City Girl (37 page)

“What?”

“I'll be asking very soon, and I'll expect a yes answer.”

Reagan stepped back, her hands going to her hips in that familiar way.

“You mean you're not going to ask this minute?”

Cash could only snatch her into his arms and hold on tight, his laughter coming in great waves that echoed over the pond. But they couldn't keep this event to themselves. In just a few moments, like children let outside to play, they ran for the house to see Katy.

“How did you know?” Katy asked after Cash shared their conversation. The three sat in the living room. “What changed for you, Reagan?” the older woman asked. “Why aren't you afraid any longer?”

“It's been coming for a long time, Katy,” Reagan answered, her eyes on Cash. “I watched Cash deal with you and everyone in and around this ranch. Even people he didn't know very well were treated with such care and kindness, and then he said he loved me and wanted me to be his wife. If folks just passing through could be treated with kindness, what would he be like to a wife he loved? I realized I was a fool not to have seen it sooner.”

Cash looked into her eyes, and for a moment the young couple forgot anyone else was in the room.

Katy sighed as if she herself had just fallen in love, and Reagan looked at her.

“Will you stand up with me, Katy?”

“Me?” her voice squeaked, giving Reagan the giggles.

“Yes. I want a big wedding. I'm planning on asking Holly and Sally too.”

“You're going to have me bawling,” she said.

“Do you want to know what else?” Reagan said, her eyes alight with mischief.

“What?”

“He hasn't even asked me yet.”

Katy looked at her employer in shock and then came to her feet.

“Well, I'm getting out of here. You, Cash Rawlings, have work to do.”

The couple had a good laugh as Katy took herself from the room. Reagan was about to say something to Cash, but he was coming to his feet as well. She watched as he slipped into his office and returned with a box in his hands.

“What's this?”

“A little gift for you.”

Reagan loved gifts and swiftly opened it. Her mouth opening in surprise, she took out a small silver-colored bell.

“For my bike?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Where did you find it?”

“Lavinia had it.”

Reagan gave the bell a little ring and then looked at him.

“What would I do without you, Cash?”

“Marry me and you won't have to find out.”

Reagan smiled, her eyes thoughtful.

“Reagan Rawlings. It sounds kind of funny, doesn't it?”

“Not to me.”

“Oh, Cash, just name the day.”

“I'll take that as a yes,” he said, just before pulling her close and sealing her agreement with a kiss.

“It's a boy!” Virginia said as she burst in the front door of the ranch house and found the spacious living room empty. “Is anyone here?”

Katy came from the kitchen, not moving as spryly as she once did, but on her own two feet.

“What's that?”

“Libby had a boy! We were only going to stay a short time, but then she was so close, so we just waited. I held him, Katy,” she said, her voice taking on a note of wonder. “I held my own little grandson, Reese Rawlings.”

“A boy.” Katy shook her head in surprise. She had been praying for Liberty just that morning. “How is Libby? How is Slater?”

“Everyone's doing great. Where's Cash?”

“In the barn, last I knew.”

Virginia took off in the direction of the kitchen to use the back door, and only then did Katy look up to see that Charles had come in the front door behind his wife. He was standing just inside, a smile on his face.

“A boy,” Katy said. “Now isn't that good news?”

“Yes, it is,” Charles agreed, albeit a good deal calmer than his wife. He came forward, his eyes on the housekeeper.

“Sit down, Katy,” he invited. “I want to talk to you.”

Katy sat in complete comfort. They'd known each other too many years for anything else.

“You've changed, Katy.”

“I have,” Katy admitted without hesitation. She had been asking God for open doors with people and boldness when they came. “Do you want to hear about it?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I believe the way Gretchen, Cash, Slater, and Dak do. I know I'm a sinner, but I'm saved from punishment.”

Charles nodded, his face serene. He bent forward, his voice low as he admitted, “I am too, Katy.”

Katy's mouth opened.

“But you've not said anything. Cash can't know. He'd have told me.”

“No one knows.”

“Why, Mr. Rawlings?”

“Virginia. She still doesn't know what to do with it all.” He paused, his face so troubled. “Do you know all the places I've dragged her, Katy? She's been everywhere with me because I told her when we got married that I wasn't going to do things on my own. She agreed with me, and that's the way it's always been. But now I've done this without her, and I don't know how to tell her.”

Katy's heart broke over this news. “When did it happen?”

“When I was ill. I honestly thought that was the end for me. I knew I was lost if it was, so I took care of things, and just like Dakota, God gave me another chance.”

“He's good that way,” Katy said. “I know all about second chances, Mr. Rawlings. I'll pray for you,” she said suddenly. “I have been, but now I'll pray that you'll find a way to tell Mrs. Rawlings. Maybe just hearing from you will turn her heart.”

“Thank you, Katy. I don't know if I've ever told you what you mean to us, and I don't think I could find the words now, but I do thank you.”

Katy smiled at him, and Charles wanted to shake his head in amazement. The old Katy would have hushed him and left the room. The peace and serenity that surrounded this Katy was unmistakable. He had seen it even before they had left but had not had a chance to speak with her.

“Charles!” Virginia could be heard coming back through the house now.

“In the living room.”

Mrs. Rawlings came rushing through, pulling Cash, who was laughing at her excitement, with her.

“Tell him, Cash!” she demanded, looking ready to burst all over again.

