Trent collected Rosalind’s hand and prayed. “God, thank You for this food and our family. Help us to grow closer to You every day. Amen.” He opened his eyes, wondering what Lilly thought about him including her in his prayer as part of their family. Did she even notice? He’d take her for that horse ride and talk with her about it. “Lilly, would you like to go for that ride after we eat?”
She smiled, bread showing between her teeth. Picking up her bowl, she swallowed her bread and shoveled stew into her mouth.
Rosalind touched her hand. “Slow down. You’ll get a stomachache eating too fast.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Trent set his bowl and spoon down. “I wanted to talk to you both about something.”
Rosalind’s gaze met his.
“I’ll be taking the longhorns to market soon, and I wondered if you both would like to go with me. I know it will be a bit of hard traveling, but we could stay in town for a few days before returning home. I’m taking the herd a little later this year, but we’ll get them there with plenty of time. What do you think?” He had already been thinking of asking if they wanted to travel with him, but now, with the telegram, he couldn’t leave them. “I don’t want to leave my girls behind.”
Rosalind gave him a warm smile and then turned her gaze. “Lilly, what do you think? Want to go on another adventure?”
“I like adventures as long as Mr. Sanders can come with me.”
Trent smiled. She sure loved that stuffed rabbit. “Mr. Sanders is always welcome.”
“Then it looks like we’re going.” Rosalind patted her mouth with her napkin.
The breeze tossed a few strands of hair across her chin. He gently pushed them behind her ear. “I don’t know if I told you, but you’re a beautiful sight.” She blushed, and he had a mind to carry her back upstairs—until Lilly popped up from the quilt, breaking into his thoughts.
“I’ll put my bowl in the kitchen.” Lilly ran into the house.
“She’s excited, to say the least.” Rosalind leaned over and collected her bowl, setting his on top. “You’re amazing with her.”
“She’s a wonderful child. And one day you will be an incredible mother.” He picked up the tray of cornbread and leftover stew and followed his wife into the kitchen.
Lilly took a piece of candy from Martin and stuffed it in her mouth.
“I saw that.” Trent chuckled, placing the food on the counter. “Lilly, are you ready?”
“Wes, swer.” Her candy peeked from the corner of her mouth.
“Well, come on then. We’ve got a horse to ride.” Lilly skipped through the house, and he gave a mock bow at the front door. “After you.”
“You silly.” She laughed, hopping down the steps.
Rosalind came and stood beside him at the door. “I’ve wondered how her parents are. It still worries me they haven’t sent word.”
“Remember, letters get lost out here. It took us a year to receive the letter about your mother.” He turned. “You’re more than welcome to ride with us.”
“I think I’ll stay here. I haven’t made those biscuits I promised you the other day. I plan to fulfill my vow, and every other one I make to you in the future.” She winked.
“I look forward to those biscuits even more.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “Miss me while I’m gone.”
“It would be hard not to.”
Trent slowly caressed her lips with his, taking in her breath. “We won’t be long.”
“Take as long as you need. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
He took a step back and closed his eyes, inhaling a deep breath. She meant everything to him. God, keep her safe.
“Are you all right?” Rosalind was inches from his face.
What was he to say? I love you more than life itself, and you might be in danger? “I’m fine.” He kissed her lips once again, then jumped from the porch to the ground.
Trent walked to the barn. “Lilly? Where are you, sweetie?” Trent glanced into a few stalls. “Lilly?”
“Here I am.” She hopped out from the corner of one of the doors that led to where the horses grazed.
“What were you doing?”
“Feeding the horses.”
Trent glanced in the direction she came from. “What do you mean, feeding the horses?”
“I found this big bag with food two days ago. They’re hungry, but your horse isn’t sharing. He pushed the others away, and he’s been eating it all by himself.”
Trent hurried outside where his horse seemed to be eating. He opened the gate and moved him out of the way to check the ground. He found manure and scattered pellets of food within the dirt and grass. Surely his horse hadn’t eaten that much. To make certain the horse didn’t eat any more, Trent brought him out toward the barn and saddled him, explaining to Lilly the dangers of overfeeding a horse.
