Big Sky Dreams: Sabrina Part 36

"It's good of you, Bri," Bret said as he finally picked up his tobacco. He was on his way before Sabrina could frame a reply, but she still appreciated his words. She was also encouraged that Crystal had told him. It meant they were making progress with her confidence. She still couldn't get the other woman to agree to come into the church and see her married, but they were making progress. There was no denying that.

294 "Are they the most adorable couple you've ever seen?" Heather asked of Jeanette and Becky, the women still wearing their wedding finery as they drooped in their chairs with fatigue.

"Perfect," Becky agreed. Even she felt too tired to do anything. "When I think about Rylan's face when he looks at Bri, I could sob my eyes out," Jeanette admitted.

"I think you're tired," Becky said.

"I know I'm tired," Jeanette corrected her.

"They looked so happy," Heather said, her voice a bit dreamy. "We need to find you a husband," Becky suddenly said.

"At my age?" Heather squeaked, causing the women to start to laugh. If there had been any doubt, it was gone. They were all too tired, and the only remedy was sleep.

They walked through the cold darkness to the parsonage. They had been married for nearly five hours, laughing and visiting with the church family and friends from town. Jeanette had hosted their reception, and it had been enjoyed by all.

But now they were alone in their living room. Rylan lit a lamp so they could see, and for a moment they stood looking at each other. When Rylan put his arms out, Sabrina walked into them. They kissed for a while, not aware of the fire not being lit, how low the lantern's oil was, or their coats still being on.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Sabrina said between kisses, still standing in Rylan's arms.

"Please do," Rylan said, a smile in his voice.

"I'm a little scared and wish I could just sit on your lap."

"Now that's a wish I can grant," Rylan said gently as he began to 295 work the b.u.t.tons on his coat. Sabrina took hers off as well, and by the time she was done, Rylan had lit the fire and sat down on the sofa. "Come here, my sweet Sabrina," he invited.

Sabrina's heart melted as she moved to sit on his lap, her arms going around his neck.

"Tell me where this came from," Rylan said, his arms keeping her close and thinking she had a very good idea.

"I just needed it, and I've dreamed about sitting on your lap but didn't want to tell you until we could."

Rylan looked into her eyes.

"Don't forget that we have no plans tonight. There is no rush. Things will happen when they happen."

"I remember."

Rylan told her how much she was loved before they sat for a while in silence.

"Shall I tell you a secret?" Rylan asked after a time, his eye having caught the white fabric that had been st.i.tched into the bodice of her dress.

"Yes."

"I can now relax when you wear a white blouse."

"Why haven't you been able to before?"

"Because my sweet Sabrina, whenever you would wear a white blouse, I would remember your getting wet in the livery that day."

Sabrina's mouth opened before she said, "I'd forgotten all about that."

"I wish I could have," Rylan said dryly. "Now I won't have to think about other things every time you wear that dark skirt and white blouse. It's been a challenge at times."

"You're wonderful. Do you know that?"

"I'm glad you think so."

"I mean it, Rylan. You worked to keep your thoughts pure even when they were about me."

"Shall I tell you one more secret?"

Sabrina nodded.

296 "I have no regrets. My wife is worth every second of hard work."

At the moment Sabrina couldn't find the words to tell him just how much he meant, so she simply kissed him one more time.

297.

SABRINA FINISHED DUSTING THE livingroom, shifting pillows into greater neatness, and seeing that all was just right. She never knew when folks would stop in, and when they did, this was the room they were most likely to occupy.

She went to the kitchen next, having already cleaned there, and started on a loaf of bread. It had taken some doing, working alongside Becky, but her bread was turning out very nicely these days, and she had less mishaps in the kitchen all the time.

"Sabrina," Rylan said, coming down from upstairs to find her. "Have you seen the ledger?"

"I put it on your desk."

"Oh," Rylan said, thinking he'd looked.

"Not there?"

"I don't know." Rylan suddenly became vague, coming over to stand close, his eyes catching hers. "Why don't you come in and show me?"

Sabrina smiled, knowing exactly where his mind had gone. They had learned that his desk chair held both of them very nicely. Sabrina visited him in his office whenever she had the chance.

298 Rylan's voice and his hands on her waist had become coaxing. He had almost convinced her to finish her bread later when someone knocked on the front door. Telling her not to forget where they had left off, Rylan went to answer it. Sabrina could not help but hear the shouts of joy and laughter that were coming from the living room. She came from the kitchen to find Danny and Callie standing there.

"Cattier Sabrina shouted, running to the other woman and wrapping her arms around her smaller frame. "I can't believe you're here!"

The reunion was a tearful one, Sabrina and Callie unable to stop crying, and Danny bringing numerous greetings from Rylan's family. Rylan and Sabrina had just invited them to sit down when Danny and Callie looked at each other.

"We have someone with us, Bri," Danny said, his voice as kind as ever. "But she was afraid you wouldn't want to see her."

Sabrina's hand came to her mouth.

