“I was willing to go with you. You made me realize that you’re more important than anything. I was even ready to give up the ranch to go with you.”
“I didn’t want you to, nor could I let you do that. The city would make you so unhappy, Travis. You’re a rancher. You belong here.”
“So do you.”
Addie chuckled, sniffing back her tears. “I think I realize that now. After today in court, I came to see that I can build a law practice here in Honey Creek. I did some Google searching – there are no other attorneys for a hundred miles in all directions. Did you know that?”
“No, but it doesn’t matter,” he said quietly. “You can build a career here, Addie. A life. With me.”
“I’m getting clients,” Addie admitted, thinking that maybe she should inform Mr. Meyers that she wouldn’t accept his offer after all. The contract he offered was sweet, incredibly so. But if her calculations earlier in the day were right, she’d be making twice that within four years on her own. And she’d own her own business. Most important, she’d be with Travis. “If luck and the Lord are with me, maybe I can.”
“Even if you don’t,” Travis told her, leaning in close enough to kiss her, “I’ll still want to marry you.”
Addie gazed into his blue eyes so close to hers, and grinned. “That almost sounded like a marriage proposal.”
“Well,” he drawled, smiling, “I reckon I have to give you a reason to stay here.”
She didn’t see him pull anything from his pocket, but suddenly, like a magician’s trick, he held a small box in his hand. His smile never wavered as he opened it. “Will you marry me, Addie?”
Addie almost choked. The box held a beautiful diamond engagement ring. “Oh, my,” she breathed, her emotions overwhelming her. “It’s stunning.”
“You don’t remember it?”
Confused, Addie looked back into his eyes, his smile. “That’s not –”
“Yep. It is. I kept it all these years. Maybe we should see if it fits.”
Wanting to laugh, to cry, to fling her arms around his neck, to kiss him, Addie held her left hand out as Travis slipped the ring onto her third finger. Holding her hand up to the light, she watched the diamond wink and sparkle.
“It fits perfectly.”
Now she did throw her arms around him, laughing even as she cried with happiness. “It’s like we were always meant to be together.”
“So is that a yes?”
“It’s a yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, Travis, my love, my heart’s joy.”
He breathed out a sigh, then kissed her, grinning. “Well, that went lots better than last time. Whew! I think the tension strained my heart.”
“Oh, please,” she said, her eyes shining. “You knew I’d say yes.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Addie eyed him, wiping her eyes. “You brought the ring, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, well I was a Boy Scout once. Always prepared.”
Feeling as though she could take wing and fly, Addie held his hand, smiling into his eyes. “I love you, Travis.”
Jonathan Meyers’s voice came through the phone line tense and disappointed.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Miss Baker,” he said. “But I do appreciate the call informing us of your decision.”
“And I do thank you for the opportunity,” Addie said into the phone. “It’s just that someone managed to top your offer with a better one.”
Addie met Travis’s laughing eyes, and caught his wink.
“I don’t understand how that could happen,” Meyers commented. “But we are the losers here. Again, thank you, and best of luck to you.”
Addie clicked her phone off, gazing at Travis from across the kitchen table. “That went all right,” she said. “He doesn’t need to know what the offer was.”
“As my wife,” Travis drawled, “you’ll have more money than you know what to do with.”
“Travis, that’s your money. Yours and your brothers.”
“It’ll be our money,” he replied, reaching across the table and taking her hand. “If your business takes off, great, if it doesn’t, you’ll still be cared for. By the way, Brady has a great idea.”
“Yeah?”
She and Travis had just eaten lunch at Callie’s house, and Callie had taken Gus to the super market with her. Just before calling the law firm, Addie received a call from the deputy who had arrested Parnell the previous evening. Parnell would remain in custody until Monday when he would see the judge. That’s when he’ll get sentenced, the deputy told her. It might be as much as thirty days.
“Brady suggested we start building our own house,” Travis continued. “Right now. Then get married when it’s finished.”
Addie frowned. “But there are already two houses there.”
“There’s plenty of room for a big house toward the south,” Travis replied, “and under some tall oak and pecan trees.”
Addie nodded, remembering the spot. “We used to climb them, remember?”
He laughed. “That’s part of the charm of it.”
“I always dreamed of having a house built of wood and stone,” she commented. “Something like that would look nice on the ranch, wouldn’t it?”
“And with lots of rooms for kids.”
“I hope I’m not too old to have kids.”
Travis snorted, and would have spoken, perhaps in protest, except her phone buzzed, and interrupted him. Addie glanced at it, puzzled, recognizing the area code. It was from Washington D.C. “This might be my dad.”
She answered it, feeling tense despite the good conversations she’d had with her father over the EPA problem. “Dad?”
“Hi, Addie. Sorry to bug you on a Saturday, but I have sweet news.”
