“I see.” Mavis put on her no comment face.
Cassie hesitated to look at Ransom, but when she did, she discovered him staring out the window. Had he not heard her? Gretchen abandoned her job washing dishes and plunked back down in her chair.
“Have you signed it yet?” Ransom asked.
Cassie shook her head. “You can read it if you want to.”
Mavis rubbed her chin. “That’s for how many months?” she asked as she picked up the contract.
“Two and a half or three—till the end of the season.”
“They will provide your housing and travel, care for Wind Dancer, and someone to assist you during your acts?” A frown wrinkled her forehead. “It sounds like you’d need more than one person.”
“In our show, everyone pitched in to help the others. Micah helped me a lot and Chief. Then I had Joe, who sometimes assisted me in my shooting act. Everybody took on two or three jobs as the need arose, even the animals. Wind Dancer hates it, but he can haul equipment wagons if he has to.” She stole a look at Ransom. What was he thinking?
When he turned around and slapped his hands on the table, she jumped. “I think you and I need to go for a walk.”
“A walk?” She stared down at the contract.
“Excuse us, Mor, Gretchen. Cassie and I have some things to discuss.”
The frown left his mother’s forehead, and a smile broke out instead. “Well, that sounds like a very good idea.”
Cassie reached for the contract, but Ransom beat her to it and stuffed it inside his shirt. Perplexed, she chided, “Ransom!”
“How about we head out to the pasture and bring Wind Dancer in for your practice?”
“All I have to do is whistle.”
“True.” He led her out the door into the bright sun.
They strolled out toward the three-rail fence of the near pasture.
“You know, uh, I’m not good at stringing words together. I can plan a piece of furniture and run a ranch, but saying what’s inside me, not real good at that.”
“Mavis says that, yes. She calls you taciturn.”
The corners of his mouth crinkled up. “She knows us kids better than we know ourselves.”
“She understands me too. It’s comforting.”
“Comforting? Not always, not when it’s your mother.”
They reached the fence and leaned against it, shoulder almost touching shoulder. She started to whistle, but he raised a hand.
“I have some questions for you.”
Had he moved even closer? Her shoulder felt hot, as if sunburned. That lovely tingly feeling was whipping up and down her arm. How easy it would be to lean her head against his shoulder. Cassie Lockwood, think about brazen! She heaved a sigh and stared out at the animals. A thick, sweet warmth rose off the trampled grass. The buffalo were scattered around, calves lying sleeping in the sunshine. The cattle the same. The other horses continued grazing, but Wind Dancer made his way toward them, stopping to snatch an extra-good-tasting mouthful of the rich summer pasture here and there.
“Cassie, I know you said you never wanted to love an Engstrom man, but I sure do hope you’ve changed your mind.” She started to say something, but he held up his hand. “You know I have trouble coming up with the right or the best words at times, so please, just let me get this out.”
“I— Sure. All right.” The thought of looking at him kicked her heart from a jog to a lope.
“I never dreamed I would be saying these words to you . . . well, to any woman really, but Cassie, you have stolen my heart right out of my chest. I’m pretty sure I love you, and I want to marry you, and I’m double-sure I don’t want you going off to shows and shoots all by yourself, but only with me, and being gone for the rest of this summer would be really difficult for me with all the work to do on the ranch, but if you have your heart set on joining this show, we will have to go see Reverend Brandenburg so we can get married, ’cause Mor would never let us travel together if we weren’t married, but I’d really rather stay home here on our ranch, but—please say that you love me.”
“Yes.” She finally managed to get a word in when he paused to suck in a breath.
“But if you want to go, I understand. You—” He stopped and turned to face her. “You just said yes.”
”Yes.”
“Is that a yes, you want to go on the show? Yes, you love me? Yes, you will marry me? Yes what?”
She almost chuckled at the perplexed look on his rugged face. “All right, I have a question.”
He nodded.
“You said you love me?”
“With all my heart.”
‘Well, you have certainly done a good job of hiding that.”
