A Texas Sky (Yellow Rose Trilogy) (37 page)

enough."

"Swiftly?"

"Yes, swiftiy! You just broke off with Brandon a few

weeks ago."

Still managing to keep her voice kind, Darvi said,/'I

broke up with Brandon early this summer, but no one

would listen to me."

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Her mother shook her head. "I don't know you anymore."

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Darvi felt cut to the quick but stayed quiet Why her

mother would want the "old Darvi" back was unimaginable.

The old Darvi pouted if she didn't get her way. The old Darvi

was never happy, constantly wanting more things, parties, or

excitement The new Darvi was very glad to be rid of hex:

"Did I see Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings in the carriage earlier?"

her mother asked next, working hard to sound as

though she didn't care.

"Yes."

"Does Mrs. Rawlings go to that church?"

"She did this morning."

Her mother's face was so stiff it looked as though it

might crack.

"May I tell you something, Mother?"

Clarisse Wingate nodded but looked no less unyielding.

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"Our ancestors are so important to you, but I can't

remember half of them, I'm your only child. If I don't

remember, who will?"

"You could make more of an effort."

"I suppose I could, but even you have forgotten some of

them, and when that happened, I finally understood that

we do not carry on through our ancestors."

Her mother's face went from stony to livid.

"How can you say such a thing? Why, you were named

after your dearly departed Uncle Darwin and Uncle

Virgil!"

Clarisse stomped away at that point, leaving the foyer area

and retreating to her small sitting room on the south side of

the house. It was her sanctuary, her leave-me-alone spot but

Darvi did not take the usual hint She followed right behind.

"Please, Mother. Please discuss it with me."

"I will not! I've never heard such nonsense. You're

going against everything we've ever taught you."

But her mother did turn to her, and even though her

eyes did nothing but accuse, Darvi tried again.

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"I have so much I want to share with you and Father, so

much in my heart But it seems to me that you only want to

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look good on the outside, not take time to see inside to the

real person."

"You will not speak to me in such a way!"

The words were all but shouted, and Darvi retreated in

defeat. Her face a mask of pain, she uttered her final words.

"Uncle Marty told me I could live with him anytime I

needed. I leave Wednesday for Aurora. I think I'll just go

on to Austin from there."

Darvi waited for her mother to ask her not to go, to order

her or demand that she come right home, but nothing was

forthcoming. Feeling as though her insides were breaking

into little pieces, Darvi took her pain over this rejection to

her room, where fighting tears of horrible pain and confusion,

she began to sort through her things and pack.

"5^^-

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"I

want you to do me a favor," Virginia said to Dakota

the moment he came home from returning Darvi. Setting

her book aside, she turned a little to face him squarely.

"All right," Dakota said as he sat down, watching his

father put his paper aside and figuring that he was in the

dark as well.

"When do you leave?"

'Tuesday or Wednesday."

"Virginia nodded. "I want you to write me a letter."

Dakota forced a dozen questions to stay inside.

"You can write it now and leave it here for me, or you

can write it after you leave and mail it."

Dakota only looked at her; Charles did the same.

"In the letter, I would like you to explain to me what

that man was talking about this morning. What does he

mean when he says we have to be born again?"

"May I ask you a question?" Dakota put in before she

could go on.

Virginia gave a brief nod.

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"Why can't we talk about this face-to-face?"

A Texas Sky 249

Virginia looked away and kept her eyes averted while

she answered.

"I haven't told anyone how much it bothers me that all

of you boys have something with your grandmother that I

don't have. And now your father is interested, and I'm

going to be left all alone."

"I would never leave you all alone," Charles said quietly.

"Mot physically--I know that--but this is bigger than

our living together, Charles. You must see that"

"Yes, I do," he admitted out loud because she was still

not looking at either one of them.

"But why a letter. Mother?" Dakota persisted.

