Black Noon Read Online Free PDF Page A

a covenant . . . a vow.”
    â€œWhat kind of a . . . vow?”
    â€œYou’ll have to excuse me, Caleb, if I don’t answer your question.”
    â€œYes, of course, my friend. It was unfair of me to ask that question. You’ve already done more than we could expect. But, Reverend, may I ask, what are your plans? Where were you and your wife . . . what was your destination?”
    â€œA place you might never even have heard of, Saguaro.”
    â€œYes, we know of Saguaro.”
    â€œThe minister there is retiring at the end of the year. I’ll assist him until then.”
    â€œVery good.” Caleb looked from Joseph to Deliverance. “In the meanwhile, since you’ll be here for a time . . . until Mrs. Keyes is fit to travel . . . I was wondering . . .”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œThere is a different way you can help . . . if you’re willing.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œAs you’ve seen, the people here are so depressed, and since our minister died they even seem to be losing faith. I’m sure it would be a great comfort to San Melas if you would conduct services this Sunday.”
    â€œA great comfort,” Joseph added.
    Deliverance moved forward slightly and nodded, her eyes importuning.
    â€œWe have no church to offer you,” Caleb said, “but there is a shady knoll. Would you consider . . .”
    â€œI would consider it an honor, Caleb, after all you’ve done,” he smiled. “I haven’t had the opportunity to conduct a service since we began our journey. Only silent prayers . . . and you good people have answered one of my prayers.”
    â€œAnd, in a way, you’ve answered one of ours, just by being here.”
    â€œI may be a little . . . rusty.”
    â€œReverend, you will be received with great favor.”
    â€œWith great favor.” Joseph beamed, as Bethia entered the room.
    â€œExcuse me, sir,” she addressed Keyes. “It’s your wife . . .”
    â€œIs something wrong?”
    â€œTo the contrary,” Bethia brightened, “she’s awake. She’s been asking for you.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful news.” To the others. “Please excuse me.”
    Keyes moved quickly out of the room.
    The parlor remained silent for a time.
    â€œHe certainly is a fine young man.” Caleb’s pipe had gone out.
    Deliverance took a match from the table, struck it, and brought the flame close to her father’s pipe.
    As Keyes climbed the stairs, thoughts rushed through his mind, thoughts of their desperate journey, a journey that for a time became hopeless. His wife, debilitated, unconscious, near death; he, himself, devoid of strength, felled in the desolate wilderness with buzzards circling in anticipation as he lay with no chance of survival . . . and then three strangers, out of that desolation, carrying them to a haven of survival. And now Lorna was awake and calling for him.
    In time they would resume their journey. When Lorna was well.
    But in how much time . . . and what might happen until then?

CHAPTER 9
    The bedroom was mostly illuminated by a large ornate candle on a bed stand. Lorna was leaning back on two oversized feather pillows. Her face still bore the effects of her ordeal, eyes circled darkly, cheeks sallow and sunken, and it was evident from the shape of her shoulders that she had lost too much weight.
    Keyes sat at her bedside holding her hand.
    â€œJon . . . don’t let go of my hand. Keep holding it, please . . .”
    â€œI’ll never let go, Lorna. We’re together . . . and we’re going to stay together.”
    â€œIt’s . . . it’s a miracle . . .”
    â€œYou might call it that.” He smiled.
    â€œWhat . . .”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    She nodded.
    â€œThe last thing I remember was the broken wagon . . . and the sun. Oh, Jonathon, that sun is still burning in my brain . . . I thought that we . . .”
    â€œNow,