A Rocky Mountain Christmas

EPILOGUE

Lambert Field, St. Louis—December 20, 1961

“Attention, passengers, the runways have been cleared, and the airport is now open. Please check with the schedule board to learn the status of your flight.” The announcement came over the speaker.

“I fully recovered from my illness, whatever it was, and never had another recurrence,” Rebecca said, completing the story of that Christmas, sixty-eight years ago.

“And your father went on to become governor,” Margaret pointed out.

“That’s right, he served two terms as governor, then in 1912, he was very nearly selected as the Vice Presidential candidate for Mr. Roosevelt. After that, he gave up politics and became a successful businessman in Denver.”

“Speaking of successful, your life has been a steady string of successes. You have been a schoolteacher, a college professor, an accomplished author, and finally the United States Ambassador to Greece.”

“Yes, my life has been blessed,” Rebecca agreed.

“Mrs. Robison, in the story you just told, you met Mr. Jensen and Mr. MacAllister out on the mountain as they were coming to rescue the passengers.”

“Yes.”

“But that’s not possible, is it? I mean, particularly when Matt Jensen said that you were in a coma, and that you never left the train.”

“You would think so, wouldn’t you?” Rebecca replied. “But I clearly remembered seeing Mr. Jensen and Mr. MacAllister out on the trail. It was probably a dream, but if it was, Mr. Jensen had the same dream, because he remembered seeing me out on the trail, as well.”

“You also said someone named Preacher came to see you while you were in a coma and told you that you would be all right. Was that just a dream?”

An enigmatic smile spread across Rebecca’s face. “I don’t know. Was it? I’m still here, nearly seventy years later.”

A uniformed airport attendant walked over to where Rebecca and Margaret were having their discussion. “Mrs. Robison, we are now loading first-class passengers for your flight to Denver.”

“Thank you, young man.”

“Will you need help in boarding?”

“No, thank you, I’m still quite mobile.” Rebecca got up then, but before she left the lounge, she looked back. “Margaret, your young man is going to propose to you over dinner tonight. Say yes. You will have a wonderful marriage.”

“What?” Margaret gasped.

“Merry Christmas, dear,” the old lady said as she turned and walked toward the boarding gate.