Falling for the Orphan’s Protector (Preview)

Chapter One

Emmie Carlisle stood on a train platform in New York, watching as gas lamps flickered in the gloom. Her heart was heavy as she surveyed the scene, knowing this might be her last trip on the orphan train with the children she’d come to love so deeply.

Travelers rushed past her, unaware of or uninterested in her inner turmoil, carrying their carpet bags or cases as they talked amongst each other. Men dressed in three-piece suits with their cravats tied just beneath their jaws, while women clutched shawls around their shoulders and raised their skirts as they walked.

Beggars called out for help, cupping their hands in the hope that someone might be kind enough to drop a coin. Children laughed and squealed as they played in the cavernous building.

Emmie had visited this particular station many times in the past, but she could never get used to the smell of desperation. Migrants and laborers rushed past in patched clothing, mixing with the wealthier citizens making their way to first-class.

She kept her head angled away from anyone wearing fine clothing, terrified that one of them might take a closer look at her face and exclaim, “Why, Emmeline Carlisle! I haven’t seen you since…”

In four years, no one had recognized her, but she liked to think it was because she was so careful. That, and New York was massive. The city was a living, breathing organism, teeming with smaller life forms. It was easy to disappear in the chaos. At least, it had been.

Emmie might not have been spotted, but it was only a matter of time.

She held onto her small, modest suitcase, clutching it with both hands as the train rolled into the station. Her mind was far away, in another place entirely as she waited for the rest of her party. As she stood there, a small hand wormed its way into hers. She looked down with a smile, already knowing who it was.

“How are you feeling, little bug?” she asked, her tone soft with fondness.

Blake, a little boy with wavy black hair and a gap-toothed smile, grinned up at her. “I’m ready!”

“You are?” Emmie tried not to grimace.

This was the fourth journey they were taking out West. Instead of getting easier, it only got harder.

“Sure!” Blake announced. “This time, I’m going to get adopted. Just you wait and see.”

“Indoor voice, Blake,” Mrs. Eleanor Winters said, wagging a finger at him in warning.

Blake blushed and hid behind Emmie, using her skirts as a shield. The faded rose-colored material had been purchased from one of the finest dressmakers in the city and had been tailored to match Emmie’s measurements. It had been one of the few things Emmie had taken with her when she left home.

While the material was sturdy and hadn’t needed to be patched yet, the dress had been made for an eighteen-year-old. Now, it strained at the seams and was on the verge of looking indecent. She would have to purchase another dress, and soon. The only problem was that she didn’t know where the next dress would come from.

Her employment at the New York Home for Disadvantaged Children provided her with a roof over her head and food in her belly. That was the deal she’d struck with Eleanor when she showed up on the orphanage’s doorstep a few years prior.

“He’s excited,” Emmie said, ruffling Blake’s hair.

“I’m sure he is,” Eleanor said, giving Blake her familiar, kind smile. “We all are. I’m sure this is the year that things change for him.”

Emmie tried to keep her expression neutral. She hated disappointing Blake. Every time he boarded the orphan train, he was so certain that the journey would result in him being adopted. He’d been wrong every time. It seemed that indulging him in his fantasy only raised his hopes, then dashed them again.

“Do you think my new family will be nice to me?” Blake asked, tugging on one of his curls as he clutched Emmie’s hand.

“I won’t let you go to anyone who doesn’t love you,” Emmie assured him. She held onto his hand like a lifeline.

Even though she longed for him to be adopted, to be happy and loved in a good family, there was a small part of her that hated talking about his adoption because it would mean that she would have to let him go.

The little boy looked up at her with wide, hopeful eyes. He was downright cherubic with his chubby cheeks and dimpled smile. His skin was a warm, brown color, and his large brown eyes carried a depth that she’d never seen in another person before.

On the day she’d arrived at the orphanage, Blake had been playing outside. He’d been all on his own. Emmie had been wandering the streets, uncertain of where to go or what to do. Her expulsion from her childhood home had been sudden and explosive. She’d been walking in a daze, contemplating where she could sleep for the night.

Blake had seen her across the road, run over to her, and offered to play with her. He’d only been two years old at the time and quite adorable. He’d clung to her skirts, his mischievous expression drawing her out of her daze.

