A look of surprise passed over Jim’s face, but then he smiled. “I’m glad to hear that, Derek. Cheyenne thought you weren’t interested in her. I understand you were dating someone else?”
“Kandi MacKinnon, but she’s out of the picture now, and I hear that Cheyenne is not dating Rex anymore.”
“That’s true.” A hint of a smile touched Jim’s lips.
With a kick of determination, his nervousness vanished. He would tell Jim the truth. “I wish I had started dating Cheyenne years ago, but I thought the Lord wanted me to remain single to serve Him. But then at the banquet last night, Pastor Reilly said he couldn’t have accomplished the work of his ministry without his wife. They served the Lord together all their lives.” Derek spread out his hands. “Something hit me. I realized I’ve loved Cheyenne—for years. The Lord showed me that if I want to serve Him, I need a wife by my side.” A little warmth crept up his neck. “Does that make sense? Cheyenne has a servant’s heart, and she’s a lot of fun, and she’s pretty, and … and I love her.”
Jim raised his eyebrows. “Uh, so, are you asking for her hand in marriage?”
“Yes!” Derek nodded. Didn’t he make that clear? “Sorry. I don’t do well at explaining things, but I do want your permission and your blessing to marry your daughter—if she’ll have me.”
“I’m more than happy to give my blessing to your marriage. In fact, this is an answer to prayer—not only my prayers, but Cheyenne’s mom’s prayers as well. As far as Cheyenne’s answer …” He shrugged. “All you can do is ask.” Then he grinned. “But I doubt that she’ll turn you down.”
“That’s good.” Derek got to his feet. “Thanks, Jim. I’ll drive over to the park and see if I can find her.”
Jim stood and thrust out his hand. “Welcome to the family, son.”
With a laugh, Derek shook it. “Aren’t you being a little premature? Cheyenne hasn’t agreed to marry me yet.”
“She will.” Jim’s smile faded. “Oh wait a minute. Before you leave, I want to give you something.”
Cheyenne took a seat on a park bench—the same bench next to the lamppost where she and Dad had their discussion several weeks ago. “Let’s rest awhile, Marsh. I can see you’re tired.”
Marshal sat down on his haunches and panted.
The twilight deepened, and the light above her turned on. Two boys whizzed by on their bikes. Then all was quiet. Taking a deep breath of warm summer air, she rubbed Marshal’s ear.
“It’s just you and me, boy.” Her thoughts drifted back to last night at the banquet when Derek had given her his chair. That was so sweet of him.
Closing her eyes, she felt a tear creep out from her lashes. Why am I crying? Pulling a tissue from her jeans pocket, she wiped the tear away. I will wait, Lord. Once again, she closed her eyes and breathed in the warm air, spending several minutes in prayer.
Someone sat down on the bench beside her. “Cheyenne?”
Her eyes flew open. Derek gazed at her from under the brim of his cowboy hat. He wore a Western shirt, and his long legs were clad in jeans.
“Hi.” He smiled at her. “Glad I found you.”
Her heart leaped. “Um, hi!” What was he doing here? He had such a strange look on his face. “Do you need something?”
“Well … I went to your house, but your dad told me you were walking the dog. He figured you were at the park.”
She shrugged. “Here I am.”
Derek removed his cowboy hat and held it in his hands a moment before setting it on the bench. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been thinking a lot about my life lately—you know, relationships and stuff.”
She frowned. “Relationships?”
He met her eyes. “I learned a few things, Cheyenne. In fact, I learned a lot through dating Kandi—a real trial-and-error relationship.”
She stiffened. Why was he talking about this? She didn’t want to hear about his relationship with Kandi. What did he want? Advice?
He cleared his throat. “I really don’t have much experience in relationships.”
That’s obvious! She sniffed. “I’m sure you and Kandi will be very happy—”
“Kandi?” He placed his arm on the back of the bench. “Is that what you think? I’m planning to marry her?”
She frowned. “It sure looked that way at Yellowstone. The two of you were together every second. And then her mom said—” Oh! I’m really putting my foot in my mouth! “Never mind.” She looked away.
