by Lori Wick
City Girl (The Yellow Rose Trilogy #3)
Lori Wick
3
Love-at-first-sight had no meaning before I saw you.
I've never been crazy about surprises, but then I met you.
Always the same. Always different.
Thank you for being my Webster.
I love you more man words can say.
If the best is yet to come, I can hardly Wait
Bob Hawkins Jr. If s a delight to work with you and be a recipient
of your warm, wonderful humor. My Bob and I love
laughing with you. We treasure both you and Beth more than we
can say.
Kathi MacKenzie-Foster, Nina Stianson, O.J. Acton, Walt Seward,
Mike Bailey, Vince Attardi, John Hurley, Phil Fleming, Marion Smith,
and Bob Boyne. I always enjoy any time we can spend visiting at
CB A. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.
Vivian Danz. So many people fill my life with joy, and you are
4
one of them. Thank you for your precious friendship, joyful
spirit and also your words of wisdom.
Jayne Vfiese. Your quiet, gentle spirit is beyond precious to me.
I learn something from you every time we visit Thank you for
keeping on and for helping me do the same.
Todd Barsness. We are often blessed by your words, hard work,
and laughter. The coaching is just an added bonus. Thank you
for hours of compassion and creativity, and for putting God first
My Bob. Well, we made it! The Texas trilogy is complete.
Thanks for cheering me on along the way. I tried recently to
imagine doing a book without you and decided it can't be done.
Fun as it is to write a romance about another couple, you're still
title only romance I want. If s funny, but even when I'm furious
with you, I'm still head-over-heels in love. Thank you for 20
years of patience, love, laughter, and especially your guidance.
New York, New York
5
December 1882
reagan sullivan pedaled her bicycle down the busy
neighborhood street, calling greetings to everyone who
spoke to her and trying successfully not to run over
anyone's dog or child. She was tired after her day in the
factory but jubilant over the news she'd received at the
beginning of the week.
"You'd better watch yourself," a familiar voice called as
she passed old man Cannon's house.
"I will, Mr. Cannon. How's your wife?"
"Pretty as the day I married her."
It was their standard exchange, and with a wave and a
smile, Reagan moved on. She was almost home and sighed
when she saw the sign for Mrs. Banner's Boardinghouse
for Girls come into view. She hoped Mrs. Banner had a
good meal for the night, one that included chocolate cake.
Pulling along the curb and swinging her leg over the bar
to hop down, Reagan had the bike stopped and parked in
the blink of an eye. She laid it against the stone steps that
6
led up to the boardinghouse, and with the usual jog in her
step, started to ascend,
A hand grabbed her arm suddenly as a voice called her
name, but she wasn't too surprised.
6 lori wick
'Just hold on now, Reagan," Tommy said, the usual
smile in his voice. "You can just talk to me before the lady
of the house catches you and says dinner is hot,"
Reagan turned with a smile and looked up at Tommy
Amhurst. He lived two doors down the block, and they
had been friends for years.
"But dinner might be hot," Reagan returned in her normally
straightforward way, "and I'm hungry."
"Never mind your stomach," he chided. "Tell me it isn't
true. Tell me right now."
Reagan's smile grew by inches.
"But it is true," she replied, not feigning ignorance or
able to conceal her excitement. "I'm leaving New York after
the first of the year."
7
'Tor where?"
'Texas!"
"Texas? What in the world will you do there?"
Reagan nearly danced in her excitement
"You happen to be looking at the newest nanny in
town."
Tommy couldn't stop his mouth from dropping open.
"Nanny? Did you say nanny? As in a person who takes
care of children?"
"Thaf sright"
"But Reagan, you don't know anything about children."
The dark-haired, dark-eyed, petite woman only smiled.
"I'll just have to learn then, won't 11"
Tommy's finger came up to wag in her face. It almost
touched her nose.
"You have had some mad schemes in your day, but this
tops them all. What has come over you?"
"Nothing," she told him sincerely. "I just saw a way to
get out and experience life a little, and I'm going to take it.
I answered an ad, and the man even sent half my fare. I
8
may never get an opportunity like this again." She suddenly
smiled. "Not to mention, he's a widower. Maybe I'll
find love."
City Girl 7
Knowing Reagan as he did, Tommy's head fell back
with his laughter.
"Reagan, are you out there?" a motherly voice called
from the window. "Dinner's hot."
"Thank you, Mrs. Banner," Reagan called in return. She
turned back to Tommy. "I've got to go in."
The man on the step below her only shook his head.
"You're really going to go?"
