Emma's Wish

"Well, sure, but--"

"Bye."

Emma practically ran out the door and down the wooden platform to the end of the building. She stopped, peering into the distance. A small dark cloud hung low in the sky, and moments later, a black blot on the horizon took shape. The train was coming.

But it didn't matter. The children were staying with their father.

She turned. Then she saw him!

Sam Jenkins was driving a wagon towards her. Fred Holloway shared the seat, and between them, she noticed a head of blonde curls. Becky’s blonde curls.

Oh, no!

He hadn't changed his mind after all. After everything she'd said, he was going ahead with his plan to dispose of his children. “Damn!” she muttered, then glanced around to make sure she was alone.

The wagon drew closer, and Emma's heart began to pound. Would he speak to her? She doubted it. He'd made it quite clear when they'd parted that he wasn't interested in her opinion and wanted her out of his life.

The children probably wouldn't speak to her, either. She deserved their hatred. She'd made a promise to them, and she'd broken that promise.

It seemed he would drive right past her, but he drew the wagon to a stop.

"Mornin', Emma," Fred called.

"Mornin'," Sam muttered.

Becky grinned, but the boys only glared at her from the wagon bed.

Sam looked terrible, as if he hadn't slept in days. Dark shadows ringed his eyes, and a day's growth of beard covered his square chin.

At least he's suffering, Emma thought with perverse satisfaction. She would have been much angrier if he'd seemed to be doing this without any conscience.

"Good morning, Fred. Mr. Jenkins."

Sam eyed her with suspicion.

"Hello, Becky," she said, smiling at the little girl wriggling in her seat under Sam's restraining hand. Oh, how she wanted to take the little girl in her arms and hold her, to feel those tiny arms around her neck. "Good morning, boys," she added to the Nathan and Joseph. Neither of them answered.

Sam turned to the boys. "Mind your manners," he ordered as he got out and lifted Becky out of the wagon.

Both boys muttered a greeting then climbed down. They stood silently at Sam's side

Becky ran to Emma. "Me make flat japs?" she asked, her eyes wide in anticipation.

Emma felt her throat close. Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them back. Crouching down so that she was at eye level with the little gi

rl, she said softly, "Not today, sweetheart."

"What brings you out here on a day like this?" Fred asked.

"I ... I had a package ..."

Mr. Jenkins took Becky's hand and made to move past her. "Let's go," he said to the boys.

She couldn't let them go. She just couldn't. Not without trying one more time to make him reconsider.

"Mr. Jenkins," she called out.

He stopped, but didn't turn around.