“We’ve both made mistakes,” she said.
He hushed her by putting a finger to her lips. “I want you with me every day. I want a chance to show you I can be the kind of man you deserve. I’ve come a long way. Please say you’ll still have me.” He leaned in and stopped, just short of kissing her. The warmth of her breath flowed over his skin.
Without warning, she stood and walked away.
****
Grace halted and spun. “You ran away, Heath…you left me with just a note. Why?” Her heart pounded wildly, emotions swirled and collided.
Heath jumped to his feet.
After not seeing him for so long, she drank in the sight of him. His hair was still short but lighter from time spent under the sun. The beard on his face had been reduced to light stubble along his strong jaw line. She longed for him to smile, so she could see his devilish dimple.
Heath’s posture was military erect, and his feet spread wide. “The night I left, your dad and I had a long talk. I realized I needed to straighten out my own life before I ever had a chance to make you happy. I had faith you loved me enough to wait.”
“So much has happened since you left. My parents sold the ranch. I’ve stayed on to manage and made a commitment to build my life here.” She reached out to him, taking his hand and placing it over her heart. “I did wait for you, every minute of every day.”
His arms wrapped around her, and his lips began a delicious kiss.
Grace lost herself in the sensation of his body. Her other half had returned.
“I’m not done with therapy.” He touched his forehead to hers. “I’ll probably always need it, to some degree. Call me a work in progress. But I’m in a good place. Better than I have been in years. I can imagine you and me rocking on the front porch. We’ll snuggle and watch the sunset.”
As she imagined the scene, her heart soared. “I promise to stand by you.” She brushed her finger over a scar running along his chin. No memory can feel as good as touching the real man. “You’ve been through a trial by fire and have come out the other side stronger. I’m so proud of you.”
They went to get their horses to head home. “Why do you have Bruno?” Grace laughed. Had he grown out of his fear of horses? Or did he have a death wish?
“Bruno is your brother’s idea of a cruel joke.” From inside his saddle pouch, he pulled out a small box. “I have something special for you.” He smiled as the box disappeared behind his back. “Before I give it to you, I need to make a confession.”
What did he have tucked inside that little box? Better be something good if he had to make a confession before handing her the gift. She narrowed her eyes. “Oh boy, now what? Did you join the rodeo?”
“Nothing that bad.” He hesitated. “I bought the ranch from your dad. So technically, I’m your boss.”
“What?” she croaked. Her eyes widened. “An investment group bought it.”
He shrugged. “A very small group, just me, myself, and I. Well, and the fund manager, who you already know.”
“So you’re rich?” Shock jolted through her. How could her parents have kept such a big secret?
“Not as rich as before I bought the ranch. You’ve spent my money left and right, but I’m still doing all right. When your dad told me about his plan to sell, I finally understood what I wanted to do with the inheritance.”
“No wonder everything I’ve wanted has been approved.” Her loud laughter startled the horses. She placed a calming hand on Silver’s rump. “Am I allowed to kiss my boss?” Grace tipped her chin to meet his gaze.
“Most definitely.” He kissed a trail down her neck and nipped her collarbone. “True Horizon is yours. I’ll sign over everything to you right now. But only if you agree to hire me on as your ranch hand.” His gaze lowered to her mouth. “Your very own sexy ranch hand.”
She definitely liked the sound of that. “The ranch should stay yours for now. Maybe, someday, it can be ours.”
He held out his arms. In one outstretched hand was the jewelry box. “Today is the start of something new. I want to date you, Gracie. I want to wine and dine you, and someday, marry you.”
Grace carefully opened the lid of the box. Inside was a gold filigree butterfly attached to a delicate chain. The body of the butterfly was set with a baguette-cut diamond, and its delicate wings were laced in an intricate design. Tears of joy filled her eyes. Her heart fluttered like a real butterfly.
“I had the necklace made for you,” he whispered into her ear.
His warm breath made her shiver. She lifted her hair so he could place the necklace around her neck. “Thank you. The butterfly is exquisitely beautiful.” Her fingertip traced the wings.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
“We’ve both made transformations during our lives,” she said. “The journey hasn’t been easy, but the hardest parts usually make the greatest rewards.” She noticed the sun hanging low in the sky. “We should get home before dark.”
