Orphan Train Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 4

by Wendy May Andrews

  She forced her mind to the tasks ahead of her. She still had several hours of good light, so she should be able to get ahead in their work. If Katie wasn’t home soon, Melanie would be fully caught up, and her partner would have to go visiting right away to make the deliveries and take the measurements for more orders.

  A stirring of guilt marred her thoughts as she settled in to her labors. Maybe it wasn’t fair to Katie that she was the one who had to face all the customers. But if I’m pulling my full share of the sewing, or even more than my share, then surely it balances out, doesn’t it? Katie had certainly never complained. She even said she enjoys the visits. Except for that time a couple days ago when she visited Mrs. Jenkins and the poor old woman fainted on Katie. That wasn’t comfortable for either of them.

  Thinking of that mishap caused Melanie to begin speculating about Katie and the doctor. They sure had ended up in one another’s company many times recently. I think Katie protests a trifle too much when I tease her about Doctor Jeffries. Perhaps I shouldn’t be doing that though, Melanie mused. It’s not as though I’m anxious to be rid of her. If she marries, that would leave me in an awkward position. I might have to face the customers for myself. Melanie’s stomach clenched, and it felt as though her heart skipped a beat or two. More thoughts that cannot be borne, she thought with frustration. I really ought to figure out how to deal with people once more. But not today, she argued with herself as she caught sight of her small house. She had dealt sufficiently with enough people for one day. With how handsome Mr. Miller is, surely that encounter must count for more than one person. And now you’re keeping score? She mocked herself silently.

  Shoving all the disquieting thoughts to the side, Melanie set to work. She was soon caught up in her project and relaxed into her tasks. The time flew by and before she knew it, it was too dark to see. As she put everything away and fastened her windows tight, the thought skittered through her mind that she didn’t love being completely alone at night. You really ought to try to dissuade Katie from a potential match with the doctor, she reasoned before rejecting the disloyal thought. No matter how afraid she had become of people, she couldn’t begrudge potential happiness for her friend. Either Katie would remain her business partner or Melanie would have to figure something out. She had been managing to figure things out for years, she could keep right on doing so, she assured herself. With a firm twist she pushed the bolt into place to lock the door. It didn’t seem likely that people barred their doors in these parts, but it would keep Melanie’s mind more at ease, so it would be foolhardy not to do it.

  ~~~

  Cole had watched the pretty woman walk away with very mixed feelings. He was a little shocked that she had left without a backward glance. He had thought they were having an enjoyable time together that morning working with the horse and then visiting with Leandra. But the woman was easy to spook. Worse than the horses, he thought irritably. She might be good looking, but he didn’t need any further complications in his life, he reminded himself. Sheila was complicated, and look where that got him.

  Glancing down at the puppy he still held in his arms, he smiled. The silly woman had seemed terrified of the small animal. Or perhaps not truly terrified of the pup, maybe she was terrified of having feelings for it. He could relate to that after the conversation they’d had that morning about Baby Foal.

  He really ought to pick a name for the poor little thing. What had she said for potential names? he asked himself. She had some really intelligent suggestions. Who would have thought that the pretty face hid such a brilliant mind? He had enjoyed hearing her mention some Latin words. It had been so long since he had felt intellectually stimulated. Perhaps that would explain his unprecedented reaction to Miss Jones. He just wasn’t used to talking to pretty women, or well-read people.

  Feeling satisfied that he had reached the proper conclusion, he set those thoughts aside and turned his attention back to his daughter and her little friend. Miss Jones’ gratitude for his keeping Annie had made him terribly uncomfortable. He should have been the one to be thanking her. Or rather Annie’s mother, Mrs. Carter, he thought. With all the ranting Leandra had been doing lately, he was glad to be able to send Mary outside with a friend to play. The less she had to hear of her aunt’s vitriol, the better. Cole sincerely hoped the visit with Miss Jones had done his sister enough good that she would lay off her angry ramblings for a while.

  As he walked into the house, his hopes were dashed.

  “This god forsaken place.” She was clearly deep into a rant and hadn’t required an audience to get started. Cole was both disappointed and relieved over the development. If she didn’t need an audience, and the visit with Miss Jones this morning hadn’t set her onto a saner path, it was obvious the poor dear must be actually ill, rather than just distempered. It helped him have greater sympathy for her, but also made him realize it was time to send her away. He couldn’t have her around Mary in such a state.

  After checking to make sure Leandra wasn’t in danger of harming herself, he set off for the train station, composing the telegram in his head as he marched to the office. His heart ached over the thought of sending his sister away and reducing his family to the count of two. He hoped Mary would be all right without another female in the house. But being with just him was better than living with someone not of sound mind, he assured himself.

  With a nod and a small coin, his message was sent. Someone from Boston would be on their way to collect her shortly. He was glad he had written to his family earlier to tell them this was a possibility. Cole would just have to keep his sister calm and safe for two more weeks at the most. Now to decide if it was best to tell her or not. While she had been raving about her hatred of Missouri for ages, she had always been free to leave. There was obviously something still holding her here. Cole worried that she might go a little madder if he told her she was to leave. He would have to broach the subject gently. Or maybe he could enlist help.

  The rest of the day passed in a blur as he split his time between tending to his chores and checking on the girls. After the evening meal, Leandra had taken herself to her room so he didn’t think he had to concern himself with her for the time being. It was a joy for him to see the wide grin splitting his daughter’s face as she tumbled into bed with her little visitor. The two girls were asleep before their heads had even hit the pillow, it seemed. Cole could feel that his smile was a little melancholy as he gazed at the two little sleeping forms. His heart ached for both of them not having their mothers. But it didn’t seem to weigh on either of their minds today as they had played at full speed all day and were now sleeping the sleep of the innocent.

  Cole didn’t begrudge them their innocent sleep, but he did envy them for it. He knew, despite the bone deep fatigue he was feeling, he wouldn’t be able to reach the land of nod quite so easily. There were too many thoughts swirling through his mind. One of them was an idea his sister-in-law had planted there in her last letter. She had offered to help arrange a wife for him. The idea held merit. He truly did want a mother for Mary. But bringing yet another woman out here? Just the thought of it made his stomach ache. So far he had tried it twice, and neither time had worked out so well. Sheila, despite making the choice to marry him and knowing it would entail moving to Missouri, had struggled with settling in the West. And Leandra had hated Bucklin from the moment she had stepped foot off the train. At first, her devotion to Mary had helped her overcome her feelings about the western town, but her negative feelings had steadily increased despite her love for her family. Since Mary had started school, Leandra’s decline had picked up speed. There was no way he could risk sending for another woman from the East. But there were so few single women available.

  Punching his pillow into a more comfortable shape, Cole tried to arrange himself in the best position for sleep, but it continued to elude him.

  He had heard there were other women who had arrived on the train. Other than Miss Jones, that was. While she was beautiful and
intelligent, her anxious state didn’t appeal to him. He had enough from his sister; he couldn’t risk it in a wife. Marriage was forever, after all. Or until death. And he didn’t wish to be widowed a second time. But Miss Jones’ business partner was a widow, from what he understood. She might be worth making the acquaintance of. And since she had adopted Annie, she was obviously not averse to children, even other people’s children, which boded well for his little Mary. Besides the fact that Mary and Annie were already close friends. It could almost be deemed meant to be. Of course, if there had already been one train load of children brought out from New York, there was a chance there would be more. And if this batch was escorted by single women, then maybe more would be on their way.

  Rolling over again, Cole turned his mind to another idea. Maybe he ought to forget the idea of a mother for Mary. While Miss Jones seemed anxious and fidgety, she had been kind to the little girls. Maybe Cole could prevail upon her to take an interest in his daughter. All she really needed was a little bit of attention from an adult female, especially in a few years when she gets into the awkward phases of which he knew nothing. Maybe he should just ask about adopting some older boys to help him with the land. He didn’t want Mary to be an only child, and he wanted someone to be able to leave his land to when the time came. He didn’t want Mary to feel obliged to stay here, but a son would probably take to the work just like he had, he reasoned to himself.

  Thus settled with a bit of a plan formed in his mind, Cole was finally able to drift into sleep. If it wasn’t as restful as he had hoped, he didn’t let it trouble him overmuch. He hopped out of bed at his usual time as soon as the cock began to crow at first light.

