|
|
|
|
|
|
gentle, kiss. "Sleep well," she whispered, caressing his cheek with her fingers. And then she left his side. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It was over. Abby's mission here had been accomplished. Mike was saved, his peril vanquished. She felt no more anxiety. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She returned to the bedroom adjoining Mike's to pore through the fourth journalwhat was legible of ittrying to find a way to stay. But Lucy's words left no room for compromise: |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Despite the fact that we are traveling forward, I had to steal the time to write, for I must record the most extraordinary events that occurred this day. My dear sister Abby rejoined the wagon train today. She was most reticent, claiming she did not recall where she had been for nearly two weeks, or how she had caught up with us here, nearly at the summit of a mountain pass, when she had been lost in the middle of the desert. I, of course, did not believe her, for over the years I have shared many of the secrets she keeps from others. But this time she will not even confide in me. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Still, thank our dear Lord, she returned at the most opportune time, for my wonderful Arlen was stricken as he tried to quiet a rearing horse, much as his poor nephew |
|
|
|
|
|