by Lori Wick
"I'll take the box and look in it, but that doesn't mean
I'm accepting this gift."
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His eyes were warm with amusement, and Darvi
almost wished that he would grow angry.
He wasn't constantly around, but since Sunday, if he
was anywhere in the vicinity, he was courting her. He had
brought her flowers, both from town and along the roadside.
A book of poems arrived one day, and a comb for her
hair the next. Gifts would come to the ranch even when he
hadn't gone to town but Eliot had. This told Darvi that Seth
was planning ahead.
Darvi had started to mark the days in her Bible as they
passed. She had been on Cass/s outlying ranch for eight
days, and each day she had to work at trusting God to
bring this nightmare to an end.
"Take it, Darvi," he urged one last time, and Darvi did
so.
She opened the box and peeked inside. What she saw
made her eyes huge before she nearly threw the gift at him
and tried to run. She didn't get far. His arms came around
her, and for the first time he attempted to hold her dose.
Darvi tried to get away, but there was no possibility of
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overpowering him. When Darvi saw escape wasn't going
to work, she planted her palms against his chest and held
herself away from him as much as she could. When she
looked up, he spoke.
"The ring isn't for now," he panted slightly, "but if s to
show you that I'm serious about us."
Darvi started to shake her head.
"Don't say no. Give us a chance.'I know we could have
a wonderful life together, and the ring is to prove that to
you. You say the word, and well be married. That's how
strongly I feel about you."
Darvi could only stare at him. What in the world was
she to do?
When she froze, Seth's head started to descend.
"Don't!" Darvi commanded with some force, and he
stopped with several inches still separating them,
Seth studied her features very slowly, his eyes warming
noticeably.
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"That upside-down mouth of yours is going to drive me
crazy."
Darvi's chin came up. "Let me go."
Seth did so, although very slowly, his eyes never leaving
her face.
"I'll never marry you," Darvi said quietly, "and if thaf s
what you're waiting for, then you can release me now."
Their eyes met for long seconds, and for the first time
Darvi saw a flicker of something other than patience. To
her surprise, it didn't frighten her.
"Keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Redding," she added
in low fury, "or I won't be responsible for my actions."
Still meeting his eyes to tell him she meant business, she
took several more seconds before turning and walking
back to the house. She wasn't a dozen feet along when she
heard him behind her, but he did not attempt to catch up
to her or to engage her in conversation, all of which was
fine with Darvi. She had nothing else to say to the man.
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"She doesn't want him," Gassy whispered in frustration.
"Why can't he see that?"
Eliot didn't answer. Cassy had just taken her hair down,
and he was rather preoccupied with the way it looked. He
leaned over the bed to kiss the side of her neck, but she
turned and glared at him.
Seeing it, Eliot shook his head in longsuffering.
"Let me get this straight. You're mad at Seth, so you're
going to take it out on me."
Cassy frowned. That was exactly what she'd been about
to do. Now feeling upset with herself, she turned back
away from him. Eliot didn't want to talk about Seth and
Darvi right now, but he made himself join her on the edge
of the bed and even took her hand when they sat side by
side.
"What is it you want me to do?"
"Thaf s just it--I don't know. I know they're both
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unhappy, and I feel so helpless. It would be great if she
could stay. She's so sweet with the kids and willingly helps
out, but mis isn't where she belongs, and as much as I want
Seth's happiness, I can't agree with what he's doing to
Darvi."
Cassy turned her head to look at him. "If someone took
Lindy and wouldn't let her go, I'd be out of my mind with
worry. Seth has got to see that he's doing the same thing to
Darvi's family."
Eliot didn't like this comparison at all. Lindy was like
his own child, and this analogy hit a little too close to home
for him.
"I'll talk to him again."
Cassy did not look grateful.
"I'd better warn you, Eliot McDermott," she threatened.
"If I get a chance to help Darvi get out of here, I'm going to
doit"
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Eliot put gentle arms around her, but the voice at her ear
287
was very firm.
"You will do no such thing."
"Do not tell me what to do!"
She suddenly wanted nothing to do with him, but Eliot
did not let her pull away. In fact, he slipped an arm under
her knees and deposited her on his lap. Cassy's eyes were
filled with betrayal as she looked at him, and Eliot almost
wished she would struggle some. He smoothed the hair
from her face, his hands gentle and his heart filled with
love.