"Is my sister here?" she asked, even as she moved to the door. "Where is she?"

No one had to answer. Sabrina had seen that Sybil was standing just off the front porch, her face guarded.

"I can't believe you're in Token Creek," Sabrina said, having stopped about eight feet in front of her.

"I'm glad to see you, Bri," Sybil said quietly. "I'm sorry about what I did and the things I said."

"Oh, Sybil," Sabrina said and felt free to hug her.

Sybil felt her sister's arms and broke down. She had not expected forgiveness, even though the Barshaws had a.s.sured her otherwise. They had told her all-that Sabrina was loved and cared for, had turned her life over to G.o.d, and was no longer selling herself. But none of it had been real until Sabrina's arms came around her.

"Come in," Sabrina invited. "Meet my husband. Did you bring your husband with you?"

"No," Sybil said, her voice sad as she tried to control herself. She hadn't cried like that in years.

299 "Are you still married?"

"Oh, yes," Sybil answered cheerfully enough, not willing to tell Sabrina that her husband had figured out who she was. He hadn't divorced her, but he had changed toward her and that was worse. "Come inside," Sabrina invited again. "Come and meet Rylan." Sybil followed slowly, her heart knowing some relief that her sister was all right but also somewhat deflated that she didn't appear to need her.

"Is she all right?" Sabrina asked the men when they returned after supper, seeing they were alone.

"Yes," Danny answered. "She took the nicest room the hotel offered and said she would see us in the morning."

"Do you think we will see her?" Callie asked.

"I honestly don't know."

The men had joined the women in the living room, Rylan sitting by Sabrina and taking her hand.

"I can't figure out why she came," Sabrina said, having thought about how little Sybil had said all day and how uncomfortable she'd been. She had wanted nothing to do with staying the night, even though they had plenty of room, and had touched almost none of the supper she and Callie had served. Sabrina had tried to ask questions as well as share her life, but Sybil had been almost completely unresponsive.

"I think she came out of guilt," Danny guessed. "She had to know how you fared."

"She's miserable," Callie said. "She might be out of prost.i.tution, but she sold her soul to marry Evert Clebold and all his money." "Did he ever learn who she was?" Sabrina asked.

"She didn't say as much, but we got the impression that that's exactly what happened."

Sabrina wanted all the details then. Danny and Callie explained the way Sybil had come to them two months ago-having tracked 300 them down through Li-and wanted to know about her sister. They had offered Sabrina's address so she could write, but Sybil never wanted that. Not until they told Sybil they were making a surprise trip to Token Creek did she let her guard down and say she wanted to come, as long as Sabrina had no idea.

"The stark envy in her face every time Rylan looks at or touches you," Callie said with a small shake of her head, "was almost more than my heart could take."

Sabrina nodded, things becoming clear. It had seemed to her that her sister was angry, but Callie was right. She had been seeing envy.

The four talked about the situation for a while but then switched to their own lives. It was wonderful for Sabrina to hear about the church family in Denver and even some of Danny's recent forays back to the night district.

The Barshaws wanted to know all about life in Token Creek and the church family. They were anxious for a tour the next day. They wanted to meet as many folks as possible, the ones Sabrina talked about repeatedly in her letters. They planned an early start but still talked until late. By the time Sabrina and Rylan went to bed, the Barshaws sleeping down the hall, they were both weary.

"Are you going to be able to sleep?" Rylan asked, not wanting her to think about Sybil all night.

"I think so. I'm tired, and to tell you the truth I'm not expecting Sybil to be here in the morning. She was never very honest, and I doubt that's changed. At some point in the evening, I accepted that I've had all the time I'm going to get."

Rylan nodded, thinking about Sybil's face when he and Danny had left her at the hotel. He was fairly certain his wife was right. Rylan was still thinking about it when Sabrina came close and laid her head on his chest. She had angled herself in such a way that they could look at each other, something she often did.

"I love you," she said, tears coming to her eyes.

"I love you," Rylan said, his hand stroking her cheek and hair. "Why the tears?"

301 "I don't know. Seeing Sybil just brings so much back."

"If she's here in the morning, will you tell her you think you're expecting?"

"It feels cruel, Rylan. She's so obviously not happy, and I've found you."

"Maybe she'll find Christ, and the despair will leave her face." "I hope so, Rylan. I pray it with all my heart."

"And let's not forget the miracle that she came at all. Danny and Callie are a nice surprise but not all that shocking. Sybil's being here is amazing."

Sabrina smiled at him.

"What would I do without you?"

"I'm not planning on your finding out," he smiled in return, and started to pull her close.

"There's something else you're not planning on my finding out as well," Sabrina said, not willing to kiss him just yet.

Rylan began to smile.

"Tell me why you call me Sabrina."

"Someday," he said, still pulling her close.

Knowing from his voice that she would not find out tonight, she came without hesitation, her arms going tightly around him-her wonderful, amazing husband who had just the right heart.

end.