“One of the Taylor boys rode by here to check on his farm and Virgie told him what was going on.”
Livvy nodded. “I see. I’d better take the girls inside to Felicity and then get home and let my mother know I’m all right. There doesn’t seem to be anything for me to do here anyway.”
Once again, recriminations overwhelmed her. Because of her disobedience, she’d put two little girls and Jeremiah in danger, and she’d caused Charles to leave the work of putting the fire out.
She drove home, wondering what her mother would have to say about her defiance. She was nearly home before it occurred to her that the wind had died down. Had it been that way when she’d left Quincy School? She’d been so tense, she couldn’t remember.
She rode into the barn and took care of Peaches, brushing her down carefully. “You did a good job, girl, and you deserve a little extra hay tonight. And maybe an apple.”
She gave the horse a final pat, and left her and Blaze nibbling on their apples. Surprised that her mother hadn’t come out to the barn to check on her, she walked slowly to the house and went inside.
The house was silent. Livvy went to the kitchen and found her note folded as she’d left it. Startled, she rushed into the parlor to check on Ma.
Ma was kneeling just as she had been when Livvy left home nearly two hours earlier. Had she been on her knees all this time? It wouldn’t be the first time. Her softly murmured prayers reached Livvy’s ears. “And Father, after the fire is out and everyone is safe, please grant everyone a peaceful night’s rest so they can do their day’s work tomorrow. Father, I thank You once more for my wonderful husband and our precious daughter. I thank You for always looking out for us in all we do. And thank You, Lord, that because of You, we need have no fear. Father, increase my faith. In the name of Your son, Jesus. Amen.”
Livvy tiptoed over and knelt by her mother, tears rolling down her cheeks. She should have known that Mama was praying. Thank You, Lord, for the two sincerest prayers I’ve ever heard. Lily Ann’s and Mama’s.
Mama took her hand. “Livvy, dear. Have you been here beside me all this time?” She sniffed. “You smell like smoke. Is the stove acting up?”
“No, Mama, I haven’t been here but a minute. But I wish I had been. Let me put on the kettle for tea. I need to tell you something.”
Chapter 18
Charles held out his ticket to the conductor as the man walked toward them, his lips pursed in a smile and his hat perched on his head, perfectly straight.
“Thank you, sir.” He punched the ticket, then proceeded to Trent and Mrs. Saunders.
“Say, Ma.” Jeremiah’s voice was higher than usual in his excitement, and his hands signed double time. “Do you think I could go talk with the engineer? And see what goes on up that way? Maybe even see the coal car?”
It was no wonder the boy was excited. Court day had finally arrived. Soon it would be over with and Jeremiah and his mother could get on with their lives.
Mrs. Saunders frowned and signed back slowly. “Jeremiah, slow down. I don’t know what you said.”
Jeremiah repeated himself, slowly this time, then gave his mother an expectant glance.
“I don’t think so, son. I doubt they need or want passengers getting in their way while they do their work.”
“But, Ma, I’ve been thinking. I really like trains. Maybe I’d rather work on a railroad someday instead of being a farmer.” His hands signed as he spoke in his high voice.
The conductor’s eyes twinkled. “Now, sometimes they do allow passengers with a good reason to view their work. And I’d say a possible future employee would be a good reason. Of course, you’d need to wait until the train has stopped. And you’ll need your ma’s permission and your father would need to go along.” He nodded toward Charles.
Jeremiah, who’d watched the man’s lips closely, glanced at Charles with a grin.
Mrs. Saunders blushed. “This gentleman is my son’s teacher, not his father, but if he doesn’t mind, I have no objection to a tour. If you’re sure it’s safe.”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. I’d never put a passenger in the way of danger.”
Charles nodded and thanked the conductor. “How about if we do that on our return trip? Perhaps when we reach Magnolia Junction?” He signed to Jeremiah as he spoke to the conductor.
“All right. That’s fine, I guess,” Jeremiah signed back.
The matter settled, Charles leaned back and closed his eyes. He was pretty sure Jeremiah would change his mind about working on the railroad once he paid a visit to the coal car. But it couldn’t hurt the young man to experience another slice of life.