“Susan, why don’t you show the twins where you sleep?” Alice suggested, looking toward the ladder. The girl moved forward without a word. She really was a quiet little thing. There was another door leading to what Bella suspected was the couple’s bedroom. A red check curtain partitioned off what she assumed was the cooking area with a back door leading to the outhouse. She wondered where the boy slept. Was it in the loft with his sister? There didn’t seem to be a huge space up there, but she didn’t want to appear rude by asking.
Chapter 29
Bella
“Bella, it is very pretty upstairs. It doesn’t look like anyone ever touched the white blankets, they are so clean,” Megan said excitedly when she came back downstairs. “There is a doll there too. We weren’t allowed to touch it, but I didn’t care. We have the dolls you made us.” Megan held her rag doll close.
Maybe Susan didn’t like to share which would explain why the twins couldn’t touch the doll. Bella tried to feel better listening to Megan’s descriptions, but her feelings of unease didn’t go away.
Mrs. Maitland suggested the children go out and play while the adults talked. Megan was reluctant to leave Bella’s side. Bella was caught between going outside with them and staying behind to listen to whatever decisions were made. She opted for the latter, telling Megan she would be out to check on her in a few minutes.
“The girl seems very attached to you, Miss Bella,” Jack said.
“Bella was a godsend on the trip down here. She works very well with the children,” Carl said. “The twins only recently left home, their father is still alive but not in a position to care for them.”
“Will they be allowed to write to their father?” Bella asked, thinking that would be a good way to keep an eye on the girls.
“At six years of age? I wouldn’t think they would be able, would they?” Alice asked.
Bella flushed. She had forgotten how young the twins were. “Well, maybe you could write the letter for them?”
“Alice could, but it might be easier for them to cut the ties now. You know when a calf leaves its mother. It is best done quick.” Jack looked at Carl as he spoke.
The children weren’t animals, but Bella knew what the man meant. And he was probably right.
“Will Rebecca be joining us?” she asked.
“No, she isn’t feeling well today. She sent the boy over to tell us to go ahead and she would see Joe later. I gather there is some paperwork we have to sign? We will agree to send the girls to school and to treat them like our own. I am just sorry we need to split them up,” Jack said.
“We understand times are difficult. We are grateful to find such loving homes. They are lovely girls,” Carl said, looking quite pleased.
Bella couldn’t bear any more. She mumbled an excuse about going to check on the children. When she left the house behind, she couldn’t shake the feeling there was something wrong. The Maitland’s seemed fine but there was just… she didn’t know what it was.
Megan and Eileen were playing catch, but Susan was just sitting watching them.
“Did you not feel like joining in?” Bella asked gently.
The girl flew to her feet. “I was playing, honest. I just wanted to sit for a minute.”
“That’s fine. It’s hot out today. The girls have been cooped up on a train and need some fresh air. Why don’t you sit back down and tell me a little about yourself?”
“Me? What do you want to know?” Susan asked suspiciously, her eyes darting to the house.
“How do you feel about getting a new sister?” Bella asked.
“Another pair of hands. Some company to keep them busy.” The girl spoke so quietly, Bella had to lean forward to hear her.
“You mean to keep you occupied?” Bella queried.
“Yeah, that’s what I meant. I can’t sit here talking to you, they won’t like it.” Susan stood and walked toward the barn. She looked behind as if to check that no one was following her. Bella was tempted to go with her, but at that moment Carl came out of the house accompanied by the other adults.
“Megan, Eileen, these lovely people have asked for you to live with them,” Carl said softly but firmly. “We shall be back to see you in about six months’ time.”
Bella couldn’t bear to look at the young girls, Eileen’s face crumpled as she burst into tears. Megan stared at Carl in shock.
“I don’t think that is wise, is it? They will have just settled in,” Jack Maitland said. “We don’t want to upset the children.”
Carl faced Jack.
“No, of course we don’t, but it has always been the rule of the society to check.”
“Really? I haven’t heard of anyone coming to Mud Butte unless they had a load of orphans with them,” Jack said.
“I’m afraid things didn’t always work like they should have, but from now on it will be different,” Carl said firmly. “It is to protect both the children and the people offering them homes. We hope the placements work out well, but sometimes it is necessary to remove the children. By checking up on each placement we hope to avoid any issues.”
Bella saw Joe and Jack exchange a quick glance, but Carl seemed to miss it. He had bent down to say goodbye to the twins. “So, girls, we will see you in October. Be good for the Maitlands.”
Megan ran from Carl to Bella, holding her dress.
“Bella, please don’t leave us,” Megan begged. “We don’t want to live in different houses.”
Bella couldn’t let the girls see how upset she was, that wouldn’t be fair. Thankfully, she was an expert at hiding her emotions.
“Megan, we knew the reason you were on the train was to find you new homes. We can’t find one for both of you, so this is the best alternative.”
She gave each of the twins a hug and told them they would be happy with their new parents. “This way you both get to see one another. You will be going to the same school, church, and everything.”
