A Place to Call Home: The Ellises Series, #1

CHAPTER ONE

AUGUST 29, 1905

The sleek red train whizzed past tall, dark pine trees and soft rolling hills, keeping in time with the frantic beating of Elaina’s heart.  With every thud-thud, she was one step closer to what awaited her.  She wrung her hands anxiously in her lap as she listened to the train’s steady monotony.  Though it was a sad occasion, she still looked forward to seeing her family after ten long months away in Philadelphia.  How she had missed them since her last visit!  But then her thoughts suddenly turned to Sean, and a sick feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.  She would do well to avoid running into him at all costs.

The train slowed, and the station came into sight.

Here we are.

The train blew its shrill, ominous whistle as it pulled into Laurel Heights station.  The conductor’s voice bellowed from one car further down to announce the stop.  Much to Elaina’s surprise, several other passengers stood along with her and began making their way to the exit.  She paused to look for any signs of familiar faces, but they were all strangers.

Well, I’ll be!  What’s happening in Laurel Heights that so many new people should be here?

She speculated as to whether they were all just passing through, or if they resided in town.

Perhaps they’re conducting business or visiting relatives.

The train lurched as it came to a grinding halt, and she quickly reached for a hand rail, elbowing a well-dressed gentleman in the process.

Oh!  I do beg your pardon, sir! she apologized in embarrassment.

No harm done, miss, he assured her as he looked up from his consultation with the silver pocket watch dangling from a chain attached to his vest.

Definitely a business man.

She blushed under the intensity of his gaze as he studied her for a beat, before finally turning his attention to the exit.

And a handsome one, at that!

She chided herself at such thoughts, knowing full well that handsome men weren’t always good men.  She’d learned that the hard way.

While waiting on the porter carrying her valise to accompany her off the train, she watched the dapper stranger and several other passengers make their way into the depot ahead of her.  Flanked by the single set of tracks on one side, and a double door overlooking the main road to the town on the other, the building was the only way in or out of the station.

With a death grip on her green and tan beaded reticule, she reluctantly stepped onto the crowded platform behind them as more people milled about around her, and she surveyed the scene with a wary eye.  She could never be too cautious when being out in public.  Anyone at any time could be at the station, including Sean.  She’d best hurry up and find her sister, so they could be on their way.

Momentarily distracted by her apprehension, Elaina forgot all about the porter until a hand unexpectedly shot out in front of her.

She shrank back, wide-eyed, before noticing the porter had retrieved her valise and had set it at her feet.  Reddening, she hastily fumbled with her reticule and produced a coin.  She pressed it into his waiting palm.

Ma’am, he replied with a nod of thanks and moved on to attend to the other passengers still on the train.

Honestly, Elaina.  Keep your head on straight!

Elaina stared through the throng of people and considered the emotional reunion ahead.

Then suddenly she heard, Elaina!

Following the direction of Rachel’s bright and happy voice, she located her younger sister standing off to one side.  More mature and poised than what she was just ten months ago, the young woman was smartly dressed in a tawny shirtwaist and maroon skirt, her brunette hair nestled under a coordinating maroon hat, leaving wispy strands to trail on either side of her angular face.  So grown up at seventeen!

Compared to her, Elaina felt disheveled and weary in her blue tailored blouse and skirt now rumpled from the morning’s journey, making her appear much older than just nineteen.  Haggard, even.  She raised a self-conscious hand to readjust her dark hat, then tucked a strand of raven-black hair behind her ear and grimaced at the feel of grit and dust covering the side of her neck.  How she longed for a good wash!

My, but the stranger on the train must have thought me to be quite the ragamuffin!

In spite of her insecurities, she stepped forward with outstretched arms.

Oh sis! Elaina let her tears fall unabashedly, and the two of them clung to each other in a fierce hug radiating with all they had loved, missed, and lost since they’d last been together.

Come on, let’s go home.  Though Rachel gestured in the direction of town, their family’s home was beyond the business district, out of view.

Home.  Elaina wondered briefly if it would ever really feel that way for her again.

As they exited the depot and Rachel proceeded to lead them across the road to the livery, Elaina froze.  The bank was next door to it – what if Sean happened to be watching – or worse – came outside to speak with them?

