His Heart to Have (Cowboys of Whispering Winds)

by Renee Peterson

  A woman, in her forties maybe, stood behind the counter, popping the wad of gum in her mouth. Her hair was frayed and a yellowish brown color, much darker at the roots.

  “I need to fill my truck up.”

  “Leave your license in here, and I’ll turn the pump on.” She blew another bubble and it popped, smacking against her lips. The bright pink of the gum matched her shade of lipstick.

  Ten minutes passed and the slow pump hadn’t filled her tank yet. She wanted to rip the nozzle out and pour it straight in so she could be back on the road. The pump shut off, and she went back inside, handing over her credit card. It was a long shot, but maybe Jase had also stopped here.

  “I don’t suppose you remember a man stopping in here a short time ago, do you?”

  “You’ll have to be a mite more specific, sugar.”

  “About a head taller than me, broad muscles, dark brown hair with soulful brown eyes. Probably was wearing a black Stetson and driving a black Ford truck.”

  “Again sugar, you’ll have be a bit more descriptive. You just described half the men in Wyoming.”

  Allie sighed. This was pointless. “Never mind. Have a good day.” She took her card and receipt, hurrying back to her truck. Taking out her phone, she made one last attempt to call him, but his phone still went straight to voicemail.

  Another hundred miles later, she gave up. All she wanted was Jase to be happy and if she couldn’t do that, then she would let him go. She slammed her fists on the steering wheel, not bothering to fight the tears this time. Since they’d been married, she’d cried more than she ever had in her life. So close. She’d come so close to a lifetime of happiness with him and it slipped through her fingers like fine wine poured down the drain.

  Movement in the sky drew her attention outside. An eagle soared across the blue hues of the sky, its wings spread in all their grandeur. A peace she couldn’t explain swept over her. Jase would be back. She’d give him the time he needed, but he would come back to her, because, like the eagle to this land, their love would not disappear. And she owed it to Jase to have that faith in him.

  ***

  The radio blared and windows were down, blasting warm air and a breeze into the cab of the truck. Jase gulped down the last of the coffee in his thermos. He hadn’t wanted to make the trip to the Triple M, but he’d had no choice. Sometimes things happen and they had to be dealt with accordingly. Another seventy-five miles to go until he’d be home. He was exhausted from work, this trip, and the strain with Allie.

  By late afternoon, he’d finally reached his destination. He parked and unhitched the horse trailer before heading to his home. No sooner had he reached the front door, Allie came running out.

  Her arms latched around him, gripping him tightly. “I knew you’d come back. I followed you then I knew you’d come back on your own. You’d never leave like that.” She rambled on, and while he enjoyed her enthusiastic greeting, especially after the tension they’d had, he was confused.

  “Of course, I’m back. I just had to deliver the stallion after Gordon got sick. I didn’t want to go, but he specifically requested me to bring him since he couldn’t do it himself. He paid good money and Whispering Winds needs it.”

  Allie released him, backing away a few inches. “What? Damn it, Jase. Why didn’t you tell me? Do you have any idea the hell I’ve gone through?”

  “I sent you a message,” he told her. “Didn’t you get it?”

  “No, I didn’t.” She pulled her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. Hitting a few buttons, she pulled up her text messages, showing him. “See, nothing. I come home to packed boxes then returned to the boxes gone and Lanie saying you left for the Triple M. What was I supposed to think?”

  He had sent her a text. Pulling out his own phone, he looked at his sent messages. It wasn’t there and then he saw 1 sitting by the draft folder. Oh hell, his phone never sent it. His gut clenched, knowing how it all must have looked.

  “I’m so sorry, Allie cat.” He took her arm, and she came, pliable and willing. “If I’d have known, I would have made sure someone told you.” Something else bothered him though. “I promise I’ll never leave you. No matter what the situation seems like. Promise me you’ll never think that again.”

  “I drove halfway to the Triple M. I wasn’t going to let you leave without giving it my best shot. Then I just stopped. I couldn’t stop crying and I felt like I’d lost everything in my life. Then I saw an eagle flying and it gave me faith. I knew it wasn’t over. We’ve come too far to turn our backs on this.”

  “And it’s never going to be over.” For days he’d felt like a part of him was missing. With her leaning against him, he was whole again. “I’m sorry I’ve been a stubborn ass.”

  “And I’m sorry for every scheme and prank Missy and I ever involved you in. I swear marrying you had nothing to do with her daring me.” She looked up at him, her eyes pleading him to understand and believe.

  He sat down on the steps, bringing Allie with him. “I realize that now. Being on the road that long, gave me a lot of time to think. And do you know what conclusion I came to?” he asked her, his voice lowering.

  She shook her head, whispering “no”.

  He brushed a strand of hair away that blew into her eyes. “I realized there has never been a ‘you and me’. It’s always been ‘us’ and if we didn’t want to get married, it wouldn’t have happened, regardless of what Missy or anyone else said.”

  “It’s true, Jase. It has always been us. ” she affirmed, resting her head on his shoulder.

