Cassidy

  It was quiet for a moment, and Cassidy wanted to let it go but didn’t. She asked, “Did you want to laugh?”

  “Not at you,” Trace replied honestly. “Just at the size of the list. Meg thinks like that too, and it always astounds me.”

  Cassidy had to smile at his tone. She was feeling too tender right now for her own good, and maybe a little laughter at her myriad thoughts was just what she needed.

  Savanna’s breathing rattled as she lay on her father’s chest. She slept easier upright than in the cradle. Brad was going to ride out on the range today, but even this hour spent holding Savanna would give Meg a chance to catch up.

  Brad was content to sit with her, thinking about things and praying, but heard the wagon out front and went to the window. He wasn’t expecting Trace back so soon, but took it as a good sign. And Cassidy was with him. Brad smiled. He was ready to have Cassidy with them on a permanent basis. The next two weeks could not come fast enough for him.

  “Why were you thinking we should postpone the wedding?” Trace covered that question first. Meg was working in the kitchen, and Brad had headed out. Trace had taken his niece onto his chest, his deep voice as familiar and comforting to her as her father’s.

  “It’s two weeks away, Trace. We can’t get married without Jeanette.”

  Trace nodded. He’d thought of that but just assumed she’d be well enough to be with them. She might not feel like doing much, but he thought she would be there.

  “You’re not saying what you’re thinking.”

  “I’m thinking you’re right. We can’t get married without her, but I assumed she’d be on her feet.”

  “And if she’s not?”

  “We’ll postpone.”

  “How do I make that work?”

  “I don’t want to make it sound like your planning is not important, but because we’ve always planned to keep this simple, changes won’t be that hard.”

  “So I should keep making our clothing and going ahead with everything that still needs to be done until when?”

  “I don’t have the answer to that, but we know this: We won’t be able to have the reception at Jeanette’s. I’m sure Becky will say she still wants to make the cakes, but we can just enjoy those right at the church. There isn’t much room, but we can make it work.”

  “What about my mother? She’ll be expecting us around the twenty-third.”

  “Can you write to her about what’s happened and tell her it might change things? Will she understand?”

  “She’ll understand completely. I was just looking forward to seeing her.”

  Trace squeezed her hand. “I was too.”

  They were still talking about the wedding when Meg joined them. They filled her in on their latest thoughts, and she actually laughed before saying, “I would be very surprised if Jeanette allowed you to change a thing.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Jeanette said when Brad visited on Sunday after the service and told her all the latest. “They can’t postpone the wedding. I’ll be there, and I expect the reception to be here, just as we planned.”

  “Can we be logical about this?” Brad asked.

  “All right,” Jeanette agreed, still tired but ready to talk.

  “The wedding is in thirteen days. You are clearly healing fast, but I don’t even know if you’ll be navigating the stairs in thirteen days.”

  “And that means Trace and Cassie can’t get married?”

  “That’s right.”

  His matter-of-fact voice stopped her. Before she could speak again, Brad went on. “They will not and should not get married without you. Not to mention what you’re asking Timothy, Heather, and Becky to do. Not only might you still need full-time care, my mother’s needs are ongoing. And then they will have to ready the house, food, and dishes for a party.”

  “Oh, Brad,” Jeanette whispered, thinking this would hurt more than her wound. “Please find a way. Please don’t let them put this off.”

  “Trace will be here pretty soon,” Brad said, not wanting to promise but wanting to give her hope. “We’ll put our heads together and see what we can do.”

  Cassidy made her way down the stairs, still in her bathrobe, to find Meg in the kitchen.

  “I didn’t think Trace was serious about not waking me up.”

  “You were a tired girl.”

  “I missed the service.”

  “Trace will tell you all about it. Do you want some breakfast or just to wait until dinner?”

  “Maybe I could have a piece of toast.” Cassidy sat at the table. “How is Savanna?”

  “She had a better night last night, and she just fell back to sleep.”

  Cassidy thanked Meg when she put a cup of coffee in front of her but realized something needed to be said.

  “I let you wait on me way too much when I’m here. I’ll be living here very shortly, and you can’t keep doing that.”

  “You make it sound as though you sit around and do nothing, and that’s not true. I’m not the least worried about your taking advantage in any way, Cassie. We work well together, and the arrangement is temporary. We’ll make it work just fine.”

  Cassidy nodded, thinking about the long discussion the four of them had had around the supper table the night before. She would feel terrible if the business fell through at this point, but the men knew their aunt well. Jeanette Fulbright would never return the money, even if it meant she took a loss.

  “And besides,” Meg continued, “both of us usually have much more energy. This house will probably be the cleanest it’s ever been, the meals will seem like child’s play with another pair of hands, and even with your clothing added in, laundry will never have been so easy.”

  Cassidy had to laugh. Meg was probably right, and even if it didn’t turn out to be so rosy, Cassidy was looking forward to every minute. She took a sip of coffee and noticed one of the men had laid his chaps on a chair by the back door.

  “Tell me something, Meg,” Cassidy said, her voice thoughtful. “Do you like the way Brad looks when he goes out for work?”

