years. He's nonstop at the dinner table and in the evenings.
He even asked me to breakfast this morning. We had a
wonderful time."
Darvi bit her lip suddenly, and Dakota let the subject
drop. They had enjoyed a sumptuous meal of veal cutlets,
baked potatoes covered with dill and cheese, baby peas,
and dark rye biscuits. Now they had hot coffee in thin
porcelain cups with French pastries headed their way. The
gas lighting was soft, and the table was set in a horseshoe
booth. There were couples on either side, but all voices
were quiet, the waiters moving silently over the brightly
colored rugs, making the setting more elegant
"Will it work for you to leave here tomorrow afternoon
instead of Wednesday morning?" Dakota inquired.
"I think so. Is there some problem?"
"No, but we have to go back through Kinkade, as I need
471
my horse, and it might be nice to have a little extra time on
the other end."
"Would it be easier if we split up at Young Springs?"
Darvi made herself ask,. "I could go on to Aurora on my
own and meet you there."
252
ATexasSty 253
"I'm not letting you out of my sight," Dakota said
bluntly.
"But then you'll have the trouble of getting whatever
horse I ride back to your brother's."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I planned for us to ride
the train. Ill just pay the price to put Eli in with the stock.
You won't have a horse to worry about"
Much as Darvi wanted to bask in the warm glow of
knowing that he had planned all this to take care of her, she
couldn't get Eli from her mind. She bit her lip to keep from
smiling, but it didn't work.
472
"What's that for?"
"Eli."
Dakota rolled his eyes.
"What will he have done all this time without you?"
"Probably driven Cash crazy. My brother has better
things to do than entertain my horse, but EU will be
keeping a close eye out for me, and as compassionate as
Cash is, he will have probably ridden him a time or two."
Darvi suddenly smiled. "Admit it, Dakota."
"Admit what?"
"You miss him too?"
Dakota grinned but didn't have to answer; the pastries
had arrived. They talked for another hour, eating slowly
and enjoying endless cups of rich coffee. It was like a
dream come true for both of them as they covered various
subjects and beliefs, some held very dear and others still
under inspection. They talked about their moments of salvation
again, both reflecting on the way God had been
working behind the scenes and how obvious that was now.
Dakota told Darvi nearly every word of the letter he had
473
written to his mother and appreciated her encouragement
After hearing about Dakota's letter, Darvi thought she
might write to her own mother and wondered if that might
not be easier for her to take.
254 lori wick
"Dakota/' Darvi asked as they finally rose from the
table to go, "would you mind giving me the Scriptures you
wrote to your mother, the exact ones?"
"Not at all. Do you want them tonight, or can I bring
mem tomorrow?"
'Tomorrow is fine. I think I need to put some distance
between us, so I won't write until I get to Texas."
Her words had the strangest effect on his heart. He
didn't say anything, but knowing she was returning to
Texas with him and that she was so matter-of-fact about it
filled him with hope and happiness. Though she was
deeply affected by this fallout with her mother, he still
wanted her with him. He wanted her close, not just to protect
and keep an eye on her, but to be with her, to hear her
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voice, listen to her laugh, watch her smile, and talk with
him about a thousand different subjects. He was afraid to
let his heart move too fast, but at times it was so hard.
Such a moment came upon him when he dropped her
off. He wanted to spend more time with her. He wanted to
hold and kiss her but knew that such actions at this time
would be a mistake. Instead he held her hand for a moment
and lightly kissed the back of it, much like he had done at
his parents' house that first afternoon. He looked up to see
Darvi's smile.
"Is something funny?"
"No, if s just a little hard to remember the Ranger when
I see you dressed like this and using manners one would
expect to find only in the city."
"Well, we are in the city," he teased a little. "I thought it appropriate."
"Is that the only reason you did it?"
Dakota's white teeth gleamed as he smiled, but no
answer came to her question.
"I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be here around one o'clock,
475
and we'll take the 1:45 train."
"All right. Thank you for a wonderful evening."
A Texas Sky 255
"Thank you" was all Dakota said, and he moved on his
way.
Darvi's father was in the living room, but she was glad
he was busy with a newspaper. She wanted to be alone and
to cherish the memories of the evening.
