Meant-To-Be Marriage

The news devastated Sydney. “That’s too bad.”

“I agree. There’s no one like him.”

No. No one…

She flashed the woman a forced smile. “Have a lovely day.”

In the next instant, Sydney climbed in the car and drove off, afraid the other woman might want to prolong the conversation. She couldn’t let that happen.

He was ill?

How ill?

It she called his office, he would eventually see her caller ID and know she hadn’t had the discipline to leave him alone after all.

“You’re out of your mind, Sydney Taylor!”

With tears gushing down her cheeks, she drove back to Bismarck faster than ever. En route she phoned her parents and told them her rental car had suffered a flat tire, which was the reason she’d been detained.

No one could ever know what she’d done. Never, never again would she waste time dwelling on Father Kendall. This was the end, the absolute end of her fixation on him. As of this second, IT WAS FINISHED!

Two hours later she followed her father through the back door of the house into the kitchen. After riding horses with him for a little while, she needed a shower.

“Lunch is ready,” her mother announced.

“I’ll be with you in five minutes,” Sydney promised.

She made it back to the table in four, wearing a clean pair of jeans and a blouse. The only difference between her outfit and her parents’ was that her top wasn’t plaid.

“Pot roast. My favorite. Thanks, Mom.”

Old customs died hard on the plains of North Dakota. Sydney’s grandparents and great-grandparents had always served the big meal at midday. Her parents were no different. Beef was usually on the menu.

“What do you think of the North Forty now?” Her mother’s question jerked Sydney from her perilous thoughts. The disastrous detour to Cannon had left her shaken and filled with more questions. What if Jarod was seriously ill? She couldn’t bear it if that were true.

“I noticed you’ve gotten rid of a lot of the leafy spurge since June,” Sydney murmured before taking another bite of corn on the cob.

Her mother smiled. “Your father decided to try those beetles instead of spraying.”

“That was a smart move, Dad.”

“They haven’t gotten rid of all of the weeds, but they’ve reduced a fair amount. It didn’t cost me as much.”

He reached for another helping of roast. “That fellow from the fish and game department knew what he was talking about.”

“I’m glad you listened to him.”

Her mother passed her the bowl of salad. “After we eat, Lydia wants us to come over for dessert.”

“Sounds good.” It had been a while since Sydney had seen her aunt and uncle. “How’s Jenny?” Her cousin was about ready to have her first baby. Sydney had bought her a present while she’d been in California.

“Blossoming.”

“Have they thought of a name yet?”

“Joe.” Her father said with a smile.

Sydney nodded. “Can’t go wrong with a name like that.” Jenny’s husband was named Joe. Obviously she’d gone along with the decision. Whatever Joe wanted was fine with her. They had a good marriage. So did Sydney’s parents.

On the whole, her mother went along with her dad, but there’d been moments in the past when she’d put her foot down. Very few of them however.

“Did I tell you our ladies group gave Jenny a new car seat and a stroller at her baby shower?”

“That’s nice, Mom.”

“Some of them are still working on a quilt for her.”

“What a lucky baby.”

While her parents enjoyed a second cup of coffee, Sydney got up and started clearing the table.

Her mother brought their empty coffee mugs to the sink. “Someday you’ll be married and have a husband and children of your own, too.”

Sydney had to tamp down her frustration. After taking several deep breaths, she swung around. “Maybe I won’t, Mom. Don’t count on it.”

Don’t count on my ever falling in love with anyone else.

Her father joined them at the sink. “Tell us what happened with that fellow Chip from Idaho. We thought he was the one.”

“I was never in love with him. That’s why it didn’t work.”

“All along there’s been someone else, hasn’t there?”

She couldn’t lie to her parents. “Yes.”

“Is he still in Cannon?” her mother questioned.

Sydney’s heart plunged to the floor. Her emotions were in too much chaos after driving there. Anything that involved Father Kendall made her almost physically ill. That’s how she felt right now. Especially not knowing how serious his condition was.

How many more years had to pass before the mere thought of him held no power over her? What if his illness was fatal?

Dear God.

“Honey?”

Sydney bowed her head. “Can we please change the subject?”

“You’ll feel better if you talk about it,” her father persisted. “Until you started teaching in Cannon, you were our happy girl.”