how I survived without You, how I made a single decision on my
own. But You must have been leading in those situations too.
And help my parents as they read my letter. Help them to see
their need for You. Give Darvi just the words for her mother. Help
her mother to read with an open heart and accept Darvi back.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I was praying/'
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt"
522
"If s all right Somehow I think God understands."
Darvi kept washing, but she looked very content.
Dakota didn't think there was another place on earth he'd
rather be than in Texas with Darvi. '
gK"Sr^
For the third day in a row the courtroom was packed.
From their front-row seats, Renee, Darvi, and Dakota
noticed that things became very quiet when the judge
entered, and in just a matter of minutes, the charges were
read and the courtroom heard that Jared Silk was going to
jail for a very long time.
On the adjournment, Darvi and Dakota stood, Darvi
wishing that her abductors were going with Mr. Silk. She
was still thinking this when a police officer approached
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with Seth Redding, his hands cuffed behind his back. Seth
stopped and looked down at her/ his eyes as warm and
523
caring as always.
"Hello, Darvi."
"Hello, Seth."
He studied her a moment, and Darvi thought he would
move on, but he spoke again.
"Eliot and I turned state's evidence against Jared. Our
time inside will be very short."
He paused now, as though giving her time to think
about it
"Please tell me I can contact you when I get out, Darvi.
I swear, I'll never hold you captive again."
"I can't do that," Darvi whispered, her heart in terrible
pain over this whole ordeal. She shook her head and tried
to find words. She ended up saying, "For so many reasons,
Seth, it just won't work."
The temptation was very strong to say cruel things and
make her feel as badly as he was feeling, but Seth couldn't
doit.
"You're quite a lady, Darvi Wingate/' he now said, a
small smile in his eyes. "Don't ever forget that"
524
The officer led him away then, Eliot and another officer
some ten feet behind. Seeing Eliot brought Darvi's eyes to
where she'd last seen Cassy. That woman's devastated face
was staring after the departing brothers. Lindy's face was
buried in her mother's skirts, and Nate's little visage was
nothing short of tragic. Darvi glanced up at Dakota, who
nodded as he guided her in Cassy's direction.
"I'm sorry I had to deceive you, Cassy," Dakota said to
the ranch owner the moment she looked at them.
"Don't be, Dakota." Her voice was resigned. "You only
did what you had to do."
An uncomfortable silence fell over them as Darvi cast
about desperately for something to say. She then noticed
Cassy's dress. It was her wedding dress.
"Did you get married?"
ATexasSty 281
Cassy actually managed a smile. "Yes, we did."
"Was it nice?"
The other woman nodded, her eyes softening in remembrance,
525
before becoming direct as she looked into Darvi's face.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking, Darvi. I need to hear
more. I've been trying to read my Bible, but I'm not understanding.
I need to hear more about the way you believe.
"I'd be happy to meet with you, Cassy," Darvi volunteered.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know."
But the blonde was already shaking her head. "No. I
need to be able to read it and think it over."
Cassy's gaze dropped, her face looking tired and
ashamed. She moved as though she would turn away and
leave, but Nate was pulling on her arm.
"Oh, yes," she stopped to say, looking back to Darvi. "I
almost forgot Nate wants you to know that at the end he
knew everything. He saw and heard Dakota talking with
the sheriff, and he even heard you leaving out the window
the night you left."
Darvi looked down at him.
"And you didn't say anything, Nate?"
"Not for a while," the boy told her. "Not until after you
526
left, and then only to Mama."
"Why, Nate? Why didn't you wake the house?"
He shrugged a little. "You weren't happy. I know Seth
wanted to keep you, but you were sad. And I didn't think
you should have to cry in your bed anymore."
Tears flooding her eyes, Darvi took him in her arms. The
little boy held on for dear life. When he let go, Darvi looked
down and smoothed his hair. Lindy came next, hugging
Darvi with all the sweetness she'd always shown her.
When at last they stood apart, Darvi knew that Cassy
would have to make the move. Darvi's heart was ready to
burst when Cassy stepped forward to hug her. She and the
children then left without another word.
282 lori wick
"I think maybe we should head to your aunt's," Dakota
said quietly, and Darvi only nodded.
Halfway there, she had a thought and said, "Too often I
can't see why God does things or lets them happen, but
right now I'm willing to admit that I had to go through all
527
of this to open a door between Cassy and me."
"I think you might be right"
"I'm going to use those verses you gave me for Cassy
instead of my mother. Do you think thafs all right?"
"I think thafs perfect"
It was good to cover the rest of the way in silence. Upon
arriving, both were surprised to find that Renee had
reached home first
"Aunt Renee," Darvi said the moment she saw her,
"thank you for everything. If s been wonderful seeing you
and getting to know you, but I'm going to leave for Austin
tomorrow. I hope you won't think me rude, but I want to
go see Uncle Marty."
Renee hugged her niece.
"Thafs fine, dear. I was hoping you could meet my
James, but maybe another time."
"You could always invite me to the wedding."
Renee smiled.
"I'll do that, Darvi Wingate, just see if I don't"
The three spent the remainder of the day in relaxed pursuits.
528
Renee took Darvi and Dakota out to dinner and spent
the evening regaling mem with stories of her reporting
escapades. Dakota had plenty of his own tales, and they
laughed until way too late.
Nevertheless, Darvi stood by her word. Dakota still
acting as protector and guide, they left the next morning
for Austin.
