The Cowboy's Baby (11 page)

A group of people descended on the church two days before the big event. In the cemetery, the men cut grass, pruned scraggly trees and scoured the tombstones. Inside, the women washed windows, scrubbed the floor and polished pews.

Colby cleaned up the materials and equipment from his work. As he stood back to admire the result, several people gathered at his side.

“Good as new.” It was an elderly gent who had come inside to borrow a broom.

Mrs. Percy stood at the front of the sanctuary staring at the wall behind the pulpit, which had been returned from the room above the saloon. “Where’s the cross? Shouldn’t it be in place? Who is in charge of that detail?”

Pastor Caldwell stepped to the woman’s side. “I am.”

“Well, where is it?”

“We’ll have it in place on the seventeenth.” Despite the woman’s fussing, the pastor refused to say anything more.

Colby met Anna’s gaze across the room as she polished the piano. He felt in her look the same questions and doubts Mrs. Percy expressed.

Trust me. You’ll see.

Asking her to trust him about the cross would give him a chance to prove himself. If she would
only take this one little step perhaps she would see that more was possible.

They looked long and hard at each other until she finally jerked away, her attention claimed by someone wanting to know where to put a lamp.

Colby let out a frustrated sigh. Her expression had not shifted one bit. Would nothing ever change?

The work bee ended. The church was ready.

The next day another crowd descended and long plank tables soon filled the yard. Colby glimpsed Anna hurrying from one task to another.

Determined to speak to her, to urge her to trust him about the cross, he edged around the crowd, planning to catch her as she trotted toward the house for yet another errand.

He fell in beside her.

“Can I help?”

“All the seats need to be wiped off. Can you do that?”

“Of course. I’m willing to do whatever I can to ease your responsibilities.” He meant so much more than preparing for the birthday celebration.

He wanted to share her life.

“Anna, we had so much. Can’t—”

She handed him a basin and a rag. “There’s hot water in the reservoir.”

He wanted to talk. But now was not the time and
he filled the basin with water and wiped the benches.

After a community-style lunch with everyone contributing, Colby headed to the little shack where Tobias lived and where they’d been working on the cross.

Every street in town looked as if it had been swept. Every window gleamed. The storefronts had either been repainted or scrubbed, all in preparation for the upcoming birthday celebration. Colby felt pride at the way the town showed its solidarity, and excitement at the little part he’d had in the upcoming party.

Slink, Tobias and eight others crowded the tiny room when Colby arrived.

“It’s almost finished,” Slink said.

Colby admired the handwork. “It’s beautiful.” He hoped Anna would see the love that had gone into every detail.

June 17

T
he day the town had prepared and planned for the past six months.

Anna checked Dorrie. She looked perfect in her white dress and stockings. And it didn’t matter in the least that she would come home at the end of the day dusty and soiled.

She stepped to the street, turned as she heard the church door click. Colby paused on the step.

Thankfully, the past few days had been busy, leaving them little opportunity to talk and even less to be alone, which suited her just fine. She wasn’t sure how to deal with the longing to trust him, the feeling that somehow trusting God and trusting Colby were linked.

Because they felt so totally different. She had no trouble trusting God. He loved her. But trusting Colby was another matter entirely. She’d once thought he loved her. As she loved him. But she had misjudged his feelings.

Trusting him again would take time. And proof.

Dorrie saw him. “Da-da,” she chirped, and Colby moved to take Dorrie’s hand.

Anna’s heartbeat picked up pace as she saw he meant to accompany them. Despite her misgivings, she could not pretend her love for him had died. Although she’d done her best to quench it.

They headed toward the heart of town.

The main street had been closed off and turned into a fairground. Booths lined each side of the street—one selling popcorn, another with a fishing game, yet another with a guess-your-weight challenge, and past that, a test-your-strength bell.

Alex came by with a couple of schoolmates as Colby and Anna stood in front of the strength game. “Try it out, Colby.”

“We’ll both do it.” He paid a penny for each of them as a crowd gathered round cheering him on. He wiped his hands then grabbed the hammer and swung it over his head and hit the pad at the bottom. The metal indicator shot upward, stopped three quarters of the way up and dropped down.

The spectators jeered and laughed.

He handed the mallet to Alex.

Alex hesitated. “I can’t do that good.”

“No one expects you to, but you might be surprised at how well you do.” Colby squeezed Alex’s upper arm. “Feels to me like you’ve put on an inch or two here.”

“You think so?”

“Give it a try.”

Alex widened his stance and swung with all his might, groaning when the indicator went about halfway.

Colby clapped him on the back. “Let’s see if your friends can beat that.” He paid a penny for each of the boys gathered round. And when only one, a big lad, beat Alex, he grinned as widely as if Alex had handed him a trophy. “What did I tell you? Nothing like hard work to build muscles.”

Alex puffed out his chest.

Anna hid a grin. It was nice to see Alex growing up. She sobered instantly. What had Laura said? He’d grow up and leave home. Anna wanted to pull him back and protect him from all that growing up meant.

