Chapter Nine
The next morning, EJ put on her plain calico dress, arranged a bonnet over her wayward curls, and prepared to make her last appearance in Fitchburg, Kentucky, as Elizabeth. She and Mary rode with Aunt Belle to the train station.
Aunt Belle said, “EJ, you know you could still change your mind. After all, hair can grow back, no one would really be the wiser. Jeremy will be fine without you.”
EJ pondered this with a gnawing feeling. Belle was right. “I already signed. You yourself told me that life was meant to be lived.”
“This is not without danger. You’re sure?”
“Absolutely,” EJ said. This idea was riskier than anything she’d ever done, but she was good at keeping secrets. So was Jeremy. Well, not really. She smiled to herself.
The buggy stopped with a back lurch as the h
