Clayton nodded, and Kevin’s gaze swung to his wife. His eyes caressed her face and dark blonde hair before he reached for her hand. Clayton slipped away from the kitchen with a very soft good-night to his parents, but they barely noticed.
“Welcome home,” Elaine said lovingly.
“Thank you.” He continued to study her. “Tired?”
“Not a bit,” she told him.
Kevin’s gray eyes warmed perceptibly, and as their fingers locked they leaned simultaneously, their lips meeting, warm and familiar. It was lovely to be home.
The week moved on with a strong pattern. Kevin took Milly to school, but Clayton picked her up. Each day the Fontaine sisters rode with him. Jackie never thanked him or even spoke to him, but he could get a rise out of her with just one look. And that was the confusing part. If she hated him, why did she look at him? If she had simply ignored him and gone her way, she’d have never seen the amused glance that set her blood to boiling. Clayton mentally shook his head in wonder because she did it every time. He had started to say “You’re welcome” even though she hadn’t uttered a word, and instead of snubbing him, she looked into his eyes every time. One time Clayton even winked at her and then watched her turn red with fury, her eyes flashing ominous fire before she flounced away to the house.
In the midst of this was Milly. Milly loved her brother, and she loved her new friend Danny, but Jackie was more than she could handle. Jackie didn’t speak to the kids at school or show a drop of the kindness offered to her by various classmates, and in Milly’s opinion she just wasn’t worth bothering with. Milly was not comfortable with her own attitude, but she didn’t know what to do. One day she even discussed it with Danny, who simply said, “I’m sorry it’s so strained between the two of you, Milly, but anything I would say would only sound like I’m making excuses for Jackie.”
“Does she get along with anyone?”
“Oh, yes, but she doesn’t like school and doesn’t make friends easily.”
“I couldn’t stand not to have friends.”
“But she does have friends,” Danny told her gently. “She has her sisters, especially Eddie. They’re very close, and Jackie loves Eddie more than anyone.”
Milly looked at the younger girl with new respect. If she had a sister that Clayton loved more, Milly knew she would be absolutely crushed, but Danny was accepting and even seemed glad for Jackie. Danny had gone on to say that her father and Lexa could be just as prickly, and that sometimes a person could be aware of a problem but not be able to do anything about it except pray.
Had Danny only known what was taking place at the store, she would have been amazed at how closely her words echoed those of her mother. Addy was talking with Mitch while Morgan was busy with the books.
“I can talk to Eddie and Danny—even Sammy-—but not Jackie or Lexa. They’re just as prickly as Morgan.”
“Has he shown any signs of interest, Addy?”
Addy smiled gently at her brother-in-law. “That’s just it, Mitch. He thinks he is a believer. He thinks he’s very interested. He goes to church, he believes in God, he cares for his family, so of course he’s going to heaven.”
“But, Addy, what does he do with verses that say without God’s plan we are lost?”
“He would say he has God’s plan, and that he does believe in Jesus Christ.”
The two fell silent for a moment. It had come as a great surprise to both of them to discover that they both had come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but it had been a tremendous letdown for Mitch when he realized his brother had never made that step.
“I keep praying, Mitch, but I also must thank God. I know Morgan loves me, and when I think of how it could be, I praise God for His grace and provision.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Only that he is a wonderful father and husband. He adores the girls, and even though he can be very dictatorial, he always acts in our best interest. So you see, I have much for which to give thanks.”
Mitch nodded and also expressed his own heartfelt thanks. His brother had married a wonderful woman who honored him and was making a strong attempt to raise her girls to understand God’s greatest gift. A sudden pang stabbed through Mitch’s heart as he thought of his own Clara. Mitch himself had not realized his need for Christ until after her death. He had no idea where she was spending eternity, and all he could do was rest in God’s sovereignty.
