Tending the Disguised Stranger (Preview)

Chapter One

Idalia Crane woke up with a start. Something was wrong. For the past seven years, she’d grown accustomed to the regular rumpus that pervaded the St. Louis Haven for Homeless Girls. The long name was just a fancy way of saying ‘orphanage’.

She rolled over in her rickety bed that was barely wide enough for one person. Her heart clenched. Nellie’s bed was empty. As usual, it was neatly made, but there was no sign of the skinny ten-year-old.

Every morning, the orphans were woken by the sound of a trumpet in the hallway. From there, they were expected to roll out of bed with a smile on their face and slip on their clothes. They each owned two dresses, which were made from a scratchy material that raised red bumps on the new girls’ skin.

Over the years, Idalia had learned to sleep through the trumpet call and relied on Nellie to shake her awake. It had caused endless trouble.

“Nellie?” Idalia called out uncertainly. Her feet burned as they brushed against the cold stone floor.

The room they shared with eighteen other girls was almost empty, too. One of the other ‘helpers’, Jessica, was making her bed in the corner of the room with a grim expression.

“Where’d everyone go?” Idalia rubbed her bare arms as she hurried up to Jessica.

Jessica narrowed her eyes at Idalia and flipped her curly black hair over her shoulder. “This is why you should get up with the rest of us, Idalia Crane. You can’t lounge in bed all day as if you’re the queen. You’re being paid to look after the orphans.”

Idalia rolled her eyes. Trust Jessica to tell her what she was being paid for, as if she didn’t know. “Where’s Nellie? Where are the other girls?”

The other girl’s eyes widened in surprise. Usually, she’d swap jabs with Jessica for a while, but that could wait. Jessica put her hand on her hip and glared at Idalia. “Mrs. Harris came by this morning at wake-up call. She gathered the younger girls and ushered them out of here.”

Idalia frowned and scratched her head. Mrs. Harris rarely visited the girls. Instead, she relied on Idalia and Jessica to care for them. What was going on?

“Why didn’t Nellie wake me?” Idalia murmured as she turned to look at her unmade bed.

Each girl had their own bed, a trunk underneath, and a simple table next to the bed. They weren’t allowed to keep any personal belongings on their bedside tables besides their Bibles. A pink slip of paper stuck out of Nellie’s Bible. Idalia had shared a note with her last Sunday when the Reverend had gone on for nearly three hours about the danger of sin.

“She wanted to, but Mrs. Harris told her to let you sleep.”

Idalia’s heart thundered in her chest as she turned to Jessica. “She’s never done that before…Why would she say that?”

Jessica smirked at Idalia and shrugged leisurely. “Perhaps she’s given up hope on you. You do realize that she can replace you like that…” She snapped her fingers.

“There’s no need to be vicious,” Idalia spat, hurrying over to her bed.

She pulled her scratchy dress over her head and ran out of the room. Something bad was happening. Fear stuck in her heart like a thorn as she ran through the all-but-abandoned home.

The St. Louis Haven for Homeless Girls was located in the slums of St. Louis. The building was small and rather cramped but was whitewashed every year. The whitewashing usually coincided with Mrs. Asher’s annual visit. A thought struck Idalia. The younger girls were always trotted out like show ponies when Mrs. Asher arrived. They were the sweet, pretty ones who were sure to be adopted.

Was it possible that Nellie was in the dining room with Mrs. Asher? That would explain why all the younger girls had been ushered out. If that was the case, perhaps Nellie was one step closer to being adopted.

Usually, Mrs. Asher brought a few prospective parents with her. The thought sent waves of panic through Idalia. While Nellie deserved a good home, Idalia was convinced that no one could take care of her half as well as Idalia. It was a selfish thought, but Idalia loved Nellie like a sister. Any parent who adopted Nellie wouldn’t love her as much.

Idalia frantically sifted through her mind to remember when Mrs. Asher last came to visit. It had been about a year, but the whitewashing hadn’t happened yet, so it couldn’t be time for her arrival.

