Ribbons of Steel (31 page)

Seth put his hat back on his head and backed up toward his wagon. “Good day,” he said, and then turned and walked away from Cassandra. When he backed the wagon up to turn and head back down the drive, he didn’t look back. But she was still standing there. Watching him. He could feel those dark brown, sassy eyes bore into his back all the way down the road until he was out of sight. Even then, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Especially, when he should be thinking about Anna Louise and their plans for the future.

Chapter Twenty-One

Charley and Seamus arrived in Candor on the afternoon train. The hot August sun was still high overhead, and the smoke from the train rose straight up to meet the sky. Passengers took their time as they disembarked and entered the depot to pass through to Main Street. If he knew Seth, his son would be waiting on Stowell Avenue behind the depot.

Charley didn’t bother going inside. Instead, he stayed on the platform and waited ’til all the passengers were off and the train chugged toward Weston’s hay barn to unload dry goods. He waited with Seamus next to his baggage, which had been already placed on the platform. What little Seamus had packed amounted to two large trunks with brass bindings and latches, and a brown oversize crate with Maggie’s china and other well-packed household goods.

“We’ll leave them here ’til the train clears the track. Seth will bring the wagon around.”

“Would you believe I left a lot of Maggie’s things behind? Some not worth packing up.”

“Nevertheless, Aderley would have paid.”

“It was good of him giving me extra to see my way clear to start over up here. Said to see a Mr. Benson about a job.” Seamus took his cap off, scratched his head, then replaced the cap at an angle.

Charley appreciated what Aderley had done for Seamus.

“Take a couple days to be with your wife and daughter, Seamus. Breathe in some of this great country air. Let it blow the grease and oil off. See what you’ve been missing. Ain’t a single time I don’t come home I don’t appreciate what this great countryside has to offer. Only trouble is, Seth has everything under control. I just get in the way.” Charlie smiled. It was the God’s honest truth. His Seth made him feel worthless when it came to running a farm.

“You’re a lucky man to have a son to take care of the farm while you’re away. You should be right proud of him.”

“I am. Don’t know what I’d have done without Seth. And Catherine.”

With the strike over, Charley now had time to appreciate how strong the bond was that tied his family together. Their sacrifice made Emily’s recovery possible. It had also allowed him to concentrate on the strike in Philadelphia.

“Your Maggie was a big help. Now don’t you feel you have to find a place in the village right away. I’ll take my children with me to meet up with Emily. There’ll be plenty of room left for you and the Missus at the house.”

The train whistle blew. Slow moving, the black locomotive made its way along the track behind the businesses on Main Street. When it finally chugged along out of sight, Charley spotted Seth waiting.

Charley grinned. “Here’s Seth now. We’ll be home before long. Seth knows how to handle a rig. Just wait and see.”

Seth drew the wagon up alongside the platform and jumped out, landing right in front of his father.

“Hi, Pa. I hear the strike is over and everything’s back to normal.” He tipped his hat back on his forehead and smiled.

Seth shook his father’s hand and turned to Seamus. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Flanagan. Your wife and daughter have outdone themselves since they arrived. Madeline seems to enjoy following Timothy around and helping out where she can. I think she’ll make a good farmer’s wife one day.”

“Better than being a rail worker’s wife,” Seamus said, shaking Seth’s proffered hand.

Seth was acting more like a man now than when he’d left him back in June. The boy had the knack of surprising him every time they met at the station.

“Let’s get things loaded so’s we can get on the road,” Charley said. “We can talk on the way home. Tell me everything; what’s been going on while I’ve been gone? Don’t leave nothing out.”

Seth helped his father load Seamus’ belongings on the wagon. Once everything was tied down, the three of them settled in and set off for the farm.

“How’s Catherine? Has she passed her exams yet? Is she ready to start school come September?”

“Yep. She did right good. She’s all excited, too.”

“Good. Good. Did you have enough money to pay the fees?”

“A down payment. I was hoping you would be able to pay the rest.”

“Yes. Mr. Aderley was generous. Does she have a place to stay in town come fall?”

“She’s arranged to stay with Anna Louise Mitchell. You remember, her father owns Candor National Bank. By the way, Anna Louise and I now have an understanding. I’ll be courting her right proper after Christmastime.”

