Hope for Tomorrow

by Elizabeth Maddrey

  “Mmhmm. Azure and her fiancé as well.”

  “Cool.” Skye had “met” Matt a couple of times on video calls with Azure. He was fun. And so good for her sister. “I’ll go see what I can do to help.”

  “Tell her to let me know if there’s something I can do, too. As much as I don’t mind them doing this, it does seem kind of sudden.”

  That was an understatement. Monday morning, Cyan and Maria had disappeared. They’d returned after lunch and announced that they’d procured a marriage license, talked to the pastor, and planned to marry on Wednesday. The intervening time had been a flurry of activity. And now it was here. “Tell me about it.”

  Skye made her way slowly through the kitchen and out the back door.

  Calvin, Maria’s eight-year-old son, pulled the door of their cabin shut behind him as he stepped out into the morning sun.

  “Hey, Calvin. What’cha doing?”

  “Going to bother Morgan.”

  Skye’s eyebrows lifted at the phrasing. “Mom’s a little crazy right now?”

  “A lot crazy.” He made a face. “And she won’t let me help ’cuz I spilled the water out of two vases. But it was an accident and I said I was sorry and cleaned up and everything.”

  “Ooh. You think she’d want a grown up to help?”

  He shook his head.

  Hmm. “Tell you what. Why don’t I poke my head in and double-check and, if she doesn’t want my help, then I’ll walk down to see Morgan and the horses with you.”

  “Really?” He grinned. “Okay.”

  Skye knocked on the cabin door and pushed it open at the faint, harried call to do so. She hadn’t actually been in Maria’s cabin before. It was definitely more of a cabin than the little cottage her brother had moved into. Cyan’s place was bigger—so it made sense that they’d move in there when they were married—but the homey, cabin feel was definitely going to be missing. Her gaze finally landed on Maria. She was half-hidden from sight behind a heap of flowers. “I came to see if you needed any help.”

  Maria groaned as she stood and pushed her hands through her hair. “No. But thank you. I’d be done if I didn’t have to keep interrupting myself to talk to people trying to help.”

  “Sorry.”

  Maria closed her eyes. “No, I’m sorry. I’m frazzled. I thought getting married this fast wasn’t going to be a big deal, after all, I’m smart and capable, right?”

  “I would have to say yes.”

  Maria snickered. “Thanks.” She blew out a breath. “If I can get thirty uninterrupted minutes, I can get these flowers handled and then I’ll be ready.”

  “Then that’s what you’ll get. I ran into Calvin outside. After he and I let Betsy know not to come asking—though she’s available if you change your mind, she made me promise to tell you—we’ll head down to the horses. Then there’ll be a huge cone of silence over your house. Promise.”

  “If you can make that happen, you’ll be my favorite sister-in-law ever.”

  Skye laughed. “Extra motivation. Especially since it gives me something to hold over Azure and Indigo’s heads.”

  “Thanks, Skye.”

  “Hey, what are sisters-in-law for?” Skye closed the door firmly behind her and looked around for Calvin. He was hunkered down by a pile of rocks, entranced by something. Probably something Skye wasn’t particularly interested in seeing, given that he was a little boy. But a deal was a deal. “You were right. Let me text Betsy real quick and we’ll go find some horses to pat.”

  He jumped to his feet and let out a whoop. He pranced around Skye in a circle, arms whirling as he jabbered a mile a minute about the bugs he’d been watching and the horses.

  Skye sent the text letting Betsy know Maria had it all under control and needed quiet with no interruptions, then held out her hand to Calvin. “Why is Blaze your favorite?”

  “She’s the nicest. Plus, she’s easy to ride. Do you have a favorite? I’ve seen you out with Morgan. He’s the best, isn’t he?”

  “I like him.” A lot. More than she ought to, given how short a time she’d been at Hope Ranch. Betsy and Maria might be muttering about the spontaneity of this wedding, but that speed seemed to be par for the course when it came to this place. At least as far as Skye could tell.

  “Who are we talking about?” Morgan sauntered—there was no other word for it—around the corner and hooked his thumbs in his belt loops.

  “You, Mr. Morgan!” Calvin danced around the two of them. “I told Miss Skye you were the best and she agreed.”

