I planned to follow her after a few weeks and bring her back. I expected she wouldn’t enjoy the city as much as she had thought she would after having lived out here for a few years. But she caught a dreadful disease that had swept through the city and died within three weeks of her arrival. For all she thought life was safer in Boston, being closer to doctors, she would still be alive if she had stayed here.”

  The sympathy swimming in his guest’s eyes nearly undid him. He cleared his throat and tried to muster a small smile. “Well, you are a remarkably good listener, I must say, Miss Jones. I almost never share this story with anyone, most certainly not with anyone I’ve just met.”

  “Well, I am honored that you shared your history with me.” She glanced toward the children before fixing her bright gaze back on his. “But I must ask that you not share it with Annie. She is very sensitive to any talk of illness, which is why she is now with you, after all, since Mrs. Carter is helping the doctor with the Mitchells. Dr. Jeffries has not decided what exactly has befallen the Mitchells, but we fear it could be the influenza that swept New York.”

  “Of course. I do hope Mrs. Carter and the Mitchells will be all right.”

  His guest cast her worried gaze toward the children once more. “As do I. Can you imagine if the poor girl was to be orphaned again? It isn’t to be considered. Katie is convinced she’s immune to whatever has infected the Mitchells and she will return home before long, and I have chosen to believe her.” She rose to her feet. “Mrs. Carter and I both appreciate your kindness in helping us out by keeping Annie distracted.”

  “Not at all. I didn’t even know about your situation when we asked if Annie could stay over. Mary is thrilled to have a new friend. I’m just glad that it’s turning out to be mutually beneficial.”

  The pretty woman’s nerves seemed to be returning in force. She nodded with a tight smile on her face but didn’t say anything more. She didn’t even say goodbye to the little girl, just turned on her heel and left the house with half a wave as she hurried on her way. Cole watched her retreat wondering if it had been something he said.

  Thinking back over their conversation, Cole couldn’t imagine what would have made her take her leave so suddenly. While she had seemed nervous at first, he had thought she had warmed up to him as they shared a cup of coffee. Perhaps it was the discussion of his wife’s death. No one likes to think about such a thing. Maybe she thought it was his fault. He couldn’t blame her for that. He beat himself up over it all the time. If he had insisted she stay with him, she would still be alive. But how wa
s I supposed to do that? She had been slowly turning into a misery, and he didn’t want that infecting his little Mary. He had thought a trip back to Boston would have helped her see the advantages of their life in Missouri. There hadn’t been time for that. She was dead before he had even boarded the train to come after them. At least he had gotten to Boston in time for her funeral. And blessedly, no one blamed him for her death, other than him. And Leandra had been willing to accompany him back to Bucklin to help with Mary.

  His eyes strayed to his daughter as she played with her new little friend. His heart swelled as he watched her. Cole had never anticipated the love he was capable of. He had never loved anyone the way he loved his daughter. Certainly, no members of his family. Not even his wife, he hated to admit to himself. They had rubbed along well enough together at first, but her grumbling about their life in Missouri had chipped away at their friendship. Why couldn’t she have looked to the future instead of dwelling on the past? He thought again of Miss Jones. She was clearly haunted by something but was trying to make the most of it. He really appreciated her positive attitude toward Missouri. No doubt, she would be married quickly in this town where single men abounded. He found he didn’t quite like that idea.

  Chapter Three

  M elanie tried to slow her steps but couldn’t quite manage a sedate pace as she hurried back to the safety and comfort of the small white house she and Katie called home. She was torn between pride and despair over her encounter with Mr. Miller. It was the longest conversation she had shared with anyone other than Katie in months. And she had actually enjoyed it, for the most part. But then her fears had returned, and she had felt the need to flee his presence as though the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels. No doubt the man would think her an imbecile. Or just one more foolish female. Surely the poor man had had his fill of them. He would probably like Katie, she thought with a stab of irrational jealousy.

  She tried to shake the negative thoughts from her mind by literally shaking her head and turning her attention outward. Castigating herself for her feelings had never helped in the past, so she wasn’t going to continue. Look at the vast, blue sky, she reminded herself. Breathe in that clean, fresh air. Feast your eyes on the vibrant green and yellow of the fields out behind the main street of the new little town. Ignore the dull gray of the little houses that line that main street. What does it matter if no one has planted any roses? Why don’t you do it? Write to Mrs. Parker at the orphanage in New York and ask that she send you some cuttings with the next shipment of orphans.

  Her breathing and her footsteps slowed to a normal rhythm as she calmed her thoughts and neared her home. She dearly loved the little house she and Katie were renting. And she was so proud of the little business they were running. Thus calmed, she turned her thoughts to the sewing she would work on that afternoon. With Annie suitably settled and Katie otherwise occupied, Melanie thought she should be able to get quite a bit done as the hours stretched ahead of her with no one to demand anything of her. It was a heady feeling to be mistress of her own life.

  For fifteen years she had felt the heavy burden of responsibility. She had been only ten years old when her mother had died within days of birthing Henry. Their father hadn’t known what to do with the baby and his three-year-old daughter, so he had let his ten-year-old daughter take it all on. She had essentially become a mother at the age of ten. Now she was twenty-five. Her father had recently died and left everything to Henry. He was going through a rather obnoxious phase and no longer needed her. Sweet little Claudia was married and also no longer needed her. Melanie was relieved that Claudia had married a pleasant young man from a big, loving family. Claudia would be well taken care of if she needed anything. So, Melanie was free to get on with her new life. If only she could get over her issues from her old life, things would be perfect.

