Read A Texas Sky Page 24


  "How did you know Darvi was here?" Dakota had to

  ask.

  "Sheriff Laverty. I guess both Eliot and Seth came

  tearing into town on Sunday morning, acting and looking

  as though they'd lost a trunk of gold. Because you had told

  the sheriff your plan, he wasn't too surprised. I came in

  wanting the story for the paper, and he told me." The

  woman looked at her niece. "I nearly fainted when he said

  the name Darvi Whigate."

  "And I wouldn't have thought that Annabelle Hewett

  was related to me in a million years. What are you doing in

  Aurora?"

  "You knew that Sam died, didn't you?"

  "Yes. Mother told me. I'm sorry."

  "Well, he left me in a very comfortable position, so comfortable

  mat I could have sat back and had ladies in for tea,

  and little else, for the rest of my years. I didn't want that. I

  wanted to make a difference. I found a way to do that very

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  402

  thing through the paper. It's been the most fascinating

  experience of my life."

  "But you're not married again?"

  "Not yet I became engaged about two months ago to a

  man who lives in Kerrville, but we haven't set a date."

  "I'm glad," Darvi told her sincerely. "I know it hasn't

  been easy."

  Renee smiled. "Now that was your mother talking."

  Darvi blinked. "Why? What did I say?"

  "You said if s been hard for me. That's the type of thing

  she would say to explain away the embarrassing behavior

  of the black sheep of the family. If I'm off acting wildly for

  no reason, they must not talk about me, but if I'm getting

  things out of my system because of grief over losing my

  first husband, then there's no family shame."

  Darvi sat back and crossed her arms. "I had no idea

  anyone else had Mother so well figured."

  The men took their cue at that point. Unnoticed by the

  women, they rose and quietly left the room, going out the

  403

  front door and onto the porch. The sun was setting fast, but

  there was still enough light to see each other.

  Dakota took the large rocking chair, and Cash sat on the

  double swing.

  "I wonder how the sheriff knew to send her down

  here," Cash pondered aloud.

  "He knew my name was Rawlings, and the Rawlings

  Cattle Company of Kinkade, Texas, is pretty well known."

  "Maybe. I'll have to ask Darvi's aunt."

  Dakota's chair creaked as it moved, the swing giving off

  its own low groan.

  "It wasn't that long ago I was teasing you about finding

  a woman, Dak," Cash said thoughtfully. "Mother would be

  awfully glad to see you two together."

  "What two?" Dakota asked in genuine confusion.

  "You and Katy," Cash replied sarcastically. "Who do

  you think?"

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  Dakota gawked at his older brother and then shook his

  404

  head.

  "I don't know anyone who does ranching better than

  you do, Cash, old buddy, but you need to stick with cattle."

  "I don't think so."

  "Cash," Dakota began again, this time his voice very

  serious, "Darvi is one of the sweetest women on the face of

  the earth, but she's like a sister I want to protect I assure

  you, there's nothing more."

  "Dakota, old buddy," Cash said, taking on the same

  tone as Dakota, "You can deny this all you want, but I've

  seen you two. Darvi Wingate may be a lot of things to you

  over the years, but a sister isn't going to be one of them."

  Dakota had no reply. Cash had been utterly serious. His

  mind reeled with the implications, and he shook his head

  a little. He'd told Darvi her mouth was kissable and meant

  it with all his heart. He'd also said she was very sweet and

  pretty and meant that too, but not in a romantic way--at

  least he didn't think it was. In truth, having Darvi smile

  and be lighthearted was something he'd very much come

  to enjoy. Being with her was just plain fun.

  405

  "You riled at me, Dak?"

  "No, just thinking."

  'I'm right, aren't I?"

  "I don't know, Cash. I honestly can't tell you right now."

  "Do you mean you really haven't seen it?"

  "Seen what?"

  Cash was silent for a moment

  "You two have something special going. I know you just

  rescued her, and I can't say that that's not what I'm seeing,

  but she looks at you with hope and confidence. And I know

  you're used to taking care of people and wading into the

  fray to see justice done, but there's something different

  where Darvi is concerned. Mother saw to it that she raised

  three gentlemen, Dak, but what I'm seeing is above and

  beyond the call of duty."

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  Again the men fell silent, each alone with his thoughts.

  Cash prayed for this brother he loved so much, somewhat

  afraid he'd said too much. Dakota prayed for understanding

  406

  and wisdom over these new thoughts and feelings.

  He was rather drawn to Darvi, but did that mean he

  was falling in love, or did it just mean that he'd spent some

  time with her? He was riot made of stone. He had held her

  in his arms a few times and even dried her tears, his heart

  deeply affected by her emotions. Were his own emotions

  more involved than he suspected? And what did she feel?

