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City Girl (Yellow Rose Trilogy 3)

Page 23

by Lori Wick


  who was missing from her life on the ranch.

  "All right, but I'd better take my bike and go right from

  the livery."

  Holly pushed the bike so Reagan could hold Alisa. They

  walked swiftly to the livery, talking all the way, and when

  Russell saw Reagan he gave her a hug.

  "We miss you. How is it going at the ranch?"

  "It's going well. Cash's brothers are visiting. Slater

  leaves tonight, and I'm not sure when Dakota leaves. Katy

  was so glad to see them."

  "I'm sure she was. How is she coming?"

  "She's doing very well. I think she'll be in that wheelchair

  right on time, and once she gets out of that bed, there

  will be no stopping her."

  Russell and Holly were both very glad to hear it, and

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  with Alisa going from one adult to the next and even

  spending some time falling in the dirt on her own, the three

  of them had a quick session of catching up.

  The time flew swiftly, however, and all too soon Reagan

  said she had to go. Getting hugs from both Holly and Russell

  and a grimy one from Alisa, she hopped on her bike

  and started out of town.

  It didn't take long to see that the sun was going to be

  very hot for her ride back, but it was good to know that she

  could wash the dress she was wearing and put it away for

  a time. Come next winter, she would be glad to have its

  extra weight.

  Without really planning to, Reagan stopped riding.

  There was some shade ahead, and she walked the bike and

  stood for a moment in it. The thought of winter caused

  something like sadness to come upon her. She didn't know

  why, but the future--even knowing that God loved her and

  would take care of her--was somehow daunting. She

  couldn't put her finger on the exact reason, but she feared

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  City Girl 215

  that the sameness of her life, the day in and day out

  working at the hotel and dealing with the customers,

  would eventually grow old and tiresome.

  Reagan was still thinking on it when a rider came into

  view. She stood still and watched as Dakota Rawlings came

  abreast of her.

  "Hello," she greeted him with a smile.

  "Hello, yourself."

  "Where are you off to?"

  'To find you."

  Reagan looked concerned. "Is something wrong with

  Katy?"

  "No, but she wanted me to look for you."

  "You didn't have to do that."

  "She was growing anxious," Dakota explained. "She

  was doing her best not to show it, but she just kept asking

  after you."

  "I knew I should have stayed and seen to her needs."

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  "I don't think thaf s it. She felt that she pushed you into

  going and said that you looked overheated even before you

  left. She also said she told you to take your time but didn't

  believe you actually would. I think your being gone this

  long convinced her that you must have collapsed on the

  side of the road."

  "I'd better get right back."

  "I'll go along with you. In fact, we can just walk. She

  started to relax as soori as I volunteered to go."

  "Oh, all right."

  Dakota swung down from the saddle, took Reagan's

  parcel and hung the string on his saddle horn, and then

  took the handlebars of her bike. That he did nothing to

  restrain his horse or prompt him to follow was not lost on her.

  "Will he just come?"

  "The puppy? Yes."

  Reagan laughed at the term, but in a moment saw what

  he meant. Dakota's horse did not want him far from view.

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  395

  "So how did your shopping go?"

  Reagan looked pleased when she said, "Very well. It's

  fun to get new things, isn't it?"

  "Yes, it is. Too bad my wife wasn't here to go with you.

  She loves to shop."

  "How long have you been married?"

  "Since January."

  "Well, congratulations."

  "Thank you."

  At any other time Dakota might have been tempted to

  tease her a little about a marriage of her own, but Cash's

  words were still strong in his mind. For some reason, this

  woman's heart was vulnerable where marriage or men

  were concerned. Maybe she'd been married before and

  deserted. Dakota didn't know, but after he'd apologized to

  Cash that morning, he realized his first concern needed to

  be for Reagan's spiritual growth, not whether or not she

  wanted to marry his brother.

  "Do you miss New York?" he asked.

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  "Just some of the people. I like Texas."

  "What brought you here?"

  "I applied for a job as a nanny, but then it was taken

  when I got here."

  "I think Cash told us you work at the hotel."

  "I did until Katy got hurt."

  "What will you do when she gets back on her feet?"

  "Go back to the hotel."

  Dakota glanced her way and wondered if he caught a

  note of sadness.

  "How do you like having Russ and Holly as landlords?"

  "They're wonderful. I love the children too."

  "I haven't seen much of the baby, but that Jonah is a

  keeper."

  "Yes, he is. He can't wait for the day when his legs are

  long enough to ride the bike like his sister does."

  "Isn't that just like a littie boy?"

  "Whafsthat?"

  City Girl 217

  397

  "To wish his childhood away."

  "You sound as though you speak from experience."

  "I do."

  "What was your wish?"

  'To be a Texas Ranger."

  "But then you gave it up."

