“Coming!” Savannah snaps and grabs her small bag, tucking the letter inside.
Sundays with her family is always a treat. After the years of being away from home, Savannah doesn’t take a minute for granted. Her brother, Glenn and his wife Anika have been married for three months. It’s a perfect time for her to make the trip. March has brought a break in the weather. Travel is much more comfortable in the Spring. Plus, it will give the newlyweds some much needed alone time and allow her to fulfill her promise. They do not need to know about the package she sent to the publishing house in Washington last week. Guilt has her chewing her lip. For the past two years, she has been selling some of her tintypes to make money. Surprisingly, they were snapped up quickly. It would seem there was an overseas market for images from the war.
Sitting in church surrounded by her family, Savannah listens to the sermon and her mind drifts. Will Oliver’s family blame her? Before he died Oliver insisted that she take his bags of tintypes to his family. What will become of his cherished images? With her brother Glenn’s help, she was able to finish developing the final images from Oliver’s collection. Her family doesn’t know that she sent examples of her own photos along with a separate packet for Oliver to a publishing house in Washington and is waiting to hear from them.
“Rise,” the Pastor says, snapping her out of her thoughts. Guilt stains her cheeks, and she quickly joins in on the hymn.
After church, Savannah waves to her friend and turns to her mother. “Don’t hold lunch for me. I’m going to town with Deidra’s family.” She quickly presses a kiss to her startled cheek and walks swiftly to join her friend.
“Thank you for the lift to town, Deidra. Do you think Frank will mind?”
“Of course, not.” Deidra slips an arm through her friends and guides her to the wagon. “Though I am curious to know what you’re up to.” She says softly after they settle in the back of the wagon.
“Up to? Whatever do you mean?” Savannah struggles to hide the blush of guilt that stains her cheeks as Frank finishes his goodbyes and collects their sons.
“You know you can’t hide the truth,” Deidra teases. “Your eyes always give you away, and your fair complexion.”
Savannah laughs and fans herself. “It’s true. I used to curse my crazy red-hair but not so much. It reminds me of my grandmother Hannah.”
“You are as lovely as always, though your eyes have changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s difficult to explain,” Deidra says softly. “Frank says he finds it hard to look into your eyes. They have a haunted quality about them.”
Savannah grows quiet and looks at her friend. “He isn’t far from the truth,” she murmurs and smiles when the children reach the wagon before Frank.
The ride to town is boisterous and full of laughter as the boys tell her about all of all their escapades. Once they arrive in town, Frank pulls the wagon to a stop in front of the general store which doubles as a post office and turns to Savannah.
“We’ll wait for you.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary, Frank. I don’t want to keep you.” She climbs down and stops at his next sentence.
“I promised Glenn I’d stick with you. I’ll not be breaking my word today. Take your time.”
“Not too long, Miss Savannah, I’m hungry.” Three-year-old Steven says.
Savannah laughs with his parents and climbs down, “I’ll be right back.”
The Post office is run by Willis Grange who happens to also be the owner of the general store. Savannah hurries inside and walks to the back of the store to post her letter. Willis opens the post office for half a day on Sundays, after services. She gets in line behind a few other patrons and waits for Willis to open.
“Hurry up, Willis. I’ve got luncheon waiting on me,” one man calls.
“Hold your horses,” Willis grumbles as he makes his way to the back room to grab his keys. His daughters take over the general store.
Savannah is happy to find that she is third in line. “Picking up or posting?” Mr. Grange asks when it’s her turn.
“Hello Mr. Grange, I’d like to post this letter and pick up any mail.” She slides the letter to him and pays the two cents. He takes the letter and checks her box.
“No mail today, Miss Ward,” he calls for the next person in line.
“Thank you,” she murmurs and walks away.
“Savannah?” A female voice calls. She glances over and waves with a smile.
“Henrietta, it’s lovely to see you.”
“You too? How long are you in town for?” Henrietta draws her out of the path of customers and links her arm through her, guiding her to the front of the store.
“Just for luncheon with friends. How’s your Mother?”
“She’s well, in fact, that’s why I’m here. Mother wants to travel home to Indiana next month to see her family, but she’ll need a companion.” Henrietta waves a letter and marches over to a wall where advertisements are pinned.
“You can’t travel with her?” Savannah walks over to read the ad while Henrietta explains.
“No, I’m to be married at the end of the month.” She blushes and glances at Savannah. “I’ve posted advertisements in the paper, and I’m posting a few others in local towns.”
“Congratulations!” she says with a smile and hugs her friend as an idea forms. “I hope you don’t think it terribly forward of me Henrietta, but I’m available.”
Henrietta’s eyes fly open in surprise. “That’s wonderful! Savannah, I can’t tell you how much I worry about leaving Mother. She’s had two bad falls and to know she would be with someone who has your nursing skills,” tears form, “that