  Was Cash really seeing interest on her part? Dakota wondered

  how he could possibly know, wishing he could see

  her right now but knowing it would have to wait She was

  still talking to her aunt.

  '

  "So you were engaged," Renee prompted after they'd

  talked for some time about all that Darvi had been through.

  "Yes. His name is Brandon Young."

  "What happened?"

  "I've gone through a lot of changes in the last few

  months, and I knew that Brandon was not the man for me."

  407

  "What kind of changes?"

  "Spiritual ones."

  A cynical gleam entered Renee's eyes. "So, you found

  religion. Your parents must be having a fit"

  "I did not find religion," Darvi corrected in a firm voice.

  "This is different. This has been life-changing for me."

  Renee took the reproach very well. The cynical gleam

  disappeared, and she only nodded.

  "How did you know my parents would be upset?"

  Darvi questioned, suddenly hearing what she had said.

  "Well, maybe not both your parents, but I knew your

  mother would be."

  "Why?"

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  "Because your mother's world is perfect By your

  needing God, you're saying she did something wrong."

  "Oh, Renee," Darvi said softly, "that perfectly describes

  the situation. You would have thought I had committed

  murder. She wouldn't even let me discuss it with her."

  408

  "Your mother is a wonderful person, Darvi, and I'm so

  glad my brother married her, but her standard is higher

  than God's."

  It was a very
irreverent thing to say, but Darvi had to

  bite her lip to keep from laughing.

  "Family is everything," Renee continued. "A good face

  must be put on at all costs. You must marry well. You can

  grieve someone's passing, but in a quiet way. And whatever

  you do, remember the ancestors!"

  Darvi thought she could become very depressed at the

  moment. She found herself praying very hard for her

  mother, thinking that if she could please her mother, she

  would have an opportunity to share her new faith. She

  prayed for Renee as well, and in the midst of that, the men

  returned.

  "I'm sorry we chased you out of your own living room,

  Cash," Darvi said.

  "Not at all," he replied dismissing her words.

  "Well, I'm glad you came back. I was just about to ask

  my aunt about her connection to Jared Silk"

  409

  Renee gave an unladylike snort

  "That man," she spoke as both Dakota and Cash found

  seats. "He calls himself a banker. I think before this is over,

  his entire operation will be disclosed. At least I hope it will

  be."

  "How did you get onto him?"

  "I used to bank with Jared, and I would see the most

  interesting people coming and going while I would be in

  his building, men who were not known for abiding by the

  law. I did a little snooping and found out that he wasn't

  always honest in his dealings. I pulled my money from his

  bank, and if s been war ever since."

  222 Low wick

  Renee glanced over just then and found her niece

  smiling rather hugely at her.

  "What are you grinning at?"

  "You. And thinking about my father's reaction to your

  new life."

  410

  Renee shuddered. "We might have to have a talk, my

  dear little niece. There are some things the family does not need to know." Renee shifted her gaze to the men. "Do you two have a younger sister?"

  They both shook their heads no.

  Renee did a little head shaking of her own. "If s not fun.

  It doesn't matter that I've been grown and gone for years-- I'm still Stanley Wingate's baby sister."

  The people in the room laughed at her aggrieved

  expression, but each one also caught a bit of longing in her

  eyes. She might fuss and fume about her sister-in-law's

  views on family, but family was important to her too.

  "I hope you'll stay with us," Cash suddenly said. "I

  hope Darvi invited you."

  "She didn't, but I would appreciate the offer. When I

  arrived I didn't even look around to see what the hotels

  were like."

  "How did you find us in the first place?" Dakota asked.

  "I got as much information as I could from Sheriff

  Laverty. Then my boss at the paper knew of the Rawlings

  Cattle Company, and I came down with great hopes."

  "And here I was," Darvi said with a smile.

  411

  Renee became a bit emotional but hid it very well. She

  hadn't known she had such a beautiful niece. Darvi was in

  the same boat. She had only seen an old photo of her aunt

  as a younger woman and heard of their likeness over the

  years.

  But Renee didn't have to leave until the next afternoon,

  so the two renewed old family ties. In fact, Darvi was so caught up in her aunf s visit that the time rushed away. Her aunt had been gone only an hour when Darvi remembered

  ATexasSky 223

  that she had decided to leave on Saturday, which happened

  to be the very next day.

  ^L^r-

  "Are

  you all set, Darvi?"

  "Yes. Thank you, Cash, for everything. And please

  thank Katy for me too. I tried, but she only shooed me

  away with the towel."

  The two stood on the train station platform while

  412

  Dakota went to the ticket booth. Cash laughed at Darvi's

  description, knowing it had to be very true.

  "If she let you say goodbye, she might become emotional,

  and we can't have that."

  Darvi smiled in understanding.

  Dakota joined them in short order, and Cash gave Darvi

  a hug. She turned to Dakota, who smiled and hugged her

  as well.

