by Lori Wick
I'll see to it this time that you arrive safely in St. Louis."
Darvi put a hand on his arm for a moment before once
again turning back to the window. Dakota let her have the
silence. He was more confused than ever about almost
everything--his feelings and his job as a Ranger, just to
name two. But right now he didn't need to dwell on those.
He had a goal, and it was not complicated: Get Darvi home.
Once he had done that, he would wait and see what the
future might bring.
3t"5"3r
The telegraph for Darvi actually arrived a few hours
ahead of her. Completely sealed in an envelope, it was from
Annabelle Hewett, telling Darvi when she would be
needed back in Aurora as a witness in Jared Silk's trial. It
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was all very businesslike and proper, allowing Renee to
keep her cover yet still remain in contact with her niece.
Darvi, however, did not know this as the hired hack
pulled up in front of her house and she listened to Dakota
A Texas Sty 225
tell the man to wait. She stood on the sidewalk while he
fetched her bag from the rear and proceeded to walk her up
to the front door of the large, blue two-story house that
loomed above them. Darvi went to that door and opened it
without hesitation.
"Mother," she called as Dakota brought up the rear,
closing the door behind him.
"Darvi!" a deep male voice came in reply, just moments
before a tall, well-dressed young gentleman rushed to the
front door and took Darvi in his arms.
"You're home! You're home!" the man kept repeating as
he appeared to be squeezing the life out of her. He let her
go for a moment but then snatched her right back into his
arms.
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Darvi caught Dakota's eye and tried to communicate
her helplessness, wishing at the same time she could read
his expression, which was very bland.
"Brandon," Darvi got out at last
That man stepped back and looked at her.
"Where are my parents?"
"Your mother had to run uptown for a minute. And
your father is at work."
She nodded and put a hand up so he could not hug her
again.
"Brandon, I'd like you to meet Dakota Rawlings. He's
the man who brought me home."
Brandon turned with a huge smile.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Rawlings." His hand came
out for a shake. "I can't begin to tell you how I've missed
her."
"My pleasure," Dakota assured him as they shook
hands. He then turned to the strawberry blonde, who was
watching his every move.
"Well, Darvi, I'd best be on my way. You take care of
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yourself."
Darvi's mind screamed that it wasn't supposed to be
this way. Brandon wasn't supposed to be there. She and
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Dakota had just spent two and a half more days together,
and Darvi was more taken than ever. He couldn't leave
now, not before meeting her parents.
"Thank you" was all she could manage/ her voice
coming out in little more than a whisper.
"It was nice to meet you," Dakota told Brandon before
giving a last goodbye that encompassed them both.
Darvi watched in shock and amazement as he went to
the door, exited, and shut it behind him.
Out on the sidewalk, Dakota returned to the waiting
hack, spoke to the driver, and climbed on board. Not even
after he'd taken a seat and the driver put the horse into
motion did he look back at Darvi's house. His gaze swung
here and there as they moved, but for the most part, his
eyes were down the road.
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The driver navigated a few turns, and some three blocks
later, Dakota finally spoke.
"The big white one," he said quietly.
"Yes, sir."
Just moments later the driver halted again. Dakota
alighted this time, paid the man, reached for his own bag,
and went up yet another sidewalk. Much like Darvi, he too
opened the front door without hesitation, stepped inside,
and closed it softy.
Across the wide foyer stood an elegantly dressed
woman, hair perfectly coifed, face turned to the housekeeper
as they studied a list together.
"And you found two broken chairs?" the lady of the
house inquired.
"Yes, but Croft is fixing mem right now. It shouldn't be
a problem."
"What about the glasses? Any more broken?"
"Not a one. That new girl from down the street is a
marvel. She has the nicest touch of any girl you've ever
hired."
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"Good, good," the lady said absently, her eyes once again
on the paper. When she glanced back at her housekeeper,
ATexasSky 227
however, she found her eyes on some distant spot, a smile
on her lips.
Virginia Rawlings turned to the front door for the first
time, her own smile bursting forth.
"Dakota," she said softly.
"Hello, Mother." That man's smile mirrored her own.
"You're home," she spoke again, this time moving forward.
The two met in a warm embrace, Dakota's heart
echoing her words.
Yes, Mother, I'm home.
"How are you?" virginia finally asked. At first she
hadn't talked. She just wanted to hug him, not caring the
reason he was suddenly in St. Louis and not Texas.
"I'm doing fine. How are you?"
"Worried about you."
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"Why?"
She looked him in the eye.
"The last I'd heard you had five bullet holes in you."
