At his mothers muffled, Come in, Luke pushed open the door and stepped aside so Reva and Faith could enter. As Faith passed him, he gave her a reassuring smile and some of the butterflies in her stomach danced for an altogether different reason.
A blast of heat hit her in the face as she stepped into the room. The bedroom was at least ten degrees warmer than the rest of the house. Sweat beads broke out and trickled down Faiths neck. The dark haired woman lying on the canopied oak bed looked wilted and weak beneath the heavy covers pulled up to her chin.
Ugh, Reva, its hot in here, Luke exclaimed. Ive told you a hundred times not to touch the thermostat.
But, Luke, honey, the doctor said she wasnt to get a chill.
In long strides, Luke moved to one window and yanked it open. Almost immediately a cooling breeze entered the room.
Oh, that feels wonderful. Mrs. Campbell sighed. I kept asking her to turn down the heat, but she wouldnt listen to me.
Luke paused in the act of pulling the quilt off his mother and looked at Reva. The color of his eyes had darkened to a steely blue and his jaw tightened in anger. Faith stepped back.
I was only doing what I thought best. Shes still recovering from her ordeal, Reva said defensively.
The way she makes it sound, Im still knocking on deaths door, Lukes mother muttered.
Its only been two weeks. You know
Enough, Reva.
Lukes command abruptly stopped Reva mid-whine. She made a face and sat on the edge of a small desk by the window.
Faith marveled that at least one grown man was mature enough to contain his anger.
Mom, I have someone here Id like you to meet. Lukes voice softened.
The eager-to-please tone and the way his voice dropped a notch brought a pang to Faiths heart. This big man loved his mother and it showed. Shed loved her parents like that. If only they were still alive.
He motioned for Faith to step closer.
This is Faith. Ive hired her to help care for you.
Faith approached the bed. The gentle eyes regarding her made her think of her own mother. It had been years since anyone had looked at her with such kindness. She knew instantly shed like the older woman.
Taking the offered hand, she noticed Mrs. Campbells skin felt hot and clammy against her palm. Mrs. Campbell, Luke tells me youre recovering from a heart attack. My grandfather suffered an attack and I cared for him. II hope youll allow me to care for you.
Please, call me Dottie. Im sure well get along just fine.
From behind her, Faith heard Reva snort in disbelief. She turned to stare at Reva. Such disrespect was reprehensible.
Reva, please, Luke warned.
Studying her nails, Reva said, Luke, dear, the housekeeping still needs to be done. Or are you expecting her to do that, too?
No, Im not expecting Faith to do the housekeeping.
Good. Reva hopped off the edge of the desk and stood. Im sure Blake would be happy to know Im helping out. Ill just stay on and do the housekeeping.
Faith glanced at Luke. His annoyance was evident in the creases along his brow. Turning his gaze to his mother, he raised a brow as if to ask what she thought. Dottie grimaced with a shrug.
Suddenly, Reva was standing close, pinning Faith against the bed. Trying to gracefully disengage herself from Dotties hand, Faith shifted to allow Reva more room. Dotties grip tightened and for a second Faith thought she saw a trace of apprehension in the older womans blue eyes. She guessed there was more going on between the two women than met the eye.
Though the danger was minimal, the familiar need to protect rose sharply. Patting Dotties hand reassuringly, Faith stood her ground, becoming a physical barrier between Dottie and Reva.
Your dad promised me Id have a place here, Luke. He did consider me a part of the family, especially after you took off.
The muscles in Lukes jaw visibly tightened. My father and I came to an understanding long ago. Glancing at his mother, he asked, Mom? This is your house now.
If she wants to do the housekeeping, I suppose thats fine, Dottie muttered.
Luke gave a curt nod. Fine. Just stick to the housekeeping, Reva.
Of course, dear.
Faith noticed the small, triumphant gleam in Revas gray eyes. She decided she didnt like the woman very much. She would have to be careful and keep her distance. Faith couldnt trust that Reva wouldnt look for an opportunity to get rid of her.
Do you smell something burning? Dottie struggled to sit up. Luke immediately reached to help her.
