Flame of the Rockies by Angela Breidenbach

Author:Angela Breidenbach
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781957132099
Publisher: Angela Breidenbach

CHAPTER 8

Juliana startled at the double crack of thunder as lightening flashed close enough to reverberate through the tracks. She pressed her cheek against the window to see if the strike left smoking woodland nearby. But crane as she might, she couldn’t find the spot from her seat in the speeding train. Lightning mixed with the high winds were not a good combination. They needed a deluge to get the forest good and soaked.

The conductor came on board. "Sorry, folks, schedule change means everybody off." A groan ran through the car. "We gotta head down the valley and pick up folks at Avery. They got a wildfire startin'. Everybody off."

Grouchy and grumbling workers, who'd been breathing smoke from surrounding fires for weeks except when underground in cold, damp conditions, stumbled and shuffled off the train. Their frustrated fatigue evident. This night crew wouldn't get back to their bunks for a while.

Juliana caught the conductor's attention. "Mr. Kelly, I have to make the deliveries to the camps." She pointed to the hundred loaves, more than double her normal quota since they'd added the fire camps. She'd been contemplating hiring a boy to deliver if this volume kept up. But if fire fighters were heading home, she couldn’t spare the funds. “Can’t I stay?"

"Sorry, Mrs. Hayes, we don't got the time for the extra stops. See the smoke comin' up down yonder?" He pointed at a distant dark plume that thickened as they spoke. "They got a bunch of lightning strikes south of Avery today. We got a telegraph sayin' they're closin' the tracks except fer firefighters after this here train. The wind is winnin' down at St. Joe City and the fire looks to be headin' this way into the valley."

They needed every seat. “I understand." She shivered, whether at the unexpected chill from the overcast skies, or fear, Juliana couldn't tell. "What about all that bread?"

"Since we ain't stoppin', just leave the bread. If the fire stays back, I'll get the baggageman at Stetson and Kyle depots to help unload on the way back. We'll pick you up once we got the folks at Avery out of danger. But we ain't takin' anybody closer to it." He leaned out the door keeping an eye on his work. "Best bet's gonna be an hour or two. We'll lay her out and make it a quick trip. Might as well get a good meal down ya. I think they're gonna work ya to the bone after this." He poked a thumb down the track. “Think them boys they let go will be comin’ back.”

“Let’s hope they’re not needed.” Juliana smiled at him as she took the steps down toward the platform. She turned back. "Just come back safe, Mr. Kelly. What you're doing is heroic. I'll keep you all in my prayers." She waved at his salute as the train pulled out.

Hot food hadn't held any interest most of the summer. She ate to keep up her strength. But with the cooler

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