Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) (28 page)

A chill spread through Cora’s body all the way to her toes. She stretched and opened her eyes. Where was she? She rubbed her eyes while wincing at the pain in her hip. She sat up and gasped at her surroundings. Next to her on the cushions on the floor was Rex, sound asleep. She let out a sigh of relief that she still had her clothes on. The extinguished fire and lack of a blanket had caused the cold.

She reached to get her shoes quietly and planned to sneak home without waking Rex or Susie when her cell phone buzzed. She grabbed it off the coffee table and scurried into the kitchen as quietly as she could. She opened the phone and read the name of the caller. Anne. “Hello?” she whispered.

“Cora? Where are you?”

“I’m at Rex’s.” Cora pulled back the curtain and looked out the kitchen window to see if anyone was outside.

“Cora!”

“I know. I just woke up on the floor in front of the fireplace.”

“Well, breakfast is in forty-five minutes.”

“It’s 7:15 a.m.?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, okay. Oh my gosh! Rex missed feeding. I can’t believe this.” She ran her fingers through her hair frantically.

“Did you guys—”

“No! We fell asleep in front of the fire. I’ll be right there.” Cora closed her phone and tiptoed out of the kitchen, reaching for her coat on the back of the couch.

Rex rolled over and sat up with a jolt. He looked around, as confused as Cora had been a few minutes before. Cora let out a quiet giggle. He turned and saw her standing by the door and jumped up, wiping sleep from his eyes. “What happened?”

“My guess is we fell asleep making out last night.”

“Boy, I must be a real good kisser.” He straightened his shirt.

“You? The same goes for me. I bored you to sleep.”

“It’s probably a good thing we fell asleep, huh?” He shoved his hands in his front pockets.

Cora put her hair behind her ears. “Yeah, I suppose so. Anyway, Anne called. It’s 7:15 a.m. I was trying to sneak home.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” His fingers pulled knots out of his tousled hair.

“I don’t know. You were cute sleeping.”

“Well, now I’m behind for the day.” He crossed his arms across his chest.

“Sorry.” Cora focused on the floor.

“No, it’s okay. I didn’t mean to sound like I was blamin’ you. I’m a grouch in the morning.”

“That’s okay. I have a feeling Matt or someone else has already spotted my car out here.”

“No, I doubt it. No one is ever out here by my house in the winter.”

“Are you sure?” She wiggled her brows.

“Yeah.”

“That’s a relief.” She threw her hand to her chest.

“But someone will see you drivin’ home.” He snorted.

“Great. Caught red-handed, and I’m not even guilty.”

“Ain’t that the way it always is?”

“I guess.”

“Well, you go on home and change. I’ll get Susie up and dressed. I’ll see you at the house at 8:00 a.m.”

Cora turned to open the front door, but Rex bolted across the room and grabbed her in a bear hug before she could. “I love you, Cora.”

“I love you too.”

“I had fun spendin’ the night with you.” He let out a deep chuckle, laced with a slight rumble of nervousness.

“Me too. But this sleepover can’t happen again. Okay?”

“I know. I don’t want to do anything to damage your reputation.”

“I’m worried about more than my reputation.”

Cora pulled her Camaro up to the pool house, quickly turned off the engine, and jumped out. She ran into the pool house and out of sight at the speed of a spring bunny running from a coyote. When she opened the door, Anne greeted her with a cup of hot coffee, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

Cora accepted the mug. Anne burst into laughter. “I promise nothing happened, and I’ve never spent the night with him before.”

“I believe you. What did you do over there?”

“It was the most romantic night I’ve ever had in my life.”

Chapter 21

Christmas Day

“Merry Christmas, Cora.”

“Merry Christmas, Pearl.” Cora came through the kitchen door with gifts in hand. She leaned in to receive a hug from Pearl. Ms. Lottie hummed a Christmas carol and blew a kiss in her direction.

“Let me help ya with those.”

“Thank you, Jimmy.”

Jimmy took some of the packages from Cora and followed her into the hall and to the living room.

“How are you today, Jimmy? And why aren’t you with your family?”

“I’m doin’ great. I’m stayin’ here for lunch, and then I’m goin’ in to Columbus for dinner with my family.”

