A Vote of Confidence (34 page)

“But I reckon we’ll make saddle horses out of you yet.”

Cleo wasn’t known as the best wrangler within two hundred miles for nothing. She’d learned a thing or two about horses over
the years. For that matter, she knew a thing or two about many wild things, having a tendency to be a bit wild herself — at
least according to how society viewed her. She wasn’t exactly your everyday, ordinary female of twenty-nine years.

The sound of an approaching automobile drew her around. Was it — ? It couldn’t be. Yes, it was. Her sister, Gwen, and brother-in-law,
Morgan McKinley, must have returned to Bethlehem Springs a day early.

She whipped off her battered Stetson as she strode toward the house, grinning her welcome, arriving at the porch steps about
a minute before the Ford touring car rolled to a stop and the engine went silent.

“Well, look at you!” Cleo said when her sister disembarked from the automobile. “Those are big-city duds if ever I’ve seen
any.”

Gwen turned around, displaying the dark mauve dress and matching hat to their full advantage.

“I take it that means you did lots of shopping while in New York City.” Cleo walked over and gave Gwen a warm embrace. “We’ve
missed you around here.”

“I’ve missed you too. Oh, Cleo. I wish you had come with us. We had the best time.”

“I don’t imagine Morgan feels the same, the two of you married only eight months. You didn’t need a third party tagging along.
You already had Mother for half of it.”

A rosy hue flooded Gwen’s cheeks as her gaze shifted to her husband. The love in her eyes both delighted and saddened Cleo.
Delighted because she was glad to see her fraternal twin so happy. Saddened because she was beginning to doubt she would ever
find the same kind of happiness. Last summer she’d fallen hard for a cowboy named Tyler King and had thought he was falling
for her too, but he hadn’t turned out to be the man she’d thought.

“Is Griff around?” Morgan asked after giving Cleo a hug.

“Yeah.” She tipped her head toward the house. “Dad’s inside, going through his ledgers. You know how he likes to have the
accounts balanced right down to the last penny.”

Morgan glanced at his wife. “I’ll go in to talk to him while you two catch up.”

Gwen nodded, then hooked arms with Cleo. “Let’s sit on the porch. It’s too beautiful a day to go inside.”

Once they were seated, Cleo asked, “How was Mother when you left her?”

Her sister gave a slight shrug. “Mother’s always been the same.”

That was Gwen’s polite way of saying their mother thought of herself first and others second.

“She stayed in Bethlehem Springs so long, I started to believe she might stay for good. I think Dad was hoping she would too.”

“But if she’d stayed, Cleo, if she’d come to live with him as his wife after so many years apart, would she have made him
happy? I don’t think so. Not until she lets God change her heart.”

“I reckon so.”

Gwen leaned forward on her chair. “But I think she will come for another visit next November or December.”

“Really? Why’s that?”

Gwen smiled and lowered her voice to a whisper. “She’ll want to see her first grandchild.”

Cleo opened her mouth to exclaim, but Gwen silenced her with an index finger to the lips and a shake of her head.

“Not a word, Cleo. I’m not sure yet. I haven’t even told Morgan, and I shouldn’t have told you before him.”

“Land o’ Goshen!” Cleo said softly, her voice quivering with excitement. “How am I to keep such a secret, Gwennie? I’ll like
to burst wide open with the news.”

“I don’t know how, but please do.”

Cleo glanced toward the door, then back at her sister. “What will you do if you’re pregnant? About your duties as mayor, I
mean. Is there going to be another special election?”

“No. I will complete my term in office. That will only be for a year after the baby arrives. We shall manage somehow. Then
I’ll happily retire from public service. At least for a time.”

“If that doesn’t beat all.”

The screen door opened, and their father stepped onto the porch. “Gwen, you’re a sight for sore eyes if ever there was one.”
He strode over, drew her from her chair, and embraced her. “Cleo and I have missed you.”

“I’ve missed both of you too.”

“I hope you won’t be taking another trip anytime soon.”

Gwen glanced at Morgan, who had followed their father outside. “I don’t think you need to worry about that. With New Hope’s
grand opening in less than two weeks and my duties as mayor, I expect we are about to become thorough homebodies.”

Not to mention that my new niece or nephew will be keeping you both busy
. Cleo didn’t bother to hide her grin.

W
ATCH FOR
R
OBIN
L
EE
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ATCHER’S
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