Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska

by Irene Brand

  “I see Sam coming to relieve Joel, and I’m going home, too. But I’ll have my cell if you need anything.” When she walked with him toward his truck, he asked, “Did you talk to Matti?”

  “Yes. She admits that she treated Tony badly, but I think she still loves him. There’s never been anyone else.”

  “It’s too bad she had to show up now.”

  “She didn’t intend to, but the woman who was supposed to come with the girls suddenly took sick, and there was no one else to fill in. Either Matti had to chaperone or the girls would have had to stay home.”

  “But what about Tony? He doesn’t deserve to come to this camp without a warning that Matti is here.”

  “She was a little reluctant, but she agrees that Tony should be told so he can stay away if he chooses to. Will you call him?” Shaking his head ruefully, Derek said, “I sure hate to be the one to tell him, but I will. Do you have his cell phone number?” Kennedy reached into her pocket for the phone and checked her directory, and Derek put Tony’s number in his address book. “I’ll call him early tomorrow morning. Will you pray for me? I want to cause him as little grief as possible.” Dreading Kennedy’s inevitable return to California, Derek had a pretty good notion of how Tony had felt when Mattie deserted him. Wondering how much longer it would be before Kennedy left him, he looked at her as if he’d never seen her before.

  Her eyes weren’t as sparkling as usual, she didn’t have on any makeup, and the strong prairie breeze blew golden hair around her face and shoulders. She wore his flannel shirt that his mother had altered for her. He’d seldom seen her when she didn’t look as if she’d just been outfitted in one of those high-end designer boutiques. But today she could easily have been a ranch girl rather than the multi-millionaire that he figured she was. For a blissful moment he wondered if she might actually fit into life on the Circle Cross, and he lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. He immediately realized he’d made a mistake, for her eyes brightened and she moved closer to him before he stepped backward.

  “I’ll be here again tonight,” he said tersely.

  Turning quickly from her wistful eyes, he wondered if he’d imagined that her longing was the same as his, for her voice was steady when she said, “They’re planning a big Western-style campfire tonight. Why don’t you come for that and bring June? Although he doesn’t seem like the type, Tim Spencer is quite a banjo picker. He played some variety pieces last night and had the kids roaring with laughter.”

  “I’ll tell Mom, and she’ll probably drive over. I’ll catch some sleep if I can.”

  “Some of the women from Tony’s church are coming tomorrow night with food for supper. Don’t miss that.” Even though Kennedy kept busy on Wednesday, she was anxious about how Matti’s return would hurt Tony, and time seemed to drag. She enjoyed going with the kids on a short trail ride and was even proud of herself that she’d learned enough about riding to be helpful. Al, the cowboy on duty for the day, bragged on her when she taught two of the girls how to saddle their horses and shared with them some of the riding tips she’d learned from Derek.

  “You’re doing great, Miss Kennedy,” Al said. “You stick around the Circle Cross for a few months and we’ll be asking you to help us rope and brand the cattle.

  We can always use another cowhand.”

  Kennedy cast a dubious glance in his direction. “Are you just saying that to make me feel good?”

  “No, ma’am!” he said, and his black eyes blazed with sincerity. “I never did learn how to flatter women. You’re doin’ good, and don’t let anyone tell you different. The boss has taught you right.”

  “Well, maybe if I’m still here during the next roundup, your boss might let me help.” With a sly look at her, Al guffawed. “I’ve not noticed that the boss man has kept you from doin’ anything you want to do yet.” Kennedy knew that her face had turned beet red. “That’s because I’m hardheaded and used to having my own way. No doubt I’d be better off if I had taken Derek’s advice about a few things.”

  “Maybe. But you’ve been good for Derek, Miss Kennedy,” Al said seriously. “We’d like it if you stayed here all the time.” The campers stared in wonder at the abundant fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, and cakes that the women from Valentine placed on the table.

