by Lori Wick
this Katy was unmistakable. He had seen it even before
they had left but had not had a chance to speak with her.
"Charles!" Virginia could be heard coming back through
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the house now.
"In the living room."
Mrs. Rawlings came rushing through, pulling Cash,
who was laughing at her excitement, with her.
"Tell him, Cash!" she demanded, looking ready to burst
all over again.
Cash smiled at his father.
"I've asked Reagan to marry me, and she's accepted."
Charles went to his son. The men embraced, and the
older Rawlings found himself quite choked up. He knew he had to tell Virginia soon, so he could share his news with
his son, this precious first child who loved the ranch as he
did.
But the time didn't come. Anxious as she was to return
home, Virginia wanted to spend only one nigjit at the
ranch, and then head to Dakota's before going back to St
Louis.
Cash, however, did find a letter on his desk after his parents
left. He read it and then laid his head down on the
desktop and cried with a mixture of joy and heartbreak.
That God would save his father was the most amazing
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thing Cash had ever known. In years past, whenever he
had pictured one of his parents coining to Christ, it was his
mother, and here his f ather had been the first to believe.
A note on the bottom of the letter said that Katy knew
also but to be careful of his mother's feelings in any future
dealings with her. Cash went to Katy, glad she was close
by, to see if she knew about the note.
"I didn't think he'd had a chance to talk with you, so I'm
glad he wrote it," she said. "They were gone so fast."
"I just wish my mother knew."
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Katy looked at him, her chin thrust forward a bit.
"You're not doubting, are you, Cash?"
"What exactly?"
"I know your father hasn't told your mother yet, but you
don't doubt that she'll believe, do you?"
"I do at times, Katy. I want it very badly, but God does
give us a choice."
"That He does," she said with conviction, "and I have to
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trust Him no matter what, but I think your mother will
come around. I'm praying for that very thing."
"I am too, Katy. It's good to know I'm not alone."
Katy smiled even after he left the room. Neither one of
them was alone. They would never be alone again.
Christmas 1883
dakota and darvi had been in their new house at the
ranch for almost a month, but they would still have
Christmas in the main house. And the whole family would
be gathered. Slater, Liberty, and Reese were already at the
ranch, as was Grandma Rawlings. Charles and Virginia
were due that day.
Married just four months, Reagan Rawlings had decorated
to her heart's content, and her husband had even
bought her a dark green dress that she was saving for
Christmas day. She had been somewhat nervous about
hosting this special day for the whole clan, but as usual,
Katy was a lifesaver, and Cash took it all in stride.
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Over at Dakota and Darvi's, Darvi held her little
nephew, dreaming of when it would be her turn. Liberty
and Darvi grew closer each time they saw each other, and
the men always had catching up to do.
In the kitchen of the main house, Gretchen Rawlings and
Katy were talking and working away, both elated to have
the family gathered under one roof. They each knew the
favorite dishes of the family and worked on what they
termed their "secret" recipes.
Coming in on the train--due to arrive in just 45 minutes --were Charles and Virginia Rawlings. They were
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laden with packages, even though they'd sent many ahead
of time, and Virginia worked at not worrying.
"Are you going to make it?" Charles asked, his eyes
searching her face.
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"I don't know. I almost wish I had written first. They're
all going to cry, and thaf s not what we need to do at
Christinas,"
"When someone comes to Christ, especially when if s
someone you love dearly, you can cry anytime."
"Virginia leaned to kiss him.
"Why did it take me so long?"
He slipped an arm around her.
"I don't care how long it took. I just love knowing I
never have to leave you behind. Thaf s all that matters to
me."
Virginia relaxed completely then, her husband's
embrace telling her it was going to be all right.
In the main house at the ranch, Cash was looking for his
wife.
"Reagan?" Cash called to her as he mounted the stairs
toward their room. She didn't answer, but he found her sitting
on the side of their bed.
"Hi," he said as he sat down next to her, scooped her
into his arms, and settled her in his lap.
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"Hello," she said, still giving him her profile.
Her voice told him she was thinking.
"What's up?"
"I was just thinking," she admitted, finally meeting his
eyes.
"About what?"
"Your Christmas gift."
"What about it?"
"I couldn't stand for you not to like it, Cash, at least not
in front of anyone else." She turned to look at him. "I want
to give you your gift now."
"Now?"
"Now."
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Cash started to laugh.
"Reagan, I know I'll like it."
He tried to reason with her for some minutes, but she
had that stubborn tilt to her chin.
"I want to give it to you now."
"No."
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"Yes."
This went on for a short time before Cash realized he
didn't care. Looking like a conspiratorial child, Reagan
took his hand and led him quietly down the stairs. At the
bottom she peeked around the corner, and when it was
clear, rushed him to the room that Katy had used to recuperate.
Cash was laughing so hard that he tried to hold his
breath. Reagan was taking this all the way. She darted
inside, shut the door, and leaned on it, breathing theatrically.
"What are we doing?"
"Shh," she told him. "They'll hear us."
Cash wanted to shake his head but found himself
dragged along to the closet It creaked a little when it
opened, and even Reagan started to laugh.
"Come on," she urged him, having picked up a lantern.
"Come through here."
"If s dark."
"Just hold onto me."
"Gladly," he agreed just before finding himself in pitch
blackness.
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"Okay, now close your eyes."
"It's dark, Reagan," he said indulgently.
"I know, but I'm going to light the lantern. Are they
closed?"
"Yes."
He heard the strike of the match, and from behind his
lids could tell that Reagan's little room
had been illumined.
"Okay," she said, watching him carefully.
Cash opened his eyes and then blinked.
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"You bought me a bike?"
"Yes. Do you like it?"
"You bought me my own bike?"
"Yes. If s taller than mine. It should fit you very well."
He walked toward it like a child on his tenth birthday.
Reagan watched him, her hands clasped in front of her.
"You bought me a bike," he said with such pleasure that
Reagan beamed.
"Look at me. I'm a city boy!"
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Watching as he tried to straddle it in the tiny room, she
suddenly realized what she'd done.
"Oh, no," she suddenly said.
"What's wrong?"
"You like it"
"Thafsbad?"
"No, but now I don't have anything to surprise you with
for Christmas."
Cash set the bike aside and came to her. His arms were
gentle around her as he gathered her to his chest.
"My entire family is coming for Christmas in the home
I share with my new wife, and you think I need more gifts."
Reagan threw her arms around his neck, her lips seeking
his own. She suddenly felt exactly the same. He was all the
Christmas gift she would ever need again.