Bride by Arrangement by Nordin Ruth Ann & Syas Nitsick Janet

Author:Nordin, Ruth Ann & Syas Nitsick, Janet [Nordin, Ruth Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Parchment & Plume, LLC
Published: 2014-01-12T08:00:00+00:00

She Came by Train

Janet Syas Nitsick

Chapter One

April 1876

Charles City, Virginia

The train chugged toward the station. Smoke bellowed from the engine’s stack. Standing underneath the roof of the brick-and-mortar depot, Opal gulped as she watched it approach. She rubbed her hands on her white-and-green ruffled skirt.

With a weak smile, her father turned to her. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Papa, this is for the best. You know that. Your business is suffering and Winifred is old enough to take care of the boys.” She shifted her head away to dab at a trickling tear with her fingertip.

“But it’s so far.”

She faced him and forced a smile. “Yes,” she replied, her voice soft. “It’s going to be rough. But not having me here will help you, and I’ll be safe.”

His gaze searched hers. “His credentials are impeccable, according to the telegraph messages,” he said in a meek voice.

The train pulled into the station, its wheels squealing as it made its stop.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Puffs of the engine’s smoke blew into her eyes. She fumbled to open the drawstring purse. Getting a good grip to pull the strings apart, she reached for her handkerchief. Retrieving the lace-edged cloth, she wiped her eyes before replacing it inside her handbag.

“Your train departs in about fifteen minutes. Let’s get your trunk loaded.” His jaw clenched as he waved his hand to beckon one of the baggage handlers to come over.

A gray-haired man raced to them.

Her father turned to him. “Would you put this on the train for us? The baggage tag is on it, and my daughter has the matching one.”

Opal clasped the drawstrings and pulled the purse open to grasp the brass metal inside.

Pa laughed. “You’re always checking and rechecking things. That’s why I’m surprised you’re willing to take on this adventure.”

Her skirt brushed against her ankles as she rocked back and forth. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? But this leaves you with one less mouth to feed, and it’s time I found my way.” She paused. “I-I can’t stay with you forever and no man has asked to court.”

Her father took her arm. “That’s not true. There’s plenty of interest in a pretty girl like you. You’re just picky.”

Opal sighed. “Yes, I guess I am. I want a man, not some namby-pamby, old-plantation owner who never worked a day in his life.”

“You amaze me, Opal. You really do. I never thought you had that much mischief in your soul to leave and go so far away from us.”

“No, Pa, it’s not that. It’s just I want to see if there’s something else out there, and this position gives me that.” She adjusted her feathered hat.

“All aboard!” the conductor shouted from a distance.

Pa’s soft hand stroked hers then he tightened his grip. “You write. If things don’t work out, you come back to us.” His voice broke. “Winifred and the boys wanted to see you off.”

“I know but it’s better this way. I said good-bye to them last night.”

Pa led her to the conductor.

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