Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

J onah had to fight to hold his grin as he entered the cabin that night. He'd been riding all afternoon with Patsy, showing her around the ranch. She'd wanted to see every corner, like she actually wanted their home to be somewhere close by. He'd happily go to Wyoming or Colorado if she wanted—or back to Boston, where she grew up. But building their life near his family would be pretty near perfect, if that was truly what she wanted.

Dinah carried a plate of cookies to the table. "We already finished dinner, but you and Patience can fill plates from the pot on the stove. We're having cookies now. Where is Patience?" She raised her brows at him.

"Washing her hands at the water wagon. She'll be in shortly."

The rest of his brothers sat around the table, even Sampson, though he slumped back in his chair. His face was still pale and drawn, but at least he'd made it out of bed.

Jonah took his seat and reached for a cookie. He could eat the meal with Patience once she came in.

Jericho clasped his hands on the table in front of him. "I think a few of us need to go to Canvas Creek and track down this Mick character."

Jonah's middle tightened. His big brother sure had a way of knocking the joy out of a fellow. He couldn't stay in the happy daze of courtship when danger still lurked, ready to strike at their family again.

Sampson shook his head. "We shouldn't mess with Mick. You don't know what he's capable of."

"All the more reason to confront him." Jericho's jaw was set, never a good sign if you wanted to change his mind. "We can't let him think he can threaten us without consequences."

Jude nodded slowly. "I agree with Jericho. If we don't take action, Mick will only grow bolder." A hint of pain creased the corners of his eyes. "He's already stolen nearly a year's worth of strawberries—of hard work. We can't let him take what few crates are left in the shed."

Jude probably felt this hit the worst. It was thanks to his hard work and oversight that they'd had so many crates of shined and packed sapphires in the first place.

They had to go after this Mick fellow and take back what had been stolen.

Yet, every time he thought about riding with his brothers to Canvas Creek, his spirit churned. Is this You, God? Are You telling me to stay here?

In typical Jericho-style, he ignored his brothers' protests and comments. "Jonah and Jude, you'll ride with me to find out the lay of the land. If we can get the sapphires back right away, we will." His gaze shifted to the younger brothers. "If we need more help, one of us will come back for the rest of you. Maybe Two Stones too."

That last part was a good idea. Their good friend and closest neighbor would be glad to help. Maybe he could even go in Jonah's place …

"I'd like to go too. I can help." Gil leaned forward, determination sobering his expression.

Jericho squinted, studying the younger brother, probably torn between his instinct to protect him and his desire to have another gun at his side. His gaze flicked to Jonah as if he was asking for his input.

Jonah gave a slight nod. "Gil can go in my place."

"All right." Jericho's tone weighed heavy with resignation. "Gil, you can come with Jude and me. Today's Friday and we'll need a day to get things ready. Let's leave Monday at first light."

He turned to Jonah and raised one brow. "And you, little brother…" Jonah braced himself for what his brother might say. Maybe something like, See if you can keep from burning the outhouse down. "I know I can count on you to keep everyone here safe."

Jonah froze, then studied Jericho's face. Had he really meant that? Not as a joke but in earnest?

Jericho gave a nod, then pushed back from the table.

His brothers chuckled, and as they dispersed for their evening chores, Patsy stepped into the cabin. His heart swelled at the sight of her.

Gil was headed outside and tipped his hat as he passed her. "Evening, Miss Patsy."

The wink he sent Jonah did nothing to squelch his pleasure at her presence. He'd endure any amount of ribbing from his brothers if it meant he got to spend the rest of his life with this woman by his side.

P atsy breathed in the crisp mountain air as she rode beside Jonah down the winding mountain trail. Today was cooler than it had been in recent days, the scent of pine and damp earth filling her lungs. She'd asked Jonah to show her every part of this ranch so she could get to know what she'd begun to pray would one day be her permanent home. This was their second day riding. Today, Jonah was taking her to the south pasture.

As they emerged from the shadowed tree line and the landscape stretched out before her, the view made her suck in a breath and rein in her gelding so she could take it all in.

The valley stretched out like a lush green carpet, dotted with wildflowers that swayed in the breeze. A sparkling stream meandered through the center, its gentle babbling carried on the wind. Her heart ached with a sense of belonging, as if this land had been waiting for her arrival.

Jonah pulled up beside her. "Something wrong?"

She shook her head, her heart almost too full for words. "Nothing's wrong. It's just…this is it. Just like the painting. This is exactly what I wanted. My dream." She motioned to the valley before them. "There's the green grass, the creek running through it." She pointed to a spot on the left. "And that's where the little white cottage would go. Can't you just picture it?"

She almost couldn't breathe as she turned back to him. Would he realize how important this was? A valley this large must be precious pasture land. In fact, a herd of cattle grazed on the far end, black dots in the distance. And maybe he didn't want to be this far from his family. The ride down the mountain had taken nearly an hour. Jude and Angela's cabin was less than a five-minute walk to the main house and barn. Naomi and Eric's too.

But Jonah's expression had turned soft, his eyes smiling. "This is what you want? Are you sure?"

She nodded, tears stinging her eyes. This felt too wonderful to be real.

On the trip back from Fort Benton, she'd made peace with the idea that she could be happy in a life that looked different than what she'd planned. She'd talked with Naomi and Eric, then they'd all talked with Anna. For now, her niece would continue to live with them. Anna needed all the love they surrounded her with. And Patsy would still be part of her life—a daily part. This felt right, finally.

Especially now that she'd finally accepted Jonah and his selfless love, the welcoming circle of his family, and the God who'd proved that He saw her, that He cared, and that He would answer when she cried out to Him…all of these were more than enough to fill her with joy and contentment. To give her a life even better than she'd dreamed of.

She gazed at the meadow before her, amazed.

It seemed too much that she could have all of those wonderful things and the best parts of her lifelong dream. Only God could have put these pieces together in such a perfect way.

She no longer wanted to live in the cottage alone and independent. That sounded quite miserable after experiencing the love of the man beside her. As she turned to meet his gaze, the love in his eyes made the tears fall once more. Happy tears. Tears that overflowed from so much joy she couldn't contain it.

Jonah must have understood, for he reached for her hand, slipping his strong, work-roughened palm against her softer one. She soaked in the feeling of protection that always came from even this simple touch.

Together, she and Jonah could accomplish their dreams—her little white cottage, his cabin filled with love and laughter.

Together, they would heal, grow, and build a life and a family she would treasure with every passing day.

I pray you loved Jonah and Patsy's story!

Gil finally gets his story in the next book in the series, and what a surprise he's in for as he searches for Sampson and the stolen sapphires…