Every Little Thing About You (Yellow Rose Trilogy 1) (11 page)

125

prayed from his place under the big oak tree after the

group had quieted, "to gather in Your name for fellowship

and food. We thank You for each person here, and pray that

our time in You would be sweet. Bless this food as we partake.

In Christ's name we pray. Amen."

74 lori wick

Tables had been set up. Baskets, pots, bowls, and platters

had been laid out. Towels were lifted and the contents

displayed. Plates in hand, the congregation lined up to

make their choices. A few mothers had to coax children

from the water's edge, but most of the younger set were

ready. \

"If s time to eat," Liberty told Laura and Zach.

"Do you think they catch fish in here?" Zach asked, his

eyes on the creek bed and the minnows that swam near the

bank.

'Til bet they do. You should ask Mr. Miller if you can

fish here sometime."

126

"I could too," Laura put in. "I won't poke anyone with

the hook."

"Papa won't let you fish yet, Laura/' Zach said, his

voice regretful. "You might get hurt"

Laura looked stubborn over this until she caught her

brother's look. It was impossible to get mad at him when

he wanted her to fish.

"We could ask," she said in a quiet voice, all stubbornness

gone. "You could ask, Zach...you could."

Zach contemplated this. His father wouldn't get angry,

but if he said no, Laura would be disappointed. Zach's soft

heart could hardly handle the thought. He wished she

hadn't even asked.

"Are you ready to eat?" Duffy called as he came toward

them. Liberty had come off the quilt she had laid out and

was holding the plates, but she didn't answer for the children.

She was too busy trying not to watch Slater. He was

surrounded by a group of women.

Zach stood staring up at his father until Duffy lowered

his brow in puzzlement Laura was pulling on her

127

brother's sleeve.

"Papa," Zach began, "could Laura come fishing with

us sometime?"

"Sure, Zach. I think thaf s a great idea. You were very

kind to think of her."

Every Little Thing About You * 75

There was no missing the little boy's sigh. He grinned

at his sister, who grinned right back, and then smiled up at

his father in a way that always melted the hearts of those

who loved him.

"Lef s eat," Duffy said softly, and the four proceeded

across the grass. Liberty had a plate for Slater, but she suddenly

felt awkward. She approached the food tables, fully

expecting him to already have a plate in hand. She hadn't

counted on Laura.

"Here," Laura said, as they neared the group that Slater

was a part of and she took a dinner plate from her sister.

Her family watched as she stepped right into the midst and

handed it to Slater.

128

"Here's your plate, Slater. Are you going to come to our

quilt?"

"I am. Thank you, Laura. I'll just come and stand in line

with you right now. Excuse me, ladies."

Liberty could have sunk into the grass. She hadn't put

Laura up to anything, but the looks on the female faces that

watched Slater leave the circle were certainly speculative,

or were they just fascinated with this new man?

"I hope I didn't hold you up," Slater said as they gathered

at the rear of the line.

"Not at all," Duff put in before Liberty could speak.

"We hope we didn't interrupt your conversation."

Slater didn't answer, but Liberty could have hugged

her stepfather. He must have seen her strained, surprised

look when Laura took things into her own hands. Indeed,

her stepfather was bending over to speak to Laura right

then. It wasn't hard to guess that she was being reprimanded

over interrupting.

"Did Griffin happen to tell you how long he would

be?" Slater asked Liberty.

129

"I didn't talk to him at all. Did he have to stay at the

jail?"

"Yes. It was a busy night last night. He didn't get in

until quite late."

76 lori wick

Liberty nodded.

"Do you never work on Saturday nights?" Slater asked,

no longer able to squelch his curiosity over the arrangement.

"Not usually, but that's why I go in on Monday and

Tuesday mornings, so he can do a little catching up on his

rest."

It was on the tip of Slater's tongue to ask how long she

had been at this, along with a dozen other questions, but he

felt he'd asked enough. Pastor Caron had taken most of the

service that morning to tell them what a prayer warrior

Nehemiah had been. Slater determined to emulate that

Bible character and to start immediately.

Covertly watching Slater, Liberty tried to figure out

130

what he might be thinking. Had he been very disappointed

to be taken from the group? Had Laura rescued him, or

was he being polite to a little girl? Liberty had no idea how

she could find out and made herself rest in the matter.