"Because I need time to think. I feel rattled when you

start to talk of this, and I want to panic and run." She finally

turned to him, and Dakota was shocked to see tears in her

eyes. She managed to speak, but her voice was filled with

self-deprecation. "Wouldn't the women in town be amazed

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to find the invincible Virginia Rawlings all shook up over

her son's religious convictions?"

"I'm not sure I agree with you there, Mother. If you were

to get any of them alone to talk about their own mortality, I

think you might see something different. Maybe all the parties

and committees are a way of covering their own fears."

"But you and that pastor honestly think I deserve to go

to hell, don't you?"

"I deserved to go to hell," Dakota countered. "Why God

saved me from that I'll never know, but thafs what He did,

and I know He's waiting to do the same for anyone who

will call on Him."

Virginia's heart lightened within her. She had felt so

helplessly condemned, but Dakota's tone had been understanding

and humble. And she did want to comprehend,

but it was frightening to her as well. At the same time, he

had made it sound as though there was hope.

"So you'll write the letter?"

"Absolutely. I'll leave it in my room."

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Virginia wanted to cry in earnest then. He was so much

like his father: used to taking charge but sensitive with

those he loved. She didn't know why she'd expected the

worst, but she had.

Stifling a yawn, Virginia suddenly felt very weary. Not

getting her son's wrath or scorn was so relieving that all

she wanted to do was sleep.

Having been married to her for 30 years, Charles detected

the signs. She had yet to look at him, which told him she was

either embarrassed or still felt betrayed, but even in profile

he watched her lids grow heavy over the pages of the book

she had reopened. Before long she was trying to read with

her head laid back, finally giving up and placing the book in

her lap. Moments later her eyes were dosed.

Father and son were on their own, but neither spoke.

Dakota had questions but sensed they should wait His

father hadn't looked his way before going back to the

newspaper, but Dakota had watched the way he'd studied

his wife. It came to him without warning, and he was not

467

sure his parents were aware of the fact, but Dakota saw for

the first time that God had certainly blessed their marriage.

Dakota didn't join his parents in reading or napping just

then.'He was too busy wondering how he'd never seen this

before. Not moving an inch from the living room, Dakota

talked the whole thing out with God and determined to ask

Cash the next time he saw him whether God blessed-those who wanted nothing to do with Him. Dakota thought He must, but that wasn't good enough. The Texas Ranger

wanted verses to prove it

5"3"3*

"How are you today?" Dakota asked quietly as he and

Darvi walked from her front door on Monday evening.

"I'm fine," she said quietly.

"Was your mother a little cool just now," he asked

before getting to the carriage, "or did I imagine things?"

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468

"Frozen better describes her/' Darvi said so quietly that

Dakota let it drop. He had asked her to join him for dinner

and knew that this conversation would wait for the restaurant.

They rode in silence; Dakota at the reins, Darvi'beside

him. Thinking as they moved along that Dakota was one of

the most restful persons she'd ever known, Darvi felt not the

slightest anxiety whenever she was with him. If he looked at

her a certain way, her heart would pound and her pulse race,

and his nearness affected her no small amount, but never

did she know danger or fear. It was an amazing thing.

Sitting beside her, having already pulled the carriage

over to the curb in front of the Grayson Hotel, Dakota

studied Darvi's profile and waited. He smiled just studying

that captivating mouth and little-girl-turned-up nose. She

was in a far-off place right now, but the half-smitten Ranger

saw no reason to disturb her. Not even the horse's shifting

brought her attention around, and Dakota waited several

minutes in silence. When he saw her noticing where they

were, he just waited for her eyes to swing to his. Darvi

smiled as soon as they met

469

"We're here," she grinned a little.

"Yes."

"How long?"

"I didn't keep track."

"But we didn't just get here, did we?"

"No."

For a few seconds they just watched each other.

Dakota's heart felt a little fuller every time he was with her.

Darvi's was doing the same.

Dakota climbed down at last, moved to her side, and

assisted Darvi to the walk. Offering his arm to her, he said,

"May I escort you to dinner, Miss Wingate?"

"Yes, please," she said.

Dakota led her inside. It was going to be a wonderful

evening.