"Yes, I am, Tommy. I've run out of room for adventures
in New York. I need the wide open spaces. On top of that,
I'm not getting any younger."
Tommy knew he would miss her terribly, but in a way
he envied her. He didn't know anyone half as gutsy or
hardworking.
9
"I've got to go in," Reagan repeated as she started to
turn away.
"You'll tell me the exact date?"
"As soon as I know for sure." Reagan turned with one
more saucy smile. "And besides, if I don't tell you a date,
you won't be able to put together a big send-off party in
my honor."
Reagan slipped inside just as her stomach started to
growl, still managing a smile at the sound of Tommy's
laughter.
& 'Sr &
On&Month Later
"Youll send my bike? I'm too rattled to bring it right
now."
"I said I would," Tommy assured her again.
"But you didn't promise."
"I promise."
10
"You have the address?"
"In my pocket."
"All right. Do it right away."
8 lori wick
"I will. Have you got everything?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
The two stared at each other before both smiled.
"I envy you a little," Tommy admitted and then added,
"but not enough to join you."
Reagan laughed and hugged him.
"You've been a good friend, Tommy. Write me if you
get
married pr something big happens."
"You do the same," he said, knowing she never would.
She hated letters and anything else that made her feel sentimental.
The two hugged once more, this time to the accompaniment
of the train whistle. Reagan boarded, and Tommy
turned away. He didn't want to watch her go. He almost
stayed on the busy platform, thinking she might want to
wave to him one more time but then remembered that it
11
was Reagan. She would want no such thing.
And he was right. That westbound, determined woman
had already found her seat and sat with eyes straight
ahead, only occasionally glancing out the window. She was
off to new sights and adventures. And tempted though she
was, she reminded herself that there was no room in-her
heart for looking back
//2#
St Louis, Missouri
January 1883
slater rawlings came quietly into the room where he
hoped his wife, Liberty, would still be sleeping, but as soon
as he neared the bed, he could see that her eyes were open.
She lay flat on her back, staring at the ceiling.
"How are you?" he asked quietly.
"The nausea was supposed to go away after three
months."
12
Slater sat on the edge of the mattress, bent over, and
kissed her cheek. He knew she wouldn't actually be sick-- it might be better if she could be--but at this particular
time in her life, mornings were not very fun.
"How about some juice? My mother always has some."
"Fruit juice?"
"Yes."
"That sounds good."
"Coming right up."
Liberty lay still and listened to the sound of her husband's
footsteps. They were muffled on the thick carpets
that lined all the hallways of Slater's parents' home.
Charles Sr. and Virginia Rawlings had a wonderful two-story
home in a fine neighborhood of town. Liberty had
only visited one other time since marrying Slater nine
months before. The first time she hadn't been expecting.
9
10 lori wick
13
She had hoped this visit would be as enjoyable as the last,
especially since they had come for such a special occasion,
but right now she was having her doubts.
Working at not being discouraged, she thought of the
family that was gathered. The oldest brother, Charles
Rawlings Jr., better known as Cash, had come from
Kinkade, Texas. The middle brother, Dakota, was present;
he had just resigned from his position as a Texas Ranger to
take a sheriff's job in the small town of Jessup, Texas. And
their grandmother, Gretchen Rawlings, from Hilldale,
Texas, had also made the trip. Liberty reminisced over the
time they had all gathered in Shotgun, Texas, for her wedding
to the youngest brother. Slater.
"Here you go," Slater said, coming into the room with a
large glass of juice in his hand. "How does orange juice
sound?"
"Wonderful/' Liberty said Sincerely, scooting up against
the headboard to drink. The first sip was just what she
needed, and already feeling better, she drank more than
half the contents.
14
"Thank you," she finally said, setting the glass aside and
looking into her husband's eyes.
"I'm still asking myself if we should have come," Slater
admitted.,
Liberty opened her mouth, but Slater cut her off.
"And before you say anything about what Duffy had to
say, you can let me have a second thought or two."
Liberty shut her mouth but still smiled a little.
Duffy was her stepfather. He was also her doctor. When
word had come that there was to be a wedding after the
first of the year, Liberty's heart had sunk, thinking it would
be too close to her due date to travel, but then a second
letter had come, saying the wedding would be in January.
Liberty assumed they would go. Slater had other ideas.
Liberty smiled as she remembered the conversation.
"Oft, Duffy and Slate, I was hoping I'd find you together/'
Liberty said as she entered Duffy's office with a letter in her hand.
City Girl 11
15
"What's up?" her husband asked.