Austin
One Month Later
Dear Darvi,
THE CHILDREN LOVED THE LETTERS YOU WROTE jttst for them.
You would not believe their excitement. They are working on letters
back to you, but I wanted to reply first.
1 can't thank you enough foryourwords to me. We miss Eliot
, Seth too, but your letter gave me some hope and peace
for my own heart. I must admit that for a time I felt I'd sinned
too badly to ever be forgiven by God, but the verses you gave me
would indicate otherwise.
529
I think we are going to take your advice and start going into
town for church on Sunday mornings. When I was shopping last
week, I met a woman at Dawson's who was very kind. I don't
recall ever seeing her before but found out that she's a pastor's
wife. I know the church she goes to, and I thought if she was typical
of the congregation, we might be welcome. I'm scared of such
a move, but I'm more afraid of doing nothing.
Well, I've run out of words. Thank you again for the list of
verses. The Bible does make it very clear; I just need to figure out
what my heart should do. Take care, Darvi, and I'm sorry for all
the pain we caused you. I wouldn 't mind hearing from you again.
Sincerely,
Cassandra McDermott
Darvi lay her head back, her heart so blessed that she
could barely think. She'd received four letters and hadn't
283
284 * lori wick
530
known where to start. A little afraid of what her mother's
letter might say, and certain that Merry's letter would be
good news, she had put them aside in favor of Cassy's.
The one from Dakota's mother intrigued her; nevertheless,
she saved it until last, glad that after she read her mother's
letter, she could tell her uncle it was good news as well.
^"3*
Dakota was doing some letter-reading of his own. Having
finally gone back to work on a job that put him under new
command with a group of Rangers toward the south, he was
just getting into Austin for his first leave. Upon his arrival he
did two things: got a bath and checked to see if the post office
had mail for him. A letter from his mother, which Cash had
forwarded, awaited him. It was short She thanked him, told
him she would think about all he said, and went on to talk
about some plans she and his father were making for the
winter, possibly even a trip to Texas.
531
Dakota put the letter away with great hope. He didn't
think he would belabor the point in his letters back to her,
but she hadn't slammed the door in his face. His heart content,
he heeled Eli toward Marty Bracewell's house. It had
seemed like years since he'd ridden on official business, but
in truth, once he was on the trail, it had felt like forever
since he'd seen Darvi.
He used the kitchen door because he knew it would be
open, and surprisingly enough found his boss sitting at
the table reading his own mail.
"Well, Dakota, when did you get in?"
"Only just."
Brace smiled. "Your hair get that wet on the trail?"
Dakota smiled back. "It can get mighty hot out there."
Brace only laughed.
"Where is she?" Dakota felt he had waited long enough.
"In the living room. Her mother has asked her to come
home for a time, so she's going next week, but right now
she's reading a letter from your mother."
ATexasSky 285
532
"My mother?"
"Yes," Brace responded, looking very pleased as he
answered. "It was a pretty thick envelope. I suspect she's
telling Darvi every rotten thing you did as a child. That
would take more man a few pages."
Dakota had heard enough.
"Darvi," he called firmly as he moved that way, not
missing the sound of someone scrambling and papers
crackling. He went through the dining room, and sure
enough, the living room was empty.
"Darvi." His voice was coaxing now, even as his eyes
searched for some sign of her. He hadn't heard her on the
stairs, and it took some doing to spot a bit of her skirt
sticking out from the door that opened into the dining
room. The door was open against the wall, and he could
now see that she had scooted behind it.
He moved it slowly and tried not to laugh at her
attempt at an innocent face.
"Dakota! When did you get in?"
533
He came dose and put his hands on the wall on either
side of her head.
"Just now."
"How nice," she said a little too brightly, all the while
keeping her hands behind her back.
His eyes dropped down for a moment before coming
back to hers.
"A little bird told me you got a letter."
"A letter?" Darvi appeared to think on this. "Now, let me
see. Have I received any letters lately?" With mat Darvi
couldn't hold on. She laughed and brought out several pages.
"Is this really from my mother?"
"Yep," she teased him. "Every word. I'm learning an
awful lot."
For a moment they just stared at each other. Darvi felt
her cheeks grow warm and tried to divert his gaze with a
question.
"Do you know when you head out again?"
286 lori wick
534
"No."
"How about where you'll be going?"
"I don't know."
Darvi playfully shook her head.
"You don't know much, do you?"
"I know that I love you."
For Darvi, time stood still. She had never pushed this
man to say those words, knowing she'd wanted it to be in
his time and not her own, but she had been feeling love for
him for a very long time. .
"When did you decide this?"
"When I was near the river. It reminded me of the night
we stayed on the trail and you met the rattlesnake."
"And that made you love me?"
He nodded. "It caused me to remember how many
times I could have lost you. I don't want to lose you, Darvi.
Not now--not ever."
Her heart filling her eyes, Darvi said, "I love you,
Dakota Rawlings."
Moving very slowly and gently, Dakota leaned forward
535
and kissed her. Darvi sighed when he pulled away. Dakota
wanted to kiss her again but told himself that would have
to wait.
"Brace tells me you're headed home next week."
"Yes, I prayed you'd get here before I left."
"I made it." He then added. "I'm glad your mother
wants to see you."
"I am too, but I don't really want to leave Texas."
"But this time you'll leave knowing that I love you."
Darvi smiled. "And you won't forget my love, will
you?"
"Not a chance."
This time Dakota didn't kiss her but took her gently into
his arms. It was the sealing of a promise that both of them
would keep.
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