A Bride for Alastair by Wendy May Andrews

Author:Wendy May Andrews [Andrews, Wendy May]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sparrow Ink
Published: 2019-08-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Fred was uncomfortable as they waited for the train. Carter and Ella had offered to wait with them, but it was going to be another hour, and since they had already done all their talking, it would have been awkward for all of them as they made idle chatter and waited with the small group of people awaiting the next train.

The size of the group heading east was a surprise. Fred would have thought he and Jane would be the only ones heading east. Since it was spring, most were going in the opposite direction to try their luck in the great expanse. With no trains going west that day, he would have thought they would have the station to themselves, but there were a few others milling around.

Jane had shed tears over her goodbyes to the McLains. Fred had wondered how to comfort her but other than patting her on the shoulder as Ella and Carter drove away, he wasn’t sure what he could do. They still were strangers, after all. He wondered if he ought to ask about her sister. But then he realized he didn’t want to bring up such a potentially painful subject when the poor woman was already feeling sensitive.

He needn’t have worried. She turned toward him, her eyes luminous after her weeping. Fred was relieved her tears seemed to have dried. But then more welled up as she started to speak.

“I had secretly thought Phoebe would have come to send us off. Or that she would have come by Carter’s, even though he told her to stay away. Under the circumstances, I’m sure he would have allowed it. He had one of the men go by and tell them we were leaving, so I know she is aware.”

Fred took a deep breath and prayed for the right words. “It’s possible she realized how dreadful goodbyes are and didn’t want to subject you to hers.”

This produced a watery chuckle from his wife and chased away her tears. “That’s diplomatic of you, Alastair. Thank you. Yes, you’re right, it is possible those were her thoughts. Not probable, but possible.” She laughed again. “Anyhow, have you traveled by train often? I know you mentioned you don’t like to leave the city, but I was wondering if you’re as inexperienced as me.”

“I don’t leave the city frequently, but I have ridden the train between Boston and New York a number of times.”

Jane nodded. “I would think that would be a frequently used train line.”

Fred smiled. “Are you feeling nervous or uncertain about our mode of travel?”

Jane shrugged. “Not particularly anxious, but I am curious about its reliability. Are we likely to be waiting long, do you suppose? Or is it expected to arrive at the time they said?”

Fred nodded in understanding over her questions. “Since this particular line doesn’t start too very far from here, it’s unlikely there would be many delays between its start and here. It’s entirely possible that we won’t arrive in Boston at

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