Whispers of Moonlight

by Lori Wick

  “We have some work to do.”

  They looked crushed.

  “This morning?” Wyatt asked.

  “Yes. We have some presents to deliver.”

  The boys looked at each other.

  “We have presents to give?” Garrett clarified.

  “That’s right. Now we need to go back upstairs and get dressed, but we need to do it quietly so your mother can sleep. Come on.” Travis rose and, like a man leading his troops to battle, was followed very seriously to his bedroom. Once there Travis shut the door, and the boys took careful positions alongside the washstand to watch their father shave. They were greatly fascinated, their own chins tilting high when Travis shaved his throat. Travis glanced down often, careful to keep the smile from his face.

  “Are you going to shave someday?” he asked them as he wiped the lather from his face.

  Their heads bobbed in unison. Travis leaned close to their little faces.

  “I think maybe you should start now,” he said watching their eyes grow round. With a gentle finger, he brushed a bit of soap on each small chin. With his razor kept carefully “blade out,” Travis swiped the soap from each face. The boys fingered their chins in wonder.

  “Now, I don’t want you to try this without me because you might get cut, but I think it’s best if we’re all clean-shaven for Christmas morning. Don’t you agree?”

  “Do we need some more?”

  Travis bent again, his eyes carefully assessing his work. “I think I got it all.”

  “Let’s show Mama.”

  “No.” Travis’ voice was deep and quiet and stopped them in flight. “We’re going to let your mother sleep. You can show her later. I’m going to get dressed, and then I’ll help you with your clothes.”

  The boys followed him into the closet, and again he fell under their scrutiny. Wyatt wanted to know if he ever shaved the hair on his legs. Travis could only laugh. He watched Garrett look at his chest and then peek down the front of his own pajama shirt. Wyatt saw his action and did the same thing. Travis decided not to comment on that at all.

  “Okay, let’s head to your room, but remember to be quiet.”

  It was a fiasco. They didn’t wake Rebecca, but they were so excited about this gift outing that they tore nearly everything from their dresser drawers. Travis didn’t know whether to get them out of there as fast as he could or make them clean it up. He opted to leave and hoped that Rebecca didn’t find the mess first.

  The three Buchanan men went down to the study where Travis retrieved some burlap bags from beside his desk.

  “Can you each carry one?”

  He tried to give them the lighter loads and then led the way to the kitchen where they could find their coats on the hooks by the door. They made their way outside and to the bunkhouse. The boys were quiet with their loads as they shuffled through the snow, and Travis held the door open wide to let them go in ahead of him. As he knew they would be, the hands were up and preparing to go to breakfast.

  “Merry Christmas,” Travis greeted them.

  The men answered back, some quiet, some a little more boisterous. It helped that all the men, even those who were more prone to shyness, liked the boys.

  “We have gifts,” Wyatt told Race.

  “Do you now?” The bearded cowboy looked pleased without smiling.

  “Here you go.” Travis began to open the bags and direct traffic. “Everyone gets a rope.” He paused while the boys, their faces serious with concentration, handed each man a new manila rope. “Now the gloves,” Travis went on, and the boys took a pair of new leather gloves from Travis for each cowhand. “And this is the last item.” Travis placed small pocketknives into their palms, but the boys only stood there looking down at the prizes in their fingers.

  They men had gathered around to watch the proceedings and receive their gifts, and smiles lit their faces. It was clear to all that the little Buchanans were utterly torn over parting with the knives.

  “I think they’re a little uncertain if we’re going to like what they picked out, boss,” Kyle commented. He was the bunkhouse character and regularly supplied the group with laughter.

  “Can you hand them out?” Travis asked, watching them.

  “Do we get one?” Garrett was bold enough to ask.

  “Not until you’re a little older.”

  This present took a little longer because each boy looked at the knife he had to give away and then at the man’s face who received it. It didn’t help their five-year-old hearts that the men were pleased, smiling and thanking them. Giving away those knives was torture. It took some time, but the job got done.

  “Merry Christmas,” Travis said to the group at large and started away. “Oh!” Travis had passed Colin’s bunk. Someone had set his Christmas gifts in a pile. “Where is Colin today?”

  “I think he stayed in town,” Chad told him.

  “I thought he said on Friday that he would be out here today and the rest of the week.” Travis was sure that the older man had said as much.

  “I don’t think Lavena cooperated.” This came from Chad. His voice was low and just a tad amused.

  Travis stared at him. Had he really meant that the way it sounded? The ranch owner’s eyes traveled to the others. They all had slightly amused looks on their faces. Lavena and Colin? Travis was thunderstruck. The men didn’t say any more, although they all stood taking in Travis’ surprised face. His sons were calling him, asking if they were leaving now, and Travis was forced back to the business at hand. He and the boys left a moment later.

  “You’d think he would know what was going on with his own housekeeper,” Jud commented unfairly.

  “Don’t be an idiot,” Kyle said good-naturedly. “When a man’s married to a woman who looks like Rebecca Buchanan, he doesn’t spend much time thinking about his housekeeper’s problems.”

