One man extended his hand. “So you’re the brilliant man who changed my original route. William Wallace Hungerford, chief engineer and superintendent.”

They shook hands, and Luke smiled. “Good to have you here. This is my father, Martin Carson.”

“I’m pleased to meet you both, but especially you,” Hungerford said, turning back to Luke. “You saved this railroad millions, and we aren’t likely to forget that.”

“Yes, well, we can discuss that at a later time. For now, welcome to Duluth. Is President Banning with you?”

“No, he’ll arrive tomorrow. In the meantime, let me introduce you around.”

Gloriana watched as Luke met each of the important dignitaries and exchanged pleasantries before the men were surrounded by the mayor and Duluth’s key officials. Luke waved her over, and she and JT joined the group.

“I’d like to introduce my wife and her little brother. Gloriana, this is Mr. Hungerford, the chief engineer and superintendent of the line.”

“Mrs. Carson, it is a pleasure,” he said, giving her a bow. “And what a beautiful little girl. She looks a lot like her mother.”

Gloriana didn’t correct him. Others had commented on Sally looking like her, even though they knew the two weren’t related.

Sally burrowed her face into the neck of Gloriana’s jacket. “I’m afraid she’s shy.”

“I was also shy when I was a boy.” Hungerford smiled and shook hands with JT. “It’s nice to meet you as well. Perhaps you’ll one day work for our railroad.”

JT shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.” They all laughed at this.

Luke finished introducing the men and then stepped aside. Gloriana could see that Mr. Munger had already commanded Hungerford’s attention.

“Isn’t that something?” Pastor Johnson declared as he joined them. Johnson had taken over the church when Pastor Sedgwick and his wife decided to move east with Theodore. There was a great hospital in Boston that might help their son, and they wanted to see that he had what he needed. Everyone missed them, but Pastor Johnson and his wife had ably led the congregation through the transition.

“It certainly is,” Luke agreed. “This is going to change everything.”

Gloriana had heard Luke mention this before. He had filled her head with stories of towns that tripled in size within a year of getting a railroad. She wondered if that would be the case for Duluth. Already there were a great many more people living here. She’d had no trouble renting the larger house to a family and the cottage to a father and son who fished. The money was making a nice nest egg for JT, should he desire to go to college.