A Texas Sky (Yellow Rose Trilogy) (8 page)

Understanding dawned. "Not your friends. Mama's and my friends. We have friends too."

The adults at the table had kept their eyes closed, but

each had something over his or her mouth. Dakota's hand

covered his upper lip, Darvi used her napkin, and Merry's

apron helped her stem the laughter that lingered just under

the surface.

"I'll go ahead and finish; you can close your eyes

again," Calder stated.

Waiting until Vivian obeyed, the host went ahead with

the prayer he had in mind, just barely holding his own

laughter. No adults exchanged glances after Calder's

amen, which was for the best. It would have been some

time before anyone would have been able to eat

3"3r 5*

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"I didn't have a chance to tell you until now, but I'm so

excited, Calder. She's been searching for so long. I knew

Darvi's search had to end in Christ, but she didn't I'm

overwhelmed with God's grace and goodness."

"It's wonderful news," Calder said softly to his wife

once they had retired for the evening. "Do you know how

long she plans to stay?"

"No, but however long it is, it won't be long enough."

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There was something quiet in his wife tonight, and for

a moment Calder studied on what it might be. She was

pleased about Darvi certainly, but not like he thought she

would be.

"How was your day?" Merry asked, pulling her

thoughts back to her husband.

Calder started to answer but stopped.

Merry looked at him. "Did something happen, Calder?"

"No," he went on smoothly, not wanting her to know he

was distracted by her manner. He went ahead and told her

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about his office visits and one of the curtains nearly

catching fire at the general store. They weren't many minutes

outside of town, but enough that she would miss the

daily happenings of town life.

"So it didn't actually light?"

"No, but the smoke was a nuisance, and it drew a

crowd. Is there something you're not telling me?"

His detour in the subject was so abrupt Merry laughed.

"Where did that come from?"

"I was hoping to surprise a confession out of you."

"A confession over what?" Merry asked with just

enough uncertainty that Calder's suspicions were confirmed.

"Out with it, Merry. I know something is on your

mind."

"As a matter of fact, there is, but I don't want to tell you

now because you're going to think I'm upset"

"Are you upset?"

"No."

"But something is wrong?"

"No, it is not"

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Calder's brow lowered in thought.

"For a doctor, Calder, you can be a little slow."

It didn't take long from there.

"Are you certain?"

"Not absolutely, but fairly so."

"Why didn't you want to tell me?"

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"Because I knew you'd ask for my symptoms, and I

would tell you I'm tired, and you would say I'm the mother

of twins, like you always do."

Calder laughed. "I'm sorry I'm so predictable, but you

must admit that being tired would mean that nearly every

woman in town was in a family way."

Merry smiled. "You're right, of course, but I think I can

tell the difference."

Calder stood up from the foot of the bed and joined her

on the side. He slipped his arms around her and held her

dose.

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"I love it when you're expecting."

"Why is that?"

"Lots of reasons that I won't try to explain, but I do

know I'm going to love this pregnancy more than the first"

"Why?"

"Because I've met the girls. I know how special this

baby's going to be."

"So you believe me?"

Calder kissed her.

"Certainly. You know the signs in your own body better

than I do."

"Thank you, Calder."

He didn't like being thanked for what he considered to

be the job of a normal loving husband; that is, trusting his

wife and caring for her.

"Did you really think I wouldn't believe you?"

Merry looked up at him. "I don't know. I just feel a little

uncertain. I look into the girls' faces and I can't imagine

loving another baby as I do them."

"Don't forget what your mother has been heard to say:

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Love multiplies; it doesn't divide."

Merry sighed a little, feeling more tired than ever. "I

might have to experience that to believe it."

Calder didn't comment. He knew she would love this

next baby. He knew her well enough to be at complete

peace on the subject. But just then he had another thought

A Texas Sky 55

that wasn't quite so restful. What if this birth was also

twins? Calder was opening his mouth to ask Merry if she'd

thought of that when he looked at her face. She was nearly

asleep against him. He realized he was not going to fall

asleep as swiftly, but not for anything would he mention

the idea to Merry, at least not tonight

S^Sr^L-

"Where

is him?" Dakota heard one of the little girls ask

before he actually spotted them.

"Where is he?" Calder corrected. "I think he's out back.

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Why do you ask?"

"I wanna see him."

