She took out her hand fan and flipped it open, fanning herself with hot air. She laughed a little and continued to fan even though the breeze it created was not very cool. When she didn’t see a man with four boys around him coming her way, she strolled over to a white painted wooden bench and sat down to wait. She was sure she wouldn’t miss him when he finally arrived. She had no idea what time it was, and there were no clocks anywhere around. A train station attendant approached her after a moment and inquired as to whether or not she was okay.
“You look a bit flushed, Miss. Are you all right?” he asked. He was an older gentleman with a thin face and a ready smile.
“I am.” She looked up at him. “I am just waiting for the man I came here to be with to come and fetch me. I’m sure he’ll be along any time now.”
“Yes, Miss.” The attendant nodded. Ella caught a glimpse of his shiny nametag, which said “Alfred.”
“Alfred is my younger brother’s name,” She said in surprise. He grinned.
“Well, he must be wonderful then!”
They both laughed, and the old man wandered off.
She looked back down the platform when she heard the sound of little running feet. It was a familiar sound, and she knew what it was immediately. She stood up when she saw the family approaching. She greeted them with a smile, looking up at her soon-to-be husband, admiringly. He was a handsome man with dark hair cut short, a trim beard and mustache and a big, broad chest. He smiled at her, and she was happy to see a row of healthy looking teeth. They were so healthy; she wondered how he did it.
He held out his hand, which she took. “You are Ella Barrett from Virginia?”
“I am. You are Andrew Robinson?”
“I am. We’re glad to have you here. Boys, say ‘hi’ to Miss Ella. She will be taking care of you from now on. Papa’s going to marry her and make her his wife. Do you understand?”
The older boys nodded, but Ella could tell that Carl, the youngest, had no clue what his father was saying and only nodded after he saw his brother’s doing so.
What an agreeable, adorable little boy! She thought.
Andrew pushed each of his sons out in front of him as he introduced them. He caught Carl first and held him so that he would be still in front of Ella.
“Say Hello to Miss Ella, Carl. Carl is six.” Andrew said gently.
Carl dropped his eyes to the ground and barely whispered out, “Hello.”
“Well, hello Carl!” Ella said in an excited voice. “How are you today?”
“Tell her you’re doing fine, Carl.” Andrew prompted him. He gave Ella a glance. “He’s a little touchy with strangers right now.”
Ella nodded. “I can understand that. Well, I’m going to help Papa take good care of you, dear. I promise.”
Carl chuckled and began to circle his father and brothers in an all-out running face against himself around and around his father and brothers.
“This is Peter. He’s seven.”
“Hello, Peter.”
Peter didn’t respond even with a “hello” until his father pressed down firmly on his shoulders. Then he whined out a hello and moved to the side as if he was done speaking for the day, thank you.
“This is Freddie. He’s 9.”
Freddie held out his hand to Ella, which she half-expected from the look on his bright little face. He was an outgoing child, probably always getting into mischief. His smile was wide for her and very genuine. “I’ve been telling papa for ages that I’m not Freddie anymore,” he said. “My name is Fred. That’s what I want to be called.”
She took his hand and shook it, giving him a sober look. “Yes, sir. I can do that.”
He grinned wide. “Thank you, Miss Ella!”
“You are welcome.”
“This is Raymond. He’s twelve.” Andrew put a hand on Raymond’s shoulder and barely pushed him forward. He was a larger boy, looked to be built like his father. He was going to be a big, strong man in his adulthood. He stood rigid and his smile was almost nonexistent.
“Hello, Miss Ella.” He did as he was told.
“Hello, Raymond.”
“Okay, the wagon is back this way.” Andrew turned around, and they began to walk down the platform in the direction of the steps that led down to the dirt lot surrounding the building.
“I am glad you don’t have an objection to helping me raise my sons,” Andrew said, looking down at her. She shook her head and pushed a strand of blond hair back up into her bonnet. “I want you to know that you don’t have to keep those layers on here. Our climate won’t do you well with all those clothes.”