The rest was history.

“Will they love me like you love me?” Blake asked intently.

“That’s impossible,” Emmie said, scrunching her nose. “No one will ever love you the way I love you!”

She bent down and tickled his side, causing him to giggle in delight. He squirmed like a puppy, pushing her hands away. Eleanor watched them with a faint smile.

“Do you have everything you need, Blake?” Eleanor asked, clasping her hands in front of her.

Blake nodded emphatically and held up a small, cloth bag. All the orphans had been assigned similar bags to carry their meager possessions.

“Good,” Eleanor said. “Will you go line up with the other children? We need to leave as soon as the train whistle blows.

Blake stood to attention and raised his hand in salute. She dismissed him with a nod and he scrambled to join the rest of the children a few feet away. There were about twenty in all. The girls were dressed in brown cotton dresses with their hair put in two braids on either side of their heads. Meanwhile, the boys wore brown shirts and pants, with shiny black shoes and slicked back hair.

According to the Children’s Aid Society, wearing similar clothes made the children appear neater and would increase their chances of adoption. Emmie wasn’t sure that was true, but begrudgingly endured the children’s complaints about the scratchy material. She would do anything to increase their chances of adoption.

A young woman, a volunteer, inspected the children and kept them in an orderly line. She wouldn’t be accompanying them, and once the train left it would be up to Emmie and Eleanor to keep the children safe. It was a tiring job, so Emmie was taking a break before the chaos truly started.

“How are you doing, my dear?” Eleanor asked, putting a hand on Emmie’s arm.

Guilt stabbed Emmie’s stomach, and she struggled to force her lips into a smile.

In the past few years, Eleanor had become one of Emmie’s dearest companions. She was a petite woman with a lined face and grey hair that was always tied back in an elaborate bun. Eleanor came to Emmie’s shoulders, making Emmie feel like a giant next to the small woman. The thing people noticed first about Eleanor was her smile. It was like a hug when a person needed it the most. She exuded love and kindness, drawing people to her like moths to a flame.

“I’m all right,” Emmie said, glancing away.

“Now, come on,” Eleanor chided, slapping Emmie’s hand lightly, “I thought we agreed to never lie to one another. Anyone with eyes can see something’s not right.”

Emmie winced and looked down at her hands. “I received a letter from my sister this morning.”

Although Emmie hadn’t seen her family in over four years, she tried to keep in contact with her younger sister, Helena. It was difficult sending and receiving letters since Emmie couldn’t risk the rest of her family discovering her letters.

However, she’d found a solution about a year after she’d left home. On seeing how much Emmie missed Helena, Eleanor had suggested sending a letter from her sister’s home in New Jersey. It had been a real blessing, and Emmie had immediately sent Helena a letter. For the first few weeks after, she’d been terrified that her father would discover her hiding place and drag her kicking and screaming back to her childhood home. When she’d received Helena’s sweet and heartfelt letter, it had made all the anxiety worthwhile. And over the years she’d relaxed a little.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Eleanor asked in concern. “I thought you were looking forward to Helena’s letter.”

She had been looking forward to news from her little sister. However, Helena’s letter had contained more bad than good. While she trusted Eleanor implicitly, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to share her sister’s warning just yet.

Emmie sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m afraid that it’s rather complicated. Now that she’s sixteen, my father’s looking to find her a husband. I’m concerned that he might decide that she should marry Abram.”

Eleanor grimaced in disgust and shook her head. “Now, now, that would be obscene. I doubt he would attract scandal by making such a classless move. From everything you’ve told me about the man, he’s conscious of how that would reflect on him and the family. I’m certain he’ll choose someone else.”

Emmie scowled as she clutched her bag tighter. In the years since she’d been expelled from her home, she’d been watching the papers like a hawk, waiting for the day that Abram Brown announced his engagement to some hapless socialite. She would have preferred if he never went near another young woman, but such things were beyond her control.

She always told herself that once he was married, she could breathe easy again. He must have sensed that his marriage would bring her some relief because he never did it. It seemed that he was determined to ruin her life one way or another.

“One never knows with my father,” Emmie grumbled.

