by Jane Josephs
“And we will.” Nick wrapped his arms around her again and sealed his promise with a kiss.
~ ~ ~
“I see a hoof,” Alison exclaimed in an excited whisper.
Dotty’s water had broken twenty minutes after Dr. Harris, the large animal vet, had arrived at midnight, with a couple of gallons of liquid gushing onto the hay. Nick had cleared it with the doctor so that Alison could watch the delivery. Now, sitting on a bale of hay next to the wall in Dotty’s stall, she could hardly contain her excitement. The beautiful black mare was on her side, sweating and heaving.
“Not long now,” Nick whispered. He glanced at the stall door where Richie and Ginny had arrived to watch the miracle of birth unfold.
“Everything looks good,” the vet attending to Dotty said softly. “Shouldn’t be more than another ten minutes or so.”
Alison wrapped her arm around Nick’s back and leaned her head on his shoulder. The vet had already explained that she could observe but it would be best not to talk. The birthing process, he had explained before he went into the stall, usually required a minimum of interference unless something went wrong. So far, Dotty was going by the book with no complications. Squelching her questions, Alison turned her face up to Nick’s. “This is exciting,” she mouthed a second before being rewarded with a kiss.
In moments, a chorus of “oohs” and “ahs” filled the air as a black bundle emerged onto the hay.
“You’ve got yourself a filly,” Dr. Harris said, turning to Nick. He glanced at the two people hanging over the door. “Let’s give Dotty a little time to rest.” He stroked the new foal. “I’ll clean this little girl up and we’ll get the placenta delivered, then the bonding process can begin. We don’t want Dotty to try to get up too soon.” The bundle of black lifted her head and put out her front legs as if to get up.
Alison retracted her arm from around Nick and clapped her hand over her mouth as the foal stood up on shaky legs. Her eyes filled with tears of happiness. “Ohhh . . . she’s so darling, I can’t wait to watch her grow up.”
~ ~ ~
A half hour later, with the afterbirth delivered and Dotty getting to her feet, the bonding began. Unsteady still on her feet, the filly staggered as Dotty nuzzled and smelled her.
Nick ran his hand up and down Alison’s back, his own heart overflowing. This foal had been his dad’s dream. But if Nick had his way, and he was pretty sure Alison would agree, the filly was going to have a very real place in their future.
“If it’s okay with you,” Nick said to Alison, “we’d like to name the foal after you.”
“After me?” Alison’s glance darted from Nick to Richie and Ginny. “You want to call her Alison?”
Nick grinned and nodded at Richie. “Actually, with some input from Ma, we were thinking more of calling her by your middle name, Grace.”
Alison sighed, melting against Nick. “Oh, I’d love that. Grace would fit perfectly with all the other horses’ names. You know, people names instead of the traditional horsey ones.”
“You catch on quick, don’t you?” He hugged her to him. “And since she’s sired by a stallion named Blaze, what would you think of her registered name being A Blazing Grace?”
“Wow. It’s perfect.” As if in agreement, the filly turned on wobbly legs. Alison’s breath caught. A white blaze ran down the center of the filly’s face. Confirming her new name.
Epilogue
Four months later
With his hands in his back pockets, Nick walked the perimeter of the campfire ring inspecting his work. Sweat ran down his back from preparing the site just as he wanted it. He stopped at the new stone bench he’d bought and slid onto it, a nervous breath escaping. Closing his eyes, he shot a quick prayer for Alison and what their future might hold. But first, he had to persuade her to get back on a horse again and ride up to the campfire with him. Nick grinned as he crossed to Sam and vaulted into the saddle. Alison had promised to be at the ranch by five and he still needed to shower and finish the preparations for her first ride in four months.
~ ~ ~
Alison pulled into the driveway at the Reid’s home, the butterflies in her stomach giving her no rest. After a couple of Saturdays of grooming, saddling, and walking Mae on a lead rope, she was going to ride her again with Nick right beside her. He wanted to replace the memory of Mae racing across the field out of control with her. This time it would be different, he promised. After all, they were happy and in love. Giggling, Alison turned off the car engine and hopped out to meet Nick.
“Hey, you.” Nick caught her in a fierce hug and nuzzled her neck.
Laughing, Alison melted into him. “Hey! That tickles. Come here and kiss me.” She grabbed his head.
