Rocky Mountain Oasis

by Lynnette Bonner

  Deception was her only defense. Pulling her hands free from his, she looked him square in the face. “Fighting what?”

  He gave an exasperated sigh, his dark eyes never leaving her face, as one hand went to his hip and the other combed back through his hair and paused at the base of his neck.

  She almost caved in at the hurt that showed on his face. She wanted this, didn’t she? She wanted to love him, to allow him to love her in return, but…. I can’t go down that road again. She kept up her front, carefully concealing her emotions, knowing she could never allow herself to love him. “You don’t know me, Sky. You don’t have the faintest idea what kind of person I am or where I have been in the past.”

  “You’re right. But I want to know.”

  “Trust me, Sky, you don’t want to know.”

  “All right.” He held his hands palms outward at shoulder height. “You don’t have to tell me everything, but I am asking you to trust me. Somehow I think you have gotten the impression that when you tell me about your past I am going to be so horrified that I won’t want to be around you anymore.” Tucking a curl behind her ear, he let his fingers trail across her cheek before his hand dropped back to his side. “That’s not going to happen, Brooke. I love you, honey. I don’t know why God brought us together this way. This is not the beginning to the marriage I always imagined for myself. But I do know that I’ve fallen in love with you and that you are the woman meant for me from the beginning of time. I hope that one day you will love me in return and will want to tell me all about yourself. But for right now I want you to know that I am committed to you. I will never forsake you or betray you. I know I’ve said this before, but I am going to keep saying it until you believe me. I am committed to you, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  When he didn’t say anything more, just stood watching her, her heart constricted within her chest. She knew what he said was true. Even if he found out the truth about her past he wouldn’t reject her. He would go on being the same wonderful Sky, and he would never have the true happiness that he deserved.

  She spoke softly, “I trust you, Sky. More than you know.” I just don’t deserve a man like you. And you certainly don’t deserve a girl like me.

  He stepped up right in front of her and, reaching out, took one of her hands in his own. She closed her eyes momentarily against the wave of dizziness his closeness caused. Turning her hand over, he kissed her palm and then looked up into her face. “Thank you,” he whispered as he let her hand fall gently back to her side. His dark brown eyes were warm and tender on her face, but his expression changed subtly.

  “Will you tell me what scared you at the funeral?”

  She stiffened. “I-I can’t, Sky.”

  There was a long silence as they simply stood and looked into one another’s eyes. She saw disappointment, and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on, radiating from his face. Again, she got the impression that he might know about her lying.

  Brooke finally spoke into the stillness. “I-I don’t really want to learn how to shoot tonight.” Her hand fluttered distractedly toward the makeshift target at the back of the barn. “I’ll just go inside now.” She turned to leave, but he laid a firm hand on her elbow.

  “Brooke, I want you to learn this. Tonight. I am not going to be here very much in the next couple of days and there are going to be a lot of men around that may not be as gallant—” he paused slightly and when her eyes darted to his, he winked with a slight smile—“as me. I will feel much better knowing you can protect yourself.”

  It was her turn to give an exasperated sigh as she pulled away from him and turned toward the target. “Fine. Let’s get on with it.”

  Reaching into the back of his waistband he pulled out a small gun and held it out for her inspection. “This is a .22 caliber pistol. It is very easy to use.

  All you have to do is cock it like this,” he demonstrated as he talked, “then point it in the right direction and pull the trigger.” There was a loud crack and the paper target jumped as a hole appeared directly in its center. Geyser nickered from his stall, eyes rolling and head swinging at the loud pop of the gun.

  “Here you try,” Sky said as he handed her the gun.

  Brooke tried to cock the hammer as she had seen him do but her thumb was not strong enough. She looked at him, irked.

  “That’s all right. Here, just use both of your thumbs to pull it back.”

  When she used both hands she found it easier to do. “Good, now just point it at the paper and pull the trigger.”

