a young woman from town who has moved in to help her. At first
I didn't want her, but Katy was so glad to see her that I didn't feel
I could send her away. I will keep you informed of Katy's
progress, but if any business should bring you into the area, I
know she would appreciate the visit.
267
Greet Duffy and the family and give my love to Libby. You're
to take good care of her right now. God bless you all.
Love, Cash
Cash had deliberately kept all the letters short, but it had
still been a lot of writing for one day. He would ride into
town first thing in the morning and get them posted.
Thoughts of town caused him to remember that, between
him and Reagan, they would have to keep tabs on the
pantry and other house supplies and needs. Max might be
a help in that area, and he had offered to do all he could.
Cash sat up straight and thought about what a long day
it had been. From his office he'd heard Reagan go onto the
porch and now rose to check on her.
The porch was empty.
147
148 lori wick
Lantern in hand, he made a swift check on Katy, found
268
her sleeping, and knew it was time to dose up for the night.
He had no more gotten to her doorway, however, when she
called Reagan's name.
"No, it's Cash," he whispered, going over to shut the
closet door so Reagan would not be disturbed. "Do you
need something?" he asked, approaching the bed.
"No. What time is it?"
Cash told her as he sat down.
"Why aren't you in bed?" she wished to know, but her
voice was calm.
"I was just headed up."
"Good. You need your rest."
"I just finished letters to the family, letting them know
you'd been hurt."
"You didn't have to do that"
"How do you figure?"
Katy had no reply. She knew very well that if she said
anything, he would only remind her of what she would
have done if the situation had been reversed.
"Cash?" she asked quietly.
269
"Yeah."
"Do you pray for me?"
"Yes, I do. What made you ask that?"
"Do you think God let this happen because I've
sinned?"
"Not specifically, I don't, but at some point we all have
to face the fact that we sin. If the fall you took helps you to
do that, then I would say that was good."
"So you don't think I'm being punished?"
"No, but you know how I feel about God getting your
attention, Katy. I think you've needed Him for a long time."
"What if if s too late?"
"I don't believe that, and God's Word doesn't support
that idea either."
City Girl 149
Again Katy had no reply. Cash wasn't sure what he
should add or say, so he opted just to pray this time so that
270
she could hear.
"Father in heaven," he began quietly, "thank You for
Katy. She means so much to me. I ask You to help her heal
well so she can be on her feet again, but even more than her
body, Lord, I know her heart needs to be healed of sin, like
mine did before I found You. Bless Katy this night and in
the days to come. Thank You that Reagan could be here to
help. Help us all to sleep so we can work hard tomorrow.
In Your name I pray. Amen."
' Cash stood, bent over the bedridden woman, and kissed
her brow.
"Good night, Kate."
"Good night, Cash."
Cash opened the closet door again and then made his
way from the room and up the stairway, thinking that his
own bed was never going to feel so good. And he was
right Much as he was thankful for an opportunity to pray
with Katy, knowing she was thinking about God, he could
not stay awake to give it much contemplation.
271
%r
"Did I see Reagan at the church party?" Brenda asked of
her husband the morning after he arrived home. He had
surprised her by coming in very late on Thursday night
when she hadn't expected him until Friday.
"I don't know," Brad said. "Did you?"
"I thought I did. Did you happen to notice her?"
Brad smiled, his eyes flirting with hers.
"You're the only woman I notice."
Brenda shook her head. "When I start believing that,
Bradley Johns, it'll be a cold day in August."
Brad only laughed.
"Why did you want to know?"
150 lori wick
"Because I'll go over and give Reagan a break with Katy
if she wants to attend church."
'It's only been a few days, Bren," he said out of genuine
concern for his wife's current condition. "I mean, it's a nice
272
thought, but you're tired yourself these days."
"Nevertheless..." she said pointedly, hands going to her
waist. Brad raised his own hands in surrender.
"You do whatever you think is best. I'll be talking to
Cash about what he wants done on the ranch, but if you
want to help out on Sunday, I'll watch the girls."
Smiling with pleasure, Brenda slipped her arms around
his neck and kissed him. Brad found himself rather glad
he'd agreed.
3-*3^
ow
does Doc say she's doing?" Brad asked of Cash
later that same morning.
"He says she'll be all right if she keeps still."
Brad's brows rose.
"I know," Cash said, having read the foreman's mind.
"We're doing all we can."
"What can I do?"
"Take care of the ranch."
