She returned to watching the scenery slide by. Marshes brimming with rigid stalks topped with clusters of delicate white flowers, tall cotton grass, and broad-leafed water lilies gradually replaced the forest. The train wheeled past a small town, and Laurel's heart quickened. Anchorage would be next, then Palmer.
A mix of emotions tumbled through her. What would Palmer be like? Since leaving Seward, they'd seen little sign of human habitation. Would Palmer be so uncivilized? And what would the people be like?
Will dropped his lean frame into the seat beside Laurel. “That Drew will be a good neighbor. He's a fine man.” Gray-blue eyes warm with concern gazed at Laurel, and he patted her hand. “You all right, sugar?”
Laurel nodded.
“Well, we're almost there.”
Luke stretched and yawned. “Did you say we're almost there?” He straightened and peered out the window. “Hey, is that the ocean?”
“It's a bay,” Laurel said dryly. “If you'd stayed awake, you'd know what's going on.”
“Sorry. I was tired.” He gazed out the window. “That looks like an island.” He pointed at a strip of land rising out of the haze in the inlet.
“That's Fire Island,” a passing porter said, stopping to gaze out the window. “My family and I've spent a few weekends there. It's beautiful. We like to explore the beaches, climb the cliffs, and in the evenings cook hotdogs and marshmallows over a bonfire on the beach.”
“Sounds like fun,” Luke said. Looking at his father he added, “Maybe we can do that.”
“Maybe.”
Adam changed seats. Sitting in front of the Haspers, he stared at the water. “This is Cook Inlet, isn't it?”
“Yes—the doorway to the rest of the world,” the small porter said proudly, displaying large white teeth when he smiled. “It's free of ice year-round.” He straightened. “You've got to watch the mud flats though. Sometimes they can be like quicksand. People get stuck and drown when the tide comes in.”
Laurel's stomach turned, and she made a mental note never to step out on any mud flats.
“We'll be arriving in Anchorage in a few minutes,” the porter said and hurried down the aisle.
The train followed the bay for several miles, slowing as it passed a few small houses. It approached a dock with long, low buildings with metal rooftops and a fishing boat moored alongside. Continuing to decrease its speed, the train wound around a bend and chugged to a stop in front of a small wooden building with a broad platform in front. Baggage carts were lined against the front wall. This can't be Anchorage, Laurel thought, trepidation growing. It's too small. “Where is the town?” she asked.
“There are houses up on that hill,” Luke said, pointing at a rise not far from the depot. “I'll bet this is Anchorage.”
“No. It can't be.” A wave of disappointment swept through Laurel. She'd expected Palmer to be small but had hoped Anchorage would be a sizable city, a place she could visit and be reminded of the real world.
The porter stopped. “The young man's right. This is Anchorage, but the actual town sits up on the flat. You can't see it from here.”
Laurel felt a rush of relief. “So there is a city?”
“Not exactly. It's small, only about twenty-five hundred people. But it's growing.” With a smile, he trotted toward the front of the car.
Standing, Adam looked over the seat at Laurel. “Not what you expected, is it?”
“No,” Laurel stated flatly.
Anxiety spiking, Will stood and waited while Laurel sidestepped to the aisle. He hoped this tiny depot was not a predictor of what they could expect in Anchorage. If the farms of Palmer were to be a success, Anchorage needed to be a thriving community. Laurel stepped forward toward the front of the car, and he followed. Luke, Robert, and Adam walked close behind. Disembarking, they joined other colonists gathered in front of the station.
A man wearing a pinstripe suit and a broad-brimmed hat stood on a platform. He smiled at the crowd, and his neatly trimmed mustache curved into an upside down half-moon. “Welcome. Welcome to Alaska.” A smattering of applause rose from several onlookers. “I know you're anxious to get on to Palmer, but we wanted to give you a real Alaskan welcome, so we've had a feast of local dishes prepared for you. Cars are waiting to take you to the community hall. This way, folks,” he said, stepping down and showing the crowd to the fleet of cars.
Laurel walked between Luke and Robert. Will and Adam led the way to a nearby car. Cameras flashed, and reporters pressed in.
“I'd better go to work,” Adam said, lifting his camera and taking a photograph of Will. With a smile, he disappeared into the crowd. A man wearing an inexpensive suit stood beside a shiny Ford sedan. He held open the back door. “Welcome to Anchorage.”
“I'll be glad when I can see it,” Luke said casually, sliding onto the seat.
Will and Robert sat in the back beside Luke. Laurel took the front seat. The driver seemed taken aback at Laurel's appearance, but he said nothing and closed the door, then hurried around to the driver's side. His hands on the wheel, he glanced over his shoulder and said, “I'm Harold Iverson. We're happy to have you here. We sure hope you like it.”
“I'm Will Hasper, this is my son Luke,” Will nodded at Luke. “And this is Robert Lundeen, a friend. And sitting beside you is my daughter, Laurel.”
Harold smiled nervously and nodded at Laurel. “We heard it was men only, but I thought you might be a girl.”
“I just couldn't wait on the ship,” Laurel explained.
“Will we make it to the drawing on time?” Robert asked.
“Absolutely. You'll be sleeping in the valley tonight. But we wanted to make sure you were well fed before sending you up to Palmer.”
The train pulled out of the station, crossed a trestle over Ship Creek, rumbled through the railroad yards and past coalbunkers, then headed up a small valley. A massive range of mountains rose up from the flat just beyond the town of Anchorage.
Will's stomach knotted. He studied a handful of homes built into the hillside. The stopover in Anchorage had been enlightening. The city was smaller than he'd expected, but he'd been told there were other towns that would need fresh produce. With careful handling, there might be enough demand to support the colony, but it wouldn't be easy.
Remembering the promises made by the government agent in Wisconsin, Will's ire rose. He lied. The market's not nearly as good as he said. It's possible we won't make it. Then what? Slowly and deliberately he let the air out of his lungs, trying to calm himself.
Adam sat beside Laurel, across from Will. His eyes met Will's. “So, how's it look to you?”
Will hesitated. He didn't want to inflame an already volatile situation. He'd heard others worrying aloud about where they would sell their goods. “I'd hoped Anchorage would be bigger, but with the support of folks in Palmer and the other towns, we ought to make out all right.”
