A Texas Sky (Yellow Rose Trilogy) (42 page)

I need to hear more about the way you believe.

Will you write to me?"

"I'd be happy to meet with you, Cassy," Darvi volunteered.

"I'll tell you anything you want to know."

But the blonde was already shaking her head. "No. I

need to be able to read it and think it over."

Cassy's gaze dropped, her face looking tired and

ashamed. She moved as though she would turn away and

leave, but Nate was pulling on her arm.

"Oh, yes," she stopped to say, looking back to Darvi. "I

almost forgot Nate wants you to know that at the end he

knew everything. He saw and heard Dakota talking with

the sheriff, and he even heard you leaving out the window

the night you left."

Darvi looked down at him.

"And you didn't say anything, Nate?"

"Not for a while," the boy told her. "Not until after you

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left, and then only to Mama."

"Why, Nate? Why didn't you wake the house?"

He shrugged a little. "You weren't happy. I know Seth

wanted to keep you, but you were sad. And I didn't think

you should have to cry in your bed anymore."

Tears flooding her eyes, Darvi took him in her arms. The

little boy held on for dear life. When he let go, Darvi looked

down and smoothed his hair. Lindy came next, hugging

Darvi with all the sweetness she'd always shown her.

When at last they stood apart, Darvi knew that Cassy

would have to make the move. Darvi's heart was ready to

burst when Cassy stepped forward to hug her. She and the

children then left without another word.

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"I think maybe we should head to your aunt's," Dakota

said quietly, and Darvi only nodded.

Halfway there, she had a thought and said, "Too often I

can't see why God does things or lets them happen, but

right now I'm willing to admit that I had to go through all

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of this to open a door between Cassy and me."

"I think you might be right"

"I'm going to use those verses you gave me for Cassy

instead of my mother. Do you think thafs all right?"

"I think thafs perfect"

It was good to cover the rest of the way in silence. Upon

arriving, both were surprised to find that Renee had

reached home first

"Aunt Renee," Darvi said the moment she saw her,

"thank you for everything. If s been wonderful seeing you

and getting to know you, but I'm going to leave for Austin

tomorrow. I hope you won't think me rude, but I want to

go see Uncle Marty."

Renee hugged her niece.

"Thafs fine, dear. I was hoping you could meet my

James, but maybe another time."

"You could always invite me to the wedding."

Renee smiled.

"I'll do that, Darvi Wingate, just see if I don't"

The three spent the remainder of the day in relaxed pursuits.

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Renee took Darvi and Dakota out to dinner and spent

the evening regaling mem with stories of her reporting

escapades. Dakota had plenty of his own tales, and they

laughed until way too late.

Nevertheless, Darvi stood by her word. Dakota still

acting as protector and guide, they left the next morning

for Austin.

Austin

One Month Later

Dear Darvi,

THE CHILDREN LOVED THE LETTERS YOU WROTE jttst for them.

You would not believe their excitement. They are working on letters

back to you, but I wanted to reply first.

1 can't thank you enough foryourwords to me. We miss Eliot

terribly, Seth too, but your letter gave me some hope and peace

for my own heart. I must admit that for a time I felt I'd sinned

too badly to ever be forgiven by God, but the verses you gave me

would indicate otherwise.

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I think we are going to take your advice and start going into

town for church on Sunday mornings. When I was shopping last

week, I met a woman at Dawson's who was very kind. I don't

recall ever seeing her before but found out that she's a pastor's

wife. I know the church she goes to, and I thought if she was typical

of the congregation, we might be welcome. I'm scared of such

a move, but I'm more afraid of doing nothing.

Well, I've run out of words. Thank you again for the list of

verses. The Bible does make it very clear; I just need to figure out

what my heart should do. Take care, Darvi, and I'm sorry for all

the pain we caused you. I wouldn 't mind hearing from you again.

Sincerely,

Cassandra McDermott

Darvi lay her head back, her heart so blessed that she

could barely think. She'd received four letters and hadn't

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known where to start. A little afraid of what her mother's

letter might say, and certain that Merry's letter would be

good news, she had put them aside in favor of Cassy's.

