[Desert Roses 02] - Across the Years Read Free

feet and waved to the bench he’d just vacated. “I was keepin’ it warm for ya.”
    Russell chuckled and shuffled toward the respite. “Good of you, Sam. Are you heading home?”
    “Yup. Been here too long as it is. My daughter’s gonna be wonderin’ where I got off to.” He laughed. “Like she wouldn’t know where to find me. I tell her, ‘Sissy, I go to watch the trains or to the cemetery to talk with your mother.’ Never go anywhere else—no need.” He shrugged. “Be seein’ ya, Russ.”
    Russell smiled and took a seat, then sighed in relief. The pain dulled a bit. How long had he ignored it? Two, maybe three months? And now the doctor could only say that it was too late—that there wasn’t much time. Maybe he’d known it all along—down deep inside. Maybe that was the reason he’d put off going to the doctor. It wasn’t until Ashley had insisted that Russell had finally gone for an examination. Now the truth was known. Cancer.
    Russ leaned forward on his cane and sighed again. This time it wasn’t from relief. There was a dull ache deep in his heart for Ashley and what she would bear in the days to come. No doubt his care would be extensive.
    It’s not fair for her to have to care for me. She’s had enough to see to. The thought bothered him more than he could say.
    She’s walled herself up, Lord. She thinks she’s safe thatway. Safe from the hurt and the people who would rob her of her joy. But we know that’s not true. Lord, I worry about her, and the facts are, I don’t hardly see how I can come home to you when she’s so lost.
    A Baldwin 4–6-2 pulling a long line of freight cars signaled down the track. Russell felt the ground quiver under the massive monster’s approach. Such power and energy—and all from a man-made machine.
    I’ve seen a lot in my time, Lord. I’ve seen powerful machines like this. I’ve watched contraptions take to the skies. I’ve lived through the War Between the States, the Spanish-American conflict, and the Great War. I’ve been blessed to not have to take up arms against any man, and for that I am grateful.
    The train stopped—not at the depot, but down the line nearer the shops. The ground stilled, but not so Russell’s heart.
    I’ve seen a lot, Lord, but I’ve made a mess of a lot as well. You know the troubles I’ve caused and been a part of. You know I’ve not spoken to my own dear daughters in eleven-some years. Not of my choosing, but still it’s something I’ve endured because of my actions.
    And there’s poor Ashley. Her sorrow has made her heart hard. She’s lonely, yet she won’t even turn to you for strength. What do I do, Lord? How can I leave now—just when it appears she needs me most?
    ****
    Ashley climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She longed for a cool bath but knew there wasn’t really time. She still needed to work on sewing Natalie’s new dress; then there were the new curtains for Mrs. Simpson. Ashley thought of all the bits and pieces of sewing she’d taken on. It gave them a little extra money and that was always nice. They weren’t paupers by any means, but they lived cautiously and conservatively. It suited them both after years of wealth and extravagance.
    Sponging the heat from her body, Ashley finished bycompletely dampening her hair. With the short, bobbed cut, she wouldn’t have much to worry with. She’d comb it out and maybe later put in a few well-placed bobby pins to add curl. This accomplished, she put her apron to soak and added her uniform to the growing pile of laundry.
    “Well, there’s going to be more time for the house chores at least,” she murmured as she pulled a lightweight cotton dress over her head. “More time to spend with Natalie too.” This bonus did nothing to mend her frayed spirit. A weariness and hopelessness—like she’d known the day the news came of Ethan’s death—washed over her. Ashley sunk to the floor beside her cedar chest. “What are we going to do?” she