Page 60 of My Heart Will Find You

As she began to look, she felt that dizzy sensation. “No, no, no!” she said. “I can’t leave now. It’s my turn now. Forme!”

But she couldn’t escape the overpowering feeling. She fell crosswise on the bed and went to sleep.

11

When Etta woke, tears filled her eyes before she even opened them. She squeezed them tight. “Please don’t let me be at Henry’s house,” she whispered.

She wiped away the tears then slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Max’s mother’s wardrobe.

A surge of energy and pure happiness exploded through her. “I’m still here!” she said, then leaped out of bed. Yet again, she had on a big cotton nightgown. “I’vegotto find out who keeps undressing and dressing me!”

Over the chair was a pretty cotton dress. It wasn’t something made for cooking and riding horses. Beside it was a note written in an elegant hand. “Pat is taking us to church this morning.” Written by Alice.

Etta clutched the note to her chest. She was so glad to still be there that she didn’t mind that she’d spent yet another night away from her husband. Was Max still angry with her? Would he be joining them for church?

She dressed quickly. “I’m getting good at this.” She ran down the stairs to make the necessary trip outside. When she got back, she heard voices.

Pat and Alice were sitting side by side in the big parlor. They moved apart when they saw Etta. She sat down, smiling warmly at them. She’ddoneit!

“There is no church today,” Alice said. “The pastor is indisposed.”

Etta fell back against the chair. Her father, who loved numbers and hated sermons. She remembered what Max had told her about him. “Drunk?”

Pat nodded.

“Nellie wants to stay here with her paints,” Alice said.

Etta’s eyes widened. “I have an idea of what we can do. It’s something rather, well, unconventional. Is everything ready so we can leave?” It wasn’t like they could just get in the car and go. Hitching horses took time.

Alice and Pat looked at her for a moment, then he stood up. “Mrs. Lawton, I will say that I love your ideas. Whatever you want, I will do it.” He held out his hand to Alice, and she stood up beside him.

“I agree with him.” Her eyes were telling Etta that she was no longer angry about the lawyer.

“Then let’s go. We need to stop at the Red Dog.”

Pat’s eyes widened for a moment but then he nodded. “To the gates of hell if that’s what you want. Alice, you should stay here and—”

The expressions of the two women said they would refuse to remain behind.

“My apologies,” he said. “We’ll all go.”

Etta got in the back of the two seater and held on as Pat drove rapidly. It was like the ride after her wedding, but this time she wasn’t about to fall out.What a marshmallow I was, she thought.

Pat stopped in front of the saloon but made no offer to help either woman get down. He had limits.

“Get Sally,” Etta said. “Tell her to put on her prettiest dress and come with us.”

Pat didn’t question her but went into the saloon.

Alice turned to her sister-in-law. “You’re going to have her sing, aren’t you?”

“Oh yes.”

“Her singing is better than the pastor’s sermons. Not that I’ve heard them.”

Alice’s words reminded Etta of how she’d first seen her. Alice didn’t even leave her glass prison to go to church. But now here she was, waiting for a man who had a daughter. A ready-made family.

Minutes later, Sally came out ahead of Pat and climbed in beside Etta. He drove them to the church.

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