“Actually, your timing is perfect. I have news, too.”
“Yours first.”
“Nope. Yours first.”
Her father laughed. “All right. There’s no more suit against the Hamilton Ranch,” he said. “The supervisor of the Austin office called me just now to say that his investigation revealed Parnell had fabricated the reports of toxic water on the place.”
Addie met Travis’s eyes with a wide, triumphant smile. “That’s great news, Dad. And so quick.”
“The supervisor got into the guy’s computer, and saw the files. That, plus the reports I got from you showed a total sham job. Young Parnell was fired on the spot.”
“That’s too bad.”
Her father hesitated. “Why?”
“I so wanted to file a lawsuit against the EPA and him in particular. Now I suppose I can’t.”
Addie saw Travis laughing silently, and grinned at him, giving him the thumbs up sign.
“Well, I don’t recommend it,” he continued. “But I suppose you’re within your rights to do so. Punitive damages and so on.”
“I’ll talk to the Hamiltons,” Addie said.
“So what’s your news?”
Addie met Travis’s eyes again. “I’m engaged to be married, Dad.”
“That’s great, Addie, congratulations!” he said warmly. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Travis Hamilton.”
“Even better. You were in love with him once.”
“I still am. And, Dad, I want you and Mom to come to the wedding. It’ll be about a year from now, so there’s plenty of time to plan the trip to Honey Creek.”
Sniffles on the other end of the phone alarmed Addie, and she hastily looked away from Travis, her smile fading. “Dad?”
When he spoke, his voice sounded hoarse. “Your mother and I feel so bad about how we treated you girls,” he said, clearly in tears. “We should have been better parents. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for what I’ve done. What we’ve done.”
Addie felt her own tears burn her eyes, and she rose from the table to pace the small kitchen. “It hurt, Dad, I’ll admit it. Callie and I – well, what you and Mom did damaged us.”
“Addie, I can never make it up to you. But we are bot
h so sorry, and hope there’s some forgiveness in you.”
“One thing I’ve learned,” Addie said, wiping her eyes, near to sobbing, “is that we all can do harm without meaning to. I hurt Travis so long ago, but he’s not just gotten past that, he loves me. It’s the same for you and Mom. We can get past it, past the hurt, and love one another again.”
“I love you, Addie.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
“You make such a beautiful bride.”
Addie, garbed in her wedding gown and holding her bouquet, observed that Callie was crying. “Don’t do that, or I’ll be crying with you.”
“I can’t help it.” Callie sniffed, and dabbed carefully at her eyes so she wouldn’t smear her makeup. “I always cry at weddings.”
Gus, just over a year old and learning to walk, tottered around the room in Travis’s and Addie’s new house. Completed a month ago, Addie and Travis had a great time furnishing the house together, and would spend their wedding night under its roof. Then the following morning, they’d drive to Odessa, where they’d catch a plane to the Virgin Islands for their honeymoon.
“Uh,” Addie said, gesturing toward Gus, “you’d better grab him. He’s headed for trouble.”
“Oh, dear.”
Callie picked Gus up, holding him at arm’s length while he cooed and chuckled, kicking his small legs. “I’m going to run him out to Mom. She had agreed to watch him during the ceremony.”
“Okay.”
As she inspected her gown for flaws, Addie thought about the huge number of people seated in rented chairs outside. Both she and Travis agreed they wanted their wedding held at the ranch, and the Hamilton brothers built a temporary gazebo in the rear yard of their new house. The guests numbered close to a hundred, and even Wyatt, the missing brother, had come from New York to see Travis married.
Though it seemed like an insult to think of Parnell on her wedding day, Addie recalled the news she and Travis had received. Parnell had sold his property. He had left Honey Creek to live in Odessa, and Addie knew she’d not miss him. May God lead you to a better path in life, she thought.
Callie returned. “Everything is set. Dad is on his way to walk you down the aisle.”
Addie, determined not to cry at her own wedding, felt her tears burn. “Isn’t it great we made up with Mom and Dad?”
“Yeah,” Callie replied, fussing with Addie’s dress, “it hasn’t been easy to trust them again, but they’re trying hard.”
“It’s worth it. Isn’t it?”
Callie hugged her. “Love is always worth working hard for.”
Addie nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Callie arranged the veil over her sister’s face and smiled.
“You look perfect,” she said. “They’re waiting out there. Are you ready?”
“Ready,” Addie said, smiling with excitement and nervousness as Callie opened the door. Their father waited for her with a smile and offered her his arm.
“I’m so proud of you, my daughter,” he said.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Addie took his arm, and the two emerged from the house. They walked toward the gazebo, where everyone was gathered.
As soon as Travis, standing at the end of the aisle, came into view, his blue eyes met hers. Her nervousness faded as happiness and peace took its place. She saw the man she loved, and joy filled her heart.
