Tumbleweed Weddings (65 page)

Aggie leaned toward her, interest sparking in her dark eyes. “I’ve seen you with that handsome Rex Pierson. I bet you have a case on him!”

Cheyenne smiled. “We have a date tonight at the Four Seasons.”

“Ooh!” Tonya snipped at a section of hair with professional panache. “That’s exciting, Cheyenne. I hope you guys have a great time.”

“Thanks.” If only the Lord would answer her prayers. Something had to change tonight in their relationship.

Walking into the kitchen, Derek answered the phone on the fifth ring. “Derek here.”

“It’s about time you picked up the receiver, son.”

He grinned. “Hi, Mom! How are the RV travelers?”

“Oh I love traveling and seeing the beauty of God’s creation. Right now we’re staying at the Lakes in Kentucky. This is a beautiful area. So many trees, so much water …”

“You sound like a travel brochure.”

She laughed. “I can’t believe we won’t be home for a couple of months. I’m taking notes on all the places we’re visiting, and we’ve met so many interesting people.” She paused. “Now Derek, you’re keeping the dishes washed up, aren’t you?”

“Uh, sure.” He eyed the stack of dirty plates and bowls in the sink.
I need to buy some paper plates!
“Don’t worry, Mom, you’ll come back to a clean house.”

“You need to keep up with it, Derek. Be sure to dust and vacuum every week.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”

“How is everything going on the ranch?”

He glanced out the kitchen window and caught sight of Hector’s overalls as he disappeared into the barn. “Good. Miguel and Hector are helping run everything, but we haven’t had any problems. No wolves. No coyotes.” He shrugged even though Mom couldn’t see him over the phone.

“That’s good. I know you’re taking good care of those sheep. Don’t forget to watch out for my favorite little lamb.”

“Snowflake?” He grinned, remembering how Mom had bottle-fed the tiny lamb, turning her into a pet. “She’s a happy camper, Mom. Just like you. I think Snowflake knows she’s not destined for the slaughterhouse this fall.”

Mom laughed. “None of the lambs know that, but Snowflake is going to be a big fluffy ewe someday.” The sound of static filled the phone. “I need to go, son. This cell phone needs to be recharged. We love you, Derek.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

Hanging up the phone, he gazed out the kitchen window. He could barely see the flock of sheep resting on a hillside.
I should go out there and see how Shep is doing
.

As he opened the back door, a feeling of loneliness overwhelmed him. He missed Mom and Dad being here. There was no one to talk to in this big old house.

Maybe staying single was not such a good idea.

T
hat evening, Cheyenne folded her napkin next to her plate and looked across the table at Rex. He was dressed up for this date, wearing a dress shirt with a Western tie and black jeans. And he had actually shaved.

“Should we order some coffee, darlin’?”

“That would be nice, Rex.”

He signaled the waiter. “Two coffees. And please bring a lot of creamers for the little lady.”

She raised an eyebrow. “The ‘little lady,’ Rex? I’ve never considered myself little.”

Reaching across the table, he took her hands in his work-worn ones. “You are one pretty lady, Cheyenne, and you’re pretty special to me.”

The waiter set two cups and saucers on the table then poured steaming black coffee from a silver urn. He set the pot down along with a small pitcher of cream.

She smiled at the man. “Thank you.”

Rex let go of her hands, and she poured cream into her cup. As she stirred her coffee, she thought of how romantic this evening should be—a handsome cowboy, a gourmet dinner, a perfect atmosphere.

And I feel nothing
.

They sipped their coffee for a few moments, and then Rex set down his cup and once again took her hands in his. He cleared his throat.

“There’s something I’ve been meanin’ to ask you.” His brown eyes held hers. “Would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Pierson?”

Cheyenne drew in a sharp breath.
He’s proposing?

Rex tightened his grip. “I would provide well for you, darlin’. Even that little bungalow feels lonesome. It’s too big for just me. We could have a passel of kiddos someday or even adopt that little boy you like.”

Cheyenne’s mind raced. Wasn’t this what she had been praying for? She could get married and adopt Arthur in time to fulfill all the stipulations of her grandmother’s will.

Lord, is this what You want for me?

She looked across the table into Rex’s eyes and knew what her answer had to be.

Taking a deep breath, she looked down at their hands. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you these last few weeks, Rex, but I can’t marry you.” She glanced up at him. “You are a wonderful man, and you deserve a woman who really loves you.” She paused. “I’m not that woman.”

Rex let go of her hands and leaned back in his chair.

Tears crept to her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

He sighed. “If that’s the way you feel, then we’ll part as friends.”

Relief flooded through her. “Thank you, Rex.” She now had no prospects for a husband, she might not get to adopt Arthur, and she probably wouldn’t inherit Grandmother’s millions, but the decision was made.

And she knew it was the right one.

Derek was late.

On Friday night he entered the fellowship room in the basement of the church for the Sweet Memories banquet, hoping he could find a seat. Long tables stretched the length of the room, and all the seats were filled with talking, eating people.

As his eyes swept the room, he noticed Janet Oliver sitting next to Jim Wilkins. Derek raised his eyebrows.
Interesting
. Jim and Janet had been sitting together in church last Sunday, too.

Next to Janet, Aggie and Bruce sat side by side. Bruce had been out of the hospital for a few days, and he seemed to be doing well. Derek was glad Kandi was back with her family. Their relationship had been a good learning experience, as his mother would say.

What he learned was that he needed to stay away from quiet, possessive girls.

