Page 157 of In These Hills

Mr. Daniel laughed. “Oh, I think it took you more than just a first time for all of us. But little by little—” He winked. “We won her over.”

Josephine crossed to him and hugged him tight. “Yes, you did . . . Uncle Jack. And I’m so grateful. For everything.”

His arms tightened around her and when he pulled back, his own eyes glistened. “You were worth the challenge, Miss Dunham.”

Josephine noticed the mischievous look in Bethie’s expression, then the rag doll peeking from the pocket of her dress.

Bethie fingered the doll’s yellow yarn hair. “Miss Mary said it was yours, so I just figured I’d keep it safe for you. You can have it back, if you want.” She held it out.

“I’d prefer you keep it. She needed a good home, and she found one.”

Bethie’s eyes widened. “Did Uncle Dodge tell you? We’re going to Colorado! All of us! Well, not Uncle Jack, we’ll drop him off on the way.”

Josephine looked back at Sarah, then at Dodge, and he nodded.

“If it’s all right with you, Finny girl. I’m not knowin’ that much about cows, but Bethie here tells me she’ll be teachin’ me good once we get there.”

Josephine smiled. “She’s a very good teacher, and I can’t imagine you not with us.”

“Speaking of which,” Dodge said. “We have to board the train in less than two hours. We have to leave tonight.” As though reading Josephine’s mind, he gave her a reassuring look. “But courtesy of Uncle Jack, we’ll be traveling in a private Pullman car all the way to Colorado.”

“Consider it an early wedding gift,” Uncle Jack added in a stage whisper. “Or at least the start of one. After all, What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life.”

Josephine returned the smile in his eyes. “George Eliot,” she said softly, knowing well the novel, Adam Bede, he quoted. But she was surprised that he knew it. “But that was a pseudonym for the author’s real name, which was?”

Uncle Jack’s eyes twinkled. “Mary Ann Evans, of course. I love me a female author.”

She laughed, already missing this man. Yet the idea of returning to the train station did not set well. “Dodge, are you sure we’ll be all right? Even in a Pullman car?”

“We’ll be a family traveling together this time,” he said. “Not a woman on her own. Not anymore.”

“We got a nice hot bath for you, too, Finny girl, and a fresh change of clothin’. Just in the next room there. And your man got you some food. So you can eat first, if you’ve a hankering.”

The door behind her opened, and not until Bethie stepped out did Josephine realize she’d slipped away. The girl had something draped over her arm.

“I thought maybe you could wear this, Miss Dunham. If you want to, it’d be fine with me.”

Looking closer, Josephine recognized the cerulean-blue skirt embroidered with tiny cream-and-pink flowers, and the cream blouse with pearl buttons. Buttons Mrs. Carver at the mercantile had helped Kathleen choose.

Bethie’s lower lip trembled the slightest bit. “Mama sewed it when she thought we’d be going to Wyoming. Uncle Dodge came back talking about the wildflowers and how pretty they were. But I’m betting Colorado will have flowers like that, too. Don’t you think?”

“Oh yes, I do, Bethie. And I would be honored to wear this. Thank you.”

Bethie motioned to something off to the side. “This way we’ll be sort of the same, you and me. Uncle Dodge had that made for me special, with little wildflowers tooled into the leather.”

Josephine turned. The small saddle, made to fit a young girl but crafted with the same care as any fine Western stock saddle, perched atop a trunk in the corner. Sure enough, delicate wildflowers adorned the supple, chestnut-brown leather, and the love in Bethie’s eyes was outdone only by that in Dodge’s.

Two hours later, Josephine boarded one of the dark-green Pullman cars with her family, steadied by Dodge’s hand at the small of her back and Uncle Jack leading the way. She knew peace wouldn’t come until Atlanta lay far behind them. Barely able to stand, she sank down into a plush high-backed seat of burgundy velvet. Thick draperies of green and gold coordinated with the patterned carpet beneath her feet, while electric brass chandeliers with etched glass shades glowed overhead.

She smiled at Sarah and Bethie oohing and aahing at their accommodations, while Dodge shook his head at their antics, Jessie close at his side. Ordinarily, she would have joined them. But after the brief, but luxurious bath and delicious dinner, all she wanted was sleep.

“Oh no, Miss Dunham.” Uncle Jack took hold of her hand, then nodded toward the porter at the far end of the car who was folding down a lower berth. “You have a long trip ahead, and a lot to put behind you.”

The porter stepped back from the neatly made berth—fresh white linens, a feather pillow, and a blanket tucked in place. “Anything else you need, ma’am, please let me or my colleague know.”

Josephine thanked him and sank down with relief.

“I promise I’ll let you sleep, Miss Dunham, but one thing I need to—”