She could agree with him on that.
“I guess the question is ... what are you going to do now?”
She didn’t want to take any spiritual advice from this man. No matter how right he might be. But the memory of Mama made her squirm. What would she say right now? Probably the same thing.
“Don’t waste your life believing the enemy’s lies, Whitney. You’re too good for that. You know better. Don’t abandon your family like I did.”
“I amnotabandoning my family.”
“Aren’t you?”
She sputtered and words failed her.
“Mr. Powell?” A miner stood off to the side. “That man you were askin’ ’bout? He’s awake.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“It’s okay, Dad. Go see if you can find Stan. That’s more important right now.” Besides, she didn’t want to finish this conversation.
“You’reimportant, Whitney.Thisis important.” Dad’s shoulders slumped a bit. “This is the first time we’ve really talked—”
“I know. And I will think about what you said. I promise.” She lifted her chin. “But you and I can talk later. Stan may not have the luxury of time.”
“All right.” Dad surged to his feet and brushed the snow off his pants. He peered down at her. “I love you, Whitney. I know I’ve failed you. But I love you.”
Then he followed the guy back to the camp.
Whitney fixed her gaze on the horizon and triednotto think about all her father had said. But it didn’t work.
He’d spoken a lot of truth.
The question was, was she ready to listen?
Mama’s lilting voice whispered through her mind:“Put on the armor of God, my sweet. Every day.”
Chris walked up to the man’s cot and squatted beside him. He didn’t look too good, but at least the man was awake. “You say you know Stan Robertson?”
“Yeah...” His voice was scratchy and hoarse.
“Do you know where he is?”
The sick man closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them back up, he shook his head. “Stan’s dead.”
As much as he’d expected the news, his heart still plummeted.
“We was lookin’ for gold together last spring. Stan got in a fight over a claim and got hisself killed. By the time the lawman got here, the murderer was long gone.” A coughing fit took over the man. When he calmed, he closed his eyes again. “I’m sorry.”
“You certain it was Stan Robertson?” How was he going to break the news to Ruth? Especially without proof.
“He talked about his wife and kids a lot. Her name was Ruth. Said they lived in Colorado.”
Oh no. It was Stan all right. “Did you bury him?”
“Yeah. I’ll draw ya a map. Felt bad not knowin’ how to contact his kin. But a few of the other fellas and me had a service for him.”
“That was kind of you. Thank you.” Chris waited for theman to finish scrawling the crude map and then took it and stood. “His wife will be grateful to know he was taken care of in the end.”
“Wish I had better news to tell ya. I even went and looked for his belongings after we buried him, but someone had already taken off with ’em.”
