by Danni Roan
Jim looked up his drooping eyes full of doubt and hope. “All right Darcy,” he drawled. “I’ll wait here.”
Darcy hurried to the storage room once more and grabbed fresh clothes that she thought would fit the fellow sitting alone and lost in the main room. Perhaps the donated items weren’t exactly fashionable, but they were clean and warm, and she hoped Jim wouldn’t take offense.
In the past months working for the church mission, Darcy had learned so much about love, life, and God’s mercy that she was a new person. Never had she felt such compassion for her fellow man, and she knew her heart had been remade.
There were so many lost and lonely people out there seeking hope, and in truth, it was right there, free for the taking if only they would look.
“I brought you some clean clothes,” Darcy smiled at the man. “You can go in to the wash room and change if you’d like.”
“Will you be here when I come out?”
“I’ll be right here,” Darcy assured.
Jim smiled. “I didn’t hardly recognize you Darcy,” he said. “You look nice in them plain duds. Of course you always looked good in anything,” he added shyly.
“You get washed up, and then we’ll talk Jim,” Darcy urged. “Much more than my style of dress has changed recently and I can’t wait to tell you about it.”
***
“So you really believe that asking Jesus in your heart changed you?” Jim asked fifteen minutes later as he settled back on to the cot next to Darcy. “He forgave you for everything bad you ever did?”
“Yes, he did.” Darcy looked at the man compassion in her eyes. “He can do the same for you. Of course I didn’t believe it either when I first heard about it, but little by little I understood. No matter what we did, no matter how hard our heart has gotten, He is just waiting for us to say yes.”
“How long you been workin’ here Darcy?” Jim asked still thinking over her words. “Do they treat you good?”
“I have everything I need,” Darcy said. “When I first got here all I wanted was a place to stay and a chance to work off some of the bad I had done. I thought that if I did good things, I could tip the scales of judgment in my favor. Instead, I found a freedom I didn’t know existed. I had gotten free of Pierce and his kind, but in my heart, I was still a slave to my own desires, greed, and sins. It wasn’t until a traveling preacher stopped by and spoke about how Jesus had already paid for our sins that I knew the truth and that truth set me free. I still have a long way to go Jim. I don’t always get things right. I get angry or tired and…” she paused thinking of Blake. “And I still long for things I can’t have sometimes.”
Jim smiled reaching over and taking her hand. “I’m glad you landed on your feet Darcy,” he said. “I’ve been down on my luck, but maybe these folks could use some muscle around here. I could work. I ain’t afraid to get my hands dirty. I,” the man looked up taking in the large room with the tall windows. “I think I’d like to know more about how you got free. It feels like instead of a heart beating away in here all I got is a stone.” He tapped his chest with a thick index finger, his head drooping.
Darcy squeezed the man’s hands and smiled. “You stay here, and I’ll talk to Bar. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like, and we’ll serve supper soon in the adjacent room.”
Jim smiled his brown eyes weary. “Thanks Darcy, you always was a gem.”
***
“You think it’s safe to have this man here?” Bar asked as he and Mary looked across his desk at Darcy. “I mean he isn’t dangerous is he?”
Darcy twirled a curl around her finger, amazed at how her hair had grown in the past few months. “He’s not dangerous, not on his own,” she hedges. “Jim was paid muscle, he didn’t kill anyone just roughed them up a bit to make them pay or tossed them out if they got too rambunctious.”
Barrister looked up into Mary’s face. They had known from the moment the young woman had written to them who she was, but had asked no questions, nor had they disclosed their own connection with Blake and his role in breaking up the gang. What they acknowledged about Darcy’s past life was only what she chose to disclose to them on her own, but they had grown to care for her as a true friend.
“He’s like me,” Darcy continued, worried they would ask him to leave. “He’s lost and alone and doesn’t think anyone will ever want him. I believe if you give him a chance, you might reach his heart. He, he was always kind of soft on me and treated me kindly.” Darcy’s hand automatically stroked her cheek where all too often she had worn a bruise from one of Pierce’s rages.
“He can stay,” Bar finally spoke patting his wife’s hand where it rested on his shoulder. “But you’re responsible for him until we go home for Christmas.”
Darcy nodded, studying them with serious eyes, thinking. “I’ll do it.”
“You’re still coming home with us for the holidays aren’t you?” Mary asked. She had been insisting for the past few weeks that Darcy come to the family home with them. “We have that group of missionaries coming in to look after things here while we’re gone, and I’m sure you’ll be happy if you come along. It will be a nice break from the city.”
Darcy studied the pretty woman for a few seconds then nodded. What could it hurt to go back to the family farm and have dinner with a few strangers? She knew Bar and Mary well enough, and now that the limelight had died down after the trial, she felt less conspicuous.
So much had changed for her in the past year, in her own way she was a new person. “I’ll come,” Darcy finally agreed, a hint of sorrow filling her voice. She had written to her own family several times, but had still not heard from them and could only surmise that they wanted nothing to do with their wayward daughter.