“You made your choice,” Eleanor said, patting Emmie’s shoulder, “and Helena will have to make hers. You cannot save her if she doesn’t choose to do so herself.”

“I’m afraid that Helena isn’t as outspoken as I am,” Emmie admitted. “She’s such a sweet young child. Our brothers always bullied her, and my parents never listened to what she had to say. I fear that she would accept whatever match is put before her just to keep the peace. And in doing so, she would lose that sweet disposition of hers.”

“Or, it might just make her stronger,” Eleanor pointed out, raising an eyebrow. “There were many who said you would never make it in the orphanage, that you weren’t bred for that kind of life. And look at you. You proved them all wrong. Helena must walk her own path, my dear.”

It was reasonable and made sense, but Emmie’s protective instinct toward her sister wasn’t based in rationality. It was a fierce, primal urge to keep her younger sister safe from the forces that had hurt her so much. At the same time, Helena enjoyed the comfortable life her family provided. Emmie had been willing to lose everything to keep her freedom. She wasn’t entirely sure her sister would make the same decision.

“If she does leave that house, perhaps the two of you might live together and find yourselves real positions,” Eleanor said.

Emmie’s brow furrowed as she looked over at her mentor. For the first time, she noticed that Eleanor’s smile seemed a little strained.

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Emmie asked in alarm.

Although she’d been contemplating leaving the orphanage all morning, the prospect of actually doing so filled her with fear and dread. She’d have to face these feelings eventually, especially after Helena’s warning. However, she wanted to put it off for as long as possible.

“Never,” Eleanor said soothingly. “I only meant that a job would be better for you as you’d be able to earn more than I can give you. I’m sure dear Helena wouldn’t be content to live as you do.”

“She loves children,” Emmie said uncertainly. “Although, it wouldn’t be an option. I’d have to tell her where I’m hiding. And my father wouldn’t let two daughters defy him. He’d tear New York apart looking for us.”

“Perhaps you ought to take your sister and run,” Eleanor said, taking hold of Emmie’s hand. “You’ve long considered leaving New York behind. Perhaps now is the time to do so.”

Emmie looked at Eleanor in surprise. She’d been dreading having to tell Eleanor about the final lines of Helena’s letter. It would mean that she’d have to leave the orphanage. Eleanor wouldn’t have any help with the children. The guilt had been eating her alive.

“It certainly seems that you’re trying to get rid of me,” Emmie said, trying to sound light-hearted. “What’s wrong, Eleanor?”

It seemed that her friend had something alarming to tell her. Emmie’s skin went cold. She wasn’t sure how much more bad news she could take in one day. Things had been relatively calm and quiet over the past few years. It seemed that all the trouble she’d avoided had finally caught up with her.

She tried to calm her racing mind. Emmie always jumped to the worst possible conclusion. Of course, there’d been a time when she’d been more optimistic, but that hadn’t worked out well for her. There was nothing like a person’s life exploding to get them to change their outlook on the world around them.

Eleanor’s smile dropped, and she wrung her hands. “Oh, Emmie…It’s such a—”

“Uhm, pardon me,” the young volunteer, Mona, interrupted them with a worried expression. “I can’t seem to find Robert and Blake.”

Emmie’s heart raced as she looked over at the line of children. She scanned their faces one by one, looking for Blake’s familiar features. Emmie counted each child twice before she started panicking. Eighteen children and no sign of Blake and Robert.

“They must be around here somewhere,” Eleanor murmured, looking around in concern.

Emmie stood on her tiptoes to see past the milling crowd. All of a sudden, the conversations seemed too loud, and the children’s delighted shrieks pierced her eardrums. It was maddening, frightening, and overwhelming. She dug her fingernails into her palms, trying to get the world to stop spinning for a moment.

There were so many places for children to get lost. It happened every day. Working in an orphanage exposed her to all the worst things a child could face. It had hardened her in a way she hadn’t expected and filled her with more fear than she could name.

“Blake?” she called out, her voice rising in fear.

Not Blake. Please, not Blake.

They simply had to find him. Besides the danger he faced on the streets, there was another equally pressing issue. If Blake didn’t show up before the train left, he wouldn’t go West to be adopted. Since she wouldn’t be able to take him with her when she eventually left the orphanage, he’d be well and truly alone in the world.

