Being Little Sister ~ part 3

I hope you enjoy part-3 of Being Little Sister. I've titled it...

                             

****************

 The following day they stopped in the small town of Coaldale, Nevada, about 30 miles from the California border. 

 "Peter and I are going to get some supplies," Mitch said to Andi when they stopped at a hitching rail and watering trough. "Why don't you head over to the telegraph office and send a wire to Chad?" 

 "Sure." Andi replied and left on her errand. She was happy to be out in the fresh late summer day. But she was rather saddened at the same time, knowing this was the last leg of the journey. 

 After entering the tiny telegraph office, she wrote a quick note to Chad. Simply telling him they had gotten a good price on the cattle and were on their way home. She scrawled her name at the bottom and handed it, and some money, to the man behind the counter. 

 The operator studied the paper. "Carter...seems I've seen that somewhere lately." He looked up at Andi and asked. "Have you got a minute?" 

 Andi shrugged. "Sure."

 He crossed the area behind the counter and began searching through some cluttered papers across the top of a long table. He snatched up an envelope out from under a stack of mail. "Mitchell Carter." He returned to the counter. "Any relation to you, Miss?"

 Andi nodded. "Yes, sir. That's my brother." 

 "Well then, here you go." He smiled and handed her the envelope. "It came in yesterday." Andi stepped away from the counter, unfolded the paper, and read:

                 Chad threw from horse stop hurt bad stop hurry home stop Justin 

 Her hands began to tremble. Andi mumbled her thanks to the man and hurried outside. She glanced around and, spotting Mitch and Peter coming up the street toward her, rushed over to them. 

 "Mitch! We have to go home!"

 Mitch laughed. "We are going home." His expression quickly changed when he saw the look on his sister's face. "Andi, what's wrong?"

 "The telegraph operator gave me this. It's from Justin." She handed him the telegram and watched his face darken as he read it. 

 "What's wrong?" Peter asked. Mitch handed him the paper. "We'll head home right now."

*******************

 "We could go through Breakwater Canyon. It is the quickest way to get home." Peter suggested. It was the next morning and the three were eating breakfast around a campfire. The previous night they had rode towards home until they came to a split in the road. Right through Breakwater Canyon or left towards Carson City. 

 Mitch nodded, hesitantly. "I thought of that." 

 Andi and Peter exchanged a look. She had been thinking the same thing. "Mitch, I know what Mr. Gunthrie said. But if Chad's hurt as bad as Justin's telegram said shouldn't we take the chance?" Andi was plenty worried about Chad and the lack of conversation since they left Coaldale told her Mitch was as well. 

 Mitch stared into the dying embers. Just when Andi had decided he wasn't going to answer her he did. 

 "Alright. We'll go through Breakwater Canyon on one condition." 

 "What's that?" 

 "We'll have to disguise you as a boy." 

 "What?!" Andi exclaimed. 

 Peter appeared as confused as Andi felt. 

 Mitch looked back and forth from his sister to his friend. "Don't you understand?" Mitch turned to Peter. "If we get arrested and tell them Andi is my brother they'll put her behind bars too, and-" 

 "What good will that do?" Peter asked, fairly certain Mitch had lost his mind. 

 "I'm not finished. If Andi's with us then at least I'd know where she is. If not there's no telling what they'll have done with her by the time we get out of jail for whatever cooked up charge they try to pin us with."

 "I still don't understand." Peter muttered. 

 "You sound pretty sure that they're going to try and nab us." Andi put in. 

 Mitch shook his head and turned back to Andi. "I'm not sure, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. What do you say, little sister?"

 Andi shrugged. "I don't really see the point. But if that's what you think we should do, I don't mind. I'm just worried about Chad."

 Mitch nodded. "That's why we need to hurry. If we get a move on we can pass through Breakwater sometime tonight. I'd rather not stop there for the night, so if it's alright with you two we'll go on through Breakwater and camp somewhere past it." Andi and Peter both agreed.

 Mitch looked Andi over, head to toe. "Let's see your overalls and shirt will work fine." He studied her braids and frowned. "Do you think you could somehow get your hair to stay hid under that hat?" 

 Andi shrugged. "I can try." 

 While Andi attempted to make her long dark hair stay hidden under her felt hat, Peter broke camp. After several tries she managed to keep it mostly hidden and somewhat resembling a boy's. 

 "How's that?" 

 "That's pretty good." Mitch grinned. "Peter, what do ya think?" 

 Peter nodded. "I think she'll pass as a boy, as long as we give no one a reason to question her." 

