She nodded. “Always will.”
Kyle turned to Tim, waiting for him to throw the first punch.
Tim offered, “You are the one she has chosen.”
Shelby’s gaze met Tim’s. “I never deserved your love.” She looked at Kyle. “Or yours. I’ve made a mess of things.” A tear rolled down Shelby’s cheek and Tim wiped it away.
Tim’s hand caressed Shelby’s jawline. “I’ll always have your heart here.” His palm rested over his chest. “Don’t let our memories hinder our growth. How about we let them be a part of who we are. We were chosen to help in the upcoming battle.”
Shelby hugged Tim until he released her hold. “Kyle is a dedicated man, resilient in every sense of the word. He’ll keep his pledges. You both have my blessing.”
Kyle delved deeper into Shelby’s mind. Anger and rage swelled inside him. “I know why you didn’t tell me about Chris. I’ll kill the sonofabitch.”
Tim drew his attention. “His time will come, but not by your hands.”
“And meanwhile, he’ll continue to harm her? Not on my watch.”
Bear-Claws joined them, bringing Chris’ spirit guide, Spotted-Owl. “Listen to Tim.”
Kyle gritted his teeth. “How can Spotted-Owl help? You can only direct, not lead.”
Spotted-Owl vouched. “We are allowing Chris to be used as a puppet. He doesn’t see a way out of his predicament. He thinks he doesn’t have a choice, but I’m counting on him to see there is an answer.”
Kyle scowled. “All right, but if no one takes him down, understand this…I will slip into his mind and kill the bastard.”
Bear-Claws shook his head. “I’m glad you decided to start using your ability again.”
“Just to take care of Dr. Chris Humphreys.”
Bear-Claws harrumphed. “Leave it alone.”
Kyle scowled again. “Don’t you guys have something better to do? It’s a bit crowded in here.”
Tim laughed while Bear-Claws grunted and both disappeared with Spotted Owl.
“Shel, do you really want to cross over?”
“Now that you know about Chris and my obligations to hand over Ten-Blue-Sun, no. But we still have the curse to deal with…I’m frightened. I’m not brave at all.”
Kyle gathered her hands in his. “On the contrary, you are very brave…As for your grandfather’s curse, if we marry and the first stone lights; we will have stronger powers than his black magic can dish out.”
“Maybe…Did Lisa make it?”
“No.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry about a lot of things…I believed Lisa’s lies and didn’t fight for the one person who I held dear to my heart…you. Rain told me, but I ignored her wisdom and fell for what I had seen. Ten-Blue-Sun’s stone changed to an awful shade of red which I now know stood for the bloodshed. Will you forgive me?”
“Baby, a very wise woman reminded me that my love for you is unconditional.”
“Oh Kyle, do you think we’ll make it?”
“Fight, baby. Fight for your family, for me and yourself. Then I have plans. You have another love I forgot about, writing. When you’re healthy, we’ll travel and I want you to write.” He winked. “Of course, I’ll be demanding some of your time.”
Shelby laughed. “Sounds wonderful.” Then she sobered. “If I don’t make it, promise me to use your gift to help other people.”
He choked. “You’ll be fine.”
“You have a wonderful ability and a big heart. I’m counting on you to follow Bear-Claws and get the bad guys.”
Kyle smiled at Shelby’s innocence. “I’ll try my best to use my gift for the benefit of mankind and the First Realm on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“You have to come back to me.”
“You got it.”
“Then you have my word.”
“I hope to see you…physically, in our world. I love you.”
He embraced her. “Shel, I love you too, baby.”
He harvested all the positive energy within him and called upon the universe. Answering his plea, the potent power of his spirit guides and angels flowed, filling him with the needed force. With all of his might, he launched the life giving essence into Shelby, willing her to fight and survive. God he hoped Dan was telling the truth. His soul was wrapped inside this one woman.
Epilogue
Kyle’s Veranda—Jackson, WY
Three Months Later
“I, Kyle Lee Pressley, take you, Shelby Jayne Littleton to be my wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live because I love you and can’t live without you.”
“I, Shelby Jayne Littleton, take you, Kyle Lee Pressley to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before.”
She stopped.
His heart skipped a beat.
“Pressley, I trust you and respect you, will always like I do now, laugh and cry with you, faithfully loving you through good times and bad especially in this world and the next regardless of the battles we will face. From this day forward, I give to you my soul, for within me everything else follows for as long as we both shall live.”
“Nice. Very nice.”
He slid the band on her finger. “This ring is a symbol of my commitment to you, giving my heart, my love, and my life to you as long as I live.”
Shelby’s hands shook.
Kyle helped her with his ring then her gaze met his. “What you just said.”
Laughter filled the veranda as Rain quieted the crowd. “I have something to show all of you.”
In her left hand, she held Ten-Blue-Sun then extended her arm above her head. The first midnight-blue stone illuminated to an azure luminescence.
Shelby had told him about her experience with One-Who-Soars-With-Eagles making the Kachina doll in the cave. The medicine man had lifted the doll in the air, sang, and cried at the same time. The many meanings of the warrior woman would make a strong man shake in his boots. One thing was certain; his woman would be with him throughout eternity and he was damn glad he walked not only in her mind but into her heart.
Annie barked beside him and nosed his hand. Kyle stroked the top of her head. He gazed at the happy canine with a smile. Annie’s brown eyes sparkled then changed to amber while pinpoints of white light danced about.
Kyle nodded. He understood and ruffled her ears. Annie was of the First Realm.
Rain lowered the doll. “You may kiss your eternal bride.”
And he did. Her luscious mouth tasted sweet. He nibbled his way across her jawline to the swirl of her ear. “Now will you tell me when your birthday is?”
She angled and nipped his earlobe with her teeth, then whispered, “It’s…”
Kyle eased back. “Well, I’ll be damned. A winter solstice baby.”
A word about the author...
Susan JP Owens lives on a ranch in Texas with her wonderful husband. After work and leaving the dangerous & sizzlin’ hot world of her stories, Susan enjoys skydiving, the great outdoors and a fine glass of wine from time to time.
She enjoys hearing from her readers. You can contact her by email at:
[email protected]
or learn more on her website
www.SusanJPOwens.com.
Other Books You Might Like
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Praise for WALKING INTO HER HEART
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Epilogue
Other Books You Might Like
Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Walking Into Her Heart (A First Realm Novel) Page 30
