Orphan Train Escape (Hearts On The Rails) by Rachel Wesson

Author:Rachel Wesson [Wesson, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

The train ground to a halt and, despite expecting it, Bridget couldn’t believe this was it. She carried baby Martha alongside three of the older girls carrying the other babies. They went to the hotel where they washed up and changed. The ones not selected would stay at the hotel that evening before going back on the train the next morning.

Mr. Watson led the sorry little procession to the town church. Each child had a parcel containing their other set of clean clothes. Few had anything else. When they arrived at the church, she was surprised to find it was already full of people.

The children seemed to turn paler, if that was at all possible.

“Children, hold your heads high and let’s show this town what New Yorkers are like,” she said as they filed into the church. A stage had been set up at the top, she assumed so the people could see all the children.

“Liam, keep Annie beside you at all times. Do not go anywhere without me, you hear?”

“Yes, but where will you be?” Liam asked, his voice shaking with fear.

“I will be here in the church, but I might be distracted with one of the other children. Just do not leave this place.”

“I won’t,” he promised.

Bridget patted her brother on the head. She couldn’t cuddle him with baby Martha in her arms. Six years of age was no age to put responsibility on him for his sister, but it was the only choice she had.

Martha slept soundly. The sweet child was fine so long as she had her blanket in her hand. Bridget kissed the top of her head praying the little girl would get a loving family.

The babies were dealt with first, leaving the children standing in rows. Bridget couldn’t help but think of the farmer’s fair her parents had taken her to many years before back in Ireland. At the fair, bulls had been held in pens waiting to be sold off.

With effort, she held the tears back. She walked up to the town mayor who was in conversation with Mr. Watson. To her relief, the mayor was a kindly older gentleman who seemed very committed to finding good matches.

“Miss Collins, this is Mayor Huckster,” Mr. Watson said.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Collins. And who may I ask is this sweet little thing?”

“Her name is Martha,” Bridget said. “Her new family is supposed to be waiting here.”

“Yes, the Westbury’s. Lovely family. Four sons and no sign of a daughter. Mrs. Westbury is desperate for a baby girl. There she is now.”

Bridget turned to see a young woman rushing up the aisle closely followed by a man and four boys, despite the rule that no town children should be present in the hall.

“Is this my baby?” the woman asked, looking hopeful. “Oh my, isn’t she so sweet. Jessica, sweetie, come to Mama.”

“Her name is Martha, ma’am.” Bridget didn’t think before she spoke, earning a reprimanding look from Mr. Watson.

Mrs. Westbury glanced at Bridget. “I would like to call her Jessica after my mother, but I can keep Martha as her middle name.

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