  “In his hat, you mean?”

  “And chaps.”

  Meg had no choice but to smile when she asked, “I take it you like the way Trace looks in chaps?”

  “Oh, my,” was all Cassidy could manage, thinking her future husband the most handsome man alive. Meg would have argued the issue, choosing Brad’s looks over his brother’s, but considering how much the men looked alike, there would have been little point.

  “Chandler came to me this morning,” Rylan told Trace, Chandler also standing with them, “wanting to talk to you. I told him we had talked.”

  “This was never the plan,” Chandler said when Trace’s eyes swung his way. “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t think you have anything to apologize for, Chandler. I just hate to think of how the future will be for you.”

  “That’s why I’m leaving Token Creek. I’m going to visit my family, and if I can find work, I’ll come back and gather my things.” He smiled just a little before adding, “I might come back and gather my things anyway.”

  Trace looked as pained as he felt, but he also could not think of any other way.

  “When do you go?” Rylan asked.

  “November nineteenth,” Chandler said, and again Trace felt an ache inside. That was the day before the wedding. He knew it was for the best, but it didn’t make it any easier. Trace put his hand out, and Chandler gripped it. Neither man could find words. Trace went on his way a moment later. Rylan, not wanting Chandler to be alone, invited him for more leftovers.

  Trace, Brad, and Jeanette were still discussing their options when they found they were not alone. Becky and Heather had come to the door, neither looking too happy.

  “Is something wrong?” Jeanette asked. She was growing weary but would not rest until the wedding day was settled.

  “That’s what we want to know,” Heather started. “You’re trying to move the reception to the hotel. We heard
you.”

  “It’s for your sakes,” Brad started, but Becky, in an uncharacteristic move, put her hand up, and he stopped.

  “We’ll all be tired,” the cook stated firmly. “It will be extra work, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to do it. Jeanette has already asked two other women to help serve. We’ll just have them come earlier and stay later. If they can’t come, we’ll find others.”

  “What about Jeanette?” Trace had to ask. “I’m not getting married if she can’t be at the church.”

  “She will be,” Heather spoke confidently, “and if she can’t be on the day you’ve planned, then you can change the day, but the reception still stays here.”

  The brothers looked at Jeanette, but she only smiled and said, “The town thinks I’m a genius in business matters and time management. They don’t know about these two.”

  Becky and Heather walked away, wide smiles on their faces, to the sound of Trace’s and Brad’s laughter.

  Chas and Brad were in charge of Jeanette, getting her safely and comfortably to the church and into a front pew. Rylan was in charge of Trace, who woke up the morning of the twentieth so nervous he couldn’t think straight. Miranda and Meg were seeing to Cassidy, who was remarkably calm.

  Jeb would walk Cassidy down the aisle; Brad would stand with his brother; Meg would stand with her new sister-in-law; and Patience would see to Savanna, who was long over her cold.

  Everything was in place at Jeanette’s. Becky had done a great job, getting as much help as she and Heather needed, and the house was sparkling clean, the cakes perfect and ready to be enjoyed.

  “Are you going to make it?” Rylan asked Trace, who had bathed and dressed in his new black suit at the parsonage.

  “I think so. Why am I so nervous?”

  “There’s been a lot going on, and this day was touch-and-go until the middle of the week.”

  Trace nodded, thankful for Rylan’s friendship. He needed his calm right now.

  “Is it time yet?”

  “Close enough. I think we could go to the church if you want.”

  Trace nodded, and Rylan laughed at him a little. Trace joined him, his heart easing a bit. He was going to be married today. The details didn’t really matter.

  “You look beautiful,” Jeb told Cassidy, whose wedding dress was a dark blue, as he kissed her flushed cheek. “But then that’s nothing new.”

  “Oh, Jeb,” Cassidy smiled at him. “Thank you for being here.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  The two hugged before Cassidy asked, “How is Jeanette doing?”

  “Just fine. She’s sitting comfortably in a front pew, and it’s almost time for us to make our entrance.”

  Cassidy laughed at his tone and face, and that was about all she had time for. The music was starting, and someone she loved was waiting for her.

  “Ready?” Trace asked his bride.

  “Very,” Cassidy answered, settled on the buggy seat, blankets all around them.

  The newly wed Mr. and Mrs. Holden had just laughed and visited for hours at Jeanette’s house. The wedding and reception had been perfect, filled with precious friends, good wishes, and wonderful dessert. Trace had rented a buggy to make the trip to the ranch house. Brad and family would be staying over at Jeanette’s. And now it was time to go.

  The buggy set off, and for the first few minutes the couple was quiet. Cassidy thought about this night, wishing she could have talked with her mother or even questioned Meg a little more.

  “Are you all right?” Trace asked, feeling her tensing up beside him.

  “I think so. It’s a silly time to admit this, but I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “We’ll figure it out.” Trace’s voice was gentle, his head turned to catch her eyes. “The act isn’t the important part—our relationship is.”

  “Oh, that was good. I need to think about that.”

  “Brad shared that with me just this week.”

