Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

Alan’s failing health had galvanized him. Cora was better off with the Kensingtons now, a new era upon her. She’d take the tour, find healing in the distraction, then finish her education. Under his tutelage, she’d come into her own. Into her destiny as a Kensington.
    And if his surveyors had been right in their analysis of this region, he’d gain more than just his daughter…
    He stole a glance in her direction, saw that a couple of ranch hands on the far side of the platform did the same. She was beautiful, with hair the color of ripened wheat, fair and shining in the sun, and glacial blue eyes so eerily like his own. He’d always imagined her having Alma’s dark hair and eyes. But instead, they were his exact shade of blue. Felix had inherited them too. If any of his other children doubted Cora’s paternity, that alone would put the matter to rest.
    Wallace would see that she discarded her drab brown dress and bought some proper gowns and traveling suits in Butte. If he brought her to the lodge in what she wore now, everyone would immediately look down on her. Not that they wouldn’t anyway. Winning the family over would be like pulling copper from the big hill without a shovel. But just as he’d brought the state its first proper smelter, he’d find a way to help Cora find her place with the family.
    She was kin. His child. What was he to do? Sit back, allow her to struggle, when his other three had every single thing they ever dreamed of? He swore under his breath, laughing at the memory of her spirited responses the day before. Maybe she’d even teach her half siblings a thing or two.
    He checked his watch again and cleared his throat. Alma glanced his way, reached up to touch Cora’s cheek, and gave her a brave smile. Cora embraced her mother once more and then bustled past him, never meeting his eye as she boarded the train. Alma stepped toward him. “Watch over her, Wallace, won’t you?”
    He nodded gravely. “I will. What she has ahead of her will be the most difficult and wondrous experience of her entire life.”
    Alma’s brown eyes studied his. Her mouth was drawn. Alan and Alma’s train began to move; Wallace heard the whistle blow for his, the conductor crying, “All ’board!” But he stayed with Alma. “She’ll be safe, Wallace?” she asked, starting to walk alongside the slowly chugging train.
    â€œShe will be well protected. Trust me.” He took her hand and helped her step onto the stairwell platform. She stood there for a moment, gazing at him, and then over at his train car, their daughter framed in the window. Then Alma turned and climbed the steps in a way that took him back twenty years to when she climbed into the coach that took her away, when her belly was just beginning to swell with child. When I knew I loved her, but had to give her to another man. For the sake of his marriage. His other children. For Cora’s sake too.
    Hat in hand, he watched until their train grew small in the distance.

    The conductor let out a low blow of the whistle as their train began to move in the direction of Butte. Wallace took hold of the handle and climbed up and in. Cora had found their seats, right by the window in the first-class car.
    Wallace sat down across from her, his hands folded over the end of his cane, between his knees. The cane was more for show than need, but Wallace thought it lent a rather distinguished air. Cora’s eyes followed her mother’s train, the caboose now sliding out of view.
    He’d done it. Collected my lost girl. He shook off the guilt that tried to settle over his shoulders, seeing the pain in her eyes, around her mouth. She’d be reunited with Alan and Alma soon enough. It was time she learned about and embraced her Kensington side and all that meant for her.
    They didn’t speak. He figured it’d be best if she addressed him first. He’d said