She made it to the drafty foyer that looked out onto the street. Women in ratty clothing hurried past, clutching their meager groceries, while men in ragged work overalls slouched past, their faces black with soot from the factories. She shuddered as she caught sight of them through the window.

When she’d turned fourteen, she’d been expected to secure employment. Thankfully, the orphanage had been run by a kind-hearted matron who employed Idalia at the orphanage so she could keep an eye on Nellie. Usually when girls reached an age where they could find employment, they were asked to leave. The girls typically found employment in one of the local factories. Idalia shuddered at the thought. Those girls lived in even worse conditions as they waited for the day they either got married or left the city for some reason or other. None of them seemed happy.

Idalia was determined to do better. She wasn’t going to stick around in St. Louis. No, she was going out West. Just as soon as she could find a way to take Nellie with her. Unfortunately, time was running out for them as Mrs. Harris had made it clear that she wanted Idalia gone.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she made her way to the dining hall. It was a joyless room with several long wooden tables and benches. The girls took all their meals there. The room was dimly lit by high windows that were little more than slits in the wall. Most of the time, they ate in dim gloom. At night, the room was lit by a handful of lanterns. As the matrons did everything they could to conserve money, the lanterns were never lit all the way. More often than not, the girls couldn’t see what was on their plates. It was a mercy.

As sad as it was, the dining hall was the heart of the building. No wonder the place had so little joy.

Idalia pushed the doors open so quickly that they hit the wall with a bang. All the heads in the room swiveled to look at her. Her cheeks burned and she scanned the room for Nellie’s familiar face.

Mrs. Harris, a stick-thin woman with a prudish face, glowered at Idalia. Rumor had it that Mrs. Harris was once one of the orphan girls in the home. She never left and eventually started running it. If that were so, Mrs. Harris must not have remembered what it was like to be a terrified, lonely orphan girl.

Idalia’s mouth went dry when she spotted Mrs. Asher standing in front of the room. The woman was impossibly stylish in a burgundy gown trimmed with lace. She wore her graying blonde hair in an elaborate bun and had her hands clasped before her. Mrs. Asher was a beautiful woman with wide brown eyes and dimples in her cheeks that appeared as she spoke. Her eyes glittered as if she were holding onto a joke that she planned to tell everyone later.

Her gaze landed on Idalia, immediately making Idalia feel about an inch tall.

“I apologize for my tardiness,” Idalia said, lowering her gaze and hurrying over to the closest seat.

Mrs. Asher cleared her throat delicately. “That’s quite all right. Now, where was I? Oh, yes…I have been made aware of a fortuitous opportunity for all of you. There’s been a call for people to move out further into the West. Our great country needs good people to inhabit the land, or else it shall become a breeding ground for lawlessness.”

Idalia immediately tuned the woman’s refined voice out as she scanned the assembled faces. Her eyes finally landed on Nellie, who was sitting at the opposite table. Nellie met her gaze with wide, concerned eyes.

She gave Nellie a smile which she hoped was comforting. Everything would be all right. They would be together soon. Despite her demeanor, Idalia fidgeted with her sleeve.

She’d been at the St. Louis Haven for Homeless Girls long enough to know that things could change in an instant. They were powerless against the whims of their matrons and benefactors. None of the girls had any control over their lives.

Some, like Jessica, accepted their fate. They conformed to the rules and hoped for the best. Their stubborn adherence to the status quo did them little good once they were inevitably turned out. No matter how good or obedient or clever they were, they wouldn’t be permitted to stay. Perhaps someday Jessica would become a matron, but that was the most she could hope for.

Others railed against the system. It didn’t do them much good either, as they were sent away sooner.

A girl’s only hope was to be adopted. Of course, that came with its own set of challenges. Not every adoption led to a happily-ever-after. It was a fate worse than death to be sent back after being adopted. A girl would be branded by such a rejection, and very few recovered.

