This time, in the hopes this lady would choose her. Then, Mrs. Logan looked past Hannah and waved. “Now you’ll meet the rest of my family.”
Hannah turned and saw a tall man coming toward them. He held the hand of a little girl of about five. “Why, you two look alike sitting there,” he said.
Blushing, It delighted Hannah to think that she looked like this pretty lady. Introductions made, Mr. Logan picked up the conversation. “Looks like you’ve made a choice, Margaret. How about you, Caroline, what do you think?”
The child smiled shyly and curtsied to Hannah. Everyone laughed. Mrs. Logan looked at Hannah and said, “It seems as if we’ve made a decision, Hannah, but what about you? Caroline needs a companion and we’d like you to become a part of our family.”
Hannah caught her breath, not believing her good fortune. “Oh, yes, I think I’d like that very much. Thank you.”
With the paperwork complete, Hannah said goodbye to Miss Sutton.
“I wish you much happiness, Hannah. The Logans seem like very nice people, and you deserve a good family. Remember, you have my address if you ever need me.” Hannah threw her arms around the matron, who was on her way back to New York City to help a new group of children locate homes.
“Thank you for everything, Miss Sutton. I’ll write often.” The matron touched Hannah’s hand and boarded her train.
“We have a carriage, dear, and if you’re ready, why don’t we go home? You haven’t changed your mind have you?” Mrs. Logan asked.
“Oh, no, I haven’t changed my mind. I want to stay. I have a friend who might come to Texas someday.” It made her feel closer to Teddy when she spoke of him. She didn’t mention her father right away.
Outside, she saw a fine carriage drawn by a reddish colored horse. In New York she had only seen horses pulling milk wagons. “How beautiful,” she cried. “May I pet him?”
“Of course,” Mr. Logan replied, “Major is very gentle, and loves children.”
Hannah nodded, too overcome to speak. How fortunate I am . She hoped wherever Teddy went, he’d find as nice a family as this.
The next surprise made Hannah gasp. For a small family, their home looked huge. The two-story house sat amid a garden of colorful flowers and shrubs. It looked like heaven.
Several hours later, Hannah’s mind still whirled. She’d met Cinnamon, Caroline’s pony, eaten a wonderful lunch and now stared in amazement at the beautiful room that was hers. Surely she must be dreaming. Her bedroom in New York had been small, dark and cramped, its one window looking out on the brick wall of the flat next door. It seemed like a fairyland. The bed felt soft to her touch with a pink cloud-like coverlet. White lace curtains stirred in the spring breeze. How Mama would love it here.
She turned to Mrs. Logan. “It’s beautiful! I can’t believe it’s all for me.”
“Indeed it is, Hannah, and we hope you’re very happy here. Caroline’s room is just next-door. I hope you girls will grow to be very good friends.”
“Oh, I know we will. I’m so happy you chose me, Mrs. Logan.”
“We’re the lucky ones, Hannah. I think we found the perfect companion for Caroline. But why don’t you rest now? It’s been a big day for all of us.”
Hannah fell asleep right away. The images of this unusual day became entwined with dreams of her father standing in a field of blue. There was a boy in the dream too. He waved from the platform of a moving train as it sped away into the distance.
CHAPTER THREE – THE SHOPPING TRIP
Hannah opened her eyes and looked around. Early morning sun bathed the bedroom in a golden light. Delicate curtains swayed in the scented breeze, and the murmur of voices reached her from downstairs. Thinking of yesterday’s events, Hannah almost missed the soft knock on the door.
“Come in,” she called, wondering about her early morning visitor.
Caroline’s dark curls appeared around the door. “Get up,