Tumbleweed Weddings

by Donna Robinson

  “Should we order some coffee, darlin’?”

  “That would be nice, Rex.”

  He signaled the waiter. “Two coffees. And please bring a lot of creamers for the little lady.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “The ‘little lady,’ Rex? I’ve never considered myself little.”

  Reaching across the table, he took her hands in his work-worn ones. “You are one pretty lady, Cheyenne, and you’re pretty special to me.”

  The waiter set two cups and saucers on the table then poured steaming black coffee from a silver urn. He set the pot down along with a small pitcher of cream.

  She smiled at the man. “Thank you.”

  Rex let go of her hands, and she poured cream into her cup. As she stirred her coffee, she thought of how romantic this evening should be—a handsome cowboy, a gourmet dinner, a perfect atmosphere.

  And I feel nothing.

  They sipped their coffee for a few moments, and then Rex set down his cup and once again took her hands in his. He cleared his throat.

  “There’s something I’ve been meanin’ to ask you.” His brown eyes held hers. “Would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Pierson?”

  Cheyenne drew in a sharp breath. He’s proposing?

  Rex tightened his grip. “I would provide well for you, darlin’. Even that little bungalow feels lonesome. It’s too big for just me. We could have a passel of kiddos someday or even adopt that little boy you like.”

  Cheyenne’s mind raced. Wasn’t this what she had been praying for? She could get married and adopt Arthur in time to fulfill all the stipulations of her grandmother’s will.

  Lord, is this what You want for me?

  She looked across the table into Rex’s eyes and knew what her answer had to be.

  Taking a deep breath, she looked down at their hands. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you these last few weeks, Rex, but I can’t marry you.” She glanced up at him. “You are a wonderful man, and you deserve a woman who really loves you.” She paused. “I’m not that woman.”

  Rex let go of her hands and leaned back in his chair.

  Tears crept to her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  He sighed. “If that’s the way you feel, then we’ll part as friends.”

  Relief flooded through her. “Thank you, Rex.” She now had no prospects for a husband, she might not get to adopt Arthur, and she probably wouldn’t inherit Grandmother’s millions, but the decision was made.

  And she knew it was the right one.

  Derek was late.

  On Friday night he entered the fellowship room in the basement of the church for the Sweet Memories banquet, hoping he could find a seat. Long tables stretched the length of the room, and all the seats were filled with talking, eating people.

  As his eyes swept the room, he noticed Janet Oliver sitting next to Jim Wilkins. Derek raised his eyebrows. Interesting. Jim and Janet had been sitting together in church last Sunday, too.

  Next to Janet, Aggie and Bruce sat side by side. Bruce had been out of the hospital for a few days, and he seemed to be doing well. Derek was glad Kandi was back with her family. Their relationship had been a good learning experience, as his mother would say.

  What he learned was that he needed to stay away from quiet, possessive girls.

  With a coffeepot in her hand, Cheyenne walked up to him, sporting a jean jacket and a long pink skirt. “Hi, Derek! Did you just arrive?” Her blue eyes gazed up into his as she smiled.

  What a knockout! “I like your haircut—and your outfit, too.”

  “Thanks! Tonya did my hair, and this was my favorite outfit in high school. I thought it would be appropriate for the Sweet Memories banquet.” She grinned. “I can’t believe I fit into it after ten years!”

  He returned her grin, enjoying her bubbly personality. This was the girl he loved to be around. “You look really pretty tonight.”

  A look of surprise skittered across her face, and their eyes locked. Derek was a little surprised himself that he had blurted out his thoughts.

  Someone called Cheyenne’s name, and they both turned to look at a nearby table. A man raised his coffee cup. “Refill?” he asked.

  “I’ll be right there.” She turned back to Derek and motioned toward a long table of food by the wall. “Help yourself to the food. I’ll find a chair for you.”

  “Thanks.” His eyes followed her as she walked away. Then he looked around. Where was Rex?

  He passed his sister Callie, who was filling water glasses.

