by Lori Wick
church she attended and that if he liked, she would come
for him at ten o'clock. One more message from Dakota
established that his parents would be along and also
offered to include her in their carriage.
Now, Dakota, Charles, and Virginia rode in silence to
the Wingate home. Virginia was tense, her mind filled wttfc
453
uncertainty over this outing. Charles seemed so certain,
and Dakota was calm, his expression relaxed, but she felt
completely out of her element
It helped to have Darvi join their group. That young
woman began a conversation with her the moment she
took a seat, and Virginia actually relaxed a little before they
arrived at the church.
"I want you to meet a friend of mine," Darvi continued to
talk as they walked up the steps, the younger woman having
taken the older woman's arm. "Her name is Mrs. Beacher, and
she's such a dear. In fact, she lives justafew blocks from you."
"Martha Beacher?"
"Yes!"
"We've known each other for years. She goes to your
church?"
Darvi smiled. "This is her church. She was the one who
introduced me."
244 LoRltVlCK
Virginia relaxed a little more. Martha Beacher was a
454
wonderful woman, always kind and ready to lend a hand.
Up to that moment Virginia had not known what to expect,
but suddenly she wasn't worried, at least not about
meeting the people. However, the sermon, or whatever the
service entailed, still had her somewhat concerned.
"9'''3"
"Can you tell what your parents thought?" Darvi asked
Dakota as they walked in the garden behind the house.
"Not exactly." His voice was deep and soft. "I think my
father understood, but I'm not sure what Mother was
thinking."
"How is it that they wanted to come?"
"My father decided. I'm not sure he gave Mother much
choice."
"Does she do everything he says?"
Dakota smiled. "What do you think?"
Darvi smiled back. "I think the Rawlings men are used
to getting what they want."
455
Dakota looked very innocent. "I can't imagine what
you're talking about"
"Of course you can't." Darvi's voice was indulgent.
"You always ask me and give me lots of choices. You never tell me to do anything."
Dakota worked at not smiling. "Regarding what?"
"'By the way, Darvi, we're not going to make the next
town. Would you like to camp here for the night?'" she
began to tease him. "'Darvi, you've been through a lot.
Would you like to lie down and rest awhile?'" Her brows
rose in a way that told him she was very pleased with herself
just then. "You're used to giving orders, Dakota Rawlings,
and I suspect your father is the same way."
"You little pill," Dakota growled playfully and began to
reach for her. Darvi darted away from him and around a
bush.
"Did I hit a little dose to home, Mr. Rawlings?"
A Texas Sky 245
Dakota told himself not to laugh as he came around the
bush toward her. Darvi evaded him nicely and slipped
456
across the paved path around an arbor. She peeked
through and watched him approach. She was about to dart
off again, but he stopped. Bending just a little to watch his
face, Darvi waited.
"I just thought of something," he admitted, his eyes on
hers. "I can't really do anything if I catch you."
Darvi's smile grew rather wide, her expression downright
smug.
"On second thought..." Dakota reconsidered and
started forward again.
Virginia chose that moment to call from the kitchen
door, telling them she was serving coffee and cake in the
living room.
"We're coming," Darvi took advantage and answered,
her eyes gleaming with amusement as she sauntered triumphantly
up the path.
"You're an impudent piece of baggage, Miss Wingate,"
Dakota growled close to her ear as he drew up beside her.
Darvi smiled for a moment but suddenly stopped and
turned worried eyes up to his. Her brow lowering in concern,
457
she studied him a moment
"You knew I was teasing just now, didn't you, Dakota?
I mean, you do know how much I appreciate everything
you've done, all your care and such?"
Dakota's finger swept through the soft tendrils of hair
that refused to stay off of her forehead, pleased when her
brow softened a little.
"Yes," he said softly. "I do know that you're thankful.
You've told me in dozens of ways."
Darvi's head tipped to the side in a way Dakota found
irresistible.
"What kinds of ways?"
In a flash Dakota was back on the roadside, having rescued
Darvi from Cassy's ranch. He had stopped to check
on her and soon found her sobbing in his arms. Never had
he felt so needed.
246 lori wick
"Lef s just say/' Dakota began, working to dispel the
image, "in your own special way you've made it very dear."
458
Darvi studied him. "Will I ever get a straight answer to
that question?"
Dakota could feel himself falling, his heart squeezing
and filling all at the same time as he looked into eyes that
held such trust and honesty.
"I hope so" was all he was willing to say just then/ and
Darvi understood. She smiled a little and nodded.
