Chapter 4
REGGIE
Standing in the depot, I watch as the last of the railroad freight cars are being hooked up, holding not only Grant’s items but now most of my own.
After that is done, I personally take Bells up the large ramp of the stock car for horses, making sure her enclosure is properly padded and that she has everything she needs for the trip.
Patting her lovingly on the neck I tell her, “I’ll check on you in the morning, beautiful. ”
She nudges me playfully as I walk out of the enclosure. Stepping out of the car, I stroll through the depot, glancing down at the ticket in my hand, verifying the sleeping car number on it before going up the steps and handing it to the conductor stationed there.
“Welcome aboard, Mr. Kerns. We are happy to have you with us. Your luggage is still in the process of being delivered outside the door of your room. Until it’s available, the dining car is ready, and you are welcome to await our departure there in comfort.”
“Thank you. I also have a crew boarding a few cars back. Will you please notify me when they are all aboard?”
“Absolutely, I believe one gentleman has already checked in … but there are no worries, we still have an hour before departure.”
Rubbing my eyes I turn, heading toward the dining car, simply ready to get off my feet.
I never thought I would look forward to being stuck on a train for days, but this last week has been extremely hectic.
I don’t believe I’ve slept for more than a few hours at a time, and I am looking forward to some rest. The moment I plop down in the first empty seat I find, I lean my head against the window, my mind running back through all the things that needed to be done.
A stranger’s voice suddenly jerks me out of my own thoughts.
“Sir, may I offer you some coffee or something slightly stronger?”
“Coffee would be great, thank you.”
Looking around the train, I watch several others come on board.
I don’t mean to stare, but one couple catches my eye immediately.
Both are dressed lavishly; the man is taller than most and broad in the shoulders, but it’s his long, straight black hair hanging halfway down his back that really catches my attention.
This alone indicates that they are not from around here.
He has his hand pressed possessively against his woman’s lower back, guiding her gently through the crowd.
They sit down a couple of seats in front of me, and when he catches my eye, his nod is friendly.
Before I can acknowledge him, the conductor is standing beside my table.
“Sir, we have a small issue I need to discuss with you. Could you please come with me?”
Hell! I haven’t even taken a drink of my coffee, and there’s already a problem. I push the table away and follow along beside him, shocked when he stops at the gateway between the cars.
“Sir, I wanted to speak to you about this discreetly. There is a young lady trying to board the train with a ticket she says you purchased for her. The ticket is valid, but it’s not for your sleeping car; it’s with the other men in the couchette car.”
“A girl, you say?”
“Yes, Sir. I am not good with ages, but I would say she is in her early twenties.”
“Give me a moment to look over the card I was sent.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull it out along with my own ticket. “Here it is, Colby, Jacob, Deven, and Jessie. Those were the only names on the list. Is she still waiting?”
“Yes, Sir as I could not morally put her in the train car with those other gentlemen even if she knew them personally.”
“No, no, that’s understandable, let’s go see who this is, as I am as confused as you are.”
I step off the side, looking around, only to find a small female with dark hair standing next to Colby. He is gently holding her arm and is bent down, talking to her. Instantly, I see the relief on his face when he notices me approaching.
“Mr. Kerns, I told her you would come. I have no idea how this mix-up happened, but the others and I are willing to sleep in one of the freight cars so that Jessie can have our room if that’s acceptable.”
The moment her green eyes met mine, I am momentarily at a loss for words. Forcing my gaze away, I turn toward Colby, and even though I am secretly happy she is here, I am still confused as to why.
“I was not made aware that any of Grant’s maids were accompanying us.”
“Sir, I sent her name along with the others. You said all were welcome to come.”
“Yes, I did, and I am a man of my word. I’m simply trying to figure out what happened.” I hand the card to him, “Which one of these is hers?”
Colby’s eyes glance over the card before he looks down at her. “Oh, Jess, what have I done? Please Mr. Kerns, this is truly my fault. I have called her Jessie since we were youngins. Her proper name is Jessica.”
