settled with her great-aunt. Nevertheless, he’d taken an oath to protect the people of this town, and it would take more than one particularly troublesome female to keep him from fulfilling that promise.
* * *
Lorelei eyed the gingerbread style white-and-green boardinghouse dubiously. She had no idea what she was going to do. She barely had enough money in her pocket to buy herself a meal and certainly not enough for the rest of the trip to California. She wasn’t even close to the Texas state line—any of them. She still seethed when she thought of that horrible man on the train. How dare he take off with her reticule?
She had to own that it was partially her fault for being thoughtless. She should have hidden most of her money in her boot or corset instead of leaving it all in her reticule for some villain to ride off with. It wouldn’t have been such a setback if the train went straight to California from Peppin. Unfortunately, she was supposed to transfer to another line. How could she do that when she didn’t even have money for a ticket?
She needed help, and she didn’t want to go to her parents for it. She was a grown woman on a trip of her own undertaking. She’d figure this out somehow, then write her parents from California to tell them exactly how wonderful her new life was. If this didn’t work, then fine, but she at least had to try to do it on her own first. She entered the bustling boardinghouse and went over to the woman who seemed to be checking people in.
“Welcome! I’m Mrs. Drake and I have a room all ready for you. May I have your name please?”
“Lorelei Wilkins, but I’m not here for a room exactly—”
“Wilkins,” the blonde woman repeated then smiled. “You’re from Peppin, aren’t you?”
“How did you know?” she asked with a bit of trepidation. Surely news of her wedding hadn’t spread this far that fast.
The woman tossed a dismissive hand. “Oh, I’ve visited family in Peppin once or twice during the past several years. I heard of your family while I was there. Perhaps you know mine. My aunt and uncle are Joseph and Amelia Greene.”
Lorelei easily placed the family connection. “Yes, I know them. My mother is friends with your aunt.”
The woman’s face lit up. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
“Yes, it is,” Lorelei said with a smile as she realized it probably wouldn’t be wise to mention that Mrs. Greene also had a reputation of being the town gossip. “As I was saying, I’ve run into a problem and I hope you might be able to help me. I was taking the train to meet my elderly great-aunt in California—”
“California!” Mrs. Drake frowned. “That’s quite a ways to travel alone.”
“Yes, well, I placed my reticule in my lap where I was sure no one would dare take it, but when I awakened it was gone. I’m sure that man sitting across the aisle stole it. To think he got close enough to steal my money and I never even felt it!”
“How unnerving! I’m sorry, dear, but what can I do?”
“I thought perhaps you might let me work for you so I can pay my room and board. It would just be until I’m able to get more money somehow.”
“I wish I could.” Suddenly the woman froze with some sudden thought. “Do you like children?”
“What?”
“I know of a job for you if you like children but— Oh, what time is it?” Mrs. Drake popped open her small pocket watch. “We just might be able to catch them.”
“Catch who?”
“The children.” The woman rounded the desk to survey her carefully. “Yes, I think you’ll do perfectly. Is that your only bag?”
Lorelei glanced down at her traveling bag. “Yes.”
“Good. You won’t take up much room.” Mrs. Drake grabbed her hat from the stand and opened the door. “Come on. We have to run to catch them.”
Lorelei followed her out the door and down the porch steps at a trot to keep up with her rapid pace. “But, Mrs. Drake, I really don’t understand. Where are we going? Who are these children and what sort of job is it?”
“I’m sorry. I get rather scattered when I’m in a rush.” The woman darted across the street with Lorelei at her heels. “The position is with a traveling preacher and his wife. They are very good friends of mine. James takes his family with him on his circuit once every few months or so. They’re going with him this time. Usually the young woman down the street goes with them to help see to the children, but her father is sick so she can’t go. James and his wife, Marissa, couldn’t find anyone else on short notice.”
“So I’m supposed to replace their neighbor?” Lorelei asked breathlessly.
“Yes, if we can catch them. They were supposed to be leaving now,” Mrs. Drake said. “Watch that hole in the road.”
Lorelei veered away from the hole just in time to save herself from a sprained ankle. “You said he’s a traveling preacher. Where are they traveling?”
“That’s the beauty of it, Miss Wilkins. They’re going farther west. Not to California, mind you but— Oh, there’s the wagon. Help me wave it down.”
Lorelei lifted her free hand to wave at the retreating covered wagon. The little boy who was practically hanging out the back of the wagon waved back with a grin, then turned around. He must have yelled something to his parents because the wagon pulled off the road and stopped. Mrs. Drake caught Lorelei’s arm and led her around the wagon to meet an attractive young couple. They listened patiently to Mrs. Drake’s breathlessly halting explanation and introduction.
Marissa Brightly smiled down at Lorelei, though her brown eyes showed compassion. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, Miss Wilkins, but I can’t help feeling this is all part of God’s plan.”
“It certainly is. We’d be delighted to have you join us,” James said. “I know that you want to get to California as soon as possible, but we are heading farther west and would be glad to pay you a small salary. Once you have the financial ability to continue your journey, we would send you on with our blessing.”
Marissa leaned forward. “Please, say you’ll come.”
Lorelei bit her lip for a moment, then smiled. “I suppose I will. I have nothing to lose and I think I’ll enjoy traveling with you very much.”
“Good,” James said with a satisfied nod. “Let me help you into the wagon.”
Lorelei thanked Mrs. Drake for her help, then followed James to the back of the wagon where the little boy she’d seen earlier peeked out from the large hole in the canvas. “Pa, is she coming with us?”
“She sure is,” James answered as her traveling bag disappeared inside. “Move out the entrance so she can get in, Hosea.”
Once inside, Lorelei glanced around to take stock of her surroundings and froze. “Are all of these children yours?”
“Yes. Starting with the oldest, there is Henry, Julia, William, Hosea and Lacy. Children, Miss Lorelei will be traveling
