“Tell me everything she did, and I will give you some candy,” he whispers.
Thomas grins.
Shep hands over the candy after they talk and draws out his wallet. With trembling hands, he reads her handwriting.
“Shepherd,
It has been a unique experience getting to know you and your friends these past few days. I have no room in my life for the kind of chaos that seems to revolve around you.
Please forgive me for taking the cash, but I need to be able to get a ticket. Be safe and thank you for your kindness.
I will think of you fondly and wish you well.
Miss Maggie Rose.”
“You’ll think of me fondly?” Shep growls and balls up the paper. “Damn fool of a woman!”
Is she wrong? No. They did drag her into this and force her to leave her job, her home and state. He frowns, perhaps he should just let her go. What is the possibility that they will look for her, he asks himself?
Sitting back in the chair he unfolds the note and reads it again. He misses her already, her touch, her scent.
“Yep, that’s just how she looked too, before she kissed you goodbye. Why’d you make her cry?” Thomas asks.
“Kissed me? You left that part out, Thomas. Was she crying?” Shep asks with a grin.
“She said, ‘Goodbye, big bear, and kissed you.’ Thomas wrinkled his nose up and Shep laughs behind his hand.
“Thomas you’re a wonder! It’s a good thing she didn’t know about my boots,” he grins and pulls one off. The spare roll of cash drops out and he counts it. Not much, but it should be enough to get him back to the last train station.
Shep pulls his boot back on and grabs his bags from the overhang. Time to get off this train and find his Rose.
Chapter 45
“When does our train leave?” Abbie asks.
“Two days was the best I could do. We will get off at the town before ours and take a stage coach from there.” Tucker says.
“I like that idea better than going straight to town. It’s not like we wouldn’t be recognized.”
“Exactly and it gives the children some time to rest.”
“Perfect, and it gives us time to shop,” she grins.
“Do you have a list?” Tucker asks.
“Only amateurs use lists, Tucker,” she quips before she turns to Mason.
“Mason, our home in Nebraska is different than the city. You will need warm clothes, a hat, coat, and other things. I don’t want you to worry about anything. Your daddy made sure you would be well cared for.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he whispers and walks over to stand next to Coralie’s cradle. He rocks her gently without realizing he’s doing it.
“Don’t worry, Mason, sometimes we have to suffer through this type of thing, but afterwards, we earn pie. Right, Abbs?” he teases.
“What’s your favorite?” she laughs.
“I’m partial to apple, but I’m not dumb enough to say no to pie. How about you, Mason, what’s your favorite?”
“I never had pie,” he says, smiling at the way they tease each other.
“Today is a day for firsts then. Pie and boots. Every boy needs a pair of cowboy boots and a hat,” Tucker declares.
“Boots?” excitement shines in his eyes and Abbie has to push back tears. God knew she would need Tucker for this trip and hopefully more.
“Let’s get going before they close.”
“The lady at the front desk suggested we go to a new store, called a department store. It’s supposed to have everything we need in one place,” Tucker said.
“Sounds interesting,” they walk to the front and hire a carriage to take them to the store.
“What’s it called?” Abbilene asks.
“The Contender,” he grins.
“How strange,” Abbie says and sighs with relief when Tucker takes Coralie. “I never realized how heavy a tiny baby could be.”
“We need a pram, in fact, I may look for one for Stephanie and Oz while we are here.” The carriage stops and when they step out, they are struck by how large it is.
The Contender is unique, unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. The interior is astonishing, lit by hundreds of gaslights, filled with gloves, fabrics, handbags and more.
“Welcome to The Contender. I’m Sally, your personal concierge. What brings you to our store today?”
Mason stares in awe around them and reaches for Abbie’s hand. Tucker starts talking and Abbie glances down at his face.
His eyes are like large saucers. Ignoring Sally, she walks a few feet away pulling Mason with her and squats down to talk to him.
“What do you think?” she asks softly.
“It’s big. You won’t leave me? Will you?” he asks.
“Of course not,”
“Mama left me sometimes, cause she needed a break.” Mason glances at his shoes in shame and Abbie lifts his chin.
“I will never leave you, and if we ever were to be separated, I promise you that I will come for you.”
Mason throws his arms around her neck and hugs her tight. Abbie sniffs and finds Tucker smiling at them.
“I know just what you need.” Sally hurries away and comes back with a shopping pram. “It’s a pram with room for items in the baskets underneath.”
“That’s perfect!” Abbie grins as Tucker lays Coralie inside.
“Time to shop!”
Two hours later their packages are being delivered to the hotel and they are tucked inside a booth at a local family restaurant looking at four different slices of pie.
Mason is sitting in the chair, staring with wonder at the desert and swinging his new red and black boots. “Which one do we try first?” he asks.
“Pumpkin, apple, peach, and chocolate silk,” Abbie groans and Coralie tries to imitate the sound, sending them all into a fit of laughter.
Tucker cuts each piece into three pieces
