“Husband?” Mrs. August huffed. “I am not married.”
“Then who’s that old fella?” Georgie asked as Mitch, the dog, barked again.
“That is Mr. Johnson and he works for my employer Mr. Payton,” Mrs. August snipped. “Now where is this boarding house, and do they have decent food?”
“Who are you?” Jonas walked out onto the platform, Hebbie’s jar held tight in both hands. “Is that your dog?” He pushed forward interrupting the conversation between Georgie and Mrs. August.
“I’m Georgie,” the younger boy grinned, “and this is Mitch, Pa let me keep him. Is that a real snake?” Georgie’s eyes grew wide.
“Hello,” an old man with white hair and dark brown eyes stopped at the platform stairs. “I see Georgie found you. If you’re lookin’ for a place to stay Ellery and me can bring your bags. The boy can show you the way to the boarding house.”
“I’ll be happy to show ‘em grandpa,” Georgie grinned. “Come on.” The boy turned heading toward the stairs as George and Ellery began loading bags and trunks on the cart. “Oh, and the food is good,” Georgie added. “My grandma is the best cook in Biders Clump.”
Hester hurried to pick up the last few bags falling in behind the children, while Hyke held back helping with the rest of the baggage. It was a strange procession trailing behind the boy and dog as they crossed a street and headed toward a tall building down the street.
Perhaps Mrs. August wasn’t impressed with the offer of accommodation, but Hester would be happy to come to a full stop for the first time in days.
A smaller hand took Hester’s and she looked down at a tired and bedraggled Beverly. “Are we really done traveling?” the girl asked. “All I want is a hot meal and a good sleep.”
“Yes, we are really here,” Hester replied. “The first few days might be rather awkward, but if we all work together, you’ll soon have a new home you can be proud of.”
Beverly flicked her eyes to Hester, but didn’t say anything else. It seemed that she was finally starting to understand what this move meant.
“Don’t worry,” Hester smiled again. “I’m sure in no time at all you’ll be making friends and feel right at home.”
***
“Grandma we have guests!” Georgie’s voice echoed down the hall making Polly cringe. The boy was too bold by far, but there was no time to worry about that as he led a group of six toward her.
“Hello,” she greeted, drying her hands on a dish towel. “Have you come far?” She studied the hard looking woman in the dark dress, a younger man with dark hair and hazel eyes in a smart suit and a young woman in an outdated dress followed by two children. “Please come into the kitchen, and I’ll get you some coffee. Dinner will be served in a matter of minutes. It’s simple but hearty fare. I’m Polly Esther Olson, but you can call me Polly.”
The older woman sniffed casting a glance at the young man who stepped forward.
“Pleased to meet you Mrs. Olson,” the man grinned. “You might not remember me, but I passed through your town a while ago. I’m Cecil Payton. I seem to have inherited a house somewhere here in Biders Clump and have brought my wards to take possession.”
Beverly pressed close to Hester, not sure what was expected of her. Jonas had hurried back outside with the boy Georgie who was fascinated by Hebbie. She couldn’t help but feel out of place in the pretty, if quaint home.
“Don’t worry,” Hester assured. “You’ll see, everything will be fine.”
Behind them the men arrived with the rest of their baggage and Hester could hear them carrying the heavy items up stairs.
“Would it be possible for us to wash up?” Hester asked trying to be heard past Cecil’s shoulders.
“Sure,” a girl of about twelve stepped out of the room on the other side of the hall startling both Hester and Beverly. I hear there’s a real bathroom upstairs. Follow me,” she offered eyeing Beverly’s pretty dress. “I’m Alyssa,” she offered, clearly expecting an introduction.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Alyssa,” Hester offered falling in behind the girl. “I’m Hester Johnson and this is Beverly Payton.”
“Hello,” Beverly offered shyly as the trio marched up the stairs.
“Are you in school?” Alyssa asked Beverly, making Hester smile. This move west was already looking like it was a good one. Having friends their own age would go a long way to helping the children adjust to a different kind of life.
A few minutes later, after washing her hands and face, Hester headed back down stairs toward what smelled like a delicious meal, leaving Alyssa and Beverly to become better acquainted. At the bottom of the stairs she peered out the door, Hester could see that Jonas and Georgie were still exchanging information on their respective pets. She smiled, following the hall back toward the kitchen and lifting a silent prayer of thanks that the children might finally have friends.
A strange peace seemed to settle over Hester’s shoulders, like a comfortable old blanket on a cold day, and she smiled. Something told her that things would work out here in Wyoming.
“Miss Johnson,” Cecil stopped her forward progress placing a hand on her arm. “I wanted to thank you for all you have done on the journey so far.” The man’s eyes were kind and full of excitement. “I feel more like myself than I have in ages and I have you to thank for that.”
“Me? I don’t think I did that much,” Hester caught a glimpse of Mrs. August's harsh look and grew quiet.
“You gave me the idea,” Cecil said. “Thank you.”
For a long moment Hester stood there looking at Cecil who seemed more confident than she had ever seen him. His bright smile and laughing eyes were full of life.
“Mr. Payton,” Mrs. August called. “Diner is being served.”
Chapter