Easier said than done. She found herself glancing at him often to see where he was looking. She was quite fascinated to note that she never once saw him glancing back to the

group of young women who had finally fallen into line.

"I don't like beets," Liberty heard Laura say. She

watched as Duffy gave her something else. Zach's plate

wobbled a little, but before Liberty could reach for it,

Slater's hand was there. For the briefest of moments, Liberty

had the unwanted feeling of not being needed but

managed to push it away and concentrate on getting her

food. While she did this, she had a stern talk with herself.

You enjoy Slater's company, and he's chosen to eat with your

family. After all Griffin invited him. Now, you can relax and take

pleasure in this, or you can examine every move the man makes

and be miserable. You're too old to be so distracted by a pair of

warm blue eyes, a tall build, wavy blond hair, broad shoulders, a

great smile... Stop it, Libby! Liberty shouted to herself just in

131

time.

Every Little Thing About You 77

"Why don't I take our plates, Libby." Slater turned and

offered, "and you can get our drinks?"

"Oh--all right," Liberty said but moved away from the

crowd only a little and stood looking at him.

"I'm getting that look again," he said, his eyes smiling.

Liberty's eyes narrowed in an effort to hide her feelings.

"I'm still figuring you out."

Slater smiled slowly. "Well, I hope you keep at it."

Liberty had no idea what he meant by this, so she

simply said, "I think there's coffee, lemonade, and water.

Which would you like?"

"Lemonade, please," Slater said, watching her closely

and thinking he found her a little more fascinating every

time they talked.

Liberty ended up with a tray holding five lemonades

and then walked beside Slater back to the quilt. The Millers

had a quilt next to theirs, and Laura joined their family to

132

be with little Kathy Miller. Slater waited until Liberty had

doled out the drinks and taken a seat on the quilt and then

gave her her plate. Watching his solicitous manner, Duffy

couldn't stop his smile.

"You're looking pleased with yourself, Duffy

Peterson," Liberty said, knowing her stepfather well and

reading his sparkling eyes.

"Am I?" he evaded.

Liberty only looked at him and smiled when he

winked. She might have given him a hard time, but Zach

suddenly said, "It's Griff and Tess! Over here. Griffin."

The couple made their way over to the quilt, Tess'

mother coming with them. It was on Liberty's mind to find

out what Duffy had been thinking, but the afternoon suddenly

rushed on, and she never got back to it.

m

"Dro you pop the question?" Liberty came right out

and asked her brother.

133

"No," he told her honestly, his voice mild.

"Why not?"

They were still at the picnic, but Laura had wandered

too dose to the bank and fallen completely into the water.

Slater had plucked her out, and Mrs. Miller had told Duffy

to bring her to the house. Slater had gone with them. Zach

had wandered off with a schoolmate, and Tess and Mrs.

Locken had gone to see the Carons, who were sitting closer

to the house.

"I have my reasons," Griffin said, effectively shutting

the door in his sister's face. Griffin didn't realize this until

he looked over at her. Liberty's eyes, large and somber as

she looked at the children playing near the water, were

hurt

"I didn't mean it that way, Lib. I have some more

thinking to do and someone I must talk to. I just know if s

not time right now. It may never be time."

Liberty stared at him. "Then why do you spend so

much time with her, Griff?"

Griffin sighed before admitting, "Because I'm selfish

134

and unfeeling. I want to be with her--I want to see her--

even if it hurts later."

Liberty nodded, glad that he had been so honest.

Knowing she needed to be careful about what she said, she

reminded herself that her brother was not answerable to

her; she was not in charge.

79

80 lori wick

"Griffin/' Liberty said suddenly, "Slater is headed this

way, and I want to ask him something. You may not like it,

so I won't if you don't want me to."

"About what?"

"Marriage and law enforcement."

Griffin shrugged. "I don't care."

"Is this a bad time?" Slater asked as he neared--little

wonder with the serious looks on Liberty's and Griffin's

faces.

135

"No/' Griffin told him. "Please join us."

"Does Duffy need me to do anything with Laura?" Liberty

asked Slater.

"I don't think so. She had Mrs. Miller laughing when I

left."

"What did she say this time?"

"She assumed the Millers had special get-wet clothes.