  It wasn’t true. Travis cared deeply for Lavena. But no one else commented. Each had his own opinion, however, most being that the boss’ affairs were none of their business.

  “Is there more?” Wyatt asked for the second time.

  “Oh! Yes. I have some things for Woody, and then when we get back, we’ll take Lavena’s to her.”

  “Did we get Lavena a rope?”

  But Travis’ mind was gone again. Lavena and Colin. Or was it just Colin? Any way he looked at it, it was still a wonder. Travis was half in a daze as he gave Woody his Christmas gifts, and by then the boys were more than anxious to get back to the house. Realizing that all he’d done was listen to gossip, he forced his mind off idle speculations and told the boys to head inside.

  “Is it our turn for presents now?”

  “I think it must be getting that time. Or would you rather we ate breakfast first?”

  “No,” they shouted in unison.

  “Come on then. Let’s see if your mother is awake.”

  She was more than awake. She was up and dressed in a lovely rust-colored gown that made her eyes look huge. Her hair was piled on top of her head, and the tendrils of soft curls hanging down the back of her neck were most inviting.

  “Merry Christmas,” Travis said, bending to kiss her cheek.

  “Merry Christmas,” she replied as she turned her back on the warmth of the stove. “You look like you’ve been busy.”

  The boys had hugged their mother but now were slipping through the kitchen door toward the living room.

  “Leave the gifts alone, please,” Travis called after them as they ran.

  They didn’t answer, so Travis excused himself, followed them, and made certain they understood. He was back in a few minutes, stopping again in front of his wife.

  “Do you want to eat first or open gifts?”

  The boys’ voices, loud and excited, floated to them from the other room.

  “I think we had better put them out of their misery,” Rebecca told him.

  “What about you? Not excited at all?”

  Her eyes went down. “I would be if I’d shopped fo
r you.”

  “Rebecca,” Travis started, but she wouldn’t look at him. With two long fingers he tipped her jaw until her eyes met his. “It’s all right.”

  “That’s easy for you to say—you shopped.”

  “You’re stubborn; do you know that?”

  “What’s stubborn about wanting to give you something?”

  “It’s stubborn because I’ve told you honestly that I won’t be upset.”

  Rebecca looked at him. The fingers that had been holding her jaw were now the back of his whole hand. He stroked down over her downy skin until he had one hand along the side of her neck.

  “I knew the skin on your neck was soft.”

  “I don’t remember your being like this, Travis,” she said softly.

  “We didn’t have much time together.” His hand still lay alongside her neck. “In fact, it will be years before we can say we’ve lived together longer than we did apart.”

  It did considerable good for Rebecca’s heart to hear Travis talk about years, and especially their future. Everything had happened so fast, coming back to Boulder, being so frustrated and angry with Travis, but then realizing how wrong she had been about his motives. The realization that she did want a real marriage was a revelation so staggering that it often gave her a feeling of unreality.

  “Why don’t you head in and sit with the boys?” Travis now suggested. “I want to check on Lavena.”

  Travis had no more said the words when Lavena came from her room. She was rather dressed up, and Travis smiled at her.

  “You’re looking pleased with yourself,” she snapped in her usual manner.

  “Merry Christmas, Lavena.” Travis ignored the mood. “You look nice.”

  She snorted and Travis, with the men’s words riding him hard, needled her.

  “Is there some chance that you’re in your best dress for a certain cowhand?”

  “Now don’t you start on me, Travis Buchanan!” she rounded on him. “I’ve had to listen to Woody for two months.”

  Travis tried not to smile. “Two months! Where have I been?”

  “Where you should be!” She was still outraged. “Fixing your marriage and staying out of my business. Now go with your family, or I’m not going to cook today.”

  However Travis went toward her. Lavena eyed him balefully but stood still. Travis put his hands on her shoulders and said, “Don’t say anything.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Just keep your mouth shut because I have something to say to you. If Colin wants to take you to dinner, go with him. Close your mouth, Lavena.”

  She did so with a snap.

  “I mean it.” His voice was very firm, and the argument went out of her, her shoulders relaxing under his hands. “All you do is work and work some more. Now, go to dinner if you’d like. Colin North is a decent guy.” He ended with these words and then leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  She was pleased, he knew that, and he also knew that she was going to enjoy the gift he found for her. However, at the moment his family was waiting.

  “Look, Mama, look,” the boys continued to say excitedly.

  “I’m looking,” Rebecca told them and laughed. Never would she have guessed what her husband had bought for the boys, but he had done well. Garrett and Wyatt were strutting around in new cowboy boots that were a perfect fit, cowboy hats, and leather vests. She had never seen them look so proud. Wyatt with his blond hair had the brown set, and Garrett had the black vest, hat, and boots. Both were fair to bursting with delight.

  “How did I do?” Travis asked Rebecca as he sat close to her on the sofa.

  “Oh, Travis, I would have looked for toys, and it wouldn’t have meant nearly as much.”

  Travis smiled, his own heart doing a little swelling. It was incredibly satisfying to buy things for his children and have them show such pleasure. But he wasn’t through. His head suddenly turned to study his wife. A moment later Rebecca noticed his scrutiny.

