Her Cowboy's Promise (Fly Creek)

by Jennifer Hoopes

  Hazel eyes sparkled and drops of water glistened on her lashes. She smiled. “Yes, I’m fine. Just wet.”

  He ran his hands over her, ignoring the instant arousal her lean body ignited. “And nothing was hurt in the fall. You’re breathing okay?”

  “What fall?”

  Adam felt around her head. She was acting funny. Not making any sense. “Yes, honey, the fall into the river.”

  Emily laughed. “I didn’t fall, silly. I jumped.”

  Adam’s mouth dropped open. When Shelby caught him returning from his interview and told him Emily’s truck was at Levi’s cabin, he’d imagined any number of scenarios. Her playing in the river wouldn’t have entered the top one thousand.

  “You jumped in? You came here to jump in the river?”

  She shook her head, droplets of water flying off loosened strands of hair. “No, I came to give you something. The river was an afterthought.”

  Adam dropped to the lawn, unable to process the last few moments of panic and fear. Emily followed him down, and he slid his hand across the grass to settle on top of hers. Her warmth seeped into him and infused his spine. He didn’t understand so many things, but he knew he needed her.

  Emily sighed and they sat together in silence. Adam didn’t know why she’d come to his cabin. The euphoria of hearing she was there was drowned by the thought of her panicking in the water and now? Now his insides resembled ground meat. Form them into a nice patty and you had something worthwhile. Keep them shredded and raw, and it would decay until nothing remained.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I should have. I should have told you everything from the beginning.”

  Emily shook her head. “No. You know as much as I that the timing couldn’t really have been any other time than it was. I didn’t understand it at first, but I do now.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. It was sweet and chaste and felt like a good-bye.

  “How can I repay you for this? For everything. For my life.”

  He must have looked as confused as he felt because Emily swallowed a tiny smile.Adam cleared his throat. “You don’t need to repay anything. So much that happened to you wasn’t fair. You were blindsided by circumstances and then I screwed so much up… Just be happy, Emily. Please. No matter what you believe, that’s all I’ve wanted. You to be happy and living.” He dropped his gaze. “Even if that can’t happen with me.” He hadn’t given up but he wouldn’t push the issue today. He would wait it out as long as needed.

  Emily stood. Adam followed the movement, his entire body frozen in anguish. This was it. She was leaving. That’s what she came to tell him. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t forgive him.

  She reached out to him. “I have something for you.”

  Adam grasped her hand like a drowning man and pushed off the ground. She led him around the side of the cabin and up onto the porch. She paused briefly to pick up a brown-wrapped package and moved to the door.

  Thank God Adam still had a key, despite Levi already taking the place over. He unlocked it, and followed her into the cabin. As he shut the door, he contemplated locking her in there. Locking her up until she admitted she loved him. He knew she did. He knew they could get past this if she only gave it a shot. He stood leaning against the door as Emily made her way to the couch.

  “Do you have any towels?” She shrugged. “I’m kinda wet.”

  Adam attempted a smile even as his stomach rolled over. He crossed into the small bathroom beside the kitchen, thankful Levi hadn’t changed anything, and snagged two towels. Walking over to her seemed a marathon in steps. Each one a combination of hope she was staying and fear she was leaving. He handed her the towels, careful not to touch her. His hand was still warm from where she’d led him into the cabin.

  Emily dried her arms and then placed another towel on the couch, sitting on top it. Adam closed his eyes to the sight. Would it be the last one he had of her?

  “Will you join me?” She patted the sofa beside her.

  Adam sat, unconcerned over his wet state. None of it mattered. The couch, his clothes. All that mattered was their future.

  She smiled and handed him the package. “This is for you. I hope…I hope you like it.”

  …

  Adam’s hands carefully unwrapped the brown paper. His fingers curled around the frame, and she remembered how they were the first sign that something was about to change in her life. Tearing her gaze away from the strong digits, she lifted her gaze to see Adam transfixed on the piece. He swallowed hard, his entire body tight with tension.

