Two months had passed since the unforgettable wedding of Cat and Steve Priddy. Life on the homestead continued to thrive as more and more men wanted to work with Steve on the ranch.

Steve’s dreams of wild horse breeding were becoming a reality. He had managed to acquire enough stock and break them into manageable horses to become one of the most widely known breeding ranches in the country.

“Hey, Boss! Just got another telegram. This one’s from a cattle rancher in Texas. He’ll be here in a week to check the stock and place an order.”

“Oh, boy! You hear that my little one?” Cat said. “Dada is becoming a famous horseman. People are coming from all over to see what he’s created.” Cat smiled over at her son who sat at the table practicing his penmanship.

“Wow! Dada! That’s amazing! I wanna be just like you when I grow up,” Tommy said. “Can you teach me how to ride? I wanna ride a horse like you and Uncle Jed do.”

Cat saw the joy shining brightly in her husband’s eyes. “You bet I’ll show you how to ride, partner,” Steve said.

“I think I’ve got the right horse out there just waitin’ for you to climb on his back,” Jed said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Mama Cat? Can I go ride? Dada said he would teach me, and Uncle Jed’s got me a horse!” Tommy sounded so grown up. Cat could hardly believe it had only been six months since he turned three. She stepped over from her large stove and kissed Tommy on his cheek.

“Yes, my darling. You can go ride on your new horse. We’ll finish your writing lessons before supper tonight.”

The young boy jumped from his seat and ran out the door. “Yeah! I’m so excited! C’mon, dada! C’mon Uncle Jed!”

Steve rose from his seat at the table and crossed over to where Cat stood beaming from ear to ear.

“He gets more and more like you every day.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you act exactly like that every time you find a new herd to bring home,” Cat said. “You’ll always be a boy at heart, my love.” Cat leaned up on her tippy-toes and kissed Steve. “Now, you boys go have fun, and I’ll get lunch ready. How about a picnic? Shouldn’t take me long to get things put together.”

Steve kissed her back. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, my love. It’ll give us plenty of time for a first lesson. I don’t want him thinking he can run and jump with the horse all on his own first thing out of the gate.”

“You know that’s the first thing he’ll want to do.” Steve and Cat shared a deep laugh with each other. Every day kept getting more and more enjoyable together as a family.

Cat had finished preparing a delicious meal for their picnic when Honey stepped into the kitchen. “Are they gone?” she asked.

Cat turned her head as she continued to work. “They’re outside teaching Tommy how to ride.” She studied Honey’s face. “Alright, you. Out with it. What’s going on?”

Honey shrugged her shoulders and sat down at the table. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Cat.” She grabbed a cookie off the plate in the middle of the table.

Cat spun around, leaned against the counter, and crossed her arms. “Honey. Do you really think after all this time I don’t know how to read you? I’ve only been your sister for two months, but I’ve been your best friend for longer than that.”

Honey took a bite of cookie.

“Alright, you’re going to make me guess.” Cat wiped her hands on her apron and sat down at the table with her. “It’s obviously something to do with the men. Hmmm, let’s see… Steve hasn’t said anything to offend you lately, has he?”

Honey glanced up and then glanced away.

“Okay. Steve’s not the issue. Then it must be…,” Cat shifted her eyes teasingly as Honey tried to avoid her gaze.

“Please, Cat. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Oh boy, this calls for a fresh pot of coffee.” Cat started her kettle and sat back down. “Now. What’s going on with you and Jed?”

Honey ran her fingers through her hair. “Oh, Cat! I don’t know what to do! Every time I think about him, my palms start to sweat. And it’s worse whenever I see him. Ever since that dance at the wedding, I can’t get the man out of my head and away from my heart. I’m completely hopeless at school. When I’m supposed to be focusing on my studies, I can only focus on the memory of his face!” Honey let out a sigh. “He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He’s smart and caring, but he is also strong and not afraid of anything. When we’re around each other, it’s as if nothing and no one else exists. I don’t know what to do, Cat.”

“Oh, Honey. I do believe you have fallen in love. It sounds to me like you have found the man of your dreams.” Cat smiled broadly. “And you’re only six months away from finishing school. It’s everything you ever wanted, Honey.”

She shook her head.

“What is it, dearest?”

“It’s Steve,” she said.

“What about Steve?” Cat rose and fixed them both a hot cup of coffee. She carried the cream and sugar cubes to the table.

“He’ll never let me have a relationship with Jed. And marriage is completely out of the question!”

“What makes you say that?” She set the coffee in front of Honey and sat down in her chair.

“You see what kind of stock Jed comes from. He’s got no family. No house. He works for my brother and has no plans of building anything for himself.”

Cat took a sip, pondering her thoughts. “I think you’re not giving Steve a chance, Honey. I think you’re remembering the old Steve. You’re forgetting that he knows what it’s like to find that one perfect person you’ve been longing for all of your life.”

Honey simply listened.

“And you forget that Steve made Jed foreman over his entire ranch after only two months of working here,” Cat continued. “Actions speak louder than words, Honey. And I see the way Jed looks at you. I saw it that day of our wedding celebration.”

“Yeah?”

“Mmhm. It’s okay to dream, Honey. It’s okay to start planning. Because I have no doubt that in another year, you and Jed will have a home of your own.”

***

A few weeks later, Steve and Cat sat together on the sofa in front of the crackling fire. They had spent the majority of the day entertaining buyers for the next round of stock to be broken and bred.

“Did you ever think we would be so blessed, Cat, my love?”

She laid her head back on his shoulder. “I knew that the Lord was on our side,” she said. “It just took us a little bit to catch up to where He wanted us.”

“I don’t know if there’s anything else He could give us that could make us any happier than we are right now.”

Cat smiled, picked up Steve’s hand, and placed it on her stomach. “I think there’s one more thing.”

After a moment, Cat tilted her head up and watched his face for the realization to appear.

And there it was.

“Are you really, my darling?” Steve’s eyes widened.

“Mmhm. We’re going to have a baby!”

“Oh, Cat! You continue to make me the happiest man in the entire world! Oh, darling!” Steve kissed her over and over. “Oh, Cat, I love you, I love you, I love you!”

Cat’s heart overflowed. She had finally found her forever.

“And I love you.”

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