  She held the gun out at arm’s length and squeezed. The gun bucked in her hands and the paper did not even vibrate. The bullet sank harmlessly into the hay, and she turned toward him with an I-told-you-so look.

  “Good! You did great! I expected you to close your eyes when you pulled the trigger but you didn’t. That is one giant step in the right direction.”

  “Close my eyes?” She was incredulous. “How am I supposed to hit anything with my eyes closed?”

  Sky smiled. “My point exactly. This time try keeping a tighter grip on the butt of the pistol as you squeeze the trigger. That way it won’t jump so badly.”

  Brooke tried this bit of advice but squeezed so tightly that the gun shook in her hands and again she missed the mark. She stamped one small foot in frustration and turned just in time to see Sky wiping a smile from his face.

  “What kind of teacher laughs at his pupil?” she asked, more angry that she’d missed than at him.

  “I’m not laughing at you exactly. You’re just so…cute,” he ended lamely, his eyes warm on her face.

  Cheeks burning, she turned away quickly and aimed the gun once more.

  “Here, let me help you.”

  Every muscle in her body tensed as Sky eased up behind her and put his arms around her shoulders. He took her hands and the gun gently in his and, placing her hands in the right position, held the gun steady. He was so close that she could smell the warm spicy scent he always carried. When he spoke softly into her ear, his breath brushed warmth on her neck. “I could get used to this. Couldn’t you?”

  Her heart thundering like a stampede of wild buffalo, she swallowed hard.

  His grip tightened and he pressed his lips against her hair. In desperation, she pulled the trigger. The paper jumped, and a hole appeared in the bottom right corner.

  “I did it!” she said in disbelief. Sky stepped back slowly, and inwardly she sighed in relief to have some space between them. She turned to him with a smile. “I hit it.”

  He nodded. “I knew you would be a star pupil.”

  “Star pupil?” She sniffed. “Just a minute ago you were laughing at me.”

  He gave her an unrepentant grin. “Try it by yourself this time.”

  She turned, took careful aim, held the gun steady, and squeezed off a shot. The paper flinched, but she could see no hole in it.

  Sky stepped up to it. “You just nicked the edge. You’re pulling a little to the right. Concentrate on that.” He stepped toward her and asked innocently, “Maybe you’d like me to help steady the gun again?”

  Brooke’s heart raced but she only said, “No, I think I’ve got it now.”

  He winked. “I just thought I’d give it a try.”

  Despite her resolve to keep from falling for this man, his comment made her heart leap with pleasure. Goodness! I’m blushing again! Refusing to allow herself to think about it, she spun back toward the target, took careful aim, and fired.

  Brooke enjoyed her lesson and after several more shots, almost all of which at least nicked the target, Sky told her he thought that was good enough for one evening.

  She handed him back the gun and reached a finger up to jiggle her ear. He chuckled. “Your ears ringing?”

  “Let’s just say I am glad you told me we were done for the night. I had begun to fear that I might not be able to hear your next set of instructions.” She headed for the door. “Good night, Sky.”

  He opened h
is mouth to respond, but suddenly they heard a voice from outside. “Hello the House!”

  Sky frowned and quickly reloaded the empty chambers in the gun, shoving it into the back of his waistband. He stepped out into the dark, and then immediately to the right of the door pulling Brooke after him, so neither were outlined in the light cast from the lantern in the barn.

  Through the falling snow they could make out the dim outline of a horse carrying two riders.

  “Sky?” came a strange voice.

  “Pa?”

  “Oh Sky!” cried a feminine voice as a woman slid from the saddle and rushed toward them. She flung her arms around Sky, hugging him, laughing, and crying all at the same time.

  “Ma.” Sky wrapped his arms around the woman in a warm embrace.

  15

  Brooke felt dazed. Sky’s parents? What were they doing here? Would they like her? How long until they figured out that she would never be good enough for Sky and how would they treat her when they realized it? Brooke pulled her mind back from its wanderings and focused on the conversation around her.

