Chapter 3

Late Summer 1858

Charlotte POV (age 16)

Over the last eight years, my intuition has been helpful to Mama Sheffield and the orphanage. We have seen children come and go from all walks of life. Some joined us young and grew up at the boarding house and then left when they were old enough to find jobs. Some of them bonded and fell in love, like Susan and Julian.

They were very close in age and had become friends while growing up here. But the older they got; it became more apparent that they were more than friends. Julian took a job at the mercantile on the north side of town and began saving his money. When he felt that he had enough money, he bought a little house and then proposed to Susan, who had stayed on at the orphanage, helping Mary with all of the younger children. Julian and Susan still stop by every now and then to see Mama Sheffield. They have three boys of their own and seem to be very happy.

Mr. Sylvestre Pratt comes by several times each month and helps with the lawn a