The one from Dakota's mother intrigued her; nevertheless,

she saved it until last, glad that after she read her mother's

letter, she could tell her uncle it was good news as well.

^"3*

Dakota was doing some letter-reading of his own. Having

finally gone back to work on a job that put him under new

command with a group of Rangers toward the south, he was

just getting into Austin for his first leave. Upon his arrival he

did two things: got a bath and checked to see if the post office

had mail for him. A letter from his mother, which Cash had

forwarded, awaited him. It was short She thanked him, told

him she would think about all he said, and went on to talk

about some plans she and his father were making for the

winter, possibly even a trip to Texas.

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Dakota put the letter away with great hope. He didn't

think he would belabor the point in his letters back to her,

but she hadn't slammed the door in his face. His heart content,

he heeled Eli toward Marty Bracewell's house. It had

seemed like years since he'd ridden on official business, but

in truth, once he was on the trail, it had felt like forever

since he'd seen Darvi.

He used the kitchen door because he knew it would be

open, and surprisingly enough found his boss sitting at

the table reading his own mail.

"Well, Dakota, when did you get in?"

"Only just."

Brace smiled. "Your hair get that wet on the trail?"

Dakota smiled back. "It can get mighty hot out there."

Brace only laughed.

"Where is she?" Dakota felt he had waited long enough.

"In the living room. Her mother has asked her to come

home for a time, so she's going next week, but right now

she's reading a letter from your mother."

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"My mother?"

"Yes," Brace responded, looking very pleased as he

answered. "It was a pretty thick envelope. I suspect she's

telling Darvi every rotten thing you did as a child. That

would take more man a few pages."

Dakota had heard enough.

"Darvi," he called firmly as he moved that way, not

missing the sound of someone scrambling and papers

crackling. He went through the dining room, and sure

enough, the living room was empty.

"Darvi." His voice was coaxing now, even as his eyes

searched for some sign of her. He hadn't heard her on the

stairs, and it took some doing to spot a bit of her skirt

sticking out from the door that opened into the dining

room. The door was open against the wall, and he could

now see that she had scooted behind it.

He moved it slowly and tried not to laugh at her

attempt at an innocent face.

"Dakota! When did you get in?"

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He came dose and put his hands on the wall on either

side of her head.

"Just now."

"How nice," she said a little too brightly, all the while

keeping her hands behind her back.

His eyes dropped down for a moment before coming

back to hers.

"A little bird told me you got a letter."

"A letter?" Darvi appeared to think on this. "Now, let me

see. Have I received any letters lately?" With mat Darvi

couldn't hold on. She laughed and brought out several pages.

"Is this really from my mother?"

"Yep," she teased him. "Every word. I'm learning an

awful lot."

For a moment they just stared at each other. Darvi felt

her cheeks grow warm and tried to divert his gaze with a

question.

"Do you know when you head out again?"

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"No."

"How about where you'll be going?"

"I don't know."

Darvi playfully shook her head.

"You don't know much, do you?"

"I know that I love you."

For Darvi, time stood still. She had never pushed this

man to say those words, knowing she'd wanted it to be in

his time and not her own, but she had been feeling love for

him for a very long time. .

"When did you decide this?"

"When I was near the river. It reminded me of the night

we stayed on the trail and you met the rattlesnake."

"And that made you love me?"

He nodded. "It caused me to remember how many

times I could have lost you. I don't want to lose you, Darvi.

Not now--not ever."

Her heart filling her eyes, Darvi said, "I love you,

Dakota Rawlings."

Moving very slowly and gently, Dakota leaned forward

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and kissed her. Darvi sighed when he pulled away. Dakota

wanted to kiss her again but told himself that would have

to wait.

"Brace tells me you're headed home next week."

"Yes, I prayed you'd get here before I left."

"I made it." He then added. "I'm glad your mother

wants to see you."

"I am too, but I don't really want to leave Texas."

"But this time you'll leave knowing that I love you."

Darvi smiled. "And you won't forget my love, will

you?"

"Not a chance."

This time Dakota didn't kiss her but took her gently into

his arms. It was the sealing of a promise that both of them

would keep.