Mail Order Meals - Kirsten Osbourne Page 0,2
wasn’t a good cook, because she was. They were simply from a family full of good cooks.
Elizabeth grinned. “He sent more than enough money to send you out as soon as you want to go. I don’t think this afternoon is reasonable, but you could go tomorrow afternoon. Then you’d have time to say goodbye to the family.”
Trudie tilted her head to one side. “It’s Wednesday. How about I leave Friday? I’ll go talk to Melvin after I leave here. I’ve got money saved, so I can buy some fabric and work on the train. Does he say how far he is from the nearest train station? Oh, and who is going to meet me at the station if I go right now?” Was it even feasible for her to go before the man was notified? Elizabeth knew all these things about mail-order brides, but Trudie didn’t.
Elizabeth shrugged. “You could probably hire someone to take you out to his house. I’ve had brides do that before. I would say find the church in town and ask someone to take you to see him. He said the town is a whistle stop only.”
Trudie knew that a whistle stop was a place where they stopped for a short while for people to get on and off. “I could do that. I’m going to hurry and talk to Mel. He deserves as much notice as I can give him.”
“Yes, he does. All right. You go home, tell the family, and get everything ready. Stay here on Thursday night, and I’ll make sure you have a train ticket for Friday afternoon.”
Trudie bit her lip. “Make it Saturday. Then I can work tomorrow and Friday and not feel so guilty about leaving poor Mel high and dry.” She’d been working for Mel for so long, it almost felt like she was betraying him by moving away and leaving her job.
“Sounds smart. You just show up with what you’re taking, and you’re welcome whenever you want to come stay.”
As Trudie left to go talk to the owner of the diner, she had a little skip in her step. That hungry guy wouldn’t know anything about the demon horde, and he wouldn’t know what hit him.
TRUDIE’S MOTHER WASN’T at all surprised when she told her she was marrying a man in Colorado. “I’m going to have children to visit in every state and territory, once I get done raising the ones left at home.” She seemed sad, but understanding at the same time. Of course, she’d been down the road of sending a daughter off to marry before.
Trudie smiled happily. “You will. I hope you’ll come soon.”
“I can’t say soon, but I will come.” Her mother got to her feet. “Now let’s go look at what you have to take with you, and I’ll help you pack.”
Trudie and her mother worked side by side, packing up an old carpet bag that had been left in a closet. Little Ida Mae, Trudie’s youngest sister, hurried into the room with them. “Where’s Trudie going?” she asked, her eyes wide.
Trudie smiled at her sister. “I’m going to go to Colorado and marrying a rancher there.” Ida Mae wasn’t born yet when Susan had gone away to marry a newspaperman in Texas, but she’d ended up marrying a rancher.
“I don’t want you to go. You’re my favorite sister.”
“I’m too old to keep sharing a room with my little sisters,” Trudie said. “So, I’m going to go and be someone’s wife. I’m sure you’ll do the same someday.”
“If you don’t stay, I’m going to put a toad in your bed!” Ida Mae yelled. She stomped her foot, and Trudie thought it was almost comical.
Trudie just laughed. A toad wouldn’t bother her. She’d put plenty into Elizabeth and Susan’s bed. They wouldn’t be a problem at all. “I love you, Ida Mae, and I’ll write to you every week.”
Ida Mae stomped her foot and ran from the room. Trudie sighed. “That girl is almost enough to make me feel bad.”
“You can’t let this make you feel badly, Trudie. It’s time for you to be married with children of your own.”
Trudie nodded, putting all of the little things she’d made over the years into a box. She’d have to purchase a trunk, and she was glad she’d worked so long. “Thanks, Ma. I love you.”
“I love you too!”
TRUDIE SPENT THURSDAY and Friday nights with Elizabeth, making sure she could easily get to work early. Her boss wasn’t taking it well that she was leaving,