Chapter Two

Rhett Coulter shoved his hands into his pockets as he navigated the busy New York streets. His breath came out like white smoke, frozen by the chilly air. He walked quickly, wanting to get the job done as soon as possible. The sooner he got paid, the quicker he could go home and buy food, medicine, and coal. It was a frigid day, and without warmth, the house would be an icebox.

His employer, a fastidious woman in her fifties, had promised to pay him ten percent more if he could complete the job in the space of a week. He studied the buildings around him as he moved. It was a poor neighborhood with dilapidated storefronts and houses. Vendors stood on the streets, trying to sell their wares.

Children ran around in clothes that were either too big or too small. His eyes scanned the street, looking for signs of trouble. As he walked, someone bumped into him. He felt rather than saw the person’s fingers brush against his pocket.

Rhett pushed them away and grabbed the person’s hand. “Give me back my wallet.”

A sallow-looking youth with gaps in his teeth grimaced and dropped the wallet before wrenching his arm free and running off. Rhett scowled as he bent down and put the wallet in his innermost pocket. It was his fault for keeping it in an easily accessible spot.

“Goodness, are you all right?” An older woman asked, stepping out of an old, dirty building.

Rhett’s eyes flicked to the sign above her head. The New York Home for Disadvantaged Children. He nearly sighed in relief. This was exactly where he needed to be. It seemed in the excitement that he hadn’t been looking close enough at the signs around him.

“Rhett Coulter,” he said, sticking his hand out to her.

“Mallory,” she said, smiling broadly as she shook his hand. The woman had greasy brown hair and rosy-red cheeks. Her armpits were stained with sweat, and her teeth were yellow. Despite her looks, she gave him a friendly smile, and he immediately felt at ease around her.

Rhett often got a sense about people. He was usually right, and had learned to trust his gut over the years. This woman was likely kind to the orphans under her care. They were probably treated much better than he ever was.

“Mallory, I’m looking for a boy, Robert Masters,” Rhett said, looking up at the house. “Last I heard, he was here.”

Mallory raised her bushy eyebrows. “Robert? Yeah, I know him. What do you want with him? You come to adopt?”

Rhett chuckled and shook his head. “No, ma’am, I’d be a poor excuse for a father. Now, I just need to verify if this is the Robert I’m looking for. He’d be about ten years old. Blue eyes, blonde hair.”

“That’s right,” Mallory said with a nod. “I can’t imagine what you’d want with him, though. He’s a naughty mite. Never content unless he can cause trouble to everyone around him.”

Rhett raised his eyebrows. He was certain his client, who wiped her hands promptly after meeting him, would enjoy having the chaotic child around.

“His parents died two years ago in a carriage accident,” Rhett continued. “They were all taken to St. Joseph’s, but only Robert survived. From there, he was sent to the Children’s Aid Society. And after that, he was sent here. He would have been around seven when he first arrived.”

“I didn’t know all that about poor Robert,” Mallory said in concern. “Poor thing. No wonder he’s always causing trouble. Although, he’s hardly the first. Every child who comes through here has some tale of woe. You can’t let it get you down, otherwise you’d never get anything done!”

Rhett nodded in agreement. He was well acquainted with tragedy, and very aware that he had to keep moving, otherwise it would pull him under. If he never stopped moving, he’d never have to think too deeply about everything that happened.

“I hear ya,” Rhett said, nodding slowly. “You see, I was hired by his aunt, Bella Masters, to find him and bring him home. She’s been looking for a while but hasn’t had much success. She had health issues when it first happened and has only been able to start looking for him in the last six months.”

“Well…” Mallory shook her head slowly. “That doesn’t happen often. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to send him back. Unfortunately, he left just this morning.”

“Where’s he going?” Rhett asked in alarm.

He could see his payday disappearing. Besides, he knew just how important it was to find this child. Robert likely thought he’d been abandoned. Finding out he had an aunt who was willing to take him in would change everything for the boy.

“They’re heading on the orphan train down to Colorado,” Mallory said with a wince. “The train leaves around noon. If you hurry, you could still get to him. They’re at Hargrove Station, just five blocks away.”