 Mitch's forehead wrinkled. "What do you mean?"

 "Think about it, Mitch. She doesn't exactly sound like a boy." Peter pointed out. 

 Mitch groaned. "Oh, no. I didn't think about that." He shifted his gaze back to Andi. "Let's see what you can do."

 Andi cleared her throat and tried to make her voice sound rough and boyish. "Howdy, there."

 Despite their situation, Mitch and Peter laughed. Andi joined in. She did not sound like a boy. 

 Mitch shook his head, still chuckling. "That's not going to work." 

 "You could say I have a cold, and can't talk." Andi suggested. She really wanted to get home to Chad as quickly as possible. 

 "Hey, You might have something, sis." Mitch's face lit up. "We'll say you can't talk!" 

 "That's what I just said. Pretend I have a cold and-" 

 Mitch shook his head. "Not a cold. We'll tell anyone that asked that you're mute."

 "Mute?" Andi exclaimed. Peter just chuckled and left to saddle the horses. 

 "Yes, Andi. Mute. Let's see...we could say your name is Andrew, that way if Peter or myself slip and call you 'Andi' no one will be the wiser." 

 Andi was still confused. "Andrew?" 

 "Sure. My mute brother, Andrew. Do you mind?" 

 "No...Uh...I guess not. I just don't see what good it'll do." 

 "Hopefully none, but then again it may do a lot of good. Let's hit the road." 

 Glancing around the wooded campsite to be certain they weren't leaving anything behind, Andi spotted the box of matches Mitch had used to light the fire the night before. She snatched them up, stuck it in her overall pocket, and didn't give them a second thought. 

 Although Andi didn't know it then, those matches would be of great use later on...

******************

What will happen next? What will Andi do with those matches? 

Author's Note: Tonopah NV, where the cattle were bought, is a real Nevada town. Coaldale also was at one point in time, but Breakwater Canyon is entirely fictitious. 

Here's a picture of this story's bad guy. Hehe. ;P 'm not going to tell his name, but you will get to meet him next week. A certain one of you already knows him...and the end result of the story. You know who you are and you're sworn to secrecy! LOL:)

What I saw ~ #2

When I did the first "Imagine This" post Emily asked what I 'saw' in the picture. And I posted a scene of what I saw. Well that has given me a brilliant idea! What if each time I do an "Imagine This" post, the next day I do a "What I Saw" post? Would anyone be interested? 

Here's a scene inspired by the picture from "Imagine This" #2! 

Seated in the chair next to her husband, Rachel's eyes took in the damage done by Barnard's men. Whenever she looked over at Will she saw him lying next to that stream.... She would never be able to forget that, but he did look better now. 

 A row of twelve neat stitches ran across the side of his head. His leg and shoulder had been broken so badly they'd required operations and were now casted. After his right arm had been cleaned and the bleeding staunched, it was heavily bandaged and now rested atop of a pillow at his side. 

 It was late and Rachel was exhausted but she doubted she'd be able to sleep. She reached for her Bible and placed it in her lap. She opened it to a random place and her gaze fell to Psalms 18:48. 

 "He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man." She repeated it and then whispered the last line. "Thou hast delivered me from the violent man..." The tears fell and splash onto the page of the Holy Book. 

 Carefully, so as not to jar the IV inserted in Will's hand, Rachel clasped his hand in hers. 

Leaning over and gently kissing his cheek, she whispered. "I love you, Will. Good night." 

 Rachel leaned forward, resting her elbows on the bed with Will's hand between both of hers, and bowed her head. For a few moments the only sound in the room was the rattle of the ventilator. Then suddenly, the words seemed to pour out of her along with the tears. 

 "Dear God, I know you know what we're going through. You promised you will never leave us nor forsake us. And I know you're with us right now, in this hospital room. 

 "Lord, I pray, that you'll heal him...You're the Great Physician and I don't doubt for a second that you can. 

 "Give us both comfort, and give me strength. Please, be with Grace and Caleb. I know they're hurting. They're so young and they don't understand. I don't understand. And-" 

 Rachel stopped short. He squeezed my hand. Will just squeezed my hand! 

 She looked up and found his eyes opening. Thank you, God! 

I just realized there was no titles on the "Imagine This" #2 entries and I read them, judged them, and posted them without noticing it! *smacks forehead* Oh, well. :)

'Imagine This' #2 Winners!!

Hello everyone! I received two entries this time around and both were fantastic! Great job girls! 

