“Train leaves at dawn. We all need to sleep,” Mrs. Jackson instructed. “Tomorrow begins a new chapter for all of you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Jackson,” Brenda said, her gratitude genuine. “You’ve given us a chance at something...real.”
“Child, helping you find your way is my heart’s work,” the matron answered.
“Will it be hot there?” Imogene asked seeming both excited and worried.
“Hotter than any of us can imagine,” Brenda assured her with a grin. “But we’re made of strong stuff.”
“Indeed, we are,” Elizabeth agreed, patting the girl’s hand.
Brenda lay on the floor, staring up at the wooden ceiling, her mind full of possibilities. She would miss the children she’d nannied, their laughter and innocent mischief. But ahead was the great unknown, a chance to carve out her world, to finally have a family of her own.
“Tomorrow, Texas,” she whispered. “I’m coming for you.”
*****
GETTING TO THE TRAINstation the following morning was an adventure in and of itself. The girls scrambled around to wash their faces and get their bags downstairs.
There were so many of them, and most ended up riding in the back of the wagon with no seats. Brenda was thankful she was in front with Amy, her closest friend and confidante.
An entire herd of cows crossed the road in front of them just before they reached Beckham, Massachusetts, and Brenda was afraid for a moment they would be too late and miss their train, but the cows finally crossed and they were on their way again.
When a freight wagon was parked in front of the station, Brenda thought she might scream, but she swallowed down her anger, jumped down from the wagon with her carpetbag, and told the other girls it was time to get there. She rushed toward the platform.
All nine of the girls and Mrs. Jackson jumped down, leaving a man from their church to drive the wagon back to the foundling home.
They immediately spotted Mrs. Tandy. “Are we all ready for the adventure of our lives?” she asked.
Brenda grinned. She knew a lot of the others were scared, but she was only excited. She was starting a new life. A life that would be filled with love, laughter, and many children, who would grow up to marry Amy’s children of course. What else would children do?