  “That’s just for starters,” one of the women said. “We’ve got hand-cranked ice cream and cookies for your evening snack.” Derek arrived while the kids were still in line filling their plates. Although he first talked with Otho and Tim, Derek soon moved to where Kennedy stood. She ignored Al when he lifted significant eyebrows, wondering how much the cowboys teased Derek about their relationship.

  After only a few hours’ separation from Derek, Kennedy was as hungry for his company as if she hadn’t seen him for a week. What would it be like to be in California and not see him for weeks or months? Would separation make the heart grow fonder, as the old adage was, or would they soon forget one another?

  He reached her side and stuck his hands in his pockets. She suspected that the gesture was necessary so he wouldn’t touch her in front of the others.

  “Hey,” he said, and she felt a tender affection coming from him.

  “Hey, yourself. Everything all right at the ranch?”

  He nodded. “Are the kids still having a good time?”

  “It’s fantastic,” she said. “Most of them have taken to horseback riding like they’ve lived in the country all their lives. One of the guys caught a foot-long fish

  “It’s fantastic,” she said. “Most of them have taken to horseback riding like they’ve lived in the country all their lives. One of the guys caught a foot-long fish today and you’d have thought he landed a whale. We’ll have to do this every year, Derek. I’ve been having some pretty lofty ideas about what we can do with this building and section of land.”

  His eyes were tender when he said, “Do you think that surprises me? You’re always having lofty ideas.”

  “I’d need your help.”

  “Always having lofty ideas,” he repeated, “and drawing me into them. I’m a sucker for punishment where you’re concerned.”

  “Complaining?”

  “I refuse to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate me.”

  They laughed together, and then Derek’s face sobered. “I talked to Tony.”

  “Poor guy! How’d he take it?”

  “He was so stunned at first that he couldn’t talk. He told me he’d have to call back. It was several hours before he called, and I was really worried. I haven’t been praying as much lately as I should have been, but I was so concerned, I went off by myself and fell on my knees asking God to give Tony the strength to deal with seeing Matti again.”

  Not even caring what the others thought, Kennedy put her hand on his arm, and Derek drew his hand out of his pocket and covered her fingers. “But it’s all right?” she asked.

  “Yes. Tony said he’s often wondered what he would do if he saw Matti again, and he believes that perhaps God is giving him the opportunity to set things right between them. But he went through some awful hours before he got to that place. He’s forgiven her, and he’s determined to find out why she deserted him.”

  “They must have some time alone, but Matti is on a tight schedule here.”

  “I’ve talked with Otho about taking the kids to the Circle Cross headquarters tomorrow morning to let them see what a working ranch is like, and we also want to take them for a short canoe ride on the Niobrara River. Perhaps you and Matti can stay at camp, and Tony can meet her here without anyone looking on. I’ll keep everybody away all morning—that should give them enough time.”

  “Count me in,” Kennedy said eagerly. “I’ll guard the camp, and they can be alone.”

  “I’ll tell Tony to padlock the gate when he comes in, so there should be complete privacy.” The next morning when Kennedy saw Tony’s truck approaching, she hugged Matti.

  “You’re on your own now. I don’t want to be her
e when you first meet. You can tell me about it later if you want to. I need to explore this building, so I’ll use the spotlight from our tent to take a good look inside. I’ll be praying for you.”

  “I’ll need it,” Matti said, and her expression was tight with strain.

  Kennedy went into the building through the door that had been open since the campers had arrived and splayed the light around the interior of the building. She slid back the bars on all of the doors and opened them. The day was sunny, and more light shone through than the day she and Derek had looked inside.

  Still wary about the break-in they had discovered, she shone the flashlight around the place where the intruder had made himself at home. Everything was just as they’d left it, so she continued her inspection without concern.

  By the time an hour had passed, Kennedy had made a fair assessment of the inside of the building. The architect had planned well, or so it seemed to her. She could envision the central, two-story area as an entrance hall with an auditorium that would seat at least one hundred people. Although she hesitated to try the steps, she found them stable enough. The upstairs had been separated into six areas. There were no partitions, but she estimated that this spot was intended for conference rooms.

