Epilogue

SEPTEMBER 28, 1868

Cassie stared out the window of the passenger car as the train rolled into Price City. Her stomach tumbled at the prospect of bringing her mother and Jacob together.

He squeezed her hand. “I promise I’ll be polite.”

“I’m not worried about how you’ll act.” She leaned close and kissed his cheek. “Mother’s bound to be distraught. I just pray she doesn’t take her loss out on us.”

Jacob stood and brought his valise down from the overhead rack, then reached up for Cassie’s. “We’ll find out soon enough. Our telegram told her we’d arrive today, so at least she’s had time to prepare herself.”

The setting sun blazed over their surroundings as they stepped from the train onto the platform. Since her July visit, Price City had fulfilled Uncle Rand’s prediction and showed signs of growth. Streets had been graded between the railroad tracks and the hotel, a few small cabins dotted the landscape, and several larger buildings were in various stages of construction. A telegrapher’s shack sat at the far end of the platform.

Cassie scanned the people milling about while Jacob collected their trunk from the baggage car. No sign of her mother. Perhaps she’d taken to her bed, the way she’d done when they got word of Cassie’s father’s death.

“Baggage master said there’s a driver—” Jacob stopped and pointed. “Isn’t that your mother?”

A woman dressed in black tied a team and buckboard to a hitching rail behind the telegraph shed. When she spotted Cassie and Jacob, she turned and moved toward them with hesitant steps, then at the last moment opened her arms and ran to Cassie.

“I’m so thankful you’re here! Until I received your telegram, I was afraid you wouldn’t come.” She hugged her daughter and stepped back, extending a trembling hand to Jacob. “Mr. West. It was good of you to escort Cassie. Thank you.”

Jacob took her hand in both of his. “She’s my wife now, Mrs. Bingham. That makes us family. Please call me Jacob.”

Cassie’s spirits soared at his gracious tone.

“Jacob.” Mother’s voice emerged in a croak. “How is it you can leave your store to travel?”

“The building burned week before last. Right now I have no store.”

Cringing at the memory, Cassie sucked in a breath, wishing they could talk about something else.

Mother’s eyes widened. “Burned! But . . . how will you support my daughter if you don’t have an income?”

As though sensing Cassie’s discomfort, Jacob slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “The business was insured. As soon as we return, we’ll begin construction on a new West & Riley’s—with a bigger bakery for Cassie.”

She smiled up at him and relaxed against his side, certain the Lord had blessed her with the best husband in the world.

“Well.” Mother blew out a breath and shifted her gaze to the buckboard. “I brought the hotel wagon for your baggage. As soon as you’re ready, we must get back. I need to help Fred with supper.”

Surprised at her mother’s casual reference to the cook she’d once called an odious man, Cassie followed her to the buckboard.

A wide veranda stretched across the front of the hotel. Several rocking chairs waited in the shade of the roof. A tidy sign next to the door read

CARTER HOUSE

ROOMS BY DAY OR WEEK

“‘Carter House’?” Cassie turned to her mother as the three of them climbed the steps to the entrance. “When did you name the hotel?”

Mother’s eyes moistened. “Rand made me half-owner shortly before he died. We chose the name together.” Her voice quivered. “He told me to be proud of my past and stop trying to be someone I wasn’t. Together we were turning this into the hotel he dreamed of. Then . . . ten days ago he slipped while repairing the roof and fell to his death.” She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped away a tear.

Jacob held the door open for them. “What do you intend to do now, Mrs. Bingham?”

“Eliza.”

He smiled, then took Cassie’s hand. “Eliza. You’re welcome to live with us in Noble Springs, if you wish.”

“Thank you, but I plan to continue managing the hotel.” She drew a deep breath. “That’s what Rand would want.”

Cassie glanced around the lobby, which now had rag rugs on the floor and colorful cushions on the chairs. Her mother’s touch, no doubt. She and Jacob had been worried about Mother’s ability to manage alone, without considering that the Lord had his own plans—for each of them.

Mother untied the bow under her chin and laid her bonnet on the reception counter at the rear of the lobby. She handed Cassie a key from a rack on the wall. “This is for our . . . my best room, number four, at the end of the hallway. Supper should be ready in about thirty minutes.”

She took a few steps away and paused. When she turned, she rested a shrewd gaze on Jacob. “Would you mind coming with me? I have a few questions about how best to run this kitchen.”

“I’d be happy to help. Lead the way.” He tossed Cassie a wink before following her mother.

She blew him a kiss and watched them go, her heart full of love. Ever since the rainy day she’d left St. Louis, the Lord had been guiding her to Jacob—and this bright and perfect moment.