But her sudden fear couldn’t survive amidst all the fun of the day.

Colby grinned at the men crowded round him. “Who can ring the bell?”

Mike, a big farm boy, paid his penny and tried. He beat Colby by one mark.

Colby clapped. “Come on. Who’s next?”

Men pushed closer, vying for a turn to pay for the chance to outdo each other.

Colby leaned over and whispered in Anna’s ear, “This will end up making a lot of money.”

The funds raised throughout the day were to go to providing a library.

Anna laughed as she understood he egged the others on until the bottle beside the machine reached almost to the top and Father came along and emptied it.

Colby certainly would benefit the fundraiser. The town could use a man like this changed Colby.

Watching him laugh and enjoy the crowd filled her heart with admiration, made the whole scene dance with color and enjoyment. She teetered on the edge of giving up her resistance to him.

But as Dorrie tugged at her hand, she was jerked back to reality. Colby could leave as quickly and easily as he returned. What was to stop him? Neither she nor Dorrie had been enough in the past.

What drove him away?

Responsibilities? Her? She must know before she released the locks on her heart.

Dorrie grabbed her father’s hand. “Go,” she said.

Colby and Anna exchanged glances and laughed. Their gazes clung. Anna’s cheeks grew warm at the look in his eyes. And then Dorrie jerked at them.

She blinked back her feelings. How easily she forgot to be cautious.

They moved on to a puppet show. Dorrie screamed with laughter when the puppets tripped over each other and flew through the air.

They moved on to the bake and craft sale being held under shelter of the hotel portico. Anna picked up a pretty pinafore.

“Did you make this, Miss Weaver?”

Miss Weaver chuckled, a merry sound. “Please call me Grace. And, yes, I made that little thing. I seem to have more time on my hands than I know what to do with.”

“It’s beautiful.” It would fit Dorrie and although she needed a new one, Anna could make one for far less. She went to put it down but Colby plucked it from her fingers and held it in front of Dorrie.

“It’s the right size, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but—”

“I’ll take it.” He paid Grace.

They walked on. “I planned to make her a new one,” Anna whispered. “It wouldn’t cost near that much.”

“I thought I’d save you the effort. Seems to me you work hard enough as it is.”

No one ever worried that she might have too much work to do. No one even offered to help. Knowing Colby noticed made Anna almost stum
ble on the wooden sidewalk, not because it was rough but because of her surprise.

She pinched her nose to stop the sting of tears.

Thankfully the mayor spared her from embarrassing herself. Using a bullhorn, he announced games and races over at the schoolyard. Much of the crowd drifted that direction.

If only she could give her heart fully to Colby she could enjoy his support and encouragement every day. For a moment, the idea almost capsized her stubbornness. But again, her doubts prevailed.

A race for toddlers was announced first.

Colby squatted in front of Dorrie. “Do you want to run?”

She nodded. “I run.” She took off instantly.

Colby grabbed her. “Wait a minute. We’ll go to the start line.”

Anna laughed as he tried to explain the event to Dorrie who babbled and squirmed, trying to escape.

“I run, Da-da.” Her feet churned as Colby lifted her off the ground and carried her to the marked spot.

Anna giggled at mothers and fathers trying to sort out children under the age of three and explain the concept of a race.

“Go to the finish line,” Colby said. “I’ll head her in your direction.”

Anna did as he suggested and soon one parent of each child did the same.

Someone hollered go and the children were released.

“Dorrie, come to Mama,” Anna called. A dozen other parents yelled at their offspring. She wondered how anyone could make out who called whom. The names were indiscernible in the melee.

Dorrie veered toward a little boy with a ball in his hands.

“Dorrie, no. This way.”

Dorrie ignored her and tackled the boy. They tumbled to the ground, the boy shrieking for his mother.

Anna shook her head. She found Colby’s face in the crowd and laughed at his stunned look.

Then they joined the race to separate the two. Colby got there first and scooped Dorrie off her victim. She clutched the ball triumphantly.

“Ball. Mine.”

“’Fraid not, honey. Give it back.”

Dorrie held on with all her might. “Mine.”

Anna stood a few inches away but didn’t intervene. She couldn’t wait to see how Colby would deal with this stubborn side of his sweet little daughter.

Meanwhile the little boy continued to scream as his parents tried to console him.

“You have to give it back,” Colby insisted. “It belongs to that little boy.”

“No.” Dorrie stuck out her chin.

Anna knew the look and settled back on her heels. Colby had two choices—wrestle the ball from Dorrie’s hands, or divert her so she let it go.

Colby looked at her, silently pleading for help. Grinning, she shrugged.
She’s your daughter. You deal with her.

He apparently got her silent message for he sighed and rolled his eyes, which sent Anna into a fit of giggles.

“Dorrie, my dear sweet child, if you give back the ball I’ll buy you a candy stick.”

