Synopsis

The thrilling newest installment in award winning Jubilee Walker series

In 1872, six hundred miles between Bismarck and Bozeman remain to be surveyed for the Northern Pacific Railroad. But Sitting Bull is gathering strength to resist this incursion into the tribes’ hunting grounds.

Citizens and politicians question the need for the rail line and doubt that it can ever be guaranteed safe from Indian raids. But financier Jay Cooke is willing to risk his financial empire to build it.

When Cooke summons Jubilee Walker to his mansion and presents a proposition for completing the survey, Jubil finds it impossible to resist. But the stakes are high, both financially and personally. How much will Jubil risk to turn his adventure travel tours into a major business? Can he do it without losing the respect of the people he loves? And will he even survive the attempt to complete the survey?

Based on actual events of the 1872 and 1873 railroad surveys and the ensuing financial turmoil as investors lose faith in Cooke’s vision, The Northern Pacific Railroad is perfect for fans of 1883 and Yellowstone.

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Excerpt

Jubilee Walker woke in the dark of early morning in his hotel room in Poughkeepsie, New York. He lay still for a moment, until he was certain the room was real. He had half-expected to wake on his bedroll in the wilderness after an extravagant dream that Nelly Boswell had proposed marriage to him. After all, he had awakened from many fine dreams of Nelly while he was away on his expeditions.

“It was real!” he murmured as he rose from bed, grinning ear to ear.

Two years before, he and Nelly had been engaged, but when she discovered he was seriously considering the prospect of joining an expedition to the Yellowstone River that would interfere with their honeymoon trip, she called off their wedding. After some soul-searching, she had subsequently moved to Poughkeepsie to finish her education at Vassar College. She had said she still loved him, but Jubil had despaired that they would only grow further apart. He would be irresistibly drawn to another wilderness adventure, and Nelly would follow her newly discovered journalistic ambitions to cities where Jubil was not likely to want to live.

But on this visit, she had surprised him again. Nelly had proposed not only that they marry but that they live separately when their work required it. She would maintain an apartment in whichever city she was working, and Jubil would live there with her when his schedule allowed. They would be together in spirit all the time, and physically together whenever possible.

This morning they would travel to Bloomington, Illinois, their hometown, to tell Nelly’s parents the news. Nelly wanted to plan the wedding in accordance with her mother’s wishes, especially since she had disappointed her so much by cancelling the previous plan. Jubil was hopeful the visit would go well, but he had some concerns. Nelly’s father had a long history of disagreeing with her plans, and he was not reserved about stating his position. Nelly claimed she had steeled herself to face him, and that her last birthday, her twenty-first, had emancipated her from his control. Jubil hoped her resolve held.

The sun was just rising on the cold and clear February day as Jubil knocked at Nelly’s door. She was staying in the home of Maria Mitchell, who had become her mentor. Miss Mitchell was a professor of Astronomy at Vassar College and a renowned scientist. She was also a sister to Lily Warner, the wife of Jubil’s business partner Abe Warner.

“Good morning, Ruthie,” Jubil said to the housekeeper as he stepped into the foyer. Nelly was just coming down the stairs. She looked stylish in her skirted traveling suit, her long black hair hanging loosely. She smiled brightly, her crystal blue eyes sparkling with excitement. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

“I’ll take your bag,” he said. As he took the handle, she gave him a quick kiss, which was bold in front of the housekeeper, but Ruthie was a close friend.

Nelly hugged Ruthie. “I’ll be back in a week. Please thank Miss Mitchell again for helping me arrange this absence from my classes.”

Ruthie nodded and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

“We’re so happy for you both,” she said.

At the Poughkeepsie station, they boarded the train and found their seats. Jubil had purchased first class seating for the short trip to Philadelphia, where they would change trains for Chicago.

“This is so exciting,” Nelly whispered, as she snuggled nearer to him on the comfortably padded bench seat.

“It is, isn’t it?” he said smiling at her. “We’ve each made this trip how many times? But never together. And under such special circumstances.”

“Yes—special,” she said, and gave him a quick kiss. Her bold display of affection made him grin.

Once the train was underway, they went to the dining car. They had breakfast, and he watched her nibble her toast and sip her coffee, registering every second so he could recall the moment with precision for the rest of his life. After breakfast he proudly escorted her out of the busy dining car, and they returned to their seats.

“You are so beautiful,” he said, leaning close to her, “and I am so proud of the person you are. I have an urge to point that out to everyone we encounter—and boast of our upcoming marriage.”

She laughed and waved him off. “That’s very sweet. But please don’t.”

“No? All right,” he said with a shrug and grin. “What type of wedding are you hoping for?”

“Nothing large, or fancy,” she said. “I want to hear my parents’ preferences before we decide. Do you have any preferences?”

“Honestly,” he said, shaking his head, “I don’t. Whatever makes you happy, will make me happy.” She put her head on his shoulder and reached for his hand.

“I do have one thing to ask,” she said, sitting up straight again and turning to face him. “I’d like to be the one to tell my parents that the wedding is on again.”

About the Author

Tim Piper is retired from a long career in Information Technology and has been a lifelong hobbyist musician. In his earlier days, he was an avid hiker and backcountry camper, but his adventures these days are less strenuous and more comfortable. He lives in Bloomington, Illinois, with his cat, Maggie, who is no help with his writing but is a stellar companion. He began his education at Illinois State University as an English major, but life circumstances put him on a more pragmatic path, and he graduated with a BS in Business Admin, a degree he finds appropriately named.

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