by Francis Ray
Applause erupted the moment Duncan and Raven walked though the community center’s door. Rooster and the men from the Double D surrounded them along with other members of the community.
Mrs. Ferguson pushed her way to stand in front of Raven. “We all heard about that nasty man. How you stuck by Duncan, helped with his horse. We decided to wait until you came for the parade of dishes.”
Raven was speechless. “I don’t know what to say.”
Duncan did. “I was hoping there would be some of your peach cobbler left.”
“There most certainly is. This way.” Mrs. Ferguson led them to the center of the U-shaped display of tables loaded with food. “I think you’ll be able to pick out Raven’s.”
Duncan saw the peach cobbler and was at a loss for words. Cut into the thick cinnamon and sugar– dusted crust was the Double D brand. He stared and then turned to her, finally finding his voice. “How?”
“Brandon sent the specially designed pastry cutter overnight. Do you like it?” she asked.
Duncan spoke to those assembled: “Raven La Blanc can stare down a mountain lion or a man, and still find time to cook and surprise a man.” He picked up the cobbler, tilting it slightly so people could see his Double D brand. “She cooks as good as she looks, and that’s saying a lot.”
Applause erupted again. Raven basked in the glory, and in the twinkle and promise in Duncan’s beautiful eyes.
Immediately after church the next morning, Duncan drove to Alfred Johnson’s ranch. Cars and trucks filled the front yard of the modest house. There was already the sound of hammers, electrical saws. Children played in the side yard.
Grabbing his gloves, Duncan opened his door. “Most of the women are probably in the house.”
“I can help.” Raven got out of the truck and met him at the hood.
He picked up her hand. “No gloves. Please go inside.” She hesitated. He brushed his hand across her hair, tugged. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I’m safe.”
She swallowed. “I know. It’s just . . .”
“I know.” Instead of her arm and leg over him, he’d awakened with her entire body on his. “I don’t like you being afraid, but I like waking up the way I did this morning.”
“So did I.”
A door opened and shut. “Raven, we wondered when you’d get here.” Mrs. Ferguson waved Raven forward. “Mrs. Johnson wants to meet you.”
Raven’s sigh was long-suffering. “I hope it has nothing to do with last night.”
Mrs. Ferguson came down the steps and took Raven’s arm when she didn’t move. “Partly. Morning, Duncan. We’ll be out shortly to serve lunch.”
Raven stopped. “No one mentioned lunch was being served. I didn’t bring anything.”
“It’s being catered,” Duncan told her. “See you later.”
Mrs. Ferguson paused to watch him walk away. “They don’t make them like that anymore.”
Raven’s mouth gaped.
“Close your mouth, dear.” Opening the door, Mrs. Ferguson ushered Raven inside. The room was filled with women and children, and the mouthwatering smell of fried chicken. “Here she is.” She stopped in front of a petite woman with salt-and-pepper hair, a kind smile, and a firm hand shake. “Raven La Blanc, Mrs. Molly Johnson.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Raven said.
She patted the empty space on the settee beside her. “You seemed to have livened up Elks Ridge.”
“I think people give me more credit out of the kindness of their heart than is due me,” Raven said. “I’d much rather talk about you. On the way over, Duncan said you and your husband celebrated sixty years of marriage a couple of months ago. That’s an accomplishment few achieve.”
“I plan to keep at it,” Mrs. Johnson said.
Mrs. Ferguson clapped her hands together. “Ladies, let’s get the food set up and get the children and men fed.”
The women swept out behind her. Molly Johnson smiled and tried to push to her feet. Raven took her arm. “Thank you. It’s easier going down than coming up.”
“Would you like to join the ladies and help?” Raven asked.
“Thank you, I would.” Mrs. Johnson grasped Raven’s hand and they made their way out the door. On the porch, a smile touched the old woman’s lips. “That’s my man talking to your man over yonder. He’s still a rascal and a flirt. Don’t be surprised if he asks for a dance.”
