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the house. It was filled with dusty old boxes, many of which contained books. By the time the two women were ready to leave for the day, they had completed their search in only half the boxes. |
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They returned the next day with no further success. The day after that, Jess had a doctor's appointment, and Grace grumbled about leaving them there alone, so Abby reluctantly agreed to stay away. Concerned she might never find the journals, she began to use the research suggestions given to her by Lydia; Hannah and she visited two libraries and the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. |
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She found, in one old volume, the sketchiest reference to the Danziger train and the fact that it split apart in the Mojave Desert. Many members of the defecting group perishedas did several of the remaining party. But no names were given. |
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She held back tears as she realized she still did not know what had happened to her family. Nor did she have any way of proving to Mike who she was. |
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That evening Abby tried very hard to act normal with Mike, though she felt too depressed for light conversation. She ached for him, and for herself. She sorrowed over his grief and guilt. She worried about her family. And, she acknowledged to herself, her illogical hurt from learning how deeply Mike had cared for his deceased wife seemed to increase as she spent more time with him. |
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