273
Brad nodded, not surprised, and more than willing and
capable. The foreman was about to ask some detailed questions
when Reagan came through the kitchen door, set the
tray down very hard on the table, and turned to both men,
eyes blazing.
"There is nothing wrong with this food."
"Did Katy say there was?"
Reagan's voice grew tight with sarcasm.
"This isn't the way she bakes her bread. She likes a
firmer loaf."
With a hand to his employer's arm, Brad went on his
way. Cash waved him off and then went to the tray.
City Girl 151
"Is this the same bread that I had for breakfast?"
"Yes, it is."
"I thought it tasted fine, very good even."
"But my patient doesn't."
Cash nodded, looking down into her flushed face. She
was awfully easy on the eyes, especially when the color
274
was high in her cheeks.
"I'll tell you what, Reagan," he said quickly to get his
mind back on the business at hand. "When she gets hungry
enough, she'll eat. Just give her a little time."
Reagan sighed. "The last thing you need me to do is get
upset at her." She glanced up at him. "If I'm not careful,
you'll have two unreasonable females on your hands."
Cash's smile seemed to say I'm not too worried about it.
"You don't upset easily, do you, Cash?" Reagan couldn't
help but as
k.
"Not as a rule."
"How have the two of you worked together all these
years?"
Cash smiled again but didn't answer.
"Well, I'll try again." Reagan picked up the tray and
went back to work. Cash told her he'd be in the office and
left her on her own.
Reagan heard him go and thought that if she wasn't
careful she could become very depressed. She was a people
person. She liked to take care of things, and under all her
275
bravado was pleased when folks were happy. Katy's dislike
of the bread she made every day was a little hard to
take.
But she still has to eat, and you've got to feed her.
This little pep talk over, Reagan started on another meal.
"
"Cash," Brenda called when she spotted him outside.
Both of her girls were healthy again and back in school.
152 Low wick
Brenda had appreciated her husband's concern for her, but
she was feeling fine and very much wanted to help Katy,
who had helped them out so many times in the past.
"How are you, Brenda?" Cash asked as the two covered
the distance and met between the two houses.
"I'm doing well. How's Katy this morning?"
"I think she's already tired of that bed. She wasn't too
276
happy with what was on her breakfast tray, so Reagan was
going to try again."
"I'm glad I caught you then, because I wanted to tell you
that if you and Reagan want to go to church on Sunday
morning, I'll stay with Katy."
"That would be great, Brenda. Thank you," Cash said
with genuine relief. He had been thinking on that very
problem as he wondered whether he should offer a wagon
to Reagan so she could attend or simply go without her.
This solution allowed him to go no matter what she
wanted. "I'll let her know of the offer, and one of us will get
back to you."
"All right. Or if Reagan just needs some time off, please
come and tell me, Cash. Brad is rather fussy about me right
now, but I'm sure I could give Reagan a half day's break
with no problem, especially if the girls are home from
school. They can always cheer Katy up."
"Thank you, Brenda. How are the girls, by the way?"
"Doing welt Robin's cold was nothing serious. I think
she might have been a little worked up about her father's
277
trip."
Cash smiled in compassion, albeit a bit distractedly, and
Brenda said goodbye, sensing his need to get back to work.
"Thanks again, Brenda."
"You're welcome."
Cash moved to go on his way but ended up just walking
back to the house. He couldn't remember the last time he'd
had so much on his mind. He'd been headed somewhere
when Brenda stopped him, and right now he couldn't
recall what his destination had been. It didn't help to walk
City Girl 153
in the front door and hear Katy yelling. Cash figured that
Reagan was tied up somewhere, so he rushed to her aid.
To his surprise and dismay, Reagan was standing at the
foot of the bed, taking Katy's ill humor with a placid face.
"What in the world, Katy?" Cash began.
"She won't do it!" Katy nearly shouted. She was puce in
color, her eyes bulging with rage. She looked as if her heart
could fail at any moment. "I'm telling her she has to start
278
in the office, and she won't go!"
"Please calm down/' Cash began, trying not to think
about how many weeks they had to go.
"But she won't listen. Did you hire her to take care of
things or not?"
Cash knew right then that all those years of ignoring
Katy's moods had been a mistake. He had let Katy have *
run of the house--much as his mother had--and now it
was coming around to haunt him. He had never wanted to
be too hard on her when she bossed him and everyone else.
Indeed, it was something of a joke around the ranch, even
with the woman herself, but now he could see that he'd not
done any of them favors by letting it continue.