“I know. I was so afraid you’d meant what you said and you’d turn me down. Reject me. And I couldn’t understand why you took it so calmly when Lucas rejected you for—” He quit.
“Which what I said?” She needed to shake her head to clarify her thoughts. She held up a hand. Wind Dancer stuck his head over the fence and thrust his nose against her hand to be petted. She pushed him away. “Let’s start again.”
This time he blew in her face and nosed Ransom off to the side.
“I’ve had it.” He grabbed Cassie’s hand. “I am not going to compete with a horse.”
Cassie hung back. “Let me finish.”
“All right.”
“Yes, I love you. I think I’ve loved you since when I got here. Yes, I’ll marry you, if you promise to go through with it and won’t run out on me.”
His look answered that question.
“And . . .” Her heart was bouncing around so wildly, she could hardly think what to say or how to say it.
He waited.
“I only want to join that show for the rest of the summer so I can have money to buy you more cattle and maybe some Appaloosa horses.”
“I don’t care about those things. I’d much rather have you right here.” He pulled her up to his chest, gently pushed Wind Dancer’s head away, and kissed her. It flooded her with happiness. It was the kind of kiss her parents used to do when they didn’t know she was watching—soft and lingering. It was the most amazing thing she’d ever done.
She melted against him, almost dizzy but not really, some other feeling similar to being dizzy or off balance. She breathed a happy sigh and smiled up at him.
“Do you think we can do that again?” she asked. “Just to make sure?”
“Make sure what?”
“That— Wind Dancer! Bring his hat back!”
But then Ransom kissed her again, just to make sure, and for a moment she forgot Wind Dancer and hats and everything. So this is what happiness feels like. He lifted away. “When can we get married?”
“Uh . . .” Her brain had long since ceased working. “How about October?”
“That’s three months away. How about next week?”
After a few deep breaths, she was recovering. Mostly. She smiled and suddenly, impulsively, kissed his chin. “Can’t we discuss that later? Wind Dancer, bring that hat back!” Secure in the circle of his arm, she watched her horse toss the well-worn hat in the air, and when it landed, he stomped right on it. “I think I owe you a new hat.”
“That’s the least of my worries. But the biggest one is taken away.” He lifted his face heavenward and shouted, “Thank you, heavenly Father! She loves me.”
Laughter broke out from the corner of the barn, where a ladder still leaned against it. Micah, Chief, and Arnett were clapping enthusiastically, grinning.
Ransom scowled. “We have an audience.”
“Guess we’d better get used to it. Have you ever thought of doing trick riding in a Wild West show?”
Epilogue
With the oak and maple trees troubadouring a celebration, Cassie lay in bed and watched a sunbeam peek in the window and tiptoe across to the braided rug by the bed. She’d heard Mavis in the kitchen some time ago but was under strict orders not to make breakfast this morning. After
all, the bride was not to see the groom on her wedding day until the ceremony, and right after breakfast, Ransom was heading over to Arnett’s house until the time came.
Her wedding day. While she had wanted a small ceremony here at the ranch house, somehow it had turned into a community-wide celebration. She did have her way with only family and close friends for the actual ceremony, and that would be here at the ranch in the big room she so dearly loved. At eleven o’clock she would become Mrs. Ransom Engstrom.
She tried to stay away from the if onlys, but thoughts of her mother and father persisted. Father, I know they are there in heaven with you, and I do hope they can see and rejoice with me, with all of us. I know they would think Ransom a good man who will make a wonderful husband. She rolled her lips together to keep from laughing out loud in absolute delight.
At a tap at the door, she called, “Come in,” and Gretchen nudged the door open with her foot, since she was carrying a breakfast tray. Mavis entered right behind her.
“Oh, what a nice surprise! Is this why I’ve been confined to my room?” Cassie stacked her pillows in place and pushed herself up against them. “Surely I am not to eat alone?”