  Cassidy sighed with contentment, all tension leaving her, and cuddled closer to her husband. Trace had been nervous about the wedding, and Cassidy worried over the wedding night, but everything was going to be fine.

  The train pulled into the station at Billings, running a little behind schedule. Cassidy’s eyes searched everything, not looking for her mother but taking in the sights of home. She disembarked, Trace and their bags right behind her, and then took her husband’s arm.

  “It’s not far,” she said.

  “Excited?”

  “Yes, and afraid I’m going to sob all over her.”

  “I think you’ve earned it,” Trace said, and Cassidy went up on her toes to kiss his cheek before they started down the street.

  Trace saw in a hurry that Cassidy was right. Just three short blocks from the train station, she stopped and stared at a compact house, neat but in need of some repair. Tears had already come to her eyes, and that was before the door opened. Suddenly a woman was running down the steps and toward them, an older version of Cassidy. A moment later her arms were holding her daughter tight.

  “Oh, Cassie, my Cassie” was all Rhonda Sinclair could say. “My sweet, sweet Cassie.”

  “I missed you, Mama,” Cassidy said, her voice thick with tears.

  The two didn’t break apart for several minutes, and when they did, Rhonda swiftly used her apron to dry her eyes.

  “Look at me,” she fussed, “having to meet my new son with a wet face.”

  “Mama,” Cassidy announced, performing the honors, “this is Trace.”

  Trace had removed his hat and now bent to kiss his mother-in-law’s cheek. Rhonda put her arms around him, and Trace returned the hug.

  “Welcome to Billings, Trace.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair. It’s very good to meet you.”

  Rhonda studied him, thinking him handsome, certainly, but also liking his eyes. They were honest and forthright. She knew that if this man said he loved her daughter, it would be true.

  “Come in,” Rhonda invited. “Come in and make yourself at home.”

  Rhonda led the way as Cassidy slipped her arm back through her husband’s.

  “Thank you, Trace,” Cassidy whispered. “Thank you for bringing me home.”

  Trace didn’t answer but smiled into the eyes that looked into his so trustingly. Not for the first time Trace was convinced he’d married the sweetest woman in the world. And having her smile at him with all the trust of a child was all the thanks he ever needed.

  EPILOGUE

  Spring 1881

  “WHERE ARE WE GOING?” Cassidy asked again, but Trace still would not tell her.

  “Okay. Now right here,” Trace told his blindfolded wife, “the ground dips down a little. Don’t fall.”

  “Trace,” Cassidy said on a laugh, “if you’ll just tell me...”

  “Soon,” Trace said, “very soon.”

  Cassidy continued to walk with him, her hands held in both of his, not able to see a thing and completely disoriented. Trace had taken her around the house once and even around the barn until she was totally turned around in her mind.

  “Okay,” he said, sounding like a kid on Christmas morning. “We’re almost there.”

  “Almost where?”

  “Step up,” Trace ordered, having stopped her with her toes against a board.

  “Is it the house?” Cassidy asked, doing as she was told.

  “Go on now,” Trace ordered, keeping her moving. Not until she had both feet where he wanted them did his kerchief come off of her eyes.

  “Oh, Trace!” Cassidy said, throwing her arms around him. She was standing on the far side of their new house. She had not asked for a big porch, but he’d given her one that covered two sides of the house. The far side was finished first and he’d been able to surprise her.

  “You like it?”

  Cassidy kissed him—then kissed him again, long and hard.

  “Well, now,” Trace said, his hands already reaching for her hair. “I
’ll take that as a yes.” They kissed for a while, not noticing the cool spring temperatures or the cold wind that blew over them, before Cassidy began to look around.

  “Two sides! I didn’t know the porch would be on two sides.”

  “And right here,” Trace directed her, “is another door into the living room.”

  Cassidy did not know how he’d hidden this extra door from her.

  They had also planned on and built an extra bedroom with Rhonda Sinclair in mind. Edson was going to be in prison for a long time, and they wanted Cassidy’s mother to have a place to live when she couldn’t, or no longer wanted to, be on her own.

  “How much longer before we can move in?” Cassidy asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her arms back around Trace’s neck.

  “I’d have to check with Chas to be certain. I’d guess a month, maybe a little less.”

  “I can hardly wait.”

  “Cass,” Trace said, suddenly serious. “Let’s commit to hospitality from the first moment. Let’s share our home with others, so we never forget Who gave it to us.”

  “What a wonderful thing to remember right now,” Cassidy said, “before we even move in.”

  “And to keep remembering for as long as we live in this house.”

  They stood for a long time in the living room, making plans and talking about their dreams. They made a mental list of those they would invite over and ran out of time before it was finished. Cassidy needed to start supper soon, and Trace had chores in the barn. Not that it mattered. Their hearts were in the right place, in love with each other and not forgetting to honor God with what He had given them.

  Walking back toward the house, Cassidy thought the only missing part was a baby, and that little person would arrive before the year was out. Meg was due again, and even though Cassidy hadn’t told anyone, she was fairly certain she was expecting as well. A smile lit her face as she slipped through the kitchen door, looking forward to when and where she would tell Trace he was going to be a father.

  READING GROUP QUESTIONS