Orphan Train Brides

by Caroline Clemmons

  She knelt down. “Tammie, this is for you to go potty, all right?”

  Tammie pushed a finger inside her mouth and stared at Merry then at Abigail.

  Merry hated to resort to bribery, but this was totally unfamiliar territory. “You know, good little girls get treats here.”

  “Did you hear that, Tammie? We can be good, can’t we?” Abigail finished her business and straightened her clothes. “Come on, I’ll help you.”

  The toddler let Abigail assist her while Merry observed the little girl handle the toddler as if she’d done so many times.

  “Did you often help Tammie?”

  “Matron ’signed me to her. Bigger kids always helped small ones.”

  Merry nodded. “Yes, I remember. You see, my sister and I were in the orphanage and then on the orphan train, too.”

  Abigail’s eyes grew round. “You were? Did you get a nice Mama?”

  She shook her head. “Unfortunately, the people who adopted us were mean. I want to be a good mother and see you and Tammie and Calvin are loved and have good food and a safe place to live and lots of time to play.”

  She would, too. Not for a minute did she regret her deception with the adoption records.

  “Let’s see what you have with you, shall we?” She opened the tiny bag each girl was given. All she found inside was a nightgown and a change of clothes. “Don’t you have a doll or stuffed animal?”

  “No, we had to leave them for the children who didn’t go on the train. Tammie cried for her little lamb. I didn’t cry but I wanted to bring my dolly.”

  “Tomorrow, we’ll go to the mercantile and buy you new clothes and shoes as well as books and a new dolly and toys. Maybe they’ll even have a stuffed lamb.”

  Polly returned to the suite. Noah and Evie were with her. Gideon and Bass followed, each carrying an empty box.

  Quickly, Polly packed clothes into her trunk. “We came to carry my belongings upstairs. Gideon and Bass volunteered to help me move.”

  Merry said, “I can help, too.”

  Polly shook her head. “Get your children settled.” She closed the trunk’s lid.

  Bass hefted the case. “We’ve got this covered, Miss Merry.”

  Polly filled a box with knick knacks and her toiletries. Gideon carried that and headed for the stairs. She emptied drawers into the other crate. She loaded Noah’s arms with loose items.

  Bass returned and took charge of the second box. “Anything else?”

  Polly scanned the room then took a picture from the wall. “That’s it, I think. If I forgot anything, Merry, you know where I’ll be.” She laughed and left the suite.

  Merry sank onto a chair. She was happy to have the children with her but not having Polly share the suite created a strange hole in her heart. They’d been together so long she sensed the void immediately.

  Abigail and Calvin and Tammie stared at her.

  Calvin asked, “Are you sorry you got us?”

  His question snapped her from her reverie. “No, I’m really pleased to have you. Why would you think otherwise?”

  “You sure looked sad. Figured you were gonna send us back.”

  Merry motioned with both hands. “Come here, all three of you.”

  She sat Tammie on her lap and hugged Abigail to her side. She doubted Calvin would appreciate a hug so she took his hand. “I’m so glad you’re my children. I’m never, ever sending you back to the orphanage. The only reason I’m a little sad is that my sister moved to another part of the house, but it’s all right. She’s still here and I’ll see her every day.”

  The gong’s peal echoed through the house and Tammie grabbed Merry around the neck.

  Abigail also clung to Merry. “What was that?”

  “Don’t be alarmed. That was Mrs. Elvira Koch, who is our cook, banging our gong. When you hear that sound, you know your meal is ready. I’ll bet you’re hungry. Let’s go to the dining room and have our supper.”

  Merry took the children to each table and introduced them to the residents. Calvin didn’t greet anyone, but stood scowling at each group. Abigail spoke shyly and Tammie clung to Merry’s skirts.

  At the men’s table, Gideon shook hands with Abigail and Tammie. Calvin kept his hands in his pockets.

  Undaunted, Gideon smiled. “Nice to have you here, children. Young faces brighten up the place. You’re lucky to have Miss Merry as your new mother.”