Idalia straddled the line between quiet obedience and outright defiance. If she kept her head down and did what was expected, she’d escape their notice. And in the meantime, she could work on a plan to leave St. Louis and its misery behind for good.

Mrs. Harris glared at Idalia, her mouth pinched as she tried to burn a hole into the side of Idalia’s head. Idalia ignored her and focused on Nellie. No matter what happened, she’d be involved in whatever decision was made regarding Nellie’s future.

“Some of those people simply cannot have children of their own,” Mrs. Asher droned on. “They’re in desperate need of your help. You see, I’ve become aware of an initiative to send orphaned girls such as yourselves out West to be adopted by upstanding families. My dear friend, Mrs. Walton, has already sent out thirty girls, and all of them were adopted within a week!”

A gasp of excitement went through the room, and the girls looked at each other in delight. Idalia froze and gnawed on her lip. This couldn’t be good.

She released a shaky breath and looked back at Mrs. Asher.

“My dearest wish is for all of you girls to find yourselves a loving home.” Mrs. Asher put her hand over her heart. “As such, I have decided to send all of you out West. This will allow you to have a greater chance of being adopted, and I shall have more space for girls who are in desperate need.”

Idalia stood before she could question her decision.

“I’m terribly sorry, ma’am,” Idalia’s voice shook. “Do you truly mean all the girls?”

Mrs. Asher hesitated.

“Sit down!” Mrs. Harris hissed. “I must apologize, Mrs. Asher, Idalia has always been rather…exuberant.”

“How old are you, dear?” Mrs. Asher asked, ignoring Mrs. Harris.

“I’ll turn eighteen in a month.”

Mrs. Asher. “I’m sorry, dear, but they only want girls between the ages of nine and fifteen. You’re simply too old to go with. However, there are several initiatives for girls like you—”

“Ma’am, you don’t understand,” Idalia said desperately. “I’m not hoping to get adopted. My little sister is here with me. I can’t let you send her along without me. Do you know how long it would take to find her?”

Mrs. Asher’s eyes widened, and she looked around the room. “Who is your little sister?”

“She’s lying, Mrs. Asher,” Mrs. Harris said quickly. “The girl is rather attached to one of the other orphans, Nellie Newton. They’re not related—”

“Not by blood, ma’am,” Idalia interrupted, “but by love. I adopted her. She’s mine.”

Mrs. Asher looked at Idalia in concern.

“Stand up, Nellie!” Mrs. Harris barked.

Nellie let out a frightened squeak and looked over at Idalia. She nodded, and Nellie got to her feet.

“I’m terribly sorry to hear of your plight, but don’t you think it’s best that Nellie finds herself a good home?” Mrs. Asher asked. “You’re about to leave this institution in a few weeks. Surely, you must realize that you’re in no position to raise a child yourself.”

“I am plenty capable, ma’am,” Idalia insisted, causing Mrs. Harris to snort. “Besides, I’m not asking for much. Please, just send me with them. I can find work wherever Nellie gets settled. All I want is to visit and make sure that she’s all right. Please, send me along with her. I’ll work real hard and send you the money to pay for my ticket.”

“Sit down, Idalia!” Mrs. Harris snapped.

Idalia ignored her and stared beseechingly at Mrs. Asher. The older woman softened visibly and looked over at Nellie.

“Do you want this girl to go with you?” Mrs. Asher asked Nellie.

Nellie blinked rapidly as her bottom lip trembled.

“Tell her the truth, Nellie,” Idalia encouraged.

“Y-yes m-ma’am.”

Asher looked over at Mrs. Harris, who shrugged. “The girl has an incurable stutter. I’ve tried everything to remedy it, but there’s no hope.”

Idalia clenched her fists and glared at Mrs. Harris. Nothing had been done to help Nellie.

“Well, with such a challenge, little Nellie will require someone close by as she navigates this exciting change,” Mrs. Asher mused.