Riding out a ways from the house, he looked down at her. Her back was straight, and she bounced with each trot of the horse. “What do you think, Lilly? Having fun?”
“I love horses. I wish, when I was on the train, Papa could have brought his so we could ride. Mr. Sanders doesn’t like it when I leave him behind, so Papa’s horse must feel the same way when Papa’s gone.”
“Do you feel the same way with your mama and papa away?”
Her head rose and fell several times. “I miss Mama and Papa. Do you know when they’re coming back?”
Trent slowed the horse to a stop and got down, holding the reins. She gazed down at him. “Lilly, I don’t know when your parents will be back.” God give me the words. “But I want to ask you something. Is it okay if Rose and I love and take care of you until they do? As part of our family.”
Her brow furrowed. “Can I still be part of Mama and Papa’s family too?”
“Yes. You will always be their little girl.”
Her face shone then. “You want to love me too?”
Trent smiled. “Yes, because I already do.” He reached for her, and she came into his arms. He’d already lost his heart to her weeks ago. “Come on. Let’s walk the rest of the way to the flower patch and pick flowers for Rose. I’ll let you hold the reins. What do you say?”
Her small hand held out Mr. Sanders for Trent in exchange for the reins. “Rose loves flowers just like me.”
Rosalind tossed the biscuit ingredients together and began mixing them with her hands. She wanted these to be perfect for her husband.
Trent. When they said goodbye at the door, he seemed troubled. Should she ask him why or wait for him to come to her? Everything about their marriage was new, but a desire to pray rose within her. Had God even heard her prayers for Lilly’s parents? Would He hear her prayers on other things that mattered to her?
A battle raged within her mind, but she closed her eyes against her thoughts and prayed. “Lord, help me to believe You hear my prayers. Give me faith to know You’ll answer them. Help Trent with whatever is on his mind. Protect us. Please give us peace.”
“Hello.” Her father’s voice floated to her ears.
Her eyes flung open as he entered the kitchen, hat in hand, and halted just inside the doorway.
“No one answered. I hope you don’t mind.”
She struck the dough with her fist. “I’m surprised you came back. I thought you would have returned to Boston.”
“I couldn’t leave, Rosalind. I thought about it, but I’m tired of hurting you.”
“Tired? You have no idea what tired is.” She slapped the dough on a pan and began rolling it out. The mixture stuck on the roller. She went to the cabinet, took some flour, and tossed it on the surface, some falling at her feet. She inhaled a long breath to calm herself.
“What would you do, Rosalind, if you were left with a child and no money to feed her?”
Immediately, Lilly came to mind. “I wouldn’t sell or use her, if that’s what you’re asking me.”
“No, you wouldn’t, and n
either would I ... until it happened. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I owed too much and I was afraid. I made a deal with the devil and lost. I sold my soul and lost you in the process. I was so wrapped up ... I couldn’t get out.”
“Are you out now?”
“Yes. With Thomas’s help, I’m free financially and spiritually. I’ve sinned against you, Rosalind, and I’m sorry. I hope one day you’ll forgive me.”
Rosalind looked at the roller enclosed within her palms. When had she stopped working and begun listening? Her father wanted her forgiveness and, deep down, she wanted the same. But there was just too much pain. Too much to forgive.
“Rosalind,” he whispered.
“Yes, Papa.” She swallowed hard. She couldn’t remember the last time she called him by that name of endearment. Her heart sank as she met his gaze. “I never stopped being your daughter, and I never will.” She went back to rolling the dough, then cut out circles.
Her father moved beside her and placed each round dough circle onto the tray, then slid the tray into the stove.
She stared after him.
Trent entered the back door to the kitchen, carrying Lilly against his chest. Tears streamed down her reddened cheeks. In between sniffles, Lilly cried out to Rosalind, “I killed him!”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rosalind hugged Lilly tightly, then wiped the tears from her cheek. “Whatever it is... it can’t be as bad as you say?” She mouthed to Trent, “Killed who?”
