Page 91 of Wyoming Promises

They walked in silence, his steps guiding her through flourishing bushes and trees bursting with thick leaves. They rustled in the breeze sweeping down from the mountains, but as the year turned toward summer, the air held no sting.

He stopped at the bend in the creek, where the water made its last swift turn out of town. A deep breath broadened his chest, and he stared into her eyes.

“I want you to go east, Lola.”

She broke his gaze to look beyond the river, through the trees, along glorious mountain peaks, to the brilliant sky above. “How can I leave all this? How can I leave you?”

A laugh rippled from him and he rubbed his jagged scar, so much a part of the man he was. His voice dropped low with a mocking drawl. “I’m a scary-looking fella, ma’am. Ain’t hardly fitting for a fine lady such as yourself to even be seen with a ruffian like me.”

She swatted his chest, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her close. His gaze focused just below her eyes, and she drew her lips closed in anticipation. “You have all summer to figure that out,” he said, his voice a whispery rasp. “But you’ve wanted this for too long not to take your chance. I won’t let you give up your dream for the likes of me.”

She pressed closer. His heart pounded beneath her fingers. “You’re my dream.”

His eyes searched her face, and he bent his head to capture her lips. The scent of warm mint and leather filled her senses as she lost her breath to his kiss.

He lifted his head but moved no farther. “I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Lola Martin. I want to spend my summer, your years of medical school, our children’s lives and my old age all with you. But I’d leave it behind if it meant keeping you here without achieving the goal God has set before you.”

She drew her hands along his arms, feeling their strength ripple beneath her fingertips. “I won’t have that. I love you, Bridger, for now and always.”

“Good,” he said, dipping his head for another kiss.

She drew her hands behind his neck and through his silky hair. “But what will you do?”

He squeezed her shoulders, his excitement transferring to a shiver along her arms. “This is a growing town with plenty of opportunities. The new council members decided a fancy hotel is still a good idea, and I’m to oversee the construction. Grace has asked Frank to hire on when her folks leave, to help look after her stock. For a while, until we get our own place going on a sweet little parcel on the end of town, next to the new doc’s place.”

She felt his smile grow as he pressed his lips against her hair and pulled away. “Just like you have to follow your calling to be the woman God wants you to be, I need this time to stop and earn my way, to prove myself.”

Lola pushed against his broad chest. “You’ve done that a thousand times over, Bridger Jamison.”

He placed rough hands over hers and shook his head. “Not for this town, for myself. I’ve lived my whole life in the shadow of my father, trying to be everything he wasn’t, trying to be everything I thought Frank needed. Somewhere along the way, I forgot about listening to what the Lord wanted for me. Already, He’s brought me you. I need this time to become everything He expects of me. To build a strong foundation for our life together, if you’ll have me.” His eyes glittered with love and strength. “Besides,” he whispered, “I’ve always had a hankering to find a wife to support me.”

She gave him a playful swat, then grasped his face in her hands. She leaned away, yet unable to pull from his tender hold. The years of schooling loomed long, but their future would be bright in God’s loving provision. “With comments like that, sir, I think you should be thankful the Lord provided you with a doctor to spend your life with.”

How was it possible such a man would fall for her, the undertaker’s daughter?

* * * * *

Questions for Discussion

Lola is put off by Bridger’s rough appearance and the scar on his face. Is she right to be wary? How can “judging on the outward appearance” be helpful? How can it hurt us, and hurt others?

Bridger takes a job in a saloon, even though his morals don’t agree with it. How does this compromise cause trouble for him?

Frank sees things in very simple terms. In what ways does this benefit Bridger? How does it frustrate him? How does God use simple teaching to deepen our relationship with Him?

Lola is confident in her abilities to do her job, but not so confident about handling herself in a predominantly male business world. How do traditional roles for men and women still affect us today? Is there a benefit to those roles? How should men and women of God handle business negotiations with the opposite sex?

---