  He cleared his throat, but even then his voice was heavy with emotion. “Does this— Is it— Does it mean what I think?”

  Emily placed her hands on the frame and gently tugged. Reluctantly Adam released it, his gaze following as she placed it back on the table. She scooted closer and extended her hand in his direction, palm up.

  Adam hesitated only a second before placing his hand on top and hauling her into his lap. He kissed her. A slow, lazy kiss that sent heat pooling in her belly. It was a kiss of promise and of restraint, the emotion behind the moment held in check. She tried to get closer, her free hand snaking around his neck and up into his hair. They kissed for what seemed like days, just enjoying the sweeps and dips of their tongues and mouths.

  Eventually by unspoken agreement they pulled away, each using the other for support as they caught their breath. She looked down at his tan fingers interlaced with hers. Those fingers that had set her on this path. That had led her right to this moment. She lifted first one hand then the other and placed kisses on them.

  “Emily.”

  It was humbling how her name could sound like a plea on his lips. A plea she was all too eager to answer.

  “Adam, I never imagined I would find myself ready to tumble over the edge of love again. It was a feeling of utter freedom that I feared I could never take a chance on and win. And I thought I had lost so much that I needed to play the odds. Play it safe and sheltered and…”

  She met his gaze and prayed her commitment shined through. “I don’t want to play it safe. I want to tumble headfirst into it with you. By my side, on top, bottom, holding my hand, lifting me up, and pulling me back. You brought me out of the dark. You forced my hand when I most desperately didn’t want to, and I know, I know so profoundly that it wasn’t just the promise leading and guiding you.”

  She placed their clasped hands against his heart. “It was this.”

  Adam pulled her hands up around his neck. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness—”

  “There’s nothing to forgive.”

  “Yes—”

  She silenced him with another kiss. Pulling back slightly, she spoke against their lips. “Every step, every word spoken or not, led us here. No regrets, no forgiveness. We made it where we were supposed to, and I’m humbly grateful to you for that.”

  She smiled and placed her hand on his face. “I never in any dark corner of hope I carried around, expected to be happy again. I never thought that I would get a chance to share my life with someone, because that would mean opening my heart and soul up to loss again, and I didn’t believe I had the strength to do it. But I do. You showed me I do. You tempted me to live. I want to continue living. I want to smile and be happy. And I want to do all of that with you holding my hand. Giving me the gentle nudge or swift kick. I hope that in some way I’m making you just as happy and content as you’re making me.”

  She slid her hands around his neck and kissed him. She let her lips brush his over and over, the caresses light and tempting. Adam’s hands were at her waist seemingly pulling and pushing her away. She opened her eyes to find him staring at her, the longing so deep in his blue eyes it hurt her. He didn’t have to long anymore. She was here and she was his. She scooted closer to him, trailing kisses along his jaw. “I know you might not be able to stay here in Fly Creek and I’m willing to leave. For you.”

  He pushed her back slightly and met her gaze with widened eye
s. His hands gripping her for all their worth.

  A hesitant happiness formed in those baby blues. “Will you come somewhere with me?”

  “Now?”

  He nodded.

  She looked down at her clothes. “Is it in public?”

  “You look beautiful.” He stood and held out his hand. She eagerly grabbed hold and followed him toward the door.

  “Wait,” he said and crossed back over to pick up the painting. “We’ll need this.”

  Curiosity beat steady as he put her in his truck and carefully laid the painting on the backseat. They left Sky Lake in a cloud of dust and made their way toward town. She thought maybe he wanted to go to her place, but he drove right by the Painted Glass without even blinking.

  She turned to see her store fading from view. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Home.”

  The tone of his voice touched every part of her soul. A fluttery feeling assaulted her stomach, and she gripped the edge of her seat.

  Five minutes later they rounded a turn and came through a grove of aspens. There on either side of the road were a handful of cabins. Adam pulled into the first one on the left and all Emily could do was stare through blurry eyes.