When Kathy didn't know what she was talking about,

Laura asked, 'So you just get wet in whatever you're

wearing?'"

Griffin laughed, and Liberty shook her head.

"Her logic is always a challenge/' Griffin said.

"I was looking at her as her head came out of the water.

She was very shocked to have fallen in," Slater told them.

"Well," Liberty said, "Duff told her she couldn't wade

in because it meant removing her stockings, but I know she

still wanted to. I don't think getting completely wet was in

her mind at all."

"Probably not. I think I heard a few tears when she

thanked me."

136

"I'm glad she remembered to do that/' Griffin said quietly.

"Slater," Liberty began, choosing that moment to

plunge in, "may I ask you a question about your family?"

"Shoot."

"Did you say your brother is a Texas Ranger?"

"Yes."

"Is he married?"

Every Little Thing About You 81

"No."

Liberty nodded but didn't go on.

Slater watched her.

"Why did you ask, Libby?" Surprisingly enough, this

came from Griffin, who felt she'd left Slater at sea.

"I just wondered if he had any views on the subject

because of his job, or if he wasn't married because the right

girl hadn't come along."

"His job requires him to move around a lot, and

Dakota, that's my brother," Slater explained, "enjoys his

work, even though it doesn't make marriage very practical."

137

"Do you think he worries about leaving a widow if he

were to marry?"

"I would say he does. He's not at all easy on people

who break the law, but he's usually very polite and caring

of women. I think he would consider marriage a serious

move for someone in his position."

Liberty nodded. She'd gotten her answer, but it wasn't

one that would comfort Tess if she'd heard it. Liberty

glanced at Griffin but only found him staring at Slater. He

appeared to be waiting for something, and Liberty wondered

if Griffin had wished she'd kept her mouth shut.

Slater, on the other hand, thought that Liberty's questions

stemmed entirely from her own situation. Did she

fear marrying someone because her job was so dangerous?

Again, Slater was pained at the thought that she had to live

like this. His own gaze swung to Griffin, whom Slater felt

was very responsible for his sister. But that man was

watching Tess and her mother return to the quilt. Asking

God to help him be patient over matters that might never

become clear, Slater shifted his mind away from the torturous

138

thoughts.

^-*3r

%r

82 lori wick

"How are you feeling?" Liberty asked Kate first thing

Monday morning. Kate was still in bed; Duffy had gone

downstairs to start breakfast

"As well as can be expected," Kate said, her voice light.

Liberty stared at her mother, and Kate smiled at her.

"Duffy and I were talking last night and again this

morning. Sometimes surprises are very nice things."

Liberty caught on swiftly, her eyes growing in size.

"Oh, Mam, are you really?"

"Well, Duffy thinks so, but he's only a doctor."

Liberty rushed over and hugged her mother for a long

time. Kate eventually pushed up against the headboard

and the two sat talking.

139

"You didn't have Laura's cold at all."

"I don't think I did. I'm just tired."

"Not queasy?"

"Only around certain food."

"When do you think the baby is due?"

"Well, by my calculations, sometime in June--mid to

late."

Liberty smiled. "Remember Zach's first day of school?

You cried, not only because he was leaving, but because

you knew mat next year Laura would be gone too."

"I do remember that." Kate's voice was fond. "I asked

the Lord to give me strength on that day and all the ones to

come, but not to worry about tomorrow. It never occurred

to me that we would have more children, but I can't tell

you how pleased I am."

"When will you tell Zach and Laura?"

"Not until I'm ready for the whole world to know."

Liberty laughed. "But, Mam, Laura would tell the

world in such a warmhearted manner. It might not be

something we'd want to miss."

140

"This sounds like fun," Duffy offered as he came in the

door with a steaming mug of coffee for his wife. Zach was

close on his heels.

Every Little Thing About You 83

"Thank you, dear," Kate said as she took a sip and then

set the drink aside so Zach could come close and cuddle

with her. "Are you all ready for school?"

"Yes. We had oatmeal."

"Was it good?"

"Yes, but I think if s the only breakfast Papa can make."

Zach looked over at his father. "What did you eat before

you married Mam?"

"Oatmeal," Duffy told him, and Zach laughed at the

way his eyes crossed.