1st place goes to Rebekah Eddy. Congratulations, Rebekah! I loved your piece! 

“That’s it!” Gabe stood up suddenly, and stomped towards the door. “You and Dad have bossed me for the last time! I’m leaving now, and don’t expect me back!” 
Darlene Slone held her hands out toward her oldest son in mute appeal. “Please don’t do this, Gabe,” she said. “Your father and I are only trying to help you keep to God’s path. You need our guidance!”
Gabe shook his head violently before shoving the brown locks that fell over his eyes back into semi-order. “I can take care of myself. I can make my own decisions, thank you very much.”
“No, please!” His mother begged. But it was too late. The door was yanked open and then slammed shut behind Gabe. A minute later they heard his car rev into life and speed out of their driveway.
Tears brimmed into his mother’s eyes and she turned to her silent husband for support. His eyes were already closed, but though his mouth moved, no words came out. Darlene copied her husband, realizing that prayer was the only thing that could save their son now. He was in God’s hands.
*****
The dinner table was strangely quiet that night. With Gabe gone there was no one to crack jokes and tell funny stories about people from his work. Danielle Slone, Gabe’s younger sister, swallowed her food with difficulty. For some reason she felt as if there was a lump in her throat the size of a tennis ball. It turned her food into tasteless rubber and made it almost impossible to eat anything. 
Finally Mr. Slone cleared his throat. “Dani,” her father said, “please bring me my Bible.”
Obediently, Danielle did so. He opened it to where they had read last night and started to read.
Suddenly the phone rang. Mrs. Slone jumped up, fear gripping at her heart. “I’ll get it,” she said. Quickly she answered it. “Hello? Oh… yes, I’m Mrs. Slone. WHAT??” the blood drained from her face and she sank down onto her chair. “But he’s alive? Oh… thank you… yes, we’ll come right away of course… yes… thank you so much…” She put the shone back slowly, shock written all over her features. 
“What happened?” Danielle asked feverishly, her own face paling in fear.
“It’s Gabe,” Mrs. Slone whispered. “He’s been in a car accident and is in an ambulance on his way to the hospital.”
*****
Danielle sat dry-eyed in a chair next to the still form of her brother. Hundreds of tubes linked him to life the giving oxygen mask while the monitor beeped steadily as she watched him. Come on, she begged mutely, fight it Gabe! You can conquer this! Wake up, please?
Her parents were around the small table, their hands folded and their eyes closed. Both of them asking God to give them their son, to spare his life, and ultimately to give him another chance to change. 
Sitting next to her brother as his chest went up and down steadily, Danielle whispered a prayer of her own. “God, I love my brother. Don’t take him from me. Have him wake up, don’t let him die. Please, God, don’t take him from us.” Finally the tears came and she buried her face in her hands as she wept. Broken before God, she asked once more for Him to spare her brother. 
The monitor hiccupped and Danielle lifted her head. Before her widened eyes, now reddened with tears, she saw her brother open his eyes. “Gabe,” she whispered, “You’re awake! You’re alive!” Her heart leapt with joy. “MOM, DAD!” she screamed, “Gabe’s awake! His eyes are open!”
Her parents rushed over. Mrs. Slone sank to her knees beside the hospital bed and lifted her tears streamed face to heaven. But this time, her tears weren’t from grief. “Thank you Father!” She whispered. 
Mr. Slone grabbed his son’s hand and squeezed it gently. A tear dripped off the end of his nose, but he no longer cared. His son was alive!
*****
A day later the hospital pronounced Gabe completely healed. 
“I really can’t understand how his body did it!” The doctor had exclaimed while shaking his head in unbelief. 
“With God all things are possible,” Mr. Slone answered simply. “It was a miracle.”
Late that night after Danielle had gone to bed, Gabe walked into the family living room. His parents were reading their Bibles together. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. His dad looked up and welcomed him with a smile. “Come join us, Gabe,” he offered.
Gabe shook his head. “Dad, Mom, I want to apologize for the way I acted to you earlier this week.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve been praying a lot and reading my Bible, and, well, I got right with God today. I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m sorry for the way I’ve been behaving. From now on, some things are going to change in my life.”
“Gabe, our prayers have been answered doubly now.” Mr. Slone stood up and hugged his son. “We hoped that this would happen.”
“Sometimes it takes a miracle,” Mrs. Slone added.

2nd place goes to Jesseca Dawn. Your piece was wonderful, Jesseca! I'd love to know what happens next! And I'm kind of partial to war-related stories, so yeah... :) 

Rachel dried her hands on her apron and hurried out to the mail Maybe today something will come from Richard! She thought excitedly.

