Orphan Train Trials

by Rachel Wesson

  Bella soon had more than enough work to keep her busy. Every day flew by, and in the evenings, she either sat with Mrs. Grayson and chatted or she went walking with Brian. He explained that he couldn’t get to town every day due to his commitments on his farm, but he always made time for her when he could.

  Mrs. Grayson couldn’t do enough for Bella and for that she was very grateful. She wrote to Lily to tell her of her good fortune and also enclosed a letter for Kathleen telling her how well their new business venture was turning out. She had run through some plans for when Kathleen came to join her. There wasn’t enough income yet to support the two of them, which worried her a little. When Mrs. Grayson saw her frowning, she told her off. “Bella, you got to trust things will work out for the best. They usually do.”

  Bella wasn’t about to argue. But in her experience, good things didn’t last. So, despite her happiness, she couldn’t get rid of the feeling that all was not well.

  “Bella are you in there?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Grayson. Just a minute,” Bella answered as she finished the seam she was sewing. She hated stopping in the middle.

  “I know you hate being interrupted, but you got a letter. I thought you might want to read it. It’s from Mud Butte.”

  Mrs. Grayson held out the letter, her concern for Bella obvious. Bella’s nightmares had returned with a vengeance and she had woken the older woman with her screams more than once. Mrs. Grayson had told her a problem shared was a problem halved but she hadn’t been able to put her fear into words.

  Hands shaking, Bella ripped open the letter. She quickly scanned the contents before sitting down. Brian came in just at that moment. “Morning, ladies. I had to come to town for some seed,” his voice faltered, “Bella, what’s wrong? You look like you saw a ghost.”

  She looked up at Brian, her hands trembling as she held the letter closer. Her heart was beating so fast, she tried to take a breath, but it wouldn’t come.

  “Bella, sit down. Take a sip of this,” Brian said, handing her a glass of water. “Now, tell me.”

  “I think the girls are in trouble,” she said, knowing she was talking too fast but trying to get the words out of her head. “The orphans, Megan and Eileen, from the train. I just knew there was something horrible with that town. The sheriff and those Maitlands.”

  “Bella, slow down, you aren’t making any sense,” Brian said.

  Bella explained about the twins and how she felt about their placement. She told Brian about the way the sheriff had behaved too.

  “This lady, she was the one who wanted to adopt them. She says she’s concerned, but she doesn’t want to stir up trouble as her husband and the sheriff have had words before. She says she wrote to me as she saw how close I was to the twins. I told her I would be staying in Riverside Springs. I gave her the address of the mercantile. I just had a feeling I should even though I knew it would be Carl or the Outplacement Society people should contact. I don’t know what to do. I wish Bridget hadn’t gone back to New York already.”

  “Oh my,” Mrs. Grayson said, taking a seat.

  “Can I see the letter?” Brian asked.

  She handed it over and watched as his expression grew grim while he read the note.

  “It’s short but to the point,” he said when he’d finished. “I think we should go speak to Reverend Franklin. He may know people in this Mud Butte place.”

  “That’s a good idea. I will look after everything here. Go with Brian, Bella.” Mrs. Grayson gave her a quick hug.

  Bella took her shawl from the hook by the door and walked out with Brian, her stomach roiling with fear.

  Chapter 42

  Bella

  “Brian, I’m scared.”

  “Don’t be, Bella. You have us now.” His eyes glowed as he looked at her. “You should know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Thank you,” she mumbled.

  “We can figure something out. Maybe some of our neighbors know this town. Come on, let’s find Reverend Franklin.”

  Bella looked away. They were outside the store now, but the street was quiet.

  “Bella, what is it? There is something you are not telling me isn’t there?”

  “I can’t,” she said.

  “Yes, you can.”

  “No, I can’t. You might think different about me. The people in Riverside Springs won’t want my kind living here.”

  “What are you talking about? Your kind? You are a lovely young woman and the whole town thinks that. How could you possibly think any different?” he said.

  “I was an orphan, on the trains.”

  “We know, Bridget told us.”

  “Yes, but what she didn’t tell you was that I was abused. By the family that took me in. They beat me and punished me all the time. But when…” Bella’s voice faltered as she covered her face with her hands.

  “What, Bella?”

  “When I turned twelve, the master of the house, he started paying me more attention. I didn’t like it. I told him it hurt. He, he…” she couldn’t say it. It was too horrible.

  Brian paled then turned red, his fists clenched as anger radiated out of him. For a split-second Bella thought he was angry with her, but his words reassured her.

  “You are not responsible for anything that happened to you. You were a child. Do you hear me?”

  “You’re shouting,” she said.

  Looking ashamed he lowered his voice.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout. But it makes me real mad. Bella, you were an innocent child. Nothing that happened to us orphans was our fault. Nobody is going to hold you responsible.”

  “You really believe that?”

  He put his finger under her chin and gently tugged it upward until she was staring into his face.

  “Bella Jones, I believe in you. You are kind, talented, and hardworking. Just the type of woman a man would be honored to have as his wife. I think you feel something for me, but you are young, and I have been trying to be patient. I want to have a future with you. So, dry your eyes and let’s go see if we can find out what we can do.”

