Orphan Train Riders Charles' Christmas Gift

By Amanda Zieba

When six year old Charles is orphaned he is sent from New York City to Colorado on the orphan train with nothing but a letter from his mother which tells him to be brave and find a new family to love. Will he find the gift of love before Christmas? This is one book in the Orphan Train Riders Series. Other books in the series are: Joanna's Journey and Irish Strong William.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Zieba
• Release date: Apr 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497538627

Book preview

Orphan Train Riders

Charles’ Christmas Gift

Amanda Zieba

Published by Amanda Zieba at Smashwords

Copyright 2013

Discover other titles by Amanda Zieba on Smashwords or other online/print retaliers

Orphan Train Riders Joanna’s Journey

Orphan Train Riders Charles’ Christmas Gift

Breaking the Surface

DEDICATION

Dedicated to my three boys: Matthew, Kameron and Riley, my best gifts in life. Thank you for all the minutes you allow me to steal for writing.

Chapter 1

Charles woke up in a cold dark room. It took him a full minute to remember where he was. He couldn’t recognize the place where he lay. Even though a tiny stub of a candle was glowing in the corner, it was too dark to see anything and the room smelled unfamiliar to him. The blanket that covered him was scratchy, but he pulled it closer in an attempt to get warm. It was then that he realized he was holding something else.

Clutched in his cold fingers was a small cloth- wrapped package. In the dark room he was unable to see its contents, so he rolled over, hazily wondering where mother was, and fell back asleep.

The next time he woke, sharp rays of winter sun were shining through his window. The city was ready for another noisy day. Huddled in blankets, Charles tried to remember how he had gotten here. Then he remembered the package in his hands. He sat up and carefully unwrapped the fabric and twine to reveal a letter, a newspaper clipping and a few coins.

Confused, He climbed out of bed, put on his coat and walked out the door. He saw a dimly lit hallway, no more familiar than the room where he had just slept. Charles wandered a few minutes before finding an office and the matron in charge. She at least, with a friendly smile and red apron, looked somewhat familiar. When she saw him, her smiled faded and she looked at him with sad eyes. He suddenly had a sick feeling in his stomach.

Unable to make a single sound, he handed over the letter. The matron showed him into a small sitting room and lowered him onto a comfy couch. After a deep sigh, she began to read him the letter.

My dearest Charles,

No one on this Earth has brought me more joy than you. I am sorry I cannot give you the life I dreamed for you, but do not doubt that you are greatly loved.

You know that I have been sick and I think that my end is near. I am going to the hospital because I cannot bear to have