Taking the mail out, she almost squealed in surprise. There lay a letter from Richard. She glanced at the date and realized it had been sent almost a month ago.

She broke the seal and took out the folded slip of paper.

Dear Rachel,

I hope this letter find you well. I’m writing this as I huddle under a blanket trying to stay dry; it has been raining nonstop for the last couple days. I’ve made some friends with the guys in my regiment. One of them is a guy named Lester. I think you’d like him. The weirdest thing is that he’s from a town only about an hour from where we live. It makes me wonder if we’d ever seen each other before. He has a great sense of humor and keeps our minds off the horrors we’re facing here. I can’t remember the last time I felt clean. All day we’re trudging through the mud and hoping we don’t get noticed by enemy soldiers.  The air is damp and thick making it hard to breath, but the mosquitoes are the worst. I’m not sure how soon I will be able to mail this, but at least writing it gives me something to do. I pray you are doing well. I miss you and dad and mom. Give them my love. Remember, don’t worry about me. I know you won’t listen, but at least I can say I tried. I love you, Rachel.

Your brother, Richard.

Rachel placed the paper back in the envelope. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her twin. As she turned back to the house, a voice called out.

“Hey, Rachel. Telegram for you.” Sam, the telegram messenger held out a small envelope.

“Who’s it from?”

“It looks like it’s from your brother.”

Rachel’s heart began to beat faster. Richard? Why is he sending me a telegram? A feeling of dread filled her as the truth began to dawn on her. He must be wounded!

Her hands started shaking and she handed the envelope back to Sam, “You open it. Please.”

Sam glanced at her uncertainly, then took the telegram and opened it, reading the three, short sentences.

Lester wounded stop Being flown to General hospital stop Please see him stop

Rachel let out the breath she’d been holding. Richard’s fine. He’s not hurt!

She took the telegram from Sam and thanked him, placing the required money in his hand.With a nod he turned and started back toward town.

Glancing down at the telegram, Rachel hurried into the house and removed her apron.

“Where are you going, dear?” Mom walked out of the dining room. Rachel thrust the telegram into her hands, “This will explain. I’ll be back soon.”

***

“Is there a Lester here?” Rachel asked the nurse at the front desk.

“Do you have a last name?”

Rachel shook her head, “I’m not sure how long he’s been here. He’s a soldier, wounded in Vietnam.”

The nurse thought for a moment and flipped through the records, “Ahh , here. Lester Delvin. He got here yesterday.”

“Can you tell me what happened to him?”

The nurse glanced at her curiously, “Do you know Lester?”

“No. My brother met him in Vietnam and today I got a telegram asking if I would visit him.”
“He was wounded badly. The doctors weren’t sure if they could save his leg. He was sent first to a hospital in the U.K. He arrived here yesterday morning.”

“And his leg?”

“The doctor is trying to save it, but Lester’s still unconscious.”

“Can I see him? I mean, is he allowed to have visitors?”

The nurse smiled, “I don’t see what it would hurt. Follow me.”

She walked down numerous hallways and finally entered one of the wards. Pulling back a curtain around one of the beds, she spoke softly. “This is him. You can sit with him a while if you like.” she motioned to the chair next to the bed.

Rachel nodded, “Thank you.”

The nurse closed the curtain and left.  Rachel took the seat and studied the man lying on the bed. He was young, certainly not much older than her own eighteen years. His black wavy hair was brushed back from his forehead and his closed eyes were just visible above the tubes that were connected to him. He must have a sister, a mother somewhere worrying about him. I can’t even imagine how I would feel if Richard was in a hospital and no one was there to tend to him. What can I do to help?  A thought struck her and she reached out her hand and gently placed it in his. “Dear God, I don’t know this man, but I know that somewhere there is someone missing him. Please give them peace. And help him to heal.”

Suddenly, she felt his hand gently squeeze hers, she glanced up at his eyes just in time to see them open, “He will, Rachel. He will.” the voice was a whisper.

She started at him in astonishment, “How do you know me?”

He smiled slightly, “You’re the feminine version of your brother.”

I hope to see y'all around the next 'Imagine This'. Thank you for entering!

Being Little Sister ~ 2

Good day, all! I'm sorry for the large time gap between these parts. Hopefully after this they'll be closer together. This part is short but the next won't be. 

Enjoy! :)

Oh and, because I somehow forgot this before, the setting for this story is...