GfiwiM

"I WATTED FOR HER TO TELL ME I COULDN'T gO to Uncle

Marty's, but she was silent. She's been silent ever since."

470

"Oh, Darvi, I'm sorry it's gone like that. Is it the same

with your father?"

"No," Darvi said with relief. "I think he's a bit upset

with Mother. In fact, he talks to me more than he has in

years. He's nonstop at the dinner table and in the evenings.

He even asked me to breakfast this morning. We had a

wonderful time."

Darvi bit her lip suddenly, and Dakota let the subject

drop. They had enjoyed a sumptuous meal of veal cutlets,

baked potatoes covered with dill and cheese, baby peas,

and dark rye biscuits. Now they had hot coffee in thin

porcelain cups with French pastries headed their way. The

gas lighting was soft, and the table was set in a horseshoe

booth. There were couples on either side, but all voices

were quiet, the waiters moving silently over the brightly

colored rugs, making the setting more elegant

"Will it work for you to leave here tomorrow afternoon

instead of Wednesday morning?" Dakota inquired.

"I think so. Is there some problem?"

"No, but we have to go back through Kinkade, as I need

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my horse, and it might be nice to have a little extra time on

the other end."

"Would it be easier if we split up at Young Springs?"

Darvi made herself ask,. "I could go on to Aurora on my

own and meet you there."

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"I'm not letting you out of my sight," Dakota said

bluntly.

"But then you'll have the trouble of getting whatever

horse I ride back to your brother's."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I planned for us to ride

the train. Ill just pay the price to put Eli in with the stock.

You won't have a horse to worry about"

Much as Darvi wanted to bask in the warm glow of

knowing that he had planned all this to take care of her, she

couldn't get Eli from her mind. She bit her lip to keep from

smiling, but it didn't work.

472

"What's that for?"

"Eli."

Dakota rolled his eyes.

"What will he have done all this time without you?"

"Probably driven Cash crazy. My brother has better

things to do than entertain my horse, but EU will be

keeping a close eye out for me, and as compassionate as

Cash is, he will have probably ridden him a time or two."

Darvi suddenly smiled. "Admit it, Dakota."

"Admit what?"

"You miss him too?"

Dakota grinned but didn't have to answer; the pastries

had arrived. They talked for another hour, eating slowly

and enjoying endless cups of rich coffee. It was like a

dream come true for both of them as they covered various

subjects and beliefs, some held very dear and others still

under inspection. They talked about their moments of salvation

again, both reflecting on the way God had been

working behind the scenes and how obvious that was now.

Dakota told Darvi nearly every word of the letter he had

473

written to his mother and appreciated her encouragement

After hearing about Dakota's letter, Darvi thought she

might write to her own mother and wondered if that might

not be easier for her to take.

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"Dakota/' Darvi asked as they finally rose from the

table to go, "would you mind giving me the Scriptures you

wrote to your mother, the exact ones?"

"Not at all. Do you want them tonight, or can I bring

mem tomorrow?"

'Tomorrow is fine. I think I need to put some distance

between us, so I won't write until I get to Texas."

Her words had the strangest effect on his heart. He

didn't say anything, but knowing she was returning to

Texas with him and that she was so matter-of-fact about it

filled him with hope and happiness. Though she was

deeply affected by this fallout with her mother, he still

wanted her with him. He wanted her close, not just to protect

and keep an eye on her, but to be with her, to hear her

474

voice, listen to her laugh, watch her smile, and talk with

him about a thousand different subjects. He was afraid to

let his heart move too fast, but at times it was so hard.

Such a moment came upon him when he dropped her

off. He wanted to spend more time with her. He wanted to

hold and kiss her but knew that such actions at this time

would be a mistake. Instead he held her hand for a moment

and lightly kissed the back of it, much like he had done at

his parents' house that first afternoon. He looked up to see

Darvi's smile.

"Is something funny?"

"No, if s just a little hard to remember the Ranger when

I see you dressed like this and using manners one would

expect to find only in the city."

