“Oh, good heavens,” Savannah jumps to her feet. “You’d try the patience of a saint!” She marches over to him and lowers her voice. “You can’t have it both ways, Eli! Either you call them trash, or you think I’m going to make a fortune with them?” Savannah pokes him in the chest, and Felicia’s eyes grow large. “The fact is, Mr. Irwin, that I do not need your money, and I certainly don’t need you!” She turns back to Felicia, “Please think it over and let me know tomorrow what you’d like to do with Oliver’s things. Good night,” she sniffs back tears of frustration and stomps to her room.
“Eli Irwin, you are a fool,” Felicia sniffs and climbs to her feet. “That young woman came here at your brother’s request, and for some reason, he chose you to protect his legacy. Why can’t you see that?”
Eli watches her leave, and paces in front of the fireplace. Memories flash of a childhood, laughter, and joy. Eli slams from the house to escape the past.
Chapter 18
Dayton is jerked awake by the sound of a baby screaming and he’s assaulted by the smell of too many bodies crushed together in a muggy train car. His eyes are blood shot, his suit, once crisp and clean is now wrinkled and his face is covered in a day’s growth of dark black beard. The brakes squeal and the cars shudder as they begin to slow down to refuel.
“Where are we?” Dayton asks the woman across from him.
“Ohio,” she smacks her sons’ hand when he tries to grab a toy from his brother, and they start fighting.
Dayton glances away determined to get on the next connection, every second seems like an hour! The passengers are herded onto the wooden platform while the engineers refuel on coal and water. When the first sprinkle strikes a collective groan ripples through the crowd. It is not a covered platform.
He stomps over to the ticket counter, “I need the next passage to Iowa, money is not an issue.”
“Must be nice,” the clerk snorts.
“Excuse me?” Dayton glares.
“I, uh, I said, let me check for you, Sir. I’m afraid you are on the only train for Iowa. You can pick up the next train from that station.”
“Excellent.” Dayton stomps back over to stand in the rain. There is no cover to be found. All the passengers wait together huddled like cattle in a field. He whispers a prayer of protection for Savannah and closes his eyes as the rain beats on him.
Chapter 19
Fred wakes up to a pounding headache and dry mouth. “Oh,” he groans and rolls over grabbing the basin to vomit in. He won’t be going anywhere today. Savannah Ward will have to wait. “I hate whiskey!” struggling to his feet, he realizes he’s still dressed in yesterday’s clothes.
Last night flashes in images of drinking, girls, and card games. His eyes fly open wide, and he pats himself down and finds his wallet still intact. Relief is instant. He begins emptying his pockets on the end table, ignoring the napkin and collapses on the bed to sleep off his hangover.
Kristin hopes that she bought this Savannah Ward some time, but she’s terrified to get involved. “You’re a fool, Kristin,” she mumbles to herself as she folds the sheets. Eli made it clear at the hotel the other day that nothing she could ever say to him would make up for the past.
“Mama, look!” Three-year-old Lucas calls from behind her and holds up a flower.
“Is that for me?” she gasps and drops down to look him in the eye. She ruffles his blonde curls and stares into his chocolate eyes. It strikes her hard that God’s plan is always better than ours. Did it hurt losing Eli? Yes, still does, but she wouldn’t give up Lucas for anything in the world.
“Yep, I founded it.” Lucas throws his arms around her neck and squeezes.
“Oh, Lucas, your hugs are magical. I needed that,” she presses a kiss to the side of his blonde head. “Thank you.” She sets him back, “Let’s put it in some water.”
“I can do it!” he jumps up and runs to the kitchen of the rental house, and she follows slowly, watching him.
Kristin sighs, “Lucas, how would you like to have a picnic today?”
He whirls around, “Really? Can I bring my stick?” he pleads.
“Of course, how would we get on without it?” she teases. “Go get your shoes, while I pack a lunch.”
Kristin knows the ride to the Irwin farm. She’s used to make it in record time. It’s a quick ride on horseback, and soon they are on Eli’s land.
“Lucas are you ready?” she asks.
His little body is vibrating with excitement at the thought of a ride on horseback. Though he was disappointed that he couldn’t ride alone yet, she quickly made him feel better when she promised a run.
“I’m ready, Mama!”
Kristin kicks the horse, and they lean together and give the horse freedom to run. His squeal of excitement has her laughing out loud. Kristin savors the feel of the wind and sun and doesn’t think twice about how they look flying across the open land.
Eli and Rooster are just walking to the house for breakfast when they hear a child’s excited laughter. Both men smile in response when the rider trots into view. The sight of Kristin on horseback smiling and enjoying herself is a gut punch to Eli.
Rooster feels him stiffen next to him and steps in front to give him a moment to compose himself.
“Is that Miss Kristin Fischer?” Rooster calls walking over to grab the reins of the horse.
“Rooster, it’s nice to see you. It’s Kristin Taylor now.” Her eyes
