Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (4 page)

Anne took a moment to get her bearings once the train stopped moving. At once the smell of soot nearly choked her. She began to cough then reached for her hankie and covered her nose until the odor dissipated. Finally convinced that the worst had passed, she stretched every aching muscle in her body.

“Why did we stop, Anne?” Kate looked her way, clearly frightened.

“I don’t know, honey.” She slipped her left arm around her sister and pulled her into a comforting embrace. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. Go back to sleep if you can.”

Kate nuzzled against her and dozed off again in no time.

To her right, Emily stirred awake. “I was having the most marvelous dream. We were under attack and a handsome cowboy rescued us.” The youngster yawned and extended her arms in a lengthy stretch. “Why did we stop? Are we in Dallas already?”

“No, sweetie. We’re not to arrive in Dallas until tomorrow afternoon. This is probably just a routine stop. Perhaps we’re taking on more cars.”

“Oh, I see.” Emily leaned against Anne and closed her eyes. Anne kissed the top of her sister’s head and prayed she would go back to sleep.

Moments later the porter appeared, his brow wrinkling as he spoke. “Folks, we’ve received word that a section of track is out up ahead due to a derailment earlier this afternoon. We’ll be stopping for the night.”

“All night long?” At once, panic overtook Anne. She hadn’t planned for this. “But we’re due to arrive in Dallas tomorrow afternoon.”

“Not anymore, ma’am.” He shook his head. “Not until they get that track fixed. Railroad workers will assess the damage in the morning and give us a time frame for when we can leave. In the meantime, we’ve sent for help from the town of Groom.”

“Groom?” She’d never heard of such a place.

“Yes’m. It’s a town about nine miles from here.”

Emily’s face lit with excitement. “We’re staying in a town called Groom?” She glanced at Anne and giggled. “I’m going to add that to my story, Annie. How perfectly wonderful! I couldn’t have given it a better name if I’d tried!”

“It’s not much of a town, really,” the porter said, “but they’ve got a hotel of sorts. Nothing very grand but certainly more comfortable than sleeping on the train.”

“I see.” Several thoughts went through Anne’s head at once. The train might be uncomfortable, but she couldn’t afford a room in a hotel. Uncle Bertrand had grudgingly paid for the train fare but hadn’t sent anything in the way of spending money. They’d been fortunate to have food to eat on the journey, thanks to her best friend Charlotte back in Denver.

Kate stirred then rubbed her eyes and peered out the window. “What’s happening, Annie?”

“The train is stopping for the night, honey. Just go back to sleep and don’t fret. We’ll be fine.” She patted her on the arm.

The woman seated across from them stopped fussing with her handbags long enough to look Anne’s way. “You’re staying on the train?”

“We don’t have any choice. I…” How could she say the words aloud, that they had no money? “We’ll be fine, I’m sure.”

“Hmm.” The woman brow wrinkled a bit as she appeared to be thinking about Anne’s response.

Over the next few minutes, Anne saw lights from a host of lanterns as people from the other train cars made their way outside. Minutes later, she made out the sound of wagons approaching and the chatter of voices.

The porter reappeared and tipped his hat in her direction. “Miss, the railroad has sent a couple of company trucks and a wagon as well. We’ve emptied out the train cars ahead of you. We’ll be taking you to town now.”

“No sir,” she said. “I…well, I do believe my sisters and I will be fine. We’d like to stay aboard.” Her heart twisted as she contemplated her dilemma. What would she do if he gave her no choice but to leave?

The fellow lifted the lantern as if trying to get a better look at Emily and Kate. “Are you sure?”

“Y–yes.” Anne nodded and tried to look confident. Truth be told, the very idea of staying alone on this train made her feel sick inside. Still, she forced a smile. “Besides, I’m sure they’ll have the track repaired in no time.”

The woman across from her rose and placed a hand on Anne’s shoulder. “I do hope so, for your sake,” she said, offering a sympathetic smile. “But if you change your mind, look me up at the hotel. I would like to help…if you would allow me to.”

