Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“We’re at the last stop. No one picked me,” Elijah whispered, his voice so low she had to lean over to hear him speak. Her heart tightened when she heard the sadness come from him.

She gave him a nudge and laughed out loud. “That’s because we have saved the best parents for last. And guess who is the only orphan left on the last stop?”

His cheek twitched. Elijah was trying hard not to cry. “Me?”

She nodded. “Yes, Elijah Blume. You. I’m going to promise you right now that no matter what happens on this last stop, you will have the most wonderful family by the end of the month. Do you hear me?”

When Elijah began nodding his head, she relaxed, then closed her eyes and tried not to let him see the worry in her eyes or in her voice. Every single family passed on choosing Elijah. They picked boys that were a little older, some more muscular and never gave him a second look.

“No one wanted me. One man told me that I’m not strong enough to plow his fields. He shook his head and told me good luck finding a home.”

“I heard him say that and do you know what I did when he walked away?”

Elijah shook his head.

“I marched up to the old geezer and I told him that if he was looking for a workhorse, he should hire a man, not a little boy. Now let me tell you something, Elijah! God wants you to have a good family, not someone like that man. I thank God that he left without a child. He doesn’t deserve one.”

“But he was the last one.”

She reached over and gave him a hug. “No, he isn’t. We have one more stop in Mill Ridge then we’ll take a wagon to a small town called Cooper’s Ridge. That’s where Betty Suzanne is going to go. I’m sure there will be others there that are looking for a child, too.”

“I doubt it, Miss Emmett.”

“I won’t stop until I find you a family. Even if I have to stay here in Texas until I do!”

“You won’t leave me here alone?”

“Of course not, Elijah. I won’t leave you.” Her words seemed to satisfy him as he settled back into the seat.

Mr. and Mrs. Kirby had already left the train in Dallas. They decided they were going to seek employment in the city and not return to the Home for Friendless Children. Madeline wondered if those were their plans all along. They had brought quite a few extra pieces of luggage with them on the train.

At the next stop, a farmer brought his baskets of fresh fruits and a bottle of milk on board to sell. Madeline bought a few sandwiches and a bottle of milk so they’d have something to eat later in the day. The ticket master told her that Mill Ridge was as far as the train would go. She’d have to hire a wagon to take them into Cooper’s Ridge.

“Who is going to be Betty Suzanne’s parents?” Elijah asked.

Madeline pulled out a small note from her pocket and read the name. “A family with the name of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hamilton. He owns the livery in Cooper’s Ridge.”

“She’s lucky that she already knows who she belongs to.”

“Betty is a bit nervous, so you might want to help to reassure her that she will be fine.”

“Can I go sit with her?” Elijah loved to make others smile and feel better. It was a gift and he always had someone laughing after he spent time with them. Madeline knew he loved giving to others so he didn’t think about himself. She saw in him her own behavior. Maybe that’s why they had such a strong bond with each other.

When she nodded, he moved to the bench where Betty sat by herself across from them. Madeline watched the two interacting and then her eyes went to the ceiling of the noisy train. Dear Lord, I’m talking to you a lot lately. We’re in deep trouble. No one wanted to take Elijah. As you can see, he is devastated and I don’t know what to do if no one shows up in Cooper’s Ridge to take him. He’ll be standing alone on the platform in that town. Betty is already promised to a family. What will I do if no one is there?

Her heart ached for the little boy but she was determined not to give up yet. She just prayed to the strongest force ever. There was a time and place for everything and in her heart, she felt that Elijah was going to Cooper’s Ridge for a reason. But it was up to God.

For herself, she had no job to go back to. If she had to stay in Cooper’s Ridge in order to find him a family, then that’s what she’d do. The small hump in her boot reminded her that she had money to live off of, at least for a short while.

Hopefully, nothing so extreme would happen there. She’d stay positive and hope for the best.

After a while, the two children dozed off until the conductor’s voice echoed through the train. “Next stop is Mill Ridge,” he shouted to the passengers.