“Cheyenne.” Derek gently placed his fingers on her chin and pulled her face toward him. “I had nothing to do with that closeness at Yellowstone. Kandi is a very possessive person, I found out.” He dropped his hand but looked deeply into her eyes. “I learned two things through my short relationship with Kandi.”
She gazed up into his eyes, trying to blink away the tears that insisted on appearing.
Derek curved his arm around her shoulders. “I learned that God does not want me to remain single in order to serve Him, and I learned that …” His gaze dropped to her lips before it came back to her eyes. “I love you, and I’ve loved you for a long time.”
Cheyenne’s head spun. “Me? You—you love me? Not Kandi?” Was that what he’d been trying to tell her with all his talking in circles?
A smile flitted across his lips. “Yes, you, Cheyenne. There’s never been anyone else. No one but you.”
Her lips parted. Was this really happening? Was she actually sitting on a park bench on a warm summer night with Derek Brandt? Had he just said that he loved her? The moment seemed surreal as she gazed into his eyes.
But in the next moment, her senses flooded back. God was answering all her prayers in a single moment of time!
“Oh Derek,” she whispered. “I love you, too.”
He lowered his head, and her hands seemed to slide around his neck of their own accord. His arms tightened around her as his lips touched hers.
That same surreal feeling flew through Cheyenne as Derek kissed her, but at the same time, she felt an aura of peace. God’s peace.
This is where I belong.
In another moment Derek raised his head. He gave her a little half smile then leaned in to kiss her again. Cheyenne didn’t mind. This time she kissed him back with all the passion she’d been saving up for him.
Finally he sat back. “Wow, Cheyenne. If I had known you kiss like that …” He waggled his eyebrows.
She giggled. “You could have kissed me in your truck. Remember—the near kiss that turned into the near miss?”
He laughed. “Is that what you call it?”
She gazed at his handsome face. “Why didn’t you kiss me, Derek? I think you wanted to.”
“I did.” His smile faded. “Back then I thought the Lord wanted me to remain single.” Looking down, he took her hand in his. “I didn’t want to get involved in a relationship, but I know I hurt you.” He looked up. “Will you forgive me?”
Cheyenne thought a moment. “Yes, but there’s only one way I’ll forgive you.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“I’ll forgive you if we simulate that moment in the truck again.” She lifted her tissue to his face. “First I wipe off the mascara… .”
He burst out laughing. “This is why I love you so much.”
Her eyes widened at him. “Why?”
“You’re so much fun.” He grinned then cleared his throat. “Okay, so you’re wiping off the mascara.”
“Right.” She tried not to laugh. “Then I say, ‘That’s better.’ ”
“And I say, ‘Much better.’ And then …” His gaze dropped down to her lips, and he leaned in to kiss her.
Cheyenne kissed him back with more passion than before. I still can’t believe this is happening! But knowing Derek, he would take his time to propose marriage. He might be forty years old before he got around to it.
They were both a little breathless when their kiss ended. Derek sat back and gazed into her eyes. Cheyenne could feel the chemistry between them
, and she gave a contented sigh.
Breaking their gaze, Derek looked down. With his free hand, he fumbled in his shirt pocket. “When I was talking to your dad, he gave this to me.” Derek pulled out a small velvet box and opened it to reveal two rings, one with a large diamond surrounded by sapphires in a yellow gold setting.
She gasped. “That was my mom’s wedding set.”
Derek nodded. “Your dad wanted you to have it. He gave it to me when I asked his permission to marry you.”
“What?” She looked up at him, and his face blurred as fresh tears clouded her vision. “Are you asking to marry me?”
Raising his eyebrows, he looked a little unsure. “I am … if you’ll have me.”
“Yes, I’ll have you!” Laughing, she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes!”
He kissed her again. Then he took the rings out of the box. “Let’s try these on.” Slipping them on her finger, he held up her hand. The rings fit perfectly.
Her eyes widened. “I can’t believe they fit.”