"I'm sorry that Darvi is caught in the middle of this and
that you're hurting over it too, but I'm not going to betray
my brother, and if you think about it, you don't want to
either."
Cassy's eyes filled with tears.
"It's a lousy excuse, but Darvi is not in any danger here.
Seth's intentions toward her are honorable. I do think he's
going to see pretty soon that she's not going to change her
mind, but taking her from him is not the answer. He's got
to come to it on his own."
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Cassy still wanted to be angry, but Eliot was right
"Cassandra..." Eliot's voice came softly to her ear.
Cassy looked at him.
"What day are you going to become my wife?"
Feeling almost shy, she fiddled with the apron she still
had on and refused to look at him.
"I don't know." *
"You have the dress, which means we're halfway there.
I'm not going to let you get away from me now."
Cassy looked up with a smile. She loved him so much.
"You name the day," she was able to say, knowing it was
time.
"October 30."
"Oh!" Cassy had not been prepared for such a definite
answer. "When is that?"
"Ttoo weeks from this Saturday."
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A measure of panic clawed at her throat, but she wasn't
| able to talk about it as Eliot was lifting her and setting her
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on her feet. He then bent, kissed her brow, and started
toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To the spare room."
It took a moment for Cassy to catch on, and when she
did, her eyes softened with emotion.
"I love you," she said.
Eliot smiled. "And I love you, Cassy girl. I wouldn't be
heading out this door for any other reason."
Cassy let him leave, but her heart was ready to burst.
She couldn't possibly explain what had just happened to
Darvi but wanted once again to thank her. Had it not been
for Darvi, Cassy might not have seen the misguided direction
of her entire life. She was convinced that she would
have gone on for years living in sin with Eliot and not
thinking about the right thing to do.
She got ready for bed very slowly, missing Eliof s presence
already but knowing it was for the best
Seth is the same kind of man, Cassy thought as she settled
under the covers. Life and Eliot's jobs are not always the best,
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but they're good men who know how to love. Completely forgetting
Darvi's beliefs, her heart was quiet for a moment
before wishing: If only Darvi had met him some other way.
-5"3k'gr
"My name is Dakota Rawlings," Dakota said to
Aurora's sheriff. "I'm a Texas Ranger."
The other man stuck his hand out to shake Dakota's.
"Joe Laverty. What can I do for you?"
"Actually, I just wanted to let you know I'm going to be
in town for a few days, maybe longer. I've lost track of
someone, and I think this person might be in your town."
"Who is it?"
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"I'm not at liberty to say right now, but I wanted you to
know that I plan to stay out of the way and do my job as
quietly as possible."
The sheriff, who had respect for most Rangers, thought
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Dakota seemed genuine. He was a curious man and dicln't
like not knowing exactly what was going on, but since the
Ranger had stated his willingness to stay out of the way, he
knew he'd have to let it go.
"Well, if we can be of any help from this office, be sure
to let me know."
"Thank you, sir."
"Where will you be staying?"
"I'll probably camp outside of town. I noticed you have
a bathhouse and a number of eating establishments."
Dakota smiled a little. "It looks as though I'll be able to stay
dean and fed."
When Dakota turned on the charm, it could be very
effective, and it worked now. Sheriff Laverty smiled reluctantly
and only waved when Dakota moved to the door
and went on his way.
He'd arrived the day before, not late in the day by any
means, but late enough to put off a visit to the local constabulary.
The day was fresh, the visit to the sheriff was
taken care of, and now Dakota was headed out into the
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streets of Aurora to see what he could find. He sensed that
it was a well-settled town with what appeared to be many
successful businesses, and as a rule the folks seemed
friendly. /
Not wishing to draw any undo attention to himself,
Dakota had arrived in clothing a little less suited to his
work than usual and having already let his beard go a few
days. It didn't take him long to look scruffy, and that was
just what he wanted. Eli was at one of the liveries, and
Dakota now prepared to move about on foot and have a
closer look around Aurora. Not knowing exactly what he
was looking for made things a bit tricky, but he was certain
that if something was amiss in this town, he would spot it.
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A horrible feeling of dread came over him as he thought
about how easy it would be to take a woman and disappear
with her, but Dakota forced himself away from those
thoughts. It would only disturb his concentration and
hinder his goal. He didn't know when or where he would
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find answers, but look he would.
It occurred to him very suddenly that he could wire
Brace and Darvi's family from Aurora and ask after her, but
he hesitated. If she'd made an appearance, he could return
to his life. If she hadn't... Deciding to give it at least a few
more days, Dakota began his tour.
