“I think you should leave.”
“What?” He studied her.
“You need to leave. Right now, Joshua Ziegler.” She hated the sound of her own voice. But her temper had won the day.
“Fine.”
Without another word, he was gone.
twenty-nine
“I want to get at the real significance of things and help my fellow man to arise and come into the light of freedom and truth.”
~Earl Douglass
WEDNESDAY, JULY24
Sleep hadn’t been easy to come by last night. Joshua had tossed and turned, worrying about Anna and their relationship, until his dad had knocked on the door and told him that his flopping around like a fish wasn’t helping. So they’d talked for a few minutes and his father, in his usual succinct manner, reminded Joshua that Philippians was clear they weren’t to be anxious, but to bring everything to God.
When Joshua went back to his room, he’d read the epistle by the soft glow of the lantern. Convicted of his own lack of faith, he asked the Lord to guide him, to remove the worry, and to protect Anna.
He’d finally gone to sleep.
This morning, Mom asked him to run a few errands for her in town since she was still laid up and Martha was so busy with the ranch. He needed the time to himself anyway and wanted to give Anna her space.
He spent the quiet ride into town praying because it was far too easy for him to fall right back into the same pattern. Like he handed over the reins to God but then kept trying to yank them back. If anyone could keep him on the right path, it was the Almighty. Why was he trying to take control? Did he think he could actually steer this crazy ship himself? Ludicrous.
In Walker Creek, he tied his horse to the hitching post at the mercantile and pulled out Mom’s list. Dad probably told her about their chat last night and she was doing her best to help him keep his mind off the problem.
The thought made him chuckle as he walked in the door.
“Why, what has you so amused this fine morning, Mr. Ziegler?” Rosemary’s smooth voice washed over him as soon as he was over the threshold.
He shrugged and removed his hat.Be nice. “Just happy about life, I guess.”
“That’s lovely to hear.”
“Nice to see you, Miss Oppenheim.” Stepping forward, he approached the counter hoping that she would go on about her day.
“What has you in town? I thought you were working out at the dig every day?”
Guess it didn’t work. With his back to her, he shuttered his eyes and clenched his jaw. “Lots of errands for the ranch this morning.” It was rude to keep his back to her, but he handed the list over to the young man behind the counter. “Good morning.” He nodded. “I’m Joshua Ziegler. My mother requested these items. Could you fill a box for me, and I’ll return in a little while?”
“Of course, sir. I know your mother well.” With that, the kid was off, leaving Joshua alone with Rosemary.
Again.
Nope. Not this time.
He headed to the door. “Have a good day.” He slapped hishat back on his head and walked out as if there was a fire chasing him.
But out on the boardwalk, the fast clip-clop of steps alerted him that he hadn’t escaped.
“Mr. Ziegler,” Rosemary called. “Mr. Ziegler, please!”
Joshua stopped and turned, waiting for her to reach him. “Did you need something? I apologize, but I’m in quite a hurry.”
She put a hand to her throat while the other held tight to her parasol. “I’ll only take a moment of your time.”
