Maggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters) by Lena Dooley Nelson Page B

making everything she could see melt together. Then they made their way down her cheeks.
    “I love you, Maggie girl.” His voice hitched on the endearing name he’d called her most of her life. “I’ll miss you. Even when I didn’t come home from work until after you were asleep, I came into your room and kissed you goodnight. I can’t do that while you’re gone.” The last words came out as a husky whisper.
    When he released her, he pulled a pristine white handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped the streaks from her face. “I hope you find what you need while you’re with Agatha. I think she’ll be good for you.”
    A sob escaped from Maggie’s throat, and Daddy pressed the large cotton square into her hands. “You need this more than I do.”
    She dabbed her eyes, trying to erase the evidence of her weeping. She looked toward the railroad car. Charles stood at the bottom step near the conductor.
    Daddy walked with her to where the conductor stood and handed the man the tickets.
    Charles offered his hand to help Georgia onto the train. When she stood on the small platform outside the door of the car, he reached toward Maggie. She slipped her hand into his and allowed him to lift her aboard. Soon all three were clustered on the small platform with their punched tickets in their hands.
    “Aaalll aboooard!” The conductor’s voice rang out before he swung himself up onto the platform too.
    More screeching of metal and hissing of steam accompanied the slow, jerky movement as the magnificent machine chugged forward. Maggie clung to the railing trying to maintain her balance. The train moved faster and faster, accompanied by the incessant clacking as the engine pulled them away from the station, away from her family, and away from her home.
    The conductor opened the door and ushered them inside. Maggie walked down the length of the car, keeping pace with her parents as they walked alongside the train as far as they could on the platform. All three waved the whole time. When Maggie could no longer see her parents, she dropped her hand. Why had she insisted on leaving them? Already she missed their comforting presence.
    “We can sit here.” Charles stood beside her, indicating two bench seats upholstered in worn red velvet and facing each other.
    Georgia moved out of the aisle, then turned back. “Do you want to sit by the window, Maggie, or would you prefer the aisle seat?”
    Maggie didn’t remember the trip from Oregon City; all she had seen was Seattle and that one trip to Portland. Now they were going halfway across the vast continent. She didn’t want to miss a single thing on the journey.
    “I’d like to sit by the window.” Maggie eased onto the bench with the thin padding. This would probably become uncomfortable before long.
    Charles sat across from her. “This is a sleeping car. For the night, this area will be changed into upper and lower sleeping berths.”
    He must have known what she was thinking. Then his words sunk in. She glanced around the car. Although it wasn’t full, by any means, there were several people sharing the space. A family with two young children. A scruffy old man and two other men who appeared to be traveling salesmen. Another couple huddled close together, ignoring everyone else. Quite a motley crew .
    “We’re supposed to sleep with these strangers?” Maggie hoped none of them heard her.
    Georgia laughed. “These berths have privacy curtains. You and I can probably share a berth, and Charles can take the other one.”
    That’s a relief . “But where will we change clothes?”
    Georgia leaned close and whispered. “There are necessary rooms at the ends of the cars. You can go there to change, or we can just don our bedclothes inside the berth. On previous trips I’ve done it both ways.”
    As the train traveled inland, Maggie enjoyed seeing the various landscapes that slid past the windows. Lush grasslands, high mountain peaks, streams, forests, wildlife. Soon