Derek took her hand and squeezed it. “I think it was meant to be. The Lord made this ring for your finger, just like He made you for me and me for you.” He looked at her and winked. “We’ll celebrate by going bowling—after I teach you how to ski.”
“Derek!” Laughing, she leaned against him.
He kissed her forehead. “Do you realize how God designed us to complement each other? You’re outgoing, and I like to stay in the background. You like adventure, and I like the rut I’m stuck in. But we both want to serve the Lord.” He dropped his voice. “And now we can serve Him together.”
“Yes.” She could barely squeak out the word as tears rushed to her eyes. She cleared her throat. “Do you think we could get married by the end of this year?”
With a shrug, he grinned. “Sure, the sooner the better. But what’s the reason?”
She took a deep breath. “I have four million very good reasons… .”
Epilogue
Two years later
Derek couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. He strode through the hospital corridor and passed the nurses’ station.
One of the nurses looked up. “Congratulations!”
“Thanks!” His smile grew bigger as he hit the automatic-door button. The two wide doors swung outward. He stepped out and rounded the corner.
The door to the waiting room was closed, and he peered through the small window. His parents sat in the sturdy padded chairs. Dad looked down at an open Bible on his lap. Evidently he was having his morning devotions, and no wonder. It was only seven thirty. Mom sat next to him, knitting something small with yellow yarn.
I know who that’s for. The thought made him grin.
Across the room, Cheyenne’s dad read a newspaper. His wife, Janet, sat beside him, reading a children’s book to Derek’s seven-year-old son. Arthur had slimmed down quite a bit since Derek and Cheyenne had adopted him, and he’d grown four inches.
Derek opened the door, and Arthur jumped to his feet. “Hey, Dad! Did Mom have the baby?”
“Yep!” He paused, looking at the five pairs of wide eyes that stared at him. “It’s a girl!”
His announcement was met with an outburst of exclamations. Everyone rushed forward and surrounded him. Dad pumped his hand, and Jim slapped him on the back while Mom and Janet both tried to hug him at the same time.
Arthur hopped up and down beside him. “I bet she looks like me, huh, Dad?”
“Not exactly.” With a laugh, he motioned for them to follow him. “Cheyenne is waiting for all of you to come visit her—and our daughter.”
Mom turned to Janet as they walked out of the room. “We finally got a granddaughter—not that I don’t love our little grandsons, mind you.”
Janet smiled. “She’ll be fun to shop for. I just love looking at little girl dresses.”
Derek entered Room 333. He stopped short to gaze at his wife and daughter while his son, his parents, and his parents-in-law surrounded the bed.
Cheyenne sat up with the baby in her arms and gave him a tired smile. Then she took turns hugging everyone. The room echoed with talking and laughter.
“Look at all that dark hair!”
“Her fingers are so little!”
“We’ll have to buy some girl’s clothes right away.”
Mom picked up the baby and cuddled her. “What’s her name, Cheyenne? I remember that you and Derek were waffling back and forth on names.”
Cheyenne tucked a strand of light-blond hair behind her ear. She glanced up at Derek and smiled before she answered. “We’ve decided on Arianna.”
Janet smiled. “Ooh—that’s pretty.”
Derek stepped behind Arthur and placed his hands on his son’s shoulders. “Since we have one A name, we decided to go for two.”
Arthur looked up at him. “Really, Dad? You named her Arianna because of me?”
“Yep. And Arianna’s middle name is Lynn, after Cheyenne’s mom.”
“That’s so nice.” Janet looked up at Jim as she looped her arm through his, and they shared a smile.
“That reminds me.” Derek placed his hand on Cheyenne’s shoulder. “The Lynn Wilkins Memorial Wing of the Bolton Creek Children’s Home is scheduled to open next week. You’re all invited to the grand opening.”
Jim raised his eyebrows. “You’ve done a lot of good with that money, Derek. I’m proud of you two.”
“Knock, knock.”
Everyone turned to the door at Callie’s voice. She and Lane walked into the room with Lane carrying their little son, Cody, in his arms.
