Whispers of Moonlight (32 page)

Out at the wagons, they watched as Clayton helped his bride get comfortable in the buggy. Robert was going to ride with Travis in order to give Jackie and Clayton some time alone. Eddie went ahead with Lena and Raymond. Pastor and Mrs. Henley were on their way as well.

The two men had just come to Travis' wagon when two girls, looking to be around 14 years old, passed by. That they found the big rancher good-looking was more than obvious, and as they climbed aboard the
seat, they shared a smile.

"You get stared at by a lot of women, Travis," Robert suddenly commented.

"Do I?"

"Yes. I just never realized it before now. Maybe it's time you get married," Robert teased.

Travis, who had raised the reins, went very still. He forced himself to turn and look at Robert, who looked right back.

"I'm already married, Robert. I'm sorry I never told you before."

Stunned, the banker stared at him. "You're married?"

"Yes."

Robert was silent for a full 30 seconds.

"Where is your wife?"

"I don't know," Travis replied painfully. Robert only nodded. "Maybe someday I can tell you about it."

"Sure." Robert's voice was kind. "Whenever you want to or don't want to, Travis."

Travis thanked him and slapped the reins. Robert was a good friend, and he felt relief at finally having told him. Maybe someday it could all come out, but not now. Now he needed to go and help Clayton and Jackie celebrate and get off to a good start. His prayers were that their marriage would be far different than his own.

"The first thing I need to do, Robert," Travis began, "is tell you that I'm not sorry."

Robert looked at his friend in confusion but stayed silent.

"I know that must sound odd, but a long time back I asked the Lord to help me know the right time to tell you. Then yesterday when it came out, I apologized. It
Does feel good to have you finally know about Rebecca, but I never felt the time was right before."

"Of course, Travis," Robert assured him. "I certainly don't hold any hard feelings toward you. I've never wanted to pry, so I've never pressed you about your private life. I can't say that I haven't been curious, but there was no point in digging into your past if you didn't want to talk about it."

"I appreciate that, Robert."

The men were doing what they often did—talking by the wagons after church. Other people were grouped off as well. Eddie was with Beryl Henley, and Travis hoped he could gain a few more minutes of privacy.

"Did you say her name was Rebecca?" Robert now felt free to ask.

"Yes, and her father was the owner of the Double Star. It's hard for me to believe it, but we were practically strangers. Andrew Wagner asked me to marry his daughter because his health was failing and he wanted her protected and cared for. He died just days after we were wed. It was a strain, but I thought we were going to make it work. I came in off the range a week after we said our vows, and she was gone. I haven't seen her since."

"How long ago was this?"

"Over five-and-a-half years, six years in February."

Robert looked thunderstruck. "I'm so sorry, Travis."

"Yeah, I'm sorry too," the tall rancher agreed. "It's taken a long time to accept that she's not coming back."

"Did you ever look for her?"

"I only stopped looking for her last year. I even put ads in the
Denver Daily News.
I've ridden from town to town, sometimes for miles. And when we take cattle into Denver, I can always feel myself looking. I've searched, Robert, even when it became clear she wasn't coming back."

"And she left you no note, no word of any kind?"

"No. Lavena was beside herself by the time I came in, but when I got into town here, she was gone."

Robert was still in shock but said quietly, "It must have caused you such pain to
see Eddie and me married, and then Clayton and Jackie yesterday."

"Yes and no, Robert. I did think of my own marriage, but I couldn't have been happier for the four of you, and that's the truth."

Robert glanced up to see Eddie coming toward them, so he spoke softly to Travis. "Just so you know, I haven't told Eddie anything. I didn't want to do that without talking to you first.''

"I have no problem with your telling Eddie; I know she'll be discreet. If Rebecca were here, it would make sense for people to know, but as it is—" Travis ended the sentence with a shrug, and Robert's hand went to his shoulder.

Eddie joined them just seconds later, and although he could see that their offer was genuine, Travis declined to join them for lunch. He rode home to Lavena's cooking, Rebecca very heavy on his mind. As always happened when he couldn't get her off his mind, he ended up in the study. He didn't know why he came to this room; it had been Andrew's room, not Rebecca's. Maybe it helped remind him as to why he stayed on at the ranch.

