Till My Last Day (eBook)

Book Two in the Desert Hills Trilogy

Deborah Swenson (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2024 | 1. Auflage
377 Seiten
Nor-Mar Press (Verlag)
979-8-218-96117-6 (ISBN)

Infos

Till My Last Day is a tale of a strong woman's survival from a violent marriage during the 19 th century and the unfolding romance with a time-traveling stranger from the 21 st century.

Textauszug

9

TRAIN LEAVING BOSTON

Rebecca

WE ALMOST DIED.

Both Pearl and I were still shaking. With the help of the conductor, we made our way safely inside the car. From a gust of wind, the heavy door slammed behind us with a whoosh. Exhausted, Pearl collapsed in the nearest chair while I remained frozen inside the door. I tried wrapping my brain around what had just happened, but it was all unreal.

Finally, my feet moved, and I made my way over to Pearl. Kneeling in front of her, the vacant stare in her eyes told me she was just as stunned as I was. Taking her trembling hands in mine, I asked, “Pearl. Can you hear me?”

It took several moments before she replied, “Yes.”

It wasn’t like Pearl to speak so little. I turned to the conductor and asked if he could hurry and bring us a pot of tea. I was grateful when he nodded and went to do my bidding. I turned my attention back to my dear friend. “Pearl, we’re safe. Are you going to be alright?”

Earlier that day, she told me she didn’t want to come with us, and right now, I wanted to hear her scolding me in her Irish brogue. Her sitting there, unmoving as a cold granite statue, scared me. I feared she would never forgive me for pulling her onto the train. But what was I to do at that moment? I couldn’t let her die at the hands of Elliot or the train’s massive wheels.

Patting my hands, she finally spoke. “I’ll be alright. Just give me a moment to comprehend what just happened.” Looking about the room as if searching for something, she asked, “Are the boys alright?” Furrowing her brow, she leaned close and continued, “Did they see what happened?”

Upon hearing us talk, Porter and Daniel turned our way. It was obvious by their happy faces the boys were oblivious to our recent calamity. “I don’t think they saw anything,” I told Pearl.

“That’s good. They have no idea what lies ahead, and I don’t want them worrying unnecessarily.”

The conductor, followed by a porter carrying a tray with tea cups and a steaming pot, entered the car. “Ladies, have you recovered from your ordeal?” he asked while directing the porter to place the tray next to Pearl.

“Yes,” I replied. “Thank you for your assistance earlier. I believe we are in your debt for,” lowering my voice to a whisper, I finished, “Saving our lives.”

He whispered back, “I’m just glad I was there to help. Please tell your porter if you need anything else from me.”

With that, he and the porter bowed and exited the car. Relaxing, I scanned the train’s interior, appreciating that Pearl had wasted no expense on a Pullman hotel car for our exclusive use. She’d put my money to good use. A sleeping car equipped with an en suite and dining area allowed us to stay on the train during various stops. Also, within its comfortable confines, it would help us remain hidden from the public eye and Elliot’s spies.

I stood to move about the car and admired its plush Rococo interior and brass accents. Running my hand along its opulent velvet upholstery, I couldn’t help but notice its ample lighting. This pleasing car would make the first leg of our journey very comfortable for all four of us.

I walked toward one of the windows and watched the snow come down heavier since leaving the station. Like home, when I looked out my window last evening, I focused on one snowflake struggle as it fell from the gray heaven above, only to be swept away by the howling wind. I imagined each perfect crystal gathering in a cold white blanket on the frozen landscape in hopes of covering the secrets of the past. Like the snowflake, I, too, was on a journey hoping to melt away – never again to be seen by Elliot.

It was good we left Boston when we did, or we would have been caught in a nasty winter storm and unable to leave until spring. A horrible thought came to mind; by then, I could have been dead. Behind the frozen panes, the scenery rapidly transformed, giving me little sense of assurance that Elliot wouldn’t be able to catch up with us. But I couldn’t dwell on my fears.

