Lee Ann stood and gave Longneck a big hug. “I think I may be dreaming. This is all too much.”
“Sometimes all we need in life is a helping hand. Where are you staying? The Shady Room?”
“How did you know?”
He chuckled. “Only place around to stay. Tell Stella to put your room on my tab.”
“I couldn’t—”
“You can and you will. I’ll have the lawyer draw up the papers and get that new trailer set for you. My dear, you’ve made this old man happy. Now go and enjoy your day.”
Her mind was spinning as she drove to the motel. What if he was crazy and it was all a bad joke? She’d best use her time looking for another place.
Chapter Ten
Gunther ran his hand over his weary face. He’d looked high and low and couldn’t find any recent trace of Lee Ann. There was nothing after her cashing her inheritance check. She hadn’t opened a bank account as far as he could find. It had been six months and he was ready to admit he might not see her again. She didn’t want him to find her. It weighed hard on his heart.
He was as grouchy as a bear; even Woody avoided him when he could. The only good thing was Felicia had had enough of him and finally sold him the land. It should have made him happy but it really didn’t. What good was it to have things if you have no one to share it with?
He walked out of his office and jammed his hat on his head. “I’m going to Longneck’s,” he called to Agnes.
“Tell him I said hello!” Agnes yelled from upstairs.
Gunther walked outside. The heat of the long summer was finally lifting, and it felt good. Lately he’d felt as though he just couldn’t breathe. He climbed into his truck and started the drive to Longneck’s ranch. It was about two hours out.
As he drove he checked out the other ranches and properties. Some were in disrepair and it stunned him that he hadn’t known. He usually made the trip to Longneck’s every six weeks but he said he had hired a hand. Gunther shook his head. He’d let his worries take over his life. Neighbors needed to take care of each other, and he made a mental note of which ones he needed to visit in the next few days. It seemed that people were always hesitant to ask for help. Usually it was a broken arm or some ranch accident that kept a man down for a few months.
Longneck had been a friend of his father’s. A smarter man he’d never met but he was a bit eccentric. It was rumored he had a big fancy house up north and came down to ranch on land he’d owned forever, just to get away from his kids. Gunther shrugged. He was a good rancher, but Gunther didn’t quite believe the big house story. Longneck’s trailer had holes in the floor, and it was dubious that the shower worked right. He’d offered to take a look at it, but Longneck said he was having someone come out and fix it.
He smiled when the ranch came into view. It looked nicer than it ever had, and his eyes widened at the sight of the new trailer. Whomever he’d hired had been good for him. He didn’t see Longneck’s truck around but he turned into the driveway anyway. He saw movement in the barn and his heart nearly beat out of his chest.
“Lee Ann,” he whispered.
He wasn’t ready to see her. He backed out of the driveway and drove off. It was a cowardly act, but he’d panicked. He drove to the nearest parking lot and pulled in. Then he put the truck in park and just sat there. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. He took a deep breath and shook his head. No. It was Lee Ann. How did she know Longneck? All this time she’d been only two hours away, and he hadn’t been able to find her.
His eyes dampened in relief that she was okay. He hadn’t realized just how afraid for her he was. His hands shook as he grasped the steering wheel. She was just down the street he could go and talk to her. He could say he was checking on Longneck…
His heart refused to slow, and he felt as though he’d run a marathon. This is what he’d been waiting for and here he sat like a frightened child. What if she didn’t want to see him? He’d treated her so badly.
No, he couldn’t face her just yet. He didn’t know what to say. He’d just drive home and give Longneck a call. It was the easy way out, but he couldn’t bring himself to see her and have her turn him away. He put the truck in drive and went back home.
Lee Ann sat under the awning in the front of her place thinking about the truck that had ventured onto her property. Maybe it hadn’t been Gunther. She shook her head. No, it had been, and he’d sped away. She quickly dashed away her tears with the back of her hand. Whatever might have been was in the past. She’d often thought about how she’d act if she saw him again. She’d dreamed about his wide spread arms and how she’d run into them. To be in his strong embrace again would be heaven.
She never ever thought he’d turn and go the other way. Her heart squeezed painfully, and her head began to ache. Someday, perhaps she’d find someone. Gunther had been the one who’d thrown her away, and she couldn’t figure out why she still loved him. Unfortunately, she could see it all from his point of view. He loved her that much she knew. He had his pride, though he could have asked her about Kevin. He took it all at face value and it broke his heart.
He hadn’t deserved an explanation at the time. He should have believed in her, he should have trusted her. But Kevin sure had put on a nasty show of dancing so intimately with her. Frankly, she couldn’t be certain she would not have reacted the same way Gunther had.
Swallowing hard, she got herself up and went back to the barn to finish mucking out stalls. She had a lot of sleepless nights in her future.
Two weeks later
“Spill it!” Agnes put her hands on her hips and stared Gunther down. “You’ve been like a wounded grizzly ever since you got back from Longneck’s ranch. Did you two have a fight?”
“No we didn’t.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood up. “I have work to do.”
“Did you see Lee Ann?” Her voice was a bit gentler.
He narrowed his eyes and stared at her. “You knew she was there? The whole time?”