“Is this the young lady you’ve been seeing all summer? ’Bout time you got yourself engaged to be married, son. Don’t see why you have to wait so long to make it official. What’s the hold up? The sooner you tie the knot, the sooner you can bring her home to be a good farmer’s wife.”

“She hasn’t told her family yet. These things take time. I haven’t asked her father for her hand yet.”

“I see. You haven’t asked for her hand yet, but you’re going to court her.”

“Anna Louise also took her exams and will be going to Normal School with Catherine to become a teacher. She needs time to concentrate on her studies. Just like Catherine.”

Charley held his tongue. Things sure had changed since he’d courted Emily.

“Did I mention that Timothy has been my right-hand man, Pa? He’s learned a lot about farming, especially the dairy end of things. We bought a couple of heifers to get him started, but he has a long way to go. He thinks we should switch everything over to dairy.”

“Isn’t the goat dairy prospering?” Charley asked.

“They are. But he’s more interested in dairy cows. We’ve added to the herd, started out small to see how things go. The Agriculture Society has done research and suggests that’s the way to go in this area. Hey, did I tell you Sarah is walking now?”

“I’ll be,” Charley exclaimed. “Bet she’s a handful. Giving Mrs. Flanagan and Catherine a hard time keeping track of her.”

“She got out in the yard the other day and started chasing the chickens until one of the geese spotted her and started chasing her,” Seth said. “She’d like to have screamed the house down.”

“She’s not even a year old. How can she be walking already?”

“Everyone has been too busy to carry her around, so she just up and started walking all on her own. She whistles a lot, too.”

“Well, I’ll be. What about Michael and Robert? How’re they doing?”

“They’re holding their own. Mrs. Flanagan spoils them, even though they mind her. They gather eggs, feed the chickens and pigs, and even carry wood in for the stove. She’s got everyone doing things right on schedule.”

“That’s my Maggie,” Seamus interjected. “Always likes to keep things in order and on time, she does.”

Seth gave the reins a snap and yelled “gee.” The horses and wagon turned onto their road. Before long they were in front of the kitchen door.

The screen door banged open against the outside of the house and Maggie ran out to meet Seamus; Madeline close on her heels.

“Seamus. Oh, Seamus.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. She ran to him, arms outstretched. Seamus jumped from the wagon and met her across the yard. Enveloping her in his arms, he lifted her off the ground and twirled her around. Setting her back down, he kissed her long and hard.

“Awww, Maggie, my love, I’ve missed ya. I ain’t been the same since you left me, I haven’t.”

Seamus held her face between his hands, kissed her forehead, then looked into her smiling Irish eyes. “And who have we here behind you? That can’t be my Madeline, now can it? You’ve grown since I’ve seen ya last, lass. What a fine lady you’ve become.”

“It’s only been a couple months, Pa. I haven’t had time to grow.” Madeline giggled and then ran into his arms and hugged her father. Seamus kissed the top of her strawberry blonde head.

“Well, then. You’ve blossomed into a fine young lady. Come, you can tell me all about your summer here on the farm.”

“I want to hear about you and the strike,” Maggie said as they linked arms and headed toward the house, Madeline in tow.

“It’s over. Best forgotten,” Seamus told her. “We’re making a new start and a new life right here in Candor.”

Seamus’ smile grabbed at Charley’s chest. He beamed at the happy reunion and thought of Emily.

He spotted his own children lined up along the railing on the front porch, baby Sarah in Catherine’s arms. How to approach them? How to break the news? He wondered what their reaction would be. Hell, it was easier dealing with a bunch of railroad workers than his own children. Even speaking to Mason Aderley and Tom Scott had been a breeze compared to showing his love for this brood of kids living in his house. Being away and visiting home sporadically was no way to live, thanks to the railroad.

No more.

His family stared back at him as if he were a stranger. Starting today, right now, his family was gonna come first. Not the railroad.

Charley inched his way to the porch and stopped at the bottom steps, his worn work boot tapped the paint-chipped wooden boards.

