Ambush at Kansas City - Michelle Tanner Going West - Part One

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  July 1864 was hot in Washington D.C. The war raged on with no end in sight. Washington sweltered in the heat. Even with the war raging on, people went on with their lives. The trip west on a train should be safe from the war. The union occupied the lands surrounding the tracks; there were also soldiers on every train, acting as guards.

  The horrid screeching of train wheels jerking forward filled the air. Spinning on the iron rails, the wheels ultimately got traction as the train lurched forward in earnest. Thick billows of steam and smoke belched from the stack on the front of the engine. Jerking forward and back, the tall woman moved as the train dictated. Holding her hand up, Michelle waved to her father. John Tanner fought the urge to cry and only waved back to his daughter.

  He watched the train until it at last faded from his view. John Tanner shook his head and moved away from the tracks. Making his way past the station, he walked home, lost in thought, hopeful his little girl would be safe. His wife had died in childbirth ten years before; the child likewise did not survive. The misfortune left John and Michelle, his little Shelly, to move on in life. Now he was alone, and he hoped for the best for his little girl. “Little girl” was not an accurate description of Michelle.

  Realizing his daughter had left him behind made him sad. Even so, John Tanner knew his daughter needed to do this. There comes the point in all people’s lives when they feel the need to prove themselves. This was her time. Hoping she would find happiness, John Tanner prayed for his “little” girl.