“Never fear, we brought for three. Getting Ransom out of here was like trying to lead George. Talk about stubborn males.” Mavis set her tray with steaming coffee cups on the dresser while Gretchen settled hers over Cassie’s legs.
The sunbeam hit the leaves in a vase on the tray and set the colors radiating fire.
“I prayed for a glorious day and look at this one.” Gretchen climbed up on the bed and sat cross-legged at the foot. Mavis handed each of them a plate with two pancakes rolled around sausages, applesauce, and thick cream. She pulled the chair closer to the bed and, sitting, leaned back with a sigh.
“You know, when you and Ransom decided that Lucas and Betsy should live in Arnett’s house, I wasn’t sure that was best, but now I know it is. This way I am not losing my new daughter, even to a few miles. Halfway up the slope behind this house is such an ideal place to build your house. The path is already worn enough to be visible.”
Cassie nodded. “Today I think I want to say our grace. Is that all right?”
Mavis nodded.
“Heavenly Father, I thank you for my home and family here. You have showered us with blessings, including this delightful breakfast and a good harvest, and you are rebuilding the love and trust that nearly drove us apart. Thank you for your Son and your Word and your great love for each of us. I dreamed of a home and family, and you made that happen far beyond what I had dreamed, as only you can do. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Mavis was the first to sniff and seek a handkerchief in her apron pocket. “Thank you.”
The click of claws on the planked floor announced that Othello was joining the party. He lay down on the rug of many colors, his tail thumping and his tongue hanging out the side of his grinning mouth.
“See? When you are happy, he is happy.” Mavis cut into her pancakes. “Lucas and Arnett have been up since well before dawn building the fires in the pit. He said they are about to hang the carcass.” Cooking half a steer over coals took hours, and the party was to start late afternoon.
“Lucas said the apple cider was just right.” Gretchen grinned at her mother. Lucas had been teasing her about the bubbles rising in the jugs. They’d all spent hours at the cider press to make sure there was plenty for everyone. Good thing the apple harvest had been a good one.
Cassie finished her breakfast and sipped her coffee. Her dress hanging on the chifforobe door made her smile. She, Mavis, and Gretchen had sewn it together. As Mavis said, every stitch was made with love. They’d made sure that Ransom hadn’t seen that yet either. Oh, that dress! Shimmery, soft turquoise satin! Pin tucks fitted the bodice and the lower portion of the leg-o’-mutton sleeves to Cassie perfectly, and narrow ruching around the heart-shaped neckline complemented the whole look. Cassie felt regal when wearing it. The ruching circling the skirt ten inches above the hem caught the light in a different shade and looked almost like a string of jewels.
Gretchen and Mavis turned to see where she was looking.
Mavis nodded, her face showing obvious pleasure. “I must say, we did a fine job on that dress. I had no idea you were a clothing designer too.”
Cassie shrugged. “Neither did I. Far as I remember we all contributed.”
“Someday, when I get married, I want a dress just like that.” Gretchen sighed dreamily.
“Don’t go getting in a hurry.” Mavis tapped her daughter on the knee. “You know that Ransom and Lucas will be real careful who gets to court their little sister.”
Gretchen made a face. “Poor guy, having to face them.”
“It’s hard to believe we have the food all ready,” Mavis said as the clock bonged in the front room. “We’d better get a move on. Eleven will be here before we know it.”
A couple of hours later, Cassie and Gretchen, all dressed, waited in the bedroom. They could hear Reverend Brandenburg teasing Ransom, and Lucas joining in.
“Are you frightened?” Gretchen asked.
“Should I be?” Cassie turned from staring up the hill toward the half-built house. For now, she and Ransom would live in the new bunkhouse, where he had placed the bed and dresser he and the others had made. The oak set was a work of art, and Mr. Porter already had placed orders for two more sets. Arnett had carved their names and the wedding date on both pieces as part of the decoration he was getting famous for adding.
Gretchen shrugged. “I don’t know, but a book I read said the heroine was afraid.”
Cassie caught her breath. That was the signal, the guitar playing.