There weren’t too many people getting off at the stop, so it was easy to disembark and find their luggage sitting on the platform. After helping the two children down the metal steps, Madeline asked the man who handed them their luggage if there was a wagon to hire for the trip to Cooper’s Ridge.

He nodded, then left the platform for about five minutes. After standing there not quite sure what to do, she turned to see a wagon pull up to the platform. He got out and placed their luggage in the back, then helped the children onto the bench first before helping Madeline on.

The man didn’t talk very much. He probably said three sentences the whole time they rode with him. He pointed and grunted when they drove past a farm with cows, or a coyote or deer ran across the fields. There was so much land to see. It seemed as if they were riding forever when the driver finally spoke again.

“That’s the White Ranch down that lane if you turn left. To the right is where you’re going. Hold on tight over the bump coming up.”

That was it. She waited for him to say more, but he was now closed mouth, his wide-brimmed hat covering half his face. She wasn’t sure how he could see that far ahead.

As they neared a narrow path, she noticed the road looked bumpy and saw the reason why he said to hold on. She gathered both children and told them to get a hold of the bench. As they passed the bumpy bridge, they could see the space over the side and it was a long way down the gully they had just crossed over.

She let out a deep breath of air as they got closer to town. If she lived close by, she’d be rallying for someone to widen that road and make a railing over that area. But then maybe she was just a silly city girl and they’d laugh at her for suggesting it.

Even so, if she had to stay here for a while, she’d certainly talk to whoever was in charge of the roads.

“That was fun!” Elijah was bouncing in his seat. Betty Suzanne rolled her eyes and shook her head. She was a few years older than Elijah, but Madeline could tell the girl adored him. There was not one thing about Elijah that people didn’t like.

That’s not including the families who just wanted someone for their fields and to work on a farm. As far as Madeline was concerned, they didn’t deserve a boy like him.

A lone cow stood in a huge field all by itself. “Why is he just standing there staring at us, Miss Emmett?” Elijah’s voice was filled with curiosity.

“I have no idea.”

“That’s a bull, not a cow.”

“What’s a bull?”

The driver grunted. “It’s a big mean cow that you don’t want to bother with or look him in the eye. Best to keep out of that field. They have it fenced off right at the road for a reason.”

“I won’t go near him. He looks mean.”

“Be warned. He’s a son-of-”

“Elijah, did you see those deer earlier? Weren’t they beautiful?” Madeline asked, trying to redirect the conversation before the driver finished his sentence. He mumbled a pardon but kept right on driving the wagon and ignored them the rest of the way.

Around the next bend, the steeple of a tall church came into view, then they turned right and drove past the local livery. The wide street was lined with houses, businesses and people walking along the boardwalks and crossing the street. It went on as far as Madeline could see.

The town wasn’t bad looking at all. It was a quaint town with many of the fronts of the buildings similar. Unlike Lancaster, the buildings were made of wood and not brick and stone. It was also quite dusty from all the movement on the streets.

They were getting there in the middle of the day, which was probably the busiest time for a small town like this. Even so, there was a peaceful feeling that she noticed right away.

The driver pointed to the church. “That’s where Pastor Murphy congregates,” he said with admiration. A woman came through the front door, stopped and waved. Betty Suzanne and Elijah waved both hands and turned their heads when the wagon drove past.

“Who is that pleasant woman?” Madeline asked the driver.

He grunted again. “Mrs. Murphy. She’s probably on her way to see you and the children.”

They pulled over in front of the sheriff’s office where a young couple stood on the porch with a handsome man wearing a badge.

The sheriff came up to the wagon and helped the children down, then held his hand out for Madeline. “Thank you, sir,” she told him.

“If you see a sir standing here, then I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.”

The children slapped a hand over their mouths as they began to giggle and she realized he made the remark to put them at ease. She sent him an appreciative smile and turned when she heard a yoo-hoo coming from down the street.

