More than likely, she was done trying. Done with Cade having to always fight the temptations. Done with the worry that he might go back to his old ways. What woman like Rose would want that? She was young and beautiful and Cade was a project.
A surge of bile crept through Cade’s stomach as he jumped on his horse. He’d been the happiest he had ever been since he moved back to Tall Pine. He had a woman he loved, a child he loved, and a faith he had discovered on a new level. His life was richer than it had ever been, and he was not about to lose that.
Cade rode with his heart pounding all the way to the dairy where he found Jeffries sending off wagons of bottled milk to various counties.
“Jeffries!” Cade called out, sliding off his horse and breaking into a run.
“Cade?” Jeffries tucked a pencil behind his ear. “Is everything alright?”
“No. No it isn’t.” He slowed his pace and walked up to Jeffries. “Rose is gone and she took Daisy. Her clothes are gone as well as her purse. No one is inside. Is she by chance off with Anna or Meg?
Jeffries shook his head. “I am sorry my friend, but Anna and Meg went to Eliza’s dress shop to fit Meg’s wedding dress. They said nothing of Rose.”
Cade growled and took off his hat. “She’d come here first before she would leave me, right? Wouldn’t she?”
Jeffries set his hand on Cade’s shoulder. “Clark is out of town for the day so I cannot even ask him. Why don’t you ride into town and find Miss Anna. She may know why Rose left with her clothing and Daisy.”
Cade nodded and a muscle in his jaw twitched. “I can’t lose her Jeffries,” his voice choked, “I can’t lose either of them.”
The manager smiled. “No one says you have, Cade. If Anna does not know, then you and I will ride into Denver tonight if needs be and track her down. I will help you in any way I can. After all, I owe you for assuring the arrest of Harry Wells.”
Cade nodded. “Ben and I were glad to do that Jeffries; I am just sorry it could not have been sooner.” He began to turn away. He paused, suddenly looking over his shoulder before turning around and pulling Jeffries into an embrace. “Thank you, Jeffries. For everything.”
Jeffries chuckled and patted Cade on the back. “It has been an honor, my friend,” he pulled back. “Now, go find your wife and child.”
/
Rose stuck another pin into Meg’s gown and bit her lip when Meg yelped. “Sorry Meg... I am no Eliza, that is for sure.”
Meg laughed and continued looking at herself in the mirror. “Is that why you brought all your dresses to Eliza’s shop? So Rachel could help you out?”
Rose nodded in defeat, casting a glance at the somber Rachel who was smiling patiently at Daisy playing with scraps of fabric.
“Eliza said if I helped in the shop today with Rachel, then she would help pull in some of my dresses; the fit needs to be adjusted a bit. The other two employees are ill, and so Rachel was going to be on her own,” Rose explained.
Anna came over and began helping Rose tuck under the hem of Meg’s dress. “Where is Eliza today? I noticed Christabel was running the bakery alone today, too.”
Rose pulled out a pin from her mouth. “They went to go pick up the Silvers from Denver. They left yesterday and stayed overnight, but they should be back soon.” Rose shook her head. “I forgot to tell Cade, but I am hoping to be back by supper time.”
Meg frowned. “It is past suppertime, Rose.”
Rose looked up. “Is it?”
Anna nodded. “Rachel put the closed sign on the door an hour ago.”
Rose let out a sigh. “Oh, I hope Cade is not too worried,” she said before Rachel yelped as the front door flew open.
“Anna! Meg!” Cade yelled, storming through the store.
“Cade!” Rose answered standing to her feet. “What are you doing here?”
Before he answered, Rose was pulled into a tight embrace as Cade buried his face in her neck. “You didn’t leave me,” he whispered into her hair.
Rose pulled back. “Leave you? Why would you think that?”
Cade looked to see Daisy grinning at him. With a short laugh Cade walked past Anna, who was scooting herself and Meg away, and scooped up Daisy, covering her in kisses.
“Your clothes were gone,” he explained. “I thought you had left me.”
Rose’s heart clenched. Cade’s face was pale and his eyes filled with worry. She shook her head. “Cade, I am so sorry. Rachel and Eliza promised to help me mend my clothing today, and I completely forgot to tell you.”
Cade closed his eyes and cupped Daisy’s head. “I can’t lose you, Rose. I can’t lose either of you.” His eyes misted over. “It would kill me.”
Rose smiled and walked over the fabric strewn on the ground. She placed her hands on either side of Cade’s face. “Listen to me Cade. You have been a hot-blooded gambling man. You have also been a praying repentant man, but you are now, and forever my man. The same way you have fought for me, I am willing to fight for you and for this marriage. You and I are going to raise this child together. We are going to teach her love and respect for herself and others. We are going to teach her to pray and trust in God.” She drew her face closer to his. “We will fight, we will love, and we will grow and work together because that is marriage—and because I deeply and truly love you.”
Cade blinked and lowered his head so that his lips pressed into Rose’s with a soft kiss. “And I love you, Rose. You are my world.”
Rose smiled and closed her eyes feeling once again the warmth of his lips. She could feel his hot tears against her cheeks as he wrapped both arms around her and Daisy. It was an embrace that promised a future full of love and devotion. Rose let her head rest against his chest. She had often questioned the ways of heaven, wondering if heaven was working for her favor, or even working at all. Now with her husband and child beside her, she could see that even in the dark moments of her life, heaven had been shifting, building, and making miracles all along.
Epilogue
Rose glanced at Esther Callen who was laughing as her son Michael danced comically with Joseph around the dance floor. She never had the chance to know Esther very well and was happy to be talking to her.
