High Country Homecoming

by Roxanne Rustand

  Laughing, Devlin pulled Chloe into an embrace and then a kiss.

  “I was blind for so long,” Devlin said, “But I don’t want to make that mistake again. Stay here at the ranch—or let me follow you wherever you want to go. But just don’t walk away.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The beautiful June morning had dawned clear and bright, offering the perfect weather for setting up the rows of white wicker chairs in a small clearing on a hill overlooking the house and barns of the Langford ranch.

  Just relatives and close friends had been invited for the intimate ceremony, though the caterers from Pine Bend were setting up a casual buffet nearby, to which the entire community had received an open invitation.

  Devlin and Tate, dressed in black suits, formed half of the wedding party, while Abby had asked Chloe and Darla to be her attendants.

  “This will be truly memorable,” Chloe said, leaning close to adjust Abby’s pearl necklace. “I’m so thrilled to see this day finally come.”

  Abby eyed the twins, who had been herded by Betty toward a card table and given colored pencils and paper to keep them busy. “I’m just hoping those flower-girl dresses make it through the ceremony without a major disaster. They begged for a princess style with masses of lilac tulle and sequins, but it won’t go well if they bounce up against the needles and sticky sap of these pine trees. And you know Bella...”

  “They’ll be fine, and if there’s a little boo-boo or two, you’ll just have something to laugh about later,” Darla said. She tugged the jewel neckline of her pink silk sheath into position. “Though I do look forward to seeing how they manage eating some wedding cake.”

  Chloe laughed. “By then it probably won’t matter.”

  With a last measuring glance at the little girls, Betty walked over to them, her eyes twinkling. “You all look so beautiful.”

  “And you are stunning, Betty,” Abby kissed her wrinkled cheek. “I’m so glad we all opted for individual colors instead of being matchy-matchy. The photographs will be so pretty.”

  Betty smoothed the skirt of her lacy mint-green dress. “I’ve dreamed of the day when all three of my grandsons settled down, and it’s finally happening. About time, too. I’ve waited way too long, and I want to live to see my great-grandchildren.”

  At the confident tone in her voice, Abby and Chloe exchanged glances. Betty had played a hand in the way both of them had come to the Langford ranch. Had she been working at subtle matchmaking efforts all along?

  “Just one of the boys is getting married, Betty,” Chloe pointed out, holding back a grin. “Devlin has never talked about plans, as far as I know. And as for Tate, wedding bells aren’t even on his radar. I asked him earlier if he was serious about anyone and he actually cringed at the thought. Cringed!”

  Betty looked up at her with a small, secretive smile. “You never know.”

  Abby watched Betty go back to the twins, then leaned close to Chloe with an upraised eyebrow and an assessing expression. “So, what did that mean?” she whispered. “Is there something I should know?”

  “Maybe she has her eye on someone for Tate? I can’t see how that would help, since he so rarely comes home.”

  “That wasn’t the brother I was thinking about,” Abby retorted dryly. “I’m wondering about a certain ex-Marine who keeps glancing this way. You are stunning in that shade of yellow, by the way. It really sets off your auburn hair and beautiful complexion. You are positively glowing.”

  The photographer beckoned to Abby and motioned her toward a backdrop of pine trees for some photos,

  Chloe watched for a while, then looked across the clearing to where the three Langford brothers were deep in conversation, struck by how much they looked alike.

  Tate had just flown up from Texas last night, so she hadn’t had a chance to say more than hello and a few brief words, but she could see that he definitely had the Langford charm.

  Tall, dark and fit, all of them looked like they might have come for a high-end magazine shoot instead of a wedding.

  As always, Daisy stood close to Devlin, and for the wedding festivities she wore a big pink satin bow attached to her collar. With her cast off, her coat grown out to fluffy white splendor and her quiet, majestic countenance, she looked as if she was a dignified member of the wedding party.

  Devlin broke away from the group and sauntered over to Chloe, kissed her cheek, and led her off to one side.

  “You’re beautiful, as always,” he said, brushing a kiss against her other cheek. “I’m so glad Abby and Jess have such a perfect day for this.”

  Tate gave an earsplitting whistle and grinned as everyone startled and turned his way. He nodded toward the pastor. “I think it’s time to start, folks.”

  At Pastor Bob’s direction, the wedding party and the guests moved into position and the violinist began to play. The sweet, pure notes seemed to lift into the crisp mountain air, and Chloe felt her eyes start to burn. It couldn’t be a more beautiful wedding: two people so in love, a wedding day so perfect that she felt a tear of joy trace down her cheek.

  Even the two flower girls seemed to be in such awe that they stood perfectly in place, with none of the shenanigans they might have pulled when they were younger.

