“What did you say? I can’t hear you.” Amelia shouted at her husband, trying to be heard over the din of the crowd. People bustled about the station platform, greeting relatives, looking for their belongings, or just standing in bewilderment at the dissonant voices all around them.
Joshua leaned down to her. “They’re unloading the horses. When I’m sure Ranger is secure, our belongings will be loaded on one of the wagons. Then we’ll travel to the docks.”
“Are you sure it’s all right for us to take the steamboat up the Missouri? Don’t you have to go with the men?”
“I’ve been ordered to report by tomorrow. The boat will get us there on time. Don’t worry, it will be fine.” He smiled down at her, touched her cheek, and went back to the last car.
She shaded her eyes with her hand as she looked around. The crowds thinned as people left the platform. In the distance, she saw the stranger with the blond hair walking off the platform and into the street. Good, that’s one less worry now that he’s gone. I was just being silly.
Soon Joshua came to escort his new family to the wagons. Their footsteps echoed on the wood planking, solitary sounds on the now empty station platform. For those prosperous enough to travel on the Pacific Railroad, Kansas City was the end of the line.
When the wagon was loaded with their baggage, Amelia rode up front beside Sergeant O’Doyle with Mariah holding Dougie in the back. Joshua rode Ranger alongside the wagon, trailed by the new recruits on the extra horses.
They rode through the thriving city.
“I had no idea Kansas City would be this big.” Amelia looked this way and that, astounded at the number of people. “Of course, it isn’t St. Louis, but it is flourishing.”
“Yes, Ma’am, it is.” The Sergeant glanced at her with an agreeable expression.
Encouraged by his easy manner, she continued the conversation. “What’s Ft Leavenworth like?”
“Well, Mrs. Hawthorne, it’ll seem small compared to this, but it’s right comfortable. I think you’ll be happy there. The officers’ wives have socials once in a while. There are other children on post, too.”
Amelia hesitated before asking another question. “Is it safe at the fort, from the Cheyenne, I mean?” She glanced back at her son.
“No worries about the Cheyenne, Ma’am. They don’t come as far east as the fort. The men go out to find them in the western part of Kansas. Our troops patrol the wagon train routes and check on the few settlers out there.”
She felt her shoulders relax, as she released a breath she had not known she was holding.
When they reached the dock, Joshua supervised Ranger as he boarded the boat. Sergeant O’Doyle carried the baggage.
He came back to Amelia on the dock. “Have a pleasant journey, Ma’am.” He tipped the sweat-stained hat he wore jammed on his head. “I’ll see you at the fort in a few days.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you for your help. I wish safe journey to you and your men.” Amelia watched as he spoke to Joshua.
“Mama, are we going home?” Dougie tugged at her skirts.
“We’re going to our new home at Ft. Leavenworth. We’ll be there tomorrow.”
“I wanna go home,” Dougie cried, stamping his foot in indignation.
Amelia picked him up. “Look at this pretty boat. We’re going on the Missouri Belle. Won’t that be fun?”
“No!” he scrambled to get down.
Joshua walked up and took the boy on his shoulder. “Come on, Dougie. I remember how much you liked the paddle wheel on the Dixie Queen. Let’s go find it on this boat.” He winked as he passed Amelia.
She chuckled and shook her head. Her little boy responded well to Joshua. She was glad he would have a father figure to teach him.
Later when the stars had come out, Joshua and Amelia stood together at the railing. The night was cold. He held her close to his body. “Is it too cold out here?”
“Not when I’m with you.” She snuggled closer to him. “It seems ages since we’ve been alone. I’m glad Mariah has Dougie tonight.”
They stood together and looked at the dark bank barely visible under the moonless sky. There were no lights to be seen on the shore, no sign of civilization.
Amelia trembled. “It seems so empty here, so remote. I’ve always lived in cities and towns.”
“There’s a lot of territory out there. More settlers come all the time. In a few years towns will be springing up with even more people.”
He turned and tipped her face up to his. “As long has you have your pistol, you can handle anything.” His smile became gloriously wicked, as he lifted one eyebrow. “We’ve got more important things to discuss, Mrs. Hawthorne.”
“And what would those be?” She grinned saucily up at him.
“Oh, I can think of one particular thing.” His head lowered to hers. “We need to find time for private moments,” he whispered, then his lips took hers.
She snuggled against his hard body, engulfed in the warmth of his arms.
This is the way it’s meant to be.
His next kiss left her with no coherent thoughts at all. Instead she clung to him, holding him as tightly as she could.
Joshua swept her into his arms. “Let’s retire to our cabin,” he whispered.
She put her head on his shoulder, her body wiping all the things she had been taught about how proper ladies must behave from her mind.