  Morgan’s eyes lit with humor and he tilted his head. “Did she?”

  Skye’s face heated but she lifted a shoulder.

  Morgan laughed and crouched down so he was at Calvin’s eye level. “Miss Skye’s pretty neat, too, don’t you think?”

  “Sure. Cyan says I can call him Dad if I want to.” The grin that split Calvin’s face reminded Skye of paintings of cherubs.

  “Do you want to?” Skye couldn’t stop the question. It was strange to think of her brother married with an instafamily. He’d be great at it, no question, and Maria and Calvin were fantastic. It did seem fast.

  “Uh huh. Everyone at school has a dad. Even if they don’t live with them all the time, there’s still someone. It’ll be nice to have one.”

  Skye’s gaze met Morgan’s. What was it that flickered in his eyes? It was always there to one degree or another. Pain. But what kind? Maybe someday he’d talk to her about it. “I’m probably biased, but I think Cyan’ll be a great dad. You’re a lucky kid.”

  “Mom says luck’s not a real thing but that we can say it ’cause it’s how we talk, but we really mean blessed.” He wrinkled his nose. “That sounds like an old lady.”

  Skye fought a smile. “Noted. You’re okay with them getting married so fast then?”

  “Sure. Then we get to be a family right now instead of having to wait. And I get to carry the rings and everything and we’re gonna be at the fire pit and that’s my favorite place and can we go see the horses Mr. Morgan?”

  “Yeah, come on. Blaze was wondering where you were earlier. She’s been in the mood for some apple slices.”

  “And I’m the best at giving them to her.” Calvin zipped toward the stable.

  Morgan hung back, keeping pace with Skye. “How’re you doing?”

  “I’m okay. You?”

  He shook his head. “Normal day for me, mostly. You’re the one getting a sister-in-law and a nephew.”

  “True.” She smiled. “I like them. They’re an easy fit for Cyan—they already seem like a family. I’m good. I think this is a good thing. And my other siblings are going to watch on a video call, so that’s nice, too. I wish they could be here in person, but really, technology is a good thing.”

  “Can be, for sure.” Morgan patted Calvin’s shoulder and stopped in front of Blaze’s stall. “Give me a second, I’ll get the apple.”

  Skye rubbed the horse’s nose and looked down at the boy who would officially be her nephew in a few short hours. “She’s your favorite?”

  “Yep. Do you have one?”

  “A favorite horse?” Skye shook her head. She’d ridden three different horses and tended to rotate between them. Blaze was one of them. But the other two were just as good. “Maybe I don’t know enough about them to choose yet.”

  Calvin nodded, his expression serious. “Maybe. Has Royal gone riding with you yet?”

  “Not yet. I thought I might try to get him out sometime this week.”

  “Can I come? Royal’s fun.”

  Her brother was definitely fun. He was basically a little boy still himself, so it was no surprise that Calvin and he had connected. “I’ll make a point of waiting for you to get home from school. Nice that you got a day off today, hm?”

  He nodded enthusiastically. “I was trying to get Mom to let me not go for the rest of the week, but she said no. We’re going to Disney in the summer as a family moon. What’s a family moon?”

  Morgan came d
own the row, saving her from having to answer right away. Why would they use a term and not explain it? But Disney would be fun for everyone—and provide good bonding time. The whole point of a family trip.

  “Here we are. One cut up apple for Calvin. Make sure you share with Blaze.” Morgan winked and set the sliced fruit in Calvin’s outstretched hands. “And to be sure no one gets jealous, maybe Skye will help me give everyone else a little treat?”

  “That okay?” Skye looked down at Calvin who was carefully offering a slice of apple to Blaze.

  “Sure. Bye.”

  Skye smothered a laugh and met Morgan’s gaze. “Lead on.”

  He held out his hand.

  Skye slipped her fingers into his and squeezed.

  Morgan drew her down the row, as far away from Calvin as they could get and still keep an eye on him. He brushed his lips over hers. “Hi.”

  “Hi yourself.” The horse they were standing by whuffed out air and Skye laughed. “I think he heard something about apples.”