  Walking to the table, he picked up a paper plate and dished a spoonful of green bean casserole on his plate. Why am I so hung up on Cheyenne? He added a chicken leg. Does the Lord really want me to stay single? The scalloped potato dish was almost empty, but he scraped out a spoonful. What do I really want? He threw a dollop of baked beans on his plate. Even if I want Cheyenne, will she want me? Glancing at the scanty dessert section, he added two squares of cake to his plate. I might not have the chance to find out.

  Turning from the table, he glanced around. Cheyenne motioned to him from the end of the room. He made his way toward the back, greeting several people on the way.

  “You can sit here, Derek.” Cheyenne laid her hand on a folding chair at the end of one of the long tables.

  “Thank you.” Derek took the seat.

  “You’re welcome.” She glanced at his plate. “You didn’t get any of my enchiladas.”

  He looked at the food on his plate. “Did I miss something?”

  She smiled. “I’ll get some for you.”

  As Cheyenne left, Derek greeted the Newmans, the young couple on his right. They had two children who kept their attention, so they didn’t say much.

  Edna Beazer sat on his left. She leaned toward him and smiled, showing off her straight white dentures. “Derek Brandt! I haven’t seen you for ages.”

  He glanced at the older woman as he dug the plastic fork into his food. Her thin hair was tinted blue. “How are you doing, Mrs. Beazer?”

  “Oh, my arthritis is acting up something fierce, but besides that, I’m better than middling.”

  A drop of her spit landed on the table, and Derek deftly moved his plate to the right.

  Cheyenne came back and set a small plate beside his arm. “They were almost gone. Here’s the last of it. This recipe is making its debut tonight since I made it up.”

  “Thanks.” Derek glanced at the small square of layered tortillas, meat, and cheese. “Looks good.” He pulled the plate toward him and took a bite.

  Mrs. Beazer looked up at Cheyenne. “What are you calling the new recipe, dear?”

  Cheyenne shrugged. “Ten-Layer Enchiladas.”

  “Wow, this is really good, Cheyenne.” Derek took another bite.

  “Glad you like it.” With a smile, Cheyenne picked up a coffeepot from the table and moved away, refilling cups.

  “Where are your parents, Derek?” Mrs. Beazer sucked in her dentures. “I didn’t see them Wednesday night in church, and they aren’t here tonight.”

  “Mom and Dad are traveling. They purchased an RV and left town on Monday. They’re planning to travel around the southern states during the next few months.”

  Edna’s thin eyebrows raised. “So you’re all alone in that big old house of yours?”

  Nodding, Derek swallowed another bite of enchiladas. “Until November. They plan to be home for the holidays.”

  She placed a bony hand on his arm. “You must be lonely.”

  “I’m doing fine by myself, thanks.” He wasn’t about to let Mrs. Beazer or anyone else know how lonely he really was. He finished eating and headed for the nearest trash can to throw away his plate. Callie struggled to pull a full trash bag out of the can.

  “Hey, let me help you do that.”

  “Oh thanks, Derek.” Callie stood back as he took over. “You wouldn’t believe how intense smells can be when you’re pregnant.”

  He quirked an eyebrow at her. “I’ve never been pregnant, so I’ll tak
e your word for it.”

  She laughed. “Just put the full bag by the back door. I’m going to sit with Lane.”

  “Hey, Callie.”

  She turned back to him.

  He lowered his voice. “I noticed Rex Pierson isn’t here. I thought Cheyenne would be sitting with him.”

  “Didn’t you hear?” Callie’s eyes widened. “They broke up.”

  He stared at her. “What?”

  “Yes.” She glanced around before moving closer to him. “Rex proposed to Cheyenne last night, and she turned him down.”

  The pastor walked to the front of the room and stood behind a small lectern.

  “We’d better take our seats,” Callie whispered.

  “Welcome to our Sweet Memories banquet.” Pastor Reilly glanced around the tables. “Most of you are finished, so we’ll begin our program.”

  His head still spinning, Derek reclaimed his seat. Cheyenne is available! He couldn’t believe it. This changed everything.

