They had made a game of counting the different animals they saw along the tracks, but there were far fewer of some of the magnificent creatures than there had been only a handful of years earlier.
Beverly had been in awe of the bright gold and white prong horn antelope that roamed the prairie lands, but Jonas had eyes for only the buffalo.
Hyke pointed out mule deer, elk, prairie dogs and anything else he could name, sounding almost as enthusiastic as the children at each sighting.
As the train slowed Hester hurried to the sleeping car, tucking any stray items back into bags, and checking to be sure that the hole punched lid was screwed down tight on Hebbie’s large jar.
It would feel wonderful to place her feet on firm ground once more and to smell something other than coal smoke, and hopefully, end the sensation of constant motion.
“Miss Johnson,” Cecil Payton poked his head into the room. “We’re here, is there anything I can do to help?”
Hester snapped the hasp on her old bag shut but shook her head. “I think I have everything together,” she smiled. “What do we do next?”
“There’s a boarding house here in town. We’ll head there for tonight then hire a wagon to take us to the new house. I’ve never seen the children so happy,” he finished, his bright eyes soft.
Hester nodded, longing for a chance to sleep in a real bed.
Chapter 11
“The train’s in,” George Olson poked his head into the living area of his family boarding house, nodding to his son. “I have a feeling it’s gonna be full.”
“You’re feelings are usually right Pa,” Ellery said handing his youngest daughter to his wife. “I’ll get the cart.” The tall dark-haired man winked at his sweet Ernestine, grabbing his hat and heading for the door.
“George, I’ve made stew and fresh bread if anyone’s hungry. This time of year certainly can get busy.” Polly Esther Olson called after her husband as he headed through the kitchen. “Make sure folks know, so they can come here or to the Grist Mill for supper.”
George crammed his hat onto his head of salt and pepper hair and grinned. “As long as you have some cookies for a snack or dessert, I’ll be happy with anything.”
Polly Esther Olson waved her husband out the back door with her dish towel. Every day was like this, with that man. His sweet tooth seemed to take up his whole mouth. Patting her white gold hair back into a neat bun, she gave her stew a stir and handed down a stack of plates to her granddaughter Alyssa. As the oldest of Ellery’s three children, she always wanted to help.
“How do I know how many to put on the table?” Alyssa tossed her golden braid over a shoulder as she walked to the long table.
“Put them all on and we’ll take away what we don’t need.” Polly said. “If George is right, though, we’ll have more than one table full.” The cheerful boarding house keeper gazed around the dining area that took up most of the back side of the house. One long table, separated the main kitchen from the rest of the room, but other smaller tables were available for any overflow.
Alyssa smiled her soft eyes bright. She loved living next door to her grandparent’s boarding house. The past year and a half had been hard, but she was starting to believe in peace, love and joy once more.
After the loss of her mother and their father’s recent marriage to the woman who had come to help George and Polly look after them, Alyssa was finally hopeful that life had purpose once more.
With a shy smile she took the plates and began setting the table, taking care to lay everything out the way Ernie had taught her.
“Where’s Pa?” a dark-haired little boy trotted into the kitchen, a cur dog at his heels.
“He went with grandpa to the station, Georgie. And how many times has grandma told you not to bring that dog into the house?” Alyssa glared at her youngest brother.
“Sorry.” The boy grinned dashing for the back door, the shaggy, short legged dog racing him outside before anyone else could scold.
“I’ll have a talk with him,” Ernestine walked into the room, little Sophia toddling at her side. “He knows better, but he forgets.”
“He’ll learn,” Polly laughed smiling at her newest daughter-in-law. “Did Mark go with the men?”
“No, he’s finishing his homework incase Becky and Grady stop by later,” Ernie replied. She had come to love this family as no one she had ever known. They were so much to her, and she loved being a part of the help and healing of her new household. “He wants to get top grades this year.”
“I’m sure you’re helping him achieve his goal.” Polly looked back over her shoulder as she shoved a tray of biscuits in the oven. “You’ve been wonderful for the children dear.”
“You’re a kind woman Polly Esther,” Ernestine said. “Now what can I do to help?”
***
“Looks like a good group tonight,” George called to his son as they trundled toward the depot. “We’ll start with that bunch,” he added indicating a group of four adults and two children. “They don’t look like they know where they are.”
“I came to help,” Georgie raced up beside his grandfather taking his hand as his little dog gave a yelp.
“We’re glad to have your help,” George grinned. “How about you run along up there and introduce yourself to them folks with all the trunks,” he added with a grin. “I reckon they’ll need a place for at least tonight.”
Georgie grinned racing ahead his dog at his heels, coming to a stop in front of a staunch looking woman who glared down at him.
“Who are you?” the woman in the black dress asked.
“I’m Georgie, I come to