  John Allsup dabbed at his mouth before speaking, “Yes, you are. She’ll take care you’re always provided with the best, same as she does for us.”

  Blake Woolf, the new resident, sent her a guarded look. “Adopted without being married? Must be new rules.”

  She sensed herself blush. “I don’t need to be married to love and protect these children, Mr. Woolf.” She shepherded her charges. “Come, children, our table is just over here.”

  She and Polly had always eaten together, but Merry chose a table previously unused and settled Tammie on a chair. Drat, the child needed a high chair. She was considering what to do as a temporary measure when the lawyer appeared beside her.

  “I have just the thing. I’ll be right back.” He headed toward his office and soon returned with two thick books he stacked on the chair. “These should do the trick.”

  She studied him. He was the handsomest man she’d ever met. His dark hair waved slightly and was cut short. He must be at least six feet tall if not an inch or two over that.

  “Thank you. I thought you didn’t approve of the children.”

  He met her gaze with such directness her knees wobbled. “I have nothing against your children. My question was strictly about whether or not you followed the law.”

  As if he didn’t know very well she hadn’t. Her voice probably sounded sharp when she said, “Thank you for your assistance.”

  He nodded and returned to his seat.

  Dora Farris appeared with plates balanced on her arms. “Here you go, you darlin’s. Eat up.”

  Calvin didn’t need encouragement and attacked his food as if afraid it would be stolen unless he hurried. Merry didn’t chide him because she remembered having to eat quickly. He’d slow down on his own once he realized no one would take his meal from him.

  Abigail ate almost as rapidly but glanced to insure Tammie had enough. Merry helped Tammie by cutting her meat and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. The toddler used her hands instead of fork or spoon.

  More memories shoved into Merry’s consciousness. The orphanage, the train, the scarcity of food at the Nebraska farm—even though the Birds had plenty for themselves. She pushed aside those recollections lest they steal the joy from having her own children in her own pleasant home.

  Chapter Five

  Blake couldn’t keep his gaze from straying to Miss Merry and her three recently adopted—illegally—orphans. The children’s manners were atrocious yet she didn’t reprimand them. Miss Polly’s two were the same, but apparently he couldn’t prevent directing his focus toward Miss Merry.

  Something about her mesmerized him. She was beautiful and graceful but so was her sister, Miss Polly. But, Miss Merry was the one who captured his attention and inspired daydreams.

  Gideon nodded toward the object of his attention. “Miss Merry will give those children a fine home. Much better than she and Miss Polly had, that’s for sure.”

  That grabbed Blake’s attention. “You mean they were orphans?”

  John set down his cup. “Adopted by a miserly couple who used them like slaves.” He chuckled. “Only they came out winners in the end. Couple had officially adopted them, see. When the Bird couple died from their own greed, Miss Merry and Miss Polly and two boys inherited the estate. That’s how they could buy this hotel.”

  Blake didn’t quite get the whole picture. “I don’t understand what happened?”

  John leaned forward. “The couple bought two rhubarb pies and brought them home but they didn’t let the children eat a bite. Mr. Bird ate an entire pie and then went to bed. His wife ate
about three-quarters of one and followed him. Next morning, he was dead and she was out her head. One of the boys went for the doctor but the woman died before the doc arrived.”

  Bass pointed his fork at Blake. “The children—who were really teens by then—would no doubt have been blamed. The woman who baked the pies contacted the preacher to find out who bought her pies. She was young and didn’t know the rhubarb leaves are poisonous and had let them simmer with the rhubarb. Her family had been sick, too, but they’d only had one slice each.”

  John dug into his scalloped potatoes. “Yessirree, the Birds’ greed was lucky for Miss Merry and Miss Polly.”

  Bass reached for another roll. “Lucky for us, too, ’cause they sure improved our lot in life. Easy to understand why Miss Polly and Miss Merry wanted to save those children.”

  Blake pondered the new information. He knew many adoptees were mistreated, but there were supposed to be safety procedures. Evidently that process had failed the Bird sisters.

  That was neither here nor there. The last thing he wanted was to be around a bunch of children. “Saw a couple of small boys on the stairs. Any other children here?”