She gave them another quick hug and walked quickly to the wagon. Jack Maitland had offered to drive herself and Carl back to town. She would prefer to have walked back to town rather than sit near to Jack Maitland, but Carl thanked him kindly saying he wanted to get back to his wife. She assumed Joe would take Eileen to his house as Alice appeared to have taken a liking to Megan. She wished, with every beat of her heart, Kathleen was with her. She could have spoken to the other girl about her fears. Maybe Carl and Bridget would have listened to Bridget’s sister.
Chapter 30
Kathleen
Kathleen fidgeted in her seat. She couldn’t concentrate on her book and she was sick of looking at the scenery. One field looked pretty much like another from the train. A couple of days passed by, the train moving slowly as one issue after another seemed to plague it. There weren’t any more fires thank goodness, but a rail had been bent and they had run out of water. If she was superstitious she would think something was trying to prevent her from reaching Cedar Falls.
“Where are you going?” Miss Screed asked as Kathleen stood.
“To check on Patrick. I haven’t seen him yet today.”
The woman gave her a knowing look, “To throw yourself at the handsome doctor more like. I know what you Irish girls are like. But he won’t be interested in the likes of you. He needs a well brought up young lady. Used to the ways of his type.”
“I have no intention of throwing myself at anyone, Miss Screed. I assure you I was brought up properly. I wish to check on Patrick. That is all,” Kathleen replied coldly before sweeping out of the car. She gripped her hands so hard, her nails made marks in her flesh. She hated that woman with a passion. She was going to see Patrick, not the doctor. The poor boy would be lonely. Miss Screed was wrong. She had no interest in Doctor Richard. He was too old for her for a start as well as being rich and part of the upper class.
Was it her imagination or did his eyes widen with pleasure when he saw her at the door of the car.
“Come in, Miss Collins, we were just wondering when y
ou would visit us, weren’t we, Patrick?”
Patrick seemed rather sleepy.
“I had to give him some laudanum for the pain. He may sleep.”
“Poor Patrick. I hope you feel better. I best get back to the others,” she replied, turning back toward the door.
“Why don’t you sit down and have some tea. I am being selfish, I find train journeys so boring. It helps to pass the time.”
She took a seat, careful to keep her distance. He poured some tea and handed it to her with a selection of cookies.
“The nice ones are gone. Patrick likes the chocolate ones,” he apologized.
“This is lovely, thank you,” Kathleen replied.
“How did you find yourself on this train, Miss Collins?” Dr. Richard asked. “Forgive me for asking, but my curiosity is getting the better of me. You are not looking for a placement and you’re a little young to be an employee of the agency.”
She hesitated, wondering if he would think she was on a wild-goose chase.
“I am looking for my brothers. They were sent west on an orphan train last year and we haven’t heard from them since. A friend of the family, Father Nelson, works closely with the Children’s Aid Society and introduced me to Mr. Loring Brace. He agreed to let me come with this group of orphans. In return for my help with the children, he paid my fare.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” he said. “Why was your family separated?”
She hesitated which he mistook for her being insulted.
“I apologize. I shouldn’t have asked. It is none of my business,” he went on hastily.
“No, don’t be sorry. I don’t have anything to hide. I have three sisters and three brothers. Liam and Annie, the younger two, were adopted by a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Rees, who live in Wyoming. My sister, Bridget, who accompanied them to Wyoming, met and married the outplacement agent. My brothers, Shane and Michael, didn’t go on the same train as Bridget. We believe they went to Iowa.”
“And you? You didn’t want to head West?”
Kathleen shook her head, keeping her eyes down. She didn’t want to admit to having been afraid of moving outside of New York.
“I live and work at a women’s sanctuary in New York and have been saving for the cost of the ticket to try to find my brothers. When Father Nelson suggested I accompany Miss Screed as a helper, it meant I could come sooner than planned. But I plan on returning to New York.” Something stopped her from mentioning her plans to go to Riverside Springs.
Richard didn’t say anything for the next few seconds. Had she been too forthcoming about her family? Maybe he was wondering how to get away from her without being rude? She was about to stand and give the excuse he needed by telling him she should go check on the orphans.
“I am so sorry your family were separated,” he said before she could make her excuses. “What happened to your other sister?”
“My other sister?”
“You said you had three. But you only spoke about Bridget and Annie.”
Kathleen looked away from his face. Wishing she had never said anything about her family, she tried to find the best words to describe the situation.
“Maura, she’s the eldest. She decided to take a job elsewhere. We are estranged.” Kathleen didn’t like lying but she wasn’t about to tell the doctor her sister had stolen from Lily and run away. She stood quickly. “I best check on Josie and the others. They might be running rings around Miss Screed.”
Chapter 31
Bella
Bella didn’t hear a word of Jack and Carl’s conversation as they made their way back to Mud Butte. She couldn’t help wondering why Susan looked so uncomfortable in her own home. She was glad when they reached the hotel, hoping to talk to Bridget about her concerns. But her friend was still ill. She considered speaking to Carl, but he kept saying how nice the Maitlands were, so she didn’t think he would listen to her. She went to her room early, claiming tiredness, but didn’t sleep a wink all night. The next morning, she hoped Bridget would be up to talking but instead Carl had called the doctor. He was so worried about his wife, Bella couldn’t burden him with her concerns. Especially as they were simply her feelings. She had no evidence of any wrongdoing.
