Stavewood (Stavewood Saga Book 1) Read Free Page B

unexpectedly comfortable, alone in the isolated station with only the simple man.
          “Finn’s the name, Ma’am.” He tipped his fur cap to Rebecca as gallantly as if it were a silk top hat. It painted an odd picture to Rebecca who studied the man’s huge calloused hands and soiled garb.
          “Rebecca Fagan,” she replied. “I’m off to St. Peter and then to Billington to be married!” Rebecca giggled at her bold announcement. “Yes married,” she hiccupped, “To a man I know nothing about.”
          “Why ya’re one of the brides!” Finn looked at her excitedly. “Ya’re such a pretty thing I ought to get me a bride from the papers too!” Finn blushed deeply and Rebecca radiated.
          “Thank you, sir!” Rebecca replied.
          Rebecca couldn’t make sense of her feelings. She was terrified of her situation, yet strangely she didn’t care so much now. She felt warm and somehow cozy and Finn’s kindness made everything seem different somehow.
          “Could I have more?” she asked, offering the cup to the man.
          Rebecca gazed around the solid structure and found she had to struggle to focus in an attempt make out her surroundings more clearly. The rough walls were hewn from solid, straight logs, giving the building a weighty feeling, the solidness of it making her feel safe and protected. A small iron stove sat centered in the room and she held her feet close enough to bring a light steam from her soaked skirts. There were several solid benches and a small partial wall on one side that she supposed was some kind of ticket booth. A huge moose head adorned one wall and upon peering around the corner she spied a sagging cot against the wall in a small adjoining room.
          “Do you live here?” Rebecca queried, rising on her feet and tipping back a bit on the bench. Her tongue felt thick and heavy as she spoke and she caught the edge of the bench in a slight wobble.
          “Suppose that’d be enough,” Finn replied. “Who’s the man to be?”
          “Oh my,” Rebecca gasped at a hiccup. “What man?”
          “Yar groom Miss, who ya marrying?”
          “Mr. T. Elgerson,” Rebecca smiled boldly. “He’s my man!” She lifted her arm as though to cheer.
          Rebecca was aware of the room slipping quickly to one side, although she could not imagine how that would be possible.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
           R ebecca woke to the sound of a harsh woman’s voice in the other room.
          “You gave her brandy, Finn? Before or after she told you she was the one ordered for Elgerson? You’re a damned fool, Finn. Nuthin’ but a damned fool!”
          “She was soaked to the skin and they put her off the train. I couldn’t jus’ leave her out there to freeze to death.” Rebecca recognized Finn’s deep coarse voice. “I didn’t know nuthin’ about her comin’ for Elgerson until after.”
          “Well, we can’t just put her back on the train. I suppose we need to find some other way to send her on her way,” the woman huffed.
        Rebecca had prayed for sun throughout most of her trip, but the blasted, bright beams assaulting her as she looked around the unfamiliar room brought her no pleasure.
          She was suddenly awake on a narrow cot and unable to fathom how she came to be there. Her head felt twice its normal size and her eyes ached painfully as she attempted to assess her situation. Where were her clothes? She wrapped the rough flannel sheets around herself in embarrassment and tried to free herself of the sagging cot to make her way towards the doorway. Rebecca knew she was in a bad situation, but she felt compelled to find out where she was. The girl was frantic with confusion. Her head pounded as she rose and a disturbing uneasiness roiled in her stomach.
        Stumbling across the room, she caught the sheet in a large splinter protruding from a small