Savior, Like a Shepherd
Titus Hine has always taken care of others. First in protecting his brother and sister from the men his mother entertained. Even more so after her death, when the townspeople refused to help the orphans of a town prostitute. He’s been protector and provider, despite the hardships. He’s learned that no one will help, no one cares and if he wants to survive he’ll have to rely on his own strength not just for himself but his family as well.
Then a stranger shows him the kindness and help no one else seems willing to. Between her kindness and the lecture she gives the Christian Leaders, Titus’s life takes an unexpected turn for the better. With help and provision from the local believers things should be easier, his burdens are lifted. So why does it feel like life is spinning out of control?
Can Titus learn that while man may fail him there is One who will never fail? Can he learn to allow God to be the Shepherd of his life and lead him? Or will life continue to push him every which way?
In This Series...
Chapter 1
August 1880
The ground shook and a rumble sounded through the air as the train squealed to a stop. Maybe, just maybe, I could carry someone’s bags without the porter taking notice. And then there was the even bigger maybe: Maybe I could get enough money to at least buy a crust of bread for Trevor and Tabitha to share.
I hid behind the boxes in the freight yard and kept one eye on the porter, and the other on the second-class passenger car. The porter had his attention on the first-class car, so I slipped into the gathering crowd.
A pretty young woman stepped out of the second-class car, took a few quick steps out of the way, and then checked her pocket watch. I thought that rather odd. Why would she be more concerned about the time than if someone was there to meet her? And where was her escort? Surely she hadn’t traveled alone.
The time on the watch must have concerned her, because she hurried down to the baggage car and spoke with the porter. I edged closer and got there in time to hear her frustration.
“I don’t mean to be insistent, but I need to get on the next stagecoach and it leaves in less than an hour.”
“All right, I’ll find it. But you’d better find someone to carry the trunk for you.”
“Thank you, sir. You are a true gentleman.”
As she looked around and the porter turned back to the baggage car, I tugged on her sleeve lightly. “Did I hear that you need some help, ma’am?”
The lady smiled. “Yes, I do. Do you think you could carry my trunk to the stage office and show me the way there?”
I grinned. “Sure!” My face fell almost as quickly. “Well, it depends on how heavy the trunk is.”
She put a hand on my arm. “How about you try it once they find the trunk and if you can’t, you can help me find someone else.”
My grin returned. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“You can call me Miss Brown,” she said.
“Yes, Miss Brown.”
The porter came over with a trunk. “Here you are, Miss.” He saw me before I could duck out of sight. “Didn’t I tell you to stay away? We don’t need your kind around here. Now git!”
I started to skulk away when Miss Brown inserted herself between us. “I’ve hired this young man to carry my trunk for me. I’d appreciate it if you would leave him alone. If you don’t, I’ll take back my words from earlier about you being a gentleman.”
I peeked around Miss Brown in time to see the porter’s eyes look heavenward. “Whatever you say. I wouldn’t want a boy like him carrying my trunk.”
“Why not? He may not have the cleanest of clothing, but you likely know nothing about why his clothes aren’t clean. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to catch the stage.”
While Miss Brown defended me for no reason, I went over and picked up the trunk. It was heavy, but I could manage it.
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