Dark circles hung beneath his eyes. “Thank you,” he said, scooping up his coffee cup. He took a sip. The scruff along his jaw seemed to have grown considerably since yesterday. Trent stabbed another clump of eggs. “I think when I’m finished I’ll wash up and then go lie down.” He covered her hand and met her gaze. “How’s Lilly doing?”
“She’s been asking questions about her mother and your horse. What’s happened has opened up the floodgates, but I think she’s fine now.”
“I know she’s all right. She has you.” Trent squeezed her hand. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m exhausted physically and emotionally, but after comforting Lilly, I began to realize you were right.”
“I like the sound of that.” He smiled. “Right about what?”
His blue eyes held hers and reminded her how blessed she was. This man conveyed more devotion and love than any she’d known until now. “You told me God brought Lilly and me together. I believe you’re right. Last night, I found healing. While I was talking with Lilly, she shared her fears about her mother and being alone. I understood the numbing fear she described and having no one to love you ... but God led me to you. He led Lilly to me. To us.
“God truly loves me, Trent, as He does Lilly, as He loves us. I remember reading in the Bible somewhere that the Shepherd cares for His sheep and tends to them. I’ve seen Him in you. You never gave up on me. He never gave up on me. Never left me no matter what I went through.” She cleared her throat, willing her tears to stay at bay as her heart was filled with joy. “Lilly misses you more than the horse.”
“I’ll try to stay up for her before I rest.” Trent stood and pushed his chair back with his legs. “Washing up will help me stay awake.” He yawned but drew her from her chair to his chest. “I’m thankful every day the Good Shepherd led me to you.”
Thirty minutes later, Rosalind pulled the sheets to their bed back and fluffed Trent’s pillow. He came into the bedroom, stretching and yawning. “I’m not sure how long I can stay awake.”
She patted the bed. “You need your sleep. I’ll wake you later so you and Lilly can spend some time together.”
He slid into bed.
Rosalind drew the covers to his chest and bent down to kiss his cheek, but she was greeted with his lips—warm and inviting. She pulled away to stare into his eyes.
The corners of his mouth lifted. “I’ve missed you.”
“It’s early still.”
“Does it matter?”
Trent awoke to his wife in his arms. A light snore vibrated from her mouth. How long had they been asleep? He traced the soft planes of her lips and cheek with his fingers, taken once again by the softness of her skin. “Rosalind.”
She stirred and gave him a sleepy smile.
Oh, how he loved and treasured her. Trent kissed her brow and rose from the bed, letting Rosalind continue to rest. He’d spend some time with Lilly before he checked on Midnight. Pete said he’d keep him up to date if he didn’t continue to improve.
After he dressed, Trent went down the stairs to find Lilly with Martin in the kitchen. “Well now, what do we have here?” Several pans, spoons, and a pot filled with a dark mixture sat on top of the table. He leaned over the pot and inhaled the sweet scent that would soon occupy the room.
Lilly ran to him and threw her arms around his waist. “We’re making chocolate.” She released him and rolled her finger for him to come down to her level. She spoke in his ear. “I don’t know how to make chocolate. Do you?”
Trent laughed. “No, but Martin will teach us.”
“Your horse better?”
“He seems to be.”
She took his hand and pulled him to the table, where Martin worked.
Martin added some type of liquid to the mixture, then added butter. “Okay, Miss Lilly. Your turn to stir, but this is hot.” He gave her a wooden spoon. “Don’t touch the outside of the pot. I’ll hold it.”
She accepted the spoon, kneeled on a chair, and stirred.
Trent wanted nothing more than to make his girls happy. He glanced at Martin and was about to thank him for tending to Lilly, but something gave him pause. Martin’s gaze darted from here to there. “Martin, got something on your mind?”
He looked slightly put out. “I wanted to go into town today to do a few things, but if I left now, I wouldn’t be back for supper.”
Trent grinned. “It won’t be easy, but we’ll manage without you for a night.”
Martin set the pot on the table, stood, then placed a pan next to the pot. He poured the chocolate into the pan. “I’ll leave this in the center of the table until it cools. But you’ll need to put it in the icebox after a while.” He took his hat from the hook by the door, looked back at Lilly, a wishful look flickering across his face.
“Bye, Martin.” Lilly waved.
Martin seemed to force a smile, but it faded quickly when she turned away. He glanced at Trent as if on the verge of revealing something. Instead, he settled his hat on his head. “Tell Mrs. Easton bye for me.” And with that, Martin left.
Lilly looked up at Trent from her chair. “Rose will be surprised. Chocolate is her favorite. When my papa gave Rose chocolate, she ate it real quick. Mama told her she’d get sick, but Rose laughed and told Mama she’d never live without chocolate again. Chocolate isn’t my favorite, but I like it.” She shrugged. “Since we’re done, can I see your horse? Rose won’t let me. Said I had to wait for you.”
Trent’s mind spun from the many directions Lilly’s thoughts had traveled, but mostly there was concern for Martin. Something wasn’t right, and he wished he knew what it was. “I’ll take you.”
Lilly shot out of her chair and skipped toward the door.
