"How did you know Darvi was here?" Dakota had to
ask.
"Sheriff Laverty. I guess both Eliot and Seth came
tearing into town on Sunday morning, acting and looking
as though they'd lost a trunk of gold. Because you had told
the sheriff your plan, he wasn't too surprised. I came in
wanting the story for the paper, and he told me." The
woman looked at her niece. "I nearly fainted when he said
the name Darvi Whigate."
"And I wouldn't have thought that Annabelle Hewett
was related to me in a million years. What are you doing in
Aurora?"
"You knew that Sam died, didn't you?"
"Yes. Mother told me. I'm sorry."
"Well, he left me in a very comfortable position, so comfortable
mat I could have sat back and had ladies in for tea,
and little else, for the rest of my years. I didn't want that. I
wanted to make a difference. I found a way to do that very
218 lori wick
402
thing through the paper. It's been the most fascinating
experience of my life."
"But you're not married again?"
"Not yet I became engaged about two months ago to a
man who lives in Kerrville, but we haven't set a date."
"I'm glad," Darvi told her sincerely. "I know it hasn't
been easy."
Renee smiled. "Now that was your mother talking."
Darvi blinked. "Why? What did I say?"
"You said if s been hard for me. That's the type of thing
she would say to explain away the embarrassing behavior
of the black sheep of the family. If I'm off acting wildly for
no reason, they must not talk about me, but if I'm getting
things out of my system because of grief over losing my
first husband, then there's no family shame."
Darvi sat back and crossed her arms. "I had no idea
anyone else had Mother so well figured."
The men took their cue at that point. Unnoticed by the
women, they rose and quietly left the room, going out the
403
front door and onto the porch. The sun was setting fast, but
there was still enough light to see each other.
Dakota took the large rocking chair, and Cash sat on the
double swing.
"I wonder how the sheriff knew to send her down
here," Cash pondered aloud.
"He knew my name was Rawlings, and the Rawlings
Cattle Company of Kinkade, Texas, is pretty well known."
"Maybe. I'll have to ask Darvi's aunt."
Dakota's chair creaked as it moved, the swing giving off
its own low groan.
"It wasn't that long ago I was teasing you about finding
a woman, Dak," Cash said thoughtfully. "Mother would be
awfully glad to see you two together."
"What two?" Dakota asked in genuine confusion.
"You and Katy," Cash replied sarcastically. "Who do
you think?"
A Texas Sky 219
Dakota gawked at his older brother and then shook his
404
head.
"I don't know anyone who does ranching better than
you do, Cash, old buddy, but you need to stick with cattle."
"I don't think so."
"Cash," Dakota began again, this time his voice very
serious, "Darvi is one of the sweetest women on the face of
the earth, but she's like a sister I want to protect I assure
you, there's nothing more."
"Dakota, old buddy," Cash said, taking on the same
tone as Dakota, "You can deny this all you want, but I've
seen you two. Darvi Wingate may be a lot of things to you
over the years, but a sister isn't going to be one of them."
Dakota had no reply. Cash had been utterly serious. His
mind reeled with the implications, and he shook his head
a little. He'd told Darvi her mouth was kissable and meant
it with all his heart. He'd also said she was very sweet and
pretty and meant that too, but not in a romantic way--at
least he didn't think it was. In truth, having Darvi smile
and be lighthearted was something he'd very much come
to enjoy. Being with her was just plain fun.
405
"You riled at me, Dak?"
"No, just thinking."
'I'm right, aren't I?"
"I don't know, Cash. I honestly can't tell you right now."
"Do you mean you really haven't seen it?"
"Seen what?"
Cash was silent for a moment
"You two have something special going. I know you just
rescued her, and I can't say that that's not what I'm seeing,
but she looks at you with hope and confidence. And I know
you're used to taking care of people and wading into the
fray to see justice done, but there's something different
where Darvi is concerned. Mother saw to it that she raised
three gentlemen, Dak, but what I'm seeing is above and
beyond the call of duty."
220 lori wick
Again the men fell silent, each alone with his thoughts.
Cash prayed for this brother he loved so much, somewhat
afraid he'd said too much. Dakota prayed for understanding
406
and wisdom over these new thoughts and feelings.
He was rather drawn to Darvi, but did that mean he
was falling in love, or did it just mean that he'd spent some
time with her? He was riot made of stone. He had held her
in his arms a few times and even dried her tears, his heart
deeply affected by her emotions. Were his own emotions
more involved than he suspected? And what did she feel?
