Free Sarah's Promise by Leisha Kelly Page B

gotten in all right. Sarah was relieved by that. She was worried that the weather might give me more problems, or who could tell what else, but I assured her I’d be all right. Wasn’t easy gettin’ off the phone, but I had a lot more miles to put under me.
    “I love you, Sarah Jean,” I told her.
    “I love you too. Please be careful.”
    It still seemed a marvel that Sarah would have such feelings for me. I was incredible blessed, no doubt about that. And I hoped I wasn’t stretchin’ her love and tolerance by doing what I was doing. But I had to be the best I could for her, and I didn’t think I’d ever really discover what that was at home.
    Right after the call to Sarah, I talked to Sam at his uncle’s store, and it was a good thing I did. They’d been worried sick that I was wrecked along the road somewhere. I knew they was anxious for me to get to them tonight. And I was just as anxious to have this trip settled.
    But I’d barely eaten anything that day. I drove till the hunger drawed me to a roadside café in Jacksonville, where I ordered tomato soup because I was still thinking of the Platten family. With the soup in front of me, I prayed for them and the Ensleys. The Lord works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. And it struck me as mysterious that he’d have me meeting up with two families in need thataway. Sarah was surely right that he’d led me on purpose.
    Felt good to have hot soup and coffee in me, but I was in a hurry to be back on the road. I crossed the Illinois River at a town called Meredosia and got gas in Versailles. It was gettin’ dark around me, but the road stayed passable and I kept on through Hersman and Mt. Sterling. I was near to the end of my memorized route.
    Before the next town, I saw a fella walking on the road in an army uniform. My gut feeling was to stop, but I almost didn’t do it. After all that had happened so far on this trip, who knew what I’d be letting myself in for?
    But he stuck his thumb out, and I couldn’t pass him by. Here was a young veteran, maybe not even home for long, out here along the road on a cold night. Wouldn’t be right not to at least take him a few miles.
    I found out all he needed was a ride to Clayton, the very next town down the road. I was glad I’d stopped. He directed me to the café right across from the square and offered to buy me a cup of coffee for my trouble. But I was keen aware how close I was to Camp Point and I didn’t want another stop to give me a chance at being delayed again. So I just let him out and went on. Only six more miles. Man, oh, man, it was going to be a relief to be there.
    I was feeling the cold pretty fierce that last stretch of road, but I was feeling satisfied too. Maybe I was two days late, but I’d done it. Camp Point in the moonlight was a pretty sight to me because a’ that. And even in the dark it wasn’t hard to find Pickinpaugh Motors, nor Sam’s house. And they must a’ been watching. Just as soon as I killed the engine, I heard a squeal from somebody little, and Sam come running out to meet me with four of his six young’uns. It was good.

9
    Sarah
    I lay awake that night sorting through everything Frank had told me in his call. Two different families would have been in desperate straits if he hadn’t happened along. I had to accept that the Lord was working good in this trip, even though I didn’t like it. And I prayed Frank was in a warm bed now.
    What else do you have in store for us, Lord? What are you trying to tell me?
    I couldn’t stop thinking about those hurting people. Frank knew what it was like to have little, and to be in pain. He’d known what to do, and he’d done it well. I shouldn’t have let myself fret so much for him, but I didn’t know how to help it. I’d probably stay fretting, at least a little, until he was safe back home.
    Now I was anxious to get tomorrow’s assurance that he’d truly gotten to Camp Point. I prayed to never again have to feel so