Rhett checked his watch. Thirty minutes. He just had half an hour to locate a child he’d never seen and convince Robert’s guardians to let him take the child away.

“Look for Mrs. Winters and Emmie,” Mallory said helpfully.

Rhett nodded and waved at her before taking off. He didn’t have much time to stick around and have small talk. There was too much at stake.

Mrs. Masters had given him twenty-five dollars up front, with a promise to pay the next half upon completion. If he got the child to her by the end of the day, he’d get an additional five dollars. Although it was a lot of money, it would only cover their debt to the coal man, the grocer, the milkman, and Timothy’s medicine.

With the fifty-five dollars, he’d just break even for the month. After that he would have to go find another job to take care of the next round of bills. So, even though he hadn’t completed the job yet, the money was already spent. He had no choice but to find Robert Masters and reunite the boy with his aunt.

Rhett tried not to think too hard about how desperately he’d wished someone would do the same for him when he was a child. He wouldn’t have minded who it was, just as long as someone took him home and cared for him.

He took a deep, ragged breath and hurried over to the station. People milled in the streets, blocking his way and causing his frustration to rise. When he finally made it to the station, it was ten minutes to noon.

Rhett gritted his teeth as he stood at the top of the stairs and looked down at the station. It was filled with people, all trying to get to their seats. A train whistle split the air, warning people that it was nearly time to depart.

He ran down the stairs, ducking past people as he kept an eye on the passenger train right ahead. When he got to the door, he spotted a man in a red uniform, clearly the porter.

“Could you please help me for a moment?” Rhett asked.

The man sighed and rolled his eyes. “If you have any questions about the tickets or the journey, please ask the conductor. If it’s about your luggage, I’m afraid you’re too late. We finished loading the train half an hour ago. Otherwise, please find your seat, sir.”

“Oh, I don’t want to get on the train,” Rhett said, shaking his head. “I’m looking for the orphans who are supposed to be here. Have you seen them? They’re heading to Colorado.”

The porter scratched the back of his neck.

“Please, it’s urgent,” Rhett said. “There’s a child with them who’s not supposed to be there. I need to get him to his family before it’s too late.”

The porter’s eyes widened, and he quickly nodded. He disappeared into the train, then returned a few moments later with a petite older woman with a sweet smile.

“I’m Mrs. Winters. And who might you be?”

“Rhett Coulter, private investigator.”

“Oh.” She raised her eyebrows delicately. “I understand you’re looking for one of my children?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He inclined his head toward her. Rhett dug in his pocket as he spoke to her. “I’m looking for Robert Masters. His aunt hired me to find him. You’ll see I have his parents’ death certificates, as well as his birth certificate and a letter from his aunt authorizing me to care for him. Oh, and that there is a police sergeant’s signature. That should be everything you need to hand over custody to me.”

The woman read the documents then gave a satisfied nod. His heart lifted. It was so close he could almost taste it.

“I’m sorry, dear, but we lost Robert and another boy a little earlier. My dear associate is out looking for them. If she’s not here in the next ten minutes, we’ll have to leave without them.”

“You lost him?” Rhett asked incredulously.

She raised an eyebrow at him and put a hand on her hip. “Young man, have you ever looked after twenty children at once?”

Rhett grimaced and held up his hands in surrender.

“Now, I might sound callous to you,” she said, shaking her head at him, “but there are eighteen children here who have a chance at better lives. A great deal of planning went into this trip, and we simply cannot miss it. Now, one of the best people I know is out looking for them. I’m certain she shall succeed.”

“Fine.” Rhett nodded emphatically. “I apologize for offending you. I’m going to go look for her. Perhaps I can help.”

The woman gave a curt nod. “Yes, that would be useful. I’m sorry that I didn’t give you the answer you wanted, but I appreciate you doing all this to reunite Robert with his family. The woman you’re looking for is Emmie. She’ll be happy for the help. If you’ll excuse me, I must get back to the children before more of them go missing.”

Rhett nodded in agreement and backed away. He glanced around the crowded station and grimaced. There was no way he could find everyone in time. He spotted a bench nearby and an idea occurred to him.

He raced over, climbed onto the bench, and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Robert! Robert!”

People turned to look at him in annoyance and concern.

