Where We Belong: An Orphan Train Novel

Marion, Kansas

Evelyn Holbrook

The sun beat down and scorched the top of Evelyn's head. Wind tried to tear the ribbon from her hair. There was plenty of shade on the depot porch in this little Kansas town. It was a good-sized porch, with more than enough room for the last of the kids from the Mission Church Home to fit, and the wind would be blocked some by the building. Why couldn't they stand there instead of out here on the grass in front of the smelly train that kept belching smoke? Nothing the asylum's guardians did made any sense, starting with putting her and Winnie on the train in the first place. She and her sister were not orphans!

While the younger of the two guardians, Miss Davis, stood in the row with the children, keeping an eye on them, the gray-haired one, Miss Harms, paced back and forth in front of the row of kids from New York and talked to the folks who'd come to gawk at them. She gave the same speech she'd given at every single stop since the group of children and their pair of guardians left the train station in New York almost a month ago. By now, Evelyn had heard it so many times she had it memorized. She recited the words in her head and held tight to Winnie's hand. She wouldn't let go of her sister. Anybody in that crowd looking at them had better know they were together.

"As you can see, these are beautiful, healthy children. They are well behaved and..." Miss Harms blathered on in a sweet voice.

Evelyn snorted under her breath. What would these fine people think if they'd heard how the guardian talked to her before shooing the group into the depot yard? Her ear still throbbed from Miss Harms's pinching fingers when she'd tried—again!—to convince the woman that she and Winnie needed to go back to New York. Miss Harms's harsh statements rang in Evelyn's memory in place of the speech being delivered to the audience.

"'For the last time, Evelyn Holbrook, you cannot return to New York. You're a ward of the Mission Church Home, placed under my supervision. Therefore, you will do as you are told and get off this train." She'd grabbed Evelyn's ear and twisted it. "You need a home, but no one wants to adopt an incorrigible child. You and your little sister will mind your manners this time or there will be dire consequences. Do you understand me?'"

Evelyn had muttered that she understood. But not what Miss Harms thought she understood. She understood that no one would help her and Winnie go back to New York to Daddy. Somehow she'd have to figure it out for herself. But first she had to make sure nobody took Winnie. At every stop so far, couples showed interest in her. Evelyn couldn't blame them. Winnie was adorable with Daddy's blue eyes and Mama's brown-gold wavy hair. She was small for a four-year-old, making her seem even younger. Folks had grabbed up the littlest kids first because they were so cute and the oldest boys second, probably because they'd be good farmworkers. Winnie was the only one younger than six still waiting for a family to take her in, and Evelyn was the oldest of the few kids left.

Evelyn scanned the crowd. Some couples whispered to each other, pointing at certain kids. Her gaze locked with a lady wearing a little felt hat with cherries wilting under the sun. Did the lady smile at Evelyn? What a silly thought. She inwardly laughed at herself and sent her attention elsewhere in the crowd. Sure enough, at least two couples were giving Winnie those dreamy-eyed looks that said, Aren't you a cute little girl? Miss Harms was getting close to the part in her speech when she invited folks to come up and meet the children. There wasn't much time left for Winnie to turn into the uncutest little girl ever.

Crouching down, Evelyn pretended to adjust the bow in Winnie's hair. She whispered, "Remember what you gotta do if somebody comes up to talk to you?"

"I gotta frow a really big fit.'

"That's right." Winnie was amazingly good at becoming a little wildcat. When a couple at their first stop in Indiana tried to take her, she'd fought so hard to get to Evelyn the couple had changed their minds. Since then, Evelyn told her to do the same thing, and she'd scared off a dozen would-be parents. For someone so small, she was mighty. At least Evelyn didn't have to worry about someone wanting her. She was too big to be cute and too scrawny to be a good worker.

Winnie's lower lip trembled. "Miss Harms said she'd gimme a whippin' if I did it again. I'm a-scared, Evvie."

So was Evelyn. She wouldn't be able to stand it if Miss Harms hit Winnie. But it would be much worse if someone adopted her. How could she ever face Daddy if she let strangers take Winnie away? They'd have to risk Miss Harms carrying through on the threat.

Evelyn gave her little sister's hand a squeeze. "I'll take the whippin' for you. I promise."

Miss Davis leaned forward a bit and caught Evelyn's eye. She scowled and mouthed, Straighten up. Evelyn stood and faced the crowd again, keeping her grip on Winnie's small hand. "If you decide you'd like to bring one of the children into your family, please see Miss Audrey Davis." Miss Harms gestured Miss Davis forward. "She will assist you in completing the paperwork to make the placement official. And now,' Miss Harms said, throwing her arms wide, "come meet the wonderful children from the Mission Church Home. I know they are eager to make your acquaintance."