She waved a letter. "It's about the wedding; he's getting married
in January. Isn't that good news?"
"We knew he was getting married. Lib, so why is this good
news?" Slater asked.
"Now I can go with you/' Liberty stated what she thought
was the obvious.
"Itt's get one thing straight," Slater said firmly. "I'm not
going to the wedding without you, and since you can't travel, I'm
staying home."
"But with the wedding in January, we don't need to stay
home/'
"It's still too close/'
Liberty looked at her stepfather. "Will you please tell him?"
"It's fine, Slater," Duffy said, his bedside-manner voice
becoming rather matter-of-fact. "With her due date, it shouldn't
be a problem."
Slater's eyes grew suspicious. "Did she put you up to this?"
Liberty laughed out loud over this, Duffy joining her.
"Slater, Slater," Liberty said, her voice loving. "I'm fine, and
16
the baby's going to be fine." t
"You feel sick every morning," he argued.
"That's normal."
"It is, Slater," Duffy put in. "The stage ride to Keyes would
be the most stressful part, and that's only 17 miles. Taking the
train makes it a very easy journey."
"You did remember that we're talking about St. Louis, didn't
you, Duffy? It's a long way."
The older man only smiled. Slater's eyes swung to his wife to
find her smiling too. At that moment his face told them he was giving in.
"Whaf s that smile for?" Slater now asked, breaking into
Liberty's thoughts,
"I'm just remembering how panicked you were about
my coming here."
"I have good reason. If s a long way in your condition."
Liberty could only grin.
12 lori wick
"You are impertinent/' Slater told her, but it was no use.
17
As poorly as she had felt a few minutes earlier, she was
glad she'd come, her smile attesting to that fact. Slater
could frown all he wanted, but Liberty was delighted to be
here for Dakota Ra wlings' wedding.
r S" Sr
"You have that tense look again," Dakota said to Darvi
Wingate, the woman who was scheduled to be his bride in
less than a week. He had just arrived at her house, and they
were sitting alone in the parlor.
Darvi was from St Louis, and if the guest list was any
indication, a boatload of family had come to wish her well.
That along with the wedding paraphernalia that could be
seen everywhere, indicated it was going to be quite the
occasion.
"I am tense," Darvi admitted. "The caterer informed us
this morning that he didn't know we wanted candelabra."
"Do we want candelabra?"
"My mother does," cam
e Darvi's standard reply.
18
Dakota couldn't stop his smile as he teased her.
"I'm not going to let you forget that it was my idea to
elope."
"And have my mother hunting us down for the rest of
our lives?" Darvi reminded him with a theatrical shudder.
"I know you'll forgive me. I'm not too sure about her."
Dakota suddenly leaned forward and kissed her.
"What was that for?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"This time, yes."
He studied her. "You're fun, and I'm in love with you."
Darvi gazed at him, her own heart in her eyes.
"That was a nice reason. I'm glad I asked."
"Oh, Dakota," Mrs. Wingate said from the doorway of
the room; the couple had not even heard her approach.
City Girl 13
"I'm so glad you're here. Did you take care of the carriages?"
"Yes, ma'am." Having come to his feet, Dakota
answered politely, not bothering to remind her that she had
19
already checked with him on this subject. "They're all set."
"Good. There's no problem with your suit or those of
your brothers, is there?"
"No, ma'am. Everything is in order."
Clarisse Wingate stared blankly at Darvi and Dakota for
a moment before giving a small gasp and hurrying on her
way.
"Is your mother going to make it?" Dakota asked compassionately
when she had left.
"I hope so. When you consider that she wasn't even
speaking to me in the fall of last year, we've come a long
way. Having me marry in style has always been important
to her. I took the chance away from her once; she's not
going to be denied again."
"Well, if I have anything to say about it," Dakota said,
sitting back with a smile, his eyes still on his fiancee, "she'll
see you married."
"Is that right?" Darvi's smile held a teasing glint "And
what makes you so eager, Mr. Rawlings?"
Dakota tried to look nonchalant. He studied the ceiling
20
with interest. "I'm just thinking that our trip to the gulf
sounds nice. I've never been to the gulf."
Darvi laughed. She wasn't fooled in the least. He was
looking forward to being alone and on their honeymoon as
much as she was.
Dakota was reaching for her hand when Darvi had a
sudden thought
"Oh, Dakota, I just remembered something. Uncle
Marty sent us a gift."
"That was nice. What is it?"
"I didn't open it. I wanted to wait for you."
Dakota watched her move from the room, loving how
graceful and feminine she was. The uncle she spoke of had