SrSr^r
They were silent for the first time in hours. The conversation
that had started at dinner in St Louis the night before
only continued as the train moved south and west. Dakota
had been good at his word: He had brought the list of Scriptures
he'd put in his mother's letter for Darvi. Darvi's
mouth was dry, and she was tired of talking, but her brain
was still moving faster than the train. Dakota had put his
head back and fallen asleep, but Darvi took her Bible from
476
the satchel at her feet and turned to the first verse.
The list started with Romans 3:23: All have sinned, and
come short of the glory of Cod. Next was Romans 6:23: The
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Dakota had also written some notes.
One was about the jailer in Acts who had asked Paul and
Silas how he could be saved. Darvi found their answer in
Acts 16:31: They said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shall be saved, and thy house.
The book of Ephesians came next with 2:8,9: By grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God, not of works, kst any man should boast. Romans 10:9,10
went on to add: If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession i$
made unto salvation.
Second Corinthians 6:2 left no doubt as to the urgency
of the decision: I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the
day of salvation have I helped thee: behold, now is the accepted
477
time; behold, now is the day of salvation. The last verse Darvi
&n
bsp; looked up was from John 20:31: These are written, that ye
256 lori wick
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing ye might have life through his name.
Thank You, Lord, Darvi's heart now prayed. Thank You for
saving me and showing me all of this. Help me to write to my
own family. I want them to have this hope. I want them to know
and believe.
Darvi felt tired now. She hadn't slept all that well in the
night and had woken early, hoping her mother would offer
an olive branch before she left. No such offer was made.
Darvi had said goodbye to her father and mother, but only
her father had replied. Her father had started to scold his
wife even before Darvi was out of earshot, but that hadn't
made her feel any better.
Quite suddenly Darvi wasn't certain if the letter was a
good idea. She had already said enough. What she needed
right now was for her mother to speak to her. Anything she
478
said short of that time would surely fall on deaf ears.
Thinking she would have to discuss it with Dakota, and
hoping that he hadn't written all of those references out for
no reason, Darvi drifted off to sleep.
^"Sr-S"
Never had Texas looked so good. Dakota had sent word
from Dallas that they were on their way, but not until he saw
Cash on the platform was he certain the telegram had arrived.
The brothers embraced just before Cash hugged Darvi.
"Welcome back," he told her with a huge smile.
Darvi would have replied, but Dakota stepped over and
hugged her too.
"What was that for?" Darvi asked, even as she wished
he would do it again.
Dakota looked innocent. "I was adding my own welcome
to Texas."
"But you came with me," Darvi pointed out, eyes just
short of laughter.
479
ATexasSky 257
Still managing to look innocent, Dakota asked, "So does
that mean it doesn't count?"
"Come on you two," Cash cut in, his voice dry. "Dakota
needs to visit a certain horse."
"How is he?"
"Completely depressed. He must think you're dead."
As they moved to the wagon that would take them to
the ranch house, Dakota could only laugh at the description;
he knew it had to be all too true.
^-S"5*
"How was your trip?" Cash wanted to know as soon as
Darvi had returned from freshening up in her room.
"It was fast. Very few delays. We stayed over in Oklahoma
City one night but otherwise just slept and ate on the
train."
"Where did you stay in Oklahoma City?"
480
"The big hotel. I can't recall the name."
"The Oaks?"
"That was it," Darvi said with a smile. "You've been
there?"
"Several times. Oh!" Cash remembered. "A package
came for you."
"From whom?" Darvi asked as Cash moved to his office
and came out again.
"I don't know."
Darvi took the package from Cash's outstretched hands,
her movements somewhat cautious. Cash offered his pocktknife,
and a moment later the strawberry blonde had it
open. A letter came first and then, surprisingly enough, a
black-haired wig.
Darvi read the note, her eyes growing huge just before
Dakota came in the front door.
"You're not coming in here," he said sternly to Eli, who
had clopped right onto the porch. "Now get back before I
put you in the barn."
258 lori wick
481
With this he shut the door, but a glance out the window
told Dakota that the horse had stationed himself in the
yard, where he could see inside. The Ranger only shook his
head and joined the others, surprised to see Darvi looking
rather sober.
"Whaf s going on?" Dakota asked.
"She wants me to wear this wig."
"Who wants you to wear a wig?"
"Aunt Renee. She wrote, reminding me that Jared Silk
is locked up but Seth and Eliot are still free men. She
doesn't want Seth to recognize me and get it into his head
to snatch me again."
Dakota shook his head a little. "That's not going to
happen."