“That sounds like fun.” They placed the gifts around the tree, and then Jimmy headed back to the kitchen. Cora removed her coat and hung it on the hall tree by the front door. She checked her hair to make sure it still looked okay. She turned to go to the kitchen as Rex came down the staircase. Her breath caught in her throat. “Hey. Whatcha doin’?”

“We spent the night here last night because Susie was convinced our chimney was too small for Santa.” Cora laughed while Rex crossed his eyes. “She’s upstairs playin’ with her tea set and her new doll.”

“Did she like her?”

“Like her? She loves her.”

“Good. One day you’ll have to tell her how many stores we had to stop in to find her,” Cora whispered.

“One day maybe you can tell her yourself.” He winked and leaned in for a quick kiss.

She cut her eyes at him. “If you say so.” What did he mean by that? One day?

“Before we go back into the kitchen with everyone, come sit with me in the living room for a few minutes.”

“Okay.” Cora’s heart pounded in her chest.

Rex took Cora’s hand in his, lacing their fingers. His hand warmed Cora’s hand like a piece of fresh bread from the oven. In the den, he drew her to sit beside him on the couch. The fire blazed and heated the room to a toasty mid-seventies. Cora’s heart warmed as she sat with Rex, holding his hand and watching the fire. Several days without seeing each other had left Cora lonely for him. Time away from Clark couldn’t compare to time without Rex.

“I’ve missed you the last few days.”

“Me too. Did you get everything done you needed to so your guys could take the holidays off?”

“Yep. We had to really bust it for long hours, but now we can kick back.”

“Good.”

“So how’s the new car doin’?”

“Great! It’s got so many features I didn’t know about. I love that it’s a seven passenger. I can take the kids in my Sunday school class places without having to have other drivers. Plus, the seat in the back lies down and I can haul things. It’s great.” She wiggled her leg in excitement.

“Is your class the high school girls?”

“It sure is. I’m really looking forward to working with them. Maybe I can help them not to make the same mistakes I made.”

“I was thinkin’ about askin’ the pastor if they need help with the guys that age. It’d be fun to take the kids and do activities together.”

“Oh, Rex, that’d be awesome.” She smiled at the man who had changed so much. Although winter visited them, summer showered into Rex’s life.

“I should’ve been more of a big brother to Clarice and Matt. I’d like to have a good and lastin’ effect on some kids.”

“You already do. Look at Susie.”

“I mean teenaged kids. I want to help them solidify their faith before they leave home. So many of these kids grow up in church and are forced to believe what their parents believe. I want to help them embrace God as their own God.”

A tear slid down Cora’s face, and her lips quivered.

Before lunch, Rex and Cora walked through the new wing. The tiled kitchen boasted commercial-sized stainless steel appliances and a sink deep enough to pile dishes two feet high. The dining hall invited even the weariest of guests to stay awhile and enjoy the hospitality Ms. Lottie provided.

“I’m glad we chose the bright red for the back wall. Aren’t you?”

“Oh yes, I think it really accents the blue curtains, Rex. What does Matt think about it?”

“Why don’t you ask Matt?” Matt called out from the doorway.

“Hey, Matt.” Cora turned to see the younger O’Reilly.

“Hey, brother. Good to have you home. Did you enjoy your trip away from the ranch for a few days?”

Matt let out a deep sigh. “Like you can’t even imagine. Getting this dude ranch up and running has about beat me to death. I needed that break.”

“Where did you go? I’ve been so busy and so has Rex. I haven’t been here at the house for a few days. I didn’t even realize you were gone.”

“I went to the beach. I’ve never been. It was unbelievable.” He took off his hat and boasted his warm glow.

Cora noticed the tight jeans and casual shirt he wore. His chin was covered in stubble, and his hair had no gel in it. “The beach?” She ran her finger across one of the new tables in the dining hall. The wood felt smooth against her skin.

“Yep.” Matt grinned as if he was hiding something.

“Where?” She lifted her brow.

“Panama City.”

“You went to P.C.? What?” She eyed Rex, and he shrugged.

“Yep.”

Cora’s brain filled with confusion. As she processed the reality of what was going on, a familiar voice called out.