  As the pastor spoke about the history of the church, several ladies who had helped in the kitchen took seats with their families. Cheyenne came out from the kitchen also, but she didn’t sit down. Clasping her hands in front of her, she stood by the wall near the food table.

  The pastor motioned behind him to a large white screen. “Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we have a PowerPoint that Ralph Little put together. These are slides from the last forty years—from the very first year my wife and I came to Fort Lob until the present.” He smiled. “But first we’ll listen to a number from our own men’s quartet—the Four Methuselahs.”

  Derek folded his arms on the table. He loved to hear the “Methuselahs” sing. All four men were over sixty years old, but they harmonized perfectly.

  The men walked to the front, all sporting minty-green blazers with yellow handkerchiefs in the front pocket. A quiet hum was heard, and then the men broke out into a rousing a cappella rendition of “Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho.” When they finished, Derek joined in the applause.

  “Thank you, men.” The pastor moved the lectern to one side. “If someone douses the lights, we’ll watch our PowerPoint presentation.”

  The pastor took a seat in the front, and the lights went out. Derek glanced over at Cheyenne, whom he could barely see. Was she going to stand during the entire program?

  I am going to take care of that girl.

  Grabbing his chair, Derek walked to where she stood. “Cheyenne.” He kept his voice low as the presentation started with music. “Here’s a chair.” He unfolded it next to her.

  She glanced down. “But that’s your chair,” she whispered.

  “No, it’s yours.” He motioned toward it. “Sit.”

  She smiled as she took a seat. “Thanks, Derek.”

  Folding his arms, he leaned against the wall next to her. The room was quiet as the photos faded in and out with the music. The first pictures were before Derek’s time, although he saw photos of his parents as young people. Aggie, Bruce MacKinnon with his first wife, Edna Beazer and her husband, Fred and Janet Oliver … All were captured in the prime of life. As the years moved along, Derek began to appear as a little kid with his brother and sisters.

  At one picture, Cheyenne turned and looked up at him with a smile. “Remember that?” she whispered.

  A group of elementary children smiled for the camera. As a ten-year-old boy, Derek stood next to Cheyenne and Callie, who were both eleven. All three of them held up colorful award ribbons.

  Derek hunkered down next to Cheyenne’s chair. “Neighborhood Bible Time, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes.” She grinned. “I loved that summer. We had so much fun.” She turned her attention back to the slides.

  Cheyenne had always loved fun, and Derek had always loved being around her, even when they were kids.

  He glanced at her profile. Could they have a future together?

  At the end of the PowerPoint, Derek stood and leaned against the wall.

  Pastor Reilly came back to stand behind the lectern. “You have just witnessed the last forty years of this church’s history. The Lord has been so good to us, faithfully guiding us, leading us to people who need Him, and strengthening our members in the faith.” He motioned toward the front table. “But I couldn’t have accomplished the work of this ministry without my dear wife by my side. We have served the Lord together all these years. She’s been such a blessing to me.” He turned to her. “Honey, stand up.”

  Someone started clapping, and the audience joined in. Mrs. Reilly smiled at her husband and then at the church people.

  Derek didn’t clap. He stared at the Reillys. “We have served the Lord together. “Tonya’s voice flitted through his mind. “That’s crazy. He doesn’t have to remain single to serve the Lord.”

  He glanced at Cheyenne. He knew that she cared about him. She even cared about his sheep. Maybe she even loved him.

  And I love her! Kandi had been right about that.

  The pastor was winding down his comments. “Thank you for attending this banquet. It has certainly been sweet memories for my wife and myself. Now let’s close—”

  “Pastor?” Bruce MacKinnon stood. “Before we dismiss, could I give a short testimony?”

  The pastor nodded. “Certainly, Bruce. Go right ahead.”

  Bruce swung around to face most of the crowd. “You all know that I had a heart attack almost two weeks ago. Being confined to the hospital, flat on my back for a week, I had a lot of time to think about my life. I’m so thankful God spared me, and I want to use my remaining years to serve Him.” He glanced down at Aggie, who smiled up at him. “I also realize that life is short. Therefore, in front of all my friends, I’d like to ask you, Agatha Collingsworth, to marry me.”

