Read Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) for Free Online Page A

pray that my information is still good and I can find him. It is nearly time for me to go. Edith has been teaching me how to be a proper wife.  Baking, sewing and we talk always of how to care for babies. She is such a blessing.  She will be sad when I leave in the spring.  Henry Sparks is always squeezing my shoulders as he walks by us womenfolk. He calls me ‘Red’ like Sean did when I was young.  I somehow wish the Sparks family were coming with me. 
    I will write again soon.
    Sincerely,
     
    Angie Fahey
     
    * * * * *
     
    It was weeks past and a message came from a western fort. The town was buzzing with excitement and the breakfast dishes were cleared quickly and Edith and Angela were cleaned up and out the door to the post office in the Hudson Bay store. There were a few soldiers there too, waiting to see if they too had received letters or if there was any news. Everyone was always so starved for news.
    When it was finally their turn, Edith and Angela were handed several letters and they ran off eager to read on the front porch.
    Edith had her own news from a friend back east and Angela had two letters; one in the flowing hand of her friend, Corinne and one in a different hand. A bold stroke that looked like it was from a man.
    The top was dated June 2 nd . 1848, Angela wondered how far Corinne had traveled by June. She also wondered where she would be come June of 1849. She started the letter with a feeling of tenseness. The thought of the travel was not as much about adventure to her anymore, but more about survival now.
     
    Dearest Angela,
     
    I have so many thoughts jumbled in my head to pour out on my page. I will just be out with my news first and then it shall be said, to ease the torture in my mind. Andrew Temple died a week ago of cholera. The group of scouts he rode with are gone except for one. They were infected by a pool of brackish water they all drank from in the midst of a treacherous area full of drought and barrenness. His suffering was intense and will stay with me all my days.
    I know not how to impress upon you the pain I have in sharing this. My mind is mixed up about my husband in so many ways. I pray daily that God will work in our hearts, both you and I, to heal any bitterness or anger at what he had done.
    I feel the separation from you acutely. It keeps my thoughts busy as I cross the miles.
    The dark of night creeps into my wagon and honestly the tears blur my eyes. I will write more letters and send when a post is available. You are not forgotten.
    Sincerely,
     
    Corinne Harpole Temple
     
    There was more than one gasp that escaped from Angela’s lip as she read that first letter. She opened the other letter still stunned from the words she had read.
     
    To Angela Fahey,
     
    I do a lot of correspondence with my sons and for business. But I rarely have the chance to send a letter to someone that is not my own family. This is truly a rare occasion.
    I am a God fearing man and have long kept you in my prayers, Miss Fahey. Somehow God has put a burden on my heart when it comes to you and your dear friend Corinne. I sort of feel the need to care for you as I would my own daughters and granddaughters. I can’t recall the verse just now, but I recall a verse or two admonishing us to care for the widows and orphans.  That love covers a multitude of sins. I have had my fair share of sins. So perhaps this is God allowing me to make up for them since I have prayed so many days of my life for God to give me tasks worthy of his forgiveness. I know better now, I cannot earn God’s love any more than I could tame the wind. It’s a gift and I accept it as such. But child, I do wish to treat you as family. I pray you cling to hope, and through your healing you grow and learn more about how much God wants to love you.
    The world may be full of wicked sinners, but there are those of us that try to do our best to take care of one another. Seems to me the Captain and his wife that you were left