  "Thank you for everything."

  "You're welcome. Here's your ticket. Have you got

  everything?"

  Darvi nodded, her throat suddenly very tight

  "I hate goodbyes, so 111 just go."

  Not even waiting for them to reply, Darvi turned and

  went on her way, swiftiy taking the conductor's hand and

  boarding with her satchel. So she wouldn't think about the

  men behind her, Darvi made herself think about where her

  trunk might be after all these weeks. ' Having watched her out of sight, Cash turned to his

  413

  brother.

  "Why didn't you tell her you were going?"

  Dakota gave him a quick glance.

  "The truth?"

  "I wouldn't expect anything else."

  "I wanted to hug her."

  Cash had all he could do not to shout with laughter.

  "Go on, Dak," he said with a chuckle and a slap on

  Dakota's back. "Chase her down until she catches you."

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  Renee glanced over just then and found her niece

  smiling rather hugely at her.

  "What are you grinning at?"

  "You. And thinking about my father's reaction to your

  new life."

  Renee shuddered. "We might have to have a talk, my

  dear little niece. There are some things the family does not need to know." Renee shifted her gaze to the men. "Do you two have a younger sister?"

  414

  They both shook their heads no.

  Renee did a little head shaking of her own. "It's not fun.

  It doesn't matter that I've been grown and gone for years-- I'm still Stanley Wingate's baby sister."

  The people in the room laughed at her aggrieved

  expression, but each one also caught a bit of longing in her

  eyes. She might fuss and fume about her sister-in-law's

  views on family, but family was important to her too.

  "I hope you'll stay with us," Cash suddenly said. "I

  hope Darvi invited you."

  "She didn't, but I would appreciate the offer. When I

  arrived I didn't even look around to see what the hotels

  were like."

  "How did you find us in the first place?" Dakota asked.

  "I got as much information as I could from Sheriff

  Laverty. Then my boss at the paper knew of the Rawlings

  Cattle Company, and I came down with great hopes."

  "And here I was," Darvi said with a smile.

  Renee became a bit emotional but hid it very well. She

  hadn't known she had such a beautiful niece. Darvi was in

  the same boat. She had only seen an old photo of her aunt

  415

  as a younger woman and heard of their likeness over the

  years.

  But Renee didn't have to leave until the next afternoon,

  so the two renewed old family ties. In fact, Darvi was so

  caught up in her aunf s visit that the time rushed away. Her

  aunt had been gone only an hour wjien Darvi remembered

  A Texas Sky 223

  that she had decided to leave on Saturday, which happened

>   to be the very next day.

  5* ^5'

  "Are you all set, Darvi?"

  "Yes. Thank you, Cash, for everything. And please

  thank Katy for me too. I tiled, but she only shooed me

  away with the towel."

  The two stood on the train station platform while

  Dakota went to the ticket booth. Cash laughed at Darvi's

  description, knowing it had to be very true.

  416

  "If she let you say goodbye, she might become emotional,

  and we can't have that."

  Darvi smiled in understanding.

  Dakota joined them in short order, and Cash gave Darvi

  a hug. She turned to Dakota, who smiled and hugged her

  as well.

  "Thank you for everything."

  "You're welcome. Here's your ticket Have you got

  everything?"

  Darvi nodded, her throat suddenly very tight

  "I hate goodbyes, so I'll just go."

  Not even waiting for them to reply, Darvi turned and

  went on her way, swiftly taking the conductor's hand and

  boarding with her satchel. So she wouldn't think about the

  men behind her, Darvi made herself think about where her

  trunk might be after all these weeks. ' Having watched her out of sight, Cash turned to his

  brother.

  "Why didn't you tell her you were going?"

  Dakota gave him a quick glance.

  417

  "The truth?"

  "I wouldn't expect anything else."

  "I wanted to hug her."

  Cash had all he could do not to shout with laughter.

  "Go on, Dak," he said with a chuckle and a slap on

  Dakota's back. "Chase her down until she catches you."

  224 lori wick

  The men embraced, and Dakota, bag in hand, one that

  Darvi hadn't even noticed, went to board the train. It

  wasn't hard to find the person he was determined to sit

  with; she was on the opposite side from the platform, face

  to the window. Dakota stowed his bag up top, his eyes on

  Darvi as he worked. Not until he sat down did she turn, her

  eyes so full of vulnerability that he immediately apologized.

  "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was coming. I didn't mean

  to startle or deceive you."

  "Why are you, Dakota?" she asked, honestly needing to

  know.

  His eyes shifted away, but he still answered.

  418

  "It bothered me quite a bit to have you taken off the

  train like you were in Aurora. When I think of how long

  ago you started home, and you're still not there, it upsets

  me even more. As much as it's within my power to do so,

  I'll see to it this time that you arrive safely in St. Louis."