Boulder, Colorado
Robert Langley rocked his chair back onto two legs and smiled at the letter in his hand. Eddie wanted him to come for a visit. She had not come right out and said so, but it was there. Robert’s eyes closed as he pictured her in his mind, and again he smiled. He had told her that he’d been looking for her for a very long time, and this was quite true. She was everything he could possibly hope for in a wife. She shared his faith in Christ, she was gentle, kindhearted, and lovely. He had spent only three hours with her, but it felt like they had always known each other. And when they parted, he touched her hand oh-so-briefly, but even now his heart thundered in his chest at the thought of holding her in his arms. How soon could he leave...
A knock sounded on his office door, and Robert was forced back to the world of banking.
“Come in,” he called and stood up with a smile when his friend, Travis Buchanan, came in.
“Travis,” the men shook hands.,“what brings you into town?”
“Just a little business. We’re starting a cattle drive soon and I needed a newspaper.”
“Well, since you’re here, I’ll buy you lunch at the hotel.”
“With an offer like that, I wonder why I don’t come into town more often.”
Robert reached for his suit jacket, and the men made their way through the bank and out onto the street. The contrast in their mode of dress was fascinating, and they caught many eyes, but some of this probably could have been attributed to their height. Robert Langley was no midget at 6 '2", but Travis was the main attraction at 6'4". He was a rancher by trade, and with his dark jeans, plaid shirt, broad shoulders, and worn cowboy boots, he appeared even larger. Robert was also a large man, but his dress was very much that of the banker, with black serge pants and jacket, snow-white shirt, and a dark tie at his throat. Both men were well known in town, so seating in the dining room at the hotel was immediate and comfortable.
“What day do you expect the cattle to go?” Robert asked. They had placed their orders and been served large mugs of strong, black coffee.
“It looks like two weeks from Thursday, but I’ll need to be back in town the day before.” A sudden smile split Travis’ face, and he said, “Shall I buy lunch that day?”
Robert smiled as well, his expression rather wistful. “As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ll be around.”
“Business?” Travis felt free to ask.
“No,” Robert told him with quiet contentment. “I’m going to Georgetown.”
Again Travis smiled. “Tell Eddie that I look forward to meeting her.”
Robert only nodded, but he looked pleased. A moment later the waitress arrived with their food.
It did not go unnoticed by Jackie that Clayton Taggart sat directly behind her in church the next Sunday. It was not planned, but suddenly there he was. Her father liked to be very punctual when attending church—he told her one time that it impressed God—so they were often early and in a pew far to the front. Jackie would have preferred to sit a little farther back, but she was not given this option.
Now today she wished she could think of some reason to leave. The Fontaine girls were expected to take care of their needs before church began, so that excuse would never work, but Jackie thought if she could look sick enough …
Her thoughts were cut off by a sudden itch on the bottom of her foot. Jackie wiggled her foot out of one shoe in order to scratch it with the toe of the other, but she never put the shoe back on because her mind was distracted by a woman moving toward the front to sing.
Jackie
steeled herself for an awful screech and clamor and was not disappointed. “All About God’s Love” was a song her mother liked to hum while she worked, but this woman was spoiling it. And the woman’s hat looked like a windblown bird’s nest! Jackie rolled her eyes in disgust but looked over to catch her father’s stern gaze. His serious eyes were enough to make her alter her expression and sit up straight. At the same time, she remembered her shoe. With her stocking-clad foot she felt around on the floor but couldn’t locate it. She began to move a little more, searching as far as she could reach, but Eddie suddenly leaned close.
“Father said if you know what’s good for you, you’ll sit still.”
Again Jackie did as she was directed, but her mind was not on the sermon that was just beginning. Indeed, the next half hour was torturous. Where in the world had her shoe gone?
“I would like to close with this verse,” Jackie was relieved to hear Pastor Munroe finally say. “Joshua 1:8 says, ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ ”
“I read this, dear friends, because I want you to understand that Sundays are not enough. You must be reading and studying your Bibles all through the week, and my prayer for you this day and always is that you will understand this truth and act upon it. Let us pray.”