  She stepped through her door with a sigh of relief then leaned against the door while surveying the tidy kitchen of their small home. She and Katie had done very well for themselves when they’d arranged for its rental. It was hard for her to fathom that someone had willingly moved out of the pretty little house. To Melanie’s mind, there was nowhere better than the four walls holding up the sturdy roof. She loved living in a house. Never again would she willingly live in a tenement. While there were certain conveniences in living so crowded up with others, they were far outweighed by the drawbacks, in her opinion. If she never smelled another home’s cooking, it would be too soon, she thought fiercely as she took an appreciative, deep inhale of the fresh scent lingering in the air. She had left the windows open when she left with Annie, and there were no lingering odors from the breakfast she had cooked that morning. It was wonderful. She couldn’t remove the grin from her face. No one was about so she didn’t even try.

  Thinking back to the home she had grown up in, Melanie couldn’t quite suppress the shudder that shivered down her spine. The tight quarters in the tenement building had seemed luxurious when they had first moved in. The landlord had made an effort to make the building attractive. But now, being out here in all the space that Missouri had to offer, Melanie couldn’t bear to think of the three rooms that had made up the apartment she had shared with her younger siblings and their father. And they had been lucky. With only four of them, and none of them trying to run a business from home, they weren’t nearly as crowded as some of their neighbors. Many of the other apartments housed five, six, even seven people in the same space that they were cramped with four. And then some of the ladies in the building were taking in sewing so they needed to keep one of the rooms presentable for any customers who might come around.

  That was, of course, how Melanie had learned to sew. Mrs. Becker had been kind enough to teach her and then give her a job. She had been so proud of herself for helping her father support the family. Little did she know how little value he had placed upon her efforts. Melanie shoved the unwelcome thought hastily away. It wouldn’t help her efforts at calmness if she thought about her childhood, even if thinking of Mrs. Becker was a highlight in her life.

  Melanie took a few more deep breaths of the fresh, sweet-smelling air that flowed through her open windows and then set to the tasks before her. She began to hum a song that Mrs. Becker had always sung while they worked together. It kept the smile she had forced onto her lips in place. Within minutes it was no longer fake — she was happy doing her work.

  Hours flew by and before she knew it, Melanie found herself in a darkened room with a finished garment. She grinned with satisfaction. There was nothing quite like the deep satisfaction she felt every time she remembered how far she’d come. She looked around in the gloom but felt not an ounce of fear. Everything here was hers, or hers and Katie’s. There was no one to tell her what to do; no one would be able to take this away from her. She knew her smile was stretching her face, but she didn’t care. There was no one about to try to tell her how she ought to be feeling and no one to censure her for looking silly as she grinned at nothing in particular.

  Bustling about, Melanie put the sewing materials away after lighting the lamp. It wouldn’t do to keep stitching. She had gotten to the point in the garment that finer work was needed. She would wait until the sun would illuminate her handiwork.

  Bright and early the next morning Melanie was up and back at work, but the back of her mind niggled. She loved having the house to herself and all her newfound independence. But she had come to care about Katie, and she was worried about her being cooped up in the sick house under quarantine.

  Guilt was uppermost on her mind, if Melanie was being truly honest. It was only because of her own insecurities that Katie was the one who had to visit their patrons. If Katie hadn’t called to see Mrs. Mitchell to get her measurements, she wouldn’t be stuck there trying to help them get well. Of course, if Katie hadn’t been there, the Mitchells might be dead already. But it wasn’t really fair that all the visits fell to Katie to make. In all actuality, it should have been at least a fifty percent chance of Melanie bein
g stuck there with them. She shuddered at the thought. Katie was far more equipped for such a hideous situation, in Melanie’s opinion.

  Of course, the poor dear can’t be enjoying being stuck with the good doctor, Melanie thought with a sly grin. I think she protests about him a little too much. Of course, given her background, Melanie couldn’t blame the young woman overmuch. But anyone with eyes could see that the two were attracted to each other. I wonder how many sparks are flying in that house? Melanie hadn’t seen the inside of the Mitchells’ house, but from the outside it looked like it would be close quarters. Katie had looked exhausted when Melanie had seen her the day before. She really did wish there was something she could do to help the situation other than bring food. But Katie had been right when she said there was no use in them all being exposed.

  With a sigh, Melanie set to baking. At least she could bring Katie and the Mitchells a meal. The patients might not be up to eating much, but the caregivers had to keep their strength up. And then I’ll finish that frock I was working on, Melanie thought. At the very least, I can make sure we meet our business obligations while Katie is stuck with the doctor. With another, softer sigh Melanie thought of Annie and Mr. Miller. Melanie would have to make sure the little girl was kept occupied.

  She determined to call round to Katie with the food and decide whether or not Annie needed to stay away a little longer. Mary’s father seemed like a kind enough gentleman. If need be, he would probably keep the youngster another night.

  Some time later, Melanie was surprised to feel a spring in her step as she walked away from the Mitchells’ home. It made no sense for her to be feeling sprightly. She was worried about Katie and dreading speaking to the handsome Mr. Miller. Wasn’t she? Of course, she was, Melanie reminded herself. She was just hurrying out of concern for Annie. She managed not to even roll her eyes at her own foolishness.