Wait – are we riding or walking home? she hedged, hoping her discomfort wasn’t as obvious as she felt.  After all, only she knew the real reason of its cause, and she preferred to keep it that way.

I thought it best to bring the wagon, Rachel replied, widening her hazel eyes in confusion.  Seeing how I knew you’d have luggage... She pointed to Elaina’s valise.

Yes, of course.  Elaina bobbed her head, wishing they could go on their way already, before the man who’d once courted her made an appearance.  She refused to give him any reason to speak of or think of her.  And though she knew there was always the chance of running into him in this small town, she would prefer it if it wasn’t now.

Or not at all, if I had my druthers.

Rachel greeted the stable owner, Rodney Scherer, and while he spoke with them as they waited for a stable boy to bring the wagon around, Elaina suppressed the urge to hitch up the horses to the wagon herself.  The more she stood around, the more her impatience grew.

Forevermore!  The man is such a windbag!

She reminded herself not to bolt, or else the talk from the nebby passersby was sure to spread faster than a freight train.  The whole town was full of such gossips.  That was yet another reason why she couldn’t feel comfortable being in Laurel Heights anymore.

So sorry for your loss, Miss Ellis and Miss Ellis, Rodney said somberly, a trace of his German ancestry in his voice.  "Your father, he was a gud man."

At that, Elaina stilled, and her blue eyes teared up despite her resolve to contain them.

Thank you, sir, she said softly, blinking back the moisture.  Beside her, Rachel sniffed sadly.

When the stable boy finally appeared with the wagon, Elaina moved towards it as fast as was dignified for a lady, and settled into the seat with the boy’s help.  Mr. Scherer assisted Rachel in doing the same.

The others will be so glad to see you! Rachel said, flicking the reins to urge their family’s horses, Festus and Darby, forward.  They clip-clopped along.

Mmm, yes, Elaina mumbled, purposely fixing a downward gaze to her clenched hands as they rode past the bank.  She looked up and winced when they thudded over an unexpected dip in the road.  She’d been in Philadelphia so long that she’d gotten used to the nice, smooth roads and street cars for transit.

Sorry! Rachel gave her a sidelong glance and reached over to squeeze her hand.  I’m sure this place must seem even smaller after being away!  But, oh, it’s wonderful to see you!

Elaina squeezed back, smiling weakly, and looked up once the bank was behind them.  I just wish it were under better circumstances, she admitted, the guilt eating at her for letting how she felt about the town also keep her away from her family for so long.

And now it was too late to change things.

I know, Rachel replied, and then slipped her hand free to navigate the wagon around another bump.

They reached the bend in the road, passing the Barton dairy farm.  And then...there it was.  The familiar gray Victorian they had grown up in stood just as grandly as it always had – its white shutters and steeped gray roof reminding Elaina ever so much of Father’s proud handiwork...and everyone was gathered on the front porch, waiting.

Well, almost everyone...

Suffocated by the grief she felt in response to seeing the most important people in her life after so long, she tried to draw a breath, but it caught in her throat.  She had missed them dearly!  Their four younger sisters began shouting and waving as Rachel pulled into the yard.  Elaina stayed seated until they came to a stop outside the barn, and she’d barely taken two steps from the wagon before the girls came running.

’Laina! an exuberant Annie cried out, reaching Elaina first and throwing herself against her side.  The child was no longer Elaina’s six-year-old baby sister.  She was taller now, this blue-eyed and dark-haired girl who reminded her so much like herself at that age, with a smile that showed off two new permanent front teeth.

Hi sweetheart, Elaina replied thickly, and she reached down to kiss her cheek.

With Annie still nestled in place, Michelle came around from the other side and draped her arms around Elaina’s back, resting them just above Annie’s.  She, too, had drastically changed these last several months.  At the awkward age of ten, she was now as lively as she was talkative, her dangling chestnut braids bobbing to and fro as she burrowed her head into Elaina’s ribs.

’Laina, ‘Laina, ‘Laina! Michelle gleefully shouted.

Oof.  Elaina sucked in a breath at her surprising strength.  Twisting sideways, she planted a kiss on the girl’s forehead.  My goodness, you girls grew up on me!  She looked from one to the other fondly.

When she straightened to her full height of 5’5", she was nearly face-to-face with both Martha and Joy, her final two sisters; now fifteen and fourteen respectively, they looked more adult-like than ever with new, feminine curves.

