in his spare time he used to build things. He’d gotten some experience here in Shenandoah, working for a carpenter. He loved building and thought Sarah would love the sturdy, beautifully crafted equipment out back, as well as the large spacious room and the quiet small-town feel of Shenandoah.
It would be a place for Sarah.
Staring at the beautiful, though painful, reminder of his beloved wife, Sarah’s mother, he decided he’d done enough unpacking for the day. He was going into town for lunch.
He and Sarah could unpack together later. Maybe they’d order a pizza tonight and pop in a movie.
But being in this house, alone, with all of the memories—
Turning away, he headed to the door, scooping up his keys on the way, and leaving the pain for later.
Carolyne Ryder sat in the old-fashioned, padded rocking chair, holding her four-month-old grandson, Joshua. He’d been fussy and unable to go to sleep, while his twin sister, Julie, was resting like a little angel in the crib across the room.
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Joshua was asleep now, but Carolyne continued to rock back and forth, back and forth, patting the child’s back.
Her daughter, Susan, didn’t really need her here.
She’d come to that conclusion about three weeks ago.
She had a live-in housekeeper who doubled as a nanny and who was there to take care of the kids. Cokie did a great job.
Still, Susan and her husband, Johnny, had insisted that Carolyne stay as long as she wanted. These were her first grandchildren, Susan had only returned to work six weeks ago, and the kids needed a grandmother there for a while longer…
So Carolyne had stayed.
But she was restless. Montana was getting cold, a cold Carolyne wasn’t used to, and this just wasn’t her home.
Looking around the peach-and-green pastel-shaded room, she smiled at how it had been decorated. Two beautifully multicolored mobiles, one hanging over each crib, danced quietly to their own simple tune, courtesy of the air vent above them that blew out a warm breeze. The cribs had pink-and-blue sheets and baby-bumper pads that were decorated with flounces and tiny teddy bears. A changing table complete with diapers sat between the two cribs.
Carolyne and her husband hadn’t had enough money to have anything this fancy when they had been young and Susan had come along. Even when Dakota arrived, they’d been happy just to make ends meet.
Oh, how holding this child brought back such memories of when her own two children were small—and she was needed.
18
Home to You
She stared down at the chubby-cheeked, dark-haired baby in her arms.
Now her children were grown. Susan lived half a continent away from Shenandoah and Carolyne’s life there, she and Johnny having started their own life with their own friends and their own traditions right here in Montana.
Yes, Susan had her husband and babies, and Carolyne, though she knew would always be welcomed, was no longer needed here.
Susan and Johnny needed time alone. Carolyne might have helped at first, but now she was in the way.
She felt in the way with her son, Dakota, as well. He was the pastor of a growing church that took up most of his time, and he didn’t need her anymore, either.
Her husband had died ten years ago, and Carolyne found herself at loose ends. Dakota was so busy with the church that she rarely saw him. He did, however, still live at home with her. She cooked meals, but many days he was so caught up in church work that he missed the meals completely.
She loved him, but she still felt very alone.
Both of her kids were adults.
What was supposed to happen when her kids grew up? What did she have left to look forward to? A simple life, spent growing old in the same house she’d lived in for the last thirty-five years? Would her obituary read that she was fond of puttering in the garden, or that her flower beds took up all of her time? Would her friends say that, yes, she was the one waiting each day for her son to eventually come home and regale her with tales of what went on in his life?
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She sighed.
In the other room she heard the phone ring.
Moments later, Cokie entered the room where Carolyne sat, baby in her arms.
Cokie was of Asian descent and one of the nicest women Carolyne had met in Montana. Cokie was quiet.
She didn’t talk much except to the children. She stayed busy cleaning, cooking or being there for the babies when Carolyne wasn’t.
“You have call, Ms. Carolyne.” Her softly accented voice drifted quietly to Carolyne.
Surprised, Carolyne wondered who it could be.
“Thank you.”
She stood and carefully tiptoed over to the crib and laid her grandson down.
She lovingly tucked the small receiving blanket around him and held her breath as he screwed up his mouth. But his eyes remained closed as he adjusted. As he let out a shuddering breath, his tiny fists relaxed next to his head.
Certain he wasn’t going to wake up, she left the room and treaded down the light brown carpet into the large living room.
Johnny was a lawyer and evidently did well at his job. The house was beautiful, much bigger than the one Susan had grown up in. With soft earth-toned furniture and brass tables, the living room had a very modern look.
Pity her grandchildren learning to walk in this room, she thought, looking at the many hard surfaces they’d have to crash into as they discovered their balance.
She picked up the phone. “Hello?”
20
Home to You
“Carolyne? Is that you?”
“Margaret?” Why in the world would her next-door neighbor be calling her? Color drained from her face as she realized something had happened to Dakota. “Dakota? Is he okay?” Fear clutched her heart.
“Oh, he’s fine, he’s fine—shush, sister, I’m getting to it,” the woman on the line told someone in the background.
