Mesa, Arizona
November 1929
D orothy stood with her gaze directed toward the Superstition Mountains, her thoughts in reflection. Six months had gone by since her father last walked out of their shack. She had neither seen nor heard from him since. His parting still sent a sting of grief through her when she remembered it; she thought it always would.
A laugh from Hazel brought Dorothy back to the present. She smiled as she watched the little girl jump around Theo, who held some special toy over his head.
“They still antagonize each other. At least they do it in fun and make it a game now.” Artie wrapped his arms around Dorothy’s waist from behind, kissing her on the head.
Dorothy leaned against him, a sigh nearly replacing the smile entirely, as she glanced once more toward the Superstition Mountains.
“What is the matter, Dorothy?”
She shook her head against him. “I had just been thinking about Father.”
He kissed her hair again, resting his cheek against her head. “He’s in the Lord’s hands, dear.”
“I know. It still aches though.”
Artie sighed this time. “I know.”
Edith let out a loud bray from her place in the goat yard. Whether she really startled Theo, or he pretended as a part of the game, no one could tell. Hazel jumped up as his arm lowered in apparent distraction, snatched the toy away from him and took off running. Theo turned and went after her.
Hazel could hardly stay upright in her laughter, nearly landing herself in the dirt. Theo took his opportunity, swinging her up from the ground, her braids flying.
“I won!”
“You did not!” Theo tried not to laugh as the child leaned back to look at him. “I have you with the top, so I won!”
Hazel shook her head with another giggle. “I still have it. Artie!” She turned toward Dorothy and Artie. “Tell Theo I won!”
Dorothy couldn’t see his face, but she heard him laugh. She did so love that sound. “I’m not going to decide the rules, Sparrow. I’m leaving that between the two of you.”
Dorothy’s gaze shifted to the mountains again. Six months. Those months had been change enough. Dorothy had lived the first four of them with Kat and the Gilberts. No one would hear of her living alone after her father left. The last two months, Dorothy had lived in the Sinclair house as Artie’s wife. She smiled a bit at the memory. Theo and Hazel had made quite the welcoming committee.
Artie shifted a bit as Theo and Hazel continued their game alone. “We talked with Fred this morning. I’m glad he is willing to work with us. The stock market crash has wiped out a good deal of Dad’s investments, but he and Theo think we’ll be all right. Things will be tighter than some of us are used to, but we’re provided for.”
“The Lord is taking care of us.”
“He is, indeed.”
A shout caused even Theo and Hazel to turn and pay attention, as an automobile snaked toward the house.
Artie chuckled. “There’s the Gilberts.”
Kat leapt from the automobile, hugged Hazel who catapulted toward her, then pulled a dish from someone’s lap. She marched toward Artie and Dorothy with a grin.
“If it isn’t the two lovebirds I got together!”
“You did no such thing!” Theo jogged to keep up with her.
“I certainly did so!” Kat turned toward Theo archly. “Who changed her glad rags—not that she wasn’t a stunner before!—but she does stand out as a 1920s woman. Who did that, knowing it would help things along?”
Artie choked.
“He didn’t even notice!”
Kat shook her head at Theo, turning again. “Come, Artie. Tell your brother you noticed when Dorothy went from turn of the century stunner to 1920s glamor!”
“Glamor is not the right word, I reckon.” Dorothy wanted to laugh at Artie’s uncomfortable silence. She knew why he didn’t answer. “He didn’t notice, Kat.”
Kat’s eyes bulged. “Arthur Sinclair! You’re hopeless!” She tossed her hair. “At any rate, I still succeeded in my cousinly duty.”
“Succeeded? No.” Theo took the covered dish from Kat. “The most you can ever take credit for is a prediction. That and nothing else.”
“Applesauce!”
“I’m right, you’re wrong, and Sunday dinner is going to get cold while you argue.” Theo started for the house.
“And you’ll never grow up!” Kat turned to follow. “I can argue through dinner, you know.”
Theo laughed with a glance at his sister-in-law. “I’ll ask Dorothy to make sure you’re not seated anywhere near me then.”
Dorothy couldn’t help a laugh in response. Kat glared after Theo, as she followed him, or she tried to.
Artie chuckled. “My ‘cousin’ will never give anyone a convincing glare. She just amuses everyone, and she knows it.”
Artie started to follow as the others headed toward the house, but Dorothy held back with one more look toward the mountains. From her new home, they stood further distant by a good stretch than she had known all her life, but the mountains still stood majestic, abiding, and strong.
A tiny reminder of what our God is like. I thank Thee for the reminder, Lord.
“Are you coming, dear?” Artie’s voice made her turn.
She hurried to catch up, smiling up at him. “One need not fear the future when we reflect on what the God has brought us through in the past.”
Artie smiled, putting an arm around her shoulders. “Quite true. When fear does come, we stay focused on Him. He is faithful.”
Theo popped his head from the house. “The food is getting cold, Kat is waxing noisy about feats she knows nothing about, and children are hungry. I need backup, see. Are you coming?”
Artie laughed. “We’re coming.”
Dorothy walked beside him as they went up to the house. Father in Heaven, Thou hast blessed me so. I do thank Thee.
Finis