August, 1882

 Mitch, Peter, and Andi had an uneventful and relaxing trip to Tonopah. They made good time and arrived the evening of the fifth day. Having spent the night at the Tonopah Hotel, they rode out to Mr. Ezra Gunthrie's ranch the next morning. 

 Leaving their horses at the watering trough in the care of Mr. Gunthrie's hired hand, Miguel, they strode over to a man leaned against the corral fencing. The man, whom Andi guessed to be late sixties, turned around when they approached. 

 "Good morning. I'm Ezra Gunthrie. What can I do for y'all?" 

 "Mitch Carter." Mitch shook the older man's hand. "This is a friend, Peter Wilson, and my little sister, Andrea." 

 "Andi." She quietly corrected her brother, which earned her a warning look from Mitch. 

 Mr. Gunthrie didn't seem to notice. He shook Peter's hand and tipped his hat to Andi. 

 "Carter?" Mr. Gunthrie scratched his head. "Seems like I outta remember that from somewhere..." He snapped his fingers. "Say! I know! Are you any relation to James Carter?" 

 Mitch grinned and winked at Andi. "Direct descendant. I'm Mitchell James Carter." 

 "Well, what do ya know!" Mr. Gunthrie chuckled. "I knew your father years ago in the gold fields. How's he doing?" 

 Andi and Mitch exchanged glances. "Uh," Mitch cleared his throat, "Father passed away 8 years." 

 "I'm sorry to hear that." 

 Mitch broke the uncomfortable silent that followed. "I'm here to buy cattle." 

 "Now that is what I like to hear." Mr. Gunthrie nodded towards their surroundings. "I breed and sell mostly Herefords." 

 Mitch nodded. "That's what we came for. The family has a ranch outside of Fresno, California. I'm interested in raising breeds of cattle other than longhorns though my brother Chad isn't too gung-ho about it."

 As the men fell into a discussion on cattle, Andi decided to take a look around the place. She patiently waited for a lull in their conversation. 

 "Yes, Andi?" 

 "May I wander around while you're talking?" 

 "That's fine with me; just don't disappear. I don't want to spend all day looking for you." 

 Andi nodded to her brother and skipped off along the corral. 

 She spent the next several hours exploring Mr. Gunthrie's ranch. Wandering around the corrals; playing with five kittens she found in a corner of the woodshed. And lastly, playing with two small Hereford calves. Andi guessed they had been born late in the spring, but they were still rather small she thought.

 Mitch bought about ten head of cattle from Mr. Gunthrie and Andi accompanied him and Peter in taking them into town. They took the few cows to the train station and sent them on their way to Fresno. 

 That evening Mr. Gunthrie had invited Mitch, Peter, and Andi to his house for dinner. So after seeing to the cattle they returned. 

 Andi remembered the two small calves and decided to ask about them. "Mr. Gunthrie, I found two calves out in the close pasture today. Were they born this spring? They seem awfully small to be several months old." 

 "You're very observant, young lady." Mr. Gunthrie smiled at the girl. "Yes, they are small. They're twins and their mother didn't make it. I'd about given up on them but my granddaughter was determined and she's kept them both alive." 

 "Twins! Like Sunny and Shasta!" Andi exclaimed, then quickly explained. 

 When she finished her story, Mr. Gunthrie nodded. "That's highly rare for all three to live. Your brother must've knew what he was doing." 

 Andi smiled. "Chad's good with horses." 

 "Speaking of horses, they have pretty much had the day off." Andi heard Mitch say to Peter. "They'll be fresh to start back tomorrow." 

 Mr. Gunthrie looked up. "You're not going back by train?" 

 "We hadn't planned on it. We came by horseback and we're going back the same way." 

 "Well, whatever you do, son, don't go through Breakwater Canyon." 

 "That's the little village near the state border, isn't it?" Mitch asked. 

 Mr. Gunthrie nodded. "Instead of taking the main road, folks go through there. It's quicker for traveling, but men have been disappearing." 

 "Disappearing? How?" Andi was quick to ask. 

 Mr. Gunthrie shrugged. "Don't know exactly. There is a prison there, Breakwater Prison. Some say that's where the men that've disappeared are. Being forced to work and treated badly." 

 "Why doesn't anyone do anything about it?" Andi wanted to know. 

 Mr. Gunthrie shook his head. "People are scared. Rumor has it, some very influential people are in on it. Just be sure you three don't disappear." 

*************

What happens next? On the way home? 

Here's a picture of a cute Hereford calf. 

Part - 3 coming next Monday! Will you be back?