Margaret and Mary, twin sisters who had lived next door since Carolyne and her husband had moved in thirty-five years ago, well over eighty now, still bickered as they did when their parents were alive and living in the house with them. “Getting to what? Margaret?” Carolyne asked patiently of the one on the phone. Sometimes she had to prompt the sisters because the two would get so caught up in their own conversation they’d forget who they were actually talking to.
“It’s not much, dear,” Margaret said now, and Carolyne didn’t believe her for a minute. She wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t much…
“But,” Margaret continued, “we wanted you to know we’ve missed you and so has Dakota. Has he called you much?”
Carolyne took a slow breath and held it for a moment. The two women were up to something. She could sense it. They weren’t going to tell her immediately, however. She’d just have to wait them out.
Seating herself in the chair next to the Princess-style phone, she crossed her legs. “No, not today. It’s been about a week now since we’ve talked.”
“I thought as much.”
“He’s a busy man,” Carolyne defended her son.
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“Is he ever. No, sister, she said he was busy. Busy.
Now just wait until I’m off the phone. Carolyne, are you still there?”
Carolyne nodded. “Yes, Margaret. As I said, Dakota has his own life. He doesn’t need me there or calling him constantly.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Margaret dropped that last sentence and utter silence filled the phone line.
Now they were getting somewhere. But what was this all about? “Why do you say that, Margaret?”
“Well, I’m not one to tell tales, now. You know that, Carolyne dear, but then, when I feel something isn’t right, I’m not one to go hide, either. I’m not some faint-hearted girl who simply swoons every time I see something like, well, you know�
��”
No, she didn’t know.
“So, I’m glad it was me that saw it. Yes, sister, and you, too. She always thinks I’m trying to best her, Carolyne. Anyway, we saw it. And I felt it my duty to call you.”
Margaret took a deep breath, but before she could continue, Mary’s voice came across the line. “There’s a strange woman on his front doorstep.”
“Mary. Get off that extension and let me handle this!”
Carolyne held the phone away from her ear, frown-ing. Margaret was usually the more practical of the two.
What was going on?
“You aren’t telling her about the shenanigans, sister, so don’t you tell me to get off the phone.”
“If you would give me a minute.”
Carolyne sighed. Confused, but determined to wade 22
Home to You
through their chatter to find out just what was going on, she raised her voice firmly, “What woman?”
“I don’t think she’s addled or slow, mind you,” Margaret butted in over Mary. “To be honest, I don’t recognize her at all and I’m sure that Dakota won’t either.
Anyway, we’re about to go over and talk to her.”
“We thought about reporting her to the police—”
Mary added.
“She’s drinking.” This from Margaret who attempted to cut Mary’s words off.
“And she’s dressed, well…indecently,” Mary added, not to be outdone.
“Black boots up to her thighs,” Margaret supplied.
Alarmed, Carolyne sat up straight, both feet coming to rest on the floor. “Boots to her thighs?”
“And what she’s wearing would make anyone blush,” Mary said outrageously.
Alarmed, Carolyne tried to tell herself not to over-react. “I’m sure there’s some explanation…”
“There sure is,” Margaret said bluntly. “Your son needs you. He’s not eating supper at home and not getting home until late at night. He’s gotten to where it’s as late as mid-night or more before he makes it home and now this woman is on his doorstep. He’s ruining his reputation!”
“Well now, sister,” Mary interrupted, “I wouldn’t say he’s ruining his reputation, but it is obvious that he needs Carolyne back home.”
“It’s scandalous,” Margaret sounded knowing.
“Maybe I should call him,” Carolyne’s mind whirled in a tizzy over the conversation these two women were attempting to have with her.
“He’s not home yet. Believe me, if he was, I’m sure Cheryl Wolverton
23
that woman wouldn’t be lolling out on the front porch like she is.”
Mary added, “If you were here, everything would be fine. It seems like as soon as you left, Dakota went wild.”
“He always was the wilder of the two,” Margaret butted in to say.
“I have to agree with sister on that. But I think this is all some mistake. Dakota is a fine man. Still, he has no one here and I think he’s lonely.”
“Lonely?” Margaret scoffed. “He’s so busy he doesn’t know what lonely is. Carolyne, we tried calling Pastor Cody at the church and he wasn’t there. He’s making an early day of it, which means he’ll be home soon. If you want my advice, I’d suggest you get home as soon as possible. I think your son needs you.”
Carolyne’s mind raced.
Dakota didn’t need her at all. He was a grown man.
Just as her daughter, Susan, was a grown woman.
But hadn’t she just been thinking about returning home?
She missed Texas and it was getting too cold here.
She missed her church and the familiar sounds and ease of her own house.
Of course, Dakota didn’t really need her, but would it hurt to go ahead and return home early?
“Carolyne, did you hear me?”
“Yes, Margaret, I did. Let me call the airlines, talk to my daughter and see what I can get done, all right?”
“Oh good,” Mary said breathlessly. “I’m so glad you’re coming back. We’ve missed sitting out on the porch with you in the evenings.”