Jackie had never been so glad to hear the end of a sermon in her life. Her toes were sore from all the bumping around, and she still had not found her shoe. She was nearly bent double now, searching the area but finding nothing. She was bounced into by two of her sisters who moved past her to leave, but the shoe was nowhere to be found. The church was emptying fast when Jackie finally stood and turned around.
Seated on the pew behind her, the shoe dangling from one finger, was Clayton.
“Lose something?” he asked solicitously.
Incensed, Jackie leaned to snatch it away. All Clayton did was grin.
“You are insufferable,” she told him between clenched teeth, her shoe finally in place. Clayton only stood, his movement lazy, and tried to look hurt by her words.
“I take it you won’t be heartsick when I leave town this next week.”
“Not in the least,” the young beauty told him with flashing eyes. “I hope you never return.”
Again Clayton was not offended. He gave Jackie a lazy smile and nod before moving on his way, his hat held loosely in one hand. Jackie was angry that he would go out ahead of a lady, but she was through talking to him. Indeed, she believed the man was impossible and vowed at that moment never to speak to him again. However, she watched as he walked all the way to the double church doors, put his hat firmly in place, and stepped out into the morning sunshine.
5
“Now, girls,” Adaline gave instructions the next morning, “everyone is to come home right after school. We are invited to the Taggarts’ for dinner.”
“What did you say?” Jackie questioned her mother. She hadn’t been attending her words.
“You should have been listening,” was all Addy would say. “Now, whether or not Eddie and I are here, I want your chores done and no bickering.”
The girls all agreed respectfully and finished their breakfasts, but as Jackie, who had finally understood, was leaving the table, she mumbled under her breath, “At least Clayton won’t be there.”
“Why do you say that, dear?” her mother, whose hearing was keen, wished to know.
“He told me he was leaving town.”
“He is. So is Mr. Taggart, but not until Tuesday. That’s why we were asked over tonight.” Addy turned away then, missing her daughter’s face. To look at her, one would have thought she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Indeed, something told Jackie it was going to be a very long day.
“A telegram?” Eddie questioned the kind man. “For me?”
“Well, if your name is Edwina Fontaine, then it’s yours.”
“Thank you,” she said faintly and then turned to find her parents’ and uncle’s eyes on her.
“I received a telegram,” she explained unnecessarily and then stood there.
“Are you going to read it?” her mother asked gently.
“Oh!” Eddie started. “Yes.” She unfolded the thin piece of paper and read the few short lines.
EDWINA STOP AM LEAVING BOULDER BY STAGE STOP SHOULD BE WITH YOU FRIDAY STOP ROBERT LANGLEY
“He’s coming,” she now whispered, her eyes flying to meet her mother’s. “I never actually asked him; I just sort of hinted, but he’s coming. Next Friday he’ll be here. Oh, Mother, he’s actually coming to Georgetown!”
Something clenched around Morgan’s heart as he watched his wife move forward and hug his oldest daughter, his precious Ed. She’s really going to leave. His heart faced the fact for the first time. She’s really going to be married and go away. For an instant the pain of it threatened to rob him of breath, but he was swift to recover. Suddenly he knew it was good and right and also realized that he’d come to this conclusion none too soon. Eddie was now turning to him, the need for approval lingering in her eyes.
“You still feel it’s all right, don’t you, Father?”
Morgan held out his arms, and Eddie welcomed his embrace, hugging him in return. He then held her at arm’s length.
“It will take a very special man to be good enough for my Ed, but I am looking forward to meeting your Robert.”
Eddie, who couldn’t have asked for more, beamed at him. Her heart felt like it was going to float from her chest. Your Robert had been her father’s words. Eddie felt his acceptance in those words, and her heart knew a soothing rest.
Jackie held her body poker straight as she walked into the Taggart home that night, but there was no need. It had seemed to her she would be walking into the enemy camp, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart were kind to a fault, and neither Clayton nor Milly gave her any undue attention.
