* * *
Jessica missed Clint. Her heart ached with each beat, from the damage done to it, and their permanent parting of ways. The separation only managed to worsen rather than repair her fractured heart. Each day grew more painful, then each hour, and finally each minute until her every thought was consumed by him. In her mind she relived each moment, painful or not. Despite their incredible challenges she loved him so profoundly that the soul-deep love had changed her.
It had been three days. Three days. Her mind wouldn't give her relief from the thought of Clint and Rose Marie spending time together. Whenever she thought of them in that bed, it wrenched her heart another twist. Whenever Johnnie saw her anguish, he would gather her into his arms and hold her close. He never once got out of line, only silently held her for as long as she needed. Though she imagined he knew, he never pried as to the reason she was so distraught. Since Johnnie seemed the more deserving, she prayed incessantly for the Lord to replace her love for Clint with one for Johnnie. Yet she waited and none of that came.
On the third evening of her return Jessica stood by the stream, praying the water's journey would soothe her spirit. Johnnie came up next to her and laid an arm across her shoulders. He didn't say a thing—just held her.
A shout coming from the second bunkhouse shredded the peace. Pete was hollering out the door to anyone within hearing distance. "Come quick, it's Walt!"
Jessica burst to her feet and ran toward the building. But her steps slowed when she saw Uncle Roy charging out the bunkhouse door, his face ashen. He caught sight of her and veered her way. "It's Walt's ticker. A bad attack. He won't let us move him, but he keeps asking for you."
"No! Can't be." She gulped in a breath. "Can you get the doctor out here?"
"We've already sent for him. Hurry, Jess!"
Tears that seemed permanently close to the surface barraged her eyes. When she came to the door of Walt's bedroom, she slowed before she forged ahead. Two of the men were squatting next to his bed. When they saw her they both stood and moved aside.
"Oh, Walt," she said on a sob. She dropped to her knees to grab his gnarled hand in hers. Paleness invaded his tanned face. "Please, Walt, let us take you to the hospital."
"That you, Jess-girl?" Walt expelled the words in short puffs.
"Yes, Walt, it's me, Jess. I'm here. I'm not leaving. I'll be right here with you." She sputtered her words through the flood of tears that were now flowing across her lips.
"You must listen—" He stared intently into her eyes, and she understood in that instant to stop talking and pay close attention to his words. The strength to speak was fast leaving him. She dragged in a sustaining breath and brought her ear up close to his mouth to hear him better.
"Bring these cowboys . . . ta Jesus. I'm countin' on you."
Jessica's deep sob let loose, and she rubbed her cheek against his.
"Don't be sad . . . sweet girl." Walt stopped a moment to gather his breath. She leaned back to check him, and when she did his weakened eyes pleaded with her.
She put her ear near his lips again. "Bring them ta paradise with you. I'll be waitin'."
When his words stopped again, she looked into his face. The corners of his wrinkled mouth tilted upward. "I love you, Jess-girl. I'll see ya again . . . if ya . . . if ya know . . . . ."
". . . what I mean," Jessica finished for him, then carefully stretched her arms around the little man for one final embrace.
And with that, his body let out a long exaggerated breath, and he was gone.
Without loosening her hold, a huge sob rolled past her lips and was caught in the crook of Walt's neck. Tucked into his now still body, Jessica recognized it as the empty shell it was; it no longer contained the spirit of one of the noblest, most caring men she'd ever known. When she finally could bring herself to release him, she knew with certainty that Jesus had already escorted his soul into Heaven.
She heard sniffing from the men who had filled the room. Johnnie helped her to her feet and enveloped her in a deep hug of comfort. His tears trailed warmly into her hair; her tears streamed down her cheeks onto his shirt. And for one sweet moment of grief, she and Johnnie were one.