The Rose Ring

by Lucie Ulrich

  “So, Mom never knew Dad was the father?” Noah asked

  Her voice cracked. “Not until a lot of years later.”

  Noah stood and moved to the couch. “But my birth certificate has Katherine and Evan Connors listed as my parents. How was that managed?”

  “Sam paid off the doctor. He came out for regular checkups but wasn’t on hand for the birth. Fortunately, your grandmother made an excellent midwife. The doctor attested to the fact Evan and Katherine Connors gave birth to a seven pound five ounce boy on the night of June fifth. He retired shortly after that and left town.”

  Noah wished he could stop here. Give Annie a break. Let his mind absorb the information he’d been given. He couldn’t though. There was one more important question he needed answered. “How come you never told me? Surely after Mom and Dad died, it no longer mattered.”

  “Oh, Noah, don’t you think I wanted to?” She pulled a tissue from her pocket and dabbed at her nose. “Sam threatened to throw me out if I ever said anything to you about it. Even though I ran the house when your grandmother slipped into such a deep depression after losing your parents, I couldn’t take the chance he’d follow through with his threat.” She swiped at a falling tear. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “No, I don’t suppose you did.” Noah crossed to his mother and took her in his arms.

  Micah cleared his throat. “Can I ask a question?”

  Noah looked over his shoulder. “Can it wait?”

  “No,” Annie pushed herself from Noah’s embrace. “I don’t want any more secrets. What do you want to know, Micah?”

  “When did Mom find out?”

  Annie reached her hand out and waited for him to join the group. “I have a feeling you’ve already figured that out.”

  “It was few weeks before the accident, wasn’t it? That’s why Mom was so angry all the time.”

  Noah stared at his brother. “I wasted so much time blaming you, and it turns I was the one at fault.”

  “No! Neither of you were to blame. You were innocent children caught in a web of lies woven by adults who didn’t have enough common sense to realize you can’t build a strong family on a foundation of lies and deception.” She squeezed Micah’s hand and placed her free hand on top of Noah’s. “I’m so proud of how far the two of you have come in the last month. Despite all odds, you’ve proven that family is worth fighting for. Promise me you’ll never stop fighting to keep the family together.”

  Micah managed a smile. “We’ve come this far, I’m not about to quit now.” He looked past his aunt to his brother. “Sound good to you, brother?”

  Noah extended a hand. “Sounds real good.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  The room was cast in dark shadows when Sky woke up. It took a few seconds for her to realize she’d fallen asleep on Carl’s couch. How long had she been sleeping? Her stomach rumbled. That long.

  She pushed herself to a sitting position and tugged on the chain, lighting the lamp on the end table.

  “Have a nice nap?” Carl walked in from the kitchen with some cheese and crackers. “I have to get back downstairs, so dinner will be a little late. Thought this might hold you over.”

  “Thanks.” She took the plate, fingered a piece of cheese, but never brought it to her mouth. In all probability, the Connors were sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying one of Annie’s home-cooked meals. Tears filled her eyes and spilled onto the plate. She set it aside. “I’m so mixed-up, Carl.”

  Carl squeezed next to her on the couch and wrapped his protective arms around her. “I know you are.”

  She cried for several minutes before pulling away. “I’m sorry. You need to get back to work.”

  “I do, but I always have time for a hug.” He reached for a tissue and wiped her tears. “I’ve been training a new guy for the last week. He’s downstairs now, so I stole a few minutes. I’m going to get him through the dinner rush, then we’ll have time to talk.”

  She nodded, unable to express her gratitude. Carl kissed her forehead and left her to her thoughts. She leaned her head back on the couch, her hunger pangs replaced by a pang in her heart.

  Peggy’s well-used Bible lay next to the lamp. Reaching out, Sky ran her fingers over the leather cover. “Why aren’t you here, Peggy?” She picked up the book and clutched it to her chest. “You know how much I love Carl, but I wish I could talk to you right now.”

  Sky opened the Bible and scanned the table of contents, not that she had any idea what she was looking for. She’d been to church often enough to recognize some of the names but was unfamiliar with most. The book of Proverbs caught her attention. She flipped to the designated page number and began to read. Peggy’s beautiful handwriting filled the margins, and she’d underlined passage after passage.

  Sky pulled her feet up under her and settled in, determined to read all 31 chapters. She got no further than chapter three, gripped by the words in verses five and six.

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

  She closed her eyes, and spoke the words out loud until she had them memorized.

  He shall direct your paths. He shall, not me shall. Sky allowed that to sink in. Doing things her way hadn’t worked all that well. “Okay, God. I’m going to try it your way. Whatever that means.”

  Familiar with The Lord’s Prayer, she spoke it out loud, stopping on the line about God’s will being done. Not her will, but God’s. Her heart leapt when she realized how that went along with the verse she’d just memorized. For the next hour and a half, Sky read and prayed. She voiced her concerns and sought forgiveness. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she released her dreams and desires to the God Peggy had always spoken of with such affection.