If he hadn't been afraid she might try to get out of that
bed and hurt herself worse in the process. Cash might have
called Reagan from the room and left Katy to stew in her
own juices. Right now he didn't want to take the chance.
"Please explain to me exactly what you want Reagan to
do."
"Your office!"
279
Cash paused and nearly shook his head. Katy had been
on the verge of hysterics over his office not getting cleaned?
Knowing that he had to get more sleep this night, Cash
worked to question her calmly.
"What about my office?"
"If s got to be cleaned! She has to go over every shelf and
book,"
Cash turned to Reagan, whose eyes gave nothing away
but whose face was pale.
154 lori wick
"And is there a reason you don't want to do that?"
"You said that Katy's needs came first, and she still
hasn't eaten a thing today." Reagan gestured rather helplessly
with her hands. "That and the fact you've been
trying to work in there."
With sudden clarity of thought, Cash turned stern eyes
to Katy and knew that he was long overdue in explaining
some things to his housekeeper.
"What gives you the right to put us all through this?"
280
normal, but his words were astounding.
"Reagan comes out with her bicycle to give you a good
time, you get hurt, and now you somehow think you have
the right to make all of us fit into your agenda. I couldn't
be more sorry that you got hurt, Katy. I wish it had been
me. But it hasn't even been 48 hours, and you're doing
everything in your power to make us all miserable."
Katy was still silent with shock.
"If you don't want anything to eat, that's fine, but
Reagan isn't here to listen to you rant and rave. From now
on, whatever you tell her to do, she'll do, even if you He
there and starve, but not once will you raise your voice to
her or be disrespectful in any way. Do I make myself
clear?"
The housekeeper was too shocked to answer, and Cash's
mouth tightened in anger.
"I said, do I make myself clear?"
Katy could only nod.
281
Cash turned to Reagan now, not caring that it was right
in front of Katy.
"You're here, Reagan, because you feel guilty. You're
here because you think this is all your fault, and I understand
and appreciate that, but no one should have to put
up with what Katy is handing out. I'll understand if you
want to move back to town. I'll even take you. Just say the
word, and I'll find someone else."
City Girl 155
"No, if s all rigiht," Reagan responded, swiftly shaking
her head. It had been a terrible scene to witness, and she
just wanted to get away and be alone with her thoughts,
but she made herself stay and listen. After all, this was her
fault. "I'll be all right. As soon as you're done in your office,
111 start in there."
"Fine. I'm headed to the barn, so you go right ahead."
Cash left without another word.
282
Reagan was left alone with the bedridden woman.
"Ill just be across the way in the office, Katy. Call if you
need me."
Still feeling very awkward about the entire scene,
Reagan had not actually looked Katy in the eye as she said
this, so she didn't notice whether the other woman nodded
or acknowledged her in the least. Either way she was glad
to escape. She was so tense she thought she might burst.
Dusting cloths and broom in hand, Reagan entered
Cash's office a few minutes later and, at a first glance, could
not find a speck of dust. Nevertheless, she got to work,
thinking that when she was done, the room would never
have been so clean.
S' **
Cash finally remembered what he'd needed to do in the
barn, but when he got there, he didn't start to work.
Familiar sights and smells surrounding him, Cash stood
and prayed.
283
Do I go back and apologize for speaking to her as I never have
before or for letting her have her way for so long? Or do I let it go
and hope I haven't ruined the relationship for all time? I don't
know what to do, father. I said what needed to be said. Katy
needed to hear it, but she's not used to that from me, I'm not
going to let her lie there and pout, and I can't let her slowly tear
Reagan apart.
156 lori wick
Cash tried to think. He couldn't be certain, but it seemed
to him that Reagan was looking very tired. And why
wouldn't she? Her hours at the hotel had been from
morning into the early afternoon. Here she was on duty
almost 24 hours a day.
After a few more minutes in prayer, Cash opted not to
say anything else to Katy about the incident. When he finished
in the barn, he would return to the house and carry
on business as usual. He wasn't certain what to expect from
Katy, and he was willing to allow her to deal with this in
her own way, but only as long as the rest of them could still
284
stand to live with her.
3-
Reagan's back hurt a little--there had been a lot of books
to move--but the office looked great She had polished,
dusted, and swept, even going so far as to wash the inside
panes on the windows. Now on her way out the door,
Reagan took a moment to study a portrait on the wall.