Texas Brides Collection (83 page)

Walking to the inn, he contemplated his life. Never would he have guessed that he’d marry Pearl, the woman who once helped him cheat at cards. But now he expected she’d help him in a better way—God’s way. She would be the person who walked beside him, making a go of the ranch with him, bringing it up to its full potential. He imagined a full herd of dairy cattle in his future and plenty of money from the milk, cheese, and butter he could sell. He’d earn every penny. The hard work of farming already told him that. But each fiber of his muscles pulsated with energy and vigor. Sunshine hit the part of his face not sheltered by his brimmed hat, tickling his skin. After the harvest, Pearl would put up their food for the winter, and fall would begin in full force.

He could only hope the river wouldn’t be too cold on the day of his baptism. After he broached the topic with Pearl the day Ma was healed, he hadn’t mentioned baptism again. Thoughts of such a momentous event left him ecstatic and fearful. A new life of walking in the Lord’s path presented a challenge for the reformed gambler, but the rewards of an honest living and a clear conscience seemed worth it all.

Not to mention the best prize. Pearl. She would be his forever. And not in the shadows, but in the full light of day, as his wife.

If she’ll have me
.

Crossing the inn’s threshold, he fingered the ring again. He’d ask when the time was right. He knew when that would be. The day he proclaimed once and for all that his life belonged to the Lord.

On the day of the baptism, Pearl fanned herself more than she usually did during church. Nervousness, not just the heat, spurred her to take such action. She had a surprise for Benjamin. Today that surprise would come to fruition. She tried to restrain herself from looking out the window too much, but self-control wasn’t easy. Every once in a while she cut her gaze to the sunshine outdoors without moving her head.

Ma knew about the surprise. And, though Pearl could feel nervous energy emanating from her, too, Ma watched Pearl and poked her in the ribs so she’d pay attention to the sermon on new beginnings. Meanwhile, Benjamin appeared to keep a close and anxious eye on Pearl, as well. No doubt in his own excitement he didn’t realize they had something planned. A good thing, too, because any other time he would have caught on to their nervousness and wormed the information out of them.

Noon approached, and the last hymn was sung. Pearl didn’t linger to talk with her friends. Instead, she hurried Benjamin outside. She couldn’t wait any longer for what was to transpire.

In the churchyard, as planned, three men awaited. Pearl didn’t have to ask who they were. She would have known them anywhere because she could see traces of her beloved Benjamin in them all.

“What? What are they doing here?” Benjamin stopped in his tracks and studied his brothers.

Pearl could hear murmurings from the other congregants behind her, but she wasn’t about to answer questions. She wanted to savor the reunion she had planned for Benjamin.

He let out a whoop and ran to each brother, embracing him in turn. Slaps on the back and happy greetings resulted.

“Do you know what’s happening today?” Benjamin asked them.

Reuben nodded. “Pearl told us.”

“Pearl?” Benjamin gasped and turned toward her. “I guess I’m not surprised.” He strode over to her, then took her by the arm so he could guide her closer to his brothers.

Since they were outlaws, Pearl half expected lusty looks and whistles, but each man, while looking at her approvingly, took off his hat and greeted her with respect. The love they had for their youngest brother showed in their eyes, even though their demeanor was stiff since the reunion had been a long time in coming.

Preacher Giles joined them. “Are these the brothers you’ve talked about before, Benjamin?”

“Sure are, preacher.” Benjamin introduced Colt, Caleb, and Reuben.

The pastor nodded and shook hands with each brother. He knew all about their past, but no judgment expressed itself on his face or in his demeanor. “I’m looking forward to knowing you all, but we have a baptism to get to now.”

“That’s a fact,” Pearl agreed.

Preacher Giles grinned. “You ready, Benjamin?”

“I sure am. Now more than ever.”

Benjamin squeezed Pearl’s hand, and then they walked back to church together. Benjamin needed a few moments to change out of his Sunday suit and into attire more suitable for being drenched in water. After the baptism, a churchwide picnic was planned as a celebration.