I loved watching the boys’ faces mere inches from the glass. Their childish innocence touched my heart as they stared at a new world. They had never been on a train before, let alone out of Boston proper. Elliot had always made excuses about his newspaper, so we never took any time away as a family.

Turning from the window, I sighed heavily. Pearl was sitting in one of the two overstuffed chairs, back straight, hands folded in her lap, her face void of expression. The tea untouched, I once again knelt beside her, taking her hands in mine. “Pearl.”

She turned toward me, her eyes filled with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry, Pearl. I didn’t mean to bring you along. I know you didn’t want to come. I reassured her that she didn’t have to continue traveling with us. “You can get off at the first stop, and I’ll pay for your return ticket to Boston. You won’t have to worry about us anymore.”

Pearl’s brows lifted as she remained silent. It was as if I could see the wheels in her head turning. Why wasn’t she talking to me? “Damn it, Pearl, say something. Anything. Yell at me if you want.”

Raising her hand, she gently stroked the side of my face, and I leaned into it. “I was so frightened we would both fall off and the boys would be left alone on the train. Oh, Mrs. Ackerman. I was so scared.”

“Pearl, we were both scared. I did what was necessary to keep a catastrophe from happening. I’m just sorry I made you come along unwillingly.” Brushing away loose curls from the side of my face, I stood, pulling Pearl up with me. “We’ll figure something out before our first stop. Right now, let’s get ourselves comfortable so we can relax. It’s been an overwhelming twenty-four hours, and we’re exhausted.”

Dusk rapidly descended, and I remained mesmerized by the train’s clickity-clack and swaying motion. In the waning light, we made our way along the open countryside. Outside, the ground quickly became covered in a snowy carpet. I could barely make out a few lanky stalks of grass standing sentinel above the frozen landscape as the misty veil of steam from the train’s engine billowed past our windows.

Sitting sleepy-eyed at the table, the motion of the train had Porter and Daniel yawning. I found myself picking at my food. It was excellent, considering it was train fare, but I was too tired to enjoy it.

It was time I put the boys to bed. Guiding them down the short hallway, I snuggled them side-by-side in the bottom berth, tucking a warm woolen blanket around them. I leaned forward, placing a kiss on the top of their downy heads. Before leaving the room, I heard the soft breathy sounds telling me they were already fast asleep.

Once back in the parlor, Pearl held out a fresh cup of tea to me as she sat in the overstuffed chair she’d occupied earlier. Taking it, I sank into the plush cushions and felt the tension in my shoulders relax for the first time today.

Looking over the rim of her cup, Pearl mentioned, “Mrs. Ackerman, I don’t have any clothes to wear since I had no intention of traveling. Do you think we, I mean I, can take a chance in the first town and quickly shop for clothes and necessities?”

Putting my cup on the table beside me, I carefully considered Pearl’s request before answering. “I think it would be safe enough if you got off at the next town, and I’ll give you money for your ticket back to Boston.”

“Well, that’s what I want to talk to you about. I’ve changed my mind.”

“You what?” I squealed. “I mean, you have!” I couldn’t believe what Pearl was saying. “Do you really mean it, Pearl? You want to continue with us?”

“I’ve given it a great deal of thought. I have nothing or no one left in Boston. All I care about is right here on this train.” Teasingly, she added,” Besides, I can’t have you go traipsing all over creation alone with two young boys, now can I?”

I jumped out of my chair, spilling our tea, and hugged Pearl while turning us in a circle. “You’ve made me so happy. Oh, Pearl, what an adventure this will be. I won’t let the past hinder any of our journey.”

Stepping back from our embrace, I added, “But we must remain vigilant for Elliot and any of his goons he may send looking for us.”

“You are quite right, Mrs. Ackerman. But I think we can enjoy ourselves if given the opportunity. I’ve always dreamed of seeing the Wild West.”

“Oh, Pearl,” I responded teasingly, “Do you...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 1.3.2024
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-13: 979-8-218-96117-6 / 9798218961176