Whispers of Moonlight (50 page)

"Look, Mama, look," the boys continued to say excitedly.

"I'm looking," Rebecca told them and laughed. Never would she have guessed what her husband had bought for the boys, but he had done well. Garrett and Wyatt were strutting around in new cowboy boots that were a perfect fit, cowboy hats, and leather vests. She had never seen them look so proud. Wyatt with his blond hair had the brown set, and Garrett had the black vest, hat, and boots. Both were fair to bursting with delight.

"How did I do?" Travis asked Rebecca as he sat close to her on the sofa.

"Oh, Travis, I would have looked for toys, and it wouldn't have meant nearly as much."

Travis smiled, his own heart doing a little swelling. It was incredibly satisfying to buy things for his children and have them show such pleasure. But he wasn't through. His head suddenly turned to study his wife. A moment later Rebecca noticed his scrutiny.

"Am I in trouble?"

"No, I just hope I'm not."

Her brows rose, but Travis didn't answer. He went back to the tree and plucked a small box from one of the branches. He sat back down and placed it in Rebecca's hand.

"I hadn't really planned to buy you this, but there it was and I couldn't seem to stop myself." He hesitated. "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."

Rebecca looked at him for a moment and then opened the box. Her hand went to her mouth. "Oh, Travis," was all she could manage.

It was a ring, a ruby ring set around with six matched diamonds. Travis had not intended such an intimate gift at this time in their relationship, but it had been under the glass at the jewelers in Denver, and he knew he had to have it. He now watched as she put it on.

"It's perfect," she breathed, her face mirroring her pleasure.

"So you'll wear it?"

Rebecca looked at her hand and laughed. "I don't think I'll ever take it off."

Travis smiled and rose again. This time the box he retrieved was a little different shape. He pressed it into Rebecca's hand and then joined her again.

"Travis, surely you didn't buy more."

He shrugged but didn't apologize.

Rebecca opened this box to find the necklace that matched the ring. She was too stunned to speak. Travis reached for the fine gold chain and held it out to put on her. Rebecca leaned forward and shifted so he could hook the clasp. Her hand went to it as soon as it was settled in place against her throat.

"Oh, Travis." Her voice was soft and dreamy. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," he told her sincerely, sitting very still when she leaned close and kissed his cheek. She looked shy and uncomfortable, but Travis didn't let on that he noticed. The boys started climbing all over them, but Travis' mind was elsewhere. Rebecca had been delighted with the ring, not threatened by it. For the first time he knew that his marriage was going to make it.

"How was your Christmas?" Travis asked of Lucky the very next day. The men were sitting in the office.

"It was all right. How about yours?"

"We had a good time. How are Margo and Sarah Beth?"

"Margo hasn't been feeling the best, but other than that they're doing okay. By the way, thanks for the gifts, Travis."

"You're welcome. Single out a good-looking heifer tonight and take her home with you."

"Thank you," Lucky replied with obvious pleasure. Travis had done this last year as well, but Lucky hadn't been expecting it again. He added quietly, "Maybe Margo's father will smile a little if we have fresh meat for a time."

"He's not very easy, is he?"

"No. He thinks she could have done much better than me."

"You have a steady job. Lucky, and you provide for your family. What Does he expect?"

Lucky shrugged. "I think it goes back to how we got married; you know, with Margo expecting and all."

"I remember, but that was a long time ago and you've made a real marriage of it."

Again Lucky shrugged. His face told of his discouragement.

"Maybe if you had your own place?"

Lucky shook his head. "There are no houses for rent in Boulder right now, and Margo doesn't want Sarah Beth in an apartment or at the boarding house."

"I can understand that," Travis agreed, but his mind was busy. He sat quietly for a moment, Lucky watching him.

"Do you want me to head out?"

"Yes, I'll go with you." Travis' mind had been far away.

The men walked out together, Lucky asking questions concerning business. Not until the men were on their horses, bundled warmly to spend the day in the saddle, did talk range back to the personal. Chad was with them, but he had ridden out in front for several yards, and Lucky volunteered, "We're
planning on coming back to church on Sunday."

"I'm glad 10 hear it."

"Margo's mother might come with us."

"That's great. Is her father interested too?"

"I doubt it. He's usually hard to read, but he's made himself more than plain about church. According to him, only fools believe in God."

