Love's Deception (24 page)

Cat smiled. “Okay. Great.”

That night, she picked up her cell phone and dialed Ty’s number. After he said hello, she blurted, “Thank you!”

“For what?”

“You know,” Cat insisted.

“You’re welcome. Did you get her home from the vet okay?”

“Yes, it went great.”

“Good. We’re about to start the Young Men’s basketball practice. Do you care if I call you back in an hour?”

“No, that’s fine. Love you.”

Twenty
-
Seven

A silent tear trickled down Cat’s cheek. She kept her back turned, hiding it from her mother. She tugged the leather cinch tight and dropped the stirrup by Ava’s side. This would be the last time she saddled Ava for her mom. She couldn’t explain how she knew—she just did. Perhaps they shouldn’t even ride today. Her mom was probably too weak. Over the past couple of weeks, she could barely make it up the stairs and sometimes got dizzy when she walked. But her strong opinion that determination could offset the effects of her illness got Cat out here. Plus, if her mother never got one more ride on Ava, the triumph over saving the horse’s life would be bittersweet.

Cat wiped her cheek and fixed a smile on her face. She stepped back and watched a hollow-cheeked, pale version of her mother walk toward the horse. Cat’s mother had withdrawn into herself more than usual lately. Her fingers, gnarled with age, stroked Ava’s furry neck and picked up the worn leather reins, the same as they had a thousand other times. Ava turned her nose and gently nudged Sally’s side. Did she know? A smile flickered across Sally’s face at the mare’s touch.

Cat pulled a bale of hay into position and placed her mother’s booted left foot in the stirrup, then helped her swing her right leg over the horse.

“Open the gate, Cat. It’s not raining, so we’ll ride in the nut orchard.”

Cat opened her mouth to protest, but couldn’t. She flung the gate open wide and untied Ranger. Heavy fog had settled into the valley, turning the air dense and moist. Following her mother and Ava gave Cat plenty of time to think. Christmas vacation would start tomorrow. Ty would be flying in tonight, and Bishop Blake had agreed to marry them on Saturday. They decided to forgo a honeymoon. They couldn’t justify leaving her mother right now. So Ty’s ten days of vacation would be spent at her house . . . soon to be
their
house.

Saturday evening Cat straightened the bow tie on Danny’s miniature tuxedo. White satin floated across the floor as she picked up her bouquet and moved next to Ty. His eyes never left her and she smiled at the satisfied grin on his face. Bishop Blake welcomed everyone to the wedding ceremony, and the background whispers faded to silence. When Cat said “I do” she met Ty’s gaze, grateful she would have the rest of her life to spend with him. The bishop declared, “You may now kiss the bride,” and Ty flashed the half grin that made Cat’s breath catch in her throat. Then her new husband proceeded to kiss her thoroughly.

Heat crept up her neck as he took a step back, and she turned to scan the crowd. Ty’s parents and sisters were grinning. Cat’s mother and Danny smiled back at her from the front row. Judy, Allen, and Clarka, along with other friends and ward members, had come to offer their support. Cat and Ty exchanged rings and the bishop invited the audience to form a line. She slipped her arm through Ty’s as well-wishers gathered to offer their congratulations.

Her mom’s best friend Judy had taken it upon herself to organize a reception after the ceremony. The decorations, the food, and the number of people were all more than Cat had expected. It choked her up to realize how many people loved and cared for her. They helped Sally into a chair by Cat. Danny took his place next to Ty and shook hands with the guests, perfectly imitating her husband. On the other side of Danny stood Ty’s parents, their joy contagious. His mother’s cheerful voice echoed down the line. “Oh, I agree. I’m so happy Ty found someone. I’d about given up on that boy of mine. Then here he pops the question and gets married all within a month’s time.”

Ty rolled his eyes and smiled. Cat chuckled. His mom had said that three times already. Cat turned to greet the next person in line.

“Congratulations, Cat. We’re so happy for you and Danny.”

“Thank you,” she said, returning the hug from one of the ladies in her ward.

Although Cat imagined her mother didn’t feel up to a reception, she hid it well and looked pretty tonight. Her smile radiated her happiness over her daughter’s marriage.

Cat glanced past Ty. Allen stood next in line. He bent down and shook Danny’s hand. “Congratulations, Danny.”

Danny puffed out his chest and answered proudly, “Thanks. Ty’s gonna be my dad now.”

Allen chuckled and stood up straight. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.” He shook the groom’s hand. “Congratulations, Ty. If I could have handpicked a husband for one of my best friends, I couldn’t have done any better. I’m happy for y’all.”

“Thanks, Allen. That means a lot coming from you,” Ty said.

Allen stepped in front of Cat and opened his arms. “Look at you, Caty Bug. Congratulations.”

She laughed at the reference to her old nickname. He hadn’t called her that since junior high. She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Allen.”

“Be happy, Cat,” he whispered in her ear.

She pulled away with tears in her eyes. “I will. But you better get dating. I want to come to your reception before too long.”

Allen smiled. “I’ll do my best,” he said, then moved down the line to hug her mom.

Birds filled the barn with cheerful chirping, and a pleasant breeze wafted down the aisle. The orange cat lay warming himself in a shaft of sunlight. Spring had finally chased away winter’s chill. Cat stretched her arms over her head and rubbed her aching neck. She’d sat, leaning against the hay, for hours. The winter had been both glorious and dreadful. She’d woken to Ty’s kisses on Christmas morning. But each day, she’d watched her mother take another step toward her grave.