Their voices woke Laura, who did not always rise with

the rest of the family. Tousled and sleep-warm in a small

flannel gown, she came in to snuggle next to her mother as

well. Liberty had to be at the jailhouse soon, but she made

time before she left to thank God for this new little person

141

and to pray for his safe arrival. As she watched her

family--Duffy was on the bed too--she didn't think that

God could give another child to a more godly, loving

couple. In her opinion, next June couldn't come soon

enough.

r /

Did you pop the question? Why not? The questions Liberty

had asked Griffin more than two weeks earlier were

almost constantly on his mind. He had even double-checked

with his sister to make sure she wasn't upset by

his cold reply.

And why had he been so formal with her? He had

thought it might help to speak with his mother, but Griffin

used the excuse that she wasn't feeling well long after it

was valid. No longer. Slater had left for work, Liberty was

at the jailhouse, Zach was at school, and Duffy would also

have gone to work. It was time to pay a visit to his mother.

Griffin spent some time in prayer about their meeting and

142

then went next door, hoping very much that she didn't

have plans or company for the morning.

84 lori wick

"Well, Griff," Kate greeted him warmly as they

exchanged a hug, "I was just about to have some coffee and

read my Bible. Would you like a cup?"

"I would if it wouldn't be interrupting."

"Not at all. You've been busy lately, and I don't want to

miss a chance to talk with you."

Griffin realized that she always did that: made him feel

special and wanted.

"Unless I miss my guess, you have something on your

mind/' Kate said as she put a steaming mug in front of him,

not even giving him a chance to ask how she was feeling,

especially with the baby coming.

"How did you know?"

"Because Libby told me she said something to you at

the picnic and felt bad about it. She got the impression that

you were upset by her probing. Did she not get back to you

143

as she planned?"

"Well, I had to talk to her about the way I acted, and she

tried to make sure I was all right with her, but now that you

mention it, I think I was a little too busy making sure she

wasn't upset with me to listen."

Kate nodded. "You're in terrible pain, Griff. I can see

it."

Griffin dropped his head, his hand going to the back of

his neck.

"All this time I should have been talking to you, but it

never occurred to me. I think you could give me some

answers--you have insight into being a lawman's wife-- and it only just recently occurred to me to ask."

Kate smiled. "Sometimes we're like that, a little slow to

start."

"Hi, Griff!" a cheery voice called just before Laura

launched herself at her oldest brother. "I didn't know you

were here."

Griffin gave her a hug and kissed her cheek. "How are

you today?" he asked.

144

Every Little Thing About You 85

"I'm drawing a picture of our house. I did Mam and

Papa's room and the kitchen."

"Well, you still have a lot of rooms to cover."

Laura agreed with a nod of her head but still plopped

down in a kitchen chair as if she had all day.

"Laura," her mother said gently, "I need you to play on

your own for a little longer."

Laura looked between the two adults.

"Are you talking to Griffin?"

"Yes."

"Is it because he loves Tess?" Laura asked, a little frown

on her brow.

"That is none of your concern," her mother told her,

and Laura tucked her lower lip under her teeth and gave

Griffin an apologetic look. She left, looking back at them

only once, and when she was gone, Griffin smiled.

"Just so long as she doesn't see you laughing," Kate

told her son. "She's precocious enough as it is, and at times,

145

nosey. Now! Let's get back to you. Ask me anything, Griff,

and I'll try to answer."

Griffin sighed. "You married Thomas Drake before he

was a sheriff, but did you know he wanted to be the

sheriff?"

"Yes, I did. I can't say that I didn't worry, Griff, but I

will admit that I didn't worry much. My father hadn't died

from a bullet wound, so I didn't have that on my mind like

you do. I knew the risks, but not until your father pushed

to have the laws changed did I really start to see how dangerous

his job would become."

"Tell me about the firearms law," Griffin requested. "I

can't remember how long he waited to implement that."

"Less than a year after he took the job. And then he

died not long after it went into effect. Because of that, there

were some who said the law didn't do any good. All this

clamping down on guns, only to have your father shot

while enforcing the new statute. But he was the only one

killed for a long time, and even though the job came with

146

^.

iiVv

#

' /

'j?T,f '**

. S V

*'*

*V A

86 lori wick

risks, we both believed in it. I still do. And thankfully, so