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Henley lifted her teacup. “May George Stafford suffer a thousand indignities. May he be plagued by cats, and chased by dogs. May he lose all his teeth along with his hair, and may his fortunes fail.” She winked at Rena. “A gypsy woman I met on a train taught me that.”
“My word!” Anne exclaimed, but she giggled as she lifted her cup and clinked it against Henley’s.
They all laughed as they toasted the curse Henley had uttered over unsuspecting George Stafford.
The sound of a floorboard creaking drew their gazes to the doorway. The children raced inside, followed by the men, leaving the women rushing to dry the tears they’d shed.
Later that afternoon, when Theo declared it was time to leave, Rena handed baby Emery to Anne, then gave Cora Lee and Henley warm hugs.
“Thank you for today. I feel better than I have in a long time.”
“Sharing a burden always lightens the load,” Cora Lee said, kissing Rena’s cheek. “I do so hope you’ll come out to Elk Creek Ranch next Sunday. We’d love for you to see the ranch and to be able to spend more time together.”
“I would like that very much.” Rena squeezed her hand and went outside, unable to fully sort through her scattered thoughts and emotions. She was deeply grateful, however, that she’d made new friends.
“Did you enjoy your day?” Theo asked as they rode out of Holiday and headed toward his cabin.
“I did, Theo. Thank you for guilting me into going today.”
Theo smirked. “Whatever it takes, cousin. Whatever it takes.”
Rena laughed, then glanced over at him. “How about you? Did you enjoy your time with the men and children?”
“I did. The youngsters engaged in a lively game of hide-and-seek. Gabi couldn’t stop giggling and was the first found every time she hid.”
Rena pictured the little girl, out amongst all the boys, skirts swishing and curls bouncing as she tried to keep quiet and failed.
“I wish I’d seen her.”
Theo gave her a thoughtful look. “What did you and the girls talk about this afternoon?”
Rena wasn’t quite ready to admit to her cousin that she’d bared her soul to her new friends.
Theo seemed to sense her hesitation. “You don’t have to tell me anything, Rena. I only asked because there’s something different about you this evening. You don’t seem quite as,” he paused, studying her, before he continued, “sad or lost or weighed down.”
“Thanks,” she said, quietly, shocked Theo had noticed and put into words exactly what she was feeling.
“Might I assume you’ll join me next week for church and lunch at Elk Creek Ranch?” he asked as they turned down the path to the cabin.
“That assumption is correct, Theo. I know it will only cause you to gloat, but I enjoyed Pastor Ryan’s sermon this morning. I’d like to look up the verses he mentioned.”
Theo tried to hide his surprise but failed. “You’re welcome to use my Bible.”
“I have Mama’s. It was one of my belongings I couldn’t bear to leave behind.”
Theo waited until they’d both dismounted to pull her into a hug. “I’m proud of you, Rena. You’re pretty amazing, for a dumb girl cousin.”
She slugged his arm without any force behind it. “You’re not bad for a smelly, homely dunce of a boy cousin.”
“Hey, there was an extra insult or two in there that was completely unnecessary.”
Rena turned and backed toward the cabin. “Was it though? Unnecessary?”
With a laugh, she spun around and hurried into the cabin to put together something for their dinner. For the first time since she’d awakened from her injuries, she didn’t feel like the darkness around her would consume her.
The faintest bud of hope had finally taken root in her heart.
Joshnearlytrippedoverhis own feet at church Sunday morning as he watched Rena ride up with Theo. The previous week, when Theo had attended without her, his friend had shared his concerns for Rena as they’d partaken of lunch at the hotel. Although Theo hadn’t given any reasons for Rena’s actions, he had said she was mad at God and refused to even consider attending a church service.
