Read A Texas Sky Page 25

Darvi put a hand on his arm for a moment before once

  again turning back to the window. Dakota let her have the

  silence. He was more confused than ever about almost

  everything--his feelings and his job as a Ranger, just to

  name two. But right now he didn't need to dwell on those.

  He had a goal, and it was not complicated: Get Darvi home.

  Once he had done that, he would wait and see what the

  future might bring.

  3t"5"3r

  The telegraph for Darvi actually arrived a few hours

  ahead of her. Completely sealed in an envelope, it was from

  Annabelle Hewett, telling Darvi when she would be

  needed back in Aurora as a witness in Jared Silk's trial. It

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  was all very businesslike and proper, allowing Renee to

  keep her cover yet still remain in contact with her niece.

  Darvi, however, did not know this as the hired hack

  pulled up in front of her house and she listened to Dakota

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  tell the man to wait. She stood on the sidewalk while he

  fetched her bag from the rear and proceeded to walk her up

  to the front door of the large, blue two-story house that

  loomed above them. Darvi went to that door and opened it

  without hesitation.

  "Mother," she called as Dakota brought up the rear,

  closing the door behind him.

  "Darvi!" a deep male voice came in reply, just moments

  before a tall, well-dressed young gentleman rushed to the

  front door and took Darvi in his arms.

  "You're home! You're home!" the man kept repeating as

  he appeared to be squeezing the life out of her. He let her

  go for a moment but then snatched her right back into his

  arms.

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  Darvi caught Dakota's eye and tried to communicate

  her helplessness, wishing at the same time she could read

  his expression, which was very bland.

  "Brandon," Darvi got out at last

  That man stepped back and looked at her.

  "Where are my parents?"

  "Your mother had to run uptown for a minute. And

  your father is at work."

  She nodded and put a hand up so he could not hug her

  again.

  "Brandon, I'd like you to meet Dakota Rawlings. He's

  the man who brought me home."

  Brandon turned with a huge smile.

  "Thank you so much, Mr. Rawlings." His hand came

  out for a shake. "I can't begin to tell you how I've missed

  her."

  "My pleasure," Dakota assured him as they shook

  hands. He then turned to the strawberry blonde, who was

  watching his every move.

  "Well, Darvi, I'd best be on my way. You take care of

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  yourself."

  Darvi's mind screamed that it wasn't supposed to be

  this way. Brandon wasn't supposed to be there. She and

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  Dakota had just spent two and a half more days together,

  and Darvi was more taken than ever. He couldn't leave

  now, not before meeting her parents.

  "Thank you" was all she could manage/ her voice

  coming out in little more than a whisper.

  "It was nice to meet you," Dakota told Brandon before

  giving a last goodbye that encompassed them both.

  Darvi watched in shock and amazement as he went to

  the door, exited, and shut it behind him.

  Out on the sidewalk, Dakota returned to the waiting

  hack, spoke to the driver, and climbed on board. Not even

  after he'd taken a seat and the driver put the horse into

  motion did he look back at Darvi's house. His gaze swung

  here and there as they moved, but for the most part, his

  eyes were down the road.

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  The driver navigated a few turns, and some three blocks

  later, Dakota finally spoke.

  "The big white one," he said quietly.

  "Yes, sir."

  Just moments later the driver halted again. Dakota

  alighted this time, paid the man, reached for his own bag,

  and went up yet another sidewalk. Much like Darvi, he too

  opened the front door without hesitation, stepped inside,

  and closed it softy.

  Across the wide foyer stood an elegantly dressed

  woman, hair perfectly coifed, face turned to the housekeeper

  as they studied a list together.

  "And you found two broken chairs?" the lady of the

  house inquired.

  "Yes, but Croft is fixing mem right now. It shouldn't be

  a problem."

  "What about the glasses? Any more broken?"

  "Not a one. That new girl from down the street is a

  marvel. She has the nicest touch of any girl you've ever

  hired."

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  "Good, good," the lady said absently, her eyes once again

  on the paper. When she glanced back at her housekeeper,

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  however, she found her eyes on some distant spot, a smile

  on her lips.

  Virginia Rawlings turned to the front door for the first

  time, her own smile bursting forth.

  "Dakota," she said softly.

  "Hello, Mother." That man's smile mirrored her own.

  "You're home," she spoke again, this time moving forward.

  The two met in a warm embrace, Dakota's heart

  echoing her words.

  Yes, Mother, I'm home.

  "How are you?" virginia finally asked. At first she

  hadn't talked. She just wanted to hug him, not caring the

  reason he was suddenly in St. Louis and not Texas.

  "I'm doing fine. How are you?"

  "Worried about you."

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  "Why?"

  She looked him in the eye.

  "The last I'd heard you had five bullet holes in you."