Trent moved Lilly’s hair from her face so he could see her clearly. Please, Lord, let the words I say be true. “My horse will be fine. He has a stomachache. No need to worry.”
“But Papa said horses can’t have stomachaches or they’d die. I don’t want him to die.” She hiccupped. “I miss my mama.” Lilly buried her face in Rosalind’s shoulder.
Rosalind rubbed invisible circles along her small back. “I know you do, sweetheart. I know you do.” Now Rosalind’s eyes filled with unshed tears.
Roger slipped out the back door, and Lilly sniffled. “I want to go home.”
Rosalind looked toward him, worry crossing her beautiful face. How Trent wished Lilly could go home to her mother and father, but it was impossible. He held out a chair and motioned for them to sit. When they did, Trent knelt and covered Rosalind’s hand on Lilly’s back. “We love you, Lilly.”
A tear finally trailed down Rosalind’s cheek. “I could never take your mama’s place, but we love you, and we hope you’ll think of this as your home too.”
Lilly hiccupped again, lifting her face. “You mean it? Even if I killed your horse?” Her voice quivered.
Trent wanted to hold the child and reassure her. How quickly he’d begun to think of the three of them as a family. “Yes, Lilly. There is nothing you can do to take away our love.”
“I like it here and so does Mr. Sanders.”
“Good.” Trent smiled and wiped a fallen tear. “How about if Rose takes you to your room, and you fix it however you’d like. It will be your very own room. If you wish to move any furniture around, ask Matthew to help. He’ll be back soon.” Trent exchanged a look with Rosalind and felt her approval. “You know, we leave for Fort Worth in two weeks, and after we sell our cattle, we’ll buy something special for your room. What do you say?”
She cocked her head as if in thought and played with a wisp of Rosalind’s hair that hung loose from her ribbon. “Rose, where will you sleep?”
“She’s staying with me.” Trent answered a little too quickly, but now that his wife shared his bed, he wasn’t willing to let her go. “Like your mama and papa sleep together.”
Lilly nodded, took Rosalind by the hand, and got down from her lap. Sending him a backward smile, Lilly led the charge up the stairs.
Trent removed his hat and plunged his fingers through his hair. The child was better, but he couldn’t say the same for his best stallion. Colic. He’d do whatever it took to keep his horse alive, for his and Lilly’s sake. He headed outside and rounded the corner to find Roger sitting on a bucket in front of the barn.
“I see how much you care for that child in there.” He nodded toward the house. “You know, she reminds me of Rosalind at that age.”
Trent had never thought about it before, but Roger was right. It wasn’t that Lilly and Rosalind looked alike, but there was something similar between them. Maybe it was the way Rosalind loved with her entire heart or how she cared for others before herself. She trusted him to make things right, and so did Lilly. He’d do all he could not to let them down. “I can’t let anything happen to my horse.”
“How may I help?” Roger stood.
“Stay on for a few days. You’re more than welcome to stay in the house, but we’ll be up late tonight.”
A wagon rolled into the yard, carrying Matthew and Martin. They laughed as it came to a halt. Matthew hopped down and fixed his Stetson. “Trent, you should’ve seen Pete. He ...” His eyes narrowed.
From the wagon, Martin looked at him, then glanced at the house. “The girls. They all right?”
Trent had never been more thankful for Martin than at this moment. Since the girls came to live at the ranch, Martin had been a different man. Caring, Trent would say, even protective. “They are. Matthew, would you mind checking on them in a bit to see if they need anything, like a piece of furniture moved?”
Matthew quirked a questioning brow and pointed to Roger. “Everything fine out here?”
“Well, not sure. Lilly overfed Midnight. She said she’s done this for a couple of days now. While we were riding, he stomped his hooves a few times, but on the way back, he seemed agitated.”
“Colic?”
“I think so, and Lilly is quite upset.”
Martin shook his head. “I’ll fix somethin’ special for Miss Lilly.”
