“Dad can travel with you, Savannah, I don’t like you traveling alone. It isn’t right. You never stay put,” he snaps in frustration.
“It’s right for me. Our parents deserve some time at their home, and I need to finish this so I can get on with my life. Now, enough trying to talk me out of this. I’ve traveled all over this country. I can handle one trip to Iowa.” Savannah’s tone is sharper than she meant, causing him to glance at her in surprise. “Forgive my tone.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder and walks to the desk to pick up some papers. “I would have you help me with the contract, though. I’m to sign it and return it to Mrs. Kruger.” She offers him the stack of papers and smiles prettily.
“I’d be glad to look at it.” Glenn takes the papers to the desk near the window and sits down to go over them. The second page has him glancing at her in surprise. “Savannah, exactly what did you agree to?”
Savannah drops the shoes she is trying to pack and hurries across the room. “I agreed to travel as a nurse and companion for two weeks and safely deliver Mrs. Kruger to her family in Indiana. Why? What does it say?” She leans over his shoulder to peer at the document.
“It says that you’re to travel with her to Ohio, stay for a few nights, then on to Indiana, where you will deliver her to her family.”
“That’s what I agreed to do.” Savannah straightens up. “What’s the problem?”
“It’s the pay. This says your train tickets are to be paid by Mrs. Kruger as well as a travel wardrobe, plus room, board, and food expenses for the two weeks you will be together.” Glenn glances at her in excitement. “Listen to the next part, Savannah.”
“Miss Ward will be paid a sum of five dollars per day with a fifty-dollar bonus upon arrival in Indiana.”
Savannah’s eyes grow wide with excitement. “I didn’t read that part. I was so excited to find a travel companion and a paying job that I didn’t ask for the details.”
“That’s a hundred and twenty dollars, Savannah. Not including the clothing, and other expenses. I can see why you want to do this.” Glenn murmurs and continues reading.
“Exactly, but you are missing the best part. Dad and Mom can move back home, and you and your new bride will have some alone time, at last.”
Glenn lowers the contract and walks over to her. “As much as I love you for thinking of us, this isn’t about getting rid of you. I was looking forward to having you around, Savannah, and the children love you.”
Savannah gives him a teary grin. “Good, because I love them more.” Giving a shake, she pushes away to finish packing. “I’m not leaving forever, Glenn. I’m taking a short trip, and I’ll meet you in Kentucky for the horse race.”
“Fine, but I want you to take a pistol and no argument, I’m going to give you some travel money.”
“I won’t need your money.” Savannah walks over to the desk and opens the drawer to draw out a large envelope. “I was going to make this a surprise, but I don’t like to keep secrets from you.”
“What is it?”
“Open it.” Savannah chews nervously on her nail.
Glenn sits and opens the envelope spilling out four tin photographs, along with some paperwork. Two images are battle worn buildings, one church, one family home. The other two are of soldiers. One stands in front of a wagon of weapons and another, being helped by the nurses. “What am I looking at Savannah?”
“During the war, I often sold photographs to make spending money. Some of them are Oliver’s, soldiers and families and my landscapes. I decided when I came home that I wanted these images to mean more, do more than sit in a box. I sent paper copies of these to a publishing house in Washington. I’d like to have them printed in a book. I’m waiting on a response.”
Glenn is speechless. He looks at the images and back at her. “I don’t know what to say.” He realizes when he glances at her, just how nervous she is. “I’m so proud of you, Savannah.”
“You are?” Savannah sits heavily on the edge of a window seat.
“Of course. This is amazing.” He grins at her with pride shining in his eyes.
“I hope so. We could use the money to put into building up the family business, Glenn. I want to help if I can. Please don’t tell anyone else. I want to surprise Mom and Dad.”
Glenn sighs and moves to crouch in front of her. “It’s not your job to take care of our family, that’s my job. I have news of my own. Savannah, money is no longer a worry, with Anika’s inheritance we have more than enough. I have already paid the entrance fee for the race, now it’s your job to start living again.”
“I’m trying, Glenn. This trip is the beginning of that.”
“Good. Now let’s get you packed.”
They laugh and argue through the next hour as she packs and finally signs the contract. “Glenn, could you check the post office for me while I’m gone? I’m expecting an answer soon from the publishing house. I’d hate to miss it.”
“Of course, I can send you a telegram when it arrives.” They go through details of her trip, and she promises to send him a telegram when she arrives in
