The Cowboy and the Angel | ✓

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Dixie, I love you. You know that?" Jason asks, grabbing her hands.

Before she can reply, a gun blasts by her ear and Jason slumps to the ground. She tries to get to him, but the harder she tries, the farther away he gets. Tripping in the dirt, she collapses as the sun beats down on her back, his pleas for help ringing in her ears and the sight of a large cactus filling her eyes.

Dixie's eyes flew open and she sat up so fast Shadow growled in protest. She gulped in air, pressing a hand to her chest, her heart thundering beneath her fingers. It was just a dream, she reminded herself. Shrugging off the fact she'd been having the same nightmare for two days, she slipped out of bed to the bright window. Those dreams were beginning to scare her, and she wondered if God was trying to tell her something. She began to pray for Jason, but one look at the sunny day outside had her scurrying to her dresser.

"I overslept again!" she exclaimed, rubbing her temples. Donning her favorite blue calico dress, she trotted out of the room.

"Happy birthday!" Charles, Tavin, and Krissy chorused in a singsong chant from the table.

"Happy birthday?" Dixie repeated before she realized just what day it was. She couldn't believe she'd forgotten her on birthday. She was only eighteen but, here lately, seemed to have the memory of an eighty-year-old. She beamed a smile at her family. "Why, thank y'all!"

"Don't tell me you forgot about your birthday?" Tavin questioned, gripping her in a warm, and much needed, hug. He looked down at her face with concern. "Are you okay? You're awfully white."

Krissy peered at Dixie, her arms crossed across the ruffled bodice of her light pink dress. "You do look pale."

"Darlin', they're right," Charles agreed, bringing a steaming plate of biscuits to the table.

Dixie looked into Tavin's eyes. She tried to smile, but her attempt failed, and she nodded instead. "I'm fine. Just tired."

Tavin raised an eyebrow at her. He could see the worry hidden beneath her facade. He knew she was tired, but that wasn't all. He gave a winning smile. "Don't worry, sis, he'll be back any day now. Just you wait."

"Tavin's right, baby girl." Charles smiled, tugging on her messy braid. "So just put it in God's hands and smile, 'cause this is the day He blessed the world with you."

Dixie felt like crying. But instead, she smiled. A brilliant, genuine smile. She stepped into her father's open arms. "Thanks, Pa."

Charles hugged her close, thanking God for his little girl. "Always."

Krissy grabbed Dixie as soon as Charles let go. "It's my turn!"

Dixie giggled, returning the embrace. She breathed deeply, the smell of breakfast hitting her like a wave. "Somethin' smells good. What'd y'all cook?"

"Pancakes," Tavin answered with a smirk, holding up a fork and wiggling his eyebrows. "Your favorite."

Charles laughed at the exchange between his son and daughter. After saying a quick blessing, he led Dixie to a chair and pulled it out for her. "Don't worry, I made sure he didn't put too much salt in them this time."

Dixie wiped her forehead in exaggerated relief. "Thank the Lord for that! I don't believe I could take another round of those vile things."

Tavin chuckled, sliding a plate of fresh butter onto the table. He poured milk into a cup with a cockeyed grin. "Ain't enough milk from old Daisy, or water in the pond to wash one of them down."

"They couldn't have been that terrible!" Krissy laughed, her curls bouncing around her face.

Charles leaned on the table, his voice lowering. "Let me tell you somethin', young'un. They were so bad, even the ants wouldn't touch them."