No One But You by Leigh Greenwood

have!”
    Sarah was caught between relief that her children would have enough clothing to get them through the next year, and embarrassment that her need was so great. This was another grievance to be added to the accounts of Roger and his family. There seemed to be no end to the ways their lack of love was still hurting her children.
    Rose didn’t meet her gaze. “I added a few things I don’t need any longer. If you can’t use them, give them to someone who can.”
    Sarah felt like a beggar. “I can’t take all that.”
    Rose grasped her hand. “Since the war, nobody in Texas has had everything they need. George and I want to share what we can. When things are better with you, I expect you’ll do the same for someone else.”
    Sarah couldn’t imagine being in a position to help others as Rose was helping her, but she would find a way to do some thing.
    Jeff came out of the house. George and the twins appeared from the direction of the barn, Walter and the other cowhand behind. Everyone had gathered to see them off.
    Rose gripped Sarah’s hand harder. “I’m going to miss you and your children. Promise me you’ll come see us again.”
    Sarah felt tears begin to well up in her eyes. “Thank you for your kindness.”
    â€œPshaw,” Rose said. “I’d keep you here for the company if I could.” She released Sarah and stepped back. “Now you’d better go. Salty looks anxious to start.”
    The abrupt reminder of what lay ahead halted her tears. From this moment on, Sarah vowed not to be swayed by emotion. It had gotten her where she was now. Only rigorous control could make anything good come out of it.
    â€œWrite,” Rose called as Sarah descended the porch steps. Her feet felt weighted, her stride slow, her body resistant. She didn’t know whether she was walking toward the familiar love of her children, toward an uncertain future with Salty, or away from the reassuring safety of the Randolph family. It didn’t matter, she decided, because she was doing all of that.
    â€œNo need to wish you a safe journey,” George was saying as Sarah reached the wagon, “because Salty will see to that. But I do wish you success and happiness.”
    Monty edged forward and winked. “Salty will take care of that, too.”
    Hen belted his twin and stepped in front of him. “Let us know if you have any trouble with rustlers, ma’am.”
    â€œYeah,” Monty said. “With those thieving McClendons gone, it’s been too quiet around here.”
    Sarah allowed Hen to help her into the wagon, while Monty and George showered Salty with last-minute advice. “Your family has done far too much for us,” she told Hen. “Please don’t feel you need to worry about us anymore.”
    Hen shook his head. “George can’t stop trying to take care of everybody, and Monty gets bored if he can’t find some trouble.”
    Trouble? She had enough to keep both men busy, but she and her family had to do this on their own.
    Salty climbed up in the wagon and sat next to her. He reached for the extended hand George offered him and said, “Thanks for taking me in.”
    â€œYou more than earned your keep. I’m going to check on you, so don’t be surprised when you see me ride up.”
    Salty grinned. “I expected that. Now I’d better get going. I want to get halfway to Austin today.”
    He untied the reins. Ellen quickly scrambled over the back of the wagon and perched on one of the bundles of clothes. They all waved as he turned the wagon and headed down the lane toward the Austin road.
    â€œWhy are we going to Austin?” Ellen asked. It was Sarah’s question as well.
    â€œI want to buy a few things.”
    Sarah tried not to show the surprise she felt. Salty hadn’t mentioned this to her, or she’d have told him she didn’t have any