  “You want me?” she couldn’t stop herself from questioning him. She wanted to believe him.

  “Yes, I want you. I want to hold you, protect you, and love you for the rest of my life. I want to wake up every morning and see your smiling face. You mean the world to me, Miss Bella Jones.”

  “Oh!”

  He laughed.

  “That wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for, but it will do for now. Let’s go see the Reverend. He’s a wise man. But first, you might want to wash your face.”

  Bella ran into the store and up to her room to do just that. It gave her an excuse to consider what he had said. She hugged herself, he’d told her he cared for her and wanted a future with her. She couldn’t stop smiling even though she was worried about the children. Having Brian by her side would help in the days ahead.

  Chapter 43

  Kathleen

  Kathleen stared out the window as the train pulled into the station. Freesburg was the largest town they had visited since leaving Cheyenne. Miss Screed took the children to meet their prospective parents. Kathleen was about to accompany her before making her way to find the priest. To her surprise, the priest was waiting for her at the station. She quickly made her apologies to Miss Screed and moved to greet the Priest.

  “Pastor John sent me a telegram, Miss Collins. I have found your brothers. But I’m afraid the news isn’t good. They are in a lot of trouble.”

  “Trouble?” Kathleen repeated, looking into the priest’s troubled eyes. He seemed to be genuinely concerned.

  “They have been arrested for murder,” he replied.

  The sky and ground started to spin, she reached out to stop herself from falling. Richard moved closer to put his arm around her shoulders.

  “Perhaps we could go somewhere more private?” Richard suggested. “Miss Screed has Patrick, so I am free to accompany you.”

  She
heard Richard talking but his voice seemed to be coming from far away. Shane and Michael couldn’t murder anyone. But then, she didn’t think Maura would steal and run away from Lily either. Did she know her family at all?

  “Forgive me for being clumsy. I am so sorry,” the priest apologized. “Why don’t you come to my home beside the church. I can’t promise you anything but a cup of coffee.”

  “Coffee would be lovely, thank you,” Richard replied. “I am Doctor Richard Green, I met Miss Collins on the train and am now responsible for one of her previous charges, Patrick.”

  Kathleen listened to the exchange of greetings and followed Richard to the priest’s home without speaking. Only once they were sitting down did she put her thoughts into words,

  “But who? How? Shane and Michael wouldn’t kill anyone,” she said.

  “With the greatest respect, are you sure?” Richard asked her. “You said yourself they lived on the streets of New York and were in trouble with the police before they came out here.”

  The priest didn’t comment but seemed intent on studying the table in front of him. Kathleen tried to hold back her anger. It wasn’t Richard’s fault she was in this mess.

  “Doctor Green, my brothers roamed the neighborhood and fell in with a bad crowd, but they were never guilty of more than stealing some food here or there. I know stealing is wrong, we all knew that. But they were starving. They were picked up by the police on the orders of a man who had a personal vendetta against my sister,” she replied coldly. “Father, can you take me to them, please?”

  “I am not sure that is wise,” he said with a look at Richard. Kathleen wished he would address her. The boys were her brothers, Richard hadn’t even met them.

  “I need to see my brothers. Will you help me, or do I have to go alone?” Kathleen surprised herself almost as much as the men. She had never been forceful in her life. Living with older sisters like Bridget and Maura, her role had always been that of peacemaker in the family. But these boys were her flesh and blood. When she’d composed herself a little better, she went on in a gentler voice, “I apologize for being rude. I want to see my brothers. I know they didn’t do this.”

  The priest looked to Richard who nodded.

  “I will take you, Miss Collins, but you must be prepared,” he said. “They likely have changed a bit since you last saw them.”

  “Would you like me to come with you?” Richard offered.

  “Do you believe them to be guilty?” she asked, piercing him with her gaze. When he didn’t return her look, she shook her head.

  “I will go alone. Thank you.”

  “First, I suggest you book into a boarding house. I can show you to a clean, respectable establishment. Tomorrow morning, I will collect you and take you to the boys.”

  Kathleen wanted to go now but she sensed she needed to make herself more amenable if she wished to rely on the Priest’s support. She nodded and let him show her the way to her temporary home. Richard came with them, talking to the priest about the town and other matters. Kathleen couldn’t concentrate on anything but her brothers.

  It didn’t take long to reach the Baker lodging house. Mrs. Baker didn’t smile as she greeted them. Kathleen didn’t believe it was personal if the frown lines on the older woman’s face were anything to go by. She looked as if life had been hard to her.

  “Thank you, Father, for your help. I shall be ready early tomorrow.” She didn’t say a word to Richard but walked slowly up the stairs to her allocated room. She couldn’t believe the news. How could Michael and Shane have ended up like this?

  After a restless night, she got up early.

  Kathleen dressed carefully. Her family’s honor was on trial. She needed to prove to the sheriff and judge that her brothers had been brought up properly. Mrs. Baker greeted her when she went downstairs by telling her a parishioner had died and the priest was needed elsewhere.

  Kathleen hesitated unsure of what she should do. She glanced at Mrs. Baker, wondering if she should ask the landlady where the jailhouse was but what if she threw her out of her boarding house.