“Tah-dah!” Out jumped Anne from behind Matt.

“Anne! What are you doing here?” Cora ran over to her.

“It seems I take after my big brother when it comes to going after what I want. I couldn’t have Christmas without Anne.”

Cora let out a squeal. “I wondered why you hadn’t emailed or called.”

“Sorry.” She giggled. “He really surprised me. We spent a few days together, and he asked me to come stay for the holidays.” Anne’s blue eyes sparkled. “Hey, the place looks great, by the way. Who’s your decorator?”

“You goof! I can’t believe you’re here.” Cora grabbed Anne and squeezed her, squealing. She grinned over Anne’s shoulder at Matt. “Thank you, Matt.”

“This year has been such an eventful one. I can’t believe I’ve ended up where I am.” Cora and Anne sat on the couch in the sitting room by the fire. “I find it hard to fathom that I’m as happy as I am.”

“I know. I’m starting to feel a bit the same way.” Anne patted Cora’s hand.

“God is so good. I still can’t believe Matt came after you.”

“I know.”

Cora stared at the fire, its warmth surrounding her. She smiled and sighed. Not only was she with the man she loved, and his entire family, but also her best friend sat beside her, and Mom and Dad were joining them at the ranch for the holidays. “I can’t wait until this evening.”

“Why?”

“After dinner, we’ll gather around the Christmas tree and open our gifts. I bought special gifts for everyone since I had the money to.” Cora clapped her hands and then frowned. “But I sent yours in the mail.”

Anne waved her hand. “That’s okay. I’ll get it when I go back.”

“And the gifts aren’t the most important things anyway. I’m so excited everyone is healthy and happy.”

“Except for Clarice.”

“Well, she’s in heaven, so I think she’s pretty happy too.”

“Oh, yeah. You’re right.”

“Cora! Come in here!” Rex called from the den.

“What?” Cora yelled, coming from the kitchen with Susie close behind.

“There’s a motor home outside. Is it your parents?” Rex pointed out the window at the front yard.

“Let me see.” Cora peered out through the fogged up window. “It is, it is! They’re finally here!” Cora closed the curtain and ran out into the foyer.

“Wait till they knock, Cora. Don’t go out without your coat.” Pearl grabbed Cora’s coat off the hall tree.

Cora turned and grinned at her and opened the front door anyway. Mom and Dad walked up the steps to the front porch. “Mom, Dad! You’re here.”

“We made it. I thought we’d never get here.” Mom entered the O’Reilly home.

“This place is beautiful. I had no idea it would be this massive.” Dad followed behind Mom, looking all throughout the foyer.

“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Pearl and R.L. O’Reilly. And Rex, you remember.” Cora nervously twiddled her thumbs.

“Yes, how could we forget this handsome face?” Mom pinched his cheek.

“It’s our pleasure to meet you both.” Dad reached to shake R.L.’s hand.

“Meet Ms. Lottie, Susie, and Matt. And Anne’s here. Can you believe it?”

They went into the den to sit by the fire and talk. Jimmy served coffee, which was a welcome sight to the Sinclairs. Cora smiled at the exchange of pleasantries between her two families.

Susie twirled around singing and playing with her new doll. Mom beamed when Susie crawled into her lap and started singing Christmas songs to her. Rex watched Mom with Susie, and when he glanced Cora’s way, they smiled at each other.

Cora gasped at the table in the dining room at dinnertime, covered in a shimmering red tablecloth and sparkling candles lit as a centerpiece. She ran her fingers across the tablecloth and smiled. The holly and berry Christmas china, trimmed in gold and sitting atop gold chargers, was of the finest from England, as was the silverware and the crystal glassware. Cora sighed. The O’Reilly dinner would impress Mom and Dad. She could tell by their expressions that they already were amazed.

The meal Jimmy and Ms. Lottie prepared melted in Cora’s mouth. Even though honey ham graced the menu, one of Rex’s turkeys was the star. The sauces and gravies, side dishes, and desserts disappeared quickly.

After dinner, they all retired to the den to open the Christmas presents.

“Susie, you go first,” R.L. said.

“Okay, Papa.” She ran to the tree and searched for a package with her name on the tag.