  “We got your letter,” his mother was saying, “telling us you were married, and we had to come. Your father wanted to stay the night in Greer at the ferry house and come up in the morning, but I said we had come that far and we might as well come up tonight. So we borrowed a horse from Mr. Greer and came on up.”

  “Son.” Sky’s father approached leading a horse and Brooke stared, amazed at the resemblance between Sky and his father. Were they closer to the same age, they would have been mistaken for twins. The men embraced. “We heard that a merchant from Pierce City has been murdered?”

  “Yes. In fact, if you had come in the morning I would have been gone to the inquisition.”

  Brooke shuddered at the thought that they could have come when Sky was gone. What would she have done?

  Sky continued, “We are trying to determine who of the men arrested should be held over for a more extensive trial.”

  “Will the trial be held here?” asked his mother.

  “No. They’ll be taken to Murray, the county seat.”

  “We thought we heard shots.” His father changed the subject.

  “Brooke!” Sky turned, remembering her. Gesturing, he motioned for her to step from the shadows into the light cast by the open barn door. “Brooke, I want you to meet my parents, Rachel and Sean Jordan. Ma, Pa, this is my wife, Brooke.”

  Brooke stretched out her hand, hoping they wouldn’t notice how badly she was shaking.

  Rachel Jordan ignored her hand and pulled her into a gentle embrace. “I have prayed for you all of Sky’s life.”

  Tears pooled in Brooke’s eyes even as she was drawn into a fatherly hug from Sean. How disappointed these kind people would be when they learned of her past. What would they say if they knew the way she had lived her life?

  “I was showing Brooke a little about handling a gun since I won’t be around for the next couple of days. There’s going to be more men here than we’ll need, I’m afraid. I’ll feel much better knowing you’ll be here, Dad.”

  Brooke squinted up into the softly falling snow. “Sky, why don’t we go into the house? I’m sure,” she said to Rachel and Sean, “you are cold and tired. I have hot coffee on the stove. Does that sound good?”

  “Very good!” Rachel replied.

  Sky took the reins of the horse from his father. “I’ll take care of the horse, then be right in. You all go ahead.”

  As they entered the house a thought struck Brooke. Where are they going to sleep? She shoved the thought aside as she poured four mugs of steaming coffee. She made small talk with the Jordans as they waited for Sky to come in from the barn and tried not to think about the evening ahead.

  Sky came in brushing snow from his sleeves. He picked up his coffee mug and took an appreciative slurp. Pulling out his chair, he asked, “How are Sharyah and Rocky?”

  “Just fine. They’re staying out at the Bennetts’ while we’re gone. Rocky will go to the house every day and take care of the animals, but this way Sharyah won’t have to worry about housework and schoolwork at the same time.”

  “That’s nice. Is Shar still determined to become a teacher?”

  Brooke took a sip of her coffee. She glanced back and forth from Sky to his parents. How close their family seemed, and she’d only seen them together for minutes. She rubbed her finger around the rim of her cup as Rachel laughed, a low melodious sound.

  “As determined as ever. She only has one more year, and she’ll be done with her studies. Your father and I finally convinced her to slow down a little, or she’d be done already and itching to leave us.”

  Sean took Rachel’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

  “How about Cade? And Victoria? What is she up to these days?”

  Brooke didn’t miss the way Sky’s parents glanced at one another after this last question. A tingle of jealousy marched down her spine, but she refused to acknowledge it. Rising, she moved to refill the coffee cups and completely missed the answers Rachel gave to Sky’s questions.

  Sky and his parents talked late into the evening. Brooke remained fairly silent, allowing them to catch up, only speaking when she was spoken to.

  Finally, Sky called the evening to a close. “I hate to end the evening so soon, but I have to be in Pierce City very early in the morning. How long can you stay?”

  “As long as two weeks if that is all right with you two. We’ve made arrangements at home to be gone that long,” Sean said.

  “Great!” Sky exclaimed. “The trial should be over before then, and that will give me some time to spend with you. I hoped you weren’t going to have to rush home. We have a spare room out in the barn. I built a fire in the stove out there when I was taking care of your horse so it should be warm. The bed is small for two people, but it’s comfortable.”

