“Why don’t we switch babies,” suggested Mrs. Kemble, and I’ll take care of that diaper for you.”
“Oh, would you? I’ve only changed wet ones and wasn’t quite sure how I was going to handle a soiled one. Anna was so quick I didn’t learn all her steps when she was showing me.”
Mrs. Kemble laughed, a soft sound that burbled up and made Megan laugh, too.
“Here, I’ll just lay Little Sam by your side. Just mind he doesn’t start rolling, if you would be so good.” Suiting action to words, she laid down her son and scooped up an unresisting Camellia, making deft work of removing wrappings, soiled linens, and washing her bottom with the water Johnson had brought.
Once her arms were free, Megan had bent over and scooped up the sleeping infant next to her. He wasn’t much bigger than Camellia and had the fattest brown cheeks! But for now she needed to pay attention, so she tucked him close and watched as Mrs. Kemble explained each of her steps, cooing them to Camellia, whose eyes were fascinated by the feather atop Mrs. Kemble’s bonnet. Her arms started to wave, reaching for the object whose dancing movements had her so enthralled.
“Oh, I can see you are a curious sort! I’ll have to remember to put my hat aside next time. It won’t be too long before those fingers of yours succeed in reaching!” Looking up as she finished diapering and dressing Camellia, she asked, “Is she always this sweet natured?”
“You wouldn’t have thought so had you arrived half an hour past. She was screaming to raise the devil. But then,” Megan reflected, “so was I!”
“I’m afraid your exploits are now being gossiped about throughout the train. It isn’t every day a woman and baby manage to stop a killer!”
“Oh, dear! How disturbing!”
“Oh, please do not worry—your name is not being bandied about. Mr. Brandt suggested it not be released, for your safety and privacy; I believe I am the only person, outside of Johnson, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Brandt, who knows your identity. Even Willie ‘the Dip’ has not been told.”
Mrs. Kemble emitted her soft laugh again.
“I was surprised by how tiny you are when I entered. Willie has been screaming to all and sundry that you are an Amazon, a virtual Viking of a woman, blonde hair and all!”
Touching her rich, russet-brown tresses, Megan smiled with relief and a hint of mischief in her eyes.
“Considering that my brother thinks me the soul of timidity, I must admit to my vanity being piqued to be thought of as a Viking! But what about you? Johnson said that you used to work for the railroad and now you are widowed? But, please, I don’t mean to pry if you wish not to share that information.”
“Well, if you plan to hire me, I believe it would be in order. I used to work for the Pullman Palace Car Company, which is where I met my husband. I left when I was expecting Sam. He’s named after his father. Big Sam was killed when he interrupted a burglar who may have worked with Willie—that’s how I know Mr. Brandt. He is hoping to get Willie to confirm his accomplice’s name. It is my belief, based on all I have learned of the matter, that the man who killed my husband goes by the name of ‘Droopy Pete.’”
Megan nodded. “Yes, that’s the name Detective Brandt told me. I think you heard him caution me against going anywhere unaccompanied until they can capture him.”
“Oh, you had best heed that advice! Look what happened to my Sam!”
Mrs. Kemble paused to compose herself, then continued.
“The woman whose jewelry was saved was gracious enough to provide a small reward on which I have lived until Sam here was old enough to travel, but now I am going west as a Mail Order Bride.”
Megan stared at the woman sitting across from her.
“But so am I!”
Smiling broadly, she continued, “My intended is a friend of my brother, but I’ve never met him, only corresponded. He seems to have a beautiful soul,” she sighed.
“I’ve written to Moses, too, although I think he uses a scribe to write for him. Like me, he was emancipated as a child but I don’t think he has much education. I was lucky enough to be a house slave and had to help the white children, who thought it was a lark to teach me to read and cipher alongside of them. Moses is in a town called Tombstone working as a miner.”
Megan’s eyes opened wide.
“Do you believe in God, Mrs. Kemble?”
“But of course, Miss Maddux!”
“Well, I believe God caused us to be brought together this day. Because the father of that child you are holding has a mine in Tombstone.”
Utter silence, beyond the clacking of the train wheels, reigned in the car for several minutes.
They quickly agreed on terms of employment and Megan asked Mrs. Kemble to share her compartment to prevent any more strangers from attempting unwanted familiarities.
“And I think it would be appropriate for us to use first names now,” Megan concluded as she helped tuck both sleeping children into the basket which she had set on the floor for their safety.
“Why, yes, Miss Megan, I think that would be most appropriate!”
“Hurry back, Flora! And if you see Johnson, why don’t you enquire whether we might not have some tea? I have a few pasties and sandwiches we can share as it is now well past the noon hour, and I find myself famished!”
Her signature laugh rumbling from her throat, Flora went for her belongings.
CHAPTER EIGHT – No Rest
Johnson arrived accompanied by Mr. Stevenson who fussed a bit that the morning’s excitement had made them miss luncheon.
“I’ll