The “rascal” looked up and waved. His wife waved back.
“What’s the secret of living with and loving a man that long?”
“Marriage is what you make of it. There have been times when I’ve wanted to pack my bags.” She paused and laughed. “Times I’m sure Alfred wanted to pack them for me. But through it all we’ve stayed, because no matter what, the love is there.” She looked across the yard at him again. “The body might get frailer, but the love just gets stronger.”
Emotions clogged Raven’s throat. She hugged the other woman. “You’ve found something precious.”
Pulling a handkerchief from the pocket of her apron, she dabbed Raven’s eyes. “From what I’ve seen, so have you.”
Not wanting to disillusion the older woman, Raven just nodded. Duncan’s love was precious. But they might never have the chance to spend the rest of their lives together.
The days had gone by too fast. She wasn’t ready to leave Duncan, leave the Double D. But she didn’t have a choice. The first faculty meeting at St. John’s was on Monday at eight, and she had to be there.
From her earliest college days, Raven had set her sights on teaching at the college level. Her goal, her focus, had been on gaining tenure. Once she’d accomplished that, she’d have job security, and her future and the life she envisioned would be secure.
She’d have the safe life and later the family she wanted. But that was before she’d met and fallen in love with Duncan. Loving Duncan changed everything, changed her. She wanted to remain on this breathtaking, sprawling land and help Duncan build his dream.
It wasn’t going to happen. She was leaving in the morning.
Raven put the last piece of equipment from McBride’s Lost Cave into the Jeep and looked around. She wouldn’t be back. She’d hinted, but there had been no invitation for her to return. She planned to call Blade when she reached Santa Fe and tell him the surveillance equipment could be picked up. She’d waited, hoping, praying, that the call wouldn’t be necessary.
Tears pricked her eyes.
“Hush. Don’t cry.”
Through tears she saw him standing there; then she was in his arms. Her hands clutched his shirt. She opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was gut-wrenching sobs.
“Babe.” His mouth took hers, fusing hot and greedy. His hands unbuckled her belt, his own. Breaking the kiss, he lifted her enough to tug the walking shorts over her boots. Straightening, he picked her up. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around him. He found her, filled her, loved her. Her release came seconds before his. She cried out, holding him tightly to her.
He kissed the side of her neck, leaned against the Jeep, holding her until the little quakes in her body subsided. He placed her on her feet, adjusted their clothes. “I want you to promise to remember something.”
“I promise.”
His gaze locked with hers. “Remember that you’ve given me more pleasure, more happiness, in these weeks than I’ve had in a lifetime. No matter what, being with you will always be my greatest joy.”
Tears sparkled in her eyes. She swallowed to keep them at bay. She didn’t want Duncan to feel guilty. She wanted him to remember their time together with a smile. “I’ll never forget you.”
“If I were the right kind of man, I’d tell you to find another man to grow old with,” he said, his hold on her fierce.
Telling him he was the only man for her would make things worse for him, not better. But she wanted him to know how deeply she cared for him. “You are the right kind of man. Never forget that.” She pushed away. “Do
n’t be concerned if it takes a while for me to reach the ranch.”
“You want me to stay with you?”
Forever wouldn’t be long enough. “No. You have work to do.”
“It can wait.” He took her hand. “Let’s climb your rock and look at God’s handiwork.”
She allowed him to lead her up the cliff to the flat rocks high above the cave. Taking her in his arms, he sat down with her in his lap. Her head pressed against his chest. She listened to his heartbeat, trying to find contentment, to commit this moment to memory, but all she felt was a deep growing loneliness that she knew, without Duncan in her life, would always be there.
She was hurting and it was because of him. He’d promised never to hurt her again. It was impossible not to. Their time together was for a short season, not a lifetime.
Duncan swiped his hand over his freshly shaven cheek. He could only pray that he was doing the right thing. Shaking his head, he picked up his shirt and shoved his arms through the sleeves.
