Dakota Father (16 page)

P
a's one stipulation had been they go back to Center City to marry, allowing Ma to meet Jenny's future husband, so they boarded the train heading east, Miss Morgan accompanying them as she also returned home.

Paquette had miraculously recovered all her faculties and would cook for the men while Burke and Jenny were away. Paquette had shuffled up to Jenny one evening before their departure. “I leave after you back, me?”

Jenny heard the doubt and fear in the older woman's voice. She hugged the tiny woman. “I hope you won't. I want you to stay. I need you to teach me everything I need to know about living on the prairie. Besides, don't you think we work well as a team?”

Paquette beamed with joy. “We good, us. I stay.”

Pa had wired Ma warning her of their arrival,
suggesting she prepare for a wedding as quickly as possible.

Ma met them at the station. Jenny flew into her arms. “Ma, it's good to see you.”

Ma hugged her hard. “Am I to lose you to a wild man from the west?”

“'Fraid so, Ma. But I think you'll like him.” She signaled Burke forward. “Ma, here he is. The man from the west.”

Burke took Ma's hand in both his. “Mrs. Archibald, I want to thank you for raising such a beautiful, sweet woman.”

Ma beamed and darted a look at Jenny that said she approved.

 

A week later she stood at Burke's side in the manse and faced the preacher. Her sister, Mary, and her husband stood up with them. The week had been packed with visiting family and showing Burke the store. Jenny smiled as she recalled their first visit. Ted stood behind the counter, his head high, his nose tilted slightly upward. Jenny hated to face him. She'd never spoken a word of promise to him, but she knew Pa had discussed the future and Ted had reason to think she might be at his side.

Burke, sensing her hesitation, strode forward. “You're the efficient young man I've heard so much about.”

Ted's nose lowered and he smiled. He liked to be recognized as efficient and forward thinking. After that, the meeting went easily and Ted hid any disappointment at her upcoming marriage. Jenny hoped he'd find someone who touched his heart as much as Burke did hers.

She smiled up at Burke, knowing her heart filled her eyes and revealed the depths of her love. She still found it difficult to contain. She could hardly wait to get back to the ranch where she could run into the prairie and shout her joy without causing people to turn and stare.

Burke met her smile with dark, calm steadiness. Her eyes watered at the look he gave her, full of promise and tenderness.

Then the preacher spoke words that bound them together until death. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Burke did so, his hunger and love matched by her own.

“From this day forth,” he murmured against her ear as they ended the kiss, aware of their audience.

Her eyes overflowed with joy. “Our great adventure is about to begin.”

He laughed. “I thought it already had. You've led me on a merry chase already.”

“No more than you've led me.” She hugged his arm and pressed close to him. She would never stop
being grateful for his quiet acceptance of what she'd always thought was the worst moment of her life. It no longer controlled her thoughts and actions. She felt free and fulfilled. A feeling that would no doubt multiply over and over as she shared her life with Burke.

Ma had insisted on preparing tea for them. Only family and a few friends attended as Burke was insistent they leave on the next train.

Sadness mingled with her joy as she kissed her family good-bye. Burke held Meggie in his arms and waited, patient and understanding of her tears.

Pa took them to the station. Here was her last and hardest good-bye. He held her tight. “Be happy, Pepper.”

He shook Burke's hand. “I expect she'll make your life interesting.”

Burke chuckled. “I'm counting on it.”

Pa reached under the seat, pulled out a long package and handed it to Jenny. “A good-bye gift. Open it on the train.”

Jenny's throat grew so tight she could hardly speak. “Thank you for everything, Pa.”

“All aboard!”

They hurried into the car and found seats where they could see Pa and wave to him until he was out of sight.

Burke caught her hand.

“You'll be back often for visits. I promise.”

She faced her husband. “Thank you, but I expect I'll hate to be away from the ranch very much. I might miss out on something.” Meggie, exhausted, fell asleep in Burke's arms.

“Aren't you going to open the parcel?” Burke nodded toward the package Pa had given her.

She undid the string and folded back the paper. At first she didn't know what it was—red silk and sticks. Then she laughed. “It's a kite.” A note lay on top and she opened it. “Go and fly like you were meant to.”

“I once told Pa the prairie wind made me want to be a kite and fly free.” Her voice thickened with emotion.

His eyes grew troubled. “I hope you won't find marriage clips your wings.”

She laughed. “Sharing my life with you will be the biggest adventure ever. I feel like I am flying every time you kiss me.”

“Me, too. And it's a wonderful sensation.” He pulled her close and kissed her briefly. “I'll do it well and thoroughly when we get home.”

Home. The nicest word in the world, Jenny decided.

Burke tucked her head against his shoulder. “Did I tell you how I thank God every day for bringing you to me? You taught me He cares about every detail of my life.”

He had told her but she would never get tired of hearing it. “You have given me so much. Besides your love, the greatest gift you've given me is the assurance that I can be who I am without fear of criticism.”

He kissed her again, briefly, gently. “I wouldn't want you to be anything else.”

Dear Reader,

For years I have been fascinated with the way events from our past have such an influence on our lives. Some events are real and horrible, some are subtle (like an insult that made a negative impact) and some are even imagined, based on wrong interpretations and faulty information. In this story, Jenny's past contains an event that has shaped her life. It has colored the way she thinks, how she perceives comments—even who she plans to marry.

I think all of us have past issues that need to be addressed. Perhaps in reading Jenny and Burke's story, you, my dear reader, will find encouragement to confront something in your past and allow God to heal it.

That is my prayer for you.

I love to hear from my readers. You can contact me and check out my other books at www.lindaford.org.

Blessings,

1. Burke is sure the prairies will drive Jenny home. What was there about the prairies that could frighten a person?
   
2. What did Jenny find about the prairies that charmed her?
   
3. Are there times when you can't understand how someone could have such an opposing view from yours on some topic? Is it possible you can both be right?
   
4. Do you think Jenny's determination to obey her parents was right or wrong? Why?
   
5. What roles did Paquette and the ranch hands play in helping Jenny and Burke to find love?
   
6. Jenny suffered a frightening event in her past. How did it shape the way she viewed herself and how she made decisions?
   
7. Have you suffered events that affect you today? Have you found someone you can share these with?
   
8. There are several things that enabled Jenny to confront her past and find healing. What were they?
   
9. Can you think of other things that might have helped?
   
10. Is there a particular verse in this story that brought you comfort? Are there other verses you would have applied in this situation?
    
11. Burke, too, had experiences that shaped him. Which one do you think was the most influential?
    
12. How would you have handled his situation if it were you?
    
13. What conclusion did Burke reach about God because of his experiences?
    
14. Would you have felt the same way? Why or why not?
    
15. How did Burke learn to trust God in the events of his life?
    
16. How do you foresee the future for Burke and Jenny? Will it be happy?