Chapter 16
JESSICA
The train wheels screeching to a stop wakes me up.
Without realizing it, I reach over to the other side of the bed only to find it cold, but I can tell by the imprint in the pillow that Reggie stayed with me all night.
The curtain has been pulled closed, so I make myself get up and dress, because no matter how much I didn’t want yesterday to end, the light of a new day came anyway.
After pulling my old dress on, which now feels ill-fitting and scratchy, I carefully pack away the delicate dresses that Victoria gave me in the luggage she insisted I would need to store them properly.
Wiping a tear off my cheek, I take a deep breath, refusing to cry any longer.
My eyes are already puffy and sore from falling apart yesterday.
The only thing that brings a small smile to my face is the fact that Reggie didn’t allow me to suffer alone, and he didn’t force me to talk about it … he just held me.
When the last of my bags is packed, I open the curtain, finding that all of Reggie’s are stacked next to the door, so he must have been up for a while.
Heading to the washroom, I quickly take care of business, then splash some cool water on my face.
When I look up into the mirror, all I see is the same face I’ve looked at all my life, and I wonder if the last few days even happened.
I’ve no idea how long I stand there, but hearing the door open, I straighten my dress and pat down the stray hairs that are already trying to escape my braid before walking out, only to stop dead in my tracks.
“Heavens, Reggie! If I hadn’t seen all your hair under that cowboy hat, I would’ve been scared half to death. You look like a completely different person.”
“Well Jess, you didn’t expect me to wear a suit on the trail, did you?”
“I hadn’t thought about it, actually. Come here, you have the top buttoned wrong.”
I reach up to unbutton the top of his shirt so that I can fix it right, only to stop when he puts his much larger hand over mine.
“Are you okay?”
“I have no choice except to be, but thank you for last night … for everything, really. These last few days … well, I will remember them always.”
Reggie just looks down at me. I resume straightening up the buttons, and just as I start to turn away, he grabs my arm gently.
“Jessica, I know you believe it’s the clothes that created this magical world for you, but you’re the same girl no matter what you wear.
I still see the bright, expressive green eyes, the shiny long hair, and a drab, brown dress that hides your curves from the world now.
You need to look at this as just another part of a new chapter in your life.
The moment you stepped on this train with me, both of our lives changed.
We need to keep turning the pages to see where the story is going. ”
My heart hits my throat when he leans down and kisses me gently before stepping away, gathering a few of his bags.
I press my hand against my lips as I really want to believe that this could or will become more, but my heart already has a small crack in it, and I fear I will not survive if it shatters completely.
Reggie stops with one hand on the doorknob.
“I must go get Bells and sign a few papers. I’ll have Jacob come to gather your bags and the rest of mine.
Victoria sent word that she is waiting for you in her wardrobe car.
Either Jacob or I will come to get you when we’re ready.
It’ll probably take me an hour or better to get everything organized and ready to go. ”
He is gone before I can say anything else, and I don’t waste a moment heading toward Victoria as I weave in and out of people who are also disembarking.
She must have seen me coming because she’s at the door when I step out of the car behind hers.
Instantly, I’m in her arms, hugging her again, only to giggle when I feel a large head trying to wiggle in between us. Letting go of Victoria, I lean down.
“Yes, pretty boy, I will miss you as well.”
When I look up, I swear I watch her wipe a red tear off her cheek.
“I wish I’d brought one of his pups with us now.
I would feel so much better if I knew you were not alone and had some protection.
Maybe I’ll have Tyberius contact Lucas and see if that can be arranged.
Not all the pups are the same as Wrath, but all his offspring are naturally protective of their people. ”
“Victoria, as much as I would love to have a little Wrath of my own, I have no way of knowing what my future holds, and I would hate to have to leave him behind if I am forced to move on.”
“Speaking of your future, I have something for you.”
“Absolutely not. You have given me more than I could’ve have imagined and granted me several days of happiness I would have never had if not for you.”
“You will take this young lady, or I will find a way to hide in your things. I have thought about this for several days now, and for my own peace of mind, I need to know you have this with you.”
Victoria turns away from me for a minute, only to pick up a small trinket box on a stand.
“Here, I know you would never accept any of my more expensive pieces, but every girl should at least have a set of pearls that she can hopefully pass down one day.”
I run my fingers across the small, luminous strand. “Ohhh, Victoria … they’re stunning, but you have to know in my way of life, the odds of me ever being able to wear them is rare.”
“Jessica, we have no idea where our lives are headed. I wanted you to have something that would last longer than a piece of material and would always make you think of me. At the bottom, there are several addresses where you can reach me. Tyberius also included a ticket that will guarantee their arrival, provided you give the telegram officer the number. If the path you are on now proves painful and unfulfilling, and you need to escape or to simply start again, come to me. Do you understand what I am saying, Jessica?”
“If this life stinks, you are giving me another option and a place to go?”
“Yes! In this box, there is a safety net that should get you at least to our home in South Carolina. I’ve notified the staff of your name and the possibility that you could arrive any day or never at all.
So, even if I cannot be reached, you are welcome at our door.
No matter how many years pass, or the circumstances, if you need me, you come. ”
I turn the small box over in my hand, looking at the fine engravings and details. My heart is heavy as I know these are our last moments together.
“Victoria, I am going to miss you so much, and not because of all of the things.”
“Jessica, my sweet child, I will miss you as well, but we will see each other again. Tyberius and I are always traveling and can be in places rather quickly if need be. I am only a letter away, and I expect them regularly.”
The train whistle blows, and I know that the first one is notifying everyone to either disembark or board. Opening the box, I slide the pearls carefully inside, making sure the clasp is firmly closed before I tuck it into a pocket on my skirt.
“Jessica, you keep that box close at least until you’re settled. What’s at the bottom is for your eyes only. Every woman needs something of her own to fall back on from time to time. The men don’t need to know everything.”
“I will, I promise. I suppose I should be going. Reggie has rented several wagons, and I’m sure he will want to get started south as soon as possible. He has a stationery set in one of his bags, so I’ll write as soon as we get to his cousin’s house.”
“I will watch for it. I pray all your dreams come true, child.”
Hugging her one last time, I reach up and kiss her on the cheek before reaching down to pet Wrath.
“You be a good boy. Thank you, Victoria. If I never see you again, I want you to know you were the best fairy godmother a girl could ever ask for.”
And before I fall completely apart, I practically run off the train. My eyes are full of tears as I step onto the ground, looking around to see if I can find Reggie or any of the others. Thankfully, Jacob is waiting on the deck, and the moment he sees me step off, he heads my way.
“Miss Jessie, Mr. Kerns told me to wait for you here. He didn’t want you walking around by yourself as it is taking him longer than he realized to take care of the final bills and make sure the wagons were loaded.”
Taking a deep breath, I step forward, knowing that Victoria is somewhere behind watching.