  Sean winked at his wife. “We don’t mind a small bed, do we, honey?”

  “Sean!” Rachel blushed but smiled lovingly in her husband’s direction.

  “All right, you two.” Sky grinned. “Come on. I’ll show you the way.” Turning to Brooke he said, “I’ll be right back.”

  She nodded but didn’t look his way. She busied herself with clearing off the table and wiping it down.

  Rachel and Sean lay snuggled in bed in the small room out in the barn. It was a bit chilly, but warming up fast with fragrant pine popping in the stove. Though her body was weary from a long day on the road, Rachel felt the need to talk about their new daughter-in-law before they went to sleep.

  “She is very sweet and thoughtful,” she said. “But I felt her trembling when I hugged her after we first arrived. I somehow think she might be afraid of us.”

  “I got that impression, too. I don’t think she is so much afraid of us, though, as she may be afraid of what we will think of her. Do you remember how you felt around my mother when we first got together?”

  “Yes, I was sure she’d know what a terrible girl her son had fallen in love with and that she’d banish me from the family for good.”

  “Her son was not a goody-two-shoes either, if you will recall.”

  There was regret in Rachel’s voice. “Yes, I remember.”

  Sean pulled her closer to him and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “It’s all in the past. Let’s not rehash it now. God has forgiven us, and we have forgiven each other, so we forget what is behind and press on toward our goal, right?”

  “With the Lord’s help.”

  “That’s the only way, dear.”

  “But Sean—” Rachel turned toward her husband, trying to see his face in the dark—“do you think we should have wired ahead that we were coming? You know, given her a couple of days to get used to the idea?”

  “Looking back, that probably wouldn’t have been such a bad idea, but we’re here now, so it’s too late. We’ll have to make the best of the situation.”

  “Maybe if I share our story with her she will understand a little more how we feel
about her? That we will love her, no matter what?”

  “I think that’s a good idea, honey. Why don’t you bring it up tomorrow?”

  There was a lull in the conversation. Then a sudden thought struck Rachel, and she sat up in bed. “Do you think Sky has been sleeping out here?”

  Sean drew his wife back down by his side. “Well, maybe, but if he has, it won’t hurt for them to be pushed together a little bit. The more she’s around him, the more she’ll see he’s not going to hurt her. I get so angry, Rachel, when I think of what that girl must have been through.” She felt the tremor that pulsed through him. “Why God allows men like that to live, I’ll never understand.”

  Rachel stared up into the darkness. “We will never understand God until we get to heaven, will we?”

  Sean kissed her on the forehead. “I suppose not.”

  She sighed in contentment. “At least he loves her.”

  Sean chuckled. “Now, how do you know that? Did you and Sky have a private conversation that I missed?”

  “No, dear. I can see it in his eyes.”

  They were quiet for a time, and then Rachel returned to their earlier discussion. “Hopefully she’ll be more comfortable around us in the morning once she has had time to get used to the fact that we’re here.” She twirled a strand of her graying brown hair around one finger. “In all the excitement I forgot to ask about Jason. I wonder how he’s doing.”

  Sean sighed. “I’ve had him heavy on my heart for the last several days. I’ve really been praying that he won’t forget the things Mother and I taught him as a boy. He needs to give his life back to God.”

  “Let’s pray for him now, Sean.” Rachel grasped one of Sean’s hands, and they prayed together for Jason. They prayed he would remember all those things he had been taught, and that he would be convicted of the life he was now living.

  “God, please bring Jason back to You. Show him all he is missing by living for himself and not trusting You with his life. Help him to return to Your loving arms. Lead him beside Your still waters. And be with Brooke. Help us to be a witness to her. She also needs Your love, Lord. Help her to understand that she will never be worthy of Your love but that it is a free gift, given in Christ Jesus. Bring her to feed in Your green pastures. These things we ask in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.”