  Gideon gestured to the table where the two small boys sat with two adults. “Those are the Randall boys, Sammie and Austin, with their parents, Eunice and Sam. Good boys for the most part. Sam works at the mercantile and they’re living here until they can afford to buy a house.”

  Blake nodded. “Ah, well, I didn’t mean the boys had disturbed me. You can’t expect young children to be quiet all the time, can you?” He couldn’t afford to make a bad impression. Besides, he knew firsthand how young children behaved.

  Bass reached for yet another roll, the last in the basket. “That’s why the Bird sisters had Yancey Cameron put up a couple of swings in the back yard. Lots of space to run back there, too.”

  “He’s the man who delivered my trunk from the station. You know, I haven’t looked around the property. Been concerned with my uncle’s belongings and his practice.”

  John sent him a sympathetic glance. “Understandable. Terrible about George dying so young but I’m glad he had you to take over for him.”

  Blake probed for information from the other men at the table. “From what I’ve gathered, he did a lot of real estate transactions.”

  Bass used a bite of roll and sopped up the last smear of gravy from his plate. “He sure did. Knew people all over the area, too. ’Course he also did wills and such. Say, you could handle the children’s adoptions for the Bird sisters.”

  Although he didn’t respond he sure as heck thought no, thank you. He wasn’t about to get tangled up with the Bird sisters and their orphans. Sure, he could understand their motives. That didn’t excuse them breaking the law.

  Currently, he figured he had all the lawbreaking he could handle.

  ***

  The next morning, Merry and Polly took their children shopping. Christmas morning couldn’t have been better than treating these dears to new clothes and a few toys.

  Calvin was clearly perplexed. “You mean I get to keep this stuff just for me? I don’t have to give it to anybody?”

  Merry laid a hand on Calvin shoulder. He stiffened she quickly removed it. “These things belong just to you, Calvin, and not to anyone else. You can invite other boys to play with the toys if you want to but you don’t have to.”

  Calvin held his treasures close. “Don’t know any others ’cept Noah. He has his own now.”

  Merry arranged to have their purchases delivered this afternoon.

  Polly rubbed her hands together. “Why don’t we all go to the confectionary store for a treat?”

  Merry took Tammie’s hand. The toddler was getting tired of shopping but had been good so far.

  Outside, they met Mr. Woolf. “This looks like a fun outing.”

  Abigail tugged at his hand. “Know what? We got new clothes and I got a dolly. It’s nicer than the one I had at the orph’nage. Tammie got a bear because they didn’t have a lamb. I got new shoes, two pair so I can save one for church. Do you go to church too?”

  He smiled as if he’d understood her rambling. “Yes, I’ll be going to church. Where are you headed now?”

  “We’re going to get a treat from someplace called the con… con…” she looked at Merry for help.

  “Bea’s Confectionerary a couple of doors down.”

  Abigail tugged on his hand again. “Why don’t you come with us? Do you like treats?”

  He looked poleaxed but recovered. “I think I will. I’m making the rounds to introduce myself to business owners and I haven’t met Bea yet.”

  Merry couldn’t have been more surprised. “You need not feel obligated because Abigail invited you. We understand you’re a busy man.”

  He sent her an inscrutable glance. “I always have time for a treat with a beautiful woman.”

  She exchanged gazes with Polly, who appeared as shocked as Merry. “Children, remember the rules. If you want to come back another time, you have to be on your best behavior.”

  They crowded into the small shop. In addition to stools at the counter, there were three tables, each with four chairs.

  Bea Quentin, shop owner of Bea’s Confectionery, smoothed her apron. “What a lovely group. What can I get for you today?”

  Blake stepped to the counter. “We’ll have sarsaparillas and cupcakes all around.”

  Abby clapped her hands. “Did you hear, Tammie? We get sar’prilla and a cupcake.”

  Polly protested, “Mr. Woolf, surely you don’t intend to treat all of us.”

  “My pleasure, ladies and gentlemen.” He paid Bea and then gave a slight bow. After he delivered two of the drinks he went back to the counter for more.