Since they won’t budge, I guess we’ll pile in, Joy teased, stepping forward to wrap her arms around Elaina’s neck, nearly squashing Annie, who squealed in protest.

Meanwhile, Martha came around, resting one hand on Michelle’s head, the other draped on Elaina’s shoulder, and leaned in.

Elaina savored the moment, until the front door opened, and a familiar voice chided, Girls, my goodness!

Elaina quickly turned her attention to the porch.

There stood Doris Ellis, visibly shaken at the sight of her eldest daughter, home at last.

Mother! Elaina cried, and breaking free from her sisters she ran into her mother’s waiting arms.

Elaina, love, she responded softly, drawing her close.

I just can’t believe...Father’s g-gone! Elaina’s voice shook, and the tears began to flow.

I know... Mother gave a shallow sigh and momentarily closed her hazel eyes.  Opening them again, she draw to assess Elaina.  What a blessing you were able to get here so quickly!

At that, Elaina stiffened, the tears ceasing.

If Mother only knew how far from a blessing it felt...

Until the moment Elaina had to inform her employer of her father’s fatal heart attack, she’d been employed at Johnston’s Millinery Shop.  But when she requested a week’s leave to spend with her family, Mrs. Johnston chose to give her the boot until business picked up.  Elaina had to wonder if it was the shrew business woman’s way of paying less of a salary to whomever her replacement would be.  Such practices were not uncommon, considering women were often expected to forfeit jobs if they interfered with family obligations.  There was always another eager woman waiting for the chance at work, whatever she could take.

Her heartache at losing Father aside, Elaina was still adamant in making sure she went back to Philadelphia to find another job – soon – so that she could still provide for her family without them ever knowing that she was dismissed from the millinery.  She’d become good at keeping secrets from them so far – what was one more?  No need to burden them with her problems.  They had more than enough to worry about already.

What else needs to be done? Elaina asked hesitantly, trying hard to concentrate on what awaited her now rather than what she was up against next week.

The funeral is tomorrow at ten.  Truly, we just need to finish redding up the house, Mother said in true Pennsylvania fashion, pointing to the open door.

From this angle, Elaina had a partial view of the entryway and the stairwell.  On either side of the stairwell were the formal parlor to the left and the dining room to the right, with windows on the front façade of the house.  She eyed the parlor windows for a split second, and then thought better of it.  Her father’s casket was sure to be in there.  She shuddered at that thought.

Mother gripped her hand, urging her inside.  Elaina’s unease grew as she entered, and knowing where they were headed, and her stomach twisted in knots. 

Her sisters soon fell in step behind her, forcing her to keep walking into that room.

Together, they crossed the entryway and arrived in the parlor, somber and teary-eyed.  Chairs and end tables were rearranged to accommodate the open casket perched atop Father’s sawhorse.

We’ve already finished in here, Mother remarked in a hushed voice.

Elaina trembled at the familiar sight of her father’s profile.  With slow steps, she advanced to the casket for a closer view, and gasped.  His dark hair was a little grayer than she’d remembered.  Seeing his pinched, pale skin and eyes shut tight was more than she could bear.  She broke down and cried for what seemed a long time, standing over his casket and wetting his face with her tears.  Her mother understandably patted her back and drew her close in a hug.  Then after several moment, Elaina suddenly started to feel ill.  With a groan, she broke free from Mother, and waved the others out of the way, barely making it to the outhouse before retching.

When the heaving subsided, she emerged from the outhouse and drew in a few cleansing breaths.  She walked over to the water pump and dispensed some of the cool liquid into her hands for a drink, then splashed the rest on her face to gain composure.

Elaina stood still, swiping a hand across her forehead to listen to the evening serenade all around her: the constant hum from crickets and cicadas, mingled with that of the croaking bullfrogs in a nearby pond and the occasional interruption from chirping birds.  This was a quiet, peaceful symphony, one that she’d heard many times growing up.  It was quite a contrast to the shouts of vendors, or the masses of people rushing from street to street in Philadelphia.  The familiar, pastoral sounds soothed her.