  In the wing to the left of the entrance hall, provisions had been made for a large kitchen and a dining hall. The other wing was divided into spaces for twenty rooms, which would provide sleeping accommodations for two persons to each room. Kennedy had been in enough conference centers to know that this building would be perfect for that purpose. Her only question—was Valentine too small a place for such a facility? She’d never make a move without Derek’s advice, but she had a fantastic idea rolling around in her head.

  She’d been in semidarkness for so long that the sun almost blinded her when she went outside. Shading her eyes, Kennedy noticed that Tony and Matti were strolling toward the campsite from the direction of the river. They were holding hands—which seemed like a good sign to her. Thank You, God, she whispered. She sat on one of the picnic tables to wait for them.

  Their smiles, reflecting the happiness in their hearts, caused a bittersweet moment for Kennedy. Apparently they had reconciled, and she was happy for them, but she also wished that she and Derek could find the same happiness. She stepped off the table when they came close, and Matti rushed toward her.

  “He’s forgiven me,” she said, and tears ran like rivulets down her red cheeks.

  Kennedy put an arm around Matti’s waist and held out her hand to Tony. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “I didn’t think I could ever forgive her, but the minute I saw her again, I knew I still loved her regardless of what she’d done.” His face hardened. “By the grace of God, I pray that I’ll be able to forgive our grandfather for driving Matti away, but right now, I can’t. Let’s sit down before the others come back, and we’ll tell you what happened.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t have to tell me anything,” Kennedy protested.

  “What happened is between the two of you.”

  “But we want you to know,” Matti insisted. “Then you can tell Derek.”

  “But we don’t want anyone else to know,” Tony said.

  “I’m honored that you want me to confide in me. Derek and I will keep your secret.”

  “Well, the sordid truth is that Matti’s dad worked for Grandfather,” Tony said, and Kennedy noted the hardness of his voice. “He also owned the house her family lived in. He sent for Matti and told her that if she didn’t stop seeing me, he would fire her dad, make them move, and see to it that he couldn’t find another job in Cherry County.”

  “The trouble was that Dad had a weak heart,” Matti said, “and I was afraid that the stress of losing his job would kill him. Mom and I discussed it, and I didn’t feel like I had much choice.” She choked up and Tony put his arm around her shoulders and held her close until she could speak again.

  “Part of the bargain was that Tony wasn’t to know why I left. Mr. Morgan also gave me a check for twenty thousand dollars with the stipulation that I wouldn’t contact Tony or come back to Valentine. I’m ashamed to say that I let him buy me off, but I didn’t know how I could make it on my own. I was only eighteen, and I’d never been out of Nebraska. I got a part-time job and used his money to pay for my college tuition as long as it lasted. I didn’t even feel guilty about it because I figured Gabriel Morgan owed me something. I didn’t promise him I wouldn’t come back home, but of course he had the canceled check to show Tony if I didn’t cooperate.”

  “I was away when her parents died and didn’t see her the few times she came to Valentine. But Grandfather isn’t going to win this one,” Tony said sternly. “As soon as Matti can, she’ll return to Valentine. Grandfather doesn’t control everyone in this county, so we’ll find a job of some kind for her until we get married.”

  soon as Matti can, she’ll return to Valentine. Grandfather doesn’t control everyone in this county, so we’ll find a job of some kind for her until we get married.”

  “When will that be?” Kennedy asked.

  “I’d marry her tomorrow if I could, but she wants to wait so we can be married on Valentine’s Day. It’s traditional for couples—locals and people from other places—to be married in our town on February 14. We thought it would be cool to get married then. That’s what we had planned seven years ago.”

  “Oh, that sounds romantic!” Kennedy said. “It will be worth waiting for.”

