Cole's Redemption (Love Amongst the Pines) by Leigh Curtis Read Free Book Online

a singsong fashion.
                  "For every thing there is a season..."
     
                  "A time to be born and a time to die..." Miriam Remmington stood in the darkness, gazing out the boarding house window. The empty streets of St. Louis looked very much like the dozens of towns she had encountered on her journey west.
                  A widowed mother with a lost son, this was the first time she'd ever traveled beyond the confines of her beloved Boston.
                  " There now, Mrs. Remmington ," her companion, Melanie Dayton, said. "We don't know for certain what happened to Mr. Cole."  A woman in her fifties, Melanie's figure was well endowed and a bit thick in the middle.  She stood half a foot taller than Miriam and wore her gray hair in a tight Chingon .  Miriam thought that while she always wore a 'brook no arguments' expression, she was likely the most kind hearted person in the world.
                  "No, we don't."  The candlelight flickered behind them, throwing ghostly shadows across the room, calling forth painful memories of those that she'd loved and lost.  Marian tried to focus on the window instead.
                  "I have to say that it leaves me in a quandary. Who would send you that notice about your son and why?"
                  "It's not a notice, Melly , it's a wanted poster. To think, my son, my Cole, wanted for robbery and murder!"
                  "Whatever this mysterious correspondent intended, you know now, and you've set out on a journey to help him. That's all that matters."
                  "What if I don't get there in time and it's too late? What if they've already caught him and he's in jail, or worse?"
                  Melly patted her shoulder gently. "You mustn't think that way. You have to believe that you'll get there in time to help him!"
                  Miriam took a deep breath. Her friend was right.  She looked out once again into the forbidding night. Outside the window was another town, another stop on the long journey west.
                  "I want to help him," she stated quietly, "but what if he won't let me?" Her voice sounded small in the enveloping darkness.
                  "Aw, Miss.  Of course he'll want your help. You are his mother, after all."
                  "I'm not so sure.  When he left, he was so angry! I didn't understand him then and I'm not sure I do now."
                  "Maybe this isn't a matter of understanding, Mrs. Remmington . Might be it's just a matter of loving him. He does know you love him, doesn't he?"
                  Miriam hesitated. "I thought so, once. That was so long ago. It's been almost two years, and I've not had a single letter from him. I only pray it's not too late."
                  "Please, Mrs. Remmington , you need to rest. We've a far piece to go.  You'll not do him any good if you find him and then fall ill."
                  Miriam turned toward the bed. "I've not slept well since this nightmare began."
                  "You must try.  The stage leaves promptly at six. Just remember, every hour brings us closer to finding him."
                  Miriam took her friend's hand. "Oh, Melly , you are a comfort to me. I'm so glad you agreed to come west. I know this is a long way from being the ideal position as a lady's companion."
                  "Nonsense! I've always wanted to travel, to see the sights of this great land. I have you to thank for that opportunity. I'm just sorry it is under such sad circumstances."
                  "I promise to make it up to you, Melly , as soon as we find Cole."
                  "I know you will.  Now, off to bed and I'll put the candles out."
                  In a few moments, Marian was in bed, wrapped