The conductor clears his throat. “Sir, the ticket is made out to Jessie Welch. If the lady can provide proper identification, the ticket is valid, but we will have to find her a more suitable seat for the trip. Otherwise, she will have to meet you at a later date after this is corrected. The train is scheduled to depart in ten minutes, and I must get you all on board.”
“I don’t have any paperwork proving who I am one way or another.” She looks up at me, then Colby and I can see the panic in her eyes. Knowing I only have a few minutes to figure this out, I need to get rid of this conductor.
“Give me three minutes, and I will be on board, kind Sir. You are welcome to go and see to your other duties.”
Gently, I pull her to the side. “Forgive me for this mix-up Jessica, but before we get into that, I had no idea any of the girls had chosen to come … Why did you? I provided you with a generous severance pay and good references.”
“Yes you did, Sir, and I appreciate all you did for us before letting us go. Since then, I’ve been searching all over town for work, but there weren’t any suitable jobs available.
The current employment situation and my inability to add to what you have provided means that the pocket money you’ve given me would be gone in months.
I would then face eviction from my rented room and homelessness.
I don’t need to tell you what happens to young women when they have no family or lack any other place to turn.
While looking for a job, I happened to run into Colby again, and he reminded me that you said all of us were welcome. Well, here I am.”
“Do you even understand how tough it’s going to be out here? The area we’re headed to won’t resemble the nice, elegant homes you’ve been caring for. All of us will be lucky to find a bed that’s not on the ground after we leave the train.”
“Couldn’t be any harder than here, Sir. Just because your home was nice does not mean ours was.
I did not live in Mr. Hayes’ home; only Mrs. Beacon resided there.
As I mentioned before, I had a room down on Black Alley above the seamstress’s shop.
Thankfully, I was one of the few who had a lock on my door, and luckily, Deven lived nearby and was able to walk me to and from work most days.
I do not have to tell you what an unsavory area that is.
Nevertheless, I was lucky to have never been accosted, and I am not entirely helpless, as I was not raised in town, Mr. Kerns.
My family owned a farm several hours south of here, and I understand hardship the same as anyone else. ”
“Please don’t take this wrong, but what can you do besides dust?”
“Not only am I a hard worker, but I can also cook over an open fire, ride a horse, shoot a gun, and take care of a home. Anything else I can learn, but I didn’t hear you asking the men that same question before hiring them.”
“Well, for something so small, you’re certainly sure of yourself.
” I stand there for a minute, unsure how to proceed.
She can’t stay with the men, and even if I buy her another ticket, the conductor already said all the sleeping cars are full.
For some reason, the thought of leaving her behind almost guts me.
Glancing down at her, I see the slight tremble she’s trying to hide as she looks up at me with her head held high.
Lord knows she is a tiny thing as she barely comes to the middle of my chest, but she really is striking, and it makes me wonder why some young fellow hasn’t swooped in to make her his yet. That’s it!!!
“Okay, as I am not comfortable with you traveling alone, we’re going to have to lie to get you on this train, so just play along.”
Thankfully, the conductor who had brought all of this to my attention was called away, and another man is motioning for us.
“Colby, you and the others go ahead and board. I will take Jessica with me and see if I can find a sleeping car for her. I will check in with you at the next stop. In Wyoming, we will buy supplies, then we should be in Utah a few days later. You men enjoy your down time because there won’t be much of that once we leave this train. ”
“Thank you, Mr. Kerns. I knew you would straighten all this out, and we appreciate you for putting us up so nicely for the ride out West. It will be a pleasure to be able to sit back and relax some for a change.”
I look down only to find one small bag at Jessica’s feet. “Is this all you have with you?”
“Yes, Sir.”
I didn’t mean to embarrass her but simply by the tone of her voice, I can tell I did.
“Okay, if we are going to make this work no more, ‘yes Sir’ … my name is Reggie.” I hold up my hand when I can tell she is about to protest. “Just play along as we only need to do this for a couple of days. Once we are off this train, we will discuss the arrangements further.”
Picking up her bag I grab her hand, tucking it into my arm. I hear her gasp when I pull her closer, walking up to this new conductor. “Mr. Kerns, I was told you already checked in. Does the Missus have a ticket?”