A Texas Sky (Yellow Rose Trilogy) (36 page)

"Are you going to church tomorrow?" Charles asked

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without preamble.

ATy + m

Dakota nodded. "I was going to go early-M morning and get a note to Darvi to see if I couldttft church with her." . ft

"What about your mother's and my church?*' a , *

"In truth, Dad, I don't know anything about it, tut because you don't agree with my beliefs, I'm assuming there won't be anything there for me."

"And what do you hope Darvi's church will have?"

"Some type of message and challenge from God's Ward

Something I can learn from and put into practice in my life."

"And thaf s all part of not being afraid to die?"

"My peace about death does not come from a sermon I

might hear, but from knowing that I have a relationship

with Christ, However, salvation is only the beginning.

There's a whole life to be lived, and I won't know how to

live it without study in the Word."

The older Rawlings studied his boy's face, their eyes

meeting and holding.

"I'll go with you! Your mother too!"

Dakota blinked. "All right," he said slowly. "But I'm

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not sure what Darvi will say. I mean, I haven't checked

with her."

"What if," Charles began, his pride rubbing him a bit,

"it turns out she goes to our church, and the preacher

explains it just like you did?"

"Then I'll wonder how you could have been missing it

all these years," Dakota replied before he thought.

Charles wasn't happy with this disrespectful statement,

and his eyes communicated that with ease.

"I'm sorry, sir. I shouldn't have said that"

"No, you shouldn't have, but if s what you believe,

isn't it?"

Dakota dropped his eyes before admitting, "Yes, sir."

Charles didn't like the shame he felt over the way he'd

gained the upper hand. It was true that he had taught his

boys to respect him, but he had come knocking on Dakota's

door, not the other way around.

"If s all right," he said quietly. "Sleep well, Dakota."

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"Tliank you. Goodnight."

Charles made his way back down the hall, unaware of

the way Dakota stood and watched him retreat into the

darkness. He gained his own room, where "Virginia still had

a light on, and floored her with his announcement.

"We're going to church with Darvi and Dakota in the

morning."

"What church?"

"I don't know yet, but we're going."

Her mouth opened a little. "You don't mean that."

"I do mean it."

"Charles, what will our neighbors who go to our church

say?"

"I don't care."

Virginia knew very well how true that statement was.

Charles Rawlings Sr. never did anything because someone

thought he should. She watched him settle into bed, not at

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all comfortable with his plan. The lantern was still on, so

Charles caught her gaze on him when he turned on his

side. Virginia dropped her eyes and reached for the lamp,

but his hand stopped her.

"Ginny," he said quietly, "he's got me to thinking."

"About what?"

"I'm not a kid anymore."

"You're not old, either."

"Neither was Ben down at the bank, and he dropped

without warning."

"So thaf s what this is all about," she said in a mothering

tone. "You've just realized you're not going to live forever."

"Exactly."

"Virginia had not expected him to agree. She had even

used a tone with him that usually angered him.

"All right, Charles." She gave in more out of confusion

than anything else. "I'll go with you."

Charles had not thought anything else. Virginia went

nearly everywhere with him. But her answer gave him

pause. Would he go if she refused? It took some time before

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Charles fell asleep, but even then he wasn't suretawVtifci go without her. - '^tf*#

'r~^

t*

"I'm sorry to call at your back door at such an eaity

hour," Dakota said to the woman at the Wingates' kitchen

door. "I didn't want to disturb anyone, but could you

please get this note to Miss Wingate as soon as possible?"

"I will, sir. Is there anything else?"

"No, thank you."

That was how the morning had started. Dakota had

awakened early and gone swiftly to Darvi's, hoping she

would get the note as he directed, and she did. Just an hour

later a return note arrived from her, telling Dakota what

church she attended and that if he liked, she would come

for him at ten o'clock. One more message from Dakota

established that his parents would be along and also

offered to include her in their carriage.

Now, Dakota, Charles, and Virginia rode in silence to

the Wingate home. Virginia was tense, her mind filled wttfc

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uncertainty over this outing. Charles seemed so certain,

and Dakota was calm, his expression relaxed, but she felt

completely out of her element

It helped to have Darvi join their group. That young

woman began a conversation with her the moment she

took a seat, and Virginia actually relaxed a little before they

arrived at the church.

"I want you to meet a friend of mine," Darvi continued to

talk as they walked up the steps, the younger woman having

taken the older woman's arm. "Her name is Mrs. Beacher, and

she's such a dear. In fact, she lives justafew blocks from you."

