they’re in, it will drive you mad.”
“Here comes our train.” Angelita jumped to her feet and ran to the big window.
“You will write to me about the baby, won’t you?” Savannah insisted.
“Yes, you’ll receive an announcement.”
“And so will you—for the wedding. Make sure you enjoy each good day the Lord gives you, Pepper. Oh, you’ll have some tough ones come along, but the joy of the good ones will see you through. Believe me, I speak from a deep well of experience.”
Pepper stood up, carrying her small green valise. Her eyes met S avannah’s and for a minute locked.
“I’ll miss you, Savannah Divide,” Pepper finally murmured.
“And I, you, Pepper Andrews.”
Pepper leaned over carefully and gave Savannah a ge ntle hug. Then she turned around to face the kind, soft eyes of Marshal Stillwell. He tipped his hat and handed her a folded letter.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Pepper took the letter. “You know you’re taking the sunlight away from Cheyenne, don’t you?”
He glanced over at Savannah. “Yes, ma’am, I believe I do. But I figure the Lord’s blessings are meant to be shared. It’s Ft. Smith’s time for some radiance.”
“You might be right, Marshal. Take care of her—she’s a special lady.”
“Indeed she is, ma’am, indeed she is.”
Angelita sat by the window, her little case in her lap. She studied the dry Colorado landscape. Pepper’s eyes reflected the speeding images of brown grass and dark, distant mountains.
Lord, Savannah is always charming. Always full of grace. A lways patient. I’ve tried and tried this year, but I can’t seem to get very good at it. I still say dumb things. I worry. I fuss. I end up doing things I promised I would never do again. You must get very tired of my constant failings.
“Oh, look. Antelope,” Angelita shouted.
Pepper took a deep breath and sighed. Then she slipped her arm around Angelita’s shoulder and peeked out the crowded passenger car window.
The Rocky Mountain Sanitarium was a two-story brick ho spital located on the west side of Boulder, Colorado. Pepper and Angelita strolled to the Alexandria Hotel, stored their bags in the room, and hiked to the hospital along the tree-lined streets. The vast prairie stretched east from the city, and the continental divide defined the immediate west.
“It’s not as hot as in Pine Bluffs,” Angelita announced. “Do you think it’s hot? Maybe we should slow down. Are you ge tting tired? If you want to stop and rest, that’s all right with me. I can’t believe we just up and decided to come visit Father. I didn’t get to write and tell him we’re coming. Did you know it’s been ten weeks since I’ve seen him? Do you think I’ve changed any in the past ten weeks? I think I’ve changed quite a bit. I know I’m a
little taller. I can mount Onespot without having to change the stirrups.”
“You nervous about seeing your father?” Pepper took her hand as they ambled down the slightly warped wooden sid ewalk. The dirt lane up to the sanitarium was lined with elm trees, green lawn, and patches of white and purple morning glory.
“It’s beautiful here in the summer. I’m glad my father can be here, if he has to be paralyzed.”
“Perhaps he’s better. We heard from Mr. Williams that he was able to wiggle some fingers and move his head and neck.”
“Yes. I wish . . .” Angelita paused and looked down at her shoes.
“You wish what?”
“I wish he’d never gotten shot.”
Pepper stopped to hug her. “I know, honey, that’s what I wish, too.”
“How come God let that happen?”
“We live in a world where bad people do bad things.”
Angelita sniffed. “I wish we had a better world.”
“I think that’s what heaven’s all about.”
Angelita turned back toward the hospital. “I’ll race you to the door.”
“What?”
“Oh. Yeah. I guess a woman in your delicate condition can’t run.” Angelita chewed on her tongue. “Count
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