Idalia held her breath hopefully as she leaned forward. “Does this mean…” She hardly dared to finish her sentence. The hope was too big.

Mrs. Asher nodded. “You shall accompany Nellie out West. After all, what does it matter if there’s one more girl on the train?”

Idalia beamed at Nellie; her joy reflected in Nellie’s expression. They would be heading out West together!

Chapter Two

Two Months Later

Sebastian Bancroft kissed his mother on the cheek. People jostled them as they pushed past to board the train.

“Be safe, won’t you, dear?” Therese Bancroft said, her eyes filling with tears as she patted his cheek.

Sebastian smiled at her. His friend and assistant, Simon, walked past, struggling with all of Sebastian’s luggage. He caught Simon’s gaze and rolled his eyes meaningfully. Sebastian was an only child, and he had predicted that his mother would make a scene when saying her goodbyes.

Simon gave him a tight-lipped smile before making his way past.

“Be careful with those!” Sebastian called out after him. “I doubt there’s anyone who can repair the leather in Colorado Springs.”

Simon placed Sebastian’s bag down and gave him a semi-sarcastic salute. Sebastian chuckled and shook his head. His assistant could be quite cheeky when the mood struck him.

Sebastian spotted a pretty young woman walking past and adjusted his cravat. He shot the girl a charming smile, and her cheeks turned red. She covered her mouth with her hand and let out a high-pitched giggle. Her mother tugged on her arm and gave Sebastian a withering glare.

Therese clicked her tongue and swatted Sebastian’s shoulder. “Behave yourself!”

Sebastian raised his hands in surrender. “It’s in my nature, Mother. I simply can’t help it. Besides, don’t you want me to get married and have babies at some point?”

“Were you thinking of marrying that girl?” Therese asked, raising her eyebrows.

“Mother, I only just saw her,” Sebastian pointed out incredulously. “Surely, I’m not expected to know if I want to marry a girl as soon as I lay eyes on her!”

Therese narrowed her eyes at him. “Someday, a girl’s going to come along and knock you flat. You’ll eat those words, just you watch.”

“Ah, Mother, you’ve always been an incurable romantic.” Sebastian shook his head at her and took her in his arms. “How can I leave you alone? You’re bound to see love wherever it doesn’t exist. Who shall stop you from attempting to marry off all our maids? I’ll return to a dirty house!”

Therese melted and patted his arm. As usual, she had been helpless against his unstoppable good humor. Sebastian had yet to face a problem that couldn’t be charmed out of existence.

She licked her finger and wiped a spot on Sebastian’s cheek.

“Mother!” Sebastian whined, twisting away from her.

Therese smiled and reached up to touch his cheek. This time, he allowed it. Despite her overbearing nature, he was going to miss her. She was the one person who always looked at him as if he was a hero, even though he’d done nothing to earn it.

“My darling boy,” Therese murmured, “what will I do without you?”

“Enjoy yourself immensely as you’re finally rid of the burden of caring for me all the time,” Sebastian said with a wink.

Therese chuckled and shook her head. “Will we ever have a vulnerable moment without you ruining it with a joke?”

“Probably not.” Sebastian kissed her on the cheek and stepped back. “Now, don’t miss me too much.”

He was just about done with the farewell. The West waited!

The train whistled overhead, a sure sign that they were about to take off. Sebastian fought the urge to bounce on the balls of his feet like a child. Therese frowned and looked over the milling crowd. She pulled her shawl tighter around her.

“Where is your father?” She put her hands on her hips. “He’s going to miss seeing you off!”

Sebastian looked over at the train. It was going to leave soon, and he had yet to embark. Why did his parents insist on always making such a fuss over everything? He was a grown man! Surely, he could be trusted to make the trip to Colorado Springs on his own.

“Mother, I shall write to him…” Sebastian started, but Therese shook her head and grabbed onto his arm.

“There he is!”

