Read Online Change of Heart by Fran Shaff - Free Book Online Page A

We each have specific areas of the Oregon Trail to explore.
We’ll gather as much information as we can, then we’ll meet to
choose the location that will be best to serve our immediate
purposes as well as our hopes when and if the railroad is extended
through the Nebraska territory.”
    Jase’s eager heart thrummed at the news.
“When do you want to get started?”
    “The consortium agreed to begin our search in
the spring.” Richards sipped more coffee. “This unseasonably warm
weather isn’t likely to last, or we could begin immediately. A man
wouldn’t want to be caught out in the elements in winter. We hope
to make a choice by late May or early June next year, and we’ll
start constructing our town in June or July. Our businesses should
have their first patrons by August.”
    Jase slapped the arm of his chair. “I can’t
tell you how much I appreciate your coming here, Mr. Richards.”
    Richards stood as Jase got up from his chair.
“Please call me James. If we’re going to be partners, Jase, we need
not be so formal.”
    “Agreed. Can you stay for supper, James? My
housekeeper is an excellent cook.”
    “I don’t doubt that. I ate a piece of her
apple pie while I waited for you, and it was delicious. You’re a
lucky man. However, I want to head back to the fort.”
    “But it’ll be dark soon, and it’s not easy to
find your way around in the dark on the prairie.”
    James reached for his coat and slipped it on.
“I don’t plan to make it all the way back to the fort tonight. Col.
Harrison told me he and his men were going out on maneuvers this
evening since the weather is so warm. He likes to keep his troops
in shape and ready for action. I’m going to join them.”
    “All right, then.” Jase led James to the door
and shook his hand. “Thanks so much for bringing me the news. I’ll
look forward to working with you in the spring.”
    “I’ll contact you through the fort or the
post with further information.”
    “That will be fine.”
    They exchanged a few more details and said
their goodbyes. Jase was happy enough to dance a jig. This new
start would balance out a small bit of the losses in his life, and,
if the speculation was as successful as he hoped, Jase would have
the ability to set up a nice trust fund for Zack. After all, Clint
had wanted to be a part of the consortium, so Zack was entitled to
share in its success.
    Jase went into the kitchen and found Mabel
setting dinner on the table. When he smelled the fragrance of fried
chicken filling the air, he wondered how James had torn himself
away from such a heavenly scent to face soldier stew around a
campfire.
    “Sit down, Jase,” she said. “Everything is
ready.”
    “This looks great, Mabel,” he said as he sat
down. “You know how much I love potatoes with cheese next to my
fried chicken.”
    “Me too.”
    The little voice Jase heard certainly wasn’t
Mabel’s. He left the table and went to the back porch to confirm
his suspicions.
    Zack stood next to the wash stand. “I like
cheese on my potatoes and fried chicken too.”
    “What are you doing here, Zack? How did you
get here?”
    “I had to come, Jase. I belong here until
it’s time for me to leave with Aunt Marietta.” Zack stated his
opinion as firmly and decisively as any man had ever done.
    “Zack,” Jase said in his most demanding
voice, “how did you get here?”
    “I hid under a canvas in Mr. Richards’
buckboard.”
    Jase swept the boy into his arms and stalked
back to the kitchen. “I’m taking you straight to Fort Kearney.”
    “But, Jase,” Mabel said gently, “it’s getting
dark. As much as the boy needs to be returned to his aunt, it
really isn’t worth risking his life taking him home in the
dark.”
    “She’s right, Jase.” Zack latched onto
Mabel’s words quicker than a mosquito bites a man walking through a
slough.
    Jase’s stomach rolled around his entire
torso. He knew Marietta must be sick with worry. He wanted to
throttle Zack