Too Long a Stranger (Women of the West) by Janette Oke

Author:Janette Oke
Format: mobi
Tags: Historical - General, Fiction - Religious, Christian, Frontier and pioneer life, Religious & spiritual fiction, Christian - Western, Religious - General, Christianity, Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), General, Christian fiction, Western, Historical, Mothers and daughters, General & Literary Fiction, American Historical Fiction, FICTION, Religious
ISBN: 9780764202520
Publisher: Bethany House
Published: 2006-10-01T05:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Thirteen

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Changes and Chances

Sarah felt that she was always counting money. Over and over, week by week she counted and recounted, scheming and figuring and working toward the next payment due for Rebecca's schooling.

For many months there simply was not enough. If the funds were short a small amount, Sarah found ways to deny herself so she could make up the difference in time. Other times she had to devise ways of making up larger amounts.

One month she found a buyer for the mantel clock, on another the pin her mother had given to her, and on another the pocket watch that had been passed on to Michael by his grandfather. And so it went—whenever Sarah needed additional money she looked to her possessions for something else that might bring the needed dollars. Each time she had to sell one of her few dear possessions, her heart broke a little bit more, but each time she reminded herself that it was for Rebecca's future. That made it easier to bear.

Sarah treasured each of the letters that came from Rebecca. That first one had been written in a child's beginning script, short and obviously copied.

"Dear Mother," she wrote. (Rebecca had never called Sarah "mother" before.)

"I am fine. I like school. I am learning to read. With regards, Rebecca."

Sarah smiled at the stiffness of the letter. It was so unlike her bubbly, expressive child.

As the months passed and the letters continued to arrive, Sarah was able to watch the development of her only child. She wept the first time one arrived that sounded like the little girl had written her own thoughts. Rebecca was now in her third year and able to write letters on her own.

Dear Mama,

How is Cat. I think about her a lot. Has she had more kittens. I had a leter from Uncle Boyd but he forgot to talk about Cat.

I miss you all but I like it hear at schol. Annabelle is my best frend. I like going to her house. Thank you for letting me go to her house in the somer. I pray for you and Aunt Min and Uncle Boyd and Mr. Galvan to sometime, and I pray for Cat to.

Love,

Rebecca Marie Perry

There was no longer reason to rush home and change garments and tidy her hair to go pick up Rebecca. At first Sarah had followed the old pattern of cleaning up and changing her work clothes when she came home from the freight run. But as the deliveries had increased and her energy had depleted, she eventually decided that it was unnecessary. She could save time by going directly to her home chores.

She dressed in simple skirts and shirtwaists. Frills were costly and too hard to keep clean and pressed. Only on Sundays did Sarah make the attempt to look feminine and ladylike. Sarah would have looked forward to Sundays—had they not been so lonely. That one brief day of rest certainly was a respite from

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