  Dakota smiled. "You haven't met Darvi. If you met her,

  you'd understand."

  A wave of such longing swept over Reagan that she

  almost gasped. The thought of having someone speak like

  that of her, his voice sounding so caring and intimate, was

  almost more than she could take in. It was nothing short of

  relief to see the gate to the ranch come into view.

  "My feet are starting to hurt," Reagan said honestly. "I

  hope you don't mind if I ride the rest of the way, Dakota."

  "Not at all. Just leave your package with me."

  "Thank you. And thank you for walking me."

  "My pleasure."

  Reagan was off just a heartbeat later, her mind gearing

  up to get back to work. Dakota didn't waste any time, but

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  he did follow more slowly. He didn't want to tarry too long

  since Slater was leaving later in the day, but suddenly he

  had much on his mind.

  %r%r

  "You'll take care of yourself and get out of this bed as

  soon as possible, right?" Slater asked quietly as he leaned

  close to the woman who had helped raise him, knowing he

  needed to leave very soon.

  "I will if you'll take care of Ubby and that baby."

  "I'll do it."

  "Send word as soon as he's born."

  Slater smiled. "What if if s a she?"

  "I never had one of those to chase," she said, her voice

  almost wistful
. "I'm not sure I'd know what to do."

  218 lori wick

  "Well, we'll bring him or her as soon as we can so you

  can find out"

  399

  Slater gave her a warm hug, his heart squeezing with

  love.

  He made his way from the room, his thoughts in a

  quandary. His wife needed him, and he very much wanted

  to be with her, but Katy's joy at seeing him had been impossible

  to miss.

  His horse was saddled and waiting for him out front,

  but the only people he could see standing in the yard were

  his brothers. A swift check in the kitchen told him Reagan

  was elsewhere, so he tried upstairs. When he still didn't

  find her, he checked the kitchen again and found her

  coming from the pantry.

  "Thank you for everything," he began.

  "Oh, you're welcome. Did you get the food I wrapped

  for you?"

  "Yes, ma'am. I appreciate it very much."

  Reagan smiled. "Have a good trip."

  "Thank you, Reagan, and I do mean thank you for

  everything."

  Not wanting to be made over, Reagan only nodded and

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  gave a little wave when he turned and went on his way.

  Outside his brothers waited, and Slater found it hard to

  leave them as well. He made his goodbye a brief one, but

  the older brothers stood in the yard for a time.

  "I sure hope that baby doesn't come before he gets

  back."

  'It doesn't sound like that will happen."

  "But he looked a little anxious."

  "I thought he did too."

  The two looked at each other.

  "When are you pulling out?" Cash asked.

  "Ill go Friday. Darvi isn't looking for me too soon."

  "I'm glad you're staying. It'll do Katy's heart good."

  "From what I can see, you and Reagan are about all she

  needs."

  City Girl 219

  Cash shook his head. "When I think of how panicked I

  was when she showed up at the door..." Another shake

  accompanied this. "I could not have done this without her."

  401

  "Any word from the folks?"

  "No. I'm not certain they're home. I know Mother

  would have been in touch if she'd gotten my letter."

  "Yes. She would have."

  The conversation dwindled to a comfortable silence as

  they both watched Slater and his horse ride out of sight.

  Neither man needing any further words, they both turned

  for the house.

  -"

  Reagan was working hard in the kitchen when Cash

  came down the next morning. She had scrambled eggs, a

  large pot of coffee brewing, and also hot biscuits and

  sausage staying warm in the oven.

  "It smells good in here," Cash commented.

  "Are you hungry?" Reagan asked with a smile, turning

  as Cash approached.

  She didn't see his hesitation as she spun his way. Since

  she was a good deal shorter, all she noticed was the blood

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  on his chin.

  "Are you cut?" she said moving closer, her face showing

  concern. "Your chin is bleeding."

  "Oh, is it still bleeding?" His hand came up. "I rucked

  myself while shaving."

  His voice conveying it was nothing, Cash walked

  toward the mirror that hung over the washbasin to inspect

  his chin.

  Reagan stayed where she was, but it was happening

  again. Her heart had an odd feeling around it, as though

  someone were squeezing it hard. It hurt her to breathe

  deeply, and she had the funny feeling she might need to

  cry. Since she never cried, this was very foreign to her, but

  220 lori wick

  she thought if she didn't stop thinking about him being

  hurt, she would weep on the spot

  "Do you want anything?" Reagan asked in a voice she

  didn't recognize. She cleared her throat in an effort to hide

  403

  the squeak.

  Cash turned to her.

  "No, if s fine. Thank you. I already washed it off."

  When Reagan didn't answer, Cash watched her for a

  moment, his brow showing that he was somewhat puzzled.