Doubts assailed Darvi in a horrible rush. It was so easy
in this place, at this ranch, to forget how helpless she'd
been, but for a moment the memories came flooding back.
A shudder ran over her as she pictured Seth's calm,
implacable face. He had been completely serious about
482
keeping her until she fell for him.
Seeing her uncertainty, Dakota sat next to her, his head
turned to watch her. Cash had quietly left them alone.
Darvi did not look at Dakota, so Dakota sat a moment,
giving her time to think.
"I tell myself you won't let anything happen, but in
truth, Dakota, you can't be with me every moment"
"That's true."
Darvi finally looked at him.
"But you're still sure he's not going to get me, aren't
you?"
"Yes, very sure."
She looked so troubled and confused that he took her
hand.
"Listen to me, Darvi. I'm not trying to play God here,
but I'm very good at what I do. I assume your plan is to
stay with your aunt, and I'm hoping that will work out, but
if we need to take rooms in the same hotel in order for me
A Texas Sky 259
483
to be dose by, thaf s what well do. Seth Redding is not
going to take you against your will again."
Tears filled her eyes before she whispered, "I didn't like
it, Dakota."
"I know," he said softly before reaching up with his free
hand to touch her cheek. "We'll be thinking very clearly;
we'll take all the necessary precautions; and in truth, I just
don't think he's that stupid. As soon as he spots me, hell
put the situation together."
Darvi looked surprised. "He will, won't he?" she said in
soft amazement
"I certainly think so. He's not a fool, or he wouldn't be
working for Silk. In fact, they probably know now. After all,
we both disappeared at the same time."
Darvi shook her head. "Why didn't any of this occur to
me before?"
"I don't know, but there's no point in worrying. We're
going to do everything we can to keep a lid on this. I'm not
expecting any trouble." Dakota reached for the wig, his
mouth just beginning to smile. "Your aunt is quite a character."
484
He fingered the hair for a moment and then looked
at her again. "You might look good with black hair, but I
prefer what you have."
Darvi smiled but didn't reply. She wanted to say something
about the way he looked too--his size, his handsome
face, his gentle manner--but she thought someone might
be headed their way.
Dakota watched her, wanting to speak as well but
holding off for the same reason. Dakota didn't know when
the time would be right, bu
t it wasn't now.
"I've got dinner on," Katy called from the edge of the
room.
"Thanks, Katy," Dakota responded and stood with Darvi
"Are you all right?" he asked as soon as Katy turned away.
"Yes, thank you. I can't say that I'm looking forward to
it, but I think I'll be fine."
260 lori wick
A Texas Sky 261
485
Dakota took her arm to escort her to dinner, thinking
she was the most courageous woman he knew.
He would have laughed if he could have heard Darvi's
prayer at the moment: She was asking God to give her
strength and to help her be brave.
"It's almost completely dark now," Darvi commented,
her head tipped back a little. Dakota followed her gaze.
"I love a Texas sky," he said quietly. Having eaten
dinner, he and Darvi had taken a walk. The sky was dear
this night--huge and full of stars.
They were silent for a moment, both still looking up and
trying to take it all in.
"There's a man who runs the general store in Shotgun
where my brother lives," Dakota began. "He's huge. He
has to duck for every doorway, and if he's coming through,
no one can walk beside him. Not too long ago I read in
486
Isaiah 66 where it says that heaven is God's throne and the
earth His footstool, and I thought about what a big God He
is. I love a Texas sky. I think if s the biggest in the world, but
even at that, God has to duck His head to enter my world,
because He's so huge." Dakota looked down at Darvi, who
was staring up at him in the shadowy light. "But that is
what He did for me, Darvi. He ducked His head and
entered, so I could be saved."
"Oh, Dakota," was all she could say.
He reached out his hand and she took it, finding comfort
in his touch. Darvi was not at all looking forward to
returning to Aurora, not even to see her aunt, but Dakota's
hand and words reminded her that she was not alone.
Dakota wasn't all that thrilled himself, but he wanted closure
to the situation so Darvi would not have to look over
her shoulder in fear.
And the sky only helped. If God could create a universe
this big and perfect, He could surely handle the relatively
small court case that awaited them in Aurora.
487
%r
"You still awake?" Dakota asked Cash after bedtime mat
night, barely taking time to knock.
In truth Cash had just dropped off, but he was able to
wake swiftly.
"Whaf s up?" he asked as he threw the covers back and
swung his legs out to sit on the edge of the bed. Dakota sat