Happy Independence Day!!

Happy 4th of July everyone! 

Click here to see my Independence Day post in Chosen Vessels. http://chosenbythepotter.blogspot.com/2015/07/independence-day.html

What are you doing for the 4th?

-Faith 

Imagine this - 2

Are y'all ready for the next 'Imagine This'? I hope so! 

Here's the rules:

1) Write a story of what you think is taking place in the picture. 

2) Send it to my email or through the blogger contact form on the bottom of this page. 

3) You have through Tuesday, July 7 to send in your entries. I'll post them Wednesday or Thursday, if at all possible. 

4) The word count max is 800. Again, if your story is a few words over it's okay! :) 

 Introducing 'Imagine This' picture #2!!

      -From Pinterest-

Yes, there is something in the top right corner. I tried to blur it out but that didn't work very well. LOL! Just ignore it. I apoligize. =) 

I hope y'all enjoy entering these as much as I enjoy hosting them!! :-) Thanks in advance! I know all the pieces will be delightful! 

-Faith

What I saw...

Emily asked what I saw in this last Imagine This post. Actually, I do have a scene that well fits the picture...

 Once they were seated in the living room, Bethany in a chair and Luke and Erin next to her on the couch. Luke noticed something was amiss. "Where's Lenore?" 

 Erin's breath caught. She knew that whatever her husband was about to tell them was going to be devastating when Luke just now realized his princess hadn't ran to smother him with kisses. 

 "She's next door at the Thomson's." 

 Luke nodded. "Good. I'd rather her not hear this." 

 Erin and Bethany exchanged frightened glances. 

 Luke cleared his throat. "I guess there's only one way to say this...David's dead." 

 "No..." Bethany covered her mouth as something tears flooded her crystal blue eyes. 

 Erin's shoulders trembled as reality set in. Her brother was dead? She took Luke's arm and he held her close. 

 With one hand against her stomach, Bethany whispered. "What happened?" 

 Luke pulled away from Erin and knelt in front of the widow. He took her hand in his and began. "We were flying over enemy territory, David and I, in separate planes. He was to my left and we were being fired upon. Neither of us were shot down at first and I thought we were going to make it across the lines. Then, I looked over and, in a cloud of black smoke, David's plane was doing a nosedive. I couldn't believe it. One second he was there and the next...and the next he was gone." 

 His own tears now falling freely, Luke prepared to wind up his heart-breaking story. "I circled around and flew back over. I thought maybe if David or Joshua had somehow managed to get out we could swoop down and get them. But when we got back, the plane was in flames and there was no one around." 

^*^*^*^*^

 For several minutes, Bethany cried and Luke comforted her. 

 He stood up and walked across the room to the desk. Taking a deep breath he opened the drawer and pulled out a small white envelope. He came back and held it out to Bethany. 

 She immediately recognized her name written on the back in David's handwriting. "Will you read it to me, please?" 

 Luke unfolded the letter and, sitting on the couch with one arm around Erin, began to read: 

My dearest Bethany, 

  If you are reading this, Luke has just delivered you the news. My only regret is leaving you to raise our child alone. I know you will do right by him or her and raise them to love Christ with their whole heart. 

 My sister found a good man. I'm at peace knowing Erin and Luke will see to it you and the baby are taken care of. 

 Don't spend your days grieving for me, my sweetheart. That's not my wish, I want you to be happy. I don't want you dying with me. You have a lot of love to give, Beth, you have to move on. 

 I would have loved to spend many a year with you, the way we planned it. Growing old together, watching our children start their own families. But that is not God's Will. His Will is always perfect. 

 You are the love of my life and my best friend. 

 Goodbye, my sweet Beth. I will always love you. 

      David

 "Excuse me." Bethany whispered as she hurried from the room. Erin stood and started after her but Luke grabbed her hand. "Let her go." 

 "But Luke-" 

 "She needs to be alone. She knows we're here for her." He stood and pulled her into his arms and she clung to him. Luke rubbed her back as she sobbed into his shirt. 

 Suddenly Erin pulled away. "Why, Luke? Why David? Doesn't God know Bethany needs him?" 

 "Don't ever question God, sweetheart." Luke pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Like David's letter said, His ways are always perfect." 

 Erin leaned back into him, crying until no more tears would come. 

 She straightened up. "How long can you stay?" 

 "I have to be on a bus in the morning and then I'll be on a ship by the night after that." Luke handed her his handkerchief. 

 "Back to Europe..." 

 "Yeah, Germany."