Mary smiled brightly practically dancing with delight. “You won’t regret it.”
Darcy shot the other woman an odd look, but said nothing, finally turning and heading back into the big outer room to find Jim.
Something told her that she had been brought to this place for a chance to help the man who had once been kind to her.
Chapter 28
“You remember what you’re supposed to do?” Darcy asked the lumpy man next to her as she smoothed her A-line skirt.
“I remember,” Jim grinned. “I’m to make sure that the fires stay hot and the rooms are warm. I’m to make up the beds when anyone leaves, and keep an eye out for any trouble makers.” He grinned, his dark eyes twinkling. “Are ya nervous about meeting Bar’s family?”
“No,” Darcy laughed, patting the big man’s arm. “I’m sure they are nice people, and they won’t know who I am so it will be fine.”
“Darcy, I can’t thank you enough for being here when I needed you,” Jim smiled. “I didn’t think… Well I didn’t know that there was truth like this in the world.”
“I didn’t either,” Darcy replied. It had been both thrilling and humbling the night Jim had come to her and asked her to show him how to pray the sinner’s prayer. In that one simple act, Darcy realized again, that she was truly a new person. This trip to Bar’s home for Christmas was just a sweet reminder of how her life had changed for the better.
“You’d best go now,” Jim grinned. “I think they’re ready to leave.” He pointed toward the door where Bar was checking his watch.
“You be good and take care of yourself,” Darcy said, giving Jim one last pat. “And don’t be bothering that nice widow Mato who came with the missionaries. She has work to do.”
Jim blushed but didn’t promise and Darcy laughed at his boyish look. The man had a bigger heart than she ever knew and was sweet on the petite widow with the big attitude.
“There you are,” Mary chided a minute later as Darcy climbed into the back seat with the children. “All ready?”
“I can’t wait to see Gram and Pap,” their son William said. “Maybe Pap will let me go riding or drive the sleigh.”
“You had better not be a pest,” Mary said. “Now try to get some rest so you�
�ll be ready for a big breakfast with everyone in the morning.”
Bar drove into the night talking quietly with Mary, while Darcy kept William and his little sister Gracie occupied. As the night grew darker the children soon fell into a sound sleep and Darcy leaned back against the seat closing her eyes.
The snow outside was falling softly and tomorrow the world would be washed in white. She felt content traveling to who knew where, her heart finally peaceful and at rest.
A deep rut jostled Darcy from a quiet sleep and she blinked into the night, peering through the front windscreen as the car topped a rise. Ahead, in the valley below, lights spilled from various buildings casting shadows on the freshly fallen snow.
“Mary?” Darcy asked he heart pounding. “Where are we?” The old windmill near a large barn looked familiar as did the layout of the farm below.
“This is where I grew up,” Mary said brightly. “This is home, the Broken J Ranch.”
Darcy was sure that her heart had stopped, frozen in her breast by the shock of the words. She should have asked more questions, she should have paid attention to the children’s chatter, and the words Mary had spoken.
“Your home?”
“Yes,” Mary chimed as they started down the hill past a sturdy log cabin. “Home. I told you you’d be glad you came.”
Darcy didn’t have the heart, or will to argue. She was sure that Mary thought bringing her here was for the best, but Darcy wasn’t sure she could bear to see Blake again. By now he had probably found a woman he could love. Someone he could start a home and family with. A woman unsullied by a world of pleasure and crime.
“Darcy are you all right?” Mary’s voice grew worried. “You don’t look well. I thought it would be a fun surprise.”
“I’m, I’m fine,” Darcy forced a smile. “I’m just a little shocked. I didn’t realize that you’re, you’re Mary Bridgette, Will and Katie’s daughter.” For a second a flash of irritation shot through Darcy at the small deception. Surely Mary must have known who she was. Had she written home telling everyone that Darcy now worked for them at the mission? Were the people Darcy had met only that spring expecting some great revelation from her?
Bar pulled the car to a stop, turning to look over the seat at her. “We didn’t think you’d come along if we told you everything,” the man stated honestly. “We care about you Darcy, like one of the family. We thought,” he stopped shooting a look at his wife. “We thought you should have the chance to see everyone one last time.”
Darcy felt the tension leave her shoulders at Bar’s words. Perhaps they were right and she needed to be here to say one true and final good-bye. “You did what you thought was right,” she managed. “I’m glad I’m here.” To her utter surprise Darcy found the last words to be completely true.
Chapter 29
Morning broke over the ranch crisp, cold and sparkling. The snow from the night before lay like a blanket across the earth, and only the tracks of tiny birds, and rabbits had marred the pristine white.
Darcy rose from the bed in the upstairs room of the big ranch house walking to the far wall to push the heavy curtains aside. Quietly she peered out the window gazing across the field to the small, squat house in the pasture. Was Blake waking up to a new day? Was he laughing and joking with his parents as they prepared for the celebrations ahead?
