Jeremiah sent a note that he would not be able to have tea with her after all — some sort of unexpected business that had come up at the lumber office. As bitterly disappointed as she was, Lorena knew she could not allow that disappointment to show on her face. No, she had to go serenely about her day, informing Josie that she was not quite sure when they would depart for San Francisco, as the autumn color had not yet peaked, and since they were here now, then they might as well wait to see its splendor before continuing west.
If her maid found anything strange about this pronouncement, she did not show it. Perhaps Josie was glad of the chance to linger here in Flagstaff, so she might continue her flirtation with the bartender. At least the weather remained strangely mild, as if granting
