Patience was playing with baby Emily on a blanket under a sprawling cottonwood tree on her ranch, the Cross Bar, while her toddler son, Cody, yanked at her skirts. She turned the baby over on her tummy, then pulled Cody onto her lap. “Needing a little special attention, I see.” She hugged the toddler tightly.
Cody grinned up at her with dark, innocent eyes, and her heart melted. She was glad Jedediah had wanted to name his son “Cody,” and it pleased Cody to no end to be their ranch foreman. Patience had maintained the partnership with Emily at Creekside, but as more of a silent partner—especially since Jedediah had turned in his marshal’s badge. Emily had married Judge Clint Chandler and was expecting their first child, but they remained close friends.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, she watched Jedediah walking over with a package in his hand. He knelt on the blanket, kissed Patience, then little Cody, and patted Emily’s head.
He handed her the parcel. “This was sitting on the porch for you,” he said, reaching to take Cody from her so she could open it. “One of the hands must’ve brought it back from town.”
When she had removed the wrapping, Patience’s heart lurched. “It’s the first copy of my book!” She ran her hand across the title, Daily Devotions, and her name, “Patience Cavanaugh Jones.” Her heart swelled and hot tears stung her eyes. “It’s been a while,” she whispered as she hugged it to her chest.
“This is wonderful—my wife, a published author. I’m very proud of you!” Jed circled her shoulders with his arm for a hug. “I probably won’t even have to read it since you’ve been preaching all these good things to me already.” Patience gave him a playful punch, then hugged him back.
Apparently sensing the spirit of celebration, Cody threw his hands in the air, jumped off his papa’s lap, and danced around the blanket. They both laughed as their son jabbered away.
Patience opened her book, staring at the dedication, then at Jedediah. “I wonder what my mother will say when she finds out the book is dedicated to her.”
“I believe she’ll be surprised but quite pleased,” Jed said with a warm smile that still made her heart flutter.
Patience smiled back at her husband, then gazed down at their children with pride and wonder at how God had continued to bless them.