The reverend’s wife was gaining on them, waving and smiling at the children. She held a basket on one arm and stopped as they turned to her. “Well, hello, children.” She bent down to their eye level and looked right into each child’s eyes, then turned to the oldest. “You must be Betty Suzanne.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She tousled the child’s hair, reached into the basket and pulled out a small bag. “I’ve brought you some things for your journey with your new parents. A new brush for your hair, and ribbons. There’s a mirror too so you can see how pretty you are.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

The reverend’s wife turned to Elijah. “You are quite a sweet surprise. Are you looking for new parents, too?”

He nodded, and then cracked a sweet smile for her, but Madeline saw the fear in his eyes. No one was close by that seemed to want a child. Everyone stopped for a second to watch the scene, but then they moved on. “Did anyone come for me?” he asked.

Mrs. Murphy looked at Madeline who wasn’t sure what to say. She froze for a second, looking around. The sheriff’s office had a large window in the front and there was a help wanted sign sticking out like a sore thumb. She shook her head at the reverend’s wife, then began to slowly walk towards the window.

“What is this?” she said, basically to herself. The sign blocked the young couple inside waiting to be introduced to Betty Suzanne. Madeline didn’t give them a glance, but tore the paper from the window.

She marched back to the sheriff, who was deep in a conversation with Elijah about his job as a lawman. “Sheriff? Who created this ad?”

He tousled Elijah’s hair and turned. “Why, that’s our smithy. He has a sister that needs taking care of. You looking to stay in Cooper’s Ridge for a while? He can use the help. Had that ad up for four days and no takers. Doesn’t look like anyone wants the job. Has room and board included.”

“It is tempting.” She thought about going back on the train with a heartbroken Elijah and put her chin in the air. Just then the couple came outside onto the porch. They called for Betty Suzanne who shyly went to them. Madeline watched Elijah as he stared at the three of them.

“Betty has a mother and father now. I still don’t.” He turned around in a circle and waited to see if anyone was coming. A small pout stuck out from his lower lip as he waited.

That was enough! Madeline marched over to the wagon, pulled out her suitcase and Elijah’s smaller one. “Sheriff, if you can direct me to the smithy, we will be on our way.”

A slow knowing smile curved across his handsome face. She gave him a curt nod, then waited for directions. “That’s the way,” he pointed. “He’s still working at his shop. You’ll see him right before you get to the livery. Should be about time for him to quit for supper.”

Madeline walked towards Elijah, handed him his small suitcase and took his other hand. “We’re going to find a home for you, Elijah. Follow me.” As she headed towards the smithy, Madeline didn’t look down at Elijah in case she’d break down.

He was holding his own, she knew that, but it was so difficult for him to be rejected at each stop along the way. This was the last stop and she sure was going to find him a home even if she had to stay and work for the smithy taking care of his sister.

He needed her skills and she’d be darned if Elijah would spend another day feeling unwanted.

As she got closer to the blacksmith shop, she noticed a man outside, banging a long rod against a pile of stones. His arms were black, his clothes dark and dusty. He was turned with his back to her, but she stood there for a moment watching him work.

He was holding a long rod over the fire as the tip heated up and turned fire red and was glowing. Elijah was staring, fascinated at what he was looking at and tugged on her arm. “Can we go see it?” he asked, forgetting all about his misfortune a few minutes ago.

“Stay back, it’s very hot,” she warned him, not understanding the job at hand, but knowing it wasn’t a place a child should get too close to.

The noise they were making must’ve caught the man’s attention. He slowly lowered the rod and laid it on a large ledge made of rock before he turned around. He wore a dusty black apron that went around his neck and down to his knees. All she saw was a sooty face with bright blue eyes looking directly at her.

“May I help you?” he said, his voice bold and assertive, almost as if she were a nuisance. Because of the black soot, she had no idea if he was young or old or handsome or had a wart on his nose. All she knew was he had posted a job with room and board that they needed.

She set her luggage on the ground, then pulled the ad from her pocket and waved it in the air. A bright smile covered her face. “Yes, sir, Mr. Smithy, sir. I’m here to help you. Today is your lucky day!”