"All right, but I'd better take my bike and go right from
the livery."
Holly pushed the bike so Reagan could hold Alisa. They
walked swiftly to the livery, talking all the way, and when
Russell saw Reagan he gave her a hug.
"We miss you. How is it going at the ranch?"
"It's going well. Cash's brothers are visiting. Slater
leaves tonight, and I'm not sure when Dakota leaves. Katy
was so glad to see them."
"I'm sure she was. How is she coming?"
"She's doing very well. I think she'll be in that wheelchair
right on time, and once she gets out of that bed, there
will be no stopping her."
Russell and Holly were both very glad to hear it, and
392
with Alisa going from one adult to the next and even
spending some time falling in the dirt on her own, the three
of them had a quick session of catching up.
The time flew swiftly, however, and all too soon Reagan
said she had to go. Getting hugs from both Holly and Russell
and a grimy one from Alisa, she hopped on her bike
and started out of town.
It didn't take long to see that the sun was going to be
very hot for her ride back, but it was good to know that she
could wash the dress she was wearing and put it away for
a time. Come next winter, she would be glad to have its
extra weight.
Without really planning to, Reagan stopped riding.
There was some shade ahead, and she walked the bike and
stood for a moment in it. The thought of winter caused
something like sadness to come upon her. She didn't know
why, but the future--even knowing that God loved her and
would take care of her--was somehow daunting. She
couldn't put her finger on the exact reason, but she feared
393
City Girl 215
that the sameness of her life, the day in and day out
working at the hotel and dealing with the customers,
would eventually grow old and tiresome.
Reagan was still thinking on it when a rider came into
view. She stood still and watched as Dakota Rawlings came
abreast of her.
"Hello," she greeted him with a smile.
"Hello, yourself."
"Where are you off to?"
'To find you."
Reagan looked concerned. "Is something wrong with
Katy?"
"No, but she wanted me to look for you."
"You didn't have to do that."
"She was growing anxious," Dakota explained. "She
was doing her best not to show it, but she just kept asking
after you."
"I knew I should have stayed and seen to her needs."
394
"I don't think thaf s it. She felt that she pushed you into
going and said that you looked overheated even before you
left. She also said she told you to take your time but didn't
believe you actually would. I think your being gone this
long convinced her that you must have collapsed on the
side of the road."
"I'd better get right back."
"I'll go along with you. In fact, we can just walk. She
started to relax as soori as I volunteered to go."
"Oh, all right."
Dakota swung down from the saddle, took Reagan's
parcel and hung the string on his saddle horn, and then
took the handlebars of her bike. That he did nothing to
restrain his horse or prompt him to follow was not lost on her.
"Will he just come?"
"The puppy? Yes."
Reagan laughed at the term, but in a moment saw what
he meant. Dakota's horse did not want him far from view.
216 lori wick
395
"So how did your shopping go?"
Reagan looked pleased when she said, "Very well. It's
fun to get new things, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Too bad my wife wasn't here to go with you.
She loves to shop."
"How long have you been married?"
"Since January."
"Well, congratulations."
"Thank you."
At any other time Dakota might have been tempted to
tease her a little about a marriage of her own, but Cash's
words were still strong in his mind. For some reason, this
woman's heart was vulnerable where marriage or men
were concerned. Maybe she'd been married before and
deserted. Dakota didn't know, but after he'd apologized to
Cash that morning, he realized his first concern needed to
be for Reagan's spiritual growth, not whether or not she
wanted to marry his brother.
"Do you miss New York?" he asked.
396
"Just some of the people. I like Texas."
"What brought you here?"
"I applied for a job as a nanny, but then it was taken
when I got here."
"I think Cash told us you work at the hotel."
"I did until Katy got hurt."
"What will you do when she gets back on her feet?"
"Go back to the hotel."
Dakota glanced her way and wondered if he caught a
note of sadness.
"How do you like having Russ and Holly as landlords?"
"They're wonderful. I love the children too."
"I haven't seen much of the baby, but that Jonah is a
keeper."
"Yes, he is. He can't wait for the day when his legs are
long enough to ride the bike like his sister does."
"Isn't that just like a littie boy?"
"Whafsthat?"
City Girl 217
397
"To wish his childhood away."
"You sound as though you speak from experience."
"I do."
"What was your wish?"
'To be a Texas Ranger."
"But then you gave it up."
Dakota smiled. "You haven't met Darvi. If you met her,
you'd understand."
