~~~
Flora and Megan had talked at length about possible introductions and how they would handle them. With their arrival in Benson, Flora’s job was completed. She’d be heading off to Tombstone with her new husband.
Now their relationship became purely one of friendship. They had agreed that as affianced new brides they should be on an equal footing.
“After all,” confided Megan, “one of my teachers was an ardent suffragette and I found her arguments to be quite compelling. We sit at Adam’s side, not in his shadow or under his heel, but as partners in life. We are both women and should be equals, not just with each other but with our new husbands.”
Flora had smiled her gentle smile, recognizing Megan’s naiveté, but also her genuine belief and good will. Praise God and pray she’d never have to witness the harsher realities of relationships, not just among the various races but between men and women.
Now came a moment of truth.
~~~
Flora touched Moses’ arm gently and turned back toward Megan.
“Megan, may I introduce you to my intended, Moses O’Henry? And Moses, this is my travel companion, Miss Maddux.”
Admirably, Moses never raised a brow nor cast a glance askance over at Camellia, but bowed over her offered hand, as he had with Flora, not quite so deeply and his lips fell far shy of fingers, but in the same manner as he must have seen in his southern childhood.
“A pleasure to know you Miss Maddux.” He glanced around. “Are you being met?”
“Yes. My fiancé should be here shortly. Don’t worry about me, I know you have a long way to go to get to Tombstone by nightfall. But I would like to enquire whether you may know a man called Tom McNeel.”
Moses’ eyebrows rose. “Why, yes! He and his partner proved a claim not too far from mine! We both found color at about the same time, but rumor was his was a bit richer.”
He paused, seeing the confusion in both women’s faces.
“That means traces of ore. We are mostly mining for silver in Tombstone.”
He continued his tale. “Mr. McNeel disappeared a few months ago. Someone said he was heading home to bring his wife and daughter west.”
Megan was stunned. He wasn’t here? “Are you sure? Did anyone see him leave?”
“No, ma’am, it was just a rumor. But I can ask around for you if you like.”
“Oh, would you please? You see, I’ve brought his daughter out to him. His wife passed away just before I left and she has entrusted Camellia to my care.” She waved her hand toward the basket sitting next to them in the shade of the building, atop her trunks.
“I’ll see what I can find out. How can I reach you?”
“Flora has my direction. She has promised to stay in touch!” The women smiled at each other.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
“Absolutely. Mr. Stevenson, our conductor, is over there keeping an eye out for me!”
The two women hugged. “Now don’t you start crying or I will!” and, again laughing as they had throughout most of their journey, they bid each other adieu.
~~~
Glancing around the platform she realized most of the passengers were gone, only a few still waiting to meet someone. And the train was fully loaded, ready to depart on its continued journey, heading next to Tucson, but eventually California. Mr. Stevenson had come over a few minutes earlier to say he’d asked the Station Master to keep an eye on her until her fiancé showed up but he looked concerned.
“Oh, no need to worry! You know Mr. Bristol works for the railroad and is in charge of building the spur line heading toward the mines.” She pointed to some track angling south from the station. “I am sure he will be here momentarily! Besides, there has been no sign of anyone with a large mustache like the one Mr. Brandt described. If he was on the train at all, he probably got off in Harrisburg to try to rescue his accomplice!”
Mr. Stevenson shook his head somberly. “I’m worried just the same. You continue to take care, Miss! The man’s a scoundrel and he’s still on the loose.”
“I promise to keep my wits about me and be on the lookout for anyone who seems suspicious.”
He nodded but didn’t look convinced. He wouldn’t be there to keep an eye on her and he still felt decidedly uneasy. Looking around the nearly empty platform, he signaled the Station Master who waved to indicate he was on the job. Then he turned back to her to bid farewell.
“Since you will be living in Benson you must come visit me once in a while as we pass through! I will want to know how Miss Camellia fares, and you, too, you know!”
She had become quite fond of the conductor and would miss him, and told him as much. He assured her he felt the same and would be sure to bring her some more of Mrs. Stevenson’s jam tarts when he came through again. Her face lit up.
“Oh, please be sure to thank her for me and let her know they are the best I’ve ever had!”
And the train blew its whistle and he had to go. She waved as it left the station and a number of uniformed arms up and down the length of the train waved back.
CHAPTER TEN – Mr. Bristol
Not sure what else to do, she continued to wait. But if someone didn’t appear soon, perhaps she should ask a porter to arrange for a hansom to take her to the hotel.
She gazed at the sleeping infant in the basket atop her trunk, then turned around at the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Miss Maddux?" The speaker was taller than she but not imposing despite the