“Okay, but I’m not getting back on that horse. He hates me.” He scowled at Bruno.
The horse snorted and shook his large head.
Bruno appeared to agree with Heath’s assessment. She patted his shoulder. “My strong warrior is afraid of a horse.”
“I don’t think Bruno is a horse. My guess is he’s someone’s science experiment gone wrong.”
Grace held Bruno’s reins with one hand and gave Silver’s to Heath. She’d never been so happy and so incredibly content. They walked along the path, hand in hand, and stopped when they reached the end.
Looking across the cattle pasture, Heath pulled her close for another kiss, as the sun set over the western horizon.
Epilogue
Lightning flashed through Grace’s bedroom window. One-one thousand, two-one thousand, and then a crack of thunder rattled the house. Sheets of rain pelted the windows.
“I can’t believe it’s storming on my wedding day.” Grace turned to the full-length mirror. She wore an ivory strapless gown which was overlaid in lace. A wide ivory satin sash encircled her waist. Excitement bubbled like her stomach was filled with champagne.
Her mom secured a bobby pin in Grace’s up-styled hair. “We can’t control the weather. Dad and Alex moved everything inside the stable.”
Instead of an outdoor ceremony held in the gazebo Heath had built, she’d be married inside a horse stable. Granted, the building was larger and more up-to-date than earlier in the year. She and Heath had added an arena, along with extra stalls. Today, their renovations would serve double duty. Grace spun to see her mother’s eyes misting with tears. “How do I look, Mom?”
“Absolutely stunning. Heath is the luckiest man alive.”
“Let’s get Daddy and head over. I don’t want to be late for my own wedding.”
Joslyn lifted Grace’s train so she could safely walk down the stairs. Her dad stood at the bottom, wearing a smile as wide as a Texas mile.
As she took hold of his hand, flashes of lightning lit the sky.
“Thanks for pulling up the truck to the porch.” She kissed him on the cheek.
“A carriage fit for a princess.” He opened the door for her to step through onto the covered porch.
After a short drive to the stable, Bruce pulled into the wide aisle. He exited the truck and opened the passenger door.
Grace gingerly stepped out of the truck, holding Dad’s large hand for support. She gasped at the breathtaking transformation. Rows of white chairs ran along the main aisle, and white tulle wrapped with twinkle lights swagged across each horse stall. The horses stuck their heads over the gates to watch the activity. She breathed in deep the scents of animals, hay, and flowers.
At the other end of the aisle stood an arched trellis covered in red roses. And standing straight and tall in the center was the love of her life. Heath wore a light gray suit and red tie. Across the distance, her gaze locked with his. He was so handsome, she practically fainted. She tightened her hold on her bouquet of wildflowers wh
ile nervous anticipation danced across her skin.
Her mother gave her a kiss before Alex walked her down the aisle to her seat.
Grace glanced around at her family and friends. Granny sat in front in her yellow dress. She turned in her chair and waved.
Lizzy and Kara skipped ahead and tossed rose petals, which soon covered the straw on the wood plank floor.
Dad gently placed his hand under the crook of her arm. “You ready, butterfly?”
Her dad had lost some weight since his diagnosis, but he was still larger than life. “Yes.” She wiped away a tear from her eye. Her nervous jitters were now replaced by an absolute peace. “I love you.”
He gave her a kiss on the cheek before walking her slowly down the aisle, finally handing her over to Heath. “Take care of my little girl.” Bruce shook hands with Heath.
“Always.” Heath turned his full attention to Grace and grasped both her hands. Then, he glanced down at her feet and smiled. “Nice boots.”
She loved his smile as much as she loved the resulting dimple. The tips of tan cowboy boots stuck out from underneath her dress. “Remember, darling, you’re marrying a country girl.” Smiling, she turned with him to face the pastor.
Heath leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You’re finally here. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”
Love swelled in her heart. “You won’t have to.” She squeezed his hand. “I’ll be standing by your side…always.”
A word about the author…
Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love. She keeps her life balanced with regular yoga practice and running. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she's enjoying time with her family, who are scattered between Wisconsin and Michigan. Laurie has three kids and one fantastic husband, all who inspire her to chase her dreams.
http://lauriewinter.com
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Other Titles by This Author
and available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
“Warriors of the Heart Series”
Home Field
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