A Texas Sky (Yellow Rose Trilogy) by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online

first time since
    he left Desmond and Geneva's, he felt truly rested. Long
    -days and nights, hard trails, and little comfort were a way
    of life to him, but having bullet wounds put it all in a whole
    new light.
    "I found it a little surprising..." Dakota heard Darvi say
    and realized she was in the kitchen, right outside his door.
    For the first time he noticed the door wasn't shut
    "I never thought about people in the Bible quarreling or
    not loving each other, but Pastor Osman's sermon spoke to
    that very thing. I've been reading in Galatians ever since."
    "Are you understanding it?" Merry asked.
    "Some of it May I ask you some questions?"
    "Of course, Darvi. Why don't we get our Bibles and sit
    in the living room. The girls will be waking soon, and I can
    hear them better if I'm near the stairs."
    Dakota heard their chairs move and lay in silence. It
    had been like listening to his own conversation with
    Marcus Scott. Darvi must have been in church on Sunday.
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    Dakota glanced around to see if his saddlebags were in
    A Texas Sky 45
    sight but didn't spot them. He had a sudden need to read
    his Bible.
    With slow but comfortable movements he eased from
    the bed. A glance out the window told him where the privy
    was situated, and he thought if he moved quietly, he might
    be able to get out without disturbing Darvi and her friend.
    It occurred to him as he pulled on boots and found the back
    door that he hadn't even met the woman.
    3"3r-3r
    "I think I hear the girls," Merry said about 45 minutes
    later.
    "Thank you for explaining some of this to me," Darvi
    said. "It makes sense to me now. I've sinned so many times
    since I believed. I'm not sure why I thought the people in
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    the Bible would be different."
    Merry smiled at her friend, still feeling rather amazed
    that she was even having this conversation. She had
    planned to go into town for some extra shopping after the
    twins awoke, but suddenly nothing else mattered. Darvi
    was here, and not just any Darvi, but a new sister in Christ
    "Mama?" A liljle voice floated down the stairway.
    "Coming, Viwy."
    "How did you know that was Vivian?"
    Merry shrugged. "I just know."
    Darvi sat still in the living room after her friend walked
    up the stairs. She was still thinking about all the things
    Merry had explained and how much she had to learn when
    she heard a noise in the kitchen. With little forethought she
    stood to her feet and went that way.
    Dakota, who had been reading at the table, had just put
    his Bible in the bedroom and returned to the kitchen when
    Darvi stepped into the room.
    "I can't believe you did that!" Darvi attacked him
    without warning.
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    Dakota stared at her angry face, feeling rather dispassionate
    about her ire but thinking she looked rested and at
    home in these surroundings. Her yellow dress looked nice
    too.
    "Did you hear me, Dakota?" she tried again.
    "Yes, but I don't know what you're upset about"
    Darvi's hands came to her waist "You let me ride us as
    though there was no tomorrow and never once said you
    were hurt"
    Dakota nodded with understanding. It took him a
    moment to figure out what she was referring to, but this
    made sense.
    "I'm fine, Darvi."
    Darvi looked irritated again, like a child who knew she
    was being patronized.
    "That's why you were bleeding!" she snapped. "I know
    I always bleed when I'm fine."
    Dakota tried not to smile at the sarcasm but couldn't
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    help himself.
    "Don't you laugh at me, Dakota Rawlings! I'm really
    . upset about this." Her voice suddenly grew quiet; she
    wished she could learn to bite her tongue. "I was all het up
    to come here, and I didn't think about anyone but myself.
    I'm sorry."
    Dakota couldn't help but respond to such repentance.
    ^ "I could have said something, Darvi, but I didn't. Thank
    you for your concern."
    Darvi smiled a little at his forgiving tone. She regretted
    the way she'd talfced to him but wasn't certain how to
    explain. At times she asked the Lord why He ever