Glover rode over an hour from town. The sun penetrated his clothes and sweat rolled from every inch of him, and still no sign of Rosalind or the ranch. Did the woman at the general store tell him the correct information? He’d used his partner’s name as an alias so as not to draw unnecessary attention to himself. Yes, he’d thrown money around—and that usually attracted attention—but it had been to secure men to help him with his plan, so that if by chance Rosalind disappeared, he wouldn’t be blamed. His partner would take the fall.
He stopped his horse and glanced across the flat land. Several trees stood in the distance.
He spit dust from his mouth and snatched his canteen. How would he find Rosalind if Roger didn’t show his face in town? Roger had been his only lead.
Glover swallowed the cool liquid, then wiped his face with his sleeve. Should he go back and wait for Roger or continue?
Wait. He harrumphed.
That was all he’d been doing with Rosalind. Why couldn’t the woman get it through her head she belonged to him?
The sound of hoof beats rose in the distance. Glover wrapped his canteen strap around the horn of the saddle and wheeled his horse that direction, spurring it into a canter.
The horse and rider came up fast. Glover waved the older man down, tilting his hat as he brought his horse to a stop. “Name’s Williams,” he lied. “I heard about a rancher by the name of Easton who sells horses. Could you tell me where he might live? I’ve been riding for some time, and I’m afraid I’m lost, being new to the area.”
“And who told you they were selling horses?” The older man stared him straight in the eye.
“The woman in town. I can’t think of her name, but her husband owns the general store. She sweeps a lot is all I can say.”
The older man stayed silent and eyed him for a moment longer. “Mrs. Vines. She sent you out here for nothing. He doesn’t sell horses. He sells longhorns.”
“I’m in the need of a few longhorns too. You know, to start up a ranch myself. If you’re gonna reach your dreams, you gotta start somewhere.”
The older man relaxed. “I know what you mean.” He turned in his saddle, one hand on the horn, the other close to his gun.
Did he suspect something? Glover moved his hand inches fro
m his pistol.
But the man pointed in the distance. “See those trees over yonder? There’s the beginnin’ of Easton Ranch. Can’t miss it.”
Glover thanked him, then rode in the direction the man indicated. He sought shade under the tree that marked the beginning of Easton property, looking out toward several buildings. A man and a little child—girl, Glover thought—came from one of the buildings and walked toward a fence on the other side. The man picked the child up, and long red hair bounced. Definitely a girl.
Movement within the fence caught his eye. Glover shaded his face with his hand and squinted. His other hand balled into a fist. He’d know that man anywhere.
Roger.
Roger brought a horse to the fence, and the little girl petted the horse. He strained against the sun to see the man with the girl. Trent. He had a child?
Glover had sat for several minutes by the time Rosalind exited the home. Trent turned to her, and the child reached out her arms. Rosalind scooped the girl up and hugged her close.
Glover’s face heated. His mind flashed back to the months shortly after Rosalind’s mother’s death, months that had drawn into an eternity, waiting for Rosalind to return. She’d been visiting Roger’s mother ... or so went the story.
Four months and three weeks were the number of days she’d been gone.
How many months would a woman need to hide a pregnancy, bear a child, and run from the shame? He clinched the reins as the stinging truth slapped his mind. “They had a child together. So Rosalind wasn’t as innocent as she seemed.” As Glover had believed. How could he have been so deceived?
Glover yanked the horse’s reins toward town and kicked the animal into a gallop. His brain pounded against his skull. He’d come up with a plan. One that would take care of them all.
Rosalind closed the door to Lilly’s room and entered her own. Candlelight flickered against the wall, casting shadows. Trent lay in bed with his Bible in hand, but he looked up as she reached him. “Do you want me to go with you to speak with your father?”
“I think I should go alone, but pray for me.”
He clasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course.”
She took a long breath and headed down the stairs to find her father. He sat at the kitchen table, hands wrapped around a cup. “Mind if I sit?”
He glanced up and shot to his feet. “Please. I didn’t hear you come in. My mind must have wandered. Would you like some coffee?”
“No. Thank you.” She sat, her stomach churning into knots, and folded her hands in front of her.
He watched her intently as he rested back against his own chair. “Whatever is on your mind, daughter, come out and say it. If you want me to leave—”
“No. Not yet ... or ever. I don’t know.” God, please give me the words. She met his eyes. He was such a different man than she remembered. God had truly done a work in his life ... and in hers. “I forgive you.” The words came out easily and instantly. The burden of hurt, anger, and unforgiveness lifted from her, and peace settled.
His brows furrowed. “I was just sitting here thinking. How could you ever forgive me for what I’ve done?”
“God showed me how to forgive you. He reminded me of His forgiveness toward me, toward others.”
“I’m ashamed, Rosalind. You don’t know how sorry I am.”
“I know, Papa ... and I forgive you.” Her father stood from his chair and came to her, holding out his hand. He assisted her up, and she fell into his arms. The warmth of his loving embrace brought unexpected tears. She inhaled a deep breath and held him tighter. How long she’d yearned for this, for him to love her again!
