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Chapters (51)
  1. Cover
  2. Books by Elizabeth Camden
  3. Title Page
  4. One
  5. Two
  6. Three
  7. Four
  8. Five
  9. Six
  10. Seven
  11. Eight
  12. Nine
  13. Ten
  14. Eleven
  15. Twelve
  16. Thirteen
  17. Fourteen
  18. Fifteen
  19. Sixteen
  20. Seventeen
  21. Eighteen
  22. Nineteen
  23. Twenty
  24. Twenty-One
  25. Twenty-Two
  26. Twenty-Three
  27. Twenty-Four
  28. Twenty-Five
  29. Twenty-Six
  30. Twenty-Seven
  31. Twenty-Eight
  32. Twenty-Nine
  33. Thirty
  34. Thirty-One
  35. Thirty-Two
  36. Thirty-Three
  37. Thirty-Four
  38. Thirty-Five
  39. Thirty-Six
  40. Thirty-Seven
  41. Thirty-Eight
  42. Thirty-Nine
  43. Forty
  44. Forty-One
  45. Forty-Two
  46. Historical Note
  47. Questions for Discussion
  48. In 2020, look forCaroline Delacroix’sstory in
  49. About the Author
  50. Back Ads
  51. Back Cover

The bickering continued, but Annabelle couldn’t listen. Her gaze drifted to the skyline behind the depot, trying to memorize the details of the city. In a few days she would be back on the farm, and that would be a good thing, for there was no beauty in the world quite like Kansas. The sunflowers. The nights. The crickets. And the sky. The most awe-inspiring sight she’d ever see was the wide expanse of sky sheltering a million acres of golden wheat. She could be happy in Kansas. She could.

And it wasn’t as if she would never see Washington again. They would come back someday to see Elaine.

But she would never see Gray again. He would forever linger in her memory as her biggest regret. He was a man of courage, innovation, and dry, understated humor. She loved him and probably always would, but it was time to move on.

Roy scored a rare victory in the battle to keep their first-class tickets. When it was time to board, Annabelle entered the first-class car and followed the porter down the narrow, carpet-lined aisle to their compartment.

“Holy moly,” Roy said in admiration as they stepped inside. The compartment was lined in maple paneling. Two padded benches faced each other with a small table in between. They had a picture window all to themselves.

A menu for lunch was on the table, and Roy let out a low whistle as he scanned the options. There were no prices listed, but the porter assured them the meals came with their tickets. He took their orders and told them their meals would arrive about an hour into the journey.

Annabelle drew a steadying breath, wishing the train was already underway. She’d feel better once the option to stay was behind her. The time must be getting near, for the stationmaster strode along the platform, making final call. Then came the doors slamming closed, the clicking wheels, the hiss of steam, and the train jerked into motion. She drew a ragged breath as the depot slid into the distance, and she bid a silent farewell to the city that had changed her life.

Leaving hurt, but she must hold on to the thought of how much she’d learned during this time in Washington, for it had challenged her in ways she’d never imagined. It was her choice to go back to her old world, and she would make it a good one.