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pose a question about laundry service in a dignified manner and was pleased that the porter seemed perfectly able to be of assistance. To her relief, the evidence of her rain mishap was whisked away. And for the second time in one evening, Beth prepared herself for bed.
    Before putting out her light, she drew a long breath and picked up her Bible from the suitcase. She tucked her feet down under the covers, plumped both pillows behind her back, and opened to where she had been reading last—the book of Ephesians. Words about anger, about ministering grace to others, being kind and tenderhearted, seemed to leap off the page. She couldn’t help but compare her own childish behavior toward Edward to God’s desire for her and how she should treat others.
    “I’m sorry, Father God,” she finally sighed. “I should not have behaved that way.” And then she quickly followed with, “Please help me to be respectful tomorrow. Even if I don’t desire his company, I don’t want to dishonor You.”
    Just at that moment Beth remembered her father’s words as they parted. She was shocked that she could have so quickly forgotten about the verse he had written on paper and tucked inside the compass. Tossing aside the covers and scrambling to retrieve the brass instrument from where she had wrapped it carefully and packed it away, she flipped up the lid and a little slip of paper tumbled out.
    Written in Father’s careful cursive was, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13.”
    Beth drew in a long, slow breath. Thoughts and emotions tumbled around inside her as she pondered the words and her father’s intentions. She wondered what might have been different if she’d had that Scripture in mind during her meeting with Edward. She wondered what her father would say if he had seen her during the appalling episode. Her cheeks flushed. Even though she knew Father would be gracious and forgiving, she felt ashamed for not better representing his family . . . better representing the Lord.
    Kneeling beside her open suitcase on the shuddering floor of the passenger train, Beth whispered aloud, “I’m already failing, God—I’ve embarrassed myself and treated another person badly.” Then another verse came to her mind and she added with a trembling little smile, “But You promised that Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You for that. I need those mercies tonight. And tomorrow.”
    Beth returned the compass to its place, slid the suitcase back under the bed, and settled in again for the night. She had positioned the little slip of paper on the windowsill nearby and repeated it over and over until she had drifted off to sleep.

CHAPTER 4
    T RUE TO HIS WORD , Edward Montclair arrived in full uniform with Stetson in hand to escort Beth to breakfast—two minutes early. He was visibly surprised by her smile when she met him at the door, but he made no comment. Beth continued to smile as Edward stepped back and motioned for her to precede him down the narrow aisle.
    “Isn’t it a lovely day today?” she offered, as if making conversation with a recent acquaintance. “I’m so glad it isn’t raining anymore. I’d like to see some of the countryside.”
    “Yes,” he agreed cautiously. “Though I’ve been told it’s mostly open prairie we’ll be crossing.”
    “Fine. That will be a nice contrast from city sights back home.”
    He shrugged. “There will be fewer stops—so we should make better time.”
    Beth smiled once more. “Fine,” she repeated with a nod as they entered the dining car.
    Edward held Beth’s chair for her and ordered a pot of tea. She put in her breakfast order, then settled back and turnedtoward the window. She tried not to notice how his red jacket drew attention from all around the room.
    “I can’t even believe that it’s already Sunday,” she said. “It’s certainly a bright day. The sky is so clear . . . as blue as—as blue as—” She paused