  “Greedy.” Morgan tucked Skye under his arm and offered her a slice of fruit to give the horse. “Heard anything from Mayo yet?”

  She sighed. The horse lipped up the apple slice. “Not yet. I’m trying not to check obsessively. Soon, I hope.”

  “How is it?”

  “The same? I guess. I just wish I knew what it was. I am glad Cyan has something else to occupy his mind now. He’s been hounding me and it’s getting old. I’m not going to let this—whatever it is—keep me from living.”

  “That’s my girl.” Morgan kissed the top of her head. “I hate to do it, but I should get going. There are still some things I need to get done today and with the wedding and lunch—”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get Calvin out of your hair soon. As it is, we probably need to think about getting dressed before much longer. See you then?”

  “You bet.”

  Skye rose on her tiptoes and kissed him.

  The fact that she ended up lightheaded was probably more to do with Morgan this time than whatever illness plagued her.

  12

  Morgan stood at the back of the small gathering as the minister from Betsy and Wayne’s church pronounced Cyan and Maria husband and wife. The familiar ache in his chest was there. Just like it was every time he attended a wedding. This time, his gaze slid over to Skye and a tiny spear of hope pierced the pain.

  He’d been down that road once before. And he’d been through the thousand tiny deaths of divorce not even a year later. Being married to a cop was hard. Everyone said that. Julia had promised she understood—and they’d dated long enough she ought to have had a better clue than she turned out to have. Even still, it put a serious hitch in his breath to realize he was no longer completely opposed to looking in that direction again.

  Skye looked up and her eyes met his. She smiled and the hubbub of the post-wedding chatter faded to nothing.

  Oh man, he had it bad.

  “Congratulations.” Morgan held out his hand to Cyan as the newly married couple passed by. He shifted his gaze to Maria and grinned. “Had to hold out for a family member, huh?”

  “Oh please, Morgan. You weren’t any more interested in me than I was in you. Besides, it doesn’t seem like I’m the only one at the ranch looking to marry into the family.”

  Cyan’s head jerked around and he pinned Morgan with a glare. “I thought—”

  “That you were going to let your sister handle her own life?” Maria nodded and patted Cyan’s arm. “That’s a good plan. Speaking of which, Skye wants Morgan to come meet Elise, Azure, and Indigo before they end the video call.”

  “She wants him to meet Mom?” Cyan glanced over his shoulder in Skye’s direction. “Maybe I should—”

  “Come help me set up for lunch? Yes, you should.” Maria slid her hand down Cyan’s arm and linked her fingers with his. “See you in a bit, Morgan.”

  “Yeah.” He absently touched his forehead with his fingertips. Skye wanted him to meet her mother? He hadn’t been sure, not completely, that Skye was feeling the same things he was. It was too soon, wasn’t it, to sit down and talk about where they were and where they were headed? Or, maybe it wasn’t. Morgan crossed over to where Skye stood with Royal. Her twin held a tablet and was panning it around.

  “Oh hey, here’s Morgan.” Skye snatched the tablet from her brother and held out a hand to Morgan. “Come meet the rest of the family.”

  “Minus your father.” A woman’s voice came through the tinny speaker.

  “Right. Minus Dad. Do you think he’d want to come meet Morgan? At least say hi?” Disappointment and sorrow mixed in Skye’s voice.

  “I’ll ask honey. Hold on.”

  “While she’s doing that, you can at least meet Azure and Indigo.” Skye pointed at the screen where her two sisters’ images were displayed. “Guys, this is Morgan.”

  “Good to see you again, Azure. Nice to meet you, Indigo.” Morgan leaned in until his face showed next to Skye’s in the smaller box displayed on the tablet.

  “Hey, Morgan. How are the horses? You haven’t met Matt though, right?” Azure nudged the man next to her with her shoulder. “We’re getting married over Labor Day. Will you come? I know Skye will be here.”

  Talk about being put on the spot. Labor Day was nearly four months away. He hoped he’d be at a place in Skye’s life that going to a family wedding was expected and welcome, but there was no guarantee. “Um.”

  “There’s a lot to do on the ranch. We know you can’t promise. Just keep in mind that we’d love to have you.” Matt glanced at Azure as he spoke.