With a coffeepot in her hand, Cheyenne walked up to him, sporting a jean jacket and a long pink skirt. “Hi, Derek! Did you just arrive?” Her blue eyes gazed up into his as she smiled.

What a knockout!
“I like your haircut—and your outfit, too.”

“Thanks! Tonya did my hair, and this was my favorite outfit in high school. I thought it would be appropriate for the Sweet Memories banquet.” She grinned. “I can’t believe I fit into it after ten years!”

He returned her grin, enjoying her bubbly personality. This was the girl he loved to be around. “You look really pretty tonight.”

A look of surprise skittered across her face, and their eyes locked. Derek was a little surprised himself that he had blurted out his thoughts.

Someone called Cheyenne’s name, and they both turned to look at a nearby table. A man raised his coffee cup. “Refill?” he asked.

“I’ll be right there.” She turned back to Derek and motioned toward a long table of food by the wall. “Help yourself to the food. I’ll find a chair for you.”

“Thanks.” His eyes followed her as she walked away. Then he looked around. Where was Rex?

He passed his sister Callie, who was filling water glasses.

Walking to the table, he picked up a paper plate and dished a spoonful of green bean casserole on his plate.
Why am I so hung up on Cheyenne?
He added a chicken leg.
Does the Lord really want me to stay single?
The scalloped potato dish was almost empty, but he scraped out a spoonful.
What do I really want?
He threw a dollop of baked beans on his plate.
Even if I want Cheyenne, will she want me?
Glancing at the scanty dessert section, he added two squares of cake to his plate.
I might not have the chance to find out
.

Turning from the table, he glanced around. Cheyenne motioned to him from the end of the room. He made his way toward the back, greeting several people on the way.

“You can sit here, Derek.” Cheyenne laid her hand on a folding chair at the end of one of the long tables.

“Thank you.” Derek took the seat.

“You’re welcome.” She glanced at his plate. “You didn’t get any of my enchiladas.”

He looked at the food on his plate. “Did I miss something?”

She smiled. “I’ll get some for you.”

As Cheyenne left, Derek greeted the Newmans, the young couple on his right. They had two children who kept their attention, so they didn’t say much.

Edna Beazer sat on his left. She leaned toward him and smiled, showing off her straight white dentures. “Derek Brandt! I haven’t seen you for ages.”

He glanced at the older woman as he dug the plastic fork into his food. Her thin hair was tinted blue. “How are you doing, Mrs. Beazer?”

“Oh, my arthritis is acting up something fierce, but besides that, I’m better than middling.”

A drop of her spit landed on the table, and Derek deftly moved his plate to the right.

Cheyenne came back and set a small plate beside his arm. “They were almost gone. Here’s the last of it. This recipe is making its debut tonight since I made it up.”

“Thanks.” Derek glanced at the small square of layered tortillas, meat, and cheese. “Looks good.” He pulled the plate toward him and took a bite.

Mrs. Beazer looked up at Cheyenne. “What are you calling the new recipe, dear?”

Cheyenne shrugged. “Ten-Layer Enchiladas.”

“Wow, this is really good, Cheyenne.” Derek took another bite.

“Glad you like it.” With a smile, Cheyenne picked up a coffeepot from the table and moved away, refilling cups.

“Where are your parents, Derek?” Mrs. Beazer sucked in her dentures. “I didn’t see them Wednesday night in church, and they aren’t here tonight.”

“Mom and Dad are traveling. They purchased an RV and left town on Monday. They’re planning to travel around the southern states during the next few months.”

Edna’s thin eyebrows raised. “So you’re all alone in that big old house of yours?”

Nodding, Derek swallowed another bite of enchiladas. “Until November. They plan to be home for the holidays.”

She placed a bony hand on his arm. “You must be lonely.”

“I’m doing fine by myself, thanks.” He wasn’t about to let Mrs. Beazer or anyone else know how lonely he really was. He finished eating and headed for the nearest trash can to throw away his plate. Callie struggled to pull a full trash bag out of the can.

“Hey, let me help you do that.”

“Oh thanks, Derek.” Callie stood back as he took over. “You wouldn’t believe how intense smells can be when you’re pregnant.”

He quirked an eyebrow at her. “I’ve never been pregnant, so I’ll take your word for it.”

She laughed. “Just put the full bag by the back door. I’m going to sit with Lane.”

“Hey, Callie.”

She turned back to him.

He lowered his voice. “I noticed Rex Pierson isn’t here. I thought Cheyenne would be sitting with him.”

“Didn’t you hear?” Callie’s eyes widened. “They broke up.”

He stared at her. “What?”

“Yes.” She glanced around before moving closer to him. “Rex proposed to Cheyenne last night, and she turned him down.”

The pastor walked to the front of the room and stood behind a small lectern.

“We’d better take our seats,” Callie whispered.

“Welcome to our Sweet Memories banquet.” Pastor Reilly glanced around the tables. “Most of you are finished, so we’ll begin our program.”

His head still spinning, Derek reclaimed his seat.
Cheyenne is available!
He couldn’t believe it. This changed everything.

As the pastor spoke about the history of the church, several ladies who had helped in the kitchen took seats with their families. Cheyenne came out from the kitchen also, but she didn’t sit down. Clasping her hands in front of her, she stood by the wall near the food table.

The pastor motioned behind him to a large white screen. “Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we have a PowerPoint that Ralph Little put together. These are slides from the last forty years—from the very first year my wife and I came to Fort Lob until the present.” He smiled. “But first we’ll listen to a number from our own men’s quartet—the Four Methuselahs.”