“Oh, I, well…” Anne shook her head. “That’s very kind, but my sisters and I will be fine. We’re on an adventure, you see. Just ask Emily. She’s writing a story about it.”

“We’re going to be rescued by a cowboy with a six-shooter strapped to his side.” Emily’s voice and expression grew more animated. “It’s going to be the most thrilling scene you’ve ever read, I can promise you that.”

“Indeed? Well, then, I might just wait with you.” The woman gave her a wink. “Sounds like a lovely ending to a story.”

“Oh, it’s just the beginning,” Emily said. “I haven’t decided on the ending yet.”

The woman leaned over and whispered, “Well, when you do, stop by the hotel and tell me. I’d love to hear all about it.” Then she turned her attention back to Anne. “My offer still stands. I would be honored if you would allow me the privilege of looking out for you until the track is repaired.” She ran her hands along the fine green linen in her skirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

“If we don’t hear anything by morning, we’ll come to town,” Anne said.

“Promise?” The woman stopped fussing with her skirt and focused on the girls.

“Yes.” Anne nodded.

“When you get to the hotel, ask for Mrs. Witherspoon.” With a nod, she disappeared into the darkness.

Anne stared out the window, trying to find the woman amongst the evening’s shadows but not succeeding. A somber feeling came over her, and for a moment she thought about following on Mrs. Witherspoon’s heels all the way to the hotel.

“We are not beggars,” she whispered. “Not yet, anyway.”

“What did you say, Annie?” Kate asked.

“Oh, nothing, honey.” She offered a smile. “Isn’t this exciting? We’re living out one of Emily’s adventures firsthand.”

“Thank goodness there are no Indians.” Kate shivered.

“Not yet, anyway.” Emily turned to them, her eyes sparkling. “But there’s still plenty of time for them to appear and threaten our lives. I do hope a whole band of them will come at once, riding on horses and carrying bows and arrows. Can you imagine how exciting that would be? Maybe they’ll carry us off—far, far away from Dallas and Uncle Bertrand. Wouldn’t that be the very best sort of adventure?”

“I’m not sure ‘adventure’ is the correct word,” Anne said. “And I daresay, your imagination has run away with you once again. You’d better go and catch it.”

“What would be the purpose of having an imagination and not using it?” Emily’s gaze narrowed. “That would make me too much like everyone else in the family.” On and on she went, talking about the various complications to the scene she planned to write.

Anne finally managed to get a word in edgewise when her sister paused for breath. “Well, enough about how you would have written this scene, Emily. We’re not in one of your books. Not yet, anyway.”

She leaned back against the seat and offered up a rushed, silent prayer for their safety.
Lord, You see the three of us. We’re like those Texas tumbleweeds. We don’t know where we are or where we’re headed, at least not tonight. But You do. And I trust You, Lord. Oh, and if there are any Indians out there—
she shuddered
—please keep them at a distance!

The porter entered their train car a few minutes later, after the voices outside disappeared on the evening wind. “Only a handful of passengers decided to stay onboard,” he said. “Most have gone to town. Would you follow me, please?”

Anne hesitated. “We have to move?”

“Yes, please. We would like our remaining passengers to stay in one area, at least for now. Follow me, miss.” He led them from one car to the other until they arrived at the dining car.

“Oh, I’m afraid I couldn’t…” Anne shook her head. The room smelled delicious, but she knew she couldn’t afford to feed her sisters. She had just enough hardtack and cheese to get them through the next twenty-four hours. If they shared.

“I’ve been given special instructions from the woman who was seated across from you to make sure you’re well-fed.” He smiled. “And when we leave here, you’re headed to one of our empty sleeper berths.”

“A sleeper berth?” Anne could hardly believe her ears. “But I don’t… I mean, we couldn’t possibly…”

“It’s all taken care of.” He nodded. “You three must have an angel looking out for you tonight, that’s all I can say about it.”

“An angel?” Kate’s eyes widened.

A theatrical sigh from Emily followed. “I was counting on a handsome cowboy with a six-shooter, but I guess an angel will have to do.”