"But you don't agree with him?"

"I would have at one time, but not now."

"When did that change?"

"It's been coming for a time. This fall and even into the winter, I've had this restless feeling, like I was missing something. At first I thought it
was Margo. I've never stayed with one woman for very long, and I thought I just might be restless to move on, but I couldn't do it. She's the sweetest
woman a
man could ever hope to meet. She still looks at me as if I were her dream come true."

Lucky suddenly heard himself and looked away. He felt a fool for opening up like that to his boss, but Travis surprised him.

"It's amazing how quickly we can lose our hearts. I hadn't seen my wife in nearly six years, but the moment I laid eyes on her, I fell in love all over again. It's also amazing what God uses to get our attention."

"Like Sarah Beth choking." Lucky's voice was thoughtful.

"Yeah," Travis agreed quietly and then let the matter go. Chad was dropping back to join them, and the ranch owner knew Lucky would not care to discuss this in front of the other men. However, his heart kept on.

You're doing a work here. Lord. I know this to be true. Use me. Use me to help in any way I can and to be there for Lucky and Margo. Give them a thirst. Lord, that won't be quenched until they rest in You.

When Travis came down for breakfast on Wednesday morning, Lavena was again in her good dress, the cameo pin he'd given her on Christmas adorning her neckline.

"I want to talk to you," she said before Travis could say a word.

"All right."

"You need to get that girl some clothes."

"Rebecca?"

"Of course, Rebecca! She can't keep wearing dresses that are too small."

Travis hadn't noticed that his wife's dresses were too small, and his look must have said as much because Lavena was on him again.

"And those boys. They're both outgrowing their pants, and all their socks have holes. Are you listening to me, Travis?"

"I'm listening, Lavena, but why don't you say something to Rebecca. She could get herself some clothes."

"I've said things, but she won't listen. Now are you going to take care of that girl or not?"

"Lavena, why would I insist that Rebecca needs clothes if she doesn't think she does?"

He watched her hands curl into fists at her side. She was really upset.

"She's different now. She's trying to gauge what you want. And if you don't show some interest in her clothing, she won't think you care."

"How do you know all this?" Travis eyed her suspiciously. "Has she talked to you?"

"She doesn't have to," Lavena insisted. "I just know."

Travis' hand went to the back of his neck. Things were going great between him and Rebecca. The last thing he wanted to do was mess everything up by telling her he thought she needed new clothes.

"I'm going to work," Travis decided.

"You're not going to do it, are you?" Lavena was clearly disgusted. Travis ignored her and continued toward the door. "Isn't that just like a man." Lavena. was not finished. "He doesn't like the conversation so he just ups and walks away."

Travis spun back in a hurry. There were times when he allowed Lavena to infuriate him, and now was just such an occasion. He walked back to within, five feet of her and speared her with his eyes. Her own gaze met his unflinchingly.

"I'll talk to Rebecca when you go out with Colin North."

He shocked her, but only for a moment. Her chin went into the air.

"Then you'd better prepare your speech. I'm having lunch with Colin today."

With her chin still in the air, Lavena turned to the stove and breakfast preparation for the twins, who would soon be rising. Otherwise she would have seen that she'd astounded her boss into a speechless stare.

"Travis, is something bothering you?"

It was evening, and husband and wife were in their usual places before the fire. Travis looked at Rebecca's hesitant expression and thought he could
wring Lavena's neck.

"Not exactly," he hedged.

Rebecca continued to look at him.

"Have I done something?"

"No," Travis was quick to reassure her. "It's just that Lavena mentioned something to me, and I'm a little hesitant to say anything."

Rebecca cocked her head to one side. "You think I'll be upset?"

"I think you'll tell me I have ulterior motives."

Rebecca was overcome with curiosity.

"What did she say?"

Travis took a breath. "She said you need new clothes. She said your dresses
are too small."

Rebecca blushed and looked at her lap. "They are small." Her voice was low. "I'm more filled out now than before the twins were
born. You haven't noticed?"

"No. I couldn't see your figure in the other dresses, and now—" Travis cut off, afraid that if he told her a wife's curves were delightful to her husband, he'd really be in trouble.

"And now what?"

Travis hesitated. "I like the way you look."

"Why were you afraid to tell me that?"