They walked on to the house, Dakota doing all he could
not to place an arm around her slim waist. He hadn't been
glad to see Brandon at the house a few weeks back, but he
couldn't say he blamed the man for trying.
3"3r-5'
"Have you been at church this whole time?" Clarisse
Wingate spoke rather primly the moment Darvi walked in
the door. It was almost two o'clock.
"No, the Rawlings asked me to lunch, and I accepted. I
459
didn't think you'd mind."
"And does my minding mean anything to you these
days?"
"Of course it does, Mother. I thought you enjoyed the
Rawlingses and approved of them."
Her mother sniffed, not wanting to admit that her
daughter was right. Another tact was needed.
"You've certainly transferred your affections swiftly
enough."
"Swiftly?"
"Yes, swiftiy! You just broke off with Brandon a few
weeks ago."
Still managing to keep her voice kind, Darvi said,/'I
broke up with Brandon early this summer, but no one
would listen to me."
460
Her mother shook her head. "I don't know you anymore."
ATexasSky 247
Darvi felt cut to the quick but stayed quiet Why her
mother would want the "old Darvi" back was unimaginable.
The old Darvi pouted if she didn't get her way. The old Darvi
was never happy, constantly wanting more things, parties, or
excitement The new Darvi was very glad to be rid of hex:
"Di
d I see Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings in the carriage earlier?"
her mother asked next, working hard to sound as
though she didn't care.
"Yes."
"Does Mrs. Rawlings go to that church?"
"She did this morning."
Her mother's face was so stiff it looked as though it
might crack.
"May I tell you something, Mother?"
Clarisse Wingate nodded but looked no less unyielding.
461
"Our ancestors are so important to you, but I can't
remember half of them, I'm your only child. If I don't
remember, who will?"
"You could make more of an effort."
"I suppose I could, but even you have forgotten some of
them, and when that happened, I finally understood that
we do not carry on through our ancestors."
Her mother's face went from stony to livid.
"How can you say such a thing? Why, you were named
after your dearly departed Uncle Darwin and Uncle
Virgil!"
Clarisse stomped away at that point, leaving the foyer area
and retreating to her small sitting room on the south side of
the house. It was her sanctuary, her leave-me-alone spot but
Darvi did not take the usual hint She followed right behind.
"Please, Mother. Please discuss it with me."
"I will not! I've never heard such nonsense. You're
going against everything we've ever taught you."
But her mother did turn to her, and even though her
eyes did nothing but accuse, Darvi tried again.
462
"I have so much I want to share with you and Father, so
much in my heart But it seems to me that you only want to
248 lori wick
look good on the outside, not take time to see inside to the
real person."
"You will not speak to me in such a way!"
The words were all but shouted, and Darvi retreated in
defeat. Her face a mask of pain, she uttered her final words.
"Uncle Marty told me I could live with him anytime I
needed. I leave Wednesday for Aurora. I think I'll just go
on to Austin from there."
Darvi waited for her mother to ask her not to go, to order
her or demand that she come right home, but nothing was
forthcoming. Feeling as though her insides were breaking
into little pieces, Darvi took her pain over this rejection to
her room, where fighting tears of horrible pain and confusion,
she began to sort through her things and pack.
"5^^-
463
"I
want you to do me a favor," Virginia said to Dakota
the moment he came home from returning Darvi. Setting
her book aside, she turned a little to face him squarely.
"All right," Dakota said as he sat down, watching his
father put his paper aside and figuring that he was in the
dark as well.
"When do you leave?"
'Tuesday or Wednesday."
"Virginia nodded. "I want you to write me a letter."
Dakota forced a dozen questions to stay inside.
"You can write it now and leave it here for me, or you
can write it after you leave and mail it."
Dakota only looked at her; Charles did the same.
"In the letter, I would like you to explain to me what
that man was talking about this morning. What does he
mean when he says we have to be born again?"
"May I ask you a question?" Dakota put in before she
could go on.
Virginia gave a brief nod.
464
"Why can't we talk about this face-to-face?"
A Texas Sky 249
Virginia looked away and kept her eyes averted while
she answered.
"I haven't told anyone how much it bothers me that all
of you boys have something with your grandmother that I
don't have. And now your father is interested, and I'm
going to be left all alone."
"I would never leave you all alone," Charles said quietly.
"Mot physically--I know that--but this is bigger than
our living together, Charles. You must see that"
"Yes, I do," he admitted out loud because she was still
not looking at either one of them.
"But why a letter. Mother?" Dakota persisted.