A wave of such longing swept over Reagan that she
almost gasped. The thought of having someone speak like
that of her, his voice sounding so caring and intimate, was
almost more than she could take in. It was nothing short of
relief to see the gate to the ranch come into view.
"My feet are starting to hurt," Reagan said honestly. "I
hope you don't mind if I ride the rest of the way, Dakota."
"Not at all. Just leave your package with me."
"Thank you. And thank you for walking me."
"My pleasure."
Reagan was off just a heartbeat later, her mind gearing
up to get back to work. Dakota didn't waste any time, but
398
he did follow more slowly. He didn't want to tarry too long
since Slater was leaving later in the day, but suddenly he
had much on his mind.
%r%r
"You'll take care of yourself and get out of this bed as
soon as possible, right?" Slater asked quietly as he leaned
close to the woman who had helped raise him, knowing he
needed to leave very soon.
"I will if you'll take care of Ubby and that baby."
"I'll do it."
"Send word as soon as he's born."
Slater smiled. "What if if s a she?"
"I never had one of those to chase," she said, her voice
almost wistful. "I'm not sure I'd know what to do."
218 lo
ri wick
"Well, we'll bring him or her as soon as we can so you
can find out"
399
Slater gave her a warm hug, his heart squeezing with
love.
He made his way from the room, his thoughts in a
quandary. His wife needed him, and he very much wanted
to be with her, but Katy's joy at seeing him had been impossible
to miss.
His horse was saddled and waiting for him out front,
but the only people he could see standing in the yard were
his brothers. A swift check in the kitchen told him Reagan
was elsewhere, so he tried upstairs. When he still didn't
find her, he checked the kitchen again and found her
coming from the pantry.
"Thank you for everything," he began.
"Oh, you're welcome. Did you get the food I wrapped
for you?"
"Yes, ma'am. I appreciate it very much."
Reagan smiled. "Have a good trip."
"Thank you, Reagan, and I do mean thank you for
everything."
Not wanting to be made over, Reagan only nodded and
400
gave a little wave when he turned and went on his way.
Outside his brothers waited, and Slater found it hard to
leave them as well. He made his goodbye a brief one, but
the older brothers stood in the yard for a time.
"I sure hope that baby doesn't come before he gets
back."
'It doesn't sound like that will happen."
"But he looked a little anxious."
"I thought he did too."
The two looked at each other.
"When are you pulling out?" Cash asked.
"Ill go Friday. Darvi isn't looking for me too soon."
"I'm glad you're staying. It'll do Katy's heart good."
"From what I can see, you and Reagan are about all she
needs."
City Girl 219
Cash shook his head. "When I think of how panicked I
was when she showed up at the door..." Another shake
accompanied this. "I could not have done this without her."
401
"Any word from the folks?"
"No. I'm not certain they're home. I know Mother
would have been in touch if she'd gotten my letter."
"Yes. She would have."
The conversation dwindled to a comfortable silence as
they both watched Slater and his horse ride out of sight.
Neither man needing any further words, they both turned
for the house.
-"
Reagan was working hard in the kitchen when Cash
came down the next morning. She had scrambled eggs, a
large pot of coffee brewing, and also hot biscuits and
sausage staying warm in the oven.
"It smells good in here," Cash commented.
"Are you hungry?" Reagan asked with a smile, turning
as Cash approached.
She didn't see his hesitation as she spun his way. Since
she was a good deal shorter, all she noticed was the blood
402
on his chin.
"Are you cut?" she said moving closer, her face showing
concern. "Your chin is bleeding."
"Oh, is it still bleeding?" His hand came up. "I rucked
myself while shaving."
His voice conveying it was nothing, Cash walked
toward the mirror that hung over the washbasin to inspect
his chin.
Reagan stayed where she was, but it was happening
again. Her heart had an odd feeling around it, as though
someone were squeezing it hard. It hurt her to breathe
deeply, and she had the funny feeling she might need to
cry. Since she never cried, this was very foreign to her, but
220 lori wick
she thought if she didn't stop thinking about him being
hurt, she would weep on the spot
"Do you want anything?" Reagan asked in a voice she
didn't recognize. She cleared her throat in an effort to hide
403
the squeak.
Cash turned to her.
"No, if s fine. Thank you. I already washed it off."
When Reagan didn't answer, Cash watched her for a
moment, his brow showing that he was somewhat puzzled.
Reagan quickly schooled her features and went back
to work on the meal. Cash spoke again, but she did not
turn.