Cora took pictures of everyone as they opened their gifts. Mom and Dad had brought gifts for the O’Reillys, as well as for Matt, Rex, and Susie too. R.L. and Pearl gave Clarice’s gifts to Cora and Anne. Cora’s heart threatened to burst from her chest with happiness. In all of her years of life, she couldn’t remember a happier Christmas.

“Now that everyone is through opening gifts, I do have one last gift that needs to be given.” Rex got out of his chair near the fireplace.

“Who is it for, Son?” R.L. asked.

“It’s for Cora.” Rex moved to where Cora stood by the doorway, behind the chair Dad sat in. He took her hand in his.

“You already gave me my gifts, Rex. Nothing more is necessary. Actually, you overdid it.” Rex’s hand was sweaty.

“No, I still have one more. Come on over here with me, please, ma’am.” Rex tugged Cora toward the fireplace.

“You’re arousing my curiosity. What is it?” Cora looked from Rex to everyone else in the room. “Do any of you know what it is?”

Cora eyed Anne to see if she knew. Anne shrugged. Everyone else sat still in their seats and smiled. No one admitted to knowing anything.

Rex drew Cora down on the hearth in front of the fire and then sat next to her. “I had a few things to say to you, and I didn’t want to write them down. I wanted them to come straight from my heart and to be heard by everyone here tonight.”

“So you didn’t buy me anything else? Good. You didn’t need to spend any more money on me.” Cora shook her leg involuntarily because everyone stared at her.

“This is my gift. I want you to know I love you. I know you already do know that, but I had to say it so everyone else would know. You mean everything to me. Since I’ve known you, there’s been a joy in my heart I never knew before.” Rex shuffled his feet against the brick flooring in front of the fireplace. The fire popped and crackled.

“Thank you. I knew that already because you make me feel so special.”

“I also want you to know you’ve changed my whole family. I think everyone will agree.” Rex glanced around, and each family member nodded. “Our lives wouldn’t be the same without you. Susie has grown to love you so much. You’ve helped us all through a terrible tragedy.” Susie sat on the floor by Rex, looking up at them and smiling.

“I haven’t done all that you say, Rex,” Cora murmured. “I’ve just been myself. Your family has been the one to help me through rough times. If I hadn’t had Susie to look after I’d have been lost. And you, well, you’re everything to me.” Cora felt her face heat up but didn’t mind the full room. “And we have Ms. Lottie to thank. She’s the one who led me here.”

“That’s right, I did. And a good thing I did. You’ve been such an angel to everyone.”

Rex took Cora’s hands in his, slid off the hearth, and went down on one knee. Cora’s eyes flew wide open. She fidgeted in her seat. He was going to propose.

A log rolled in the fireplace and a spark shot out. Rex smothered it with his boot. “Cora, I want you to always be a part of my life, and the life of my daughter. I want you to remain here with us at the ranch and to be a part of the B&B. That’s why I saved this gift for last.” Rex released Cora’s hands and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a tiny black velvet box.

When he opened it, all of the blood rushed from her head, and she steadied herself. There, before her eyes, was a diamond solitaire ring, heart-shaped and set in gold.

“Cora, I’d be honored if you’d wear this ring and become my wife.” Rex took the ring out of the box and offered it to her. His hands trembled.

Cora’s eyes filled with tears. She looked around the room to see everyone else. She let out a laugh at the tears. “Oh, Rex, I’ve hoped for this for so long. You haven’t even mentioned to me that you wanted us to be married since we were in Florida. I’d almost given up hope,” Cora sobbed.

“Well? What’s your answer? I don’t have much, but I give you what I have.”

“Yeah, answer the poor goof. His legs are going numb.” Matt winced when Anne playfully smacked him on the arm while she wiped tears from her face.

“Shhh!” R.L. interrupted.

Cora wiped her running nose. “I’d be honored to be your wife. You’ve shown me you’re a wonderful father and a believer in God, and I could ask for no more. You’ve been so wonderful to me. I love you, and I can’t wait to be your wife.”

Rex took Cora’s left hand in his and slid the engagement ring onto her finger. She grabbed him and hugged him, knocking him to the floor, and crashing down on top of him. Everyone applauded the happy couple. R.L. excused himself for a brief moment. Rex sat up laughing and pulled Cora up as she straightened her hair. When R.L. returned, he carried a silver tray with a champagne bottle and crystal stemware on it.

