from the Tribune to publicize the fact that Blaine Wagner has been stalking you ever since your divorce? That he has threatened your life, and that the latest man he hired to stalk you has been jailed, and the pending charges against that man could include Blaine as well?”
“Even if no charges are filed?” Cathy said.
“The wording is ‘could be,’ which doesn’t lock you into a definitive statement. He’s fighting dirty, baby. I think it’s time to give it back to him…and we’re home,” Duke said as the farmhouse came into view.
Cathy hated to admit it, but she was relieved to be here. Gage Brewer’s appearance in Blessings had ruined her sense of safety.
“I’ll have to think about it a bit. Nearly everyone I know would side with him against me.”
“Just a suggestion,” Duke said, and then pulled around back to park.
The house was warm, and good smells were emanating from the kitchen. Hope was at the stove, and smiled as she turned to greet them.
“Welcome, Cathy. We’re so glad you’re here. Duke will show you to your room. You get yourself comfy and then come back down and join us. We’re in the middle of making stuff ahead for Thanksgiving. Another pair of hands will be welcome.”
And just like that, the last bit of Cathy’s hesitance to intrude into their world was gone. God willing, she was soon going to be a real part of this family.
* * *
That afternoon with the Talbots turned into one of the best times of her life. The lighthearted banter between them was funny, and they constantly included her so that she didn’t feel like the odd one out. When it came time to go feed the cattle that evening, she was excited to go with Duke.
Hope shook her head. “You are setting a bad precedent.”
And when both men grinned, Cathy knew there was a punch line waiting.
“What do you mean?”
“They’re taking you to open and close the gates,” Hope said. “Trust me.”
Cathy laughed. “Okay, I have been warned. But I still want to go.”
Duke hugged her. “That’s my girl.”
Still teasing, Hope shook her head. “The new wears off fast.”
“Hush,” Duke said. “Don’t scare her off.”
“I’m not scared…not of this…and not of anything here,” Cathy said. “Let’s do it.”
Hope was right, but Cathy’s delight at the newness of it all and the joy of being with Duke was worth it. Then, when he took her all the way to the back pasture, he pointed out the Bailey property on the other side of the fence.
“This is where we’ll build a road from our place to the homeplace,” Duke said.
“Another gate?” Cathy asked.
Duke laughed. “No. We’ll put up a cattle guard.”
“Awesome,” Cathy said. “Why don’t you have cattle guards instead of gates everywhere?”
“Because sometimes we have to move the cattle from one pasture to another, and that still means having a gate somewhere to make that happen.”
“Ah…that makes sense,” she said. “Oh well. As long as there are gates, I’ll be the gatekeeper.”
“A gatekeeper…I love that,” Duke said.
Cathy smiled. “And I love you.” Then her smile disappeared. “I don’t think I remembered to thank you for rescuing me today.”
“I don’t need thanks. I take care of what’s mine…and that includes my best girl,” Duke said.
“Thank you, anyway,” she said.
“You’re welcome. Even if you did scare a year off my life by not answering your phone.”
“I’ll answer next time,” she said.
Duke frowned. “Please don’t let there be a next time. As for the cattle, we’re done. Time to go back to the house.”
* * *
Supper happened after all the chores were done, and once again, Cathy was drawn into the heart of their home with such ease that it felt as if she’d been doing this for years.
She and Duke did dishes afterward, while Hope gave up the kitchen for a long soak in the bathtub. Tomorrow was the eve of Thanksgiving, and after that, Christmas, and Cathy’s year of hell would be over.
Cathy went to bed that night with new hope. She didn’t know what was going to come of the interview she’d given to Mavis Webb at the Blessings Tribune, but it felt good not to be hiding her truth anymore.
Duke wanted to be sleeping in the bed beside Cathy, but she’d had the day from hell, and it felt right to give her the space just to be…to rest knowing she was safe and she was loved.
* * *
When the morning paper hit the streets of Blessings the next day, it was