  Reagan quickly schooled her features and went back

  to work on the meal. Cash spoke again, but she did not

  turn.

  "If my lazybones brother ever gets out of bed, tell him

  Km headed out for a quick check on the stock."

  Reagan only nodded, and Cash felt he needed to add,

  'Til grab a plate when I get back in."

  "Ill leave it for you in the oven."

  "Thank you."

  Reagan didn't see that her hands were shaking until

  after she heard the door close on his exit

  What is the matter with me? I'm going to drop something or

  burn myself if I keep this up! He said he was fine. Men cut themelves

  shaving every day,

  But Reagan was not convinced. She was still feeling

  404

  upset about the whole episode even as she put a full plate

  of food in the oven for her employer and took a tray to

  Katy. She did so hoping the older woman was in a chatty

  mood. She would welcome anything that would get her

  mind off the way her heart was acting.

  %r %r -

  She

  had to buy new dresses, Cash thought as he heeled his

  mount a little harder. As if she didn't look good enough the way

  she was, she's now decked out in flowers and gingham. And that

  City Girl 221

  yellow dress next to her hair. I could barely take my eyes off her

  face.

  Cash refused to let his mind go any further. He rode his

  horse across the flats of his land, praying and trying hard

  to clear his thinking. He had known that Reagan was

  headed to buy clothing, but he didn't think she would find

  anything quite so attractive.

  405

  "Katy shops in that same store, and she never looks like

  that," Cash muttered, his mind missing the obvious.

  The rancher had come out to check on some fence line

  and the stock and now forced his mind to those tasks. As

  he was riding out, he had passed his foreman, who said he

  would join him soon. In the distance Cash could see him on

  the way.

  Brad's horse covered the distance in an easy gait, and

  Cash waited in the saddle for him to arrive. The two

  addressed ideas to repair some fences, and Brad filled him

  in as to his plans for the next few weeks.

  Cash rode back to the ranch house, confident that his

  foreman had things under control. As to his own control,

  that was yet to be seen. Reagan had made her view of marriage

  very clear. He knew she wasn't against men in general,

  but she certainly wouldn't welcome the warm

  thoughts he'd had about her earlier. If he continued to feel

  the way he did, his intentions would be more than honorable,

  but no more welcome.

  Giving his horse a break even as his stomach rumbled

  406

  with hunger, Cash made his way slowly back to the house,

  asking God to help his confused heart.

  *

  "Good morning," Dakota greeted Katy as he came into

  her room and fou
nd both women inside.

  "Have you eaten?" Katy asked, some of her mothering

  ways coming to the surface.

  222 lori wick

  Dakota looked to Reagan.

  "Have you ever known such a woman for wanting to

  feed a man? Does she constantly try to put food into you all

  day?"

  Reagan laughed but also added, "There is food in the

  kitchen. Did you find it?"

  "I found a plate in the oven."

  Reagan's mouth opened a little, but she wasn't sure

  407

  what to say. That had been Cash's food. Neither Dakota nor

  Katy seemed to notice her thoughtful face, and just as soon

  as she had an opportunity, she made her way from Kary's

  room to the kitchen, but it was too late. Cash was scooping

  the remains of the pan onto a plate.

  "I'm sorry/' Reagan began.

  "For what?"

  "Dakota ate your food. I just found out."

  Cash smiled. "If Dak ate it, then why are you apologizing?"

  "Because I should have put two plates in the oven. Are

  those eggs even warm?"

  "They're fine."

  "So you've tried them?" Reagan pressed him.

  "Not yet."

  "So how do you know?"

  "I know I'm hungry enough to eat anything."

  Reagan dosed her mouth while he took his plate to the

  table, but she wasted no time in bringing him a cup of

  coffee. She was going to set it next to his plate and start on

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  the dishes when he invited her to sit down.

  Reagan did so, always a little wary when this happened,

  but Cash looked completely at ease.

  "How are you?" he asked, his eyes on hers.

  "Fine."

  "Are you sure? You don't get a lot of time off, and I don't

  want you wearing down."

  City Girl 223

  Reagan made herself think about it. She was often too

  fast in answering questions about herself as it was a subject

  she never wished to discuss.

  "I'm fine."

  "Not too tired?"

  "At times I am," she admitted, working to be honest

  "But not right now."

  "Okay. For a time a couple of women from town were

  coming out to help Katy with some of the housework, but

  for one reason or another, they both had to quit. I'm

  409

  thinking about getting someone else in, just to lighten the

  load, and if I do that soon, it will relieve you a little."

  "How will Katy be with that?"

  "I think she'll be fine," Cash said, even as his heart was

  asking how Reagan would deal with it. "Doc should be out

  today," he added. "I know Kate is hoping for a good

  report."

  "She says the pain lessens all the time. I think she'll be

 

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