Tracie Peterson Read Free Page B

walkway to the carriage.
    Topeka of 1888 was bustling with life and activity. It was the capital of Kansas and in its own right demanded grandeur and charm. Potwin Place was the high point of residential Topeka, although it desired to become a city in its own right.
    Potwin Place homes, while fairly new, were elegant and stately. They were surrounded by well-manicured lawns. Young trees had been planted along the avenues. Maggie was well aware she had lived a privileged life. Now she could only stare longingly as the carriage took her from the place she loved to an uncertain future.
    Maggie had always loved the hubbub of the city, but even that simple pleasure was lost on her as she brooded about the future. The carriage passed the large stone church which Sophia insisted her household attend every Sunday. Maggie thought momentarily of God. He was up there somewhere, she decided as she looked into the fluffy clouds. Somewhere up there, but certainly not with her.
    Soon, the two-story depot came into sight. Maggie realized the moment of truth was nearing. She toyed with the idea of causing a scene. Maybe there was some way to discredit Mr. Lucas so that her grandmother couldn’t possibly send Maggie with him.
    Maggie shot a quick glance at Garrett Lucas. He narrowed his eyes slightly as if reading her mind. The look on his face was adamant, his message unmistakable.
    “I must say, Mrs. Intissar, you have a lovely city,” Garrett observed, breaking the silence that had lasted the duration of the carriage ride.
    Sophia roused herself. “Yes, I suppose it is one of the more lovely times to be here. The flowering trees, the honeysuckle and lilacs. Topeka is a sweet smelling town. However, we have some nasty storms. Cyclones, you know.” She spoke with a heavy voice, and both Garrett and Maggie knew her mind was far from thoughts of the weather.
    “Yes, Ma’am,” Garrett replied, “We have them out West, too. Sometimes they come in a series of storms that last all day.”
    Sophia nodded. “I’ve seen storms like that. It’s always been the thing I’ve disliked most about our fair state. Of course,” she added rather absentmindedly, “if not cyclones, then something else.”
    Maggie sat in silence, trying to formulate a plan. There’d only be one chance to make it work. She thought of the various junctions and water stops on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Rail Road lines. She’d traveled with her grandmother as far as Newton, but beyond that, she was rather uncertain about the route. She’d have to escape before they reached Newton.
    The carriage ride came unceremoniously to an end at the depot entrance. Garrett jumped to the ground before the driver could announce their arrival.
    “Allow me to help you, Ma’am,” Garrett said tenderly, reaching up to take hold of Sophia’s waist. “Forgive the familiarity, but I fear this heat might grieve you if I allow you to exert yourself.”
    “You are very kind, Mr. Lucas. My son has always been a good judge of a man’s character. I see his judgment is still sound.”
    Maggie rolled her eyes, not realizing that Garrett could see her. “Yes, Father is quite knowledgeable about men and horseflesh, cattle and land grants. It’s women who seem to escape his understanding,” she said sarcastically. She refused to take Garrett’s offered hand and nearly fell from the buggy as she tried to dismount.
    Garrett flashed her a brief smile and returned his attention to Sophia. The heat was nearly unbearable for the older woman.
    “June isn’t always this hot. Some years, we’re still enjoying cool temperatures at this time. Why by all the means of Kansas, we could be quite chilled tomorrow. We have a saying about the weather here, Mr. Lucas, if you don’t like it, wait a day and it’ll change,” Sophia murmured. She stumbled slightly, leaning heavily against Garrett’s offered arm.
    “Ma’am, I know you wish to see your granddaughter safely on the train, but the