Whispers of Moonlight (58 page)

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder?"

Travis smiled. "I hope it's that and not out-of-sight, out-of-mind."

Robert patted his shoulder and looked up to see Eddie coming to join them. Robert took Bobby from her arms and cuddled him close. Travis smiled down at the infant and the love and pride on Robert's face.

A short time later, Travis and the boys left the church. He found himself thinking about Bobby and his own small sons. He prayed that he and Rebecca would be blessed repeatedly with more children, children as dear as the ones God had already given.

"I have about an hour's work," Travis told Rebecca early Monday morning, "but then the boys and I will be back in to say good-bye to you."

"All right," Rebecca agreed calmly, taking another sip of her tea.

Travis watched her. It was easy to do since she looked wonderful in a yellow gingham gown. But he was a little uneasy. Rebecca didn't seem at all distraught about the three of them being gone for five or six days, and he didn't know if that was good or not. Not that he wanted her upset, but they had started to talk more in the last week, and Travis hated to let that go.

I've got to trust You in this. Lord. I've got to leave her with You.

"We're ready," Wyatt announced suddenly as he and Garrett came into the room.

Their parents smiled at the sight of them and went over to inspect their finery. They were fully decked out in jeans, hats, boots, long-sleeved denim shirts, vests, and their new chaps.

"Well, now." Rebecca hugged each one. "I would say you're ready to help with roundup."

"We're cowboys," Garrett said simply.

"So I see," Rebecca solemnly agreed although she wanted to laugh with delight. "Are you going to help your father this week?"

They nodded, their little faces both very serious.

"Head out, boys," Travis instructed, and the adults watched as they clopped their way to the door, both walking exaggeratedly in their new chaps.

"Are you going to be all right?" Travis asked Rebecca. He stood close to her, his eyes on her face. Rebecca tipped her head back to
see him.

"Yes."

Travis seemed at a momentary loss.

"I've enjoyed our talks and rides this last week, Travis."

"I have too, Reba."

Without invitation Travis caught the back of her head in one hand and her jaw in the other. He kissed her with infinite tenderness.

"I wish I didn't have to leave you," he whispered, but Rebecca only moved closer for another kiss. Travis could have held her for the rest of the morning
but he made himself move away. "I'll be back in a little while." Rebecca could only nod and stand still as he walked out the door.

"Things are set, boss," Woody told him. Travis thanked his cook. He was a good man, not prone to smiling but willing to have the boys with him for much of the time and stern enough with them to be taken seriously.

"Give me about five minutes," he told Woody, and started toward the kitchen door. He had taken only five steps out of the barn when Rebecca emerged from the house. Travis froze. She was in the split skirt he'd bought her, the blouse and vest as well, but she had added to the ensemble. On her feet were heeled riding boots, and her head sported a dark brown cowboy hat. She'd banded it with a yellow scarf and had another one tied around her neck. She barely glanced at him as she came abreast of him on her way to the barn. Travis gently caught her arm in his grasp.

"Where are you going?"

"On roundup."

"You are?"
He was thunderstruck.

"Yes."

Travis' mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

"Is there a problem?" she asked calmly.

"Where are you going to sleep?" He voiced the first thing that came to mind.

"In the wagon."

"But I was going to sleep in the wagon with the boys."

Rebecca's brows rose, and she said softly, "Well, Travis, I hope you don't snore." The look she now sent him was an open invitation and Travis, suddenly very warm, was helpless to move when she turned and finished walking into the barn.

They didn't get away in five minutes as he'd told Woody because Travis was so rattled that he forgot what he was doing. He was half-convinced that he'd dreamed the whole scene with Rebecca but knew he was wrong when they were finally underway. The petite blonde riding skillfully on the black mare was no image. She was real, and she was all his.

"I can't feel my legs," Rebecca said quietly when Travis approached. He had suspected as much when they'd made camp for the night and she didn't immediately dismount. He led Feather around to the far side of the covered wagon to allow her some privacy.

As compassionate as he felt, he still smiled when he said, "I'll help you."

"Oh," she moaned softly when her feet were on the ground. "Are you going to say 'I told you so*?"

Travis chuckled. "You just did it for me."

"I should have listened to you at noon."

"You can rest up tomorrow."

"How will I
do that?"

"By staying in the wagon."

Rebecca scowled at him, but his look was mild.

"I
would insist, Rebecca, but I won't have to." He leaned close and whispered, "Your bottom and legs won't let you sit in the saddle again so soon. You'll have to take it easy for a few days."

Rebecca sighed and let herself be hugged. It would have been a wonderfully tender scene, but her stomach growled.

"Come on," Travis laughed. "Let's get some food into you. That won't help the aches, but at least you won't faint from hunger."

Rebecca would have laughed as well, but she was too tired and sore to make the effort. At the moment she had all she could do to place one foot in front of the other. She wasn't certain if the next few days were going to be great fun or last forever.

"Sing the song again, Travis," Rebecca whispered to him.

"I'll wake the boys," he whispered back, casting a glance at them where they slept at the front of the wagon. His soft guitar playing and singing, after a day outside, had sent them off in minutes.

"Then just say the words to me," Rebecca coaxed. After Travis settled beside her in their bedroll, he obliged.

I want to write you a love song today,

To share all the things that are so hard to say.

And yet as I sit here with pencil in hand,

The words don't
come easy from inside this man.

 

You are so precious, my best friend, my wife,

A constant companion through trials of this life.

So where do I start to express what I feel.

To show
you a Christ-love that is strong and real.

 

Rebecca, my love, I say with all my heart,

You've been my true love, and have from the start.

Rebecca my love, I say with all my heart,

A treasure
from God you are!

 

As we grow older and struggles arise,

I want to be able to look in your eyes,

And know that to you and to Jesus I've been

Committed and faithful,
a strong, loving friend.

 

I want you to know that with God's help I'll be.

Faithful to you until my Savior I see.

So I make this promise "Till death do us part,"

I love you,
Rebecca, with all of my heart.

Rebecca cuddled against Travis' chest, contentment filling her. "When did you write it?"

Travis chuckled low in his chest. "The first night we were out here."

"Oh, Travis, I love you."

By reply he pressed a kiss to her brow.

"I can't believe we go home tomorrow," she commented after a quiet moment.

"It's gone well. And you've been a great little cowgirl."

"Now that I can ride again, I almost hate to go home."

"Won't you be glad to get back to our bed?"

"Was that your way of saying you don't want me in my own room?" Rebecca asked with mock innocence.

She felt Travis' chest move with laughter. "Don't even
think
about going back down that hall, Rebecca Rose, or I will have something to say about it."

They were silent for a time, happy to hold each other. Rebecca made one more comment about how respectful the cowhands were, but Travis heard the fatigue in her voice and said no more. There was something special about camping out and being away from home. Travis could only pray that the sweetness they'd shared the last few days would continue long after they arrived home.