  “I’ll give the center two months notice, at least,” Matti said. “I do a lot of things that aren’t necessarily in my job description, and it will take time to find a replacement. I hope I can be settled in Valentine before winter. And, by the way, we aren’t mentioning anything to Otho or the children. It’s okay for them to know that Tony and I used to be friends, but nothing more for the time being.”

  “Your secret is safe with me,” Kennedy assured them.

  On the first day of August Kennedy watched with Derek as their visitors from Omaha loaded onto the bus and started their return to the city. It had been a busy week, and Kennedy felt as if she could go to bed and sleep around the clock. But it had been the most satisfying week she’d ever spent. At the closing service around the campfire the night before, all of the youths told how the week had changed their lives and pointed them in a new direction.

  She had learned the family background of most of these children from Matti, but some of the kids had talked openly of how terrible their home lives were.

  Kennedy felt guilty that while she’d had so much, which she’d taken for granted, there were millions of kids worldwide whose lives were as bad or worse than the way these children lived. Throughout the week, she’d asked God more than once what He wanted her to do about it.

  And the hours with Matti had brought about a close relationship with her. When she told Matti good-bye, she said, “Matti, I know that you’re my sister in Christ, but how about becoming my sister in the flesh? I’ve never had a sister, and I think you’d make a good one.”

  “I don’t have a sister either, so you’re it,” Matti said, and her brown eyes sparkled with pleasure. “Let’s keep in touch.”

  “Count on it,” Kennedy assured her.

  When the bus passed out of sight, Derek said, “What a week!”

  “I’m so pleased that we asked them to come. But I am tired. Sleeping on the ground isn’t comfortable.” He cuffed her playfully on the shoulder. “You’re too soft, City Girl. I thought you might go with us the next time we fix fences. You’d have to sleep in a bedroll then, too.”

  “I’ll take you up on that, Cowhand. Let me know when you’re going, and I’ll be there. But right now I’m going home, taking a shower, and going to bed.”

  “The kids did a good job of cleaning up everything, and we’ll just leave the benches for now. Tony asked if he could bring the young people from the church here for a wiener roast some night. I was sure it would be all right with you.” Kennedy yawned and headed for her
car. “I told you that all decisions about the use of the ranch are your responsibility.” She opened the door, got inside, and started the engine. “But I need your advice about something else, so when you have time, come and talk to me.” He nodded, and she added, “I haven’t checked e-mail all week, so I’ll come to your office this afternoon and see what I’ve missed. Maybe we can talk then.” When Kennedy arrived at ranch headquarters, June told Kennedy that Derek and the men were cutting out several cattle that he wanted to take to market. She spent an hour reading messages from her friends, deleting a lot of junk mail, and pondering over a disturbing message from Elliott Talbot. She downloaded the lawyer’s post so Derek could read it later. She knew what she had to do it, but it wasn’t going to be easy.

  June opened the office door. “I’m going to town, Kennedy. Need anything before I leave?”

  “No thanks. I’ve done all I intend to for today.”

  Kennedy was still sitting at the computer staring at the screen when she heard Wilson barking, cows bawling, and cowboys shouting. She closed her e-mail box, locked the door, and stepped out as Derek and the men hazed the cattle into a large holding pen not far from the barns. Dust swirled around the cattle as well as the men, so Kennedy didn’t venture too close, but she did sit on the bunkhouse porch and watch. Al dismounted and closed the gate on the milling cattle, and the men rode toward the barns. Kennedy waved, and Derek lifted his hat to show that he’d seen her.

  She walked to meet him, and he was brushing dust off of his shirt and jeans when he met her. Wilson raced ahead of him and jumped up on Kennedy. She petted him until Derek said, “That’s enough, Wilson. Leave her alone.”

  The dog barked belligerently at Derek but moved away.

  “Go ahead with your work,” she said. “I was ready to leave when I heard you driving in.”

  “Let’s sit on the porch steps,” he said. “I told the men to take a half-hour break. We’ve been in the saddle for several hours.”