  “Am I in trouble?”

  “No, I just hope I’m not.”

  Her brows rose, but Travis didn’t answer. He went back to the tree and plucked a small box from one of the branches. He sat back down and placed it in Rebecca’s hand.

  “I hadn’t really planned to buy you this, but there it was and I couldn’t seem to stop myself.” He hesitated. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”

  Rebecca looked at him for a moment and then opened the box. Her hand went to her mouth. “Oh, Travis,” was all she could manage.

  It was a ring, a ruby ring set around with six matched diamonds. Travis had not intended such an intimate gift at this time in their relationship, but it had been under the glass at the jewelers in Denver, and he knew he had to have it. He now watched as she put it on.

  “It’s perfect,” she breathed, her face mirroring her pleasure.

  “So you’ll wear it?”

  Rebecca looked at her hand and laughed. “I don’t think I’ll ever take it off.”

  Travis smiled and rose again. This time the box he retrieved was a little different shape. He pressed it into Rebecca’s hand and then joined her again.

  “Travis, surely you didn’t buy more.”

  He shrugged but didn’t apologize.

  Rebecca opened this box to find the necklace that matched the ring. She was too stunned to speak. Travis reached for the fine gold chain and held it out to put on her. Rebecca leaned forward and shifted so he could hook the clasp. Her hand went to it as soon as it was settled in place against her throat.

  “Oh, Travis.” Her voice was soft and dreamy. “Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome,” he told her sincerely, sitting very still when she leaned close and kissed his cheek. She looked shy and uncomfortable, but Travis didn’t let on that he noticed. The boys started climbing all over them, but Travis’ mind was elsewhere. Rebecca had been delighted with the ring, not threatened by it. For the first time he knew that his marriage was going to make it.

  41

  “How was your Christmas?” Travis asked of Lucky the very next day. The men were sitting in the office.

  “It was all right. How about yours?”

  “We had a good time. How are Margo and Sarah Beth?”

  “Margo hasn’t been feeling the best, but other than that they’re doing okay. By the way, thanks for the gifts, Travis.”

  “You’re welcome. Single out a good-looking heifer tonight and take her home with you.”

  “Thank you,” Lucky replied with obvious pleasure. Travis had done this last year as well, but Lucky hadn’t been expecting it again. He added quietly, “Maybe Margo’s father will smile a little if we have fresh meat for a time.”

  “He’s not very easy, is he?”

  “No. He thinks she could have done much better than me.”

  “You have a steady job, Lucky, and you provide for your family. What does he expect?”

  Lucky shrugged. “I think it goes back to how we got married; you know, with Margo expecting and all.”

  “I remember, but that was a long time ago and you’ve made a real marriage of it.”

  Again Lucky shrugged. His face told of his discouragement.

  “Maybe if you had your own place?”

  Lucky shook his head. “There are no houses for rent in Boulder right now, and Margo doesn’t want Sarah Beth in an apartment or at the boarding house.”

  “I can understand that,” Travis agreed, but his mind was busy. He sat quietly for a moment, Lucky watching him.

  “Do you want me to head out?”

  “Yes, I’ll go with you.” Travis’ mind had been far away.

  The men walked out together, Lucky asking questions concerning business. Not until the men were on their horses, bundled warmly to spend the day in the saddle, did talk range back to the personal. Chad was with them, but he had ridden out in front for several yards, and Lucky volunteered, “We’re planning on coming back to church on Sunday.”

&n
bsp; “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “Margo’s mother might come with us.”

  “That’s great. Is her father interested too?”

  “I doubt it. He’s usually hard to read, but he’s made himself more than plain about church. According to him, only fools believe in God.”

  “But you don’t agree with him?”

  “I would have at one time, but not now.”

  “When did that change?”

  “It’s been coming for a time. This fall and even into the winter, I’ve had this restless feeling, like I was missing something. At first I thought it was Margo. I’ve never stayed with one woman for very long, and I thought I just might be restless to move on, but I couldn’t do it. She’s the sweetest woman a man could ever hope to meet. She still looks at me as if I were her dream come true.”

  Lucky suddenly heard himself and looked away. He felt a fool for opening up like that to his boss, but Travis surprised him.

  “It’s amazing how quickly we can lose our hearts. I hadn’t seen my wife in nearly six years, but the moment I laid eyes on her, I fell in love all over again. It’s also amazing what God uses to get our attention.”

  “Like Sarah Beth choking.” Lucky’s voice was thoughtful.

  “Yeah,” Travis agreed quietly and then let the matter go. Chad was dropping back to join them, and the ranch owner knew Lucky would not care to discuss this in front of the other men. However, his heart kept on.

  You’re doing a work here, Lord. I know this to be true. Use me. Use me to help in any way I can and to be there for Lucky and Margo. Give them a thirst, Lord, that won’t be quenched until they rest in You.

  When Travis came down for breakfast on Wednesday morning, Lavena was again in her good dress, the cameo pin he’d given her on Christmas adorning her neckline.

  “I want to talk to you,” she said before Travis could say a word.