“I’m looking for a little boy named Robert,” he explained. “Please help me. Ten years old. Blue eyes. Blonde hair. Robert! I have a gift for you!”

Just then, a woman rushed up to him. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. She was tall, willowy, with honey-blonde hair and a smattering of freckles along her nose. Her hair hung around her shoulders in waves, and her blue-green eyes glittered with unshed tears.

She wore a pinkish dress that had seen better days, and wrung her hands as she moved. However, it wasn’t the way she looked that caught his attention. Rather, it was the way she moved. She glided rather than walked, and people seemed to step out of her way rather than the other way around.

He was dumbstruck as she approached him and said something.

“Pardon?” Rhett asked over the ringing in his ears.

“I asked, why are you looking for Robert?” Her tone was full of annoyance, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m looking for Robert Masters,” he explained. “I’m trying to reunite him with his aunt. I have all the necessary paperwork, Mrs. Winters already spoke to me.”

“I see,” she said. “I’m Emmie.”

“Ah.” He nodded slowly. “I was told to look out for you.”

Her cheeks flushed, turning a charming pink color. The mere sight of it made his stomach flutter. How was it possible for one woman to be so beautiful?

“I’d be happy to help you, but unfortunately, we’ve lost the children,” Emmie said, her voice trembling slightly.

“Have no fear. I’m sure we’ll find them,” he said, hopping off the bench. “Tell me, where did you look?”

“Everywhere.” Emmie gestured helplessly.

“Well, I’ve been told that Robert is a little troublemaker,” Rhett mused, rubbing his chin.

“He is, but he’s also quite clever,” Emmie said. “I don’t think he wanted to go to Colorado. Perhaps he’s tried to escape.”

Rhett winced and shook his head. “I doubt it. If he’s clever, he wouldn’t run. He knows he needs food, warmth, and clothing. It’s much too cold outside. However…”

An idea struck Rhett. He turned on his heel and marched toward the food vendors. He’d seen a few of them as he walked into the station.

“Where are we going?” Emmie cried as she tried to keep up with him.

“He’s probably hungry,” Rhett explained over his shoulder. “All little boys are.”

When they reached the vendors, the cacophony of people calling out to advertise their wares nearly burst his eardrums. He stuck one finger in his ears while looking out for the boys.

Emmie let out an irritated gasp as two men pushed past her. Rhett reached out behind him and took hold of her arm, allowing her to put her hand on the crook of his arm. His skin burned from the pressure of her fingers through his clothes.

“We’ll find them,” Rhett assured her.

She wasn’t even looking at him as her eyes darted around nervously. They searched for a few minutes before Emmie smiled and rushed forward, pulling Rhett behind her. He allowed her to lead him, enjoying the feeling. She stopped at a coffee vendor where two little boys were digging through the trash.

“Blake!” she cried.

The boy with dark hair smiled at her and hurried over. Meanwhile, the blonde boy followed behind hesitantly.

“Are you Robert?” Rhett asked.

Robert nodded while eyeing Rhett suspiciously. Rhett quickly explained the situation, talking loudly over the hubbub. Emmie held tightly to Blake’s hand as she listened to Rhett. When he was done, Robert’s eyes filled with tears.

“Is she truly looking for me?” Robert asked, his voice thick and tremulous.

“Indeed,” Rhett said.

Robert gasped and looked over at Emmie. She smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair before nodding.

“Go on,” she encouraged. “You heard him. Your aunt is waiting for you.”

Robert threw his arms around Emmie’s waist, patted Blake’s head and went over to Rhett. Relief flooded Rhett’s veins, and he looked over at Emmie, scouring his brain for the right words. She watched him expectantly, that sweet blush crossing her cheeks again.

“It was enchanting to meet—”

The train whistle blew, and Emmie gasped in fright. “The train! Come on, Blake. We cannot miss it!”

She plunged into the crowd, dragging poor little Blake behind her. Rhett’s lips parted as he watched her leave, a tinge of regret falling over their interaction. He let out a heavy breath as he shook his head and turned to Robert.

It wouldn’t help losing his head over a woman he’d just met. Besides, he had to get back to reality. Despite his best attempts to forget about Emmie, his heart raced as he remembered the way she grabbed hold of him and pulled him through the crowd.