A soft knock fell on her door and pulling her wrap tight Darcy hurried to open it.
“Breakfast is almost ready,” A sleepy eyed Grace said. “You’d better get dressed and come down while there’s still plenty.”
Darcy laughed, even as her stomach turned over with nerves. Would she see Blake at breakfast? How many would be at the big house this morning? Would one of the family race off to tell the man who meant so much to her that she was there?
Dressing quickly, Darcy brushed out her hair and hurried down the stairs, following her nose into a big bright kitchen bustling with activity.
“Hello Darcy,” Fiona Ballard grinned placing a towering plate of flap jacks on the table. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Hello,” Darcy replied, twisting her hands as she gazed around the room.
“You’d best not just stand there if you want to eat,” Hank, the big man with the booming voice chided. “We don’t leave much behind at breakfast,” he added with a chuckle.
“Pa, stop your teasing,” A young woman spoke up as she poured coffee, silky chestnut hair spilling down her back. “I’m Lilly,” she said, pausing in her work to smile at Darcy. “I’m home for the holidays.”
“You’re a teacher,” Darcy blurted stupidly, only to receive a kind smile as reply.
“Have a seat,” Mary said, leading her two children to the table. “Bar will be here in a minute. He ran to fetch my parents. We got in too late to bother them last night.”
Darcy could see the excitement in Mary’s eyes at the thought of seeing her mother and father again and she quickly remembered who else might show up at any time.
The sound of the front door opening and boots on the hall made Darcy shiver with expectation. What would she do if Blake walked through that door?
“Mary!” a clear, familiar voice echoed across the kitchen, followed by two more greetings. Darcy closed her eyes as her heart rose in her throat at the sound of Blake’s cheerful voice. “It’s about time you got here,” the cowboy said.
“Blake, Meg, Clay,” Mary’s voice shook with nervous energy. “I’d like to introduce you to our guest.” Mary lifted a hand gesturing toward Darcy who could feel all three sets of eyes boring into her back.
Lifting her chin, Darcy pushed her chair back and stood turning to gaze at the handsome man who stood staring at her in shock. “I believe we’ve met,” she said a bright, teasing smile spreading across her lips.
“Darcy?” Blake’s shocked whisper floated toward her over a suddenly silent room. “It can’t be.”
“In the flesh Turnip,” Darcy shot, feeling all of the emotions filling her heart as she met his amber gaze.
Blake covered the space between them in two steps his arms snaking around her and pulling her close. “I can’t believe it?” he sighed finally setting her at arm’s length. “How? When? Why?”
“It’s nice to see you too, Turnip,” Darcy teased “Oh, and by the way you need to have a chat with your cousin about letting people know exactly who she is and where she comes from.”
Blake shot a questioning glace at Mary Bridgette but didn’t ask.
“Would you all sit down?” Hank grumbled lifting a fork in one beefy hand and a knife in the other. “My pancakes are getting cold.”
Fiona slapped the man playfully with the dishrag in her hand but gestured for everyone to take their places as the back door burst open and Katie arrived, Will close on her heels.
“I’m gonna starve to death at my own table,” Hank growled shooting a wink at Grace and William as everyone hugged.
Blake took Darcy’s hand and led her to the table, helping her back into her chair as the family finally settled. Hank and Fiona had moved back to the big ranch house years ago when Joshua, the original cattleman, had been ailing and had left their own home by the stream to their son Eric. Now, they hosted the family meals, and this one was shaping up to be a dozy.
“Let’s pray,” Hank said a little too loudly and everyone bowed their heads, but Blake shot Darcy a grin. “Lord thank you for this food and the hands that prepared it. Thank you for bringing our family safely home, and for your mercy and love. Amen.”
“Amen,” Darcy echoed automatically then blushed as all eyes turned to her.
“Darcy?” Blake queried as the rest of the family started to eat. In a moment the world seemed to shrink to only the two of them and his heart longed to understand everything about the woman.
“So how you been Turnip,” Darcy teased pouring warm syrup over her pancakes. “You look good.”
“So do you. But how did you get here? How do you know Mary and Bar?”
Darc
y shot a glance at the couple across the table, now deep in conversation with the oldest of the cattleman’s daughters. “I wrote to the mission asking for work,” Darcy admitted. “I figured that there weren’t a lot of places I could go, and that with my past, I might have trouble getting work. Besides,” she hesitated a moment then pressed on, “I thought I could kind of pay my debt to society working in a mission.”
“Darcy,” Blake sighed. Had she learned nothing?
Darcy placed her fork on the table and turned to meet Blake’s disappointed gaze. “I worked hard,” she continued. “I listened and I helped, but no matter how much I did I still didn’t feel good enough. Finally, one day a special speaker came, and his words hit me right here.” Darcy tapped her heart and smiled sadly. “I can’t explain it, but I heard the truth. All those words you had thrown at me seemed to finally hit their mark and something changed. I gave up trying, I gave up the work and accepted the gift that set me free.”