Destiny's Dawn by Rosanne Bittner

Author:Rosanne Bittner
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781940941387
Publisher: Diversion Books

• Chapter Seventeen •

Caleb read Tom’s letter silently at first, then looked at Sarah. “Something isn’t right.” He looked at the letter again.

“Read it to me, Caleb, before I die of curiosity,” Sarah told him.

“Yeah, Pa, hurry up and read it.”

Caleb frowned. “The news isn’t very good,” he told them both before he began reading.

“Dear Father, I am sorry I took so long to write. There has been a lot of trouble in California. The Galvez ranch where I was working has been taken over and divided up by the Americans. El señor Galvez was killed and my Juanita was abused in the worst way men can abuse a woman. She is recovering at a mission in San Francisco, and I go there often to see her. She is slowly getting better.”

“Oh, dear God,” Sarah groaned.

“I am working here and there, trying to stay close to her,” Caleb continued. “I pray for the day Juanita and I can marry and that somehow you and Sarah can meet her.

“I hope this letter finds all of you well. If it were not for Juanita, I would come home to see you. But I am sure you understand why I cannot come. My grief for Juanita is great, but please do not worry about me. I am fine physically.

“I am sorry, but I cannot tell you where to write me. If I give you the name of the mission where Juanita stays, I am afraid you will come looking for me, and that is not necessary. I myself wander from job to job, so have no address. Please believe me when I tell you not to worry. When all is well again and Juanita and I are settled, I will write and tell you where I am. I ask only for your prayers now, not your presence. Pray not for me but for Juanita. I fear she may never get completely well. It was a terrible thing for her. She was so young, just a child really. I am sorry to bring you such sad news, but I hope to write you with better news soon.

“I do not think I could have gotten through this terrible thing without the knowledge of what you yourself have been through, Father, and how you survived; nor without the strength your love gives me. I thank you for the things you have taught me about strength and survival.

“Please give my love to everyone. My thoughts are with you always. I will write again. Love, Tom.”

Caleb lowered the letter, meeting Sarah’s concerned eyes.

“My God! Poor Juanita,” she said in a near whisper. “The poor child!”

Their eyes held a moment, and she saw the anger in Caleb’s. “Bastards,” he muttered, turning away. “He’s lying, Sarah. He’s not working and just sitting around waiting for her to get better.” He faced her again, his eyes ablaze with a wild vengeance. “He’s his father’s son. He was angry before he even left! He’s making sure people pay for what happened to Juanita.

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