"If my lazybones brother ever gets out of bed, tell him
Km headed out for a quick check on the stock."
Reagan only nodded, and Cash felt he needed to add,
'Til grab a plate when I get back in."
"Ill leave it for you in the oven."
"Thank you."
Reagan didn't see that her hands were shaking until
after she heard the door close on his exit
What is the matter with me? I'm going to drop something or
burn myself if I keep this up! He said he was fine. Men cut themelves
shaving every day,
But Reagan was not convinced. She was still feeling
404
upset about the whole episode even as she put a full plate
of food in the oven for her employer and took a tray to
Katy. She did so hoping the older woman was in a chatty
mood. She would welcome anything that would get her
mind off the way her heart was acting.
%r %r -
She
had to buy new dresses, Cash thought as he heeled his
mount a little harder. As if she didn't look good enough the way
she was, she's now decked out in flowers and gingham. And that
City Girl 221
yellow dress next to her hair. I could barely take my eyes off her
face.
Cash refused to let his mind go any further. He rode his
horse across the flats of his land, praying and trying hard
to clear his thinking. He had known that Reagan was
headed to buy clothing, but he didn't think she would find
405
"Katy shops in that same store, and she never looks like
that," Cash muttered, his mind missing the obvious.
The rancher had come out to check on some fence line
and the stock and now forced his mind to those tasks. As
he was riding out, he had passed his foreman, who said he
would join him soon. In the distance Cash could see him on
the way.
Brad's horse covered the distance in an easy gait, and
Cash waited in the saddle for him to arrive. The two
addressed ideas to repair some fences, and Brad filled him
in as to his plans for the next few weeks.
Cash rode back to the ranch house, confident that his
foreman had things under control. As to his own control,
that was yet to be seen. Reagan had made her view of marriage
very clear. He knew she wasn't against men in general,
but she certainly wouldn't welcome the warm
thoughts he'd had about her earlier. If he continued to feel
the way he did, his intentions would be more than honorable,
but no more welcome.
Giving his horse a break even as his stomach rumbled
406
with hunger, Cash made his way slowly back to the house,
asking God to help his confused heart.
*
"Good morning," Dakota greeted Katy as he came into
her room and found both women inside.
"Have you eaten?" Katy
asked, some of her mothering
ways coming to the surface.
222 lori wick
Dakota looked to Reagan.
"Have you ever known such a woman for wanting to
feed a man? Does she constantly try to put food into you all
day?"
Reagan laughed but also added, "There is food in the
kitchen. Did you find it?"
"I found a plate in the oven."
Reagan's mouth opened a little, but she wasn't sure
407
what to say. That had been Cash's food. Neither Dakota nor
Katy seemed to notice her thoughtful face, and just as soon
as she had an opportunity, she made her way from Kary's
room to the kitchen, but it was too late. Cash was scooping
the remains of the pan onto a plate.
"I'm sorry/' Reagan began.
"For what?"
"Dakota ate your food. I just found out."
Cash smiled. "If Dak ate it, then why are you apologizing?"
"Because I should have put two plates in the oven. Are
those eggs even warm?"
"They're fine."
"So you've tried them?" Reagan pressed him.
"Not yet."
"So how do you know?"
"I know I'm hungry enough to eat anything."
Reagan dosed her mouth while he took his plate to the
table, but she wasted no time in bringing him a cup of
coffee. She was going to set it next to his plate and start on
408
the dishes when he invited her to sit down.
Reagan did so, always a little wary when this happened,
but Cash looked completely at ease.
"How are you?" he asked, his eyes on hers.
"Fine."
"Are you sure? You don't get a lot of time off, and I don't
want you wearing down."
City Girl 223
Reagan made herself think about it. She was often too
fast in answering questions about herself as it was a subject
she never wished to discuss.
"I'm fine."
"Not too tired?"
"At times I am," she admitted, working to be honest
"But not right now."
"Okay. For a time a couple of women from town were
coming out to help Katy with some of the housework, but
for one reason or another, they both had to quit. I'm
409
thinking about getting someone else in, just to lighten the
load, and if I do that soon, it will relieve you a little."
"How will Katy be with that?"
"I think she'll be fine," Cash said, even as his heart was
asking how Reagan would deal with it. "Doc should be out
today," he added. "I know Kate is hoping for a good
report."
"She says the pain lessens all the time. I think she'll be
out of that bed next week."
"That would be right on schedule. I'm going to do a little