5"^*'3r
Gassy was nearly pacing before Darvi emerged from her
room the next morning. The strawberry blonde had been
very quiet at dinner the night before and retired to her
room the moment she was able. Cassy had not witnessed
the exchange with Seth, but she knew from watching both
people that something had gone on. She and Eliot were to
be married in only two and a half weeks, but Cassy was not
waiting to tell Darvi that. She just wanted to make sure she
was all right.
Breakfast was long over, cleanup was done, the men
had headed into town, the hands were out with the stock,
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and the children sat reading books. There were dozens of
things Cassy could do, but she wanted to see Darvi first. All
of Eliof s talk was not doing her any good at the moment.
His telling her that they couldn't take Darvi from Seth and
that deep in her heart she wouldn't really want that was
sounding very hollow in her ears right now. If she didn't
want to, then why did she wish she could load Darvi into
the wagon and take her to the train? She and the children
could give her a nice sendoff.
Cassy was beginning to get quite worked up over this
idea when the bedroom door opened. She turned to see
Darvi enter, her mouth set.
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"Where is Seth?" she wasted no time in asking.
"He and Eliot went into town."
Darvi's shoulders slumped. She had been ready to do
battle with the man, and now he was gone.
Just the sight of Darvi turned all of Cassy's intentions to
dust It wasn't that she hadn't seen Darvi in the pale blue
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dress in the past, but today her cheeks were blooming with
color and her eyes sparkled. And it wasn't just that. Darvi
was one of the sweetest women the ranch owner had ever
known.
Cassy had never been in such a quandary. It was so easy
to see why Seth loved Darvi, and for that reason, Cassy
could not interfere. She found her heart reasoning that Seth
might be correct: Maybe Darvi would come to love him
and wish to stay.
"I don't suppose there's anything I can do," Cassy
finally voiced, knowing that she could, but wouldn't.
"Not unless you're willing to take me back to town,"
Darvi said, not bothering to read the other woman's
expression or to wait for an answer. She headed out the
door then, around the house, and toward the barn.
As yet, Cassy had never hindered her from looking
around. Knowing that both brothers were gone left her free
to look a little. She told herself she wasn't exactly planning,
but if something just happened to jump out at her, she'd be
foolish not to give it notice.
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Once inside the dark reaches of the barn, she looked out
at the house.
The bedroom window above her bed
appeared to be some four feet off the ground. She had
tested the window just that morning and been surprised to
find that Seth had not nailed it shut. There was nothing to
step on when she climbed out, so it would be a bit of a
drop, but neither was there a prickly bush to fall into.
"Darvi!" Cassy called from near the house.
Darvi waited a moment and emerged into the sunlight.
"Yes?"
"Would you like something to eat?"
ATexasSty 161
"Is it near noon?"
"No, but the children are hungry, and you didn't get
breakfast."
Darvi waved. "Thank you. 111 be right in."
Still feeling as though she might have one person on her
side, Darvi was pleased to see that Cassy didn't hesitate
but turned around and went directly back inside. Darvi followed
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at a snail's pace, taking note of the layout of her
window at dose range. She had no idea if the information
would ever be useful, but somehow she felt better for being
prepared.
S'S''S* *
Sitting down in the hotel to treat himself to a hot meal
for lunch on his third day in town, Dakota ate slowly and
gave himself plenty of time to think. He was not discouraged,
but he was starting to wonder a bit. Were things in
this town just a little too neat, or was he getting overly suspicious
with his line of work and Darvi's disappearance?
Was the law doing its job in Aurora?
Two days had passed, two full days of watching,
waiting, and making subtle inquiries, and still he had no
leads as to whatjnight have happened to Darvi. He'd all
but stalked the alley where he thought she might have been
taken, but there was nothing of even the slightest interest
going on.
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He learned that at least five stills were set up in full
operation, quietly attended but working nevertheless. He
found two homes where men came and went at all hours
of the night, but the saloons appeared only to have some
dancing and lots of cards and drinking.
What he'd seen of the law in action had been impressive.
He had watched an officer haul a man off for spending a
little too much time outside the home of Mrs. Gillham, who
gave piano lessons to the town's young ladies. Several
drunks had made trips to the jail, and when one of the gen-
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eral stores had a customer who refused to pay, the law
answered in great haste.
"What can I get you?" a friendly woman in a clean