Dorrie looked at the ball, looked at her father as if to measure his sincerity.

“Ball.” She handed it to the sobbing boy. “Canny,” she said to Colby.

Colby grinned triumphantly as they joined Anna.

“Bribery,” she murmured. “I can’t believe you’d stoop to bribery.”

“I was about ready to do anything to end that scene.” He grinned at Anna and they both laughed.

And without her permission her heart claimed the day for its own to enjoy. Even if he left again, she would at least have this one day to cherish.

They found a candy booth and Colby purchased
a red-and-white barber-striped candy then they returned to the games in time to hear a race for twelve-to fourteen-year-old boys announced.

Alex headed toward the start line then stopped, uncertainty apparent in his expression.

Colby handed Dorrie to Anna and hurried to Alex’s side.

She followed, curious about what he intended.

He leaned close to Alex.

Anna strained to hear his soft words. “This is great practice. You can see how all the things I taught you work in a real race. Never mind if you win or lose. Concentrate on your technique.”

Alex nodded and strode to the start, his head high.

Anna shot Colby a look of thanks but his gaze remained on Alex. He mouthed words. She realized he repeated instructions he must have taught Alex.

“That’s it. Get into a good position.”

Ready. Set. Go. They were off. When Alex gained the lead from the first step, Anna cheered so loud Dorrie jumped. “Look, sweetie. Alex is running. He might win.”

Dorrie yelled loudly though she likely had no idea why.

Colby shot a glance at his noisy daughter, his gaze brushed Anna and they laughed as if the moment held wonderful significance.

She hoped it did.

Alex led the pack. A bigger lad gained but Alex crossed the finish line first. His grin at winning rivaled the sunshine for brightness.

Alex had always been shy about competing, didn’t like to do anything where he might fail. Anna had never known such pride in her brother marred only by the certainty that this was another step away from her.

“Now for all the men.”

Colby acted like he didn’t hear.

Anna nudged him. “This is your race.”

“Nah, I don’t think so.”

“Of course you’ll run.”

Alex reached his side. “Come on, Colby. Show them how it’s done.”

Colby scrubbed the back of his hand over his chin. “I don’t know. Don’t you think I’m too grown up for this?”

Alex grabbed his hand and dragged him away.

Colby chuckled as they trotted over to the start.

Anna moved down the side where she had an unobstructed view. Colby flashed her a grin that shot through all her defenses and landed somewhere south of her heart. She loved him. Despite uncertainty about the future, despite everything, she loved him.

Today she would simply accept the fact.

Tomorrow she would deal with reality.

She cheered as the race began. He slowed as he drew even with her to flash her another grin and it cost him the race. Not that he seemed to mind. He was in high spirits as he rejoined her.

They watched the horse races. They shared a huge bag of popcorn. Anna realized she would have enjoyed anything in Colby’s company, knowing she loved him, all doubts and fears silenced for the day.

Later they bought sandwiches and pie at the food booth, then it was time to go home and prepare for the evening activities.

Anna’s face stung from too long in the sun. And Dorrie’s cheeks were far too red even though Anna had tried to keep a bonnet on her. She sponged their faces carefully and put on a clean dress. She put the new pinafore over Dorrie’s dress and smoothed her hair.

In the other rooms she could hear Father and Alex preparing.

She smiled at Dorrie. “We’re ready.”

Dorrie nodded. “I wedy.”

They hurried to the church. Already the sanctuary was crowded. More people gathered outside. Anna made her way to the front and handed Dorrie to Laura.

She began to play the hymns, her throat tight
ening when Colby joined in, playing the mouth organ as he stood to the side of the piano. Their gazes connected and she smiled. Something wrenched inside her, a combination of sweetness and fear. She’d always protected her heart. Life had taught the value of doing so. But her love for Colby could not be denied. For whatever time she had, she would enjoy it and pray she would survive if he left.

The music drifted around her and through her. This was one thing they shared without reservation. She let him take the melody and improvised an accompaniment. A hush fell over the crowd. She knew the congregation enjoyed the music as much as she and Colby.

Father went to the pulpit. He welcomed everyone then announced the first hymn.

Anna could enjoy sharing music with Colby for a few more minutes.

She’d prepared a solo, practicing with Colby accompanying her on the mouth organ and went to the pulpit when Father nodded to her. The hymn she’d chosen was an old Charles Wesley one, “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise.”

It fit perfectly with her feelings and for this occasion of meeting in the church again.

She finished and sat beside Laura, her heart so
full of joy and love it forced tears to her eyes. She blinked them away.

Colby slid in beside her.

She daren’t look at him even when Dorrie scrambled from Laura’s knee across Anna and straight to her father’s lap.

Anna felt Laura watching her and composed her face before glancing at her and giving a quick shrug as if to say what did it matter if Dorrie enjoyed her father’s attention?

Father preached a brief sermon on God’s faithfulness in sparing them from disaster in the fire and in bringing them back to this place of worship.