Oh, my word! My casserole, Reva exclaimed. Theres something wrong with that oven, she muttered as she headed for the door. Its forever burning things.
Theres nothing wrong with my oven, Dottie groused at Revas retreating back. Ive never burned anything in it.
Of course not, mother. Lukes smile reflected in his eyes.
Dottie smiled back, and for a moment, the two silently communicated, their bond evident. Feeling like an intruder, Faith moved to the desk and ran a hand over the polished wood.
Deep inside, she felt a familiar emptiness. She would give anything to have someone love her the way Luke loved his mother. In her heart she longed for children, a family. But the possibility of having them was out of reach. She could be discovered at any time, and then what? A shudder racked her body.
Picking up the pitcher that sat on the desk, she poured a glass of water and carried it back to the bed. Would you like some water, Dottie?
Thank you, dear. Dottie smiled and took the glass. Sit and tell me about you.
Faith pulled up a chair. She couldnt very well tell Dottie the truth. So she did what she normally did and changed the subject. You have a very nice home, Dottie. I noticed several good antique pieces.
Dotties face lit up. You know antiques? How wonderful.
A safe subject. Thank goodness. Faith smiled. Yes, I do. You have good quality pieces.
Well, if you ladies will excuse me, Ill go get some work done. Luke kissed Dotties cheek.
You go on, son. Well be just fine. Dottie settled back with a grin.
To Faith, Luke said, If you need anything, Ill be downstairs in the office. First door on your right at the bottom of the stairs.
Thanks.
Sure. He ran a hand over his short hair and for a moment just stood there staring at her.
Faith raised a questioning brow.
See you later. He smiled before sauntering from the room.
Thats the first genuine smile Ive seen from Luke since hes come home.
Come home? Faith asked, still staring at the spot where hed disappeared through the door, feeling a little unsettled.
Lukes a captain in the army, Dottie announced with obvious pride in her son.
Right. Faith smiled at Dottie.
Dottie continued, He graduated top of his class at West Point. Im very proud of my son. He followed his dreams.
West Point. Impressive. Imfamiliar with the school. My grandfathers house sat on the opposite bank of the Hudson River. From the top-floor window we could see part of the academy. Had I been born a boy, my grandfather would have insisted I attend West Point rather than my mothers alma mater, Cornell.
Im sure your grandfather was very proud of you. Blake didnt want Luke to go. It caused a rift in their relationship for years.
Thats too bad. Faith hoped the rift had been mended before Blakes death, but she thought it tactless to ask.
As if reading her unspoken thought, Dottie said, Luckily they patched things up between them a few years ago. Blake was very proud of Luke, too.
Was Luke able to see his father before he passed on? Faith asked gently.
Yes, thankfully. Her expression became troubled. He wasnt supposed to stay this long butI had my attack andwell, Blakes health had deteriorated over the last couple of years, so the ranch had been neglected for the most part.
Dottie paused to take a deep breath. The hands that stayed on have kept things going, but it was Blake who made sure the upkeep and repairs were taken care of. Dear Blake just couldnt give up control. Not even when it became impossible for him to do more than sit and watch.
Compassion filled Faith. From her own experience with caring for her grandfather she knew how hard it was to watch someone you love die. Especially when that person was as strong-willed as her grandfather had been, and as Blake must have been. Faith held the older womans hand. Im so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, dear. I take comfort in knowing Blakes with Jesus and someday we will be together again.
Conviction shone bright in Dotties blue eyes, like beacons of light directing the way.
Faith blinked back sudden tears. She wished desperately that she could be as assured of her own place in heaven and to be reunited with her family. But why would God take her to live with Him when Hed shown no interest in her on earth?
Dottie gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Are you feeling okay?
Faith cleared her throat before speaking. Yes. Fine, thank you.
You must forgive me if I tend to rattle on.
Thinking it infinitely better for Dottie to talk, she said, Oh, please. Rattle all youd like.
And she did. For Faith, the next couple of hours were a breath of fresh air. They discovered many common interests such as antiques, art, theater and cooking. And Faith was more than happy to exhaust all subjects except the topic of her own life. Soon Dottie was yawning and her eyelids drooping.