Calder decided not to comment. He wouldn't mind

seeing Dakota Rawlings either, but he didn't know quite

how to go about it As he and the girls walked from the

back porch into the yard, Calder tried to determine why he

was so drawn to the man. He knew there was something

more to it than simply wanting to share Christ if he had the

opportunity.

Maybe he reminds me ofChet was his last thought before

Vivian spotted him.

"I see him! Hey!"

Dakota had been watching for them to come into view

and now smiled as one of the twins came forward.

"How are you?" Dakota asked her.

"I'mViwy."

Dakota smiled. He didn't care that she'd gotten the

question wrong. It was too much fun having her talk to

him.

"If you were looking for peace and quiet, Dakota, you're

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in the wrong place."

Dakota smiled again. The huge tree stump, along with

the shade thrown from a neighboring tree, was as inviting

a place as Dakota had seen in a long time. He had read his

Bible early that morning and was now trying to pray. He

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wasn't finding it as easy as he thought it would be, and that

made him wonder if he might have missed something.

"Is this where the girls play?" he asked, glad for the distraction.

"Just about every day, and always 'house'*

"Sounds like fun."

"How'd you sleep?" the doctor asked.

"Good."

"And the bleeding?"

Dakota smiled. "There's no getting around you guys, is

there?"

"Not on your life. So tell me, are you still bleeding?"

"Yes, and I suppose you want to check it"

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"Indeed I do, and if you don't mind an audience, I'll just

look right now."

Dakota gently pulled the shirt from his waistband.

Calder joined him on the stump, and the little girls moved

in to watch as though it were an everyday occurrence.

"Are you sleeping on your other side?" Calder asked as

he probed.

"As much as I can."

Calder looked up at him, his eyes thoughtful. "How

many holes do you have?"

"Five."

Wondering how he could have missed this, Calder

snorted in disgust and mumbled under his breath, "Might

as well be your Uncle Chet sitting right there in front of

you, girls."

"Areyouhurted?"

"No," Dakota answered automatically, and to his surprise,

Vivian turned to her father.

"Ishehurted?"

"Yep," Calder said mildly, a small smile on his mouth.

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"He just doesn't know it."

Dakota laughed a little and then winced.

"I need my bag," Calder announced and stood. "Stay

put, girls."

A Texas Sky 57

Dakota watched him walk away before looking down at

the twins. They seemed content to stare up at him, and

Dakota wished he could think of something to say. He just

decided to ask them if they were excited to start school

someday, but he wasn't fast enough.

"I have to go," Filar said out of the blue, her little brow

furrowed as she stared up at him.

"Okay," Dakota said slowly, thinking that her father had

said to stay put.

"Me too," "Vivian chimed in, and Dakota watched as

they walked around him and the stump but didn't go to the

house. He stared after them, so he knew the exact moment

they stopped and waved for him to come. Too curious not

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to, Dakota followed. His mouth stretched into a smile

when he saw the little girls head to the privy. He had no

idea why his presence was needed until they approached

the building, stood still, and looked up at him. The handle

was over their heads.

"Do you need me to get the door?"

Little heads bobbed in unison, and once he had the door

open, they stepped inside. Wondering how he'd come to be

standing there, Dakota shut the door and waited. In time

he heard this:

"Look, Vivvy, a flower."

"Where?"

"Here."

"Where?"

"Here."

"Oh!"

Dakota's shoulders shook with silent laughter, but he

didn't comment

"I'm done" soon came from the privy, and not long

after, the door was pushed open a bit Dakota reached to

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hold it wide while the girls filed out. They came and stood

side by side and looked up at him. For some reason, Dakota

was speechless. He felt rescued when he saw that both of

Pilar's little boots were unbuttoned.

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"Here, let me get these for you."

Dakota hunkered down to do the job. Although he was

not able to get all the buttons, he managed the top few.

When he looked up, they were both staring at his face.

"Whaf s your name?" Vivian asked.

"Dakota."

"Koda?"

"That's close enough," Dakota said, smiling into their

eyes and thinking once again, Mercy, you two are cute!

The slamming of the back door brought his attention

around. The threesome looked to see the doctor approaching/

bag in hand.

"I guess we could do this inside," Calder commented as

he followed Dakota back to the stump.

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Dakota didn't answer. The yard was beautiful, full of

wildflowers and tall grasses. It was a child's heaven all