on the back seat of the buggy.
The Logans, the Kenyons, and Dr. Tim Braden then had a good time rejoicing in Melinda’s return. The Logans closed the office and led the rest of them as they walked to a nearby café.
When they first began eating, George brought up the gratitude he felt toward Latawga and Chief Tando. When he asked Dr. Dane if he would accompany them to the village so both he and Tim could express their gratitude, Dr. Dane said, “I really don’t think it would be wise for Melinda’s father and her husband-to-be to present themselves at the village, though your intentions are good. Tell you what, I’ll be seeing Latawga and the chief on Monday. I’ll express your appreciation to them for you.”
George and Tim accepted this, and thanked Dr. Dane for doing this for them.
As lunch went on, Dr. Dane said, “When we’re done here, I’d like to take all of you to the parsonage so you can meet Pastor Mark Shane and his wife, Peggy. Pastor Shane has had the church praying for you all as you’ve carried the grief of Melinda’s death.”
“Bless his heart,” said George. “I’d love to meet him and his wife.”
“We’d have let the Shanes know Melinda was alive yesterday, but they’ve been out of town and were to arrive back this morning. They’ll sure rejoice when they get to meet the living Melinda and her loved ones!”
“This will be good,” said Hattie. “We certainly want to thank Pastor Shane for having the church pray for us.”
“Then we’d best head back for Denver,” George said. “You want to ride to the parsonage in our buggy?”
“That’ll be fine,” said Dr. Dane. “The church is several blocks from the office.”
When lunch was over, they left the café and walked toward the doctor’s office. They were almost there when Tharyn pointed to a buggy moving along the street and said, “Look, Dane. There’s Pastor and Peggy now. They must just be getting back to town.”
“Sure enough,” said Dane, and stepped into the street, waving his arms at the Shanes. Tharyn moved off the boardwalk and stood beside her husband.
The pastor guided the buggy to a halt where Dr. Dane and Tharyn stood. He smiled and said, “If you’re looking for a good doctor, mister, I can recommend one.”
Dr. Dane laughed. “Really?”
“Mm-hmm. Dr. Robert Fraser. He used to own the practice that Dr. Dane Logan owns now. Dr. Logan’s office is right over there, but Dr. Fraser is presently semiretired. He just works for Dr. Logan when he needs him. But Dr. Fraser is really very good. I highly recommend him.”
By this time, both Tharyn and Peggy were laughing.
Dr. Dane motioned for Melinda to come to him. When she drew up, he said, “Pastor Shane, I’d like to introduce you to this fine Christian young lady.”
The preacher nodded with a smile, and stepped down from the buggy.
“All right. And just who is she?”
The doctor grinned. “Melinda Kenyon.”
Peggy Shane sucked in a quick, sharp breath, her eyes bulging as she looked at Melinda from the buggy seat.
Mark Shane’s eyelids fluttered and his shoulders twitched with an involuntary shiver. “Mel—Melinda Kenyon? Tharyn’s friend who was drowned—I … I mean—”
“Who was presumed drowned, Pastor,” cut in Dr. Dane. “But as you can see, she’s very much alive!”
Peggy bounded out of the buggy and hurried up to Tharyn and Melinda. “Tell us about it!”
“Yes!” said the pastor. “This is wonderful! Tell us!”
Dr. Dane said, “Let me introduce you to these people, first, then I’ll tell you the story.” He called for Dr. Tim and the Kenyons to step up, and made the introductions, then told them Melinda’s story.
The Shanes marveled at how the Lord had used Dr. Dane to free Melinda and to bring Chief Tando to the place where he was willing to sign the peace treaty.
The pastor said, “I’m sure going to tell the story to my people at church on Sunday morning!”
Good-byes were said, and when