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their future, in Christ.
    It was five days after the wedding and time for all of them to head home. Before catching their own train back to spend a week on the gulf, Darvi and Dakota had spent a few days on their own and then come back to the Rawlingses’ house to open gifts. Now these other four would ride together as far as Dallas before Slater and Liberty would connect to one train and Cash and his grandmother to another.
    Everyone was on the quiet side. It had been a tiring time—fun, but draining both physically and emotionally. The family was weary. And Liberty was not just tired—she was hungry. She had not felt up to eating before they left, so it wasn’t surprising that she was ready for food not too many miles down the tracks. The young couple asked the others to join them in the dining car, but both Cash and Grandma Rawlings declined.
    â€œI’m rather glad we’re on our own for a moment, Cash,” Gretchen turned from the window to say.
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œI’ve been meaning to tell you that you need to get married.”
    Cash looked at her, hardly able to believe his ears.
    â€œYou’re the fourth person to tell me that in a week,” he admitted quietly and found his grandmother’s eyes widening in surprise.
    His face was so serious that she put a hand on his arm.
    â€œI’m sorry, Cash. Truly I am. That was very insensitive of me.”
    And that was all. No “buts,” no explanation of good intentions or having only his happiness and well-being in mind—just an apology.
    Cash smiled at her and she smiled in return, and although they shared no other words, Cash’s heart was very thoughtful.
    It was never my intention to be the last one, but it’s not as if I’d planned it. I couldn’t be happier for my brothers, but seeing them get married doesn’t change anything in my life. Cash let his heart be quiet for a moment, and then he spoke to the Lord. You don’t have this for me yet. I don’t need to even ask about it. I can see it with my own eyes. I feel I’m ready to be married, but You know me best.
    Cash could see that this was all he could say to God. He could thank God and trust Him for the future, but he couldn’t expect God to act on something just because he felt the time was right in his human mind.
    Cash’s own sense of weariness suddenly intensified. He was so glad for the time he’d had with the family, but right now he was tired. A glance at his grandmother, whose stamina always amazed him, told him she was settling in for sleep too. Cash had no problem joining her. Even knowing he would have to move when Slater and Liberty came back, he stretched his long legs toward the seat across from him and let his body slouch down into comfort so he could sleep.

    Kinkade, Texas
    There weren’t too many trains into Kinkade each day, but Reagan had taken an early one. She had a name, William Harmond, and an address, and in her mind that was enough. She wasn’t as fresh as she would like to have been for a first meeting with her new employer but felt sure he would understand.
    The platform cleared swiftly, and Reagan was glad to have a moment to look around. She liked what she could see of Kinkade. It looked to be on the quiet side and nowhere near as large as her neighborhood in New York; she could tell that it was a town just her size.
    â€œExcuse me,” Reagan said when a man in uniform passed by. “May I ask you a question?”
    â€œCertainly, miss. What can I do for you?”
    â€œI’m looking for a Mr. William Harmond. Could you possibly tell me where he lives?”
    â€œYes, ma’am, it just so happens he lives next to my aunt. You go to the middle of town, and then a block to the north, turn left, and he’s the third house on the right.”
    Reagan beamed at him. She never dreamed she would hear such clear directions.
    â€œThank you, sir.”
    The