“Oh, no need to bother. I’ve a lovely repast in my hamper that won’t improve by waiting to enjoy it, although I look forward to a good dinner.”
“Then you must allow me to offer you some of the special jam tarts my wife sends along with me—she always sends more than I can eat so I am happy to share them with you.”
“Only if you will sit down and take a cup of tea with us!”
Mr. Stevenson laughed ruefully. “I’m afraid they’d have my job if I were caught sitting with a passenger, but please know how much I appreciate the offer. There’s not many white folks’ll invite a black man to sit down with them!”
“It wasn’t a black man, or even a man who came to my assistance earlier. It was you who were the first person who rushed in that door to help. I’ll not forget that Mr. Stevenson.”
“And I’ll not forget your kindness, Miss. Now let me get you those tarts!”
~~~
Their tea consumed, Flora decided to rest her eyes for a bit, but Megan felt a bit restless and decided to check the valise for the promised letters and journal. Reaching under the seat she pulled out a bag. But this doesn’t look right! I don’t remember it being this gaudy.
She opened it and gasped, “These are men’s clothes. And this cloth sack,” she struggled to open the knot. “Flora! These are jewels! I have Willie’s valise!”
Flora sat up, sleep forgotten. “Oh, heavens, I’d better summon Johnson!”
Very shortly Johnson, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Brandt were all again crowding into the compartment, examining Megan’s find. Mr. Brandt recognized some of the jewelry as items from an earlier heist. A quick examination revealed several other sacks containing valuables, plus a stash of money, a few reticules and wallets, and a fur stole.
“Your Willie didn’t do things by halves, did he? Looks as if he cleaned out half the train!”
“This train hadn’t been out of the station long enough for him to start his rounds, although from the looks of things a pocket or two may have been picked. But I’m thinking we may be able to track his movements a bit from where items might have been stolen. Ladies, this may be worth a bonus! Especially if we can capture his accomplice!”
With all the bustling about, both babies had decided they needed attention and the men quickly found excuses to leave, Mr. Brandt taking the valise with him. Fortunately, the other valise, which had fallen behind Willie’s, was located, as some of its supplies were now in demand.
~~~
The rest of the trip went quite smoothly, as train travel goes, with both ladies exclaiming at the changing landscape, admiring the farms and fields of crops or dairy cattle, shaking their heads at the smoke issuing from factory furnaces, marveling at the breadth of the Mississippi as they crossed into St. Louis, and expressing awe at the flatness of the plains. The novelty of the converting beds wore off quickly in the general discomfort of long distance travel, despite the relative luxury of their situation. Strolling through the train for exercise or to the dining car, Megan observed how crowded it seemed with row after row of seats and no privacy to speak of, and thanked her lucky stars that her brother had seen fit to let her travel in style.
Flora, of course, knew most of the porters and maids aboard; before too long they had gotten to know every one of the staff as each took turns keeping an eye on the ladies and babies. Johnson and Mr. Stevenson took charge of coordinating the efforts and there was even usually someone standing guard while they slept.
Seeing the care being taken to protect the women, Pete realized a serious search was on for him. He was careful to keep out of sight at all times even if it meant not being able to spy on his quarry. But, after all, they were on a train. Where would they go? He’d just bide his time.
Flora continued Anna’s work of training Megan in the intricacies of childcare. Fortunately both children traveled well and there were few of the inconsolable crying jags such as could occasionally be heard from other children as they traversed the cars.
Mr. Brandt had gotten off the train with Willie in Harrisburg. He still hadn’t “spilled” about the other thief, but Mr. Brandt had promised to keep in touch to let them know what happened.
In New Mexico Territory they began to see desert and mountains and the terrain continued to change as they got even further west. Ultimately they came to the Arizona Territory. While all remained sere, the vegetation became more plentiful and the rock formations caught their attention as the train wended between piles of massive stones, fallen from cliffs or wind-sculpted, the magic of her fiancé’s descriptions fully justified by what Megan saw from the window.
And, finally, they arrived at the Benson station.
CHAPTER NINE – Benson
Johnson made it a point of honor to escort the ladies and their equipage from the train, aided by Mr. Stevenson, who offered his arm to Miss Maddux as she descended onto the platform.
There was only one black man waiting in the crowd. Spying them, he hurried over, nodding his head to Megan, but sweeping his hat from his head and grasping Flora’s free hand in his before bowing low before her and kissing her fingers.
“Oh, my,” he breathed, “you are more than I ever dreamed of!”
Peering shyly at Moses from under her lashes, Flora reached down to pull back the light blanket shading her son’s face, and whispered, “This is baby Sam.”
He studied the infant’s face intently, then declared, “I am proud to call him ‘son.’ A son! I have a
