Walker's Wedding Read Free Page B

locked her in her room every night! Papa couldn’t just ship her down South and consider the problem solved.
    Brice had survived three loveless marriages, all ending in bitterness, and he had nothing but contempt for the bond she held so dear. He would strip her of her spirit and do everything within his power to color her outlook on life, love, and, most certainly, marriage.
    Staring at her empty plate, she vowed softly, “I won’t go to Uncle Brice.”
    â€œYou have no choice.” Picking up his fork, Lowell speared a piece of beef, fixing her with a hard look. “End of discussion.”

Chapter Two

    A h don’t like it. Ah don’t like it one little bit.” Old Abe set the brake Friday morning, and then he climbed down from the buggy and turned to help Sarah. Boston still slept beneath a heavy blanket of darkness. A dog barked in the distance, the only sound in the predawn stillness.
    â€œI’ll name my first son after you,” Sarah promised. If it weren’t for Abe’s help, she couldn’t have slipped out of the house unnoticed or reached the train station in time to escape town before anyone awoke.
    â€œThe only reason I agreed to bring you here is ’cause I can’t bear to see you shipped off to your Uncle Brice. That man’s the devil if I ever seen one. He don’t believe in the good Lord, and I don’t want baby girl subjected to Lucifer hisself. No, sir. Ain’t none of my doings, but I can’t bear to see you go to that man one more time.”
    â€œOh, Abe. You understand. I’m sorry I was so ugly to you before supper last night.”
    â€œThat’s all right, Miss Livingston. I knows what you was facin’, I wouldn’t let a cur live with Brice Livingston—don’t know why your Papa can’t see the mean in dat man. The good Lord knows you got no business traipsin’ round the country by yourself, but I reckon if you’re not old enough by now to look after your needs, Wadsy’s done a poor job of raisin’ you.”
    Leaning forward on her tiptoes, Sarah kissed the servant’s shavingsoap-scented cheek. “Wadsy would hang us both out to dry if anyone suggested that she’d failed in her duties.”
    Abe chuckled. “That she would, young’un. She’ll not hear it from me.” He lifted a bag from the buggy and set it down on the ground, his eyes assessing the empty terminal. “I’d carry this inside, but if anyone was to notice—”
    â€œYou’ve done enough, Abe. I won’t jeopardize your place with Papa by asking you to see me inside.” Giving him a brief hug, she whispered, “I’ll write and let you know where I am.”
    â€œYes’m, you do that. We’re going to be powerful worried until we hear that you’re safe.”
    â€œTake good care of my papa.”
    â€œI will. You take care of yourself, young’un.”
    Sarah watched him return to the buggy. He drove away without looking back.
    Picking up the valise, she entered the station. A mellow light bathed the deserted waiting room. Ordinarily she wouldn’t have to purchase a ticket. Papa owned the railroad and the Livingston family traveled free, but the sleepy-eyed man behind the ticket counter wouldn’t recognize her today. She’d carefully dressed in Abe’s grandson’s clothing, pulling a hat low over her face. Other travelers would assume she was a teenage boy traveling alone, exactly as she intended.
    â€œOne way to New York,” she said, trying to make her voice gruff and manly. The ticket agent didn’t look up. She laid the bills on the counter, smiling. Moments later, ticket in hand, she sat down to await the arrival of the five forty southbound. Julie Steinberg had a small apartment above her father’s Jewish delicatessen. She and Julie had been roommates in boarding school and still corresponded regularly. Sarah was sure