Grant shook his head at the worker. “Not on this car. Put them on 5124, as well as the other things we packed up yesterday. Make sure the crates are marked to match the list. We don’t want to have to go searching to find parts. They’ll need them almost immediately.”
“Sure thing, Boss.”
Grant watched the man walk away. Most of his team were moving up north to work at the new headquarters. A few were leaving the area altogether. None were staying in Kalispell, except maybe him and Alvin.
Unless, of course, Alvin landed himself in jail.
Last night, Alvin grumbled for hours. “Even if Hill won’tlet Kalispell remain the divisional headquarters, he can surely let us keep a small shop and section gang. They’ll need to keep up the tracks and have someone on hand for emergency repairs.”
Grant wasn’t so sure. So far all he’d heard was that a small staff would remain on site to man the depot and rail yard, but no one knew for how long. Maybe he just needed to move and start at the bottom again. He sure as fire wanted no part of fighting and threatening to kill someone.
“Hey, Grant.” Gus took quick strides toward him. “I wanted to tell you about a job I just heard about at the outfitters. They’re going to have professional guides trained for the new national park and are working with Grinnell to have Kalispell be a headquarters of sorts. They know you’re one of the best trackers and campers in the area and asked to speak with you to head it up.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “If I were you, I’d get over there as soon as possible.”
Grant couldn’t contain his grin. Somebody wanted him and knew his value! Two hours later, he couldn’t help but whistle as he dished up supper for him and his brother. Wait until Alvin heard.
But when his little brother came through the door, his scowl was deeper than ever.
Well, he could cheer him up. “Guess who got a new job today?”
His brother’s eyes snapped to his.
He told him the whole story, the plan from the outfitters, the need for guides since it would take months to build hotels or other facilities up in the park once it was established, and his starting salary. Twice as much as he was making now for the railroad. “We can buy us a house!”
But instead of joy over the news, Alvin reared back and punched him square in the eye.
Grant fell to the floor, his hands over his face. “What’d you dothatfor?”
Alvin kicked him. “Yer ruinin’ the plan!”
“Whatplan?” Had his brother gone crazy? “I promised Ma to take care of you and not once have you thanked me.”
Another kick. This one took his breath away. “I ain’t never asked for your help. I’m sick and tired of all them rich people tellin’ us what to do.” Another kick.
His brother’s tirade muffled as Grant covered his head and ears against the blows.
Marvella closed the door to her bedchamber and tossed the cushion from the window seat onto the floor. Getting down on her knees, she stared up out the window and folded her hands. “Lord, this situation is much more intense than I ever imagined. Ellie is so hurt, and I don’t know how to help her. Please, God. You’re the only one who can show her how You love her. Help us to love her through this tough time so she can be brought back into the fold.” No more words would come. Only tears.
But God knew the groanings of her heart. Better than she even knew them herself.
She laid her head on her arms on the window seat and sobbed for the hurting young woman in the room down the hall.
An arm came around her.
Milton groaned as he knelt beside her. “We might be getting too old for kneeling.”
She laughed through her tears. “Maybe not the kneeling part. But the getting-up part, yes, I would agree.”
“I take it we’re praying for Miss Eleanor.”
“You’d be correct.”
“She’s a wounded one, that girl. But no one is ever too far out of reach for the Lord.”
“If only I could convince her of that.” Marvella sniffed.
“It’s not our job to convince her, my dear. Simply to pray for her and to show her how much God loves her. No matter what.”
She needed that reminder. “Once again, my brilliant husband, you are correct.”