  “Of course. Sorry—I wasn’t trying to make things weird. It’s a gift.”

  Everyone chuckled.

  “Are you the one I’ve been emailing with?” Indigo, a wide streak of her hair dyed to match her name, leaned closer to the screen. “About my herds?”

  “No, ma’am. That’d be Joaquin.”

  “Right, of course. Is he around? It’d be nice to put a face to the name.”

  Morgan scanned the few people still lingering in the area and shook his head. “Doesn’t look like it. I’m not even sure he came to the wedding.”

  “He was here for the ceremony, but I saw him slip off right after Cyan and Maria kissed.” Skye shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll be at lunch. I’ve never seen him turn down food.”

  Morgan chuckled. Joaquin did love food. Especially if he didn’t have to fix it himself, even though he had a passable hand in the kitchen. Morgan wasn’t sure where the guy put it though, he was tall and slim like a teenager. Before he could speak, Skye’s mom appeared back on the screen, accompanied by a man.

  “Hi, Dad.” Skye grinned and waved. A chorus of hellos came from Azure, Matt, and Indigo as well. “Mom, Dad, this is Morgan. Morgan, my parents.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Morgan lifted a hand, suddenly hesitant. Skye had told him about her unusual upbringing and her parents’ less than traditional views on marriage and relationships, but it was still awkward.

  “So you work for my folks? How’s that going?” The acid in Skye’s dad’s voice could have melted steel.

  “I love it here. Your parents are wonderful employers, almost like family. You must be proud to come from such welcoming and loving people. Your daughter’s like that, too. I imagine she learned that from the two of you.”

  Skye gripped his hand. “Dad.”

  “Sorry. I’m sorry, Elise.” Skye’s dad glanced at her mom. “You know how I get when it comes to my parents.” He turned back to face the camera. “Your mother made me promise to be nice when I agreed to say hi. I didn’t do very well.”

  “It’s fine, Dad. I know it’s hard.” Skye chewed her lower lip. “In fact, since you’re already grumpy, I might as well tell you that I became a Christian almost two years ago.”

  Her dad sighed and shook his head.

  Azure beamed and Matt kissed Azure’s temple.

  Royal sent her a quizzical look and Indigo shrugged. />
  “Well then. Your grandparents must be pleased.” Skye’s mom was clearly trying to be cheerful and encouraging.

  “They are. I’m pretty sure they’d be just as happy to have me here if that wasn’t true. You guys should come out. Isn’t it time to mend fences, Dad?” Skye frowned. “They miss you.”

  Her dad’s face was stony. “I’ll ask you to keep your nose out of my business, just as I’ll keep mine out of yours.”

  Skye’s shoulders slumped.

  Morgan fought the urge to jump in and say . . . something. Except every idea that flitted through his mind would only make things worse. He knew enough about strained family dynamics to not want to get in the middle, even if this was unlikely to turn into a dangerous domestic dispute. Instead, he slipped his arm around Skye and prayed that God would heal her heart and bring her parents to know Him.

  “And you, Morgan, was it?” Her dad’s voice matched his cold expression.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “If you’re thinking of taking her on, you should know she’s been sick lately. She tries to hide it. Most people aren’t going to want anything to do with a situation like that.”

  “I’m aware, and I’m praying the doctors at Mayo will be able to figure out what’s going on and get her some help. She’s brave and strong in addition to the other words I just used. She probably learned that from her parents, too.” Morgan smiled into Skye’s appreciative and apologetic face. “I’ve met all but one of your children in person. You have an incredible family, and I’m blessed to know them.”

  “Well.” Skye’s dad looked at her mom.

  “Thank you, Morgan. I can see why Skye likes you.” Skye’s mom leaned closer as her dad whispered in her ear. She nodded and he disappeared from the screen. “I should get going, too. Thanks for thinking to include me—us—me this way. I wish I could have come out in person but, well . . . all things considered, this was the better way to handle it.”

  “You’re still coming to Virginia in September, right?” Azure was gripping Matt’s hand, her knuckles visibly white even through the video connection.

  “Yes. It might just be me, but I’m working on your dad. It helps that you’re using that lovely old house, what’s it named again?”