  This was the peace he sought. The fatigue he’d felt faded away, replaced with a new energy full of excitement to start this new phase of their lives. “Wait here,” he instructed. He ran to the kitchen, removing the small box from the cabinet above the fridge that no one ever looked in before returned back to Allie.

  Kneeling down in front of her, he opened the box, revealing an emerald cut diamond solitaire. “Allison Loretta Callahan, will you stay married to me, forever and always.”

  “Yes.”

  Standing up, he lifted her to her feet. He slipped the ring onto her finger. “With this ring, I vow to love you forever, to protect, honor and cherish you. To share my life with you, giving you my all from this day forward.”

  Her eyes glistened. “With this ring…” She paused to draw an invisible circle around his finger where a ring would go. “I pledge my life to you, to love you with all that I am and all I will ever be. Come what may, from this day on we will be one.”

  Their lips met in a kiss completing their private vows. “I love you,” the said together, after breaking the kiss. After a few minutes of poignant silence, Jase walked to his truck, turning the key for the radio to come on and he pushed a cd into the player.

  “I believe I owe you a first dance, Mrs. Callahan.” The beginning of I Cross My Heart began to play.

  “You remembered,” she exclaimed quietly.

  “May I have this dance?” he asked, holding out his hand.

  Accepting it, they swayed to the music, lost in the moment. Another song played and they sank to the ground in an expression of love. Only the surrounding pines were witness to the intimate display between husband and wife.

  “Why did you pack everything?” she asked after sitting up and pulling her clothes back on.

  Their new home. He hadn’t told her about it yet.

  “Feel like taking a quick drive?”

  “Where to?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Now? Don’t you want to rest first? You just drove a thousand miles in twenty-four hours.”

  “Now. I want to show you something. And I think I just proved I still have energy,” He couldn’t help adding.

  She smiled skeptically, but agreed. “Should I change?”

  “You’re fine just as you are. Close your eyes,” he requested. After dressing himself, he helped her into the truck.

  “Are you serious? You’re making me close my eye
s.”

  “Yes, I want you to be surprised.” The drive would be short; enough she’d know they were still on Whispering Winds land, but at least she wouldn’t know what direction.

  Driving for a few miles, he came to their new home. He jumped out and walked to the other side, helping her out, as her eyes remained closed. Leading her by one hand, they walked until they were at the porch of the old cabin: their new house.

  He spun her around so the first thing she’d see was the front door, with a shingle above with their names carved out. “Open your eyes.”

  “It’s your parent’s old place; the original homestead. Someone’s spruced it up since I’ve last been out here.” She looked at him, suddenly catching on, her eyes widening with enchantment.

  “When we came back from our trip, I talked to dad. We came out to look at it and saw it wouldn’t take much to make it livable again. That’s part of why I’ve been gone so much. Every spare minute I could get away, I came to get this ready. I had a big romantic night planned next weekend to show it to you but the time is right now. I don’t want to wait another day when it’s taken us years to get here.”

  Placing one hand on his heart, she spoke softly. “I don’t need flowers or grand gestures. I only need you.” A tear formed in the corner of her eye.

  He kissed it away before it could fall. “Welcome home,” he whispered.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you spending your time with Jase and Allie. My hope is that you enjoyed this story and fell in love with the characters, as I did. When I started this book, it was going to be a stand-alone, but then, much like the Brothers of the Bayou series, the secondary took on stories of their own. Lanie and Jeremy have a pretty bad past to work through, but is it too late for a second chance? Look for When the Glitter Fades in late spring/early summer 2014. And don’t worry- Lexie will also be getting her own story; release time frame to be decided.

  Love Always,

  Renee

  Connect With Me

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  Also Available from Renee Peterson

  Brothers of the Bayou Series

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  Lacy Landon was finally standing on her own two feet. Born and raised in Charleston, she had been an unknowing pawn in a game of deceit from her father and boyfriend. Now she was beginning her own life that had no room for a man, especially not one as devastatingly handsome as Beaux Chauvin.

  But life has its own plans for both of them as they embark of a journey of love, lies and hidden family secrets. As they face unseen dangers, they lean on each other falling more in love. They learn that life may not always be beautiful, but love will see them through.

  The Best of Intentions

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  Just as they are adapting to their newly established relationship, tragedy strikes, and they are forced from their newfound bubble of bliss. Together they will grow as they discover what really matters in life, culminating in a decision that will prematurely change their lives forever. This second book in the Brothers of the Bayou series continues the story of the Chauvin family and will leave the reader with a fresh appreciation of love, family and friendship.

  The Best is Yet to Come

  Rafe Chauvin left his home in the blink of an eye twelve years ago, running from a secret he kept buried deep inside. The day after his high school graduation, he joined the army to escape the pain that the memory brought.

  When Serena Adams told Rafe Chauvin the lie of a lifetime twelve years ago, she never imagined what consequences those reckless nights would lead to. After years of trying to escape her lies, she returns to her hometown in South Louisiana.

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  When Serena is hired to plan the weddings of both Rafe’s brothers, they are brought together for the first time in over a decade. Lies are finally uncovered, leaving a trail of anger and bitterness in their wake. As the paths of these three individuals converge and they reach a crossroads in their lives, will they move forward and discover that the best is yet to come