"Martha Beacher?"

"Yes!"

"We've known each other for years. She goes to your

church?"

Darvi smiled. "This is her church. She was the one who

introduced me."

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Virginia relaxed a little more. Martha Beacher was a

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wonderful woman, always kind and ready to lend a hand.

Up to that moment Virginia had not known what to expect,

but suddenly she wasn't worried, at least not about

meeting the people. However, the sermon, or whatever the

service entailed, still had her somewhat concerned.

"9'''3"

"Can you tell what your parents thought?" Darvi asked

Dakota as they walked in the garden behind the house.

"Not exactly." His voice was deep and soft. "I think my

father understood, but I'm not sure what Mother was

thinking."

"How is it that they wanted to come?"

"My father decided. I'm not sure he gave Mother much

choice."

"Does she do everything he says?"

Dakota smiled. "What do you think?"

Darvi smiled back. "I think the Rawlings men are used

to getting what they want."

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Dakota looked very innocent. "I can't imagine what

you're talking about"

"Of course you can't." Darvi's voice was indulgent.

"You always ask me and give me lots of choices. You never tell me to do anything."

Dakota worked at not smiling. "Regarding what?"

"'By the way, Darvi, we're not going to make the next

town. Would you like to camp here for the night?'" she

began to tease him. "'Darvi, you've been through a lot.

Would you like to lie down and rest awhile?'" Her brows

rose in a way that told him she was very pleased with herself

just then. "You're used to giving orders, Dakota Rawlings,

and I suspect your father is the same way."

"You little pill," Dakota growled playfully and began to

reach for her. Darvi darted away from him and around a

bush.

"Did I hit a little dose to home, Mr. Rawlings?"

A Texas Sky 245

Dakota told himself not to laugh as he came around the

bush toward her. Darvi evaded him nicely and slipped

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across the paved path around an arbor. She peeked

through and watched him approach. She was about to dart

off again, but he stopped. Bending just a little to watch his

face, Darvi waited.

"I just thought of something," he admitted, his eyes on

hers. "I can't really do anything if I catch you."

Darvi's smile grew rather wide, her expression downright

smug.

"On second thought..." Dakota reconsidered and

started forward again.

Virginia chose that moment to call from the kitchen

door, telling them she was serving coffee and cake in the

living room.

"We're coming," Darvi took advantage and answered,

her eyes gleaming with amusement as she sauntered triumphantly

up the path.

"You're an impudent piece of baggage, Miss Wingate,"

Dakota growled close to her ear as he drew up beside her.

Darvi smiled for a moment but suddenly stopped and

turned worried eyes up to his. Her brow lowering in concern,

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she studied him a moment

"You knew I was teasing just now, didn't you, Dakota?

I mean, you do know how much I appreciate everything

you've done, all your care and such?"

Dakota's finger swept through the soft tendrils of hair

that refused to stay off of her forehead, pleased when her

brow softened a little.

"Yes," he said softly. "I do know that you're thankful.

You've told me in dozens of ways."

Darvi's head tipped to the side in a way Dakota found

irresistible.

"What kinds of ways?"

In a flash Dakota was back on the roadside, having rescued

Darvi from Cassy's ranch. He had stopped to check

on her and soon found her sobbing in his arms. Never had

he felt so needed.

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"Lef s just say/' Dakota began, working to dispel the

image, "in your own special way you've made it very dear."

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Darvi studied him. "Will I ever get a straight answer to

that question?"

Dakota could feel himself falling, his heart squeezing

and filling all at the same time as he looked into eyes that

held such trust and honesty.

"I hope so" was all he was willing to say just then/ and

Darvi understood. She smiled a little and nodded.

They walked on to the house, Dakota doing all he could

not to place an arm around her slim waist. He hadn't been

glad to see Brandon at the house a few weeks back, but he

couldn't say he blamed the man for trying.

3"3r-5'

"Have you been at church this whole time?" Clarisse

Wingate spoke rather primly the moment Darvi walked in

the door. It was almost two o'clock.

"No, the Rawlings asked me to lunch, and I accepted. I

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didn't think you'd mind."

"And does my minding mean anything to you these

days?"

"Of course it does, Mother. I thought you enjoyed the

Rawlingses and approved of them."

Her mother sniffed, not wanting to admit that her

daughter was right. Another tact was needed.

"You've certainly transferred your affections swiftly