Sebastian looked up to see his father hurrying up to them. His father was about sixteen years older than his mother. Jack Bancroft had been so busy building up his family’s empire that he hadn’t thought of marriage until much later in life. Thankfully, he had met the charming Therese, and they’d hit it off immediately.

It wasn’t long until Sebastian came along. As an only child, he alone carried the burden of his parents’ hopes and dreams. He was set to inherit the Bancroft fortune and all the work that came with it.

As soon as his father began talking about giving Sebastian greater responsibilities, Sebastian had suggested taking a trip to Colorado Springs to visit his dear aunt, Evelyn. The visit would buy him at least another six months of freedom before he was thrust into the workforce.

Sebastian shuddered. It was untenable! None of his friends were expected to start working until they had reached a respectable age. Honestly. Who expected a twenty-one-year-old to take up so many responsibilities? He should have been allowed to enjoy his youth a little more.

“I apologize for my tardiness,” Jack said, huffing slightly. “There was a crisis at work. You’ll understand when you get back and start working with your old man.”

There had been a time when Jack had been a fit, powerful man. Now, his stomach bulged a little over his belt, and he worked up a sweat when he walked too far and too fast. Sebastian was determined to never let that happen to him.

“I look forward to it,” Sebastian said, forcing himself to smile. “I wish we had more time, but the train was just about to—”

“Let me take a look at you.” Jack grasped his son’s shoulders and turned him, as if inspecting a horse. “You’re the spitting image of me when I was your age!”

He slapped Sebastian on the back and Sebastian grimaced.

“My boy, you’re off to conquer the world!”

Sebastian fought the urge to roll his eyes. It was the same thing he’d been told when he went off to Europe with his friends after graduating.

“That’s the plan, Father,” Sebastian said, hugging his father quickly.

Jack grunted and sniffed as he hugged his son. “You go off and make me proud, you hear?”

Sebastian smiled thinly before waving at them and hurrying onto the train. He turned back briefly to wave at them. Jack had his arms around Therese’s shoulders, and they were both trying to hold back their tears.

He snorted. Why did they always have to be so dramatic? He wasn’t going off on some dangerous excursion. Sebastian climbed onto the train without looking back.

Excitement coursed through his veins as he made his way to his first-class compartment. He’d been wanting to go West ever since he first heard of it. All the stories of cowboys, ranchers, and sheriffs filled him with anticipation. It was the land of opportunity. He would find out what he was made of when he was out on his own.

Aunt Evelyn was far less interested in his life than his parents. He would be left to his own devices out there. The promise of freedom lured him West like a siren’s song.

“There you are,” Simon said, stepping out of one of the first-class compartments. “I’ve set up everything for you in here.”

“You work so hard, Simon,” Sebastian said, clapping him on the back. “What would I do without you?”

“Starve, suffer, and complain,” Simon said, counting on his fingers as he listed things.

Sebastian scowled good-naturedly at him. “Why don’t you go find something to eat? I’ll come and find you.”

Simon chuckled and hurried off.

The first-class compartment was opulent with a velvet booth, a simple bunk, and a table in the corner. His clothes and belongings were packed into the neat cupboards. Sebastian hummed to himself as he took off his overcoat.

Within a few minutes, he’d tired of the compartment and wandered off in search of his companion. He bypassed the first-class dining cart and made his way back to the second-class compartments. Sometimes he enjoyed seeing how people fared outside of his first-class bubble.

When he walked into the dining car, he spotted Simon talking to a tall man with a Stetson hat and a scruffy beard. Simon sat with his back toward Sebastian, allowing Sebastian to sneak up on him.

“We’re headed to Colorado Springs,” Simon explained. “My employer’s aunt lives there. We’ll be visiting for quite a while.”

The man nodded and scratched his chin. “I see. And you say you’re working for the Bancrofts?”

“Of course,” Sebastian said, putting his hands on Simon’s shoulders, causing his friend to jump in fright.

