"Of course, I'm happy for you!" They hug, and Lizzy sighs in relief.
“Good, the Captain has agreed to marry us tonight.”
“Tonight!” Bronnah leaps to her feet. “I… what?”
Elizabeth laughs and begins rushing around the room. "I know it's sudden, but we didn't want to wait. Of course, I'll give you the money to repay the marriage broker. It's in an envelope in your bag. I will move to his cabin after the ceremony, and you'll have the suite to yourself. Won't that be nice?" Lizzy begins tearing through her gowns to find the one she will be married in.
"Wear your evening gown," Lizzy orders, "I had it pressed for you this afternoon. I found a photographer on board too!" The rest of the day passes in a blur of excitement. Elizabeth wears a silver, off the shoulder gown, trimmed in tiny roses. Bronnah wears a lilac gown in a similar shape, and both are glowing with the hope of a new future.
The wedding goes off without a hitch. It is, oddly enough, attended by a great many people in first class. The dining room was transformed, and as Jules and Elizabeth exchange their vows, Bronnah wiped away tears of happiness for her best friend. She sends a silent prayer that this marriage be blessed with many years of joy.
“Presenting, Mr. and Mrs. Jules Verne,” the Captain announces.
Bronnah laughs, and they dance, enjoying the evening under the stars.
In five days, they will be arriving in New York. Watching Lizzy, she can't help but worry about what is waiting for her in New York. Elizabeth will leave, as she should with her husband. Their lives are changing so fast, she can only pray and trust that coming to America was the right decision. "Hope is a choice," her mother reminded her and Bronnah decided to cling to it and trust that she will have a chance at happiness.
“I will chase my dreams, Mother,” she whispers as she stares at the stars from her porthole window.
Chapter 7
“Here is our newest rail car,” Pierce points.
Chase whistles as he looked over the dark green rail car with the name "Rivers Refrigeration," in bright white letters. "Did you design this, Pierce?" Impressed he stares at his brother with new eyes.
"Yes, she's thirty-six feet long with heavier insulation and ice compartments on each end. It's not the rail car that I wanted you to see. Notice the name, Chase."
Chase frowns and looked back at his brother.
"I'm confused. Why does it say Rivers Refrigeration?
"That is really what I brought you here to see." He pulls out a sketch and hands it to his brother.
“What am I looking at?”
The paper is folded up and worn like it has been in his pocket for a little while.
"Rivers Refrigeration is my dream, not ranching." He waits for the explosion, but it doesn't come.
Chase is quiet for a moment before he speaks. “Pierce, it’s good to have goals of our own. Tell me more.”
“I knew you’d understand.” Pierce grins and unfolds the paper.
“This is a design for an ice making machine. I’ve applied for a patent and if it comes through it will revolutionize ice making. We’ll be able to go longer distances and offer products which have never been successfully transported. No more shipping ice from long distances and paying exorbitant fees.”
“Does it work?” Chase asked with a grin.
“Of course,” Pierce frowns in mock offense. “I wouldn’t put our family name on it unless it did. This car will be the test car. I have a working model in my bunkhouse ready to be installed. I haven’t told the family yet, Chase. I want to surprise them.”
“I’m impressed, little brother. Why are you telling me?”
“I guess, I thought if anyone would understand the need to forge my own path, it would be you.”
Chase laughs, “That I do, but apparently I missed out on the brains. You clearly got most of those. Tell me how it works.” The next hour is spent discussing the plans and listening to his brother explain how the machine will work. His admiration for Pierce grows by the second.
Walking over to the rail car Pierce knocks on the heavy metal, “The problem is that we can only store so much ice in each compartment. One tank, if you will, on each end of the car. The cold air from the ice is blown into the compartment housing the product being carried, forcing warm air up and out of vents, while the melted water flows out through drains in the floor…” he points below the rail car and stops talking.
"What's wrong?" Chase asks staring at his brother, then to the rail car. A dark black ooze is pooling on the ground between the tracks.
"Nothing should be coming out of this car. It's never been used." Pierce pulls on the double doors and swings them open before Chase can stop him. The doors slam back against the metal with a loud clang. Chase steps up behind him, and his heart stops for a moment.
Once the scent of death fills your soul, it can never be forgotten. Four young women in various states of dress, all bound and gagged with their throats slit. Pierce yells and stumbles back into his brother who steadies him.
“Damn!” Chase swears knowing what he must do next. “Pierce, I need you to go get the Sheriff.”
“I …” Pierce is frozen in horror.
Chase steps in front of him to block his view. “Sheriff!” he growls. Pierce runs to the side of the car and vomits. Chase pulls himself up inside the car to check for possible signs of life, but he knows what he will find. The bloated bodies