Cash smiled at his father.

“I've asked Reagan to marry me, and she's accepted.”

Charles went to his son. The men embraced, and the older Rawlings found himself quite choked up. He knew he had to tell Virginia soon, so he could share his news with his son, this precious first child who loved the ranch as he did.

But the time didn't come. Anxious as she was to return home, Virginia wanted to spend only one night at the ranch, and then head to Dakota's before going back to St. Louis.

Cash, however, did find a letter on his desk after his parents left. He read it and then laid his head down on the desktop and cried with a mixture of joy and heartbreak. That God would save his father was the most amazing thing Cash had ever known. In years past, whenever he had pictured one of his parents coming to Christ, it was his mother, and here his father had been the first to believe.

A note on the bottom of the letter said that Katy knew also but to be careful of his mother's feelings in any future dealings with her. Cash went to Katy, glad she was close by, to see if she knew about the note.

“I didn't think he'd had a chance to talk with you, so I'm glad he wrote it,” she said. “They were gone so fast.”

“I just wish my mother knew.”

Katy looked at him, her chin thrust forward a bit.

“You're not doubting, are you, Cash?”

“What exactly?”

“I know your father hasn't told your mother yet, but you don't doubt that she'll believe, do you?”

“I do at times, Katy. I want it very badly, but God does give us a choice.”

“That He does,” she said with conviction, “and I have to trust Him no matter what, but I think your mother will come around. I'm praying for that very thing.”

“I am too, Katy. It's good to know I'm not alone.”

Katy smiled even after he left the room. Neither one of them was alone. They would never be alone again.

Epilogue

Christmas 1883

D
AKOTA AND
D
ARVI HAD BEEN IN
their new house at the ranch for almost a month, but they would still have Christmas in the main house. And the whole family would be gathered. Slater, Liberty, and Reese were already at the ranch, as was Grandma Rawlings. Charles and Virginia were due that day.

Married just four months, Reagan Rawlings had decorated to her heart's content, and her husband had even bought her a dark green dress that she was saving for Christmas day. She had been somewhat nervous about hosting this special day for the whole clan, but as usual, Katy was a lifesaver, and Cash took it all in stride.

Over at Dakota and Darvi's, Darvi held her little nephew, dreaming of when it would be her turn. Liberty and Darvi grew closer each time they saw each other, and the men always had catching up to do.

In the kitchen of the main house, Gretchen Rawlings and Katy were talking and working away, both elated to have the family gathered under one roof. They each knew the favorite dishes of the family and worked on what they termed their “secret” recipes.

Coming in on the train—due to arrive in just 45 minutes—were Charles and Virginia Rawlings. They were laden with packages, even though they'd sent many ahead of time, and Virginia worked at not worrying.

“Are you going to make it?” Charles asked, his eyes searching her face.

“I don't know. I almost wish I had written first. They're all going to cry, and that's not what we need to do at Christmas.”

“When someone comes to Christ, especially when it's someone you love dearly, you can cry anytime.”

Virginia leaned to kiss him.

“Why did it take me so long?”

He slipped an arm around her.

“I don't care how long it took. I just love knowing I never have to leave you behind. That's all that matters to me.”

Virginia relaxed completely then, her husband's embrace telling her it was going to be all right.

In the main house at the ranch, Cash was looking for his wife.

“Reagan?” Cash called to her as he mounted the stairs toward their room. She didn't answer, but he found her sitting on the side of their bed.

“Hi,” he said as he sat down next to her, scooped her into his arms, and settled her in his lap.

“Hello,” she said, still giving him her profile.

Her voice told him she was thinking.

“What's up?”

“I was just thinking,” she admitted, finally meeting his eyes.

“About what?”

“Your Christmas gift.”

“What about it?”

“I couldn't stand for you not to like it, Cash, at least not in front of anyone else.” She turned to look at him. “I want to give you your gift now.”

“Now?”

“Now.”

Cash started to laugh.

“Reagan, I know I'll like it.”

He tried to reason with her for some minutes, but she had that stubborn tilt to her chin.

“I want to give it to you now.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

This went on for a short time before Cash realized he didn't care. Looking like a conspiratorial child, Reagan took his hand and led him quietly down the stairs. At the bottom she peeked around the corner, and when it was clear, rushed him to the room that Katy had used to recuperate.

Cash was laughing so hard that he tried to hold his breath. Reagan was taking this all the way. She darted inside, shut the door, and leaned on it, breathing theatrically.

“What are we doing?”

“Shh,” she told him. “They'll hear us.”

Cash wanted to shake his head but found himself dragged along to the closet. It creaked a little when it opened, and even Reagan started to laugh.

“Come on,” she urged him, having picked up a lantern. “Come through here.”

“It's dark.”

“Just hold onto me.”

“Gladly,” he agreed just before finding himself in pitch blackness.

“Okay, now close your eyes.”

“It's dark, Reagan,” he said indulgently.

“I know, but I'm going to light the lantern. Are they closed?”

“Yes.”

He heard the strike of the match, and from behind his lids could tell that Reagan's little room had been illumined.

“Okay,” she said, watching him carefully.

Cash opened his eyes and then blinked.

“You bought me a bike?”

“Yes. Do you like it?”

“You bought me my own bike?”

“Yes. It's taller than mine. It should fit you very well.”

He walked toward it like a child on his tenth birthday.