  She closed her eyes and thought of Lily and Bridget. They wouldn't stand here wondering what to do. They would take action. Thanking Mrs. Baker and declining breakfast, she pushed the door open and walked into the street, her shoulders back and her head held high. She stopped a couple of ladies on the street and inquired where she could find the sheriff. That sounded better than asking for the jailhouse. They would assume she needed the lawman’s services. With a deep breath, she followed their directions. It took twenty-five minutes to reach the jailhouse. Once there, her nerve almost failed her. Could she handle this alone? She didn’t have much choice. Her brothers were depending on her and she wasn’t about to let them down.

  Chapter 44

  Bella

  Reverend Franklin hadn’t heard anything bad about Mud Butte, but the name of the sheriff did sound familiar to him. The grave expression on his face didn’t help Bella’s feelings of guilt.

  “I think we should go to Mud Butte and find out what is going on,” Brian said.

  “We can’t just go riding in there, Brian. We haven’t got any right,” Reverend Franklin cautioned.

  “No,” Brian agreed, then looked at her. “But Bella does.”

  Confused, Bella looked at him. What right did she have to go asking questions in Mud Butte.

  “Sorry, Brian, I’m not following you.” The Reverend looked as confused as he sounded.

  Relieved the Reverend wasn’t following Brian’s train of thought either, Bella waited for Brian to explain.

  “As far as these people know, Bella worked for the Outplacement Society. She can tell them she’s back for an inspection visit.”

  Bella couldn’t believe Brian thought she would be taken seriously as an agent.

  “They won’t believe that.” Reverend Franklin quickly dismissed the suggestion, causing Bella to feel insulted, even though she thought the same.

  “And besides, Carl told them he would be back in six months.” Reverend Franklin didn’t seem to notice he had upset Bella.

  “Yes, but plans change. I can wear a suit and tell them I am the new outplacement agent and Bella is showing me the ropes,” Brian said. “It could work.”

  Reverend Franklin looked thoughtful as he scratched his beard.

  “I could be leading you into danger,” Bella protested. She looked to the Reverend hoping he would talk Brian out of the scheme, but he was nodding his head.

  “It could work. After all, if there is nothing wrong and they don’t have anything to hide, then why should they mind? If this Mrs. MacDonagh is correct, we need to be getting those children away from the family. They are the important ones.”

  Bella agreed with the reverend, but Brian was important too. She couldn’t bear if anything happened to him, not now she knew how he felt about her.

  “I’ll get Mitch and some of the other men to come with us,” Brian added.

  “Mitch may not want to come. Shannon is near her time,” Bella reminded Brian.

  “She has weeks yet. We’ll be back in time,” Brian said confidently. “Geoff Rees is well known around these parts. He is bound to have some contacts with lawmen.”

  “Oh, good thinking, Brian. He knows the sheriff in Green River. I think they may have grown up together. Geoff can send him a wire.” The reverend fell silent for a few seconds before adding, “I’m coming too.”

  “You, Reverend?” Brian didn’t bother to hide his surprise.

  “Yes me. I may be old, but I’m not dead.” The Reverend clapped Brian on the back. “Now, you ride out for Mitch and I will head to see Geoff. Bella, you better tell Mrs. Grayson. She might pack us some lunch to take with us for the trip. We can’t afford to wait for the stage coach. We will ride to Green River and take the train from there.”

  “I can’t ride,” Bella squeaked. “I’ve never been on a horse.”

  “I’ll teach you,” Brian said. “Taking a wagon will ta
ke too long.”

  Bella didn’t relish the idea of riding, but the reverend saved her.

  “No, Brian,” he said. “If we’re successful, we’ll need the wagon to bring the children back with us. We can leave the wagon at the livery in Green River. It will be safe there.”

  The men went off to gather their respective parties and Bella walked back to the store.

  “There you are, dear,” Mrs. Grayson said. “I’ve been going out of my mind worrying about you. What did the reverend say?”

  To Bella’s consternation, tears ran down her face.

  “Bella, sit down. It might not be as bad as you fear.”

  Bella shook her head, unable to speak. She tried, but the tears kept coming. She hadn’t cried for years. Why now?

  “Take a few deep breaths, dear.”

  She did as she was told. Deep breathing helped.

  “I shouldn’t have left them there,” she said.

  “You had no choice, Bella. What could you do when the Outplacement Society made their decision? Carl has years more experience than you. What happens now?”

  Quickly, Bella outlined their plan. Mrs. Grayson nodded in agreement.

  “I think it’s a good one. Who in Mud Butte would suspect you as you are so innocent looking? And Brian could charm the pollen from the bees.”

  Bella cringed at the word innocent but now was not the time. She could tell Mrs. Grayson her story later. She had to get ready to go. She repeated the reverend’s request for some food then went upstairs to pack a small bag. She didn’t know how long they would be gone. Once she came back down, Mrs. Grayson hugged her close. “Bella Jones, you look after yourself. You are a very special young woman. Never forget it.”

  Bella couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Nobody had ever called her special before.

  Chapter 45