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"William said I can go. We will use some of our rent money for the train ticket. So I just get off in Westport? Are you sure it is going to be okay?"
Arlana wasn't sure of anything really.
"Yes, I think it is better we meet here than in Ottawa as we aren't sure exactly where we are going. What time will your train be arriving?"
"I haven't booked the tickets yet. I wasn't sure when I should."
Arlana glanced up at Lachlan, "She wants to know what time she should book the ticket for."
"Can she be here before supper? As soon as possible..." Lachlan scratched his goatee, contemplating the best options.
"How soon can you leave? Can William take the morning off to drive you to the station? This way we have a chance to rest a bit before the funeral? Less stress so we won't worry about it if the train is late etc. You know how it is."
"Okay, I'm on the website now. It looks like the train would arrive around 6 pm. Would that work for you?"
"I think so. Hold on, I'll check with Lachlan as I'll need him to pick you up."
Arlana shared the new information with Lachlan.
"Aye," he looked up, "At the Westport station?"
Arlana nodded.
"That'll do."
"Thanks," Arlana smiled looking back down at the phone in her hand.
"Yes, he says that is fine so go ahead and book your ticket."
"Where will we be staying?" Jaira inquired.
"I don't know yet, but don't worry about it. We'll figure out something. Adelaide says she doesn't have the room."
"Does she know I'm coming?"
"No, I thought we'd cross that bridge when we get there."
"Ya, I agree. Okay, message me to let me know what's happening. See you tonight."
"Well, Adelaide said she doesn't want to discuss my grandfather right now but has no room for us at her house. William is allowing Jaira to join us, and she will be arriving this evening. I thought it was a good idea for her to come today so we can leave early in the morning," Arlana summarized for her companions.
Josiah had stood again, raising Arlana with him from the hard, wooden stairs. Rivkah was back in the kitchen flipping over the pastry, before resetting the timer on the stove. Josiah led Arlana over to a chair between him and his mother, waiting for her to sit before he joined her.
Lachlan watched as Aziel struggled to climb a crooked tree in the back of the yard.
"I agree. Okay, don't worry. I'll make the hotel arrangements. I could pick her up at the station then we could return here for the evening meal and fellowship before we head out tomorrow..."
Shaul didn't say a word.
****
SHAUL WASN'T SURE IF this was a good idea at all. He waited until Arlana had joined Rivkah in the kitchen before turning to Lachlan.
"Arlana is not to be alone with you. It is not personal - the same rule applies to every man..."
Lachlan wasn't sure about this archaic rule but he respected Josiah's family.
"Arlana needs to get to the funeral and her brothers aren't taking her. I promised I'd pick up her sister from the train station this evening, it's that simple." Lachlan was just a little frustrated at Shaul's reminder that Arlana was taken. He'd known that for months - before Arlana was even aware Josiah had decided she was the one. It was insulting, to say the least
"If her sister is going to be with you, she can act as chaperone regardless if she is aware of the severity of the situation," Shaul sighed, directing his comment at Josiah, "I feel better knowing this sibling will be in the vehicle as well. Arlana is one of us now..."
"Of course. We will be returning directly after the funeral so will not be gone long. I am guessing sometime Friday night."
Shaul nodded, unable to shake this feeling - this heaviness in his spirit - a coming storm.
****
JOSIAH JOINED LACHLAN walking to the car, slowing down their steps to match hers.
"We should be back within the hour unless the train has been delayed," he called back into the house before he closed the door.
Josiah held Aziel's hand, leading the way to the car.
Arlana adjusted her son's seatbelt before sliding into the backseat directly behind Josiah, Aziel's car seat still strapped in Lachlan's car for the past few months. There was no point in switching it to Josiah's vehicle, unsure how bad the traffic would be. They didn't want to keep Jaira waiting.
Arlana gazed out the window, her thoughts miles away. It had been years since she had seen her youngest sister. The tension would also be high when she'd show up at the funeral with Jaira, but they didn't have much choice but to cross that bridge when they got there.
Josiah took back roads, avoiding traffic lights. At this rate, they'd be at the station within minutes.
****
AZIEL WALKED BETWEEN them, holding his mother and Josiah's hands as they walked toward the train station's sliding doors.
"Do you think Auntie Jaira is already here? Will she recognize us?" He scanned those waiting on the ramp for signs of the aunt he'd only seen pictures of, far too young to remember the one time they'd met.
Arlana didn't respond, more aware of the stares Josiah received from those waiting for the train. Shoulders straight, his skin could have been green - a creature from another planet. So much for religious non-discrimination. Lowering her eyes, she released her son's hand, stepping closer to Lachlan.
Lachlan raised an eyebrow. Arlana was clearly ashamed to be seen beside Josiah, whether she would openly acknowledge the fact or not. Stepping by his side, she separated herself from the kippah-wearing man.
****
JAIRA LOOKED OUTSIDE the train window, scanning the crowd for a glimpse of her eldest sister. Truth be told, she wished the circumstances were happier, yet if they had been, William wouldn't have let her visit. This was an emergency. Grandpa wasn't coming back.
Throat constricting with pent up emotion, Jaira stepped out of the train, lugging a bulging suitcase behind her. Within a second she was wrapped in her sister's arms. Seven years separated them but the age gap had never bothered the siblings who had always been the closest out of the five children.
"I'm so happy to see you!" Arlana glowed, the sorrow of their grandfather's passing momentarily forgotten.
"Hi, Bug!" Jaira tousled Aziel's curls. "You've grown!"
Aziel straightened his shoulders to show just how tall he was.
Arlana touched Lachlan's arm, motioning him forward.
"My friend, Lachlan," she met her sister's eyes.
Lachlan was tall, though not quite as tall as Josiah, but what he lacked in height he made up for in rugged brawniness, his strength evident through his blue shirt. He smiled, reaching out his hand to shake Jaira's hand, a dimple adding to his charm.
"Hi," Jaira flushed, pulling her hand back.
Arlana watched the exchange with a twinge of jealousy but turned to introduce Josiah, omitting the fact that of the two men, he was her husband and held more importance in her and Aziel's life. Truthfully, she should have introduced him first.