A rap sounded on the door, and Arnett asked, “Are you ready?”
“I am.” Cassie took her bouquet of fall leaves and flowers from Gretchen’s hands. “You ready?”
“I am.” As maid of honor Gretchen took her job very seriously. She walked out the door, kissed Arnett on the cheek, and went to stand by her mother in the doorway.
Arnett held his arm out for Cassie to take. “You look absolutely lovely, my dear.”
“Thank you.” She touched the flattened lump of gold that Chief had found when the snow melted, the remains of her Mother’s beloved locket. He had drilled a hole in it and strung it on a narrow ribbon. She did have one piece of her former life.
“Shall we?” Arnett said.
“We shall.”
Cassie stopped in the doorway so Mavis could step to her other side. The fireplace and mantel were nearly hidden by jars and buckets of riotously colored fall leaves. Reverend Brandenburg stood in front of the display, his Bible open, and smiled at the gathering. Gretchen stopped in front of the reverend and turned as they had rehearsed. Ransom, wearing the leather vest Runs like a Deer had made for him over the shirt Cassie had sewn, waited with Lucas as best man. The guitar played an arpeggio, and Ransom turned to face her. His smile had a bit of a wobble on it, probably due to the moisture gathering in his eyes.
Cassie raised her chin slightly. Thank you, Lord, was her prayer as she walked forward. At the front she kissed first Mavis and then Arnett and smiled at Lucas, who looked about as nervous as Ransom. But her gaze locked on Ransom’s face. This was the man God had given her, had planned for her. She knew that with all her heart.
“Dearly beloved . . .” The words rolled across the room.
Dearly beloved. That was so true for all of them. Beloved of God and one another.
She lost herself in the beauty of the moment, the hush of the room but for the gentle fingering of the guitar strings. Gathered before God. Lord, let us always be gathered before you.
She fought the tears as Ransom looked into her eyes and repeated the words. His eyes shimmered but his voice held strong and true, just like the man.
When her turn came to vow to love and honor her husband, she spoke with absolute conviction. “Till death do us part.” Lord, please let that be many years away.
When Reverend Bra
ndenburg lifted his hands and voice in the benediction, she heard more than one sniff from those gathered. “And give thee His peace.”
The guitar flowed into an old hymn that spoke of peace like a river.
“Ransom Engstrom, you may kiss your bride.”
Cassie felt his strong arms go around her and his lips settle on hers. She kissed him in return and then leaned back enough to smile up into his face. “I do love you, Mr. Engstrom,” she whispered.
Ransom caught her around the waist and whirled her around to stand in the curve of his arm. Their laughter harmonized as they faced those gathered around them.
“Where are you going, Lucas?” Ransom called as his brother rushed out the front door.
“To check the meat. We have company coming, remember?”
Later, after hours of feasting and celebrating, just as the sun slipped behind the western hills, Cassie and Ransom stood leaning against the corral railing. Wind Dancer waited for his treat, nosing Cassie’s hand in Ransom’s. Cassie looked up at her husband. “That hat looks mighty good on you.”
“It should—you picked it out.” But this time he was quicker than the horse. He snatched his fawn-colored felt hat off his head and hid it behind him. “Not this one, Dancer. If you don’t like it, too bad. I like it and it is going to stay in one piece.” Wind Dancer tossed his head, and Cassie could have sworn she saw him wink.
“Did you set him up for that?”
She shook her head. “Neither time. I tell you, he’s the smartest horse I’ve seen anywhere.”
The musicians were tuning up, announcing that the dancing was about to start. Cassie patted her horse one more time, locked her arm in Ransom’s, and together they strolled over to the flat area where the folks were gathered. Her father’s dreams of his valley had come true for her, the home she’d never had and a family who took her in. Cassie Lockwood Engstrom now had a place to belong and perhaps to dream even grander dreams. She raised her face to catch the evening breeze just starting up. If she listened hard, would she hear the whispers on the wind or had Mavis made that up? Whispers of love and belonging.
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