  ~~~

  Melanie was fidgeting. It was a telltale sign of her nerves, and she hated doing it, but it helped dispel the nervous energy. And there was no one around to take notice anyway. She had stopped by the Mitchells’ house where Katie was stuck helping the doctor care for the deathly ill couple. Well, not so deathly ill after all, Melanie amended. Katie was fairly certain she would be able to return home that evening, and she hoped that Annie would be home when she got there. Melanie sighed. That meant she needed to be the one to go collect Annie. And explain to the child why her new mother wasn’t at home waiting for her. Her stomach cramped just thinking about it. She started kneading a batch of bread in an attempt to dispel the anxiety.

  Within a few hours, she had baked two dozen cookies, three loaves of bread, a pie, and was elbows deep in the preparations for a stew. Besides, all the sewing projects were completed. She had pretty much been in a frenzy. It was ridiculous. All because she didn’t want to face the handsome rancher again, which was also ridiculous. Altogether, she, Melanie Jones, was ridiculous. If her dear mama were alive to see her now, she would surely be disappointed in her. Then again, if her dear mama were alive, she probably wouldn’t have turned into a madwoman, she thought with a twist of her lips. Ah well, it must be borne. At least she had baked goods that she could take as a distraction for her sure-to-be-crazy behavior.

  Katie would be pleased with how much of their work Melanie had managed to complete on her own. Maybe that would keep her from noticing that she had also depleted their flour supply, Melanie thought with a jolt of guilt. Good thing it wasn’t overly expensive despite their isolated location. And with all the work she had done, surely they could afford some extra flour. Melanie began to fear that her circular thoughts really were a sign that she was losing her mind. She really ought to make a greater effort to not be so isolated. Perhaps she should have investigated whether the town offered religious services, since this was Sunday. But in the state of mind she had found herself after Katie asked her to collect Annie, it was doubtful she would have been welcomed in any congregation.

