by Danni Roan
Blake’s eyes roved over Darcy’s face trying to accept what she said even as a barb of pure sorrow pricked his soul. “Why didn’t you let me know?”
Darcy twisted her hands in her lap. “I’m not the kind of woman a man like you needs.”
Blake placed his hands on either side of Darcy’s face leaning in to peer into the windows of her soul. “Don’t you know that doesn’t matter? You have my heart, and now that you know the truth, you can have the rest of me.”
Darcy closed her eyes as the words washed over here and she released her straining heart as Blake’s lips brushed hers in a tender kiss.
“Ew, Mama, Blake’s kissin’ Darcy!” Gracie’s voice made the couple jump apart as the table erupted in laughter.
“It’s about time too,” Meg grumbled winking at her niece and nephew.
Darcy’s heart had wings as she sat next to Blake who blushed every time someone looked at him.
“I have other news too,” Darcy whispered reaching under the table to take Blake’s hand. “Jim’s at the mission and he’s turned his life over to God as well.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope, now he works helping out around the place and keeping the peace when anyone gets fractious.”
“Will wonders never cease?”
“Not as long as we have a little faith,” Darcy grinned.
Chapter 30
Never in his memory had Christmas been so wonderful to Blake, it was as if every present he had ever wished for had come wrapped in a ribbon in the perfect package that was Darcy.
He didn’t want to let her out of his sight for a minute and quickly moved her things up to his parent’s home. They spent every waking hour together and sat up late into the night getting reacquainted as they poured out their hearts in honest conversation.
Blake had waited all this time, hoping and praying that one day God would bring Darcy back to him, and now here she was.
“Pa, can I take the small sleigh out today?” Blake asked as he quickly ran through his chores in the barn. “I’d like to take Darcy for a ride and ask her something important.”
Clay slapped his son on the back with a grin. “I’ll have it hitched and waiting for you. Run on up to the house and let that girl of yours know.”
“Thanks,” Blake grinned, walking out into the snow with his now familiar limp.
“God it sure isn’t what I would have done in your shoes, but I reckon you know what’s best. I pray you’ll bless those two. Oh and give Meg patience. She’s been planning a wedding for years now.”
***
“I’ve never ridden in a sleigh,” Darcy bounced with delight when Blake led her outside bundled in a plain brown wool coat. “It looks like fun.”
“It is,” Blake said. “I’ll even drive safely,” he added with a grin.
A moment later they were dashing over the fresh snow onto the prairie over well traveled trails. Darcy grabbed at Blake’s arm as he drove quickly over the frozen stream and along toward the saw mill.
The land was so fresh and the air sharp, but it was fun to be out in the open with the man she loved. Darcy still had moments when she was sure she wasn’t good enough for him, but she couldn’t deny that they had been brought together, and if she could trust him with her life, she could trust him with her heart.
As they trotted over a well worn track toward a low rise where a small dark cabin sat empty and forlorn, Blake pulled the sleigh to a stop and turned to Darcy pulling a tiny box from his pocket.
“Darcy, I know it’s kind of fast and maybe not what you were expecting,” he started popping the box open to expose a simple golden band holding a tiny blue stone, “but I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time now, and I want you with me forever. Will you marry me?”
Blake could feel his heart pounding as he waited for Darcy to reply. Her dark, doe brown eyes flicked between him and the ring he offered.
“You sure you want me?” she asked. “I know I love you too Blake, but I’m not the kind of woman someone like you would normally fall for.”
“Darcy,” Blake sighed. “I love you and you are perfect for me. The past is the past, and both of us come with our own fair share of damage. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Say yes.”
A slow smile spread across Darcy’s face and she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear nervously. “Then yes,” she finally replied. “If you’re enough of a Turnip to want me, you can have me.”
Blake pulled Darcy into his arms kissing her before taking her hand and slipping the little ring on her hand. “I want everyone to know you’re mine,” he grinned. “I asked Ma if she knew where I could get a ring and she gave me this. I hope you like it.”
“It’s everything I could ever dream of,” Darcy replied never taking her eyes from his.
Chapter 31
By Easter Blake and Darcy were married. The wedding was small, or at least as small as anything could be on the Broken J.
The bride was beautiful in a simple straight cut satin dress, but the highlight for Darcy was when an older woman in a faded dress took a seat at the front of the church. She couldn’t believe her mother had answered the invitation and tears of joy mingled with hope at the reunion.
The wedding supper was attended by all, and Blake felt like the luckiest man in the world as his family congratulated him.
Meeting his new mother-in-law for the first time was a little awkward, but he knew that in time the woman and the rest of Darcy’s family would come around.
Today he had married the woman he loved, committing their union to God as they started a new life together.
“Are you ready to go home honey,” Blake finally asked as guests began to leave.
Darcy smiled, brushing her hand along his clean shaven face. “I’m ready,” she said, watching her mother climb into a hired car and disappear down the road. “I can’t believe she came,” she added her voice breaking. “Perhaps there is hope.”