Before he left her side, Benjamin embraced Pearl. “You kept your promise. I never doubted you would try, but I can’t believe you found them all. And you never said a word.”

“It wasn’t easy, but I tracked them down with a little persistence and a whole lot of prayer.”

“I didn’t think this day could get any better, but it sure has.” Benjamin’s eyes misted. “Thank you, Pearl.”

Later Pearl watched Benjamin rise from the water. Drenched in water and prayer, he’d never looked better.

People in church congratulated him. Many had developed a genuine fondness for Benjamin. He glowed amid their friendship and support. Time with Benjamin’s brothers had been brief, but Pearl knew they would have a few days to get to know them before they returned home. After that, she planned to be instrumental in never letting Benjamin lose touch with them again. She made this resolution with no fear or trepidation.

Instead of the outlaws Benjamin had described to her, the three men had changed. Caleb was a sheriff out in Arizona and happily married with a baby on the way. Reuben stood with quiet confidence, unlike the outward bravado she had expected because of what Benjamin had told her about him. Pearl wished she could have met his wife, but she had stayed behind in Wyoming because she, too, was in a family way. Colt had a beautiful wife and two daughters who adored him, plus a little one. Pearl could see the baby was the spittin’ image of his daddy. Surely the Lord had touched them all, even as He had touched her Benjamin.

Pearl waited for everyone, including Ma, to convey kind words to Benjamin before she took her turn. By the time she approached, the sun had almost dried him. “Oh, Benjamin, I’m so glad you got baptized.”

“Me, too, Pearl. I never thought the day would come.” He set his gaze on the ground and spoke softly. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Why, sure, Benjamin.” She could tell by the excitement in his eyes that something was urgent. But what?

He led her underneath a tree outside, where they had sought shade many a time. His expression conveyed tenseness, but he didn’t seem unhappy.

Pearl couldn’t stand the suspense. “What is it, Benjamin?”

He cleared his throat. “I have something to tell you. Or to ask you, that is.”

Her heart beat faster. Was it finally time?

Benjamin reached into his trousers pocket and pulled out a little box. “I—I was hoping you might take this as a gift. You’ve been so good to me.” He opened the box and showed her a brilliant garnet ring.

She gasped. “Oh, Benjamin! It’s beautiful! But I—I can’t accept something so expensive!”

“Sure you can.”

“But where did you get so much money? Surely not from what I’m paying you.”

“I had some left from my gambling days. In fact, I spent all that money on this ring for you. I want you to think of it as a symbol of what God did for us—protecting us through our dark times and staying with us until we found Him again. So please accept it.” He paused and looked into her eyes. “If you’re planning to be my wife.”

“Your wife!” The phrase sounded so good falling from her lips.

He smiled shyly. “If you’ll have me.”

“Have you? Why, I’d be a fool not to say yes!”

Benjamin chuckled and placed the ring on her finger. “I don’t know about that, but I do know I’ve loved you ever since I first set eyes on you.”

Pearl looked into his eyes, which shone brighter even than the stunning garnet. “And I’ve always loved you, too. Isn’t it something how God used that awful detour I took to bring me to you, and you to Him?”

“He sure can do a lot of things, Pearl.”

“Yes. Yes, He can.”

Benjamin took her in his arms. “I’ll always be grateful to Him till the day I die, for giving me you.”

As his lips touched hers, affirming the true love they shared, the love that would last a lifetime, Pearl knew Benjamin meant every word.

D
I
A
NN
M
ILLS

Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty books published.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

D
ARLENE
F
RANKLIN

Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin recently returned to cowboy country—Oklahoma. The move was prompted by her desire to be close to her son’s family; her daughter Jolene has preceded her into glory. Darlene loves music, needlework, reading, and reality TV. Talia, a Lynx point Siamese cat, proudly claims Darlene as her person. Darlene has published several titles with Barbour Publishing.