  Melanie snorted at her own dark thoughts. Now you really are being ridiculous, Miss Melanie, she thought with a grin. You might be a little off kilter, but surely no one could argue that anything you have said or done is completely beyond the pale. Now pull yourself together, go comb your hair, and head out to collect your friend’s daughter. It shouldn’t be so very challenging.

  Thus admonished, even if it was only by her own self, she set about righting her appearance and went on the prescribed errand. She dragged her feet a little as she neared the property, for which she again took herself to task. It really wouldn’t do to be out after dark with Annie in tow. And it would be a long walk for the little girl, so she really ought to hurry. She brightened when she realized that could also be her excuse why she couldn’t linger over collecting the youngster.

  She had never walked so far during her days living in the city, but she was glad to observe that she was growing stronger each day. The long walk didn’t even tire her anymore. And when she wasn’t lagging with reluctance, her speeds were improving as well. While she had been thinking she and Katie should get a horse and wagon, she was glad to see that it wouldn’t be a necessity, at least not for getting around the town. Of course, to visit anyone further afield, it would certainly come in handy. She certainly wouldn’t want Katie to have to go much further afield than Mr. Miller’s spread to visit any customers or to take Annie to play with friends.

  Melanie could see the girls notice her from a distance. She had to bite her lip to hide her amusement as the two were clearly torn in their reactions to seeing her. The children were clearly pleased to see a familiar friendly face but also realized that Miss Jones’ arrival spelled the end of their playtime together. Annie, still getting comfortable with her position within her household, didn’t voice her disappointment, but her friend did enough complaining for the both of them.

  “It’s not even dark yet, Miss Jones, can’t you stay a wee bit longer? Annie and I have been having too much fun for it to end yet.”

  “Mary, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it would be best for us to get home before it gets dark. And surely you have things you’ll need to get done in preparation for school tomorrow.”

  The little girl hung her head and scuffed her feet in disappointment. Melanie hated to sadden the children, so she quickly added, “I’m really happy to hear you had such a good time together. We’ll be sure to arrange for you to play together again soon. Maybe you can even come to stay over at our house some time soon.”

  “Really, Miss Jones? That would be grand.” The little girls’ exuberance made all three of them giggle. A fourth, deeper laugh joined in, startling Melanie.

  “Good evening, Miss Jones. I see you’ve come to collect your charge. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea before you leave?”

  Melanie made a show of glancing at the position of the sun before shaking her head. “Thank you for the offer, but I wouldn’t want to get caught out in the dark, and I don’t want Annie to have to run all the way home.”

  “We could hitch up the wagon and take you home,” Mr. Miller offered.

  Melanie was surprised at the chivalrous offer. “Surely that would be too much of an imposition.”

  “Not at all,” he assured her, much to her consternation.

  Feeling the hot color splashing up her cheeks, Melanie tried again to decline. “I wouldn’t want you to have to put the horses to work on our behalf, and the walk will burn off the last of our energies so we’ll sleep like logs tonight, right Annie?”

  “I’ve never ridden in a wagon before,” Annie answered, having no idea that Melanie was trying desperately to get away from the Millers.

  Realizing it would be churlish to refuse further, Melanie accepted with as much good grace as she could manage. “Thank you for your continued kindness.”

  She was grateful that the task of hitching two horses to a wagon didn’t take nearly as long as she would have expected. Before too many awkward minutes had passed, she was being handed up onto the seat, and the girls were clambering in behind. It was only when he was passing her Annie’s small bag of belongings that Melanie realized she still held the parcel of cookies and bread she had brought for the Millers. Again her cheeks heated.


  “How silly of me,” she stammered. “I did some baking this afternoon and brought some for you.”

  Mr. Miller took an appreciative sniff. “I was hoping you were going to say that,” he said with a grin, which only added to her discomfort as she realized he must have been able to smell the freshly baked items. His chuckle at her embarrassment inexplicably settled some of her nerves, and she joined him in laughing. He took the small sack from her hands but placed it under his seat instead of putting it in the house before they left. “I don’t want it to disappear before we get back,” he explained with a wink that only made Melanie giggle a little more.

  His humor had managed to set her at ease. The fact that they were sitting side by side instead of having to face one another also helped her discomfort. And the children’s constant chatter filled the silence between them. The ruts in the road, though, caused their legs to bump together at times, and Melanie worried whether she ought to try to move away. She was grateful when he finally spoke, easing her sense of disquiet.

  “Is everything well with Mrs. Carter?” he asked, keeping his voice quiet so Annie wouldn’t hear.

  “She expects to be home tonight or tomorrow at the latest. Since she dearly wishes to see Annie, she asked that she be brought home. It seems the worst of the illness has passed, and she won’t be required any longer. And since Annie didn’t succumb to the illness before, the doctor expects she won’t this time either.”

  “It’s a risk, though, bringing her home, isn’t it?”

  Melanie shrugged, biting her lip. “I sure hope not.”