Free Fated Memories by Judith Ann McDowell Page A

thought…” Martha stammered, unable to collect her thoughts.
    “ You had it all planned out I would turn Tia over to you, lock, stock and barrel. Well,” Charlotte eyed her, “that ain’t gonna happen. Tia’s last name is to remain Thornton. I may not be able to take her back to Montana, but I refuse to give her away.”
    For a time, no one spoke, allowing the tension in the room to become all but palpable. John winced at the shocked look covering Martha’s face as she stood looking at Charlotte as though her world had been ripped asunder. John walked over, taking his new family into his arms. “You have the daughter you’ve been longing for, darling. Accept Charlotte’s terms,” he murmured against her hair. “Simply because her name isn’t Sexton doesn’t mean she isn’t ours.”
    Sniffing, Martha withdrew a handkerchief from the pocket of her skirt to dry her eyes. “I don’t mean to be ungrateful, Charlotte. I love Tia so much, I’ll agree to anything, if you’ll allow me to keep her.”
    “ All I ask is that you raise her up to be a fine lady,” Charlotte told her, her gaze refusing to waver. “One we can be proud of.”
    “ I promise, Charlotte.” Martha made her way across the room, a smile shining through her tears. Clutching the baby to her chest, she bent down, dropping a quick kiss on the top of Charlotte’s head.
    Charlotte lifted Tia from her new mother’s arms. Holding the baby close, she told herself she had no choice in allowing Tia to be raised far away from Montana. But, even so, she knew that when the time came for her to return to Eathen, it would take every bit of discipline she possessed to leave Jessie’s child behind.
    ***
    A light snow fell as the carriage made its way towards South Station. When they drew near, they could see the train already waited on the tracks.
    “ Looks like we made it just in time, Charlotte.” John peered through the small window.
    “ Yes. I guess it’s for the best. I never did like long goodbyes.” She allowed him to help her from the carriage.
    Taking her by the shoulders, he turned her to face him. “Now, you’re sure all your tickets are in order and handy.”
    “ This is Charlotte you’re talkin’ to, John,” she gazed up at him, “not Martha.”
    “ Don’t begrudge me my worries, Charlotte,” he scolded her with fondness. “I hate the thought of you making this long trip again, all by yourself.”
    “ I’ll be all right.” She hugged him to her for a moment. “Thank you, John.” She stepped back, running a hand down the side of his face. “It’s good to know someone worries ‘bout me.”
    Handing her up the steps of the passenger car, John felt his throat constrict with concern. Such a small woman to be braving everything alone.
    After taking her seat, Charlotte wiped a small circle of grime away from the dirty window with her gloved hand. Looking out, she saw him waving to her. As she returned the farewell, she felt a deep sadness well up in her for the handsome man standing alone in the cold.
    “ I hope I’ve been able to make your life a little more tolerable, John,” she whispered, uncaring of the people watching her as they made their way down the narrow isle in search of a seat. “God knows you deserve it.”
    Settled back in her seat, she felt the train lurch forward. Within moments, the city of her birth disappeared as the New York Central, its loud whistle blasting out a warning to both man and beast, made its way down the tracks. As the train picked up speed, she tried to close her mind to all that had happened since she arrived in Boston. The cruel pain cutting into her heart could not to be born alone. She would wait until this nightmare could be put behind her and she had the loving arms of Hattie wrapped around her, before allowing herself to face the awful truth.
    Closing her eyes, she thought about home, as a feeling of longing so strong she felt her heart break rushed over her. In an effort to