Hester's Hope

for the children and for Hester as well. She was going to see a side to the city that she had never explored before. Keeping track of the children would make for a challenging day, but she believed she was up for it.
“Going out?” Cecil Payton stepped into the hall as Hester and Jonas returned.
“We’re going to the zoo, Uncle,” Beverly shook her head at him. “We won our trip and now it’s time.”
“You should come too!” Jonas added enthusiastically. “We could see the monkeys.” The boy broke into loud hooting noises, hopping around the hall like a chimpanzee.
“He won’t come,” Bev shot back at her younger brother. “That’s what nannies and governesses are for. It’s their responsibility to show us things. Other grownups are far too busy with more important things.”
Cecil looked between Hester and his niece, surprised by her words. As a child of a small business owner he had often had excursions with his family.
“Didn’t your parents ever take you to the country, or to the festivities in town?” he asked.
“We went to the park sometimes with mother, but Nanny always went too. Father was working.”
Again Cecil cut his eyes toward Hester. “I don’t have anything pressing,” he half lied. He knew he was supposed to meet with Cousin Abel after lunch. “I’ll come with you.” Quickly grabbing his hat, he placed it on his head and offered Hester his arm with a grin. He felt like a school boy playing truant and it felt good.
The brisk walk to the zoo was invigorating and soon, the small group was dashing from place to place trying to see everything.
“I never knew so many creatures were here,” Hester commented pointing out two perfectly white peacocks. “They are amazing.”
“I have a book back in my room with all of the animals in it. They continue to discover new species all the time.” Beverly interjected. “Some people have even dug up old bones from dinosaurs and other funny creatures.”
“I didn’t know you were interested in animals,” Cecil said realizing how little attention he had paid to his wards.
“I love animals,” Beverly agreed. “I wanted a kitten, but they made mother sneeze, so I wasn’t allowed.”
The rest of the day was spent moving from enclosure to cage, viewing animals that were wonders, but made Cecil sad. He felt just like the majestic tiger pacing in a large cage, restless, and unsatisfied. Still he was glad he had come out today. He knew his cousin was more than capable of managing without him, so what harm could a day off bring?
“When I was out west I saw all sorts of interesting critters.” Cecil grinned. “You’d love to see the buffalo, or the antelope, or maybe even the pesky prairie dog. There are animals all over out there on the plains.”
Hester watched Mr. Payton, seeing the longing in his eyes. She could tell that if he had his way, he would be on the first train west and back into the wild. As her employer and the children viewed the animals, chatting excitedly about each display, her mind turned over another thought. What if Cecil Payton took the children far away to a new place? Somewhere open and free, where they could learn to work for themselves without the constraints of a stodgy society that hemmed them in.
“Perhaps one day your uncle could take you out west to stay for awhile,” Hester said as they stopped for lunch. “I’m sure he would like to see it again.”
“You have no idea,” Cecil agreed as their meals were delivered. “I’m far more comfortable chasing cows on a good horse than I am in a boardroom trying to figure out who’s on my side and who is not. Abel, now that man has a head for business, but I’m hopeless.”
Hester smiled kindly at the man. “Why did your brother not leave the business to him then?”
“I’m Carver’s only living sibling,” Cecil admitted. “I got everything.”
“And I suppose in time Jonas will inherit as well.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“I don’t want to work in an office,” the boy grumbled. “I want to chase cows, and ride horses and fight off scary Indians.”
Hester laughed knowing that those days were long gone. Perhaps we’ll be able to convince your uncle to take a little holiday and you can go explore the west. There are so many wonders to be seen. I’ve even read of whole valleys that bubble and steam like cooking pots on a fire.”
“Can we?” Jonas enthused. “It would be an adventure.”
***
Cecil spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about Hester’s idea of heading west. He had loved his time living and working in the wide-open spaces, heart stopping mountains, and out of the way wonders.  As a young man he had signed on to herd cattle, learning as he worked. Later, he broke saddle stock and captured mustangs. He even spent a stint cutting timber in the mountains. Over all, the time out west had grown him from a boy into a man.
Would it be possible to take the children and go west? Where would they stay? What would happen to the business? So many thoughts and questions trundled through his head that he hardly touched his dinner that evening.
“Cecil is something wrong,” Abel, who had stayed throughout the day to show him the updated deals and ledgers asked? “You seem preoccupied.”
“I’m sorry,” Cecil lifted his fork not sure what he was supposed to be eating. “I went with the children to the zoo,” he shot a quick glance at Beverly and Jonas who were busy discussing the day with Hester. “We got to talking about a trip out west.”
“West?” There was no censure in Abel’s voice. “Isn’t that where you were when Carver’s solicitors found you?”
“Yes, I was actually in Wyoming at the time working for a man named Brody. It was a lovely area. It was a funny little town with a strange name. Mr. Brody told me that Once Upon A Time a man headed