"Because I need time to think. I feel rattled when you
start to talk of this, and I want to panic and run." She finally
turned to him, and Dakota was shocked to see tears in her
eyes. She managed to speak, but her voice was filled with
self-deprecation. "Wouldn't the women in town be amazed
465
to find the invincible Virginia Rawlings all shook up over
her son's religious convictions?"
"I'm not sure I agree with you there, Mother. If you were
to get any of them alone to talk about their own mortality, I
think you might see something different. Maybe all the parties
and committees are a way of covering their own fears."
"But you and that pastor honestly think I deserve to go
to hell, don't you?"
"I deserved to go to hell," Dakota countered. "Why God
saved me from that I'll never know, but thafs what He did,
and I know He's waiting to do the same for anyone who
will call on Him."
Virginia's heart lightened within her. She had felt so
helplessly condemned, but Dakota's tone had been understanding
and humble. And she did want to comprehend,
but it was frightening to her as well. At the same time, he
had made it sound as though there was hope.
"So you'll write the letter?"
"Absolutely. I'll leave it in my room."
250 lori wick
466
Virginia wanted to cry in earnest then. He was so much
like his father: used to taking charge but sensitive with
those he loved. She didn't know why she'd expected the
worst, but she had.
Stifling a yawn, Virginia suddenly felt very weary. Not
getting her son's wrath or scorn was so relieving that all
she wanted to do was sleep.
Having been married to her for 30 years, Charles detected
the signs. She had yet to look at him, which told him she was
either embarrassed or still felt betrayed, but even in profile
he watched her lids grow heavy over the pages of the book
she had reopened. Before long she was trying to read with
her head laid back, finally giving up and placing the book in
her lap. Moments later her eyes were dosed.
Father and son were on their own, but neither spoke.
Dakota had questions but sensed they should wait His
father hadn't looked his way before going back to the
newspaper, but Dakota had watched the way he'd studied
his wife. It came to him without warning, and he was not
467
sure his parents were aware of the fact, but Dakota saw for
the first time that God had certainly blessed their marriage.
Dakota didn't join his parents in reading or napping just
then.'He was too busy wondering how he'd never seen this
before. Not moving an inch from the living room, Dakota
talked the whole thing out with God and determined to ask
Cash the next time he saw him whether God blessed-those who wanted nothing to do with Him. Dakota thought He
must, but that wasn't good enough. The Texas Ranger
wanted verses to prove it
5"3"3*
"How are you today?" Dakota asked quietly as he and
Darvi walked from her front door on Monday evening.
"I'm fine," she said quietly.
"Was your mother a little cool just now," he asked
before getting to the carriage, "or did I imagine things?"
ATexasSky 251
468
"Frozen better describes her/' Darvi said so quietly that
Dakota let it drop. He had asked her to join him for dinner
and knew that this conversation would wait for the restaurant.
They rode in silence; Dakota at the reins, Darvi'beside
him. Thinking as they moved along that Dakota was one of
the most restful persons she'd ever known, Darvi felt not the
slightest anxiety whenever she was with him. If he looked at
her a certain way, her heart would pound and her pulse race,
and his nearness affected her no small amount, but never
did she know danger or fear. It was an amazing thing.
Sitting beside her, having already pulled the carriage
over to the curb in front of the Grayson Hotel, Dakota
studied Darvi's profile and waited. He smiled just studying
that captivating mouth and little-girl-turned-up nose. She
was in a far-off place right now, but the half-smitten Ranger
saw no reason to disturb her. Not even the horse's shifting
brought her attention around, and Dakota waited several
minutes in silence. When he saw her noticing where they
were, he just waited for her eyes to swing to his. Darvi
smiled as soon as they met
469
"We're here," she grinned a little.
"Yes."
"How long?"
"I didn't keep track."
"But we didn't just get here, did we?"
"No."
For a few seconds they just watched each other.
Dakota's heart felt a little fuller every time he was with her.
Darvi's was doing the same.
Dakota climbed down at last, moved to her side, and
assisted Darvi to the walk. Offering his arm to her, he said,
"May I escort you to dinner, Miss Wingate?"
"Yes, please," she said.
Dakota led her inside. It was going to be a wonderful
evening.
GfiwiM
"I WATTED FOR HER TO TELL ME I COULDN'T gO to Uncle
Marty's, but she was silent. She's been silent ever since."
470
"Oh, Darvi, I'm sorry it's gone like that. Is it the same
with your father?"
"No," Darvi said with relief. "I think he's a bit upset
with Mother. In fact, he talks to me more than he has in