Clean Inspirational Romance: Escape to Paradise (Inspirational Happy Sweet First Love Second Chance Romance) (Contemporary New Adult Love Inspired Holiday Short Stories) (7 page)

“Oh look at you beauties,” Mercy cooed. She loved the two darling cows that barely looked old enough to survive. Their white muzzles sniffed her hand when she stuck it through the metal gate that kept them inside their pen with their mother. Standing again, Mercy took another look at Kale’s ranch. The house was one-story that spread out to include a lovely wrap-around porch. On the corner sat a porch swing that all but begged to be sat in. The wood had been painted a pretty canary yellow and the shutters at the windows were a robin’s egg blue that went well with the exterior. The stables sported a new coat of red paint with the trim done in white. She could hardly wait to see where the horses were kept. Much more property than she’d expected, Mercy had no doubt that Kale Preston was blessed to be a blessing. When she turned back to the calves and asked to pet them, Kale helped her through the gate so she could. He laughed when she got a nudge from their mother. She turned to pet her as well, giving her a scratch between her eyes.

Kale laughed at the cow’s outgoing behavior. “She must like you. She never lets anyone pet her.”

“I like her too, and these beautiful little ones. Do you have any more heifers that are due to drop a calf?”

Kale tried to hide his surprise at her knowledge of cows. He smiled and shook his head. “Not this late in the season. She was our last one and the twins were a surprise blessing.”

***

Mercy liked that Kale talked so openly of his faith and the times when it had been shaken. He wasn’t just a good looking man. He was a good man, a godly man. Mercy could easily see herself living the life of a rancher’s wife. The day-to-day tasks brought a sense of reality to her and she hoped to prove to Kale that she was best suited for him and his accustomed way of life. “Have you always known you wanted to be a cattle rancher?” she asked during their supper.

“Not always,” Kale smiled. “I’m pretty sure when I was five I wanted to be a lumberjack. I idolized Paul Bunyan and his big blue ox, Babe.”

Mercy laughed, enjoying the way Kale showed interest in her life and painted colorful visions of his own. “When did you know that ranching was your lifelong dream?”

“Truth be told, I didn’t. Jack wanted to be a rancher. We pooled our money. Those first few years were lean ones. I remember a time when I’d go two or three days without eating just to make sure we got our herd to market on time. First come, first served with the best price per head.

“What a hard-working man you are Kale. Amazing,” Mercy smiled. She reached across the table and laid her hand over his. Then she immediately drew back, her cheeks growing warm when his breathtaking blue eyes met hers. His smile assured her he hadn’t been offended. “Can I see the calves one more time before we have to head back to Clara’s?”

Kale smiled. “Sure Mercy.” Mercy smiled at his use of her name. They headed outside. Kale took her hand in his, leading her out to the barn where the babies were bedded down. He lit an oil lamp and held it over the stall while Mercy sat down with the twin calves and their mother. She showed them equal affection, even petting the mooing mother. After ten minutes of playtime, Kale helped her up and together they walked back to his buggy.

“I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but I’m already sad to leave. You have such a beautiful place here Kale.”

“I don’t mind and thank you. Jack and I worked hard to make this place what it is and I’m proud that you like it.”

Mercy felt at peace on the farm. She wanted to soak up as much of the spectacular environment before she had to leave. She turned to Kale, and asked, “Can I come back tomorrow morning and help you with the chores?”

***

Kale didn’t have to be told the difference between Mercy and Alicia, because it was as plain as the nose on his face. Alicia, while a lovely young woman, just didn’t have the qualities he was looking for in a wife. One afternoon with Mercy had shown him the stark difference. He knew, taking Mercy back to the boarding house, that he would take Alicia to lunch and tell her that while he enjoyed having her, she just wasn’t the right woman for him.

“What do you think of Westin so far?” Kale asked Mercy on the drive back to town.

She sighed and smiled. “Oh, It’s lovely Kale. I have really enjoyed myself. People are so friendly and outgoing. And you, have been a most generous host.”

