Lemon Cookies by Lisbeth: Old Timey Holiday Kitchen Book 32 by Abbott Zina

Author:Abbott, Zina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Cleora, Colorado – December 24, 1883

After claiming his trunk in Cleora, Roy waved to his uncle, Bert Dickens, as the man approached. Considering how overdue the train was, Roy was surprised to see him. The train had been delayed by bad weather and problems on the track. However, as it stopped at the stations along the way, the station managers must have sent updates by telegraph to the stations along the line. Not only would it have been important so those waiting for westbound passengers to know when to expect them, but the eastbound trains needed to know when to get off the main tracks onto sidetracks to wait.

​“Thought you’d never get here, Roy.” Shaking his head, Bert stopped where they met on the platform. “I checked yesterday afternoon when the train was due in, and again this morning. Here. If you can manage your trunk, I’ll carry your haversack.” He held out a hand and then creased his brow. “Why’d you bring the trunk this time?”

​“Because I quit my job on the section crew. Brought everything I own with me.” He patted his trunk rested on one shoulder. A thick bedroll tied across his chest and back covered the other.

​“Quit your job?” His eyes rounded, Bert stared.

​A chuckle escaped before Roy turned to his uncle with a grin. He slid the thick strap of a canvas sack off his shoulder and handed it to his uncle. “That’s right. I quit. I don’t plan to permanently move in with you, Uncle Bert, but I do hope you can tolerate me for a week or so until I can get settled.” He began walking in the direction of his uncle’s livery.

​“What I want to know is, what persuaded you to do something drastic like quit your job with the railway?” His gaze straight ahead, Bert walked by Roy’s side. “You’ve worked for the Denver and Rio Grande for years. I thought you once told me you felt a certain sense of loyalty to the company.” Bert shook his head. “Wait. Until you get settled?” He scrunched his forehead into deeper wrinkles and turned to face Roy’s profile. “Do you plan to stay around Cleora?”

​“I do. And, Uncle, I don’t necessarily mean to stop working for the D&RG. Do you know who Mr. Markham is?”

​“Markham. Markham.” As he muttered the name, Bert turned his gaze forward. “I think he’s one of the big bugs that works in railway maintenance.” He returned his gaze to Roy. “I believe he’s the one who came by the livery a week or so ago and asked after you. He didn’t request I give you a message of any kind. He just wanted to know how to contact you. I thought to myself, what has that nephew of mine done now?”

​Roy burst out laughing. He started to bend forward until he felt some of the heavy items inside his trunk shift. “Nice to know you have faith in me, Uncle.” He straightened and, after resettling the trunk on his shoulder, faced Bert while wearing a grin.

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