Dakota grinned. "And you thought that might slow me
down?"
Virginia only shook her head.
"Mother," he said, changing subjects quickly to what
was on his mind. "Have you had your fall fling yet?"
"If you mean my Autumn Garden Party," she told him
patiently, "no, I haven't. It's in 18 days."
"Can you invite the Wingates?"
His mother's brow furrowed. "Three blocks over, the
large blue house?"
"Thafs the one."
"Why?"
"I want to see a little more of their daughter."
After dropping that tidbit of information, Dakota
started for the stairs.
"Oh, and Mother," he now tossed over his shoulder,
"can you send for the tailor? I need a new suit."
425
A Texas Sky 229
A moment later the bell rang at the front door.
"Dakota James Rawlings," his mother said in a no-nonsense
way, "you come back here this instant!"
Dakota turned with a smile. "I've got to clean up if I'm
going to be fitted for a suit."
"That can wait Tell me about this girl."
"Get the door, Mother," he teased her, turning to go on
his way.
Virginia had all she could do not to laugh. He was a
rascal, just like his father, but she adored him.
The matter at the door only took a moment, and the
second she was free Dakota's mother made a beelin
e for
the stairs. Long before she reached his bedroom, she heard
Dakota and his father talking. Not bothering to even knock
at the door he had only partially closed, she barged right
into her son's room. Dakota was already shirtless, bent
over the washstand, Charles Rawlings Sr. talking to his
back.
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"So how's the ranch?"
"Doing great," Dakota spoke as he scrubbed. "I worked
with Cash the days I was there. Everything looks fine. I
think he's got a sale coming up soon."
"I've been following the prices. He should do well at
market right now," Charles commented.
"How can you be talking about the ranch at a time like
this?" Virginia demanded, arms akimbo.
"At a time like what?" Charles questioned in confusion.
Virginia pointed to Dakota. "The boy is in love."
"He didn't tell me he was in love," Charles stated. He
then mumbled, "No one tells me anything."
"Of course he didn't tell you he was in love, you're only
interested in the price of beef. Did you even ask about your
mother?"
Charles looked sheepish, and both Virginia and Dakota
had to fight smiles as they looked at him.
"How is your grandmother?" he ventured at last.
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427
2^0 lori wick
"I didn't get a chance to go see her, but as far as I know
she's doing fine."
"And Cash?" This came from Virginia.
"Great. I've been at the ranch quite a bit these last few
weeks. He's doing well."
"Slater and liberty?"
"I haven't seen them, but I think everything is fine."
"Good. Now, about this girl/' Virginia started. "Whaf s
her name?"
Dakota grinned but still said quietly, "Darvi."
Virginia's eyes widened with memory. "Darvi Wingate?
Isn't she engaged to Brandon Young?"
"Was engaged," Dakota corrected.
"Did you have something to do with the breakup?"
Charles asked.
"No. It all happened before we met."
Virginia was frowning again. "Before you met? She's
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Marty Bracewell's niece, isn't she? You've known each
other for years."
"Met again," Dakota explained and waited for the barrage
that wasn't long in coming. His mother wanted to
know everything. Dakota did not volunteer every detail
but gave his parents a fairly clear picture of the situation.
His mother was stunned into silence, and he was rather
relieved. It had been an emotional time.
"Is she all right now?" Charles asked kindly.
"Yes. She's doing very well."
"Good. I forgot to ask how long you can stay," Charles
continued, reading his son's face very easily.
"I should head ba"ck to Aurora tomorrow, but I'll return
for the party. The timing hasn't been right to talk to Darvi
about some of what I'm feeling, and I may never have a
chance, but I wish to do my own talking."
Both parents nodded in agreement, understanding
completely. '
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429
"111 get an invitation out today. I'll also send for the
tailor, or if you'd rather, you could go to him and speed the
process a bit"
Dakota nodded. "Ill do that. Thank you, Mother."
Virginia went to hug him again. "If s good to have you
here, scars and all, even if if s just for a day."
Dakota looked over his mother's head to see his father
looking pleased. It was at that moment he realized he'd
missed a vital opportunity. This was the first time he had
seen his parents since coming to Christ. By coming in and
mentioning Darvi he had lost his chance, at least for the
moment, of bringing up the changes in his life.
His parents left him alone, and Dakota prepared to go
uptown. As he did so, he prayed for yet another opportunity
to share his faith. If not now, then in a few weeks when
he returned to St. Louis
5" * '
Darvi would evemually kick herself for not making trie
430
connection, but they had never socialized with the Rawlngses
before, and she simply gave their last name no
thought.
