by Cyndi Raye
Table of Contents
Mercy's Gift
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Cyndi’s Books
Mercy’s Gift
The Belles of Wyoming
Book 8
by
Cyndi Raye
Virginia McKevitt (Illustrator)
Copyright © 2019 www.CyndiRaye.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.
The Belles are at it again. Join the town of Belle, Wyoming in another 5 book series with an Easter Holiday theme. There are 5 books in this series from book #6 to #10.
Chapter 1
Franklyn Mason hesitated at the door to the sheriff’s office, his hands deep in his pockets. He had to get this over and done with before he was able to move on with his life. Taking a solid deep breath, he pushed open the door to the sound of bells jingling overhead. “Congrats on the job, Sheriff.”
David Knight looked up. His eyes widened at first then he quickly stood. “Frank! Welcome back to Belle! It’s been, what, four years?”
He reached out for David’s hand and shook it. Everyone in town called him Frank, even though at medical school he was known as Franklyn. It didn’t matter, he was home and he no longer had to be called by that name. It was good to see a childhood friend. “I reckon it’s been about that long. Got my medical degree now so I can put doctor in front of my name.”
“Congratulations. I know you worked hard. Come in and take a load off.”
The sheriff motioned to the wooden chair beside his desk for Frank to sit down on. He was a might uncomfortable knowing the conversation that had to take place. So, he dived in immediately, figuring to get it over with first thing. “I came to you right off the stage. I have to get everything squared away first before I can hold my head up in public.”
The sheriff raised a brow. “You trying to redeem yourself, Frank?”
Frank grinned. “I believe I am.”
“Well, thanks for coming to me, but you don’t have an issue with me. I’ll admit I was angry at you at first and wanted to ring your neck until things turned around for Hope and me. My wife, on the other hand, does have an issue with you. One that I am hoping you can clear up.”
He nodded, ashamed of his behavior. “I can’t explain what happened when I was in Philadelphia, but I knew deep in my heart Hope and I were not meant to be married.”
David slapped Frank on the back. “Thank the good Lord for that! I’m afraid the complications you caused had me sending for a mail order bride.”
“You are joking, right?”
David shook his head. “I’m afraid not. When I came home after years away, I found out Hope was engaged to you. I didn’t think I had a chance with her and someone talked me into ordering a mail order bride. Thank my lucky stars her father became ill and she never showed up.”
A wide smile crossed Frank’s face. He was so relieved. “I knew you and Hope were best friends growing up, but husband and wife? David, I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks for not going through with the wedding. Although, you do owe her an explanation. Come by the house tonight for supper. We’ll talk then.”
Frank left David’s office feeling much lighter in spirit. He had thought he’d get punched in the face when he walked in, or arrested. Even though he didn’t break the law, some people had their way of getting back at others. He was a lucky man that David was not that type of person.
Frank picked up his suitcase and headed towards his old home. He took a right off of Main street to Tall Pine Lane. A few feet around the corner stood a rather large Victorian home with its shutters closed and the porch bare. Tall pines lined the street and the backdrop. He stared for a few minutes, wishing his mother’s sweet face would show up at the window like it had for so many years. He knew it would never happen again for she was on the hill overlooking Belle, Wyoming.
His loving mother had wanted to be buried alongside her husband. Frank had no one to come home to now. They’d never call him doctor. With both his parents gone, he wasn’t even sure why he was home. It would’ve been so easy to keep going, to accept a position at the Philadelphia Hospital after he passed his exam.
Yet, he had some unfinished business in Belle to take care of. Not only did he need to explain to Hope why he hadn’t been able to marry her at the time, but he had come home for another reason.
His eyes wandered to the house next door. It was almost identical to his parents’ house except the windows weren’t boarded shut. It even had the same front porch. There were flowers in baskets and pots on the front steps leading to the front door, along with a few chairs. The house looked lived in so he knew she was still there.
The woman he had always loved.
The reason he didn’t keep his promise to Hope’s mother.
Mercy.
<><><>
She peeked out the upstairs window, careful to keep her radiant red hair hidden behind the curtain. Her heart beat hard seeing him for the first time in four years. He was taller and his physique was built up more. She put her hand to her heart, afraid he’d hear it pumping from behind the window.
Frank was the man she had adored all these years. Not many knew that fact. The only one who did was his mother and she was long gone. She had invited Mercy to dinner many times, but mostly Frank had ignored her since she was kid next-door.
Her parents had forbidden her to associate with any boys, and even though Frank was allowed to come over on occasion, her mother watched him like a hawk. He always stayed for dessert and left right afterwards, telling them he needed to study. He planned to be a doctor someday.
Her parents had been friends with Frank and Hope’s parents since they all lived on Tall Pines Lane. The adults would spend Sunday afternoons together going out for walks sometimes, leaving the three kids together. She never thought Hope had any interest in Frank and he never seemed to take his nose out of a book long enough to notice either of them.