“I love you so much, daughter.” He held her close and choked back a sob, tears not her own falling to her face. “Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty
Trent stared back with eyes so intense, so dark, that Rosalind’s heart raced. She could scarcely breathe. He loosened his hold around her and whispered close to her ear. “You could have been hurt. It’s a good thing I was here. What were you doing on this ladder?” He unhooked the torn hem of her dress from where it had caught on a ridged section of the ladder and placed it over her calf and ankle, grazing her skin with his thumb in the process.
“I’m glad you were.” She swallowed hard, trying to recall the question he had asked moments ago. “Your horse looks much better.”
Smiling, Trent set her on her feet. “And you, my wife, need to change your dress. You are driving your husband mad with desire.”
Her eyes widened. “Shhh. Someone will hear you.”
“We are married. Two shall become one. And we are one.”
She leaned into his chest. “Yes, but my father could walk in at any moment and hear you speak of ... intimate things. He spends most of his time in this barn.”
“Then he’ll be gone today.” Trent headed for the door.
She ran alongside him and grabbed his arm. “You can’t ask him to leave. You can’t.”
He chuckled and collected her in an embrace. “I know.”
“You’re teasing me.”
“Yes, for this.” His lips glided along hers before parting them in a deep kiss.
Someone cleared his throat, and Rosalind jumped out of Trent’s embrace.
Her father stood by the barn door, smiling. “Your mother and I loved each other deeply, and I can see the same love in both of you. I have been blessed coming and staying for a time, but I must leave.”
Rosalind stepped forward, her neck burning. Had he heard their discussion? “Why? You’ve only been here a few weeks.”
“Trent’s horse is better. He plans to take Lilly for a ride today, so I’m no longer needed. It’s time to begin my travel back to Boston.” He walked to her and placed a hand on her cheek. “I’m so thankful for your forgiveness and your love.”
She placed her arms around her father’s neck. “I never stopped loving you.”
“Thank you, my child. Your love means the world to me.” He held her at arm’s length. Tears glistened on his face. “I will be heading to Fort Worth and staying for a week. Maybe you both could stop by, and we could have dinner when Trent takes the herd to market.” He looked over her shoulder, and she followed his gaze until it rested on Trent.
She awaited his answer. His handsome smile almost did her in. “Of course.” Her chest swelled with love, more now than she ever thought possible.
Her father hugged and kissed her cheek a final time. “Let me say goodbye to Lilly, and then I’ll be on my way.” He strolled out of the barn.
Trent came to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “He’s a good man, Rosalind. He loves you.”
She spun to face him. “You’re a good man, Trenton.” She gently pressed her lips against his, taking in his breath. “And you love me.”
“Do you realize when we’re intimate, you call me Trenton?”
She pulled her head back. “I do?”
He bent in, close to her face. “You do and I like it. As I call you—”
“Rose.” She giggled with his lips slightly against hers. “I like it too.”
“We should see your father off before we get into trouble.”
She bit her lip.
He leaned back and searched her face. “What? You don’t think we could get into trouble?”
“I’m afraid so.” She released him, trying to recover her breath, and strolled out of the barn as casually as possible.
After Trent saddled her father’s horse and pulled it out from the barn, Lilly and her father ambled down the porch steps. Lilly ran to Trent, and he scooped her up into his arms.
Trent held out his hand to her father. “We’ll see you in Fort Worth.”
“Thank you, Trent, for giving me a chance to make amends and for taking such good care of my daughter.”
“Always.” Trent met her gaze, his blue eyes sparkling.
Father climbed on his horse and smiled. “I look forward to our visit.” He nudged his horse
into a gallop.
“Horse ride?” Lilly grabbed Trent’s face with both hands. “Yes?”
He pecked her nose with a kiss. “Only if you go with me.”
Lilly released his face and wiggled her legs to get down. “I’ll saddle,” he said, placing her on her feet.
She strode to the barn, arms swinging side to side.
Rosalind tucked her hair behind her ear. “She’s so relaxed here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lilly doesn’t have to hide who she is behind propriety. She’s running, jumping, expressive ... able to be a six-year-old.”
“And you?”
“I feel like I’ve belonged here all my life.”
Lilly poked her head from the barn. “Are you coming? Or do you want me to saddle him by myself?”
They both chuckled, knowing she couldn’t reach the saddle. “I’m coming,” Trent said as Lilly disappeared into the barn.
Not long after they left, the blue skies gave way to dark gray. Rosalind went to the porch and studied the land surrounding the house. The clouds rolled straight toward her. She pushed worry from her mind, but her knees insisted on trembling.
Rosalind recalled the first week on the ranch and how the lightning storm caused her to pace all night. The wind had blown an eerie whistle past the window, and a branch had scratched against the glass like fingernails.
Trent and Lilly would get caught in the storm if they didn’t hurry. She shot up a prayer for their safety when a wagon came down the path to the house. Walt. She waved as he stopped. Drizzling rain began to fall. “So what brings you by in this nasty weather?”
Walt joined her on the porch and propped himself against the side of the house. “There was a fight in town between two strangers and Martin at the saloon. I thought Blake should know since he’s been lookin’ for Martin. Is he ’round?” Lighting flash-ed in the distance.
The Rescue Page 23