Accompanying her parents to the party, she wore a
dress of dark apricot. Made for her, it was lightweight and
full-skirted. It fit perfectly, displaying her lovely shape and
slim arms and neck. She didn't go for too many ruffles or
much lace, but her gown was elegant.
A group of six arrived just ahead of Darvi and her parents,
Stanley and Clarisse Wingate, forcing them to wait in
line for just a few seconds. Nevertheless, the moment Darvi
caught sight of Mr. Rawlings, her mind began to work. She
didn't have time to develop any ideas--they were inside
more quickly than she expected--but as soon as she
spotted the man who had occupied many of her thoughts
for the last two and a half weeks, it all made perfect sense.
232 lori wick
Dakota was slightly taller than his father/ who was an
older version of the Ranger, and Darvi's eyes drank in the
431
sight of him in a formal suit. His shirt was a snowy white,
a black tie at his throat, and to Darvi he looked taller and
larger than ever.
Her parents went through the receiving line first, and
almost before she was ready, she was standing in front of
him. Dakota held her eyes as he bent over her and kissed
the back of her hand.
"May I see you on very short notice?"
"Yes." Darvi's soft tone matched his own.
"This evening? After the party?"
All she could do was nod. She thought it might be time
to move away, but Dakota still held her hand. Her mind
scrambled for something to say.
"I've heard from Annabelle Hewett," she got out
"She told me she'd been in touch."
Darvi's eyes widened. "You've seen her?"
"I just got back."
Darvi nodded, even as her heart sank. "And thaf s why
you want to see me."
Dakota studied her face.
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"Are you seeing Brandon again?
Looking surprised, Darvi said no.
Dakota couldn't stop his smile. More people were
coming in the door, so Dakota turned to his mother.
"I'm going to walk Darvi to the punch bowl. 111 be back
shortly."
Virginia sent a beaming smile at the small strawberry
blonde, who smiled in return. Dakota offered his arm and
led her away.
If Darvi expected more of his time, however, she was to
be disappointed. Dakota walked her directly to the punch
table, got her a glass, and bent slightly to catch her ear.
"What time may I call for you later? I thought we might
go for a walk."
"What time are you available after the party?"
A Texas Sky 233
"I think about six."
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"Will seven o'clock work then?" Darvi asked, wishing it
could be now.
"I'll be there."
Darvi forced herself not
to watch him walk away. Most
people knew she was no longer engaged, but she hated it
when people talked about her.
There was someone talking about her right now, but
had she known about these two and how kind their words were, she would have relaxed.
"Is Darvi all right?" Virginia asked as soon as Dakota
was back at her side.
"Why do you ask?"
"She was dearly surprised, Dakota, and she looked
rather pale."
"I noticed that too. 111 be seeing her later and hopefully
I can dear everything up."
More guests arrived, and they went back to work. They
spent another 20 minutes receiving people and then joined
their guests in the huge garden at the rear of the house. It
was a large group, but Dakota had little trouble finding
Darvi with his gaze. He forced himself not to stare at her,
434
much as he wanted to, but to mill around and talk with his
parents' guests, some of whom he hadn't seen for years.
And he enjoyed himself. He was even able to have a brief
conversation with Darvi's father, who watched him rather
closely but did not seem to object to him as a person.
Dakota's heart, however, could not see seven o'dock
coming fast enough.
5"5"S'
"Did you have a good time at the party?" Dakota asked
when they were barely out Darvi's front door.
"Yes, I did. Your parents are very nice." She glanced
sideways at him while they walked. "We've never been
invited to anything at your parents' home before."
234 lori wick
"Haven't you?"
"No. Did you have anything to do with today's invitation?"
^ "Yes, I did."
435
Darvi stopped and turned to him. "Why, Dakota? Why
did you never tell me you're from St. Louis?"
"Because I'm not," he began, but seeing how stunned
she was over that statement, he didn't go on. He glanced
down the sidewalk just then and saw they were almost at
the park.
"Would you mind if we sat down?"
"No,thafsfine."
A few minutes later they took opposite ends of a bench
in the middle of the park so they could turn and see each
other. Darvi said not a word but waited and hoped that this
man wasn't about to hurt her. She worked to keep her emotions
from showing, hoping he would explain everything.
"The first thing I need to tell you is that I've never intentionally
kept something from you. I knew you were from
St Louis, but where I was born just never came up."
She looked confused, so Dakota tried again.
"I left St. Louis when I was five, Darvi. My home is