With the seven Fontaines joining them, the families were forced to sit at two different tables. The adults, along with Clayton and Eddie, were at a makeshift table set up in the middle of the living room; Elaine had decorated it with a white cloth and flowers. Milly and the rest of the Fontaine girls were around the kitchen table. There were no flowers, but the pale blue tablecloth was clean and pressed. The food was wonderful, and it wasn’t long before Jackie felt herself relaxing. Indeed, Sammy was telling a riotous story about something that had happened in the store, and she had her eating companions in stitches. Jackie nearly forgot all her previous fears.
“This certainly sounds like a lot of fun,” Kevin Taggart commented when he came through at one point.
“Oh, Dad!” Milly gasped. “You should hear this story.”
Sammy repeated it for her host’s benefit, and during the telling of it, Clayton appeared. He laughed as hard as his father, but for Jackie the tenseness had returned. She watched Clayton’s eyes rest on her for a moment and dropped her own. With his warm, brown eyes and sun-blond hair, all set off by a dark tan shirt and brown pants, she had to admit that he was handsome, but she still disliked him.
“I think we’ll wait on dessert,” Elaine said as she came to the kitchen. “Milly, will you please help me with the dishes?”
“I’ll help too,” Danny offered.
“All right,” Elaine accepted with a smile. “Clay, why don’t you take Sammy to the barn and show her the kittens.”
“You should go too, Jackie,” Addy said as she came from the living room with her hands full of dishes. “Jackie is our animal lover,” she added to her hostess.
“Come on, Sammy,” Clayton invited the youngest girl. “Let’s head to the barn.”
“Aren’t we going to take Jackie?”
Clayton’s eyes showed his amusement as they swung to the older girl. “I’m sure she won’t be interested.”
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Jackie’s chin lifted to the challenge. “As a matter of fact, I would love to see the kittens.”
A smile split Clayton’s face. He never dreamed she would accompany them, but he didn’t comment. A moment later he stepped aside so that Sammy could lead the way. She threw a smile his way as she passed, but Jackie, who also walked in front of him, refused to look in his direction.
“Clay’s a terrible tease,” Elaine commented when they were gone.
“That might not be all bad,” Addy told her softly. “Jackie takes herself much too seriously.”
“I love the smell of barns,” Sammy told Clayton enthusiastically. The blue eyes that were so like her mother’s smiled up at him.
“So do I,” he agreed. “I think it must be the hay and horses.”
The sky was growing dark, so the spacious barn was dim with the fading light. Clayton moved to a post below the hayloft and took down the lantern. The light flared in the shadowy barn as he led the way to a nearby stall. He need not have bothered. The sound of kittens crying could be heard from several feet away and would have led them with ease.
“Hey,” Clayton spoke as he knelt in the straw, “where’s Princess?”
“Oh,” Sammy breathed, and Jackie, who had remained very quiet, bit her lip, her eyes alight with pleasure.
“Aren’t they adorable, Jackie?”
“Oh, they are,” the older girl agreed. Clayton thought he’d never heard her voice so sweet.
“Look, Jackie! A gray stripe. Your favorite.” Sammy gently lifted the kitten and placed it in her hands. Jackie let out a breathless laugh, unaware of the way Clayton’s eyes studied her.
“She’s so soft.”
“This one is too,” Sammy exclaimed as she cuddled a tiny red kitten close to her cheek.
The two remaining kittens found Clayton’s lap, and he lazily stroked their tiny heads while watching the wonder of his guests. He’d never known so much physical beauty in one family. Morgan was a handsome man, and Addy was downright beautiful. The girls were all lovely as well, but he wasn’t completely convinced that all was as it should be. Things seemed to be in place with Mrs. Fontaine, Eddie, Danny, and even Sammy, but the others were a mystery to him. His thoughts were interrupted when a large calico cat sauntered into the stall and meowed loudly to her children.