“Is it alright for Eliza to be dancing?” Rose asked.
Esther laughed gaily. “One should always dance at weddings,” she winked. “It is healthy. Besides Eliza feels that this baby will never come; maybe some hearty dancing will help bring about a quick labor.”
Rose could see Cade heading her way, but he was stopped as Jonathan, looking proud with his new bride on his arm, introduced him to his towering brother, Sean.
“Is labor as painful as it sounds?” Rose asked.
“Labor is very painful, but it is natural and good, and Mother Nature has a trick of making us forget the pain as soon as it is over. Of course, having a baby in your arms helps numb the pain as well.”
Rose laughed and focused back on Eliza dancing. “I always thought I would be one of those women with a dozen babies. When no baby came it hurt to even think about pregnancy or even hope for it. When I found Daisy though, that emptiness was filled to the brim with contentment.” She saw Cade laughing with Daisy on his hip as he walked away from Jonathan and Meg.
Esther nodded in understanding. “Motherhood has many faces, Rose. For Eliza, it was rescuing a baby from a mother who did not want her. For me it started after a man assaulted me. A child is perfect, but there is no perfect way in becoming a mother.”
“Do you think I will be a good mother?” Meg addressed them as she walked up. Her face was beaming and her hand gripped lovingly around Jonathan’s.
“You already are.” Rose clasped Meg’s shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. “With the twins, with me, our entire family. You have been nurturing and kind from the beginning. Your children will be the luckiest children alive.”
Meg’s eyes filled with tears. She let go of Jonathan’s hand and took hold of Rose’s. “The joy I have right now. This
wonderful—” she cast a loving glance at Jonathan, “love I have for so many. This marriage of my dreams, I owe to the scandalous woman in a blue dress, wanting milk for her baby.”
“It was a miraculous day,” Rose recalled, amazed at how much things had changed.
“The best day,” Meg added, before turning to her husband. “Shall we have our first dance as husband and wife?”
“Do I lead or do you?” He took her hand, placing the other behind his back in a regal fashion.
“Me of course.” Meg lifted her chin and Jonathan laughed while she led him out to dance.
It was not long before Rose found her way over to Cade. “Meg looks like she wants to eat that poor doctor alive. A honeymoon baby would not surprise me.”
Cade’s face became solemn. “Would it be alright if that did happen?”
“What do you mean?”
Cade stroked a curl from Daisy’s face. “I am happy with just Daisy; she is more than I could have hoped for, but what if Meg has many children? Would you be disappointed in the reality that we may not have the big family you wished for?”
Rose looked down at Daisy; there was no ache in her heart, nor bitterness, nothing to keep her from moving forward in love and faith. “No Cade,” she said sincerely. “Like you, Daisy is more than I could hope for. I do not know what the future holds, but I do know that I have you, and that together we can protect, love, and raise up Daisy in the way God would have us do.”
Cade smiled softly. “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?”
Rose grinned. “You do quite often.”
He leaned forward, his lips grazing her jaw. “Have I showed you lately how amazing you are?”
Rose closed her eyes, allowing the shivers to run up her veins. “Very often, and it never gets old.”
Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank for making this book a reality. The entire Light Messages Publishing team has been the strong backbone to this process. Thank you so much for your tireless efforts and wisdom. There have been countless times where I have felt that I am running in circles, yet I can always rely on every member of your team to guide and direct me. A thousand thanks again and again.
Elizabeth Turnbull, my incredible editor, deserves a trip to Paris and tray of French macaroons—this story was an idea I felt strongly about and she made it happen. Thank you Elizabeth for helping me to smooth the corners, catching my endless mistakes, and for treating this book like my baby. You have been professional, kind, and patient beyond words. You have been in my corner from day one. Working with you has been the highlight of this entire journey.
Thank you Betty Turnbull for explaining contracts, timelines, and finances every time I ask you—which has been often. Your willingness and patience is something I hope to achieve for myself.
To Teri, Anne, Rebecca, Gigi, Saxon, Rowan and Brad, my beta readers. I know that being a beta reader is not an easy task. Thank you for rising to the cause. Your opinions, your suggestions, and insights were so needed and so appreciated. Becky, thank you for your hard work and honesty in helping me get this series out. I could not have done this without your spirit and tenacity. Thank you Teri for the times I ran over for advice on a kissing scene or how to make something more … let’s say interesting. You rock girl! I aspire to be like you in all that I do. Brad, thank you for letting me take advantage of your intelligence. I could not have done the edits without you.
To my amazing parents, I simply cannot say enough about your love and support. Since the first story I wrote at age eight, you have applauded and encouraged my imagination and love for writing. There has never been a time where you have not been there for me. I love you beyond eternity!
Finally, thank you Manolo! Thank you for your patience whenever the “writing monster” reared its head. Thank you for encouraging me, loving me in whatever mood I am in, and for being such an amazing husband and father. You are truly an incredible man and I am lucky to call you mine!
About the Author
Lindsey Barlow has a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Religious Studies from California Sacramento State University. She has traveled throughout Eastern Europe as a missionary teaching English and serving those in need. She has worked in the Saint Petersburg Hermitage Museum and has visited the Mayan ruins in Mexico. When Lindsey is not writing, she enjoys discovering new bookstores, going on hikes with her children, and pretending she knows how to sew. Lindsey resides in northern California with her husband and children in a house with too many books.
Follow Lindsey Barlow at lindseybarlow.com or tweet a message to @lindseymbarlow.
Tall Pine Novels
By Lindsey Barlow
Beneath the Heavens
Book 1
When Heaven Calls
Book 3
(Coming 2019)
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