“Indeed, an angel will do.” Anne smiled.

“I suppose you’re right.” The edges of Emily’s lips curled up in a delicious fashion. “I’ll just envision the angel with stupendous wings riding across the skies on a stallion.”

Anne did her best not to roll her eyes.

The girls enjoyed a lovely dinner with the handful of passengers who remained. Afterward, bellies full, they followed the porter to a sleeping car. While nothing could rival Anne’s bed back home in Denver, her berth did provide a spot to lie down and sleep. Or, try to sleep, rather.

When she eventually dozed, visions of a handsome cowboy with a six-shooter strapped to his side flitted through Anne’s mind. He rode a copper-colored horse with a mane that flew in the breeze as they raced across the plain.

The whole thing made for a lovely dream. A lovely dream, indeed.

Jake awoke to the sound of someone rapping on his bedroom door.

“Jakey,” his mother called out. “Something’s happened and you’re needed at the station. No dillydallying. They said it was important.”

Jake stumbled out of bed, still half-asleep, then crossed the bedroom and cracked open the door. “What is it?”

His mother stood before him, dressed in her housecoat, her hair tied up in rags. “There’s been a derailment several miles east of here.”

“Derailment?” At once, alarm shot through him.

“Yes, but no one was hurt. It was a freight train. Coal. But it made a mess of things, as you might imagine. So they’ve had to stop a train coming through from Amarillo.” She pulled one of the rags out of her hair, then another. “And you’ve been asked to transport passengers to town. Most will need a place to stay, from what I was told, so feel free to bring a handful here. I’ll cook up a feast tonight.”

“All right.” He dressed as quickly as he could and then swallowed a biscuit as he sprinted toward the door.

Jake made the journey to the station on foot as always…but traveled a lot faster than usual. Off in the east the early morning sun rose, casting a pinkish haze over the town. He took a shortcut, sprinting down the main street with his hat tipped forward. Hopefully folks would take it as a sign that he wasn’t in a talking mood. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear to be working.

“Howdy, Jake,” Reverend Johnson called out from the porch steps as he ran by. “How are things at O’Farrell’s Honor this fine day?”

“Fine, but I can’t talk right now, Reverend.” Jake paused to catch his breath. “We’ve got a situation east of town. Urgent. Folks will be needing a place to stay, so spread the word.”

“Will do. I’ll get right on it.” The reverend tipped his hat.

“Thanks.”

Seconds later, as Jake passed through the heart of town, the butcher stuck his head through the opening of his shop. “How’s life treatin’ you these days, Jake?”

“Oh, fair to middlin’.” Jake slowed his pace to a fast walk. “But I’ve really got to—”

“Speaking of Midland, I’ve got a sister over in Midland who’s had a little trouble finding a husband.” He wiped his hands on his bloody apron and offered a crooked grin. “Want me to send for her? I think she’d be perfect for you. Of course, she’s got a little temper. But I daresay you can tame her in no time. She needs a strong fella like you, if I do say so.”

Jake swallowed hard and kept on going.

Off in the distance he could make out the mercantile. Unfortunately, Cassie Martin stepped out onto the front porch as he sprinted by. “Well, hello there, stranger.” She ran her fingers through her long brown locks of hair and took a couple of steps in his direction, her broad physique causing her to lag a bit behind him. He slowed to a walk. “I looked for you in church last Sunday but couldn’t find you.”

“Oh, well, I was there. I was sitting with my mother, as always. But I really can’t talk right now. I—”

“Are you getting excited about your best friend’s wedding this comin’ Saturday night?” She sighed. “Everyone in town is talking about it. It’s going to be the most beautiful ceremony the folks in Groom have ever seen.” Then she added the words, “For the time being, anyway.”

Jake turned back to give her a quick glance. “Yes, but as I said, I really can’t talk right now,” he tried to explain. “See, there’s been a derail—”

“I just love weddings.” Cassie’s blue eyes sparkled. “Virginia is going to be a beautiful bride, and there’s nothing lovelier than a bride, now, is there?”