One lonely Arcadian flycatcher, a small gray bird with a puffy white belly, flitted onto the covering of wild ginger that grew in front of the porch.  With a peet call, he darted out toward the line of trees that separated the Ellis homestead from the Barton fields.  She watched longingly as it disappeared into the outcropping of red maples and Scotch pines she knew so well.  If only her life was that carefree!  Her thoughts shifted to her youthful days.

The Ellis sisters, the Bartons, and the rest of their friends all loved to frolic in the shade of the forest.  The Ellises and Bartons had spent many a time over the years felling trees for firewood and Christmas trees.  It was all so simpler then.

Father’s death changes everything!

As necessary as it was to make this trip, it had still cost her a small fortune to make the journey.  Without a job waiting for her when she returned to Philly in a week, Elaina would be hard-pressed to manage on whatever extra she had leftover in the meantime.  The last time she was home had actually been last Christmas – back when Father had paid for her train fare.  With home gone, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do about her family’s finances whether or not she was bringing in anything herself.  Even if she had remained at the millinery, it would be nowhere near the amount Father made from his carpentry.

Ah, Father...

With a sigh, she shifted her thoughts to the many what-ifs surrounding the funeral.  Surely, their neighbors and the town’s most prominent residents would be attending.  Most likely even the town’s banker, Herman Reames, and his son, Sean.

A fresh wave of dread washed over her, sending her poor heart racing yet again as she thought about her earlier fears, when she’d been so worried about a most unwelcomed appearance by Sean.  Would she ever be able to break free from her history with him?  She’d just as soon forget he ever existed.

Repulsed, Elaina quickened her pace as she reached the front of the house, and then fairly jumped when Annie’s head poked out from the dining room window.  You all right? the girl asked, wide-eyed.

Elaina forced a single nod.

Annie!  Come away from the window and help Michelle with the wash, Mother interrupted sharply, putting an end to their brief exchange.

Annie obediently ducked back in and scurried away to the kitchen.

Alone again, Elaina’s worries began afresh.

She was the reason she left, in her attempt to avoid him.  What if he caused a scene tomorrow?  One thing was for certain – Laurel Heights was not big enough for the both of them.  It had been a mistake to ever let him court her, because he thought that gave him the power over her, as well as her family.  Well, she’d shown him!  Philadelphia had been her escape for a new life.  There, the large city’s progressive views on women afforded her many options for respectable employment, and she easily landed the job at Mrs. Johnston’s shop.

Though tedious, the routine and labor kept her preoccupied; the money, a symbol of who she could in spite of who she was.  While she might not have a husband to keep her from being a burden to her parents, at least she’d been able to contribute to the family’s income.

Closing the door behind her, Elaina meandered through the hallway before entering the dining room for a quick inspection.  Eight chairs haphazardly surrounded the worn, rectangular table.  Elaina smiled wryly.  Clearly, it had been Annie’s job to remove the tablecloth for washing!

Her gaze swept over the floor, and she noticed that the rug under the table was also in need of a good dusting.  Deciding that she might as well help get the place ready, she grasped a chair, and then placed it against the wall, away from the rug.  As she began to pull out another chair, Rachel entered.

There you are!  Let me help, she said, walking over to assist.  Then in a soft voice she added, We’re all out of sorts...but I’m sure with you being gone and not seeing Father...I just can’t imagine...I’m sorry, Elaina, she broke off awkwardly.  Her sister’s comment reminded her that everyone else got to at least see Father alive before today.  Her regret switched to annoyance, and she set the chair down with a little more force than was necessary.

Rachel’s brows lifted as she looked from the chair to Elaina and noticed her pained stare.  Rachel opened her mouth as if to respond, but then thought better of it.

Joy suddenly stood in the doorway, oblivious to what she’d interrupted.  Oh, good!  Mother asked me to make sure you were inside, she said, turning to Elaina.  She’s in the kitchen with Martha, fixing dinner.  But she wanted us to redd up in here.  You okay?

Not trusting her voice, Elaina shrugged, wondering how many times she would have to answer that question without it feeling like a perpetual lie.

As they finished up lining the chairs along the walls, Rachel came to stand at one end of the table.  She cleared her throat and ventured to speak.  Elaina?  Why don’t you lift the other end and Joy can pull out the rug?

Elaina and Rachel hoisted the table, while Joy removed the rug and took it outside to beat the dust from it.  As soon as she left