rearranging of furniture so she'll be able to get around in
that chair."
"All right. There was a woman in New York who lived
in a wheelchair. She wouldn't allow anyone to help her. She
moved the wheels and propelled herself anywhere she
wanted to go."
"Sounds independent."
"She was."
"That must be common to New Yorkers," Cash said with
a small smile, his eyes watchful.
410
Reagan looked at him.
"Was that a compliment or an insult?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
Cash didn't answer. He only smiled and stood, getting
ready to take his plate to the counter.
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"You're pretty confident, you know that?" Reagan said
to his retreating back.
"How's that?"
"You think you can tease me and still get a hot meal
tonight"
Cash smiled, much as he had at the table, his eyes warm
as he looked at Reagan for a moment and then went on his
way.
The housekeeper didn't move for a time. She had work
to do certainly, but for the moment she wanted to figure out
her enigmatic employer. Her eyes half-closed in thought,
she sat and looked at the place where he'd been sitting.
411
It didn't help, and after just a few minutes, she pushed
to her feet. Time was wasting, and she still didn't know
what to think of the man.
"okay, katy," cash directed after dinner that night
"You read the verses in John 14, and Reagan, you put your
finger in 1 Corinthians 10:13 so you can read that in a
minute."
Katy took a moment to find the passage and began. "'In
my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be
also/"
"Did you see all the promises in there?" Cash asked the
women. Dakota's own head was bent as he studied the
verses with them.
"But the word 'promise' isn't in there," Reagan said quietly.
"Thaf s true, but God can't He, so anything He tells us in
His Word can be taken as a promise."
412
"Thaf s the part!" Katy exclaimed. "When Pastor Ellis
said that in church, I didn't understand it. And both times
he and Mrs. Ellis have visited, I haven't known how to
word the question."
"But it's clear to you now?"
"Yes."
That settled, Cash had Reagan read her verse.
225
226 lori wick
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able
to bear it/"
"Do you understand what that means?" Cash asked and
watched Dakota nod.
413
Reagan and Katy were still studying their Bibles, so he
waited.
"I think it means that I have no excuse to sin," Reagan
said.
"That's true, Reagan, but there's more to it than that.
God always provides a way out. We never have to be slaves
to sin again, because He always gives us some way to
escape every time we're tempted."
From there, Cash took them into Psalms. For the next
hour they studied verse after verse on the promises of God.
Only when Katy began to flag did Cash bring things to a
close.
"Thank you, Cash," Katy told him as the men kissed her
and left the room. Reagan stayed to ready her for the night.
"Did you learn as much as I did?" Katy wanted to know.
Reagan smiled as she filled the water glass and put
414
everything within reach.
"I might have learned more. You keep forgetting, I
haven't heard any of this."
Katy patted the chair, and Reagan sat close to her. The
older woman took her hand and held it
"Tell me about Wednesday."
"Wednesday?"
"Yes. Isn't that the day you went shopping?"
"Yes, but I don't think there's anything to tell."
"How did you end up with three dresses?"
Reagan smiled. "Lavinia was having a one-day sale."
Reagan paused and looked deflated. "I should have
shopped for you too."
CityGirl 227
Katy grinned in delight and confessed to Reagan what
was in the note she'd sent. The younger woman looked
shocked but also very pleased.
"Go on now," Katy finally shooed her away. "You've
415
had a long day. Go sit and put your feet up."
Reagan kissed her goodnigjht and then walked out to
find the men talking in the living room. She had rarely let
herself sit on one of those beautiful sofas--she never felt
she had time--but did so now, hoping she was not
intruding.
"I'm glad you joined us," Cash said. "Put your feet up."
He smiled at her when she settled in and then turned to
his brother.
"What will Darvi be doing tonight?"
"She'll probably have dinner with some of the friends
we've made. The church family there is small, but it's very
close. The townsfolk are kind too."
"What do you do for a living now?" Reagan felt free to
ask.
"I'm filling in for a sheriff who's been hurt, so I'm still in
law enforcement."
"And what will you do when the sheriff comes back?"
"I just heard that thaf s not going to happen for a while,
but when he does return, I have two options: I could get
416
another job in law enforcement, or Darvi and I could come
back to the ranch, build our own place, and work with
Cash."
