Read Online Black Noon by Andrew J. Fenady - Free Book Online Page A

shown His glory.”
    And he galloped toward San Melas, as Caleb, Deliverance, and Keyes followed in the buckboard.
    â€œWe’ll have a celebration in your honor,” Caleb said to Keyes, “for what you’ve done for Ethan . . . this time saving his life.” Deliverance nodded in agreement.
    â€œNo. Please. I did no more than the rest of those men in the mine. Just so he recovers.”
    â€œWhatever you say, m’boy. But you saw that he already took a few steps before we left.”
    â€œYes. That’s wonderful.”
    â€œWe’ll have the mine sealed so nothing like that can happen again,” Caleb added.
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Keyes agreed.
    â€œBut, you’ve got to promise one thing, Reverend.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œThat you’ll go easy on yourself. Get some rest. Pardon my saying it, but you look a little the worse for wear. You need to take care of yourself.”
    Once again Deliverance nodded in agreement. She hadn’t taken her eyes away from Keyes since they started back.
    But there was another pair of eyes, atop the spine of a crest—looking down from his stallion.
    Moon’s eyes were fixed on Deliverance.
    â€œI’ll put the buckboard away,” Joseph said as they pulled up by the porch.
    â€œThank you,” Caleb nodded.
    Keyes helped Deliverance off of the wagon. There was appreciation on her face, then she turned and walked toward her workshop.
    â€œYour daughter is quite a . . .”
    â€œYes, she’s quite a lady. And brave. I’m very proud of her.”
    â€œI wanted to ask you . . .”
    â€œLet’s go inside. I’ve a bottle of brandy for just such occasions . . . unless you’d rather have something to eat.”
    No, the brandy sounds better.”
    â€œWhat is it, m’boy?” Caleb asked as both men sipped their brandies. “What’s on your mind?”
    â€œCaleb,” Keyes paused, “this affliction of Deliverance’s. . . how did it happen?”
    A veil of sadness came over Caleb’s face. He set the snifter on the table and spoke slowly, painfully.
    â€œWhen she was a child she had a series of bad dreams. Evidently, they were horrible nightmares. She’d wake up terrified . . . but wouldn’t . . . or couldn’t tell us what she’d dreamed. One night she woke up screaming. That was the last sound she ever uttered.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œReverend, you’ve already done so much . . . but, do you think you could . . . help her?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œShe has so much faith in you.” His voice quavered, “If you could, m’boy, I’d be . . . well, she’s everything I have.”
    â€œI understand. But . . .”
    Bethia was at the staircase.
    â€œPardon me, Mr. Keyes. Joseph told us what happened at the mine. Your wife . . . she’s been asking . . .”
    â€œThank you, Bethia. I’ll go right up.”
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    â€œLorna, I was coming right up to see you.”
    â€œIt took long enough,” her voice was hollow.
    â€œWe were at the mine . . .” He moved toward the bed.
    â€œYes, Joseph told us all about it. You’ve become quite a hero, haven’t you?”
    He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned closer.
    â€œI did no more than the other men. The boy’s all right, that’s the important thing.”
    Her manner softened.
    â€œYes, Jonathon, that is important . . . and I’m glad you could help, and Joseph said you did more, much more. But you haven’t forgotten . . . there’s something else that’s important.”
    Keyes said nothing, but waited for Lorna to go on.
    â€œSaguaro. The promise you made to Reverend Mason. He’s waiting for us. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”
    â€œNo, of course not.”
    â€œYou seem so . . . settled, so comfortable here . . .”
    â€œI’m only