“I apologize. How about half cheddar and half of that Munster?” The shop keep nodded and started to cut her selections. “Can you add three pennies worth of that swiss cheese as well?”
The shop keep wrapped her purchases in paper tied with a string and placed a wax sack of crackers next to it.
“Thirteen-cents,” he said, holding out his hand. Cassie nodded and placed the coins in his outstretched palm. She mumbled her thanks and moved past the people towards the door. It was still expensive, but cheaper than eating in restaurants the rest of the way west.
She spied a barrel full of winter apples, they were five for a penny. How she wish she had thought to purchase those instead. She looked back at the line. She would never make it to the train if she waited to make another purchase.
The train was sitting at the station and people were milling around on the platform. She didn’t see her father.
She signaled to the rail man. “Have you seen an older gentleman with a rounded back? He was here with my bags waiting for me.”
The rail man shook his head. “Check with the one further down the platform. All aboard,” he called to the crowd.
As Cassie was hurrying to the other end of the train, she spied her father waving at her through one of the windows. “They let me on first,” he called to her.
Cassie waved back and went to stand in line with the other passengers boarding. Now, she understood why her father gave her a ticket instead of holding onto both of them.
Cassie joined her father in a travelling car. The train was packed, apart from the bench across from them. Cassie thought it unusual no one had sat down there. She was pleased, however, because with the two benches facing each other, she had a little more leg room than a normal train seat.
Her father immediately settled down and fell asleep just as the train was pulling from the station. The car door opened, and the rail man came in to check their tickets. Cassie handed him both of theirs before he moved to the next bench.
The door opened again, and the clacking of the wheels could be heard until the door closed. A rather robust woman entered the car and dropped her basket on the empty bench.
So much for having extra room,Cassie thought.
The woman moved her cape around and settled herself onto the bench before giving Cassie a big smile. Cassie gave a little laugh.
“You again?” she said to the woman.
“I guess this is meant to be,” the woman told her, moving the basket to the other side. “Where are you heading, Cassandra?”
Cassie looked at her. She didn’t recall telling the woman her name.
“You didn’t,” the woman said, reading her thoughts. “I gathered it from the tag on your luggage.” She pointed to the handle of Cassie’s bag. It was hanging over the side, with her name embossed on a leather tag.
Cassie gave a nervous giggle. She quickly stood and tucked the tag underneath the bag. “Why don’t you tell me your name?” Cassie asked.
The woman nodded. She pushed her hooded cape back, revealing a weathered face and bright blue eyes. “You may call me Mrs. Pennyworth. I think we will be together on this train for a while.”
“Have you been following me, Mrs. Pennyworth?” Cassie stared at the woman dressed in black. “I’ve seen you several times today.”
“Oh, heavens no, child. You only think I have. Perhaps it is just a coincidence that you’ve seen me.”
Cassie shook her head. The train rolled on as Cassie looked out the window at the trees moving past. They looked like blurs out the window. She turned back to the woman sitting across from her. “Your dress appears very old,” Cassie noted, taking in the silk fabric with dark buttons and black lace trim. Her cloak was dark gray and underneath the hood she wore a black bonnet trimmed with the same type of lace. Cassie could even see dyed lace flowers on the side of the bonnet.
Mrs. Pennyworth looked down. “It is rather old, I suppose. This is the dress from my Edward’s funeral. I have worn it since the day he passed.”
“I am sorry for your loss,” Cassie said. “I lost my mother several years ago.”
“And you have done a wonderful job keeping it together for your family. Is it just you and your father?”
“No. I have a brother named Charles.”
“Delightful name. I had a son named Charles. Haven’t seen him in years. I don’t know where he lives now.” Mrs. Pennyworth shook her head. “Listen to me prattle on. Now. You didn’t say where you were headed, child,” Mrs. Pennyworth gently reminded.
“Denver. We are headed to Denver.”
“And then on to Oregon?”