“I have to admit that I’m impressed with your level of faith.”

“Don’t be,” Mercy grinned. “I haven’t always been this confident. After my dad passed, I struggled. I was angry for losing my father, for being shunned by my stepmother. I resented having to work at the shelter just so I had a place to sleep. It took me a long time to see that God knew what He was doing. Even then, I’m not sure I truly understood, not until I saw your ad in the paper. Your ad in the newspaper felt like a sign. I couldn’t pass it up.”

“Hm,” Kale replied.

Mercy smiled, hesitantly. She hoped she wasn’t reading all of this wrong. “I’m here and I’d like to believe that we are becoming friends.”

“That we are Mercy,” Kale smiled. “That we are.” Mercy smiled back.

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” he smiled. “Have a great night Mercy.”

“Night Kale,” Mercy smiled. She turned and headed upstairs and Kale waited until he could no longer see her.

“It’s certainly none of my business.” Clara sighed. “But if I were a betting woman, I’d lay money on Miss Thompson being a better match for you than Miss Meyers. The fact that Miss Meyers would rather tour around the city than spend time with you, speaks volumes.”

Kale took Clara’s words to heart, thinking about the vast sea of differences between the two young women he’d invited here. Both were beautiful, but that’s pretty much where the similarities ended. Alicia wasn’t much younger than Mercy, but maturity wise she seemed years behind the dark-haired beauty. Fragile in her constitution and finicky in her attitude, Kale feared that she didn’t have what he needed in a wife to sustain a solid relationship in the middle of Texas, especially if she hoped that this small town would someday become a bustling cityscape. He turned his concerns for his future and that of the women he’d brought here, to God.

Please guide me in this decision Lord. You know the qualities I need in my wife. You know that both of these women are deserving of a relationship that proclaims your glory. Help Alicia and Mercy seek you in the midst of all our engagements. Give them peace in their interactions with me and most of all guide all of us to be open to your will in our lives. The last thing I want to do is hurt either of these women. Give me guidance in what to say and show me the way forward Father. Amen.

Kale continued to pray throughout his late night as he worked on the tack room. He slept very little, consumed with choosing between Mercy and Alicia so that he could send the woman he didn’t choose back home as soon as possible. As the sun broke over the horizon Kale’s heart seemed decided in the matter and a peace he’d never experienced settled over him.

***

Mercy woke the next morning to find Alicia standing in front of her door. “Good morning,” she greeted the fair haired young woman. “You must be Alicia.”

“I know who you are and I want you to stay away from
my
Kale.”

“
Your
Kale?” Mercy chuckled. “Are we talking about the same man because you make him sound like a prized horse to be argued over? Kale will make up his mind in due time about which one of us he’d like to continue courting. Until then Miss Meyers, I suggest you examine your true feelings. Living in Texas, especially a small town like this, isn’t for the faint of heart. If Kale decides he wants you for his wife, you better be sure you want to live here for a good, long time as I don’t see him moving anytime soon.”

“I can live anywhere I’d like. And despite what you think, Kale would follow me anywhere if I asked him to.”

“Then why am I still here?” Mercy asked. She didn’t wait around for the snippy young woman to provide an answer. Instead she headed down to breakfast, grabbing a muffin and a cup of orange juice before thanking Clara and practically bolting out the door. In her hurry she neglected to watch her step and nearly knocked Kale down.

“Whoa,” he chuckled. Looking up into compassionate and stunning green eyes, Mercy blushed.

“I’m sorry, I… I should have been watching where I was going.”

“You seem upset Mercy. What happened?” Kale asked, his hands still on her arms. He dropped them like lead weights before he looked at her face again.

“Just an argument I had earlier with another tenant. It was small and mute. I’m sure I’ll forget it in time.”

“You’re sure?” Kale asked, his kind face full of understanding.

“I’m sure. I’ll be ready to go whenever you are. I’m looking forward to seeing Butch and Cassidy.”