Reagan turned immediately to her employer.
"Will you be expanding if that happens?"
Cash blinked. "As a matter of fact, I will, but how did
you know that?"
"Well, you have things completely under control right
now. If you're going to add another full-time man, I assume
you'll be letting your foreman go or expanding your herd."
"And what would you be knowing about herd expansion?"
Dakota asked, his mouth open a little.
228 lori wick
"Well, sometimes I look at the books Cash has on the
office shelves, the ones that talk about ranching," she
answered, clearly embarrassed, and then looked to Cash. "I
hope thafsaU right"
"Of course it's all right. Do you have any questions?"
"Actually I do." She leaned forward a little, her eyes
417
alight with interest. "Do you brand just in the spring or
more than once a year? And why do you brand when you
have fences? I thought branding was going out of style
with fences becoming so popular."
Cash had all he could do not to gawk at her as he
answered.
"Brands are still important when we go to market. Also,
fences don
't always hold, and with more ranchers moving
into the area, I want to be certain I can claim my own herd.
We're also not immune to rustling."
"I wondered about that. How often do you come across
head that have lost some of their brand?"
"Off and on."
"Do you redo it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You sound rather interested in ranching, Reagan,"
Dakota put in.
"Oh, I am," she told him honestly. "I think it would be
wonderful to own my own ranch. Even a small place
would be exciting."
418
"And how would you work tilings?"
"Like Cash does. He does a great job. Although I would
probably put the barn and paddock further from the house
to cut down on the dust"
The men smiled.
"Our mother felt the same way, but by the time she realized
it, it was too late."
A few moments later, Reagan stifled a yawn and asked
to be excused. Out of courtesy, the men stood when she
rose and left, but sat back down to talk some more.
"How long has she lived here?" Dakota asked.
CftyGtrZ 229
"Since January."
"And she's from New York?"
"Yes."
Dakota stared at his brother. "She reminds me of Father.
He was so city bred, but he sure took to Texas."
"I hadn't thought of it, but you're rigiht Other than the
heat before she got lighter clothing, she hasn't batted an
419
eyelash over much of anything."
Cash had no more said this when he remembered the armadillo. He laughed as he explained to Dakota.
Dakota had all he could do not to mention how well
suited she seemed for his brother, but he restrained himself
and remembered once again to pray only for God's will
and not his own concerning his oldest sibling and the two
women living in his house.
%r%T %r
On their way to church, Cash was thinking about the
good time he'd had with his brothers, and how nice it
would have been if Dakota could have stayed to see the
church family. He did this in an effort to ignore how
Reagan looked in another one of her new dresses, this one
a medium blue that made her skin look like fresh cream.
He was praying for both his brothers, their wives, and
the new baby--whether he or she had arrived or not-- when he realized that Reagan was staying very close even
after they'd arrived at church and walked into the building.
420
Brenda had filled in with Katy as she had before, and Cash
and Reagan had come at a good time to visit. Reagan, however,
seemed unwilling to move from his side.
"Everything all right, Reagan?"
"Umhmm."
Cash looked down at her profile; she was worrying her
lip a bit, her eyes watchful.
"Why do I have a hard time believing that?"
v
230 lori wick
"I don't know/' she said with a complete nonchalance
that Cash wasn't buying.
"All right/' he said, his voice dropping as he stepped in front of her. "What's going on?"
"Can't I stand with you?"
"You know you can,"
"If s just until Holly comes."
"What happens then?"
"Ill have someone to stand with."
"Why must you stand with someone?"
421
With that, Reagan's mouth shut. She looked up at him
and then away, but said nothing more.
"You may stand with me all morning if you want to."
"Thank you."
There was no missing her relief, and Cash was glad he
didn't press her, but he wasn't done. Almost as soon as
they left the church, he asked her again.
"Has someone at the church seemed threatening to
you?"
Reagan's eyes grew.
"No."
"Has someone made improper advances?"
"No/'
"Has someone done anything that I need to know
about?"
"I don't think so."
"You didn't sound as sure that time."
Reagan fiddled with the fabric in her lap and fingered
the Bible she'd brought.
Cash waited in silence for her to speak.
422
"Ifs hard to explain/'
"What is?"
"Why I stayed close to you."
I'd really like you to try, Reagan."