Raven deserved a man who didn’t come with any baggage—curse or ex-wife. He hadn’t known he could love this deeply. With love came responsibility. They were happy now, but what about next month, when they would be snowed in, when she couldn’t get to the cave, to town?
He’d failed in his life, but he didn’t think he’d get over seeing Raven slowly grow to despise him as Shelley had. He wouldn’t recover.
Stuffing his shirt into his pants, he went downstairs to the back door of the kitchen and signaled Ramon and Billy that all was clear. Rooster was out front in case any guests arrived early.
Each man carried in three large food trays from the restaurant. Behind them, Pete wheeled in two large coolers filled with water, soft drinks, and beer. “Raven is going to be surprised.”
I hope she’ll also be pleased, Duncan thought, taking the huge cake from Harvey. Faith could have told Duncan what to do better. He could have hired a fancy caterer, but he had wanted to do it himself. The last thing he’d ever do for Raven.
“She still doesn’t suspect anything, does she?” Ramon asked as he helped Hank slide the white cake decorated with pink and yellow roses out of the box.
“No.”
“Cynthia said Raven will probably cry,” Billy said.
He and Cynthia were dating. Duncan almost envied the young man. His future was ahead of him. Then Duncan thought of Raven’s smile, her laughter. To have been given that, if only for a short while, was worth the void her leaving was going to create.
“Cynthia and her sister said they’d come early in case we needed help.” Billy glanced around. “Looks like all we need is the guest of honor.”
“I’ll go get her. I told her Rooster was cooking something special,” Duncan said.
“It’s a wonder she didn’t leave today,” Pete said, laughing. All the men joined in.
Duncan quietly left the kitchen. He didn’t want to think of Raven leaving. Soon he’d have no choice.
Everything was packed except the toiletries and clothes she’d need tonight and tomorrow. With her suitcases by the door, the room looked the same as the day she arrived. After she left in the morning there would be nothing to mark her having been there at all.
“Raven.” Duncan knocked softly on her door.
Raven smiled despite the ache she felt and opened the door. “I’m ready.”
He simply stared at her. She’d always take his breath away, but tonight she had a special beauty in a little black dress, her hair in an intricate knot atop her head. Chic and sophisticated, yet she could herd cattle and handle a rifle with ease.
“Each time I see you, I find a new, beautiful facet.” He closed the door, drawing her into his arms, lightly kissing her. “But underneath is the woman a man would give his life to call his own.”
She trembled in his arms. “I don’t have to go.”
His hands clenched. “You don’t know how much I wish that was the truth.” He took her arm. “Rooster is waiting.”
She promised she wouldn’t cry tonight. There would be enough lonely nights to cry. “What’s he cooking? I didn’t look in the kitchen as I promised, but I didn’t smell anything.”
“You’ll see, soon enough.”
The moment they could be seen on the railing, a cheer went up. “Raven!” The hands from the Double D stomped and whistled, shaking the walls.
Raven pressed her hands to the bottom of her face when she saw all the people assembled below. Tears sparkled in her eyes.
Rooster thundered up the stairs and took her arm. “You didn’t think we’d let you leave without a proper farewell. You’re one of us.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Here.” Rooster placed a large hatbox in her arms. “It’s from all of us.”
“I’ll hold it while you untie the ribbon,” Duncan said, sliding his hands underneath.
Raven untied the ribbon, already guessing there was a hat inside. There was. A beautiful white Stetson.
“Read the inscription,” Rooster urged.
Raven La Blanc, a courageous and unforgettable woman. She hugged Rooster and all the hands, let her misty-eyed gaze tell Duncan how much the gift meant.
“Hold on,” Isaac Marshall said, stepping forward and handing her an envelope. “For making sure Cynthia was safe.”
Opening it, Raven found a gift certificate to a spa in Billings. “We can go together when you come back to visit,” Cynthia said, holding Billy’s arm. “Billy is coming back for Christmas.”
