Meant-To-Be Marriage

Where was Father Kendall?

Crushed with pain and disappointment, Sydney had no choice but to sit there until the mass ended. The second it was over she stole out of the church.

By the time she reached the car, an older woman was getting in the one next to her. She nodded to Sydney, who couldn’t prevent herself from asking, “Do you happen to know why Father Kendall wasn’t there today?”

“Someone said he was ill.”

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.