  Dakota grinned. "And you thought that might slow me

  down?"

  Virginia only shook her head.

  "Mother," he said, changing subjects quickly to what

  was on his mind. "Have you had your fall fling yet?"

  "If you mean my Autumn Garden Party," she told him

  patiently, "no, I haven't. It's in 18 days."

  "Can you invite the Wingates?"

  His mother's brow furrowed. "Three blocks over, the

  large blue house?"

  "Thafs the one."

  "Why?"

  "I want to see a little more of their daughter."

  After dropping that tidbit of information, Dakota

  started for the stairs.

  "Oh, and Mother," he now tossed over his shoulder,

  "can you send for the tailor? I need a new suit."

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  A moment later the bell rang at the front door.

  "Dakota James Rawlings," his mother said in a no-nonsense

  way, "you come back here this instant!"

  Dakota turned with a smile. "I've got to clean up if I'm

  going to be fitted for a suit."

  "That can wait Tell me about this girl."

  "Get the door, Mother," he teased her, turning to go on

  his way.

  Virginia had all she could do not to laugh. He was a

  rascal, just like his father, but she adored him.

  The matter at the door only took a moment, and the

  second she was free Dakota's mother made a beeline for

  the stairs. Long before she reached his bedroom, she heard

 
Dakota and his father talking. Not bothering to even knock

  at the door he had only partially closed, she barged right

  into her son's room. Dakota was already shirtless, bent

  over the washstand, Charles Rawlings Sr. talking to his

  back.

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  "So how's the ranch?"

  "Doing great," Dakota spoke as he scrubbed. "I worked

  with Cash the days I was there. Everything looks fine. I

  think he's got a sale coming up soon."

  "I've been following the prices. He should do well at

  market right now," Charles commented.

  "How can you be talking about the ranch at a time like

  this?" Virginia demanded, arms akimbo.

  "At a time like what?" Charles questioned in confusion.

  Virginia pointed to Dakota. "The boy is in love."

  "He didn't tell me he was in love," Charles stated. He

  then mumbled, "No one tells me anything."

  "Of course he didn't tell you he was in love, you're only

  interested in the price of beef. Did you even ask about your

  mother?"

  Charles looked sheepish, and both Virginia and Dakota

  had to fight smiles as they looked at him.

  "How is your grandmother?" he ventured at last.

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  "I didn't get a chance to go see her, but as far as I know

  she's doing fine."

  "And Cash?" This came from Virginia.

  "Great. I've been at the ranch quite a bit these last few

  weeks. He's doing well."

  "Slater and liberty?"

  "I haven't seen them, but I think everything is fine."

  "Good. Now, about this girl/' Virginia started. "Whaf s

  her name?"

  Dakota grinned but still said quietly, "Darvi."

  Virginia's eyes widened with memory. "Darvi Wingate?

  Isn't she engaged to Brandon Young?"

  "Was engaged," Dakota corrected.

  "Did you have something to do with the breakup?"

  Charles asked.

  "No. It all happened before we met."

  Virginia was frowning again. "Before you met? She's

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  Marty Bracewell's niece, isn't she? You've known each

  other for years."

  "Met again," Dakota explained and waited for the barrage

  that wasn't long in coming. His mother wanted to

  know everything. Dakota did not volunteer every detail

  but gave his parents a fairly clear picture of the situation.

  His mother was stunned into silence, and he was rather

  relieved. It had been an emotional time.

  "Is she all right now?" Charles asked kindly.

  "Yes. She's doing very well."

  "Good. I forgot to ask how long you can stay," Charles

  continued, reading his son's face very easily.

  "I should head ba"ck to Aurora tomorrow, but I'll return

  for the party. The timing hasn't been right to talk to Darvi

  about some of what I'm feeling, and I may never have a

  chance, but I wish to do my own talking."

  Both parents nodded in agreement, understanding

  completely. '

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  "111 get an invitation out today. I'll also send for the

  tailor, or if you'd rather, you could go to him and speed the

  process a bit"

  Dakota nodded. "Ill do that. Thank you, Mother."

  Virginia went to hug him again. "If s good to have you

  here, scars and all, even if if s just for a day."

  Dakota looked over his mother's head to see his father

  looking pleased. It was at that moment he realized he'd

  missed a vital opportunity. This was the first time he had

  seen his parents since coming to Christ. By coming in and

  mentioning Darvi he had lost his chance, at least for the

  moment, of bringing up the changes in his life.

  His parents left him alone, and Dakota prepared to go

  uptown. As he did so, he prayed for yet another opportunity

  to share his faith. If not now, then in a few weeks when

  he returned to St. Louis

  5" * '

  Darvi would evemually kick herself for not making trie

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  connection, but they had never socialized with the Rawlngses

  before, and she simply gave their last name no

  thought.