“A basket of goodies for the drive from the ladies,” Mrs. Ferguson said. “We’ll miss you.”
Raven swallowed, allowed Duncan to take the basket and set it aside. Her hand was trembling too badly to hold it. “I’ll miss all of you. Thank you.”
Mrs. Johnson and her husband came next. “You can tuck this into the basket.”
“Mama makes the best banana bread in the state,” her husband proudly said. “Wins every year at the state fair.”
Raven hugged the elderly couple. “Thank you for coming. I know it was a drive for you.”
“Duncan sent a car for us,” Mr. Johnson said, his eyes sparkling. “Never thought I’d be chauffeured unless it was for my funeral.” People laughed at the outspoken man. “It’s gonna take us home. I intend to get me a dance with this old woman before we leave.” He fondly put his arm around his wife’s stooped shoulders.
“You might. Might not.” Mrs. Johnson winked at Raven and turned away, her husband close by her side.
“Dancing time,” Cynthia said; then she turned on a small CD player. The unmistakable voice of Toni Braxton filled the room with “Unbreak My Heart,” a haunting song of a lost love.
“Can I have this dance?” Duncan asked Raven, thinking the song appropriate.
“Always.” She went into his arms, felt them close securely around her. “Thank you. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Leaning down, Duncan whispered in her ear, “I beg to differ.”
She laughed as he had intended. Leaning back, she simply stared up into his strong face, memorizing every nuance so that she could carry them with her the rest of her life.
“Looks like Old Man Johnson is getting that dance.” Duncan inclined his head to the left of them. Raven’s gaze followed.
Raven placed her head on Duncan’s shoulder and gazed at the older couple. Their steps were slow, but their love shone like a beacon. Time and fate had tested them and they’d withstood the challenge.
“They’re blessed and they know it,” Raven said softly. “What they have is priceless.”
“You won’t get an argument from me,” Duncan said. “I’d hoped my parents would grow old together.”
Another strike against her and Duncan. “A week before I left, your mother got the reservations mixed up and came in a day early while your father was still at Casa de la Serenidad. Your father acted annoyed, but a couple of times I caught him looking at her like a man who wanted a woman.”
Dunc
an nodded. “He’s afraid. My father would fight a grizzly with his bare hands to protect his family. Yet he doesn’t even want to talk about him and my mother getting back together again,” Duncan said just as the music died.
Then he isn’t too different from his son, Raven thought, but she left the words unsaid.
“My turn.” Rooster caught Raven and bounced and kicked to the fast tempo of the music.
Aware of his host duties, Duncan enlisted Ramon’s help to take the tops off two of the trays. They placed the others on top of the refrigerator and served the drinks. Duncan forgot about napkins until one of the women mentioned it. He couldn’t find any, so he gave her a paper towel. He figured if the barbeque restaurant in town had paper towels on the table it was all right.
The main thing was that Raven had a night to remember.
Chapter 16
“Good night and thank you for coming.” Raven stood with Duncan on the front porch, waving good-bye to the guests.
“Good night.”
Billy and Cynthia stood beside her sister’s car, obviously reluctant to part.
“Billy,” Duncan called.
The young man straightened. “Yes, boss.”
“You know where I keep the spare set of keys to my truck. Be back in an hour—if it’s all right with Michelle,” Duncan said.
Immediately Billy went around to the driver’s side, holding Cynthia’s hand every step of the way. In a matter of seconds, Michelle’s Lincoln roared to life and she pulled off.
“Thanks, boss,” Billy called. “I’ll have your truck back in the garage in an hour.”
Duncan casually glanced at his watch. “Then you’re wasting time talking to me.”
Laughing, the two young people ran toward the garage.
“That was nice of you.”
“I had an ulterior motive. I want to be alone with you, and Billy was taking too long to say good night,” Duncan said. “Rooster and the rest of the hands left thirty minutes ago.”