The weeks after they were married, when Ty had to work in California, were long and lonely for Cat, but he bought tickets for her and Danny to come visit. They spent two days together at Disneyland while Ty worked. Then she and Danny spent Saturday taking Ty on all their favorite rides. Danny had talked about his first trip on an airplane for weeks. His fascination with it left Cat wondering if she was raising a future pilot.

She let out a sad sigh and picked up her pen. This morning Ty had taken Danny to the lake with his nephews and his brothers-in-law, leaving her with a day to herself. She hadn’t written in her journal since her mother got sick. But it was time. All day, Cat had written the story, starting with the day the doctor told her mother she had cancer. Now, it was nearly complete.

Cat read the last paragraph on the page and lowered her pen, contemplating her next sentence. A teardrop spilled onto to the lined page and she quickly wiped it away.

Five days ago I lost my business partner, my best friend, my mother—Sally Benson. After slipping into a coma last week, she passed away peacefully in her own bed. She was surrounded by those who loved her most—Danny, Ty, and me, and her beloved horses grazing in the field outside her window.

Since I was a small girl, I feared the day I would lose my mother. The thought of it haunted my dreams for years. And when they diagnosed her with cancer, I prayed so hard for her recovery that at times I felt abandoned as I watched her decline in spite of my earnest prayers. Yet when I awoke in Ty’s arms the morning after she passed, I knew the Lord had far from abandoned me. For reasons I don’t understand, He couldn’t leave my mother with me, but He gave me Ty—a loving, devoted husband and father.

I know the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. And in all things we should give thanks and trust Him. I do trust Him, and I’m working on the “give thanks in all things” part. Right now some things are definitely easier to give thanks for than others. But maybe with time I’ll master it.

Mom confessed to Ty after the wedding that he was an answer to her prayers. She said once she felt recovery was beyond her reach, she prayed every day for someone to be there to take care of her daughter when she no longer could. And I know it gave her great comfort in her final months to know I had married Ty. Even though she initially protested, my mom confessed that part of her had liked him from the first day she looked out the window and saw him unloading hay for me.

Her funeral was yesterday. My father came. And for the first time in years, I didn’t look at him with scorn and bitterness in my heart. He did what he did and he’ll pay the consequences. But like my mother taught me, we are required to forgive all men. One by one, starting with forgiving Ty, I’ve carved the grudges out of my life and replaced them with forgiveness. And despite all that happened with my mother, I’m happier than I’ve been in years.

Cat paused to pull a tissue from her pocket and dry her eyes. The blur of tears made it difficult to write. She closed her journal, thinking she had finished
.
But the niggling thought that had frequented her mind lately again floated through her conscience. She opened the book and uncapped her pen, wanting to add one more thing.

On a lighter note, there may be something exciting in store for us. For the last three weeks I’ve suspected I am pregnant. But maybe it’s just the stress. I haven’t wanted to say anything to Ty, in case I’m wrong. He would be disappointed if he got his hopes up and I wasn’t. It’s no secret he wants us to have a baby. Sometimes I catch him talking to Danny about little sisters when he tucks him into bed at night. I’ll get a pregnancy test Monday when Danny’s at school and Ty’s at work. Hopefully, I’m not mistaken. I’d like nothing more than to give him his own child.

Epilogue

The hum of the ultrasound equipment filled the nearly dark room. “The technician will be right with you,” the nurse said, then closed the door as she left.

Cat lay back on the exam table and folded her hands over her stomach. Looking at her husband sitting next to her, she said, “Honestly, Ty. You must have some slight preference.”

He chuckled. “Why are you so set on getting me to say? I told you I’ll be happy either way.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m just curious is all. I know you. If you don’t tell me now, you’ll say you always wanted whatever it is we’re having. Please, indulge me this once and tell me your heart’s deepest desire.”

“Only if you promise you won’t give it another thought if that’s not what we’re having. Because my heart’s deepest desire is for you and the baby to be happy and healthy.”

“Okay, I promise. I won’t give it another thought. I feel the same. All that really matters is that our baby is healthy. Now, tell me quick before they come in here.”

Ty’s expression grew serious. “A girl.”

Cat raised her eyebrows. “You’re not just saying that because I want a girl, are you?”

He sat back and smiled. “Even when I tell you, you don’t believe me. I want a girl because we already have a son. And because I want my own miniature Catherine running around our house with ponytails and the same big brown eyes I fell in love with.”

Cat reached over to hold his hand, unable to speak. Being pregnant had her emotions lurking close to the surface.

The door opened and the ultrasound technician came into the room. She washed her hands and drizzled a glob of warm jelly on Cat’s bulging tummy. Cat watched the screen as her tiny baby took shape on the monitor. The infant’s head and length were measured. Each major organ was studied and photographed. “Everything looks good,” the technician said finally. “Are we finding out the gender today?”

“Yes, please,” Cat answered.

The pressure against her stomach moved higher. “It looks like you’ll need pink paint for the nursery.”

Ty leaned forward. “It’s a girl? Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m ninety-nine percent sure you’re having a girl.”

“That’s great,” Ty said, then gave Cat a quick kiss.

While the technician wiped a tissue across her stomach, tears filled Cat’s eyes and spilled onto her face. Ty wiped his thumb across her cheek. “Sally. We should name her Sally, after your mom,” he said softly.

“Yes, we should,” Cat whispered, marveling that after everything she had been through, life could still hold such exquisite joy.