  Merry sat and pulled Tammie onto her lap. Abigail and Calvin joined her. Polly and her two sat at the next table.

  When Bea and Mr. Woolf had delivered all of the drinks and cupcakes, he sat at the table beside Calvin. “You don’t mind if I sit beside you do you, Calvin? We men have to stick together.”

  Calvin sat up a little taller and almost smiled. “Yeah, we men have to stick together ’cause we’re outnumbered.”

  Mr. Woolf saluted Noah with his glass. “Isn’t that right, Noah?”

  Noah grinned and raised his drink as Mr. Woolf had done. Although Noah still hadn’t spoken, seeing him smile was heartwarming.

  The lawyer carried on a conversation with the children but sent her glances that left her puzzled. He was usually gruff yet he was quite kind to the children. She simply couldn’t figure out Blake Woolf.

  They were having a lovely time when Evie suddenly threw up. The poor child was horrified and embarrassed. Bea rushed over with towels and she and Polly wiped up the mess.

  Big tears rolled down Evie’s cheeks. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. Does this mean I can’t ever come back?”

  “Don’t worry, dear. Of course we’ll come back.” Polly pulled her onto her lap and hugged the little girl.

  Bea returned with a clean wet towel to wipe Evie’s face. Polly rocked the child and cuddled her.

  Mr. Woolf stood and bent over Polly and Evie. “Why don’t I carry her back to the boardinghouse for you? She probably needs to lie down.”

  Polly was almost in tears. “Thank you, Mr. Woolf. She has so much trouble with her digestion.”

  After gently picking up the little girl, Mr. Woolf cradled her in his arms. “Don’t worry, Evie. I’m sure your mama will soon have you feeling fit.”

  Merry made certain they hadn’t left anything behind then herded her children toward home.

  ***

  Blake strode toward the boardinghouse. He had no idea what had come over him to accompany the Bird sisters and their illegal adoptees. As it turned out, he was glad he had so he could carry the poor little girl home.

  He had no business spending money as if he had deep pockets. While he rebuilt his uncle’s business he had to watch every penny. Although, he was finding discrepancies in Uncle George
’s records that alarmed him.

  He couldn’t decide if Uncle George was careless, an inept attorney, or receiving payback for deliberate errors. He truly hoped it wasn’t the latter. He’d always looked up to Uncle George and hoped his faith wasn’t misplaced.

  From what he had found so far, his uncle handled a lot of real estate deals. If those deals were contested, Blake would have to bear the fallout. How could he defend his uncle’s position?

  In thinking over the problem, surely Uncle George would have had more money if he’d been dishonest. His mother would be broken-hearted to learn otherwise so he would proceed as if Uncle George made honest mistakes.

  Please, God, let that be the case.

  Chapter Six

  For over a week since she’d brought them home, Merry searched for a way to break down the wall Calvin had erected around himself. She understood he didn’t trust adults after the life he’d led, but she wanted him to feel safe and cared for. So far, he wouldn’t talk about his life before she adopted him.

  Nothing she’d tried had made a dent in Calvin’s armor. When she spotted him go into the lawyer’s office, she was about to tell Calvin he shouldn’t pester Mr. Woolf. Curiosity kept her silent.

  Although she’d told the children not to bother the other residents and to never, ever go in Mr. Woolf’s office or the barber’s shop unless she was with them, she was surprised Calvin had set foot in the law office.

  Calvin stood at one side in his usual stance with feet braced and arms crossed. His position allowed her to see his face as well as that of the lawyer. “How come you don’t like children?”

  Seated at his desk facing the door, the lawyer’s face revealed his surprise. “What makes you think I don’t? Didn’t I buy you sarsaparilla and a cupcake the other day?”

  “Most of the time, though, when you look at us your face gets that mean look.” Calvin narrowed his eyes and scowled. “See, like that.”

  The boy’s frank appraisal made her smile. At the same time, her motherly instincts were on alert in case the man was unkind to her son. If he did anything to hurt Calvin now that the boy was finally adjusting to being in a family, she would show Blake Woolf the sharp side of her tongue.