  Feeling lighter than she had in ages, Sky pushed from the couch, washed her face, and headed downstairs. The aroma of burgers and fries wafted up the stairwell. She inhaled deeply as her stomach begged for food.

  Voices filtered from the kitchen and dining area. Sky rounded the corner and found Carl drying his hands. “Hey.”

  He broke into a smile. “I was just about to call you. Pot roast or chicken pot pie?”

  “Um, tough decision, but I’m thinking chicken pot pie.”

  Five minutes later, Sky carried their food upstairs. The banister wobbled under her hand. She looked back to find Carl struggling. His red face reflected the effort it took for him to climb the stairs.

  “Don’t look at me that way. Doc told me some arthritis was to be expected as a result of the accident. It’s not like this all the time.”

  She continued up the stairs. “You wouldn’t admit to it even if it was.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “I know I’m right.” She opened the apartment door and waited for him. “You’re a fighter, just like Charlie.”

  Carl led the way to the kitchen. “Who’s Charlie?”

  “My dog.” She set food on the table and reached for some plates and silverware. “Molly, one of the herd dogs, had puppies a while back, and Charlie, the runt, was born with a missing back paw. Micah said they’d never be able to sell him, so I claimed him for my own.”

  “So, you have a thing for gimps, do you?” He grinned and lowered himself onto a chair.

  “You can call yourself a gimp if you like, but don’t put that label on Charlie.”

  “Fair enough, but if you don’t mind, would you do this old gimp a favor and grab the prescription bottle on the counter? Oh, and a glass of water too, please.”

  “Fifty-six is far from old.” She filled a glass with tap water and handed him the glass and bottle.

  With Carl medicated and dinner served, Sky let loose with the happenings of the last few days. “Am I wrong to feel the way I do?”

  Carl swallowed and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I don’t think you’re wrong to voice your concerns, but have you given any serious thought to what you’
ll do if Micah chooses to keep seeing Morgan?”

  The last three days had been consumed with thoughts of what she’d say to Micah should it come down to it. “I haven’t mapped it all out in my head, but one thing is for sure, I won’t live at the ranch.”

  “Would you file for a divorce?”

  She shook her head. “If this just affected Micah, I might, but I refuse to hurt Annie. The ranch is all she has, and I won’t take that away from her.”

  Carl reached for her hand. “You make me proud.”

  Her throat constricted, and she attempted to swallow the lump that had formed. “I don’t deserve your praise. I’m angry, Carl, angry at Micah and angry at myself. I want my marriage to be real and for Micah to love me the way I love him, but I don’t know if that’s what God wants.”

  His brows shot up. “God?”

  “It’s about time I turn to him, don’t you think?” Despite her situation, Sky’s body warmed at the thought of the prayer she’d uttered in silence. “I can be a little slow, but I usually come around.”

  Carl laughed. “You’re looking at the king of slow. You came around to God’s way a lot sooner than I did.” He squeezed her hand. Tight. “You won’t regret your decision, honey.”

  “But that doesn’t mean everything will work out. Does it?”

  “Things will work out, but not necessarily the way you want them to.”

  Sky pulled her hand free and stood. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of diet cola. “Want some?”

  “You know I only keep that stuff around for you. I’m good with my water. Now come and sit down. Your dinner’s getting cold.”

  The tantalizing aroma of the pot pie drew her back to the table. She poured some soda into her glass and sat. “When are you going to tell me that I need to talk to Micah?”

  “Doesn’t sound like I need to.”

  Sky stabbed into the crust and extracted a gravy-covered potato. She blew on it before popping it into her mouth, and followed it up with a combination of chicken, carrot, and flaky crust. “Can you teach me how to make this?”

  “Don’t change the subject.” He stared across the table.

  “I don’t know what to say to him, Carl.”

  “Keep it simple and be honest. Micah needs to understand your feelings as much as you need to understand his. Don’t assume he’s doing you wrong.”

  She sighed. “I know, but he already told me why he’s doing it. What else is there for him to say?”

  “Well, it might have less to do with the words he uses and more to do with how you hear them.”

  Sky let that simmer. Carl had a way of seeing both sides of a coin while it was still spinning in the air. She looked him straight on. “So, you do think I’m wrong.”

  “Not at all. You have some legitimate concerns, and I’m not diminishing them. The first thing you and Micah are going to have to decide is whether or not you’re willing to make a real go of your marriage. The second thing, and I think you’re starting to realize this, is that marriage takes a lot of work.”

  “How did you and Peggy make it look so easy?” She sipped her soda. Carl got that faraway look he always did when he thought about his wife. His wistful smile grew into a grin. My Peggy was one smart woman. It took a while, but she taught me that marriage without God is like a bicycle wheel without spokes.”

  Sky frowned. “I know there’s some wisdom in there somewhere, but you’re going to have to expound a bit.”

  Carl made a fist. “Okay, picture this as the hub, the center part of the wheel. The spokes start from the hub and extend in all directions,” he said as he splayed his fingers, “giving strength to the rim as well as supporting the rider’s weight on the wheel. Now, think of God as the hub. If you put him at the center of your marriage, you’ll have all the strength and support you need to see you through whatever difficulties come your way.”