  Chloe felt a little tug at her heart. She might never see these people again, she realized sadly. As much as she enjoyed them, they weren’t relatives, and she was just a temporary guest who was renting a cabin. Nothing more.

  Since the day she’d almost left early for Kansas City, she and Devlin had spent all of their spare time together. Trail riding, moving cattle and sharing dinners in town, at her cabin or when joining the others at the main house. They’d talked late into the night about a thousand different topics with her hand in his, or his arm slung around her shoulders—mostly in agreement, and sparring playfully over the rest.

  But she’d fallen in love with Devlin long ago and thought he felt the same, after what he’d said earlier. Yet since then he’d said nothing more about a happily-ever-future. Even when she finally asked to talk about it, he’d shied away.

  A classic case of cold feet? So be it.

  He would soon go ahead with his plans to leave for New York, and she would be heading for Kansas City. She had too much pride to ask again...even though she’d soon be leaving behind the people—and one particular man—who would always own a big part of her heart.

  After the ceremony, the wedding party and guests joyously congratulated Jess and Abby, then slowly drifted toward the buffet, but Devlin came over to take Chloe’s hand and move her away from the crowd. “Did Doris Mason talk to you yet?”

  “Who?”

  He canted his head toward a stocky woman with silver hair who was talking to the pastor. “Betty asked her about Leonard Farley. Apparently Doris rented a house to him before he moved up into the mountains, and she remembers him getting a new Pyrenees service dog just before he left. She said she’d always thought the dog’s black ear was comical, as it reminded her of when her kids were young and got into a can of paint. Apparently they tried to paint their house cat.”

  “So Daisy became a stray after his death?”

  “Exactly. So no more worries about someone else claiming her. She can be ours without question, according to Lance.”

  “Oh, Dev—that’s wonderful!” She blinked, and her heart stumbled. He’d said ours.

  He grinned down at her. “I was prepared to offer any amount of money to whoever might show up to claim her, but now we don’t need to worry.”

  Daisy, pressed against his thigh, looked up at them both with a big doggy grin, her tongue lolling, as if she knew exactly what they were saying.

  Devlin tipped his head toward the edge of the small clearing. “I want to show you something—just a short way up the hill. It’s a beautiful view.”

  He led the way to a breathtaking promontory
overlooking the western edge of the Langford Ranch, the neighboring Cavanaugh ranch and the Rockies beyond. “What do you think—does the old Cavanaugh place look like a welcoming home to you?”

  “It’s beautiful, Dev. Like a dream come true. It’s wonderful to think that it could be yours, if you decide to stay.”

  “I have. I’ve realized that this is where I belong.”

  It was the right decision for him. She could hear it in his voice, and she was happy for him...even as the empty place in her heart seemed to expand.

  “The other two ranches aren’t visible from here,” he continued. “But I plan to look at them on horseback. Would you like to come along? It should be a pretty ride.”

  She’d been so entranced by the view that she hadn’t realized that he’d withdrawn something from his pocket.

  He held out a small box that looked very old and delicate, with gold filigree tracing its surface and fragile hinges. She drew in a shaky breath, almost afraid to take it. He put the box in the palm of her hand and gently curved her fingers around it.

  His eyes locked on hers. He slowly raised his hands. Hesitated. Then he slowly, perfectly signed It was my mother’s. I hope you’ll like it.

  She felt her jaw drop.

  For several heartbeats it seemed as if the entire universe stood still.

  He’d done it. He’d actually done it for her. A perfect gift. An acknowledgment of how hard she’d wanted to help him prepare for whatever the future might bring.

  “Oh, Dev...” She felt tears burn in her eyes as she reached up to cradle his face against her palm. Then she raised up on her tiptoes to brush a kiss against his lips. “That was awesome! But how— When—”

  “YouTube. Just like you said,” he said with a self-deprecating smile. “I’ve been watching videos. I wanted this moment a week ago, but I wasn’t ready. So Abby helped me practice.”

  “But—you’d been so set against it. Why...”

  “I guess I always knew the docs were right—that I should prepare for all possibilities. But I was too stubborn to admit it.” His smile faded. “Maybe being deaf and damaged seemed like part of my penance for the times I’ve failed the people I loved.”

  “You’ve never failed anyone, Devlin. The bad things that happened to them were not your fault.”

  A rueful smile briefly touched his mouth. “You and Betty have told me that so many times that I’ve lost count, but I was too stubborn to listen. But now I’m working on accepting it. And I’ve finally accepted what the future might bring. If there’s any way to prevent it, I don’t want to live in a silent world. Not if you are part of it.” He raised his hands to sign once more. But if that isn’t possible, at least I can be ready.

  She stepped into his embrace and he tucked her head beneath his chin and held her, as if he never wanted to let her go.

