A Texas Sky (Yellow Rose Trilogy)
come back here in about an hour. How does that
    work?"
    "Wonderful. 111 see you then."
    Saddlebags in hand, Dakota went to find his room, not
    knowing that an hour was optimistic. Nevertheless, the two
    travelers finally sat down in the hotel dining room, both
    ready for a hot meal and the comfort of eating indoors.
    "Dakota," Darvi asked over coffee, their order having
    165
    just been taken, "how did you become a Ranger?"
    Dakota smiled. "I caught the bug when I was about 13.
    We'd had some trouble with cattle rustling, and the Rangers
    came in to help. I'd never seen such tough, capable men. I
    was in awe of every one of them. From that time forward I
    dreamed of having my own sturdy mount, side arm, rope,
    and Bowie knife. I had access to all those things on the ranch,
    but they weren't mine. At the time I had no concept of the
    responsibility, but even when I understood the position, I
    still longed to work hard and uphold the law in Texas."
    Dakota stopped for a moment before admitting, "It was
    all I ever wanted until my brother Slater came to Christ.
    Cash and my grandmother already believed, but I never
    thought Slater would. The change in him was uncanny, and
    then he left the Rangers to settle in one town. I was ready
    to string him up, but he stood up to me and told me his
    decision was made. The change in his life got me to
    thinking that I might have missed something.
    "I don't know if I thought of it when you were telling
    your story, Darvi, but Slater did what you need to do.
    166
    A Texas Sky 91
    Although everyone in the Rangers was telling him he
    didn't need to quit, he knew he couldn't stay on the trail.
    He stood up to me and to Brace, and I know God has
    blessed him for it"
    It was on Darvi's mind to ask Dakota if he would stay
    with the Rangers now, but for some reason she held back.
    His salvation was as new as hers. Maybe he hadn't thought
    that far. Then again, she knew nothing of Slater. Maybe
    their situations were nothing alike.
    "So are you ready to go home and face your family?"
    "I think I am. I'm trying not to think of conversations in
    my head. I've done that in the past, and it never works. The
    person never says what I think he's going to, and so everything
    I've rehearsed is a waste of time."
    Dakota was impressed. It was so easy to do just that.
    He'd done it many times himself.
    "Well, you can go knowing that I will pray for you."
    "Thank you. And I'll be praying for you. I never
    167
    thought about anyone being able to have an influence on
    Uncle Marty. Maybe your life will touch his."
    "I hope so. I care for him a lot."
    Darvi found herself wanting to cry and hoped their
    food would come soon. Quite hungry, she suddenly realized
    a wave of homesickness was washing over her. The
    combination of hunger, her uncle, and a need to go home
    rained down on her with such intensity that she almost
    gasped.
    Dakota stayed very quiet They had talked for hours the
    day before, and Darvi had apologized for her tears on two
    occasions. Both times Dakota told her it was all right. He
    hoped that if he remained quiet now, she would not feel the
    need. It helped to have his stomach growl, and for Darvi to
    hear it.
    "I think they've forgotten us," she said, trying not to
    sniff.
    92 lori wick
    "I think you might be right I'm going to have to make
    168
    myself chew. Right now I think I could swallow things
    whole."
    Neither one felt compelled to talk after that. Their food
    arrived about ten minutes later, and that was all they
    needed. By the time they finished/ the days on the road
    were catching up. With little more than a plan to meet for
    breakfast they bid each other goodnight
    ^"S1"^"
    Darvi stood on the train station platform in a navy blue
    suit, her satchel open as she secured her ticket inside.
    Closing the top/ she looked up at Dakota who stood in
    front of her.
    "All set?" he asked.
    "I think so."
    "You look very nice in that suit, by the way."
    Darvi looked up at him innocently and asked,

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