She had everything she needed.
Seated in the front row between Wyatt and Colton, Brady watched Travis marry Addie. A beautiful couple. Travis deserves to marry a woman like Addie. He felt no little pride in seeing Travis finally wed, yet his thoughts ranged to his own wedding six years before. He, too, had married his high school sweetheart, but he had lost his love to cancer.
Let’s hope that doesn’t ever happen again.
Wyatt leaned in close. “Addie is a stunner,” he whispered, “but beautiful women are a dime a dozen in New York. Especially if you got money.”
More than a trifle annoyed, Brady ignored him. Wyatt had become quite the playboy back east, and Brady was sick of listening to him boast about his conquests. He’s never had a real relationship, never known what a wonderful woman’s love can be like.
Listening to the preacher’s sermon before the marriage vows arrived, Brady fought against his mind’s tendency to wander as he pondered his own future. A bleak and empty one. Sure, he had Riley, and, between raising her and keeping the ranch a success, he had little time for a girlfriend. Or even the search for one. I’m not lonely.
As Travis and Addie spoke their vows, Brady realized how untrue his previous thought was. His life had grown empty without Sheila in it. Not even Riley could fill that space in his heart. Staying busy kept the loneliness at bay during the working hours, but the loneliness plagued him during the deep watches of the night when sleep escaped him.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The preacher’s words drew Brady back to the present, and he applauded along with all the guests as a proud Travis kissed his new wife, Addie. Then they turned, hand in hand, smiling, laughing, as they began their procession down the aisle.
“That’s it,” Wyatt commented. “Our big brother is finally hitched. When will your turn come, Brady?”
“Never.”
Brady stood, seeking out Riley who had asked to sit with some kids from town. She clapped along with her friends, but clearly was more interested in them than the wedding. As she was under the supervision of a pair of mothers, Brady didn’t call her to his side. Following the crowd to the reception in the massive back yard of Travis’s new house, Brady eyed Landon and Jared sidelong.
“Will you boys help keep an eye on Wyatt?” he asked. “It’s an alcohol-free wedding, but I’m sure he snuck a bottle in.”
Wyatt looked insulted. “I’m not going to disgrace this wedding and go on a drunken rampage, Brady.”
“I hope not.”
Muttering, Wyatt stalked away, and Brady realized that wasn’t quite fair to Wyatt. In his slightly sour mood, he had taken it out on Wyatt. Landon merely nodded while Jared slapped Brady on the back. “Don’t worry, son, Wyatt isn’t all that bad.”
“All he does is talk about his women in New York. It’s tiresome.”
“He still has growing up to do. Give him time.”
Landon handed Brady a glass of punch. “It’s time to celebrate, not fight. I never thought Travis would get back together with Addie. I thought she was gone for good.”
“She came back.” Brady sipped his punch, watching Travis and Addie circulate among their guests. “I’m glad she did, or Travis would have never married.”
“Is her law business really booming?” Jared asked.
Brady grinned. “It sure is. That gal is taking West Texas by storm. She’s been at it only a year, and now she’s thinking of opening an office in Odessa, hiring other lawyers.”
“I always knew she would go far,” Jared said, also watching. “She’s got beauty and brains, quite the combination.”
“And she loves Travis to distraction,” Brady added. “I hope she makes time to have a kid or three.”
Landon laughed. “Maybe the rest of us should find our own Addies. You can’t be the only one procreating, Brady.”
“Not me,” Jared said, his tone gloomy. “I’m too busy with research. No time to date, or even think about dating. Landon, it’s time you quit riding bulls and settle down.”
Landon shrugged good-naturedly. “Maybe in a couple of years. I want to stay on the rodeo circuit a while longer. Brady here should marry again. Riley needs a ma.”
Brady shook his head. “I don’t think so. Riley does all right.”
Inwardly, he wondered. Kids needed both parents, yet plenty of them did just fine with one. I’m both father and mother to her. I’m all she needs. But whether Riley could grow up just fine without a mother wasn’t the issue at all. Brady knew th
at opening up his heart to another was a risk he wasn’t sure he wanted to take.
The loneliness messed with his head and his sleep, but to take that step again? To fall in love, and in return have his heart broken for the second time? Travis got his second chance because Addie was alive. There was no second chance for Brady.
I can’t risk it. Riley is all I need.
In watching Travis in his happiness, Brady knew he had lied to himself yet again.
Look for Book Two in the Honey Creek Ranch series soon!
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About the Author
Anna Rose Hill writes sweet, wholesome western romance with handsome cowboys, strong heroines, and inspirational happy-ever-afters.
After spending years in far-flung locales, she returned to where she grew up: a small town in Texas. There, she lives with her wonderful husband, their three children, and two dogs.
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