  “I’ve also been searching on the internet for clinics and procedures that might be able to help me. I took the first diagnosis as fact, but I’ve discovered that I don’t want to just give up. Not yet.” He released her, rested his hands on her upper arms and took a step back. “I believe that’s exactly what you said I should do when you first came back to the ranch.”

  Happiness welled up inside her until it felt as if her heart could burst. “I’m so happy for you, Dev—I’ll do everything I can to help.”

  “Start by opening that box,” he said, with a teasing smile.

  She blinked. Fumbled with the tiny hasp, then finally managed to lift the velvet-lined lid.

  Inside lay a glittering brilliant-cut blue topaz ring.

  She looked at it in wonder, then up at him. “Oh, Dev—it’s stunning.”

  “It matches your eyes so perfectly that I wanted you to have it.” He brushed a sweet kiss against her lips. “Will you marry me?”

  His gaze locked on hers, and her heart caught in her throat as she looked up at him and saw the future—a lifetime of love with the man she’d fallen for when she was just a girl. Dreams really do come true.

  “Yes—a thousand times, yes,” she whispered.

  “If you’d rather have a diamond...”

  “No—this is absolutely beautiful, and because it was your mother’s, it means even more to me.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, and her heart overfilled with joy.

  * * *

  If you loved this story,

  pick up the first Rocky Mountain Ranch book,

  Montana Mistletoe

  from top author Roxanne Rustand.

  And don’t miss these other great books

  in her miniseries Aspen Creek Crossroads:

  The Single Dad’s Redemption

  An Aspen Creek Christmas

  Falling for the Rancher

  Available now from Love Inspired!

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Winning the Rancher’s Heart by Arlene James.

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  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for joining me in Montana ranch country.

  High Country Homecoming is the second novel in my Rocky Mountain Ranch series, and this book was such fun to write. It combines some of the things in life that I love the most—faith, strong family connections, horses, dogs and country life...and cooking! And it even provided a nice reconnection to a wonderful old friend, attorney William Roemerman, who helped with legal aspects of the heroine’s past.

  My husband and I live out in the country with three horses, two rescue dogs and a number of rescued kitties. I’ve had horses since I was a little girl of six, so whenever I start a book series set in ranch country, it makes me feel right at home. And in this book, my heroine Chloe is an avid cook—a woman after my own heart.

  Since she’s working on a cookbook with recipes gleaned from her beloved grandmother’s recipe box, I thought you might like to try one of those recipes—which is actually a recipe that I have been making for decades!

  If you enjoyed this book, you can check harlequin.com or other online bookstores for the first in this series, Montana Mistletoe. The third title will be out in early 2020.

  You can reach me at: www.roxannerustand.com, http://Facebook.com/roxanne.rustand, http://Facebook.com/roxanne.rustand.author.

  Or by regular mail at: PO Box 2550, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406

  Wishing you a lifetime of blessings,

  Roxanne Rustand

  Grandma Lydia’s

  Chocolate Chip Cookies

  3 sticks (1½ cups) salted butter

  (not margarine, not unsalted butter)

  1 cup white sugar

  1 cup brown sugar

  2 eggs

  2 tablespoons real vanilla

  3½ cups all purpose flour

  1½ teaspoons baking soda

  1 teaspoon salt

  2 cups milk chocolate chips

  2 cups semisweet chocolate chip

  2 cups whole (not chopped) pecans or walnuts

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prep cookie sheets with cooking spray.

  Cream butter, brown sugar and white sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat well.

  Add flour, baking soda and salt, and mix until combined. Mix in the chocolate chips, then gently add the nuts.

  Use a #40 cookie scoop, or portion by spoonfuls to equal approximately 1½ tablespoons each.

  Flatten each ball of dough somewhat. Bake approximately 12 minutes or until nicely browned on edges with lighter center. Let them rest on the cookie sheet for several minutes, then move them to a wire cooling rack.

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

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  Winning the Rancher’s Heart

  by Arlene James

  Chapter One

  Folding up the collar of his insulated, sherpa-lined denim coat, Ryder pulled the door of the big barn shut and lifted his shoulders in an attempt to close the gap between the brim of his black felt hat and the edge of his woolly collar. It was the cowboy’s lot to freeze his ears in winter and burn his skin in summer, but neither the summers he and his brothers had spent at Loco Man Ranch nor a childhood in his native Houston had prepared Ryder Smith for an Oklahoma winter. An impending ice storm to bring in the new year was just one of the unusual weather events he’d experienced since he and his brothers had taken up permanent residence on the two-thousand-acre ranch they’d inherited from their late uncle. Still, in the past nine months, Ryder had found ranch life more to his liking than he’d expected, especially when it came to the horses.

  His guilt at having been the initial cause of this move from Houston to Oklahoma had waned as his older brothers had both found wives and established their own families. Wyatt and Jake were happy, and that helped, but a mountain of guilt remained.