Was Cash really seeing interest on her part? Dakota wondered
how he could possibly know, wishing he could see
her right now but knowing it would have to wait She was
still talking to her aunt.
'
"So you were engaged," Renee prompted after they'd
talked for some time about all that Darvi had been through.
"Yes. His name is Brandon Young."
"What happened?"
"I've gone through a lot of changes in the last few
months, and I knew that Brandon was not the man for me."
407
"What kind of changes?"
"Spiritual ones."
A cynical gleam entered Renee's eyes. "So, you found
religion. Your parents must be having a fit"
"I did not find religion," Darvi corrected in a firm voice.
"This is different. This has been life-changing for me."
Renee took the reproach very well. The cynical gleam
disappeared, and she only nodded.
"How did you know my parents would be upset?"
Darvi questioned, suddenly hearing what she had said.
"Well, maybe not both your parents, but I knew your
mother would be."
"Why?"
ATexasSky 221
"Because your mother's world is perfect By your
needing God, you're saying she did something wrong."
"Oh, Renee," Darvi said softly, "that perfectly describes
the situation. You would have thought I had committed
murder. She wouldn't even let me discuss it with her."
408
"Your mother is a wonderful person, Darvi, and I'm so
glad my brother married her, but her standard is higher
than God's."
It was a very
irreverent thing to say, but Darvi had to
bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"Family is everything," Renee continued. "A good face
must be put on at all costs. You must marry well. You can
grieve someone's passing, but in a quiet way. And whatever
you do, remember the ancestors!"
Darvi thought she could become very depressed at the
moment. She found herself praying very hard for her
mother, thinking that if she could please her mother, she
would have an opportunity to share her new faith. She
prayed for Renee as well, and in the midst of that, the men
returned.
"I'm sorry we chased you out of your own living room,
Cash," Darvi said.
"Not at all," he replied dismissing her words.
"Well, I'm glad you came back. I was just about to ask
my aunt about her connection to Jared Silk"
409
Renee gave an unladylike snort
"That man," she spoke as both Dakota and Cash found
seats. "He calls himself a banker. I think before this is over,
his entire operation will be disclosed. At least I hope it will
be."
"How did you get onto him?"
"I used to bank with Jared, and I would see the most
interesting people coming and going while I would be in
his building, men who were not known for abiding by the
law. I did a little snooping and found out that he wasn't
always honest in his dealings. I pulled my money from his
bank, and if s been war ever since."
222 Low wick
Renee glanced over just then and found her niece
smiling rather hugely at her.
"What are you grinning at?"
"You. And thinking about my father's reaction to your
new life."
410
Renee shuddered. "We might have to have a talk, my
dear little niece. There are some things the family does not need to know." Renee shifted her gaze to the men. "Do you two have a younger sister?"
They both shook their heads no.
Renee did a little head shaking of her own. "If s not fun.
It doesn't matter that I've been grown and gone for years-- I'm still Stanley Wingate's baby sister."
The people in the room laughed at her aggrieved
expression, but each one also caught a bit of longing in her
eyes. She might fuss and fume about her sister-in-law's
views on family, but family was important to her too.
"I hope you'll stay with us," Cash suddenly said. "I
hope Darvi invited you."
"She didn't, but I would appreciate the offer. When I
arrived I didn't even look around to see what the hotels
were like."
"How did you find us in the first place?" Dakota asked.
"I got as much information as I could from Sheriff
Laverty. Then my boss at the paper knew of the Rawlings
Cattle Company, and I came down with great hopes."
"And here I was," Darvi said with a smile.
411
Renee became a bit emotional but hid it very well. She
hadn't known she had such a beautiful niece. Darvi was in
the same boat. She had only seen an old photo of her aunt
as a younger woman and heard of their likeness over the
years.
But Renee didn't have to leave until the next afternoon,
so the two renewed old family ties. In fact, Darvi was so caught up in her aunf s visit that the time rushed away. Her aunt had been gone only an hour when Darvi remembered
ATexasSky 223
that she had decided to leave on Saturday, which happened
to be the very next day.
^L^r-
"Are
you all set, Darvi?"
"Yes. Thank you, Cash, for everything. And please
thank Katy for me too. I tried, but she only shooed me
away with the towel."
The two stood on the train station platform while
412
Dakota went to the ticket booth. Cash laughed at Darvi's
description, knowing it had to be very true.
"If she let you say goodbye, she might become emotional,
and we can't have that."
Darvi smiled in understanding.
Dakota joined them in short order, and Cash gave Darvi
a hug. She turned to Dakota, who smiled and hugged her
as well.
"Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome. Here's your ticket. Have you got
everything?"
Darvi nodded, her throat suddenly very tight
"I hate goodbyes, so 111 just go."
Not even waiting for them to reply, Darvi turned and
went on her way, swiftiy taking the conductor's hand and
boarding with her satchel. So she wouldn't think about the
men behind her, Darvi made herself think about where her
trunk might be after all these weeks. ' Having watched her out of sight, Cash turned to his
413
brother.
"Why didn't you tell her you were going?"
Dakota gave him a quick glance.
"The truth?"
"I wouldn't expect anything else."
"I wanted to hug her."
Cash had all he could do not to shout with laughter.
"Go on, Dak," he said with a chuckle and a slap on
Dakota's back. "Chase her down until she catches you."
222 lori wick
Renee glanced over just then and found her niece
smiling rather hugely at her.
"What are you grinning at?"
"You. And thinking about my father's reaction to your
new life."
Renee shuddered. "We might have to have a talk, my
dear little niece. There are some things the family does not need to know." Renee shifted her gaze to the men. "Do you two have a younger sister?"
414
They both shook their heads no.
Renee did a little head shaking of her own. "It's not fun.
It doesn't matter that I've been grown and gone for years-- I'm still Stanley Wingate's baby sister."
The people in the room laughed at her aggrieved
expression, but each one also caught a bit of longing in her
eyes. She might fuss and fume about her sister-in-law's
views on family, but family was important to her too.
"I hope you'll stay with us," Cash suddenly said. "I
hope Darvi invited you."
"She didn't, but I would appreciate the offer. When I
arrived I didn't even look around to see what the hotels
were like."
"How did you find us in the first place?" Dakota asked.
"I got as much information as I could from Sheriff
Laverty. Then my boss at the paper knew of the Rawlings
Cattle Company, and I came down with great hopes."
"And here I was," Darvi said with a smile.
Renee became a bit emotional but hid it very well. She
hadn't known she had such a beautiful niece. Darvi was in
the same boat. She had only seen an old photo of her aunt
415
as a younger woman and heard of their likeness over the
years.
But Renee didn't have to leave until the next afternoon,
so the two renewed old family ties. In fact, Darvi was so
caught up in her aunf s visit that the time rushed away. Her
aunt had been gone only an hour wjien Darvi remembered
A Texas Sky 223
that she had decided to leave on Saturday, which happened
> to be the very next day.
5* ^5'
"Are you all set, Darvi?"
"Yes. Thank you, Cash, for everything. And please
thank Katy for me too. I tiled, but she only shooed me
away with the towel."
The two stood on the train station platform while
Dakota went to the ticket booth. Cash laughed at Darvi's
description, knowing it had to be very true.
416
"If she let you say goodbye, she might become emotional,
and we can't have that."
Darvi smiled in understanding.
Dakota joined them in short order, and Cash gave Darvi
a hug. She turned to Dakota, who smiled and hugged her
as well.
"Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome. Here's your ticket Have you got
everything?"
Darvi nodded, her throat suddenly very tight
"I hate goodbyes, so I'll just go."
Not even waiting for them to reply, Darvi turned and
went on her way, swiftly taking the conductor's hand and
boarding with her satchel. So she wouldn't think about the
men behind her, Darvi made herself think about where her
trunk might be after all these weeks. ' Having watched her out of sight, Cash turned to his
brother.
"Why didn't you tell her you were going?"
Dakota gave him a quick glance.
417
"The truth?"
"I wouldn't expect anything else."
"I wanted to hug her."
Cash had all he could do not to shout with laughter.
"Go on, Dak," he said with a chuckle and a slap on
Dakota's back. "Chase her down until she catches you."
224 lori wick
The men embraced, and Dakota, bag in hand, one that
Darvi hadn't even noticed, went to board the train. It
wasn't hard to find the person he was determined to sit
with; she was on the opposite side from the platform, face
to the window. Dakota stowed his bag up top, his eyes on
Darvi as he worked. Not until he sat down did she turn, her
eyes so full of vulnerability that he immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was coming. I didn't mean
to startle or deceive you."
"Why are you, Dakota?" she asked, honestly needing to
know.
His eyes shifted away, but he still answered.
418
"It bothered me quite a bit to have you taken off the
train like you were in Aurora. When I think of how long
ago you started home, and you're still not there, it upsets
me even more. As much as it's within my power to do so,
I'll see to it this time that you arrive safely in St. Louis."