Blake smiled. “There is always hope,” he agreed.
A few moments later they were in the little car that had been such a part of their trials and adventures and bouncing across the stream to the empty cabin they would now call home. The sturdy well built cabin had belonged to Benjamin and Cathleen Smith, joint founders of the Broken J, and was a legacy they both embraced. The family had all come together to furnish the home and to her surprise the quiet, seclusion, and vast views of the open prairie, were a balm to Darcy’s soul.
***
Over the next few months, Blake and Darcy settled into a new way of living. They were close to family, yet had their space apart. They learned to live together, as one, finding joy in everyday work, hope amidst trials, and even fun ways of overcoming small conflicts.
There were still days when Blake could see a dark sorrow wash over his wife, like the clouds covering the sun, and he knew that she was dealing with regret, but in time she would pull herself out of the gloom, her bright and lively personality asserting itself once more.
Although these moments could creep up without warning, they usually appeared after a visit to her family’s home. Now, that Darcy was married, her mother seemed inclined to accept her once more, but her father and brothers were all but cold toward her.
Blake would stay close to home on the days that Darcy’s blues were the worse, doing his best to cheer her and show her how much she was loved. She never complained, or wallowed in pity, but silently struggled through those infrequent down days.
It was over a year later that everything changed with the birth of their first child, a bouncing baby girl, with dark eyes, and a cheery smile.
From that day on, Darcy seemed to be able to shrug off those dark moods, her heart reveling in the joy of her daughter and later their son. It was her joy as a mother and love as a wife that sustained her heart on those days when old sorrows threatened to swoop in.
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” Blake asked one evening as they sat on the front porch gazin
g over the stream.
“I don’t think so,” Darcy teased. “Maybe you’d better.”
Blake chuckled leaning in and kissing her lips. “I love you Darcy Allen.”
“I love you too, Turnip.” Darcy giggled making Blake groan. Even now after four years of marriage she loved to use the old nickname.
“It’s gonna rain tonight,” Blake stated, ignoring the barb and rubbing his injured thigh. “I’ve got that ache.”
“Then maybe you should stay home with me instead of out there riding the range.”
“Don’t tempt me woman,” Blake laughed.
Darcy reached out taking Blake’s hand in hers. “It’s been some kind of life Blake Allen,” she said. “Who ever knew a little no one like me, a woman lost and without hope could find love.”
“I can’t imagine ever loving anyone in this world like I do you,” Blake said, wrapping her in one arm and pulling her close. “I’m sure glad I walked into that dingy bar and ran smack dab into you.”
“I guess it was just meant to be.” Darcy smiled again pulling him down for a quick kiss. “Besides, a turnip like you needed someone to watch out for them.”
Blake chuckled pulling Darcy into his arms. This wasn’t the life he expected but he was certainly glad it was the life he had.
The End
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Other Books by this Author:
From the Cattleman’s Daughters
Katie Isabella
FionaAlexis
Meg Mae
Cattleman’s Daughters Companions
Cathleen
The Redemption of Rachel
Sean’s Secret Heart
Mel
Sweet Annie
Joan
Tales from Biders Clump
Christmas Kringle
Quil’s Careful Cowboy
Bruno’s Belligerent Beauty
Tywyn’sTroubles
A Teaching Touch
Prissy’s Predicament
Lucinda’s Luck
Ferd’s Fair Favor
The Travels of Titus
Winter’s Worth
Strong Hearts: Open Spirits
Maggie’s ValleySadina’s Stocking
Celestre’s Song Beloved Beulah
Whispers in Wyoming
Love Letters & Home
Counting Kadence
Mercy’s Light
Falling Forward
Racing Destiny
Baby be Mine
The Ornamental Match Maker
Carousel Horse Christmas
Loose Goose Christmas
Pineapple Persuasion
July’s Jubilant Christmas Jumble
Shutter Shock Christmas in July
Brides of Needful Texas
Daliah
Prim
Peri
Beth
Ruth
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing to read my book. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed the story please feel free to leave a review wherever you purchased the book. Leaving a review will help me and prospective readers to know what you liked about this book. It is an opportunity for your voice to be heard and for you to tell others why the story is worth a read.
About the Author
Danni Roan, a native of western Pennsylvania, spent her childhood roaming the lush green mountains on horseback. She has always loved westerns and specifically western romance and is thrilled to be part of this exciting genre. She has lived and worked overseas with her husband and tries to incorporate the unique quality of the people she has met throughout the years into her books.
Danni currently lives in her thirty-six foot RV with her husband and is traveling the United States to see this beautiful country and experience its history first hand.
Danni and her ‘every-day-hero’ have one son who is attending college and finding his own way as his crazy parents experience the author life along with life on the road.
As a Christian Danni, believes strongly that God brings new challenges, and blessings into one’s life to help them grow and she hopes that her words were both and encouragement and inspiration to you.