  Aggie’s mouth dropped open, and several gasps could be heard around the room.

  But Aggie recovered quickly. Pushing back her chair, she jumped up to stand beside him. “Why Bruce, you old codger, you! In front of all these people, I can’t say no!”

  Everyone laughed as Bruce drew her into his arms and hugged her.

  Pastor Reilly raised his voice. “Congratulations to the happy couple! You are all dismissed.”

  Chairs scraped against the tile floor as everyone stood, and the noise level grew to a joyous din. Derek wanted to talk to Cheyenne, but she rushed off to join the crowd of well-wishers surrounding Bruce and Aggie.

  Perhaps now was not the time to talk to Cheyenne.

  Life is short. Derek turned and walked out the door to the parking lot. He would go home and spend the next hour on his knees, praying that someday his house would be filled with his wife’s laughter and the happy voices of their children.

  Chapter 20

  On Saturday Cheyenne hooked the leash to Marshal’s collar. “Okay, Marsh, we’re ready to go.” Opening the door, she walked out into the early evening.

  I’m not jogging! She would take an easy-paced walk and pray. She hadn’t even donned her sweats, opting instead for jeans and a blue T-shirt.

  It had been raining that afternoon when she got home from work, and now a fresh scent hung in the air. She took a deep breath as she walked down the sidewalk with Marshal by her side.

  Life is short. That’s what Bruce had said last night at the Sweet Memories banquet. Cheyenne couldn’t believe he asked Aggie to marry him in front of everyone! Of course Aggie loved the attention, and she finally got what she wanted—the promise of marriage to Bruce MacKinnon. Cheyenne was so happy for her.

  And I’m happy that I’m not going to marry Rex.

  A horn honked, making her jump. She glanced at the Town Car driving by and waved at her dad. He was coming home from work.

  Crossing the street, she made her way toward the park. Walking Marshal had become an everyday habit for her. Since her birthday, she had lost nineteen pounds. She even had to buy some new clothes. But the best thing about going to the park was the time she spent in prayer as she walked.

  She couldn’t imagine any man
more perfect for her than Derek Brandt. But maybe the Lord had other plans. She sighed.

  It was sad that a casino owner would be getting all of Grandmother’s money.

  Derek lifted his truck keys from the hook by the door. For a moment, his heart beat a hard staccato, and he almost put the keys back. But after spending time in prayer last night, he knew Cheyenne was God’s will for him.

  “Don’t be a coward!” he admonished himself.

  Leaving the ranch, he drove the seven miles to Fort Lob. It only took a few turns from Main Street to arrive at Cheyenne’s house. He drove up the driveway and parked behind Jim’s Town Car. His hands shook slightly as he climbed out of the truck and approached her house.

  He couldn’t believe he was so nervous. This is Cheyenne, for goodness’ sake. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

  A moment later the door opened, but it wasn’t Cheyenne.

  “Hi, Derek!” Jim boomed out. “What can I do for you?”

  “Is Cheyenne here?”

  “No, she’s on a walk with Marshal. I passed her on my way home. She probably went to the park.”

  “Oh.” A sense of relief spread through him, yet at the same time, Derek knew exactly what his next step should be. “Uh, could I come in and talk to you a minute?” He didn’t want to talk at the door. With Jim’s loud voice, the whole neighborhood would hear their conversation.

  Jim stepped back. “Sure. Come on in.”

  “Thanks.” Derek followed him inside to the living room.

  “Have a seat.” Jim motioned to the sofa. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  Derek shook his head. “I just have a question to ask you.”

  Jim took a seat across from him in a La-Z-Boy recliner, and his blue eyes—the exact color as Cheyenne’s—stared at him. “So what’s the problem?”

  “It’s not really a problem.” Derek tapped his fingers on the arm of the sofa. Where should he start? “Well … I’ve loved your daughter for a long time.” Whoa! He couldn’t believe those were the first words out of his mouth.