  “And if it’s not meant to be? If it’s not what Micah wants?”

  “Then keep God as the center of your life and let him guide your path.”

  The scripture she read came back to her, yet more confirmation that she was on the right track. She was determined to follow wherever God’s path took her.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Micah stood in front of Sky’s bedroom and steadied himself for a cold stare, or worse. He rapped on the door.

  No answer.

  He knocked harder. “Sky, it’s Micah. I think we should talk.”

  No answer.

  He knocked a third time, his frustration mounting.

  No answer.

  Now she was just being stubborn. “Fine, have it your way.” He headed off to bed.

  He didn’t attempt a knock on her door the following morning, didn’t see her at breakfast, and left the house without asking about her. By the time lunch rolled around he was tired, hungry, and guilt-ridden. He stepped into the kitchen and was greeted by the wonderful aroma of vegetable beef soup. His stomach grumbled in anticipation.

  Annie dished out a bowl and looked past him to the mud room. “You alone?”

  “Yeah. I sent the guys home early.” He took the bowl from her and joined his brother at the table. “They’ve worked hard with me being gone so much in the last week. Figured it was the least I could do.”

  Annie joined them, prayed, then reached for a slice of bread.

  “Is Sky eating in her room?” Micah brought a large spoonful of the thick soup to his mouth.

  Noah winced and shared a look with Annie.

  “It’s not a hard question, guys. I know she’s ticked off, but she has to eat.”

  Annie drank tea from a glass so filled with ice there was no room to rattle. She set the glass down and looked to Noah. “Do you want to tell him, or shall I?”

  A slight tremor rocked Micah’s belly. “Tell me what?”

  “Sky’s gone, Micah.” Noah adjusted his position on the chair, turning to face his brother. “I took her to Carl’s yesterday. She said it was for a few days, but I’m not sure where her head is right now.”

  The tremor intensified. “And you didn’t see fit to tell me?”

  “I wanted to, but Sky asked us not to say anything unless you asked.”

  The hunger pangs Micah felt moments ago turned into acid-churning agony. He stared at his brother in disbelief. The last few days had been rough, but they would have worked things out in time. “How could she leave without telling me?” He pointed to his aunt’s leg. “And I can’t believe she’d leave you when you’re barely out of the hospital.”

  Annie narrowed her eyes. “I’m getting around just fine, thank you, so don’t go mixing me into the mess you made. That girl is a treasure, and I won’t allow you to make her feel guilty when she has nothing to feel guilty about.”

  “She made a promise.”

  “And you made a few of your own.”

  Promises he hadn’t lived up to. Micah pushed back from the table. “I’m going for a ride.”

  “You can’t run from this, Micah.”

  “I’m not running. I need time to think.” He was running, though, and everyone in the kitchen knew it.

  When he’d put on his jacket and boots, Micah went directly to the stable, glad Noah didn’t follow. He saddled Rex, his favorite mount, and headed toward the mountains. The sight of the rugged, snow-capped peaks calmed his soul. They made him feel small in comparison to the rest of the world. Perhaps they could make his problems seem equally small. He increased the horse’s pace from a trot to a gallop and focused on nothing more than the strength of the animal beneath him and the beauty of his surroundings. When he reached an old cabin that had been part of someone else’s property before Sam bought it, Micah knew he’d need to rest his horse. He dismounted and secured Rex to what was left of the rail on the front porch.

  Wood creaked under his weight as he climbed the sagging steps. He hoped the porch wouldn’t collapse before he got inside. The door was stuck, so he gave it
a good shove with his shoulder. It gave way and swung open on rusty hinges, bounced off the wall, and flew back at him. He stopped it with his palm and stepped into familiar surroundings.

  The pine table and chairs stood where they always had, to the far right side of the cabin. The double bed had collapsed, but the built-in bunk beds on the other side of the room seemed to have withstood the elements. The roof had a few holes in it, most of the window panes were missing, and the stove in the center of the room listed to one side, while a piece of the pipe leading through the roof lay on the floor.

  Micah pulled out a chair and sat. His grandfather couldn’t be bothered to get rid of the place, which had been fine by him. From the time he was twelve, this had been his place to escape. In the beginning it was just for an hour or two, but as he aged, the visits became longer, up to a week at a time during the summer months. Sam never cared, as long as his chores were done. Often it meant riding back for a couple of hours, but Micah didn’t mind. The quiet of the evening was his favorite time. He would sit on the porch for hours, watching the stars and listening to the wind.

  He’d stopped coming during his freshman year of college. His grandfather had decided it was time for Micah to learn every aspect of running the ranch, which, combined with his studies, left little time for anything else. There wasn’t much Micah liked about his grandfather, but he would always be grateful for the things Sam taught him about ranching.

  Rex whinnied and Micah looked through the window opening to see a rider approaching. Noah.

  So much for being alone.

  He stepped out onto the porch and leaned on the door jamb. “How on earth did you know where to find me?”

  Noah dismounted with a grin. “This was my place before it was yours. In fact, I’m the one who brought you out here when you were just a kid, remember?”