  Accompanying her parents to the party, she wore a

  dress of dark apricot. Made for her, it was lightweight and

  full-skirted. It fit perfectly, displaying her lovely shape and

  slim arms and neck. She didn't go for too many ruffles or

  much lace, but her gown was elegant.

  A group of six arrived just ahead of Darvi and her parents,

  Stanley and Clarisse Wingate, forcing them to wait in

  line for just a few seconds. Nevertheless, the moment Darvi

  caught sight of Mr. Rawlings, her mind began to work. She

  didn't have time to develop any ideas--they were inside

  more quickly than she expected--but as soon as she

  spotted the man who had occupied many of her thoughts

  for the last two and a half weeks, it all made perfect sense.

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  Dakota was slightly taller than his father/ who was an

  older version of the Ranger, and Darvi's eyes drank in the

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  sight of him in a formal suit. His shirt was a snowy white,

  a black tie at his throat, and to Darvi he looked taller and

  larger than ever.

  Her parents went through the receiving line first, and

  almost before she was ready, she was standing in front of

  him. Dakota held her eyes as he bent over her and kissed

  the back of her hand.

  "May I see you on very short notice?"

  "Yes." Darvi's soft tone matched his own.

  "This evening? After the party?"

  All she could do was nod. She thought it might be time

  to move away, but Dakota still held her hand. Her mind

  scrambled for something to say.

  "I've heard from Annabelle Hewett," she got out

  "She told me she'd been in touch."

  Darvi's eyes widened. "You've seen her?"

  "I just got back."

  Darvi nodded, even as her heart sank. "And thaf s why

  you want to see me."

  Dakota studied her face.

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  "Are you seeing Brandon again?

  Looking surprised, Darvi said no.

  Dakota couldn't stop his smile. More people were

  coming in the door, so Dakota turned to his mother.

  "I'm going to walk Darvi to the punch bowl. 111 be back

  shortly."

  Virginia sent a beaming smile at the small strawberry

  blonde, who smiled in return. Dakota offered his arm and

  led her away.

  If Darvi expected more of his time, however, she was to

  be disappointed. Dakota walked her directly to the punch

  table, got her a glass, and bent slightly to catch her ear.

  "What time may I call for you later? I thought we might

  go for a walk."

  "What time are you available after the party?"

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  "I think about six."

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  "Will seven o'clock work then?" Darvi asked, wishing it

  could be now.

  "I'll be there."

  Darvi forced herself not to watch him walk away. Most

  people knew she was no longer engaged, but she hated i
t

  when people talked about her.

  There was someone talking about her right now, but

  had she known about these two and how kind their words were, she would have relaxed.

  "Is Darvi all right?" Virginia asked as soon as Dakota

  was back at her side.

  "Why do you ask?"

  "She was dearly surprised, Dakota, and she looked

  rather pale."

  "I noticed that too. 111 be seeing her later and hopefully

  I can dear everything up."

  More guests arrived, and they went back to work. They

  spent another 20 minutes receiving people and then joined

  their guests in the huge garden at the rear of the house. It

  was a large group, but Dakota had little trouble finding

  Darvi with his gaze. He forced himself not to stare at her,

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  much as he wanted to, but to mill around and talk with his

  parents' guests, some of whom he hadn't seen for years.

  And he enjoyed himself. He was even able to have a brief

  conversation with Darvi's father, who watched him rather

  closely but did not seem to object to him as a person.

  Dakota's heart, however, could not see seven o'dock

  coming fast enough.

  5"5"S'

  "Did you have a good time at the party?" Dakota asked

  when they were barely out Darvi's front door.

  "Yes, I did. Your parents are very nice." She glanced

  sideways at him while they walked. "We've never been

  invited to anything at your parents' home before."

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  "Haven't you?"

  "No. Did you have anything to do with today's invitation?"

  ^ "Yes, I did."

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  Darvi stopped and turned to him. "Why, Dakota? Why

  did you never tell me you're from St. Louis?"

  "Because I'm not," he began, but seeing how stunned

  she was over that statement, he didn't go on. He glanced

  down the sidewalk just then and saw they were almost at

  the park.

  "Would you mind if we sat down?"

  "No,thafsfine."

  A few minutes later they took opposite ends of a bench

  in the middle of the park so they could turn and see each

  other. Darvi said not a word but waited and hoped that this

  man wasn't about to hurt her. She worked to keep her emotions

  from showing, hoping he would explain everything.

  "The first thing I need to tell you is that I've never intentionally

  kept something from you. I knew you were from

  St Louis, but where I was born just never came up."

  She looked confused, so Dakota tried again.

  "I left St. Louis when I was five, Darvi. My home is

  Kinkade, Texas, 111 always think of it that way. My father

  worked the ranch until just six years ago, when he and my