Agnes nodded and opened her mouth, perhaps to explain, but he didn’t want to hear it. He stormed out the door. His heart twisted, and a lump formed in his throat. He needed to blow off some steam before he hurt someone. He walked behind the barn and started chopping wood.
How could Agnes have known and not tell him? Heck, he thought of her as a mother and she… Were all women the same? Did they all betray men? His torment refused to subside. Damn Kevin Burns to hell and back! He put the ax down sat on the ground next to the chopping block.
He raised his gaze up to the sky. It was cloudless, well almost. There was a lone cloud, and sadness washed over him. Would he forever be a lone cloud? He shook his head. His heart relaxed a bit. He was certain of her love. It was there in each glance, every touch and in her soft words. Why hadn’t he seen it while she was here?
Inviting Kevin wasn’t something Lee Ann would do. She was clearly afraid of the man. He took off his Stetson and slapped it against his knee, and then stuffed it back on his head. It was he who’d betrayed her. All this time he’d blamed her and that was his fault. He was too hardheaded for his own good. His damn pride had gotten in the way of reason, and he’d hurt the only woman he’d ever love.
He got up went into the house, took a shower, and left without saying a word to Agnes. He didn’t want anyone to know if he failed, again. He nodded as he drove. He’d visited his neighbors one by one and helped those in need. At least he’d done something right.
He swallowed hard. He still didn’t have any idea of what he was going to say to her. She might not even want to talk to him, and he wouldn’t blame her. The closer he got the more nervous he became.
He turned into the driveway and looked around, but he didn’t see her. Stepping out of his truck, he noticed how serene everything around him felt. Peaceful and at peace, in stark contrast to the upended emotions that churned within him. He refused to let their love pass them by but he still didn’t have a clue as what to say.
He felt her gaz
e on him before he turned. She looked lovely in jeans and a sky-blue T-shirt. She wore a light tan Stetson and it looked great on her. Her emotions played over her face. He saw surprise, hope, anger and sadness but best of all he saw love.
Her half smile didn’t bode well. “I wasn’t sure I’d see you again,” she said.
“I’ve been looking for you since the day you left. I was so angry and I wasn’t thinking straight.” He drank in the sight of her. What if she sent him packing? “I saw you here a few weeks ago and I should have stopped and said hello.”
“Why didn’t you?” His stomach dropped at her cold tone.
He shifted from one foot to the other. “I didn’t know what to say, and I took the coward’s way out. I’ve been kicking myself ever since.”
“And you have something to say now?” She stared hard at him, and he knew his next few words would dictate his future.
“I was so wrong and harsh and stupid. I didn’t think I just acted, and I let my pride get in my way. When I saw Burn’s hands and lips on you, I lost all rational thought. I was insanely jealous. I never should have passed judgment on you. You’re the sweetest, kindest, honest woman I know, and why I didn’t remember that in time, I’ll never know. I don’t know if you can ever forgive me. I don’t forgive myself, so I really don’t expect you to.” He ran out of words and stood there awkwardly just looking at her.
“I’m in a good place now. I’ve got a lifetime lease on this land, and I’m making something of my life. It’s only been a few months, but I feel as though I’ve made great strides. The feeling of accomplishment is hard to beat.” She leaned forward and studied him closely. “You know Longneck, don’t you?”
“Yes, he’s been a mentor to me since my father passed.”
She tilted her head. “You didn’t have anything to do with Longneck being so kind to me did you?”
He couldn’t help the grin that spread over his face. “No, if he was kind, that was all you. He’d had plenty of offers for the place but he kept telling me he was waiting for the right person. I guess he found her.” He cleared his throat. “I’d love to see all the improvements if you’re so inclined.
Hope blossomed at her big smile. He followed her around the ranch and listened intently to everything she had to say. She was one heck of an impressive woman.
“You know what you’re doing and then some. Longneck chose wisely.”
Lee Ann blushed. “Come on up to the house. I bet it looks a sight better than the last time you visited with Longneck.”
Her hands shook as she led Gunther to her trailer. The whole day had been nerve racking. It felt so right to have him there with her, talking about the ranch. She was no longer the little girl. He treated her with respect and from the way his brow rose from time to time she impressed him.
“Come on in. I have some sweet tea for us.” She walked in first and the heat from his body warmed her. “Have a seat.”
He turned in a circle before he sat at the table. “Wow! This is an improvement.”
“Yes I can’t see the ground when I’m in here, and the shower has hot water.” She put two glasses on the table. “How’s Agnes?”
“I’m not talking to her.”
Her jaw dropped. “What could she have done so terrible that you won’t talk to her?”
“She knew where you were and didn’t tell me.” He gave her a sheepish grin.
“I asked her not to. I’m not your problem. You don’t need to look out for me. You’re free to live your life.” She stared at her glass. Her words didn’t match what was in her heart.
“What if I want you in my life?” He reached over and took her hand in his.
“We’ll always be friends. Heck we grew up together. We have history.” His hand was so much bigger than hers. So masculine and strong.
“There is that. I was thinking about something a little more like a relationship.”
She widened her eyes as she gazed at him. “Brother and sister?”