Nick obliged her for several minutes before leaning back. “You brought your suitcase with your riding clothes, right?” He scanned the length of her. “Not that you don’t look amazing in that dress.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, her strappy platform sandals making her almost equal to his height. “I thought you might like how I look in this.” Alison laughed and turned to her car. “Stop worrying, okay? I’m ready to get on Mae again.” She blew out a calming breath.
“That’s my girl.” Nick opened the back door of the car, took out her bag and walked with her to the house.
“Hi, honey.” Ginny hugged Alison while Nick carried her bag to her room. “How was the apartment hunting for Travis and Emma?”
“Didn’t Nick tell you? I changed my mind and went looking for a condo to buy as an investment property—one that I’ll rent to Travis and Emma.”
“Oh, that’s a wonderful idea.”
“After seeing what they’d have to pay in rent, I talked to a realtor, and it’s definitely the better way to go.” Nick returned and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Alison smiled at him. “I sent Nick a text right before I drove here, that I put an offer on a two-story condo that’s just come on the market. It’s an end unit with three bedrooms. Perfect for Emma and Travis and the baby. Both of them are over the moon excited. We should have them all moved in well before the baby arrives.”
Ginny cupped Alison’s face with her hands. “You are an incredible woman, Alison. I don’t know anyone who’s more generous and loving than you. And I will forever be thankful that you love my son.” She turned teary eyes to Nick. “He’s a blessed man to have found you.”
Nick smiled. “I’d love to take the credit, but you have to thank Kayla. She’s the one who introduced us, you know?”
“I remember now. I’ll have to make a point of thanking her.” Ginny hugged Alison again.
Nick chuckled. “You want to change, babe?”
She smiled at Ginny. “I’m going to get back on Mae. Did Nick tell you?”
Ginny nodded. “Yes, and he said I can come watch. If that’s okay with you?”
“That would be perfect. I could use the encouragement.”
“You’ll do fine once you’re in the saddle.”
“I put your bag in your room.” Nick turned with her.
Alison gripped his hand and walked with him to the room she’d used while she recovered from her riding accident. Had it only been a few months ago? Since that time, she and Nick had spent time together talking and getting to know each another. They’d even read a couple of books their pastor had recommended for couples who were considering marriage. Please, Lord, soon.
Alison wrapped her arms around Nick once they were in her room and settled in to enjoy his kisses. She’d never met a man with more integrity and charm, humility and strength of character. Life as a Navy wife might not be the easiest during his deployments, but she wanted the chance to support him and show him how proud she was of him. His career as a SWCC was important to him; had helped make him the man he was.
Alison leaned back in his arms. “It’s getting to be a habit, isn’t it? Me spending Saturday nights here and going with you to church on Sundays.”
“Hey, it’s ten minutes instead of me driving into the city to get you. What’s not to love about a habit like that?”
“And look how much I’ve grown in my relationship with Jesus.”
“You’ve helped me too, babe, in so many ways. I love how we’re on the same page with everything now.” He turned to go. “I’ll be on the veranda when you’re ready to go down to the barn, okay? We’ll say “hi” to Grace and play with her a few minutes if you want.”
Alison laughed. “As if you could keep me away from my filly.”
~ ~ ~
“Time to ride. You’ve played long enough.” Nick unhooked the lead rope from the filly’s halter and she trotted off. “There’s always tomorrow, you know?” He took Alison’s hand and pulled gently. “Mae’s saddled and waiting.”
“Bye, darling girl,” Alison crooned as she turned to go.
Back inside the barn, Nick hung up the filly’s lead rope in the tack room and went back out to find Alison. She was petting Mae’s neck and talking softly to her.
“Ready to get on?” He wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I’ll hold onto Mae until you’re settled in the saddle.” He took a step back and caught hold of Mae’s bridle.”
Alison turned her head and smiled at him. “I’m not scared anymore. I can do this.” She stuck her foot into the stirrup and mounted in one easy move.
Nick patted her leg. “You’re beautiful, you know that?” He left her long enough to mount Sam. “Just like the first time you came to ride. Slow and easy. We’re just going out to the riding ring to walk around a few times.”
They rode out of the barn and into the ring. The heat of the day had begun to give way to cooler temperatures and a slight breeze ruffled Alison’s hair. Ginny and Richie stood along the railing, smiling but quiet. Nick moved Sam beside Mae and led the way around the ring.
