Tracie Peterson Read Online Free

truth is it would be better if your driver took you home. I don’t want to worry about you having to make it back to the carriage without help.” Garrett’s command of the moment went unquestioned. Sophia allowed him to place her back in the buggy.
    “Maggie, listen to me,” Sophia said leaning down from her seat. “Don’t cause Mr. Lucas any trouble. Just do as your father wishes, and perhaps in the fall, I’ll come and visit you.”
    Maggie felt tears on her cheeks. She hated appearing weak in front of Garrett, but perhaps it was what he needed to see. He should understand how miserable he was making her.
    “Grandmother, I simply can’t bear to leave you.” Maggie began to cry. “I don’t want to go.” She held tightly to her grandmother’s arm.
    “It will be alright, Child,” Sophia murmured, gently stroking Maggie’s face. “God sometimes sends adversity to strengthen and teach us. You’ll grow stronger from this. Now remember the things you’ve been taught. Never forget you are loved.”
    “I’ll remember,” Maggie promised.
    “It’s time to go, Miss Intissar,” Garrett said softly, extending his arm for Maggie.
    “I’ll see you soon, Grandmother,” Maggie said standing on tiptoe in order to reach her Grandmother’s ear. “I’ll pray every night that God will bring us together again.” She wondered if she had added that last statement more for herself than for her grandmother.
    Maggie allowed Garrett to lead her away. As they passed through the depot entrance, she paused to look back. Her grandmother was waving weak ly. Maggie returned the wave until Garrett firmly propelled her to the other side of the depot and onto the boarding platform.
    Oh, Grandmother, Maggie thought. Somehow I will return to you. Somehow.

Chapter 3
    A ll ’board!” the conductor called as a stern-faced Garrett approached, pulling a willful Maggie behind him.
    “Afternoon to you, Mister,” the conductor said without breaking his concentration on the pocket watch he held tightly in his hand. “Missus,” he added, touching the brim of his blue cap. Maggie stiffened at the comment, causing a smile to play at the corners of Garrett’s mouth.
    Maggie tried to pull away, but it was no use. Garrett only smiled broad ly, and raised a questioning eye from beneath his black Stetson.
    “Tickets, please,” the conductor requested.
    Garrett pulled two tickets from his vest pocket and handed them to the older man.
    “Um, I see here you’re in number fourteen. That’d be the second car down,” the conductor said, motioning to a porter.
    “Y’sir,” the porter said with a nodding bow of his head.
    “These passengers have seats in number fourteen. See to it,” the conductor instructed. “And be quick about it. I’m about to call final ’board.”
    “Y’sir,” the porter smiled and offered his assistance. “Do you have bags, Sir?” he questioned Garrett.
    “I’ve already checked them,” Garrett answered. “Except for this one. We’ll take it with us.” Garrett motioned to the carpetbag Sophia had packed. Maggie clutched the bag as if it were all she owned.
    “Very good, Sir. Right this way.”
    Maggie felt herself being pulled along at such a pace that when Garrett stopped, she nearly fell headlong onto the tracks. Garrett steadied her and gently handed her up the steps of the train. Maggie was amazed at how light his touch could be when he wasn’t bullying her along.
    The porter led them down the narrow train aisle. “Seats twenty-three and twenty-four, right here, Sir,” the porter said. “I’ll show you to your sleeping compartments this evening.”
    “Thank you,” Garrett replied, handing the man a coin. The porter smiled broadly and nodded his head to the couple.
    “Take the window seat, Miss Intissar,” Garrett stated matter-of-factly. “I believe the train is about to pull out, and it would do little good to have you sprawled in the aisle.”
    Maggie stepped meekly to her seat.