Not for the first time she noticed that his voice was
always kind. Even when he was giving orders, he managed
to use a tone that never frightened her.
City Girl 231
"I think some of the men have heard about my decision
for Christ. And so I think some of them want to catch my
eye, like you said about the ranch hands."
"And that doesn't happen if you stay with someone?"
"Well, it might happen if I'm talking to Holly, but I know
it won't happen if I'm with you." Reagan suddenly heard
what she'd just said, and her head turned swiftly to look at
him. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I think I just admitted that I used you this morning,"
Reagan said with some exasperation, thinking he should
423
know.
"No, you didn't. If I ever feel used, 111 tell you."
"So you don't mind?"
"That you stand with me? Of course not. I can't honestly
think of a single man at church who would mean you
harm, but if you don't wish to encourage any of them,
thaf s fine."
Without warning, Reagan's head filled with one question: What if I wish to encourage you? She was horrified by
this thought and put a hand to her face just thinking about
it
"Are you all right?" Cash asked as he watched her go
quite pale.
"Yes. Well, sort of."
Cash continued to study her.
"I will be," she said at last, feeling her face flush. She
never remembered blushing in New York, but it happened
here quite often. What was the matter with her?
"I think I need more sleep," she said out loud, not really
intending to voice that thought.
"Well, you'll be glad to know that I spoke with Meg
424
Patton today, and she would be happy to come and relieve
you one day a week. When I spoke to Katy about the idea
this morning, I could tell she wanted only you but also that
she understood."
232 lori wick
"I was going to talk to you about that, Cash. I think 111
be fine to keep on as I'm doing. If s only a few more weeks,
and I know just how Katy wants things done."
Cash didn't reply.
She looked a little more worn each day, and Cash was
growing concerned about her health.
"I worked every day for Sally," Reagan reminded him.
"Not all day, you didn't. And unless I've missed something,
you were never called in at night."
Reagan chewed her lip some more, the ranch gate
coming into view.
"Let me tell you what I have in mind," Cash began
gently. "I thought if Meg came on Saturdays and gave you
the entire day off, and Brenda still took over for you on
425
Sunday morning
s, you would get a nice long rest each
week."
I've been meaning to talk to you about that, Cash,"
"About what?"
"About Brenda's filling in for me. I feel badly that she
and Brad can't go to church."
"Brenda and Brad have no interest in church, Reagan.
He's been my foreman for several years now, and we've
had many conversations on spiritual matters. He feels his
life is fine. He believes in God and even says he prays to
Him, but Brad doesn't believe he needs more than that"
Reagan nodded. She thought that might be the case but
hoped she was wrong. She enjoyed Sunday mornings off,
but not at someone else's expense.
"Would I go back to my house on Saturdays?" Reagan
asked.
"I hope not, but you could if you wanted to."
It was on Reagan's mind to ask why he wanted her to
stay when she wasn't working, but for some reason she
thought the answer might be unsettling.
426
"Well," Reagan said at last, feeling as though she needed
to be rescued. All spunk was gone from her these days.
City Girl 233
Maybe she was more tired than she realized. "You tell me
what you want me to do, and I'll do it"
"All right," Cash agreed without hesitation as he pulled
up to drop her in front of the house, "You'll work Monday
through Friday, as you have been, but come Saturday, Meg
will arrive and give you the entire day off. You'll stay here
on those days, but you won't work. Someone can take you
to town; you can go for a ride on your bicycle; you can
sleep late; lie around and read, visit with Katy, or any
number of things; but you can't clean, wash clothes, or
even cook for yourself. On Sundays Brenda will come, and
you'll go back on duty after church until the next Saturday.
And we'll do things that way until Katy is completely back
on her feet."
Had Cash not been a strong man, he'd have kissed
Reagan on the spot. Her mouth was hanging open in a way
427
he found adorable.
"Is that dear?" he finally asked when she only stared at
him.
"I think so. You may have to go over it again."
"Anytime," he said easily and climbed down to help her
out of the wagon.
She looked at him, still feeling slightly amazed, but he
only smiled.
Reagan made her way into the house, telling herself not
to try and take it all in at that moment
^"3^
"How are you doing?" Russell asked Cash at the elders'
meeting that Sunday afternoon.
Cash looked at him, knowing if he could tell anyone