Goodness, I dont think Ive had this much to talk about in years. Dottie beamed as Faith helped her settle back into a reclined position.
Nor have I. Faith fluffed the pillows beneath Dotties head. You need some rest now. Ill come back later and we can pick up where we left off.
Dotties eyes were already closed. Unsure what she should do now, Faith wandered over to a window and stood gazing out at the expanse of land that made up the Circle C Ranch. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought shed find sanctuary in the home of a cowboy.
Could it be possible that God was watching out for her after all?
THREE
Have you found her?
Vince glared with loathing at his older brother, Anthony, slouched in the leather chair facing Vinces desk. He looked awful. Like he hadnt showered or shaved in weeks. His hair was too long and his clothes ratty. Vince struggled to understand how theyd come from the same gene pool. Not yet. I cant believe your stupidity.
How was I supposed to know shed divorce you and take off? I mean, what did you do to her anyway?
Vince curled his fingers into a fist. Nothing.
Something, Anthony shot back.
Ignoring the barb, Vince asked, What did you tell Fernando?
What you told me to. He said hed wait until New Years Day. If we dont return the money, hell kill us.
Vince spread his hand on the desk and leaned forward. He can kill you with my blessing.
Anthonys dark eyes held malice. Just remember what I did for you.
Vince swore and moved to the window.
Theyd been teens, running with the other punks in the neighborhood, dealing dope, stealing what they could just for something to do. One night theyd knocked off a liquor store, but before they could get away, a cop showed up and caught Anthony. Hed gone to jail and never ratted on his baby brother.
Anthony never let Vince forget that if hed had a rap sheet, he wouldnt have been admitted into law school.
But after twenty years, that card was wearing thin.
Ill find her and get your money. Vince turned toward his brother. And then were even.
Anthony stood and walked to the door, his tennis shoes leaving smudged tracks in the cream-colored carpet. Yeah, whatever you say.
After he left, Vince picked up the picture of his wife. I will find you. And you will never leave me again.
Luke couldnt concentrate.
Every time he tried to focus on the paperwork lying on the desk, his mind conjured up the image of a cat-eyed blonde. Once again his curious nature wanted to know what was going on with Faith Delange.
He shouldnt be spending time thinking about Faith. There was still so much to do on the ranch. Hed lost two hands last week because theyd wanted to find a warmer place for the winter. His foreman, Leo Scruggs, was having a hard time finding replacements. The roof on the house and one of the barns needed fixing and a llama would be birthing soon.
Ever since hed returned to the ranch, his life hadnt been his own. Every day he found himself becoming more like his father. And the more he enjoyed being a rancher, the more scared he became.
This wasnt the life hed wanted. Hed wanted excitement and adventure. At eighteen, hed taken his desires to the Lord and had been steered toward the military. Knowing hed had Gods blessing, Luke had applied and been accepted at West Point. The years there were grueling, exciting and character building. Hed walked away with a degree in engineering. But the military still beckoned, even after his five-year service obligation.
Now, he held the rank of captain and his position of authority gave him more opportunity to make a difference in the lives of his men. From the beginning, hed felt hed been called to share his faith with his comrades, and now Luke was looked to as a source of comfort and hope.
Hed worked alongside the chaplain to form a Bible fellowship study, and he was constantly awed by the power of Jesuss love working in the mens lives. He didnt want to give that up.
He wished his father were still here.
Luke hadnt known about his fathers cancer until nearly the end.
Your father is ill, the note had read, come home.
Hed arrived just in time to see his father before hed died. Guilt for not having been there ate away at him. If hed only been a better son and kept in better touch. Hed have learned of the illness sooner and come home. Hed have been able to make his dads final days easier.
And now, Luke was running his fathers ranch and dragging his feet about leaving when all he really wanted was to get back to his own life, his unit stationed in the Middle East. He only had another twenty days of leave left.
He fired up the computer and looked up Faith on Google. A list of articles came up. Mostly charity events where Faith and her grandfather were present. One photo showed Faith in a gray business suit standing beside her grandfather who sat in a wheelchair. He was old and hunched with strong features. The caption read, The Delanges to start a foundation for overseas missions through a local church.