“It’s sparkling cider so Susie can have some too. I felt like this called for a toast. I only wish Clarice could be here.” R.L. opened the bottle and poured the bubbly, fruity drink. Everyone agreed.

“So you knew?”

R.L. chuckled and winked at her. Everyone took a glass from the tray. Cora and Rex stood with their arms wrapped around each other, and Susie stood in front of them. After R.L. made the toast, Susie looked up at Cora.

“Cora, are you going to be my mommy now?”

Cora knelt down and gave the child a hug. “Well, I’ll be your daddy’s wife. I’ll be moving in with you and your daddy as soon as we’re married. My official title will be your stepmother.”

“Can I call you Mommy?” She blinked at Cora.

Cora gazed up at Rex and then back at Susie. “Is that what you want to call me?” Cora and Anne’s quick glance shared a million unspoken words.

“Yes. I have forever.”

“Well, precious, if you want to call Cora Mommy then you can. She’s loved you since she met you. She’ll be doin’ the things your mother used to do but no longer can do because she is in heaven.” Rex knelt beside Cora.

“Goodie. I can’t wait till you’re my mommy.” Susie squeezed Cora.

Cora walked to Mom and Dad. “What do you think? Are you as surprised as I am?”

“Not really. We knew when you left us with this man that you’d marry him. And we also knew that as much as you loved his daughter, she’d love you too,” Mom said.

“Anne, did you know?”

“No, but I expected it.” She hugged Cora.

“We also have some news, if anyone would like to hear it,” Dad announced.

“What is it, Daddy?” Cora inquired.

“Walt, maybe you shouldn’t tell everyone now. It might ruin everyone’s evening.” Mom placed her hand on Dad’s shoulder.

“Nonsense, you tell us, Mr. Sinclair,” Rex said.

“I’m Walt to you, Son.”

“Yes, sir, Walt. Please, tell us your news.”

“We’ve decided to retire here in Southern Hope, or at least in Lewistown, to be close to our only daughter. Now that it seems as though she’ll be staying for an extended length of time, I believe we have made a wise decision.”

“Daddy! Are you serious? Oh, I can’t believe it! Mom! Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I didn’t think I could be any happier than I already was, but I am. You guys are wonderful.” Cora jumped up and hugged Mom and Dad.

“We wanted it to be a surprise. We sold the house too,” Mom added.

“You did?”

“Yes, but we kept the beach house. We want everyone to use it for vacationing.”

“This is terrific news, Walt,” R.L. said. “We’ve never been to the beach.”

Susie climbed into her Uncle Matt’s lap and held his thumbs in her hands. Matt kissed the top of her head. Cora and Anne exchanged another knowing look at the preciousness of Matt with the child.

“You let us know if you need any help finding a place to live. You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need to,” Pearl offered.

“Thank you so much. You have been so generous,” Mom said.

“I don’t mean to change the subject or anything,” Anne said. “But when is this wedding going to be? How long will we have to wait?”

“I had an idea of when I wanted to marry Cora, but I thought we should talk about it privately before we definitely set a date. I want to get her full approval first.”

“What’s the delay?” Matt asked. “Don’t you want to get the ball rolling?”

“Matthew O’Reilly!” Pearl scolded and then winked at him.

“Well, there’s a certain musician I’d like to sing at our wedding, and he isn’t available until spring.”

“Spring is fine with me, Rex. I’d marry you tomorrow, but waiting a few more months will give Mom and Dad time to get settled, and we can plan some type of ceremony,” Cora agreed.

“Whatever makes you two happy is fine with all of us,” Pearl said, and Mom affirmed.

“And maybe Anne can come and stay for a while.”

“I’ll second that, Cora,” Matt said.

“That won’t be a problem. I’m already not wanting to go back home as it is.” Anne smiled at Matt.

Cora looked around the room at her family. She already considered Rex’s family her own, loving each one of the O’Reillys and Mom and Dad more than ever before. She longed to set a date for the wedding and begin their future together. She’d be patient, though. Happiness was worth the wait.