I am honestly shocked by his words, as I have never lived in a home like the one he describes.
“Really?”
“Yes, my parents also consider them all family and have always taken good care of them, as their wages are their own. We provided clothing, as well as room and board. Father is even having individual homes built for them in Kentucky if they want them. As you said, you must appreciate the ones who make your life better. We all work for someone, and there is no shame in trying to better yourself.”
He looks up at me when his plate is full, “You have to be hungry.”
I jerk, startled at my own idleness. “I’m sorry, I simply got distracted listening to you. Is there anything here I am not allowed to have?”
I point innocently toward the food in front of me, only to watch his entire face change for just a second before setting his plate down, then taking mine from me. Then he leans closer to me so that only I can hear him.
“Okay, let me explain something, and I want you to really listen. I would never buy one thing for myself and then less for others who were with me. I purchased the same food tickets for the four of you as I did for myself. If you had been Jessie and not Jessica, you would have seen that their sleeping car is similar to ours, except it has bunks instead of stateroom beds.”
“I apologize; it’s just not something I am used to.” I look everywhere but at him as I wring my hands together. A calloused finger lifts my jaw. “No more hiding, you’re a beautiful girl, so stop concealing yourself from the world. Now, do you want to fill this plate, or do you want me to?”
Out of all the things he could have said to me, I was not expecting his compliment. No one has ever declared anything like that to me, and I know I am instantly flushed. When I don’timmediately reach for the plate, Reggie turns around, filling it with a little bit of everything on the bar. By the time he’s done, it’s heaping. He reaches over, picking up his own plate, before motioning me toward our table.
He sets the plates down and then pulls the chair out for me. I stand there for a moment, not sure what to do, only for him to smile as he gently grabs my elbow, moving me directly in front of the chair, before touching my shoulder, pushing me down gently while sliding the chair up to the table. Then he places the plate in front of me before pouring each of us a cup of coffee. Taking a deep breath, I try to clear my head. Then I glance around to see if anyone is looking at us.
“Mr. Kerns, I can’t eat all of this. Lord, I look like a glutton with all of this piled on here.”
“You look like a woman who allowed her husband, not some ‘Mr.’ character, to fix her plate. If you start eating, no one will see how much is on it. Now, I know you prefer tea, but how do you like your coffee?”
“Sugar, please, and I apologize once again. I know I’m not acting grateful… even though I am. It’s just that I knew my place before and what was expected from me. Now, I am at a loss.”
“Stop apologizing, Jess. All I want you to do is eat. Then sit back and enjoy the scenery while we wait for the others. After the men eat, we will all head to one of the open-air cars and discuss the upcoming trip. If you could write down all the things we talk about needing, it would help me out greatly.”
I instantly feel my body relaxing now that I have a plan for the day. Reaching for my fork, I savor the many items he has chosen for me, some of which I have never tasted before. Shockingly,most of the plate is gone when I push it away, reaching for my coffee. When I look up, it’s to find Reggie grinning. Self-consciously, I wipe my face.
“What?”
“I am simply enjoying watching your expressions as you try some of this for the first time. Your face hides little if you know what to look for.”
Before I can say a word, I hear Colby’s familiar voice.
“Good morning, can we join you two?”
“Absolutely, I have reserved this table for us each morning. I learned to do that real fast after my last train trip. If not, you have to eat standing up most of the time, as this car gets crowded quickly.”
Instantly, I move to the seat closest to the window so that the others have room to get in, and I see Reggie frown when he realizes it separates us, as he was sitting across from me. “Here, gentlemen, let me follow the little woman, and you all can have these outer seats.”
He slides his plate down the table before picking up his hat, moving to the chair across from me once again. Colby plops down in the seat next to mine. “Jessie, I am so sorry about yesterday. I’m glad it all worked out. How is your room on the train? The one Mr. Kerns got us is one of the nicest I have ever stayed in; that type of luxury could sure spoil a man.”
I look up at Reggie, and he can tell I am about to panic.
“Colby, Jacob, and Deven, what I am going to tell you is to stay at this table. If I hear one slanderous word, you will be let go immediately.”
Deven leans forward, glancing at me as he is on the other side of Colby, while Jacob is sitting right next to Reggie. All three now have worried looks on their faces. Deven is the first to speak up.
“Mr. Kerns, I signed up to do an honest day’s work. I will not be involved in anything nefarious.”
“Oh, nothing that serious, boys, simply wanted to introduce you to the new Mrs. Kerns.” He points at me, and I know my eyes are so large that they look like they are ready to pop out of my head. Colby looks at me with an instant frown on his face, then over to Reggie.
“Sir, I’m sure I’m speaking for all of us when I say we’re a little confused.”
“We had to take some extreme measures to get Jessica on board yesterday. The reason I asked you to keep this to yourselves is so that no one will question why we were in such a hurry to recite our vows. We don’t want any rumors to start before we ever leave this train. I am not ashamed of the profession Jessica has always performed, but from this point on, she is no longer a maid; she is mywife, and I wanted to make sure you all knew that and understood before we got any further. As I said, I will not tolerate anyone spreading rumors or acting in an unfavorable way toward her. From this moment on, Jessica is as much your boss as I am.”
Jacob has a smirk on his face, Deven appears to care less, but it’s Colby’s frown that has me looking away and straight at Reggie. If looks could kill, I would be shooting daggers at him right now, as I am so embarrassed I could crawl under the table.
