Page 53 of Wagon Train Melody
He patted her shoulder in a fatherly way. “You can count on me.”
“I know I can.” She turned back to rearranging the bed covers so he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. A few minutes later, she wished him good night and went to the sitting room with her Bible. Late evening light enabled her to read.
God, You are my father. I need Your strength and wisdom to do what I need to do. Speak to my trembling heart and give me Your peace that I might move forward with confidence and joy.
Remembering how often Ma had quoted from Psalm eighteen, she turned to that passage. The chapter was fifty verses long, but she read it again and again, letting the words satisfy her soul.
She repeated the words of the second verse over and over, recognizing she would need the reassurance in the days to come.
“‘The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer: my God, my strength in whom I will trust.’ Yes, Lord.”
The light faded, but rather than light a lamp, she went to bed. With God’s help, she could face tomorrow. She could face Monday when Rudy left. She could face whatever the future held.
Rudy showedup early the next morning. It was Saturday, which meant she had two days before he left. Not that she was counting. What would be the point of that?
She’d told the others that he was leaving, and Sissy greeted him tearfully.
“I wish you would stay.” Her voice was teary.
Kitty was far more direct. She stood in front of him, her arms militantly crossed over her chest. “You can’t go. I don’t want you to.”
Rudy gave Alice a pleading look, but she shook her head. This was something he had to deal with.
He lifted both girls into his arms. “I wish I didn’t have to go either. But why don’t we do something fun today.”
“Yes.” Kitty smiled, ready to forgive him.
“Like what?” Sissy wanted more than words.
“Well, I think your aunt might be needing some supplies. Why don’t we all go to the store and help her?”
Alice rolled her eyes at the idea of the girls helping. Bo, who had been watching from the doorway, laughed. “Better take the cart if you plan to let the girls buy things.”
“They can look but not touch and not buy.” Alice had to make sure that was understood. She had very little money left. She estimated it was enough for three months. After that…
Well, she hoped long before that both she and Bo would be earning money.
A short time later, they trekked down the road to the store. Laughing, Bo had insisted on pushing the cart. “Just in case.”
Alice wished she didn’t think they might have need of it, but she was very low on everything and had only found a few basics in Clint’s house.
The store was well stocked with everything from guns to candy, from canned goods to dry goods. She wandered up and down the aisles, deciding what was absolutely essential, andbegan taking things to the counter where the friendly storeman was keeping tally.
“How much does it come to?” she asked when she had the barest necessities.
He named a sum. “You have lots of credit left.”
“What?” She stared at the man. “You must be mistaken.”
“Is your name Alice Easton?”
“Yes.”
“Then you have this amount of credit.” He showed her the balance.
She stared, gulped, and looked again. The numbers stayed the same. It was twice the amount she had. Clint must have gotten her letter and knew she was coming. At least he’d been good enough to make sure they’d have more than enough.
“And I was told there’d be more added in the future.”
