The words had rolled around in his mind like a tumbleweed blown by the Wyoming wind. All his life, he’d wanted to be a doctor. The doors hadn’t opened for a long time, so when they did, God’s provision was clear. In the most unexpected ways.
It was time to stop being selfish. If he left Anna and their relationship in God’s hands, all would be fine. God had brought them together. He would sustain them.
He pulled his pocket watch out and checked the time. Still another thirty minutes before his train.
“Joshua!” A deep voice rose over the crowd.
Turning around, he searched the sea of faces on the platform.
“Over here!” Zach waved his hat as he ran toward him.
What was he doing all the way up here?
The expression on his face made Joshua’s stomach plummet. “What’s happened?”
“Anna is missing. She didn’t come home last night and her father is sick with worry. He sent me up here since we knew you were leaving today.” The words spilled out in one rush of breath.
“What? No.” It couldn’t be. Not Anna.
“The sheriff is putting together a posse because they think she’s at Walker’s ranch. Somewhere.” Zach pulled his arm. “I brought a horse for you.”
Walker. A fire started in his gut. He raced to the ticket window. “I need you to hold my things. I have an emergency.”
The ticket agent nodded. “Bring them in here, sir.” He went around his counter and opened the lower half of the Dutch door.
After Josh deposited his things, he looked to Zach. “Bring the horses to the telegraph office.” Without waiting for an answer, he ran around the corner.
Inside, he composed a short message to Mr. Bricker, prayingthat the generous man would understand the urgency of the situation. But it didn’t matter what the response was.
Anna was more important than anything else.
As Josh exited the tiny building, Zach was already on his horse and held out the reins to the other.
In one swift move, Josh was astride his mount and prodding the animal into motion. Once they were out of town, they rode as fast as the horses could manage.
Oh, God. Please let us find heralive and unharmed. Please.
His appeals to the Almighty repeated with the rhythm of the horse’s hooves. Again and again.
What would he do if he lost her? The thought was torture.
Leave her in My hands, Joshua.
He shook off the words and as he rode, his anger toward Julian grew. If he harmed one hair on her head...
Creaking above her made Anna sit up.
Julian was back. At least ... she hoped it was him.
She held her breath.
The metallic click of the lock made her freeze.
What would he do to her?
“Anna?” The soft voice of shy Julian spoke to her.
Give me the words to say, Lord.She braced herself for his footsteps on the stairs. Closing her eyes, she listened to his slow footfalls.
