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and Edith spoke wistfully of the Sparks moving west when Henry retired from his post at the fort. They had grown close and Angela felt a small bit of sadness at leaving them behind.
    “I have heard of a lovely Valley in Oregon.” Angela hinted with a few sly winks.
    “I feel suddenly drawn to know all about this Oregon. We shall send for more news on it. I have friends in Illinois that would gladly send me any paper or pamphlets I asked for.” Edith said and winked back, her hands busy cleaning the caked-on dirt from the potatoes, carrots and other vegetables. 
    Edith grabbed a few potatoes for their dinner that night. Fried potatoes would go lovely with the roasted venison. She was teaching Angela all she could about cooking and survival. She felt a motherly affection for the girl and her heart ached already over the thought of losing her. She would not pressure to girl to stay, though. Her prayers were thorough about it and she felt truly that the child’s path was to go west. Edith knew that Angela’s brother was there, and somehow they were meant to meet again.  Edith prayed for the young man, only knowing his name and the tidbits from Angela, but somehow her heart ached for them to re-unite.
    After supper Angela pulled out pen and paper and worked a bit more on the letter to Corinne. She had been crafting it for weeks. Wanting it just right. Angela claimed her penmanship had been better when she was younger but she was working on it daily. Edith was encouraging her to keep writing and reading.
    “You are a smart gal. It will come back to ya darling. I only learned to read as a near adult. I felt so lost and ignorant as a child trying to survive in a world that I couldn’t fully participate.” Edith shared more about her life. The stories gave Angela a deeper respect and love for this woman. God was showing her in small ways that good people can break free of hard upbringings.
     
    * * * * *
     
    It was over a month later that the post came through saying they were heading west with parcels and letters, they had several mules and bragged that there was now several post offices at other forts, they would get fresh horses and mules and continue all the way to Oregon then to California. They were charging extra, but Angela finally had a letter for Corinne that she was proud of, the cost was worth every penny.
     

 
     
    Chapter 4
    October, 1848
     
    Dearest Corinne,
    I miss you my darling friend. My time spent with the Sparks family has been a time of healing and joy. It reminds me of days long ago with my mother and brother, the feeling of family and belonging brings warmth to my heart.  Edith Sparks is taking perfect care of me as my wounds heal. I have to admit my heart took its time to heal though. My prayers were troubled many nights after you left, with the wonderings of why it happened this way. I can say now that I forgive Andrew for his part in my pain.  I wish him well but hope for your sake that he made good with his promise to be annulled from you. I pray in my heart for you to find a good husband someday that will cherish you. I guess I pray that for me, too. 
    I yearn to be my old self but am taking it slow. I am walking well and the wound on my shoulder has healed completely. The area that was the worst was the bruising on my leg. I suppose more time will see how that will heal. 
    Thank you again for your generous support and your farewell letter. Your entreaty to accept your charity warmed my heart and has created in me a sense of independence. I feel that you were right to address me so boldly. As God has called us all to help those in need. I do suppose in your shoes I would have done the same. My only job in this situation is to accept your monetary help with humility and thank the Lord for providing me with a way out of servitude.  I feel at ease in my heart to stop fighting your gift and to pass it on by being a friend to you and then eventually, finding my brother and helping him. I