“Children,” he said, nodding in their direction. “I know I haven’t been much of a father over the years, but I aim to change all that now. I’ve quit the rails in Philadelphia. How would you all like to ride the train out west to be with your mother? She’ll be real pleased to see all of you, no doubt.”

Michael and Robert jumped up and down clapping their hands. “We get to ride a train? Oh boy, oh boy. When do we go, Pa?”

“The end of the week,” Charley said. His insides warmed at their excitement.

He couldn’t remember when he’d felt so good inside—not since before he’d sent Emily west. When was the last time he’d seen his boys so excited about anything? He wiped the corner of his eye with a shaky finger. He had missed so much.

Catherine was the first one off the porch. She stood close to him. Her hair tied back in a chignon, her simple blue homespun dress crisp and clean, she looked lovely. All grown up.

“It’s good to have you home, Pa,” she said. “I know Mother will be very glad of your news, too.”

“That she will. She’ll be glad to see all of us.” Charley took the initiative and wrapped his arms around Catherine and kissed the top of her head. “It’s good to be back,” he said.

Catherine hesitated, then wrapped her arms around his neck. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d held his daughter in his arms. Most likely when she’d been a toddler. It was mighty good to hold her in a warm hug again.

“I understand you’ve passed your exams. So, you’re off to school to learn how to become a teacher this September. Your mother will be very proud of you.”

“And you, Pa? Are you proud?”

“Yes. I’m just beginning to see what a right-minded family I have here.”

Seth secured the horses and tethered them so they wouldn’t bolt while the wagon was being unloaded. The new, large, black mare, Midnight, was still a little skittish and tended to bolt if he wasn’t reigned in properly.

“I have chores to do, Pa. Maggie and Catherine will have supper ready in a bit. In the meantime, I’m sure they’ll have some coffee waiting inside.”

Charley clapped his hands on Seth’s shoulders. “You’ve done well here, my boy. I’m proud of you, too. You and Catherine have dealt with more than your fair share this summer. I’m sorry to have put you in such an awkward position.”

Seth took the compliment in stride. Hearing his father finally admit he’d done a good job on the farm made his words all the more welcome.

“Thanks, Pa. I feel it’s in my blood. Just like those trains are in yours.”

“I’m mighty glad. I understand your ma likes it out west being with her cousin Marybelle. It’s been good for her health. So, we’ll join her out there. As soon as I settle things here and get everyone ready to go, we’ll be on our way.”

Did his father mean for him to go, too? To leave everything he had worked so hard for and start all over again? And what about Anna Louise? He couldn’t up and leave her behind. Surely his father understood what she meant to him. He’d already told him about their plans. And Catherine? What about her plans? Seth’s mind raced as he searched for words to tell his father he didn’t want to leave Candor. He wanted to stay and work the farm. He had such plans for improving produce, reaching bigger markets farther away, and even contemplated taking a position on the Agriculture Society Board. Buying more land. He was making a name for himself in the community. He couldn’t leave now.

“Now don’t get your knickers in a bunch, Seth,” his father chuckled before Seth could protest. “I can see you haven’t grasped what I’m talking about. Fact is, the farm is yours. I’ll never be a farmer like you. Just don’t have it in me, son.”

His father shook his head and clasped his shoulder harder.

“Aderley promised to do good by me if I stayed loyal to the railroad during the strike,” he said. He pursed his lips. “The man actually kept his word, by gum. He’s agreed to pay for the rest of us to transfer all our belongings to San Francisco. Seems they need someone at the other end of the line to take care of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s concerns. Mr. Aderley rode the rails out west to fetch his wife and bring his family back home safely. Things are growing by leaps and bounds out there, and he needs someone to keep things going at that end. They’ll set up an office in San Francisco for me if I’m interested. I’m going to check it out while I’m there. I’ll have an honest to goodness desk job. Won’t have to spend much time at the tracks. And I’ll be making a decent wage for a change.”

“What about Catherine?” Seth wondered what would become of her teaching. “Like I told you, she’s taken her exams and is already enrolled in the fall teaching program.”

“I’ll need her to help me with the children on the train, of course. It’ll be a good experience for her. Give her something she’ll be able to use in her teaching. She can spend time with us, then return home in time for the semester if she’s a mind to.”