The Roswell Legacy by Frances Statham (ebook pdf reader for pc .TXT) 📕

Realizing that this was Royal’s way of complimenting Rad, despite his constant grumbling and complaining to Rad about every bill in Congress, Allison nodded and said, “I was just going back to the house. Would you like to join me in a glass of iced tea on the porch?”

He shook his head. “Can’t stay. I’m on my way to Widow Smith’s house. She’s got a calf I might buy, if the price is right.”

“Then I won’t delay you. But I’ll write Rad that you inquired about him.”

An amused Allison watched the carriage disappear down the long driveway. Royal must have some other purpose, she thought, beyond the purchase of the calf. For he only wore his suit on special occasions.

Allison began to walk back to the house. If she were to leave for Washington early the next morning, then she mustn’t linger long over her glass of iced tea. She would have to finish her packing.

When the sun was just beginning to come up over the horizon, an impatient Jonathan stood by the family phaeton and waited for his mother and Ginna to appear. Caesar had already tied Allison’s luggage to the back of the carriage for the trip to Louisville, where she would board the train.

“Come on, you two,” Jonathan called out, seeing them standing in the doorway. “We’ve got a long trip this morning.”

“We’re coming, Jonathan,” Ginna replied. “Just as soon as I give Mollie some last-minute instructions for the day.”

As the two women walked down the steps, Ginna turned to Allison. “I still wish you’d let me go with you. I might not be a lot of help to you, sorting things out. But I could certainly keep you company at least.”

“And I don’t doubt that you would be anything but wonderful company, Ginna. But no, darling. You and Jonathan have been apart long enough because of Rad and me.… Now, what did I do with my small case?”

“It’s already in the carriage,” Jonathan said, responding to her last remark.

Several minutes later, with Ginna and Allison seated in the carriage, the horses trotted smartly down the fenced driveway to the main road.

“Once I finish in Washington, I’ll go directly to Chicago,” Allison said to her son. “And when the doctor feels it’s safe for your father to travel, then we’ll come back here. But, of course, I’ll write you when to expect us.”

Jonathan nodded. “And what do you want me to do with the crates shipped from Washington?”

“Don’t bother to open them. Just store them in the attic. We’ll have plenty of time over the winter to see to them. There shouldn’t be that many since we’re leaving almost everything in the house for Edgar and MaryBell.”

“You’re certain that someone will be meeting you at the station?” Ginna asked.

“Yes. Peggy and Tripp. So don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Once again, Allison was amused. Almost overnight, there had been a subtle shift, as if in Ginna’s and Jonathan’s eyes she had suddenly become someone to take care of. Their solicitude was an endearing trait, but how glad she would be to see Peggy and Tripp and the Montgomerys—to feel vibrant and scintillating again. Nothing made one feel older than being in the constant presence of the young.

They traveled steadily down the road, with Jonathan stopping at intervals along the way to give the horses a rest. When they finally neared the railroad station, Allison turned to Ginna. “I want to tell you what a fine hostess you’ve been,” she said. “I know how proud Jonathan is of you.”

Ginna smiled and gazed lovingly at her husband. “He’s made me feel a part of this wonderful family.”

“And so you are. Just like Andrew. I thank heaven each night that Jonathan and Morrow found you both.”

“According to Andrew,” Jonathan said, “he wasn’t so sure about Morrow. He might have passed her by if it hadn’t been for the dog in her arms.” In an exaggerated Scottish burr, Jonathan imitated his brother-in-law. “She was wandering in the streets, she was, like a lost bairn. And she had so much soot on her face that I mistook her for a chimney sweep.…”

“Oh, Jonathan,” Ginna said, “you know he was only teasing Morrow when he said that. Just like you still tease me about the ridiculous hat I was wearing when we first met in the park.”

Ginna quickly put her hand to her mouth, as if she’d said too much.

And Allison, noticing it, said, “But I thought Peggy introduced you.”

Jonathan laughed. “Don’t ever tell her any differently, Mother dear. But the truth seems to be out. A week before we met formally, Ginna was in the park—with her paint box. That’s when I first saw her and spoke to her.”

The whistle of the approaching train sounded, ending the conversation. In the next few minutes, Allison’s luggage was transferred from carriage to baggage car. And once the good-byes were said, Allison boarded the train and found her place by a window in the parlor car.

As the train began to pull out from the station, Allison waved to the young couple standing on the platform. They looked so happy together, and for that, Allison was grateful.

Down the track the train went, picking up speed, until the Louisville station was left behind and the engine began its journey toward Washington.

By late afternoon, Allison was restless. For her, sitting and waiting had always been extremely difficult, whether in a hospital room or on a long train trip. How she longed to be riding Marquessa at that very minute, rather than to be sitting sedately by the window and watching the familiar landscape as the train sped through the countryside.

She had taken this trip more times than she could remember, sometimes with Rad, other times alone. That was one of the perquisites of being a senator’s wife—being able to travel back and forth at will, on a familiar train, with familiar faces surrounding her. But this