Home to You Read Online Free PDF Page B

think so?”
    Dakota glanced around too, trying to see it through the eyes of his childhood. The old braided rug he’d grown up with continued to grace the middle of the room with the old-fashioned sofa and coffee table sitting on one edge. The brocaded chairs and love seat each had their own braided rugs. The fireplace still had family pictures on it. Both of the tall front windows had lace curtains just like when he was a child, but he had added miniblinds to them about five years ago.
    The pictures on the walls had once been of oceans but his mom had talked so much about the prairie that for a Christmas present about four years ago, he’d bought her three new pictures. One was of a wooden fence and a windmill at sunset with only the flat plain behind it. The second was of an old ranch house and a horse grazing in the front yard. The third was the picture of a Native American on a horse, both drooping wearily.
    The dining room had not changed, with the same side table and dining table as well as the cupboard. The 38
    Home to You
    dishes were the only thing different. In the kitchen, however, there were all new appliances.
    Suddenly he realized that despite the changes he’d made, the house was still basically the same. “I guess I don’t see much reason to alter things,” Dakota murmured.
    “Which is why you’re still here in town when many of us left and made the few hours’ bus ride to Fort Worth.”
    Dakota admitted he was right. He liked things to stay the same. He’d slipped easily into the role of pastor in town after he’d gotten back from his training. The entire time he’d been gone had seemed to be a waste.
    Now he wondered if that emotion hadn’t simply been his desire to be back home.
    “So, what are you going to do about her?” Chase motioned toward the woman on the sofa.
    She shifted onto her side, moving to get comfortable but not waking up.
    “I guess we’ll wait until the doctor gets here and then decide.”
    Chase nodded. “I should go. My mother-in-law is with Sarah and I promised to get back. She’s headed back to Dallas tomorrow.”
    Dakota wasn’t sure what to say, not wanting to be left alone with a woman in his house. He was saved by the doctor pulling up outside. With a silent prayer of thanks, Dakota nodded. “It was great seeing you again, Chase.
    I’m only sorry our day turned out this way.”
    “Hey, bud.” Chase shrugged. “How could you know this was going to happen?”
    Dakota walked to the door and pulled it open.
    “Call me if you need anything else.” With a look at Cheryl Wolverton
    39
    the woman on the sofa, Chase headed out and down the stairs just as Dr. Joshua Meadows climbed them.
    “So, what’s this about an inebriated woman, Dakota?”
    Dakota stepped back and motioned to the sofa. “She was on my doorstep when I got home, Josh. I really would appreciate it if you’d examine her and make sure she’s okay. Frankly, I’m not sure what to do with her.”
    Josh lifted an eyebrow and grinned. With dark brown hair and a sense of humor, Josh was a good doctor. Tall and athletic, he enjoyed basketball and lifting weights.
    Dakota sometimes worked out with him. “Well, let’s do one thing at a time. Can you call Mary and have her come over here to witness while I examine the woman?”
    Dakota felt relief now that Josh was here. They’d been friends since Dakota had first taken over pastoring Shenandoah Family Church. When he’d been unsure about pastoring the same people he’d grown up with, Josh, new in town, had been a friend he could confide in. Their paths often crossed in professional ways, which had helped develop their friendship.
    Law wasn’t something Dakota thought about much, but it was something Josh did consider. And Dakota was glad. He didn’t like to think about how it might be with him alone in the house. The brown eyes of the doctor, however, were sharp and full of implication.
    Going to the phone, he called Mary and asked her if