After Hope’s mother and father passed away, he told everyone he promised her mother he’d take care of Hope, now that she had no one. The next thing Mercy knew, Frank was engaged to Hope. Anger and resentment at Hope had caused a rift in their friendship for a few years. She was lucky if they spoke more than once a year. It was a shame; she missed her old friend.
She watched as Frank set his carpetbag on the ground next to him and stared at his house. Several times he looked over to hers. She slid farther back to make sure her hair didn’t give her away. After several minutes, he picked up his bag and walked to his own house that had sat empty since his parents’ passing.
When he disappeared inside, Mercy let out her breath and moved away from the curtain. If she poked her head out the window, all he had to do was look out a window to catch her watching him.
Perhaps it was time to welcome him home. They were older now. She’d be able to meet him face to face without yearning for him, wouldn’t she?
Besides, it would be unkind of her to ignore him. Neighbors always welcomed anyone who came to Belle, especially someone who returned home like he had. She checked herself in the mirror. Satisfied, she picked up the white crème cake she had baked earlier that morning and walked out the door, almost stumbling when she stood face to face with Frank!
“Oh!” She stepped back, the cake in her hands about to
topple over. He caught it in one swoop and gave her a smile so wide she almost toppled into those arms, too.
Arms that she noticed were much larger than she remembered. He was taller now, and his beautiful dark eyes watched her with amusement. Unlike years ago, those eyes were no longer glued in a book.
Mercy had always been a bit unsteady on her feet, but to almost fall into his arms was a bit embarrassing.
“Steady now,” he told her, his light touch on her shoulder setting off warning signals in her brain.
She took another step back, moving away. “Well,” she laughed lightly, “the cake is for you. I wanted to welcome you home.”
He nodded, tilting his head to stare at her. “Thank you, Mercy. It’s been a long time. I’m happy to see you.”
Was he? Or, was he being polite since she almost fell coming out of her own front door? She decided to keep the conversation cordial. “Hello, Franklyn. What brings you here to my house?”
He grinned. “You’ve always called me Frank, and so does everyone else here.”
“I know, which is why I didn’t understand why our wonderful town gossip told us your new name is Doctor Franklyn Mason. So, I will call you Dr. Mason.”
“Suit yourself, but I always liked the way you said Frank.”
He had? She hadn’t known that. Maybe he’d be paying attention when she thought he wasn’t. Interesting. Yet, she had to ignore his casual indifference. “Those days are long gone, Dr. Mason. You are now an important addition to society with a doctor’s degre, and as far as I’m concerned, you must be treated in such a way not to offend you. The cake is for you.”
He took a step closer.
Her eyes widened.
She backed up, but the door hit her back and she stopped suddenly.
“Please call me Frank. I want to thank you for the cake.”
“You’re welcome,” she said.
“No, I really appreciate this,” he told her, looking at the cake and then her.
“It’s nothing, really. I’m sure you will receive many more gifts as everyone will want to welcome you home.”
He took another step closer. She felt the warmth from his body radiate between them. Oh, dear! Was he going to kiss her? Impossible! They had been neighbors and acquaintances growing up.
She was not expecting a kiss.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide and her curiosity now peaked.
He leaned down, touching her cheek with his mouth. “Thank you,” he said softly, his low voice for her ears only.
When he turned around to leave, she wasn’t sure why he was there in the first place. She called out. “What did you want?”
He turned, giving her a knowing look. “To see you.”
She shook her head. “No,” she whispered, although he had turned his back and was heading across the yard.
She went back inside and closed the door, feeling breathless. Leaning against it, she touched her hand to her cheek. Four long years she had waited to tell Franklyn Mason that he had hurt her. Then, the first thing he does is stare at her with those dark eyes and kiss her cheek.
How was she supposed to react when he didn’t even know she liked him? It was her own fault he didn’t know. She gazed at her image in the mirror hung on the wall just inside the front door.
Her eyes were wide, her nose red and her cheeks even redder. Mercy closed her eyes for a moment, dreaming that he had come home for her.
Then she stood up, pulled her shoulders back and put such a thought out of her mind. He probably came home to sell the house he grew up in. She had heard some of the gossip mongers in town talk about his dream of becoming one of those doctors in a big city like Philadelphia or even New York City.
She felt certain he wouldn’t stay. She had no reason for her to even think he might be interested in her. His actions were friendly, weren’t they? No reason to believe anything else.
She nodded at the image in the mirror. This is just a stop along the way for him to tie up loose ends. Do not let your emotions get the best of you! No matter what!
Mercy tried to get on with her day, baking another cake to take to the school function that evening. Even as she tried to deliberately close her mind to the sweet kiss on the cheek, she kept playing those five minutes over and over in her mind.
