10 SHAWNEY INTEREST WAS PIQUED

Shawney tried desperately to understand his predicament, but what was bothering her was, 'What does his problem have to do with her.'

Being the caring person she was she asks out of concern, "Sir, from what you are saying, I can see and understand your predicament but I am very sorry. You don't know me, and I don't know you or your son. So why are you telling me all of these things?"

Knowing it was now or never, Train continues to explain, "You see my child you could solve my problem, when I saw you my heart was overjoyed, at first my intention was to offer you a proposal."

Shawney interest was piqued, "A proposal, I don't quite understand what you are saying, Sir." 

Train saw her confusion and wanted to share what was in his heart, "You see my child, I have been on the road for almost six months looking for the right person for my Son. From what I have observed you don't seem happy here, and are ready to travel. My Proposal was for you to return with me to my home and see my son first." 

Confused by what she was hearing, Shawney just stared at him in amazement, When he continued speaking, "I wanted to get someone to marry him, but I know now you will not agree to that proposal. I beg you if you marry my Torren, you gain to inherit all that I have."

Shawney laughs, recalling all the other suitors only wanted what she had. And here this gentleman is offering to give her all he had. Piquing her interest even more she asks, "And can you explain to me what you have that I am lacking?"

Train observed how she waved her hand so proudly indicating her property.

Becoming dumbstruck for a second, he responds, "Well, it's not as enormous as yours, now that I learned that you attain this vast inheritance. But I know you are planning to leave very soon. So I beg you please come with me, I promise, you will not regret it."

Shawney was curious to know what he was willing to give up for his son's happiness, "And where do you live, Sir?"

Hearing her question Train felt a bit relieved, "Child, I live in San Francisco" 

With a nod, Shawney said, "I see, I have never visited San Francisco before, and how long did you say you were on the road?"

Realizing he had piqued her interest, he repeated what he had said before."I left home about six months ago." 

Out of curiosity, she asks, "Okay, if I were to return with you, what challenges await me?"

With that thought in mind, Train didn't hesitate. "I have Jeff who is the eldest among the three. Carl is the second and Candis is the last from my second marriage.

Torren worships them growing up as a young man. You see child, Torren is the one that took care of them."

Shawney observes how he wiped the tears once again saying. "Sometimes when I hear them ill speaking him by themselves. I could hear the hatred in their tone of voices." 

Seeing his tears weaken Shawney, but getting involved is not a wise decision. "So tell me, Mr Mac Carty, say out of curiosity I did what you ask? What sort of humiliation will I have to undergo if we were to get married?"

Telling her the truth Train said, "Child, I know Dalia had a difficult time with them."

"But didn't your son give her moral support, Sir?" Shawney asks out of concern.

Train knew from the moment he saw this child she was not stupid, "My Son Torren is a different child."

"What I want to know Sir is, did he or did he not support his wife?" Shawney wanted to know and understand his predicament more clearly. 

"Shawney, My child, Torren never failed when it comes to giving her his moral support. There was always controversy with the others. Especially when they provided evidence to support their accusation.

What could he have done, sometimes it was hard having to make decisions to ensure peace. And it was never an easy task on his path having to choose, knowing everyone is not pleased. Most of the time Torren used to become very angry when he had to sway on their side." 

Holding her hand once more in his before he said. "Many times he begs Dalia not to backchat them. My child, she and she alone understand what it was like having to face the elder boy, the girl, and Torren's anger. I understand what she had to endure, but she was so set on her way that she left him no choice at times."

"Hearing your dilemma Sir is heartbreaking and very saddening, between you and I, I really wish I could assist you. But I hope you will understand, I can't see myself in the midst of a situation like that. I can tolerate it if my family hurts me because I control my temper. But when others do things to hurt me in any way, I have to stand up and defend myself."

"You are right my child, I wouldn't want my own daughter to endure something that will break her spirit. Much less someone else child to undergo all that unnecessary humiliation and problem." 

Sympitizing with him Shawney comforted him as much as she could, "Mister, I know you didn't want to hear that for an answer, as you know I travel around, never staying in one place for long. Look, I promise you if at any time I visit San Francisco and your invitation is an open one. I will stop by and visit you as a friend."

Feeling this joy in his heart Train said, "Oh yes! child, you will be welcome anytime at my home. But do you have plans of visiting San Francisco any time soon?"

Without any hesitation, she replies, "No, but I could change my mind anytime. I am a free agent, where I am led, there I go."

Confused by her words Train asks, "What do you mean, child?"