and see if she needed help with daily tasks. This was confirmed when Elizabeth casually asked if she had any crockery that needed returning to any neighbors. Rose thanked her as she handed her the containers and cloths that had been filled with the generosity of her new friends.
“I was always taught to never return a plate or bowl empty,” said Rose in distress.
“Oh, no. Not this time. When you’ve rested up some after your ordeal, you’ll see. Someone will need your help and you’ll be there for her. It’s just the way we do things.”
“It’s just the way our Lord taught, and I’m finding it inspiring, humbling, and touching to be on the receiving end of love thy neighbor .”
“ Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these ,” quoted Elizabeth. “Isn’t that the truth.”
They parted on the porch with plans to meet again soon. Rose waved and watched the wagon depart and then went inside. Her heart was so full. She said a swift prayer of thanks to God for the kindness and mercy she received. Then she unbuttoned her shoes, kicked them off, and curled up on her bed, closing her eyes.
When she woke, her room was filled with dappled shadows. She stretched, feeling better than she had since she could remember. After a hasty meal from the food that Elizabeth had provided, she went outside to check on the water’s temperature. It was just warm enough, she thought, relishing the heat beating down on her. Darting a glance around, she ducked behind the curtains and soon was immersed in the water. She soaked in the water and sunshine, and then commenced to scrub. It felt lovely to wash her hair and scrub the lavender lather all over her skin. Although she would have loved to tarry in the bubbles, she felt a bit leery that she’d receive another guest. So she pulled the plug from the tub and let the water drain, then dried herself with a sun-warmed flannel, and got dressed again. After hanging the flannels to dry, putting her things away, and cleaning her teeth, she sat down with Charles’ Bible in the hickory rocker. Rocking slowly, she closed her eyes for a moment, hearing some birds. She looked up the road, wondering when Charles would come riding down it. Opening the Bible, she noticed the front page had important family dates inscribed. It would appear this bible had belonged to Charles’ grandparents and then parents. She read the inscriptions of births, deaths, and marriages, and then gasped softly.
The last entry stated: Charles Smith and Rose Adams married on the day and year of our Lord fifth of June eighteen hundred and seventy six in Cutler’s Pass, California.
Rose touched the words lightly. Aside from his signature on the day that they had wed, she had never seen his handwriting before. She opened the Bible and it fell open to Peter 1:3 – 5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ…
Rose closed the Bible, holding it closely against her chest, as she closed her eyes, letting the words sink into her soul.
†
Charles saw Rose in the rocking chair. The package, wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, was secured behind him on the saddle, having proved too large for the saddle bag. He had a sudden reluctance to give it to her, and he tried to talk some sense in himself.
“Hello, Charles.” Rose waved. Her eyes widened. “Did the train come? Is that my package from Sister John? No, it’s far too small.” She sat back, looking disappointed.
“I hadn’t realized you were waiting for something in the mail,” he said, dismounting. He untied the package, purposefully taking extra time.
“Yes, Sister John will send a trunk of my belongings. She wisely thought it best for me not to travel with it,” she said.
Shoot. She probably had a trunk full of dresses. The things he had purchased probably
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