Two days after leaving the children, she made her way to the mercantile, hoping she might meet the owner’s wife. Given the amount of goods the Maitlands had, the owner was bound to know them. Even better, she might bump into the family out shopping.
But when she walked inside there was no sign of a female assistant. She couldn’t bring herself to ask the hard-faced man behind the counter any questions. He would probably assume she was gossiping as all men seemed to when a woman asked questions. She bought a cent’s worth of candy for Bridget and left quickly.
As she left, she almost walked into a lady who was coming in. The lady stopped and smiled in greeting. Bella returned the smile and was about to walk away when the woman spoke.
“Forgive me, you probably don’t remember me, but I was wondering if you found a home for the twin girls. My name is Gracie…”
“MacDonagh. You were there with your husband.” Bella’s heart beat faster. She had liked this couple and had hoped they would decide to take the twins. She wondered if she knew the Maitlands, but before she could ask, Sheriff Slater approached the store, nodding to them. Was it her imagination, or did Gracie MacDonagh stiffen beside her? She didn’t blame Gracie. The sheriff gave her the creeps. It wasn’t his whiskers or beard, although she wasn’t keen on facial hair. It was his eyes, they were utterly devoid of feeling. Cold and almost black, they sent shivers down her back and it wasn’t pleasant.
“Morning, ladies. Fine day, isn’t it?” He turned his gaze to Bella who immediately felt guilty, although she had done nothing wrong. “I thought you would be long gone by now. Seeing as you found homes for all those children.”
“Yes, sir, we did, but Mrs. Watson fell ill. She should be ready to continue our journey to Riverside Springs tomorrow.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” he said. “Please pass on my best wishes. I am sure you folks are keen to get on with your journey.”
Bella nodded. She wasn’t comfortable with lawmen, or anyone in authority if she was honest. The family who’d taken her in years before had been seen as pillars of their community. When she had run to the local sheriff for help, he had packed her back home with a clip around her ear, telling her she should be grateful a decent family had provided a vagrant like her with a good home.
“Is that the time? Giles will be wondering where I am. Good day, Sheriff.” Mrs. MacDonagh nodded in Bella’s direction and was gone before she could offer to walk with her. The Sheriff continued to stare at her.
“I best be getting back to the Watsons,” she mumbled before turning on her heel and heading toward the hotel. Thankful he didn’t follow her, she risked a glance back at the mercantile to find him still staring after her. She quickened her step and walked straight into Carl.
“Bella, good grief, are you all right? You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine,” Bella told him. “How is Bridget?”
“Better now, thank you. We will be able to leave tomorrow.”
“Good. I don’t like this town.”
Carl gave her a funny look but didn’t say anything. Bella made some excuse about packing and walked quickly to her room. Once the door closed, she let the tears come. Frustration and rage battled with sadness. Why did any child have to go and live with strangers? It just wasn’t right.
Chapter 32
Bella
The next morning, Bridget arrived down to breakfast looking very pale.
“Maybe you should rest more,” Bella suggested. “You don’t look well enough to travel.”
“I am fine, thank you,” Bridget said, offering her a smile. “How are you? Are you missing the children?”
Bella nodded.
“I think it was very brave of you to travel with us and help with the orphans. You grew very close to the twins and I understand i
t was difficult letting them go. I know with your experiences, it must have brought back some horrible memories. I hope you don’t let your past prevent you from having a good future.”
Bella didn’t say anything. She couldn’t burden Bridget with her worries, and maybe Bridget was right. She was letting her past overshadow everything.
“Tomorrow, we’ll travel by train to Green River where we’ll catch a stage coach to Riverside Springs.”
“I bet you’re excited about seeing Liam and Annie again,” Bella said, more for something to say. She knew Bridget would worry if she didn’t talk.
“Yes, I am. But I am a little nervous too. I don’t want to upset them at their new home.”
“I am sure they will be delighted to see you, Bridget.”
They arrived in Riverside Springs to the sounds of screams of excitement as two young children nearly knocked them over in their haste to greet them.
“Sorry, Bridget, but they have been waiting for days for you to arrive.”
Bella stood back to let the family reunite. Both Liam and Annie had blossomed in the year since leaving New York. They were not only taller and healthier-looking, but their happiness was evident. She closed her eyes, hoping the same would prove true for all the other children on the train.
“Geoff and Carolyn, this is Bella Jones,” Bridget said, gesturing toward her.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Jones,” Carolyn said, shaking her hand. “I hope you find Riverside Springs to your liking. Bridget wrote to tell us you were a talented seamstress. I look forward to buying a new dress.”
“One dress? Now that is something I have to see,” Geoff Rees commented, she could see he was teasing by the loving look he sent his wife. “Nice to meet you, Miss Jones.” He tipped his hat to her.
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