Judith Miller - Whispers Along the Rails

W HISPERS
A LONGtheR AILS

B ooks b y J udith M iller
FROM BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS
_________________________________

BELLS OF LOWELL*
Daughter of the Loom
A Fragile Design
These Tangled Threads

LIGHTS OF LOWELL*
A Tapestry of Hope
A Love Woven True
The Pattern of Her Heart

FREEDOMS PATH
First Dawn
Morning Sky
Daylight Comes

POSTCARDS FROM PULLMAN
In the Company of Secrets
Whispers Along the Rails

POSTCARDS from PULLMAN * 2
W HISPERS
A LONGtheR AILS
_________________

J UDITH M ILLER

Whispers Along the Rails
Copyright 2007
Judith Miller

Cover design by Dan Thornberg, Koechel Peterson & Associates

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

Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0277-3 ISBN-10: 0-7642-0277-4
Hardcover: ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0441-8 ISBN-10: 0-7642-0441-6

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Miller, Judith, 1944
Whispers along the rails / Judith Miller.
p. cm. (Postcards from Pullman ; 2)
ISBN 978-0-7642-0441-8 (alk. paper) ISBN 978-0-7642-0277-3 (pbk.)
1. BritishUnited StatesFiction. 2. Young womenFiction.
3. RailroadsEmployeesFiction. 4. Industrial relationsFiction.
5. Depressions1893Fiction. 6. Pullman (Chicago, Ill.)Fiction. I. Title.

PS3613.C3858W49 2007
813.54dc22 2007023745

In memory of my mother

GLADYS E. MCCOY

(JUNE 16, 1914FEBRUARY 8, 2003)
With a grateful heart for
the memories she created,
the laughter she shared,
the faith she lived,
and the love freely given.

JUDITH MILLER is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, many of which have appeared on the CBA bestseller lists. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness:
but a false witness deceit.
Proverbs 12:17

CONTENTS

Pullman, Illinois
March 2, 1893

In the hush of Olivia Motts third-floor bedroom, the click of the metal latches on her Gladstone traveling bag echoed in the early morning silence. She tugged on the handle and lifted the pebbled leather bag from atop her bed. The travel case, with its double-stitched leather handle and linen lining, had been costly, but if her work for the Pullman Palace Car Company was going to require riding the rails, one good piece of baggage was a necessity. Her heart fluttered at a rapid pace, and she clasped her palm to her chest. Fear? Excitement? Gloom? A mixture of all three, she decided.

With a jab of her moonstone hatpin, Olivia secured her narrow-brimmed felt hat into place. She hoped it would prove substantial enough to hold her coffee-colored curls in place.

Greeting Olivia with a cheery good morning, Mrs. Barnes pointed her toward the kitchen. Ive prepared a breakfast fit for a queen. You dont want to begin your new position on an empty stomach. The older woman waved Olivia onward.

The smell of hearty fried food wafted across the kitchen, and her stomach roiled. I believe a cup of tea and one slice of your nicely browned toast would be the most that I dare eat this morning, Mrs. Barnes. She lightly tapped her fingers on her stomach. Im a bit nervous, and I fear a heavy meal wont sit well.

Mrs. Barnes pushed a wayward strand of graying hair behind one ear. You may be sorry once you depart Pullman and your stomach growls in protest. Her eyes shone with disapproval. Youre too thin, dear. No one would ever guess that youre an assistant chef in a fine hotel.

The landladys reminder that Olivia would soon leave the familiarity of her newfound home in Pullman was enough to send Olivias spirits plummeting. Shed been living in Illinois for only a year now, and though shed had a bumpy beginning, her life had recently settled into a satisfying routine.

When Chef Ren, her kind mentor and the executive chef of the Hotel Florence, had suffered a serious heart attack last November, he had adamantly insisted Olivia replace him as executive chef until his health would permit a return to his duties. And though the chef s unexpected affliction had caused Olivia great sorrow and concern, it had also given her four additional months in Pullman before beginning her new work assignment on the rails.

She and Fred DeVault had used that added time to work toward rebuilding their friendship. They still remained on tentative footing but had made slow, steady improvement. Four months ago, theyd exchanged no more than terse greetings. Now they enjoyed talking to each other and even shared an occasional hope or dream. They discussed most everything nowadayseverything except their future together. For the last month, Fred had made a point of sitting beside her in church, and hed even invited her ice-skating on two different occasions.

Olivia could only hope that her upcoming absences from Pullman wouldnt destroy the progress theyd made. She feared a sense of estrangement would divide them each time she returned, and they might never move beyond this point. If only she didnt have to go out on the railsif only.

But Chef Ren had now returned to the kitchen, so her reprieve had come to an end. Today she would depart on her first journey riding the rails with Mr. Thornberg, the supervisor who had been assigned to instruct and prepare her for the evaluator position. She prayed Mr. Thornberg would be a patient man. She would feel more comfortable if the company agent, Mr. Howard, had arranged for her to meet Mr. Thornberg prior to their departure. Beginning this new position was frightening enough, but seeking out a stranger in the Chicago train station might be impossible. Though Mr. Howard had given her a sketchy description of him, Olivia thought there would be more than one man with thinning gray hair, a mustache, and a navy blue suit. When she mentioned that fact, Mr. Howard assured her Mr. Thornberg would be waiting by the third ticket counter along the west wall of the station. She doubted it would be so simple.

Downing the last sip of her tea, Olivia pushed away from the table and hoped Mrs. Barnes wouldnt notice shed eaten only a few bites of the toast. Im not certain when Ill return, Mrs. Barnes, but I have my key to the house.

The older woman glanced at the plate. Youve not finished your toast. Theres plenty of time before the train arrives. Do sit down.

I must be on my way, Mrs. Barnes. I promised Mrs. De-Vault Id stop for a brief visit to bid her and Fred good-bye. I dont want to disappoint her.

Mrs. Barnes seemed to momentarily weigh Olivias response. Well, in that case I wont detain you. Im certain she, too, will miss you while youre away.