“It’s just for a visit,” Tempy promised. “If you don’t like it once we get there, you can come back with Uncle Kevin and me.”
“Truly?” Joy’s face brightened.
“Of course,” Kevin assured her.
“Will Faith come, too?” Joy asked.
“I hope so,” Temperance said simply. “She can live with us if she likes, but it would be better if she lived with Reese and the baby,” She stared at Faith, daring her daughter to contradict her.
The train whistle sounded.
“How much longer until we get there?” Temperance asked her husband. “I need to walk around.”
“You shouldn’t have come,” Faith said. “This traveling can’t be comfortable for you.”
“You weren’t going to leave me behind,” Tempy replied. “Besides, I know you didn’t really want to face your Aunt Virtuous alone.” She smiled at Faith. “We always handle her better when we stick together. And I’ll bet she turned three shades of red when she got my last letter.”
“Or green with envy,” Kevin teased. “Because you’ve managed to snag a handsome husband.”
Tempy laughed, then shifted in her seat. “A well-to-do husband. My sister, Virtuous, isn’t impressed by handsome men.”
“Unlike some women I know.” Kevin winked at Faith.
“She’s only impressed with wealthy ones.” Tempy continued.
“Then you ladies are lucky we…I…fit the bill. Virt should be most impressed.” Kevin glanced back at Faith to gauge her reaction to his gaffe.
She pretended not to notice. Just as she pretended this was simply a trip home from an extended vacation.
Kevin was worried about her. If only she’d cry. If only that fool son-in-law of his would come to his senses. Kevin reached out and grasped Temperance’s hand.
She glanced up at him. “How much longer?”
“We should be stopping for breakfast in just a few minutes.”
Kevin snapped his pocket watch closed just as the train roared into the Pine Bluffs Station.
“Come on, Faith.” Joy tugged at Faith’s hand.
“I think I’ll stay here,” Faith said.
“You’ll do nothing of the kind,” Temperance protested. “You’re going to eat breakfast with the rest of us.”
“I don’t…”
“You heard your mother,” Kevin chided. “Get going.”
Faith pushed herself up from the bench and allowed Joy to lead her into the aisle and down the steps of the train.
A young man stood on the platform shouting. “Telegram for Faith Jordan. Telegram for Mrs. Reese Jordan.”
It took Faith a moment to realize he was shouting her name. Her married name. “Here!” she called, waving a hand.
“That’s us!” Joy cried, gleefully jumping up and down. She held up the coin Faith handed her.
The messenger took the money from Joy, but was careful to hand the envelope only to Faith.
She ripped it open and read the message, clasping it to her breast, laughing and crying at the same time.