Hi there! Here is chapter three. Here the journey begins - and so does the adventure!
Chapter 3 – The Journey Begins. . .
A knock sounded on Rachel's door, making her look up swiftly from where she had been looking ponderously at her luggage on her bed.
"Come in!" she said, forgetting for that one moment her present predicament.
The door opened a little, and Nick put his head around the door. "Come on, little sister," he said. "Jarrod says the train won't wait for you. What's keeping you?"
"Oh, Nick," Rachel said. "I don't know what to do! I can't find enough room to take everything." She insinuated to her items of clothing strewn across the bed, with a couple of small cases next to them.
Nick's face broke into an amused smile. "Now, how long do you think you're going away for, sis?" he asked, with feigned solemnity.
"Oh, hush up," Rachel said. "I know it looks a lot – but I want to look my best."
Nick smiled. "I wonder what Jarrod will have to say about this!" he said, and he disappeared from view.
Rachel turned back to her bed. Gummy! She did so want to take her white gown, and there was no way she was leaving her red one behind! She was, of course, already dressed in her cherry blossom pink and white gingham dress, with collar, hem and three-quarter-length sleeves all trimmed with lace. The outfit was completed by a pink ribbon sash around her waist. She also wore a matching ribbon which kept her hair to one side of her face, allowing the waves of her chestnut hair to ripple down one of her shoulders, and the undulating sun kissed copper strands of her hair to shimmer in the bright sun that was pouring in through her bedroom window.
It was hopeless! The one time she was allowed to go away with Jarrod to San Francisco, her baggage should stand in her way!
Her door opened again, however, instead of finding Jarrod there, ready to remind her of the time and that they really must go, she saw Victoria standing in the doorway.
"Now, what's this Nick told me about you needing some help with packing?" Victoria asked.
"I'm glad Nick decided to tell you instead of Jarrod," Rachel said. "Oh, Mother! I don't want to hold Jarrod up, but I don't know quite what to do. I'm not sure what to take."
Victoria smiled, and stepped into the room to help her daughter out, and it wasn't so very long till Rachel came downstairs with one suitcase in her hand.
"There we are!" Jarrod said. "I was wondering where you'd got to. Here, let me take that for you," he said, taking the case from Rachel's hand. "My, my, you look fine, Rachel," he said, glancing her over.
"Thank you," Rachel said, putting her wide-brimmed straw hat on. "Do I look good enough to meet the eyes of Frisco now?" she asked.
"Quite," Jarrod said. "You'll be the belle of the ball, there. Now come on. The train will be leaving soon – and we've yet to drive to town."
Rachel turned to her mother. "Thank you for your help Mother!" she said. She threw her arms around Victoria's waist in a quick embrace.
"You have a lovely time," Victoria said. "And make sure you mind Jarrod."
"I will," Rachel said. She turned to Nick. "Bye, Nick," she said. "See you when I get back!"
Nick gave his little sister a hug, "Yes, and you have a good time. Just make sure you don't have all the fun!"
Rachel smiled, and then turned to Heath. "Goodbye, Heath," she said, giving him a hug.
"Goodbye, little sister," Heath said. "Enjoy yourself – and keep out of trouble!"
Rachel laughed, "I always do!" she said, making Heath smile.
"Have a wonderful time, Rachel!" Audra said, putting her arms around her sister, and pulling her close. "I'm going to miss riding with you!"
Rachel smiled. "I love you all," she said, turning to all of her family. "See you when we get back!"
With that done, Jarrod quickly said goodbye to the family, and then they exited the house and climbed into the surrey which one of the hands was driving to Stockton and back.
"Have a good trip!" Victoria called.
"We will!" Rachel said eagerly back. The surrey started forward and Rachel gave a cry of alarm. She turned around, and called back, "Don't forget to make a fuss of Blazing Star! He's never been without me before!"
"We won't forget!" Heath called back with a grin.
Rachel, now satisfied, turned around again, and sighed with contentment. She put her arms around Jarrod's, and squeezed his arm excitedly. "I can't believe it, Jarrod!" she said. "We're actually going! We're on our way to Frisco, at last!"
Jarrod and Rachel took their seats on the train, in their own car. Rachel was so excited. Finally the great iron beast lurched forward with a noise not unlike a sigh at having to pull the weight of the many cars behind it. Rachel peered out of the window, and looked back to Jarrod, the excitement etched on her face. Jarrod smiled. He was glad she had come, just to see how happy it made her!
"Oh, Jarrod! I can't believe we're actually on our way!" she exclaimed. She paused a moment, ad lowered her head in silent musing.
Jarrod frowned in curiosity. "Now, what's made you so pensive?" he asked.
She looked up, "Jarrod," she said, fingering her long hair as she twirled it round her fingers thoughtfully. "I was wondering if we could visit Eugene on our way back? It's kind of between Stockton and Frisco. It wouldn't be out of the way! Could we please?"
Jarrod looked at her pleading eyes. She really missed her brother. He couldn't blame her – they all missed Gene. "We'll see," Jarrod said, after a moment's hesitation. "I'm not saying yes, but I'm not saying no either. We'll have to see."
Rachel sat back in her seat, relieved that he hadn't said no. She was sure Jarrod wouldn't refuse her!
She stared out of the window as they rode along through the wild and untamed prairie, and a sweet smile of satisfaction grew on her face.
"So," Jarrod said. "How do you feel being away from home? It's your first time without Mother, isn't it?"
Rachel nodded her head. "I don't mind at all," she said. "Of course, I'm sure I'll miss everyone. I suppose I will. It's just I'll be having such a good time, I might not notice that I've missed them until we go home again."
Jarrod smiled. "Well, don't tell Mother you said that. We don't want her being upset that you're not sure if you'll miss her."
"Oh!" Rachel exclaimed, afraid that she might offend her Mother. "It's not that I won't Jarrod. I guess I will after all – because I wish everyone else were here, too. Although, I must say, I do like having some time just with you!"
Jarrod put his arm around his little sister. "I like having some time just with you, too!"
Rachel leaned her head on his shoulder, and turned her head just slightly so that she could look at the scenery flying past whilst still keeping her head reclined on her brother's shoulder.
They rode in silence for a little while, and then Rachel stirred.
"Did you fall asleep?" Jarrod asked her.
"No," Rachel said, with a slight yawn.
"I think you did," Jarrod said, smiling.
"Well, maybe just for a second. Jarrod, how long till we arrive?"
"We haven't been travelling for that long, Honey," Jarrod said. "It'll be a while yet. After all, it is a long way to Frisco."
Rachel smiled at Jarrod, and was about to make a reply when a deafening blast sounded somewhere up ahead, making the train shudder with a horrifying lurch. There was the sound of screeching of metal upon metal. In the same instant, Jarrod and Rachel were tossed from their seats as the car they were in turned over on its side. Rachel screamed and reached wildly for her brother as they both fell with a thud to the side of the car. But at that instant, part of the train above them began to give way, and fell with a tremendous crash, hiding Jarrod from view.
DA DA DAAA! This is where it all begins! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry about the cliff hanger - I just love to bring cliff into my stories! *Laughs* Please review, and thankyou so much for reading! Rachel :-)