Would she ever get over Frank? Missing him the past four years had been tough, but she always hoped he’d come home someday and notice her.
His words right before he kissed her cheek reminded her that he was here. It wasn’t a dream or a hopeful wish.
What did you want?
To see you.
She couldn’t quite understand what he meant.
Chapter 2
Frank walked by Mercy’s house on his way to supper. It didn’t appear as if she were at home, but she did have her own life. Why did he think she would be there waiting for him to come visit?
The thought of Mercy on a date bothered him more than he realized. He hadn’t thought much about her courting someone else these past four years, until he saw her again. What if she was in love with another man? He’d have to show her somehow that he cared. How was he going to do that when they had been neighbors and friends all these years? He knew his nose had been stuck in books while they grew up. Which reminded him, he’d have to swing by the library to see if they wanted some of his old books he had lying around the place.
For now, he had to face Hope. It wouldn’t be easy. The way he had treated her was not right. He stayed so busy in medical college that there hadn’t been much time to write back to her. And, she had never failed to send him a letter each month. He had meant to write back, except his heart hadn’t been in it and he kept putting it off. Maybe he had been trying to tell her that without telling her.
Still, that did not excuse him for what he had done. He stood in front of the sheriff’s door, ready to lift a hand to knock when the hairs on the back of his neck rose up. Someone’s eyes were on him. He turned to find Mercy walking down the street holding another cake in her hand. She quickly avoided his gaze until he shouted out. “Mercy! Where are you going?”
She stumbled, and he thought for a moment he’d have to rescue her again He was disappointed whem she found her footing and turned to him. “To the school. There’s a dessert social tonight, and I volunteered to help.”
“Well, what great timing. I’m sure I’ll be able to stop in after having dinner with the Sheriff and his wife.”
Mercy nodded and kept on walking, as if she were talking to a casual neighbor. Which he was or had been most of their life. Except he’d always had a crush on her and now she was treating him the same as anyone else. When he kissed her cheek earlier, maybe he went too far, but he thought she seemed pleased.
“Well, good evening, Doctor Mason!” Hope’s sweet voice had him turning completely around.
“Hello, Hope, or should I say Mrs. Knight?”
She gave him a hug and invited him in. “Hope is fine. Please, do come in.” He was surprised she was so pleasant to him after everything he had put her through. This was going to be difficult to get through if she was this nice. He deserved to be yelled at or reprimanded.
Placing his jacket on the coat hook, he followed the sheriff and his wife to the table, where they sat down and prayed. When the food was served, not one word was mentioned about his behavior.
He wanted to get it out of the way. “Hope, I came here tonight to apologize to you.”
She looked at her husband first with so much adoration it startled Frank. She truly was in love with her husband. Perhaps so much that what he had done no longer mattered. It probably mattered more to Frank. Still, he needed to apologize.
“Frank, I think I understand why you never wrote.”
He was surprised. “You do.”
“Yes. I am afraid I just witnessed the reason why and she was walking past our house when I answered the door.”
His eyes flashed and he stared at her in shock. Was he that obvious? He was about to e
xplain when she put up a hand.
The sheriff spoke up. “I think she has forgiven you, Frank.”
“Yes, I have. I now realize you loved Mercy all this time. Am I right?” Her soft voice went through him. He wanted to deny it.
“I’m sorry, Hope. I’m sorry about the way I treated you, not answering your letters. If I’d have written sooner, you’d have saved a lot of trouble.”
She reached across the table and patted his hand. “If you’d have written, my husband and I may have never gotten together. Please, it’s over and done with, and I accept your apology.”
“Thank you.”
“That still doesn’t answer the main question here, does it?” She was persistent if anything.
He looked at her husband. David shrugged and gave him one of those looks that hinted he had better answer her question or she won’t stop until you do.
Frank sighed. “I didn’t realize I loved Mercy until I left Belle and went to Philadelphia. She was all I thought about even when I got your letters. I’m sorry, Hope.”
Hope smiled. “No need to be, Frank. You helped me during a horrendous time of my life and I will be forever grateful to you. I’m afraid my friendship with Mercy faltered during that time and hasn’t been the same since. Now, I know why.”
He was confused. “What do you mean?”
Hope stared at him as if he should know the answer. “Mercy is in love with you, too. She loved you even before you left for medical school. Sitting here piecing it all together makes perfect sense. The two of you each loved the other and never told each other!”
Frank was shocked. “Mercy? She loves me? Did she tell you that?”
Hope rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t have to, I figured it all out. I’m afraid I owe her an apology, too.”
“Now, sweetheart, don’t go interfering in other people’s business. Maybe you should let dead dog’s lie.” The sheriff was always so matter of fact. Frank was glad he hadn’t changed. At least there was something that had remained the same.