After initial greetings by everyone, Callie walked up to Mom and gazed at the baby. “Oh, she’s so pretty.”
Cheyenne grinned. “She looks like Derek, so of course she’s pretty.”
He shrugged. “She got my black hair, Cheyenne. Who knows who she’ll look like.”
“Yeah, Mom.” Arthur leaned against the bed. “I look like you, so Arianna has to look like Dad.”
Everyone laughed.
Lane turned to Derek. “Just wait until she’s the same age as Cody.” He looked down at his son. “This boy gets into everything.”
Callie nodded. “And he’ll be two years old in six months. The terrible twos. I’m dreading that.”
Still holding Arianna, Mom smiled. “Enjoy him while he’s little, Callie. Children grow up way too fast.” She glanced around the room. “I can’t believe we have six grandchildren already.”
“And I’m the oldest.” Arthur smiled up at her. “Right, Grandma?”
“That’s right, Arthur. You’ll probably be our first grandchild to get married and start the next generation.”
Cheyenne laughed. “Now that’s too fast, Mom. I haven’t even thought that far ahead.”
“That’s right. Hold your horses.” Derek grinned. “Arthur’s only starting second grade this year.”
An hour later, the family said their good-byes, and Derek’s parents took Arthur with them. He would stay with them in their RV for the next week. But Derek and Cheyenne kept getting visitors, mainly friends from church. The small hospital room began to fill up with flower arrangements, teddy bears, and gift bags of little clothes.
After supper, Tonya and Murray came by. Tonya was still working at the Beauty Spot, but she wouldn’t be for long. In two months she would have her own bundle of joy.
Tonya gazed at Arianna. “She is so pretty!”
Murray nodded. “Yep. She looks like a Brandt with the black hair.”
“Do you want to hold her, Tonya?” Cheyenne motioned to the chair by the bed. “You can sit there.”
“Sure.” Tonya took little Arianna in her arms and sat down, her giant belly pushing out her maternity shirt. “You know, I don’t think I’m the right shape to hold a baby.” She laughed. “I can’t wait until ours is born.”
“Me, too.” Murray turned to Derek and rolled his eyes. “She makes me rub her feet every night.”
“Well, they hurt!” Tonya shar
ed a smile with him then cooed to the baby.
Cheyenne lay back against her pillow. “The last month is the worst, Tonya. You’ll be ready to have that little one.”
“How are your cookbook sales going, sis?” Derek asked.
“Great! Since Lane mentioned it in his newspaper column, sales have boomed.”
Murray grinned. “We have so many famous authors in our family.”
“We have one.” Tonya laughed. “Lane is the only famous person I know.”
“You might become another Rachael Ray, Tonya.” Cheyenne gave her a tired smile.
After Tonya and Murray left, they had a few more church people come by. Cheyenne was thankful when everyone was gone. She wanted to spend time with her husband and little daughter.
Derek set Arianna in the bassinette by the side of the bed. Then he pulled Cheyenne into his arms and kissed her. “You are really tired, baby. You need some sleep.”
“I know.” She gazed into his eyes. “But I’ve enjoyed this day. Isn’t God good to us?”
“He sure is. Let’s thank Him.” Derek took her hand in his. “Father, thank You for the many blessings You’ve given us. We especially praise You for our daughter’s safe arrival into this world. Please save her at a young age. May she grow up to know You and serve You with her whole heart.”
Cheyenne wiped a tear from her eye. Lord, thank You for giving me such a wonderful husband.
She had waited, and God had worked out His plan for both of them.
God’s plans were always worth waiting for.
CHEYENNE’S TEN-LAYER ENCHILADAS
4 cups cooked chicken or turkey, shredded
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (10 ounce) can black beans, rinsed
1 box Rice-a-Roni Mexican-style rice, cooked
1 cup nacho cheese (queso)
3 (10 ounce) cans enchilada sauce
1 package (24 count) yellow-corn tortillas
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 carton (8 ounce) sour cream
Mix first five ingredients together. In a 9×13-inch pan, make ten layers:
Tumbleweed Weddings Page 46
