Read Online A Home at Trail's End by Melody A. Carlson - Free Book Online

Will’s wagon pulled into the yard. “That’s right,” Elizabeth remembered. “Belinda and Amelia are moving in today.”
    â€œYes.” Malinda dried her hands on her apron and smoothed her hair. “Will said he’d drop them by before we headed off to the mercantile.” She excused herself and hurried out to meet him. Elizabeth watched from the porch, still marveling at how two people who’d recently been complete strangers now seemed so perfect for each other.
    â€œHello,” Belinda called as she lugged a bulky carpetbag into the house. “We have arrived.”
    Elizabeth smiled and pointed to the ladder stairway. “Your room awaits.”
    â€œI wish I could sleep up there too,” Ruth said longingly.
    â€œWe already went over that,” Elizabeth reminded her. “We’re not going to crowd you in with Susannah and Emily—and Amelia and Belinda get the other two beds.”
    â€œBut I’m crowded in with you and Aunt Malinda,” Ruth pointed out.
    â€œWhy don’t you be an angel and go help Amelia with her things,” Elizabeth suggested as she watched Amelia struggling to carry a box and a bag up the porch steps. Fortunately, that distracted Ruth for the time being. It wasn’t easy being the youngest of the cousins, but someday Ruth might appreciate it.
    While the younger girls helped the older girls get settled in and unpack—or more likely to ogle at the lovely clothes these girls had brought with them from Boston—Elizabeth and Malinda returned to fixing food to take to town. The plan was to have a picnic lunch on the church grounds with family and friends.
    â€œDo you remember when we used to go to town on Saturdays in Kentucky?” Malinda asked Elizabeth.
    â€œI certainly do.” Elizabeth tucked a cloth down over the biscuits, which were still warm. “But our town had more than just one store and a church.”
    â€œThis is just the beginning,” Malinda assured her.
    â€œThat’s true. And the Bible says not to despise small beginnings.” Elizabeth smiled. “And I do not. After all those months on the trail, I am thankful for our little settlement.”
    â€œAnd I hear that Bert Flanders is planning for his blacksmith shop. Flo told me they want to build a small house with a lean-to that will function as his business.”
    â€œI expect Bert will be kept busy too,” Elizabeth said. “With so much building going on there’s a need for hardware.”
    â€œAnd didn’t you mention that Jessica’s aunt and her friend might start a business here too?” Malinda asked. “A boarding house and restaurant?”
    â€œThat’s their plan, and according to Eli, they were doing a good business when he saw them in Empire City last week. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they make enough profits to start a nice boarding house here.” Elizabeth smiled to herself to think of the business Ruby used to operate back in St. Louis. Jess had said it was a dance hall, where the whisky ran freely. But during the arduous journey, Ruby and Doris had seemed to reform some of their ideals. Still, she wondered what Malinda would think if she knew about St. Louis. Not that Elizabeth had any intention of telling her. Some things truly were better left unsaid.
    Everyone chattered happily as they walked to town together, but eventually the younger children hurried on ahead and only Elizabeth, Malinda, and Will’s two daughters were walking together. “I can’t get over the feeling that this is like a holiday,” Malinda said happily. “Having a store within walking distance of my home. It’s just wonderful.”
    â€œAnd it’s wonderful the weather is so pleasant.” Elizabeth looked up at the clear blue sky, the sunshine filtering through the autumn leaves. “It’s such a beautiful day.”
    â€œYes, this time of year is