“You’re doing great. Are you ready for our trail ride?” Nick smiled. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Hmmm. Would the surprise have anything to do with those saddle bags hanging off your saddle? Something edible in there, maybe? Like s’mores?”
“My lips are sealed.” He turned Sam toward the opening in the riding ring. “But the sooner we get there the sooner you’ll find out. How’s that for a deal?”
~ ~ ~
With Mae behaving herself, Alison relaxed and enjoyed the sunset ride across the open field. “What a perfect evening. I know I have a long way to go, but I’m so glad you talked me into trying this again. I really love riding. Even if we are going at a snail’s pace.”
“Ever since I mentioned the word surprise you’ve been more than ready to get up here, haven’t you?” He led her into the woods, still walking the horses slowly.
In minutes, Alison’s impatience vanished, and she gasped. The forest shone with electric candles hanging from the trees and pots of white shrub roses lining the path. At the campfire ring, a fire had been lit, the flames dancing in the breeze. Beyond, a stone bench sat underneath a trellis covered with roses, snapdragons, baby’s breath and daisies. Woven among the flowers were trailing ivy and grape vines baring bunches of lush, ripe purple grapes.
“Oh, Nick, this is beautiful. The most beautiful place I’ve . . .”
Nick dismounted and came to her side. Tears of joy pooled in her eyes and laughter bubbled up inside her. She reached out to Nick standing by her leg and let him pull her from the saddle into his arms.
Holding her tight, he confessed, “I had some help, as you might guess. But I knew months ago that I wanted to transform this place. To make it a sacred space for us. The place where we embrace our future together.” He led her past the crackling fire to sit on the stone bench under the trellis.
Alison’s heart pounded in her chest as Nick dropped down on one knee and held up a beautiful diamond ring to her.
“You have become the most precious person in my life, Alison, and I’m crazy in love with you. You’re witty and funny. Smart and beautiful. And the most caring and kind-hearted woman I’ve ever known. From the time you challenged me to that game of horseshoes, I’ve known that there’s something special between us. Something real. Something perfect. Will you marry me, Alison, and make your home with me?” He held out his hand for hers and slipped the ring on her finger.
Alison slid off the bench and into his arms, raining kisses all over his face as he pulled her to her feet. “Yes, yes, yes. I’ll marry you. Today. Tomorrow. The sooner, the better!” She leaned back and transferred her gaze to her hand, “Oh I love this ring. How did you know what to get for me? We’ve never even been window shopping for jewelry.”
“Your grandmother provided the inspiration.”
“Grandma Kate? When? How?”
“When I asked your dad’s permission to marry you, he gave me an envelope your grandmother had left. For me, it turns out. The note inside said, ‘For Alison. Love her well.’ And inside, in a small bag, were two blue diamonds. The jewelry designer who made your emerald horseshoe heart necklace used them in the design of your ring. We worked on it together after I bought the center diamond.”
“Well, it’s perfect. The most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen.” Alison kissed him long and leisurely, before turning and leaning back against Nick. His arms encircled her as she slowly scanned the area, wanting to remember every detail, each special touch Nick had arranged at the campfire sight. For her.
A champagne cork popped in the woods. Alison jumped and screamed.
Nick grabbed her, laughing. “Surprise!”
“Congratulations!” People shouted as they emerged from the trees on the other side of the path. In the lead were Alison’s parents, holding hands. Then Aunt Grace and Uncle Pete, Ginny, Jeff, Richie, Emma and Travis, followed by Nick’s friends from the base with their girlfriends, wives, and children.
“Let the celebration begin,” Nick shouted.
Also from Jane Josephs and Soul Mate Publishing:
THE RUBY KNOT
(The Dirty Boat Guys of Coronado Book 1):
Graphic Designer Katie Ryan is about to have a baby, the consequence of a romantic encounter with Navy Special Forces “boat guy” CJ Jansen in Las Vegas. Back home in San Diego, Katie is determined to get her life back on track, and finds herself drawn to pastoral intern Noah Davidson. But CJ isn’t about to ignore his son, and soon Katie finds herself torn between her feelings for two very different men. With her son’s future at stake, Katie is faced with a choice: should she stay with the plan she’s made, or follow her heart?
Available now on Amazon: THE RUBY KNOT