In the blink of an eye he had become a wealthy land owner in Colorado Territory, now the state of Colorado, but that had never been important to him. Keeping this place active and profitable, spending long days in the saddle, hiring or firing men, making it through days when he thought his hands would freeze to the reins, losing cattle, and having costs run higher than he figured- all of this for that moment when he might face Rebecca again. At times it had been all that pushed him on. But now, suddenly, he knew it wasn't going to happen. He still didn't think her dead, but neither did he think he would ever know what had happened to her.

Lav
ena told him that his meal was on the
table. He followed her to the dining room, watched her pour his coffee, thanked her, and bowed his head over the plate to thank God for all He had provided. Travis realized that there were no holes in his life, no gaps—God had filled them all. Travis ate with the pleasure and warm serenity of God's grace, and even though he still prayed for her every day, for a time he put his wife from his mind.

Travis stood with the letter in his hand, too stunned to move. It wasn't possible. Not 24 hours before, he'd been convinced he would never hear from Rebecca again, but the letter in his hand now mocked that assurance.

Usually working the range, Travis had stayed in the barn today seeing to some repairs. He'd come in midmorning to get a cup of hot coffee.
Lavena had parked the buggy by the back door when she'd returned from town. She had brought the mail with her. Hannah Ellenbolt had never mastered Rebecca's handwriting, but it was close enough so
Lavena recognized the letter. When she handed it to Travis, she came right out and said, "This is from your wife."

Travis looked at the postmark for Pine Grove and wanted to argue with her—he'd searched there—but something told him
Lavena was right.

"What did she say?" Lavena suddenly appeared again but stopped when she saw he hadn't moved. "You haven't opened it." For once she didn't sound bossy, just resigned. "I can't think that it will be easy, Travis, but you should just get it over with."

Travis' head turned as he watched her walk away. The sound of her steps had barely died away when his hand went to the corner of the envelope. He had not taken off his coat or moved from the entryway, but stood and read.

Travis,

I know it's been a long time, but I thought I should write and see where we stand. It is my assumption that you've made a new life for yourself, and along with those thoughts, I wonder if
we are still married. I live in Pine Grove and am known by my married name. I would appreciate hearing from you about this matter.

Rebecca

Travis thought it sounded more like someone addressing a letter to a catalog company than correspondence between an estranged husband and wife. Travis read the short missive again. She was all business, no emotion, but he couldn't say the same. His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt his face flush. Reba. Reba was alive and wanting to know if they were still married. Having given up or not, Travis had always known what he would do if she ever got in touch. With a swift decision to go by horseback and not on the train, he turned toward the kitchen.

"Pack me three days' provisions, Lavena. I leave in less than an hour." With that he hurried upstairs to prepare. He didn't even hear Lavena mumble to herself that the job was already half done.

"That's amazing, Travis," Robert told him. "Why just yesterday you'd resigned yourself. I told Eddie about it last night and we prayed, but I never . . ." The banker's words trailed off in wonder.

"I've put Luck)' in charge and I'm headed out now, but I would appreciate your keeping this quiet. I'm trying not to have expectations. My only hope is that
we can open some line of communication so I can know if she's all right."

"I'll pray, Travis; in fact, let's take a moment right now." Travis bowed his head and prayed along silently with his friend.

"What a blessing it is. Father, to know that You know what lies ahead. We thank You for Rebecca, Lord, and pray Your blessing upon her. Guide Travis' steps as he rides, and keep him safe on the trail. Help him to be loving and kind when he sees his wife. The unknown can be so hard. Lord, but You will go before Him. And if it be Your will. Father, let Travis' wife be restored to him. In Your name I pray. Amen."

"Thank you, Robert," Travis said, knowing he'd been a little too stunned through the recent events to say some of those things to the Lord.

The men shook hands, and Travis left Robert's office. The banker's prayer prodded Travis' mind, and as he covered me miles on the way to Denver and beyond, he poured his heart out to the Lord. It didn't make the trail smoother or the saddle more comfortable, but Travis knew that God was going before him.