“That wasn’t what I was thinking.” He smiled.
“Friends without benefits?”
He laughed. “I’ve never heard the without part before. I’ve heard of friends with benefits.”
“Then I’d have to say no.” Remaining aloof took all her energy.
“That wasn’t what I meant either. I love you, Lee Ann, and not like a sister or a girl to use or not use. Without you, part of me is missing, a huge part of me. I’m as sorry as I can be about the accusations I made.”
A lump formed in her throat. “So, what is it you want? I’m not up for games.”
“No games. I want you. I want you to spend your life with me. I want you by my side as we work the ranch. I want to see your face across from me at the dinner table. I want to see the sunshine on your face right before you wake up. I want to be able to take you into my arms and kiss you. I want to be able to call you my wife.”
Her breath caught in her throat.
He groaned and stood. “I’m pushing too fast.”
Lee Ann stood toe to toe with him. She took both of his hands in hers and met his gaze. “I love you too. It’s been hell since I left. I won’t lie. I wished you’d fall on your head and regain your senses. If we do this, we do it our way. No Felicia or Kevin or anyone else outside our circle making trouble. The pictures haunt me everywhere I go. My last employer accused me of sleeping with her husband. She heard rumors about me and the pictures and assumed.” Her body relaxed when she saw there wasn’t an ounce of suspicion in his eyes. “Agreed?”
He pulled her into his arms and rocked her back and forth. It was the comfort she’d sought all these months. His body was so hard and muscled against hers but the place right over his heart was soft for her to lay her head on. He stroked her back up and down. Tears flowed but she just let them. They were cleansing tears.
Slowly he released her and kissed away her tears before he took her lips with his. He groaned in pleasure as they deepened the kiss, and her heart soared. She didn’t want things to go too far, so she stepped back. “I’ve never…you know, and I’d like to wait for my wedding night if I ever have one.”
“You’ll have one.” He sounded incredibly sure. “You didn’t like any of the other boys at school?”
“No, I ate my heart out watching you date all the pretty girls. There has never been anyone else for me.”
Gunther stoked her cheek. “You amaze me. I guess I’ll have to apologize to Agnes. I did act like a heel. I’ve spent so many sleepless nights worried about you these last six months.”
“Me too. I missed you and I was nursing a broken heart. Gunther I want you to be absolutely sure you want to be with me. I couldn’t take my heart shattering over you again.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “Marry me, Lee Ann. Be my wife and partner in all things. Let me love you forever.”
Emotions over took her and she couldn’t get any words out. She nodded and reached up, pulled his head down and kissed him again. She let go and smiled. Suddenly she laughed. “You have the ring with you, don’t you?”
He chuckled. “As a matter of fact I do.” He fished it out of his pocket and got down on one knee. “Lee Ann Simpson, will you marry me?”
She’d never seen his eyes so full of love before. “Of course I will.” He slid the ring on her finger.
“You’re coming home with me for a real celebration.”
“I can’t.” She gestured around them. “The animals.”
Gunther nodded. “I’ll help you get them taken care of then we’ll go. I’ll bring you back later tonight.”
A gasp slipped out. “It’s a two-hour trip.”
He hugged her again. “You’re worth it.”
Epilogue
Two months later
“Lee Ann, hold still,” Agnes admonished as she put flowers in Lee Ann’s hair.
Lee Ann studied herself in the mirror, surprised to see a confident woman looking back at her. She glanced down at her engagement ring and smiled. Her
heart felt so filled with love it almost overwhelmed her.
“Yep, you have that special glow about you,” Agnes said as she took a step back and gazed at Lee Ann.
Lee Ann’s face heated. “I’m not pregnant, if that’s what you think.”
Agnes’ laugh started as a low rumbled until she was laughing so hard she needed to grab a tissue to wipe her eyes. “You have the glow of love about you. I know you’re—well I know you couldn’t be pregnant. Your parents would have been so proud of you. You’ve had to weather a lot in the last year, but you came out of it a strong woman who can be an equal partner to that rascal Gunther. I’ve never seen him happier.”
Lee Ann smiled and twirled around in a circle, checking out her white dress in the mirror. It was fancier than she’d wanted, but Gunther’d insisted. What she loved most about it was the lace. It was in a pattern of a rose, and it covered most of her dress. Agnes was right. Lee Ann’s parents would have been proud of her. She smiled to herself. She was proud of herself for sticking to her morals. It would have been easier to let Kevin Burns have his own way. It had taken all of her strength and courage to get through it all, and yet, she had come through.
With a few calls to the right people by a number of Kevin's other victims, he had been black listed from working in the publishing world by the corporate heads who hadn’t wanted any further scandals. She’d have thought the news would have pleased her, but she didn’t care. She was just grateful the threats were over.
“It’s almost time,” Agnes said with excitement in her voice.
Lee Ann gazed out the window and laughed when she spotted Gunther standing by the minister pulling at his collar. He was a top button undone type of man. All the ranch hands were there as was Longneck.
Longneck thought her idea of running a ranching program for disabled kids was remarkable. They’d been able to get the right couple to run it. Right now, they were putting in ramps and other things to make the whole place accessible to all.
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