“Butch and Cassidy?” Kale asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

“The twins,” Mercy blushed again. “I couldn’t help but to name them. They’re too adorable to go nameless.”

Kale smiled at Mercy’s thoughtfulness. “I couldn’t agree more. Butch and Cassidy seem to suit them too, considering they’ll be getting into trouble together.”

“They’re much cuter than that bank robbing criminal.”

“Truer words were never spoken,” Kale smiled. “Enjoy your breakfast. I’ll be a minute inside and then we can head to the ranch if that suits you.”

“It does,” Mercy smiled.

*****

Final Decision

Kale stepped into Clara’s boarding house and removed his hat. He smoothed his sandy blonde hair and cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose Miss Meyers is around this morning?”

“Actually she is. I believe she and Miss Thompson may have exchanged a few words over you just a few minutes ago.” Clara smiled and gave him a wink. “Can I get you some coffee?”

“Love some, thank you.”

“Kale!” Alicia squealed, standing on the landing. She wore a very nice riding outfit with what looked to be practically brand new riding boots. “It’s so lovely to see you again.”

Kale straightened. His reaction to her was the sign he had been waiting for. “Nice to see you as, Miss Meyers. If we could, would you mind taking a short walk with me?”

“I’d love to accompany you.” Alicia smiled. Kale waited on his coffee and promised Clara he’d return it when he and Alicia came back. He went out the door and couldn’t help looking Mercy’s way. When her beautiful eyes met his, he gave her a wink and a grin before he turned back to Alicia. “A beautiful day, isn’t it?” Alicia nodded and followed Kale down the stairs, away from the boarding house.

“I have a confession to make Alicia,” Kale said. “I’m afraid that I find myself completely incompatible with you.”

“Incompatible?” she scoffed. “Why, we’re as compatible as cream and butter. We just need a little time to get to know each other better.”

“That is sort of my point,” Kale said, trying to let her down gently. “The first few days you were here, you showed me a great deal of yourself, without even knowing it. I’m afraid that given enough time you’ll come to resent this small town and the ranch I live on. You’re meant for a faster, busier life Alicia. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just not a good fit for me.”

“So you’re going to court Mercy?”

“We’ll continue to get to know each other, yes. I’m still not sure she’s the one for me either, but I know you and I would not make a good match.”

She sighed, tears springing to her eyes. “Al right,” she said. She seemed resigned to the facts as Kale walked her back. “I will, of course, pay for your passage back to Louisiana, with the hope that you will find the man God has set aside for you.” 

“I don’t want to go back home,” Alicia said. “Would you pay my passage to Missouri, St. Louis?”

“I would advise against traveling to unknown parts by yourself, but I can’t stop you Miss Meyers. If St. Louis is where you want to go, then I’ll cover your passage.”

“Thank you Kale,” Alicia smiled. When they returned to the boarding house, Kale returned Clara’s cup to her, left enough money with Alicia for her to purchase passage to Missouri, and to get a room for her first night there. Then, with a sigh of relief he turned to collect Mercy.

He smiled warmly at Mercy. “You ready to go see Butch and Cassidy?”

“I am,” she smiled.

“I’m sending Alicia to St. Louis.”

“Missouri?” Mercy asked.

“Yes,” he said, turning to look at her. She really was a beautiful woman. Her long, dark hair was a stark contrast to her milky skin. It brightened her green eyes, making Kale take notice of her beauty. “I informed her today that she and I are not compatible enough to make a marriage work and that I intended to court you with that end in mind.”

***

Mercy blushed. It was one thing to entertain the thought of becoming Kale’s wife. It was another altogether to hear that same man mention it as a reality. “I have to admit Kale that I’m not extremely well-versed on courting rituals.”

“Me neither,” he chuckled. “I do know that I want to get to know you, to nurture a friendship that will serve as the solid foundation our marriage would need. I already see the lovely woman you are, inside and out. You have a quiet strength that speaks of hard work and integrity.”

“Thank you,” she smiled. “I learned all those things from my father and mother, before they passed.”