“Never you mind that, sister,” Margaret admonished.
24
Home to You
“Her son is under attack and she needs to be here to re-store his reputation. Now, get off the phone so I can hang up. Carolyne needs to make plans.”
Carolyne heard a click and then Margaret added,
“We’ll be watching for you.”
“I need to make plans first,” Carolyne argued.
“No, Carolyne. You need to be here for your son,”
Margaret’s uncharacteristically soft voice touched Carolyne. “Please, hurry home.”
Carolyne heard a click and shook her head.
She hung up the phone and then sat staring at it, unsure what was going on at her house. Dakota had been so busy that he rarely had time to call; and when he did, his reports were always filled with what he had to do the next day.
She hadn’t pushed talking about how he was doing because he was just so busy.
Maybe she should have.
Could he know the woman who was lounging on their front steps?
Surely not.
If the sisters had described the woman right…unless she was one of Dakota’s charity cases, he wouldn’t have anything to do with that type of female. Would he?
“Is everything all right, ma’am?”
For the first time, Carolyne noticed Cokie standing there next to her.
“I’m not sure, Cokie. But it looks like I need to go home and find out.”
“Ma’am?” Cokie asked.
“I need help packing. It sounds like my son needs me.”
Carolyne stood.
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Cokie hurried off down the hall and Carolyne picked up the phone to call Susan at work, deciding to call Susan first.
If she planned it right, she could be back home in Texas by dinner.
Dakota Ryder sat in the seat next to his friend, Chase Sandoval. “I appreciate the ride home, Chase. Seems my car won’t be ready until tomorrow.”
“No problem, bud,” Chase replied, his familiar brown eyes glancing toward Dakota as he turned down the tree-lined street. “I can’t believe you still live out in this area, man. I remember the years we spent picking leaves up every fall, swearing when we grew up we were going to move where there were no trees.” He shook his head. “So, are you gonna hire someone to rake up all the leaves in your yard this fall?”
“You think it’s that bad?” Dakota chuckled.
“We spent too many years out there doing it to be forced into doing it anymore.”
Dakota laughed outright remembering their childhood adventures together.
“Maybe I’ll hire some kids from church. They’re getting ready for a winter trip they’re planning to take Christmas break, and Jeff has them offering to do jobs for everyone so they can earn money for their expenses.”
“Sounds like that new youth pastor of yours is working out.”
“He’s doing great. A year ago I couldn’t have imagined having this many young people attending church.”
26
Home to You
“Ah, but when you step out on faith and do what God tells you to do…”
Dakota grinned and knew his own brown eyes reflected the humor of Chase quoting back what he’d told him so many times. “It’s my job to say that.” It sure was good to have his old friend back in town. “Yeah, we don’t know what God has planned for our future. The church has doubled in size, and we’re even looking into doing something special for families around town this Christmas.”
Chase turned onto Chippewa where Dakota lived.
Dakota tried to look at his neighborhood from his friend’s point of view. It was an older area of Shenandoah, a town that wasn’t much younger than Fort Worth itself. The streets were laid out in straight lines from north to south and from east to west. Sidewalks graced each s
ide of the street and huge old maple and elm trees filled the front yards. Leaves covered everything, including the streets. The breeze caught a few and they swirled up, dancing across the road in a flurry of movement and color, looking like one of the small twisters that so often invaded their land in the springtime.
The houses themselves were tall and square, mostly made of brick or whitewash, but smaller than the houses in the center of town, and not on such evenly divided lots. By the time a person reached the edge of town, it seemed like wilderness—nothing for miles except the many cattle ranches and a few farmers who grew wheat or cotton.
Dakota had grown up in the house he lived in now.
A two-story whitewash, it had a front porch and a Cheryl Wolverton
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swing. Two huge maples stood in the front and a weep-ing willow and a vegetable garden graced the backyard. The garden had always been his mom’s favorite; she loved digging in it, but right now, as autumn deepened its hold, the garden was barren.
“Speaking of the church, it’s actually doing very well,” Dakota returned to the conversation. “With you back in town you might consider coming there if you don’t find another church.”
Chase hesitated. “Let me get moved in first.”
Because his car had broken down, Dakota had been forced to break his luncheon appointment. But as luck would have it, he’d seen Chase and they’d ended up having lunch together.
His friend wasn’t the joking, laughing person he’d remembered. His letters hadn’t revealed just how much Chase had suffered since his wife’s death. Dakota wondered if he’d backed off from God spiritually as well.
“Shenandoah sure has grown since I’ve been gone.”
Dakota nodded. “I guess twenty years ago everyone thought moving to Fort Worth was the way to go. Now everyone’s escaping back out to the small towns within a few hours of the big cities.”
“Too much corruption and pollution in the big cities.”
“Just why did you move back, Chase?”
Chase had been one of Dakota’s best friends growing up. In tenth grade he’d had to move away, but they’d kept in touch over the years through regular mail and e-mail. Last year Chase’s wife had died, and Chase had been left to raise their daughter alone.
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