“There you are,” Simon said with an easy smile. “Sebastian, this is Cole. He’s also heading to Colorado Springs. He’s a deputy with the sheriff’s office up there.”

Sebastian inclined his head toward Cole. “Do you know my family?”

Cole shook his head. “No, but everyone in St. Louis has heard of the Bancrofts. You know, I had a cousin who grew up in your mother’s orphanage. She’s a real nice lady.”

Sebastian faked a smile and nodded as he sat next to Simon. “There’s no doubt about that.”

There was something about the man that set Sebastian’s teeth on edge. He gave Simon a meaningful look which Simon promptly ignored.

“Why are you heading up to Colorado Springs?” Simon asked, turning away from Sebastian.

The table in front of them was decorated with a white tablecloth. Simon was eating a sandwich while Cole drank water. Sebastian looked around for a waiter but couldn’t spot one.

“You have to go to the counter and order your food,” Simon murmured as Cole leaned back in his seat.

“Oh!” Sebastian spotted the counter at the end of the compartment. He grimaced. It seemed like an awful lot of effort. Besides, he wasn’t all that hungry yet. He looked expectantly at Simon.

“I’m going to visit family,” Cole said, his eyes flicking between Sebastian and Simon.

It was an irritating trait. Didn’t he know it was a rude thing to do?

“Get your own food,” Simon said, shaking his head at Sebastian. “Don’t you see I’m busy?”

Sebastian let out a huff. “You’ve gotten far too big for your boots, my friend.”

He got to his feet and went over to the counter. Simon would never do such a thing in front of Sebastian’s parents. However, Sebastian got a kick out of having an outspoken assistant. Simon was the only person he could rely on to tell the truth all the time.

Sebastian glanced at the food with a wince before returning to Simon. Thankfully, Cole was nowhere to be seen.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Simon raised his eyebrows.

“There wasn’t anything worth eating.” Sebastian shrugged. “Where’d your new friend go?”

“Cole returned to his companions,” Simon said, waving his hand dismissively.

“Thank heavens, I was honestly considering asking him to leave.” Sebastian wrinkled his nose in disgust. “How is it that you always find such odd people?”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a snob?” Simon shook his head before taking a large bite of a rather unappetizing-looking sandwich.

“People often confuse having standards for being too picky.” Sebastian clicked his tongue and shook his head sadly. “I’ve learned to live with the burden of being judged for it.”

Simon scoffed. “Oh, please. And I’ve learned to live with you. There was nothing at all wrong with that man.”

“Why would you tell him where we’re heading? What if he gets it into his head to track us down? I’ll be obliged to buy the man a drink. You know his sort. They’re always after money and convenience. Didn’t you see the way his eyes gleamed when he heard my surname?”

Simon narrowed his eyes slightly at Sebastian. “I trust you know that I think of you as a dear friend.”

Sebastian tilted his head to the side. “Don’t you mean your only friend?”

“As I was saying…” Simon raised his voice. “As a dear friend, it’s my duty to inform you that your suspicions are baseless. Cole was simply attempting to get to know us. Your unfriendly demeanor was enough to send him running off.”

Sebastian leaned back in his chair. “Ah, then it did what I meant it to. You know that if I wanted to get to know him better, he’d still be here. I have a gift for reading people, my friend. Perhaps someday you shall learn to trust my judgment.”

“That’s what you said back in St. Louis and someone stole my watch,” Simon pointed out with a scowl.

Sebastian shrugged. “No one’s perfect.”

“And yet, I’m shockingly close to it.” He toyed with the fork in front of him. “When can we go to the first-class dining cart? I’m starving.”

Simon ignored him and continued eating his sad-looking sandwich.

Dark clouds were forming in the sky, and Sebastian pulled his jacket tighter around him. They were in for bad weather. Hopefully, it wouldn’t disrupt his journey too much. A new adventure was awaiting him in Colorado.