Matthew patted Martin on the back, smiling. “You’re fixin’ dessert? I think I like this softer side.”
“Get your hand off me.” Martin barked. His face suddenly went ruddy. “You bes’ check on those ladies to see if they need help. I’ve got work to do.” He marched off.
Trent chuckled, but when he and Roger entered the barn, a knot grew in the pit of his stomach.
Just after dawn the next day, Rosalind drew the curtains back and watched Trent pull the horse’s reins, forcing the stallion to walk beside him, hoping the stomach condition would pass. It had been hours. Hours of praying the horse would live. Hours in her father’s presence. At first, she wasn’t happy that Trent invited him to stay, but she’d seen the reasoning behind his decision. Blake hadn’t returned since he’d left for town, and with Matthew and the other cowhands getting ready to take the herd to market, Trent needed another man. And she needed her father.
Rosalind slipped into a dress and headed downstairs, where the smell of fried ham wafted in the air. She followed it into the kitchen. “Good morning, Martin. How long has Trent been out there?”
He turned from the stove as she approached, his face grim. “Good mornin’, ma’am. Your father just left to relieve him.” He tossed two biscuits on a plate. “They’ve been workin’ ’round the clock watchin’ the horse, walking ’im every hour, giving mineral oil treatments, and constantly checking his heart and breathing rates. Even gums.”
Martin seemed to avoid making eye contact, his lips pressed into a fine line. She glanced around the kitchen. Did her father say something to hurt or offend him? She’d only known Martin for a short time, but somehow the thought didn’t seem possible. Martin was made of a harder quality— steel perhaps—but behind that exterior, he had a caring and loving heart she believed not many had known.
She reached out and touched his arm. “Is something bother-ing you, Martin? You appear to be ... I don’t know.”
He met her gaze then. “It’s not my place, ma’am.”
What wasn’t his place? Her hand fell. “Please, share whatever it is you have to say.” She clasped her hands together, readying herself.
“It’s your pa—”
“My father?” Her heart raced. Hadn’t she been up most of the night due to her thoughts of her father and God’s prompting her to forgive him? “What has he done?”
“He told me about Boston. The pain he caused you.”
“Oh, I see.” She glanced at the floor and took a deep breath, but before she could say another word, Martin continued.
“I know it’s not my place, and if I had been there I would have tanned his hide, but he needs your forgiveness. Sometimes a man does things he can’t take back, and no matter how much he tries to make ’em right, his mistakes seem to come back to haunt him.” He exhaled a long breath.
She had the distinct feeling the conversation had shifted to Martin. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think we’re speaking of my father any longer.”
“No, ma’am. I guess not.” He set a plate filled with ham, eggs, and biscuits on the table, then placed a jar of strawberry jam next to the plate. Rosalind waited, certain he would say more, and after fixing two more plates with food, he did. “I know how your pa feels. Even though he can’t change what he’s done, forgiveness goes a long way, helps ’im be a better man. Heals the brokenness he’s carried.”
His piercing gaze begged her to understand, but why? God had revealed to her last night through the Scriptures that no one was righteous, not even one, but through Jesus. She was a recipient of forgiveness. Therefore, she should forgive others. “I believe you’re right.”
Surprise registered on Martin’s weathered face.
“Forgetting isn’t easy, and God will help me, but He wants me to forgive my father. I won’t deny my father wounded me like no other, but I’m reminded of how I helped crucify Christ to the cross, and how He was wounded for my transgressions. I don’t know why my mother’s death or my father’s betrayal had to happen, but I’ve learned a valuable lesson.”
“And what is that, ma’am?”
“God never left me when I felt so alone. He was faithful to His promises.”
Questions passed over Martin’s face. His mouth opened as though to respond, but when Trent came through the kitchen door, Martin turned to the stove and began cleaning. If she had the chance later, she’d ask him what he had been about to say and thank him for his friendship. Trent slumped into a chair and began eating without a word. She poured him a cup of coffee and set it beside his plate. Martin left through the back door as she slipped into a chair alongside her husband.
The Rescue Page 22