Iain explained what had been said and was pleased to see Matthew slowly nod in understanding. Robbie was a grown man and no one could tell him not to go, but it was still good to see that Matthew agreed and understood. It would make it easier. A big family argument would only upset Robbie.
“It seems an odd thing for Geordie to crave, but it might help Robbie in some way, and possibly make him stay home. Just nay sure how Reid will take the news.”
“I think he has gone to talk with him. I dinnae think the mon will have a big problem with it. Nigel MacEnroy can step in. He has before and has recently worked with Robbie and Reid.”
“Weel, that is good. That business shows promise and it would be a shame to lose that because he has an itch to wander.”
Iain nodded and turned to James to talk about the major, the man James had just spent time with. He was just laughing about an incident with the kids the couple had taken in when Geordie returned and a moment later Robbie returned. They lingered for coffee and Robbie gave a report on how things had gone with Reid.
“Is he going to want Nigel to work with him then?” asked Matthew.
“Aye,” answered Robbie, “so I mean to have a chat with Nigel before I go. Reid can sometimes get caught up in an idea and want to just go ahead with it, so I thought it might be a good idea to give him my opinion on that plan, and gave him some advice on what to go forward with and what to hold back, then tried to turn him away from anything too crazy. Now I will go do some packing.”
Chapter Three
Looking around as James got them tickets for the train, Geordie wrinkled his nose. Missouri had grown despite the war. He had forgotten how much he disliked the smells and constant noise of such places. What Geordie noticed now was the shocking lack of men, the streets full of mostly women. That was going to cause some trouble soon with the losses in the war and the movement of men into the West now that the war was over.
A glance at Robbie made it clear that riding the train was the best choice for them. The younger man was quite pale and, as Geordie watched, a man left his seat on a bench set out for waiting passengers and Robbie hurried over to take it. His gait clearly revealed the pain he was in.
“Got our tickets and passage for our horses,” said James as he looked at Robbie. “Is he all right?”
“He hasnae complained, hasnae said he wishes to turn back.” Geordie frowned. “I do think it will be better for him if we travel by train for a bit. Coming down from the hills wore him out, I think, as it required a lot of strength in the legs, which he lacks.”
James nodded. “We can gather up his things when we get the horses settled, so he doesn’t have to carry them around.”
Geordie went over to tell Robbie what they were doing, then joined James in leading the horses to the stock car. After a quick look at how the other horses were settled, he helped James to settle theirs. They secured the saddles as well and took their saddlebags and blankets with them. Collecting a sleepy Robbie from his bench, they then hunted down their seats on the train. To Geordie’s relief their compartment had two seats facing forward and two facing back, so one seat was left open after they took their seats. Hoping it would stay unoccupied, he encouraged Robbie to take the inside seat and put his weak leg on the seat opposite it, where he and James had piled their blankets to make a pillow he could rest his leg on. It was not long before his brother fell asleep.
“It never healed right, did it?” said James softly, his voice weighted with pity.
“Nay. In truth, I think what little the men who captured him did ensured that it wouldnae. Same problem with his hand. If he wasnae going to take up arms for them, they apparently wanted to make sure he wouldnae take them up at all. It was all senseless. Just plain mean.”
“There was a lot of that during the war. And the scars of it will linger a long time. Of course, it was never terribly quiet and peaceful once you got west of the Mississippi.”
“Well, my family found a quiet place, I think. We have had trouble but nothing we couldnae handle ourselves.”
“Appears so. Of course, there are seven of you, so not hard for you to handle trouble. Quiet, far enough away from the cities to stay that way, too, so long as you keep a close eye out for encroachment.”
“Oh, Iain did, and always has. Every time he can afford to, he buys up more land, putting a wider buffer around us. As he says, he can always sell a piece or two if he needs some money. I think he is hoping we will all settle on it like Matthew has.”
“Then name that section of the hills after your family?” James asked and grinned when Geordie laughed and shrugged.
“How long will this train ride be?” Geordie asked as he frowned and glanced out the window.
“Too long, and there will be stops we have to suffer through. We will even have to switch trains in places. Never took one for so long a distance before. Did short journeys and they were mostly out of curiosity.”
“Cannae see the point of paying for just a short journey.”
“Some of them are worth it because of the route taken.”
“True enough.” Geordie picked up a book he had packed in his rucksack and opened it.
“Reading?”
“Ye have something better to do to pass the time on a train?”
“Not really. Did bring some cards, which may be of interest later.” James looked at the cover of Geordie’s book. “Shakespeare?”
“Aye.King Lear. I promised myself I would go through all his plays by Christmas.”
