|
|
|
|
|
|
People who cared about her. A place she really enjoyed being. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Never mind that it hadn't all the luxuries she'd come to expect. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
But it wouldn't have him forever. And so she had to leave. Now. Before she saw him die. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She had a hard time falling asleep that night. She kept visualizing the duel scene in the screenplay. Trying to recall the dialogue. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seeing how Matilda wept when it was over. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Where are you, Matilda?" she whispered aloud. "I'm ready to give you your life back." Though she didn't really wish that heartache on anyone. Least of all herself. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Of course Matilda didn't answer. And Mariah finally slept. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mariah was cooking supper late the next afternoon when she heard voices outside in the compound. Frightened at first, she pulled up a corner of the paper at the kitchen window. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There, standing beside the roan horse that had been in the stable, was the skinny trapper with the goat's beard, Thorn's friend Ambrose. He was alive. Mariah smiled. Thorn was undoubtedly thrilled. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not that she cared about his feelings. Not any more than he cared about hers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She hurried out to greet themand to get more food from the smokehouse. She was, after all, still a servant here. She had work to do. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ambrose had brought others with him. For the next few hours, Mariah had no time to dwell on her anger with Thorn or her fear for him. She was too busy catering to their guests. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She cooked the hearty meal herself. Though it consisted of the usual smoked meats, hominy and vegetables from Holly's garden, she was thrilled that everything came out just right. She was learning how to get along well in this timeright when she wanted to leave it the most. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ambrose insisted that she sit at the table with him to eat. "I want to hear your tale of woe caused by those miserable ruffians who attacked me," he said. |
|
|
|
|
|