"Well, we are in the city," he teased a little. "I thought it appropriate."

"Is that the only reason you did it?"

Dakota's white teeth gleamed as he smiled, but no

answer came to her question.

"I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be here around one o'clock,

475

and we'll take the 1:45 train."

"All right. Thank you for a wonderful evening."

A Texas Sky 255

"Thank you" was all Dakota said, and he moved on his

way.

Darvi's father was in the living room, but she was glad

he was busy with a newspaper. She wanted to be alone and

to cherish the memories of the evening.

SrSr^r

They were silent for the first time in hours. The conversation

that had started at dinner in St Louis the night before

only continued as the train moved south and west. Dakota

had been good at his word: He had brought the list of Scriptures

he'd put in his mother's letter for Darvi. Darvi's

mouth was dry, and she was tired of talking, but her brain

was still moving faster than the train. Dakota had put his

head back and fallen asleep, but Darvi took her Bible from

476

the satchel at her feet and turned to the first verse.

The list started with Romans 3:23: All have sinned, and

come short of the glory of Cod. Next was Romans 6:23: The

wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through

Jesus Christ our Lord. Dakota had also written some notes.

One was about the jailer in Acts who had asked Paul and

Silas how he could be saved. Darvi found their answer in

Acts 16:31: They said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou

shall be saved, and thy house.

The book of Ephesians came next with 2:8,9: By grace are

ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of

God, not of works, kst any man should boast. Romans 10:9,10

went on to add: If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord

Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him

from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man

believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession i$

made unto salvation.

Second Corinthians 6:2 left no doubt as to the urgency

of the decision: I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the

day of salvation have I helped thee: behold, now is the accepted

477

time; behold, now is the day of salvation. The last verse Darvi

looked up was from John 20:31: These are written, that ye

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might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that

believing ye might have life through his name.

Thank You, Lord, Darvi's heart now prayed. Thank You for

saving me and showing me all of this. Help me to write to my

own family. I want them to have this hope. I want them to know

and believe.

Darvi felt tired now. She hadn't slept all that well in the

night and had woken early, hoping her mother would offer

an olive branch before she left. No such offer was made.

Darvi had said goodbye to her father and mother, but only

her father had replied. Her father had started to scold his

wife even before Darvi was out of earshot, but that hadn't

made her feel any better.

Quite suddenly Darvi wasn't certain if the letter was a

good idea. She had already said enough. What she needed

right now was for her mother to speak to her. Anything she

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said short of that time would surely fall on deaf ears.

Thinking she would have to discuss it with Dakota, and

hoping that he hadn't written all of those references out for

no reason, Darvi drifted off to sleep.

^"Sr-S"

Never had Texas looked so good. Dakota had sent word

from Dallas that they were on their way, but not until he saw

Cash on the platform was he certain the telegram had arrived.

The brothers embraced just before Cash hugged Darvi.

"Welcome back," he told her with a huge smile.

Darvi would have replied, but Dakota stepped over and

hugged her too.

"What was that for?" Darvi asked, even as she wished

he would do it again.

Dakota looked innocent. "I was adding my own welcome

to Texas."

"But you came with me," Darvi pointed out, eyes just

short of laughter.

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Still managing to look innocent, Dakota asked, "So does

that mean it doesn't count?"

"Come on you two," Cash cut in, his voice dry. "Dakota

needs to visit a certain horse."

"How is he?"

"Completely depressed. He must think you're dead."

As they moved to the wagon that would take them to

the ranch house, Dakota could only laugh at the description;

he knew it had to be all too true.

^-S"5*

"How was your trip?" Cash wanted to know as soon as

Darvi had returned from freshening up in her room.

"It was fast. Very few delays. We stayed over in Oklahoma

City one night but otherwise just slept and ate on the

train."

"Where did you stay in Oklahoma City?"

480

"The big hotel. I can't recall the name."

"The Oaks?"

"That was it," Darvi said with a smile. "You've been

there?"

"Several times. Oh!" Cash remembered. "A package