Tracie Peterson - A Veiled Reflection

a Veiled Reflection

A Veiled Reflection
Copyright 2000
Tracie Peterson

Cover photo: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing
Company Collection.
Cover design by Melinda Schumacher

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-0-7642-0050-2 (2005 edition)

Library of Congress has catalogued the original edition as follows:

Peterson, Tracie.
A veiled reflection / Tracie Peterson.
p. cm.(Westward chronicles ; 3)
ISBN 0-7642-2114-0
1. Fred Harvey (Firm)HistoryFiction. I. Title.
PS3566.E7717 V45 2000

With thanks to my editors at Bethany House,

Sarah Long and Barb Lilland,

who have helped to see me through
some rough spots in the road.

May God richly bless you.

Books by Tracie Peterson
www.traciepeterson.com
A Slender Thread What She Left for Me
Where My Heart Belongs
S ONG OF A LASKA
Dawns Prelude
A LASKAN Q UEST
Summer of the Midnight Sun
Under the Northern Lights Whispers of Winter
Alaskan Quest (3 in 1)
B RIDES OF G ALLATIN C OUNTY
A Promise to Believe In A Love to Last Forever
A Dream to Call My Own
T HE B ROADMOOR L EGACY
A Daughters Inheritance An Unexpected Love
A Surrendered Heart
B ELLS OF L OWELL
Daughter of the Loom A Fragile Design These Tangled Threads
Bells of Lowell (3 in 1)
L IGHTS OF L OWELL
A Tapestry of Hope A Love Woven True The Pattern of Her Heart
D ESERT R OSES
Shadows of the Canyon Across the Years Beneath a Harvest Sky
H EIRS OF M ONTANA
Land of My Heart The Coming Storm
To Dream Anew The Hope Within
L ADIES OF L IBERTY
A Lady of High Regard A Lady of Hidden Intent
A Lady of Secret Devotion
R IBBONS OF S TEEL
Distant Dreams A Hope Beyond
W ESTWARD C HRONICLES
A Shelter of Hope Hidden in a Whisper A Veiled Reflection
Y UKON Q UEST
Treasures of the North Ashes and Ice Rivers of Gold

with Judith Pella

TRACIE PETERSON is a popular speaker and bestselling author who has written more than seventy books, both historical and contemporary fiction. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

A Word from the Author

PINTAN, ARIZONA, is a fictional town; however, there were many Harvey House locations along the Santa Fe line throughout Arizona. Today, La Posada, a Harvey hotel resort in Winslow, Arizona, remains a tourist attraction, giving visitors a flavor of Mr. Harveys standards of gracious living.

Many people see Fred Harvey as having been the father of fastfood service. His desire to provide affordable quality meals along the Santa Fe line did much to settle the southwest. His growing interest in native-made crafts and goods also brought widespread awareness of the cultures and traditions of the various Native American tribes on the Santa Fe rail line.

The Harvey way became a well-known phrase and stood for the integrity and quality of service that Fred Harvey had known would keep customers coming back for more. It is quoted that upon his deathbed, Fred Harveys dying words to his sons were Dont cut the ham too thin, boys.

I want to thank a couple of people for their helpfulness during this series. First of all, thanks to Brenda Thowe, who heads up the modern-day Harvey Girl organization for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Thanks also to Janice Griffith with the Winslow Historical Society, for providing much detail and information on Arizona, as well as historical research related to the Winslow Harvey House.

Contents

Kansas City, March 1895

YOU JUST HAVE TO DO THIS for me, Jillian.

Jillian eyed her twin sister with suspicious curiosity. Oh, really? I just have to?

The exasperated blonde plopped down on the bed to plead her case. Jillian steadied herself for anythingfrom an onslaught of tears to a beautifully illustrated story of intrigue and romance. Judith was a master with detailed expression. Some people painted on canvases, but Judith created entire landscapes with words.

Im in love, Jillian.

Jillian smiled at her sister tolerantly, gazing sympathetically into blue eyes identical to her own. I understand that part. Her sister had long ago attached her affections to a shopkeepers son named Martin Schein, much to their parents dismay. What I dont understand is why I need to pose as you and go west to the Arizona Territory.

Its that silly job with the Harvey Company, Judith explained, her eyes pleading with Jillian to understand. Mr. Harvey made me sign a contract to work for his restaurant for one year. My year wont be up until June.

So wait until June to be married.

I cant wait until June, Judith wailed, a hint of desperation in her tone. I love Martin and I want to marry him now. We have a wonderful future planned.

So send a letter of regret to your Mr. Harvey and explain the situation.

I cant do that either. One of the stipulations I agreed to was not to marry before my contract was up. If I do, I have to forfeit part of my wages.

So forfeit them, Jillian flippantly replied.

I cant afford to forfeit anything, Judith admitted softly. I gave all my savings to Martin so he could invest in a business. You know Father and Mother will never understand my running off with Martin. Mother has it in her mind that I should marry her aunt Gertrudes second cousin, who just happens to be a duke in line for some minor principality in only God knows where.

Jillian nodded. Her mother had a way of meddling in her daughters lives.

Judith continued. Well be completely on our own once were together. Father will certainly never offer any financial support.

No, I dont suppose he will, Jillian replied thoughtfully. She tried to imagine herself going west in her sisters place. A part of her longed to break from her confined environment, but another part was equally terrified. At least here in her confinement she knew safety, even luxury. Out there in the Westwell, who knew what dangers might await?

You really are asking a great deal, Judith. You know that, dont you? Yet Jillian knew what her sister asked of her was really no different than any other time. Judith always expected the impossible from Jillian, and this was no exception.

Please, Jillian, I wouldnt ask if it werent so important. Besides, youll have the time of your life. Think about the adventure. You were just telling me yesterday how much you longed for a bit of change.