  He hopped out and circled around, opening her door and taking her hand. Sliding off the seat, her knees buckled a little, and he caught her around the waist and dropped a kiss on her temple.

  “What do you think?”

  The log cabin, stained the color of honey, was twice the size of the one he’d been staying at on the ranch. Four gables popped up evenly across the green metal roof, and the porch ran the entire length and around one side. Rocking chairs, ones she recognized from his back deck, marched along.

  She swallowed a sob.

  Adam tugged her up the steps and stopped in front of the double front door.

  “For twelve years I searched high and low for a place to call home. For a place that my soul could settle and would erase the memories lingering from my childhood. I realized when you walked out on me that nothing could settle my soul but you. I love you, Emily. I’m yours. Heart, body, soul. You’re my home, my adventure. What I’ve been seeking all these years. Will you be my anchor here in Fly Creek? Build a home and family in this house and fill it full of memories worth living and fighting for.”

  He dropped keys tied with a purple ribbon into her hand, then closed her fingers around them. She stared at his hands cradling hers and remembered the first day in the store when she’d noticed them. The moment everything in her life changed course.

  Raising her blurry gaze to meet his, she pulled his head down and brushed her lips against his. “I love you,” she whispered. “Building a home with you is everything I could want.”

  Together they slid the key in the door and opened it. Adam scooped her up and carried her into the cabin, their laughter echoing through the space.

  Her cowboy’s promise had brought them home.

  Epilogue

  Adam tugged at the bow tie, desperately trying to find relief for the swelling of emotion clogging his throat. He stood in the middle of a circle of friends and family, all eyes on him and awaiting his bride. His brother, Levi, stood behind him.

  Magic had transformed Clapton Field. Wrought iron lanterns hung from poles around the rim of the circle and down the two aisles leading to the arbor in the center. Twinkle lights decorated the arbor, although they weren’t quite visible with the sun still up. Sunset seemed the appropriate moment for them to pledge their life together in front of the town, and Clapton Field seemed the perfect venue. Their words echoing up into the twilight sky.

  Levi placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. The movement calmed Adam slightly, but he knew everything would return tenfold when Emily appeared. She should be arriving any minute, Peyton and Mel accompanying her. The only missing piece was Emily’s sister, Sofie, who was unable to make it at the last minute, due to an emergency with her husband.

  Several high school students sat off to the side playing classical pieces he recognized although couldn’t name to save his soul. It was Emily’s idea to include them. In fact, she’d included half the town in some form or another. Polly would be doing a reading, the Wagon Train was catering, except for cookies, the same ones Polly had given him, that Peyton had produced in droves to feed the army of people who were witnessing their commitment tonight.

  The sounds of a vehicle reached him, and his throat swelled even more. The past year was everything and nothing he could have hoped for. Emily and he working together to forge a future that was based on a solid foundation of love and respect and trust. The Bureau of Land Management, specifically for the Wild Horse program, had hired him. Roundups across the state took him away a couple times a year but he mainly commuted to Cheyenne. Of course Shelby still wrangled work from him from time to time, usually when a stubborn horse needed someone to straighten it out.

  Together they’d built a foundation strong enough to overcome their pasts. Today would be another step on the path that began in this field that fateful Friday night.

  Emily’s truck pulled through the tree line and stopped next to the far aisle. Peyton and Mel got out, each wearing a yellow dress with white ribbons. The string players switched songs to something slower and Mel started down the aisle, followed by her mother. Peyton met his gaze and smiled encouragingly.

  The wedding march sounded, and all eyes shifted back up the aisle. Adam tugged again at the necktie, then clasped his hands together in front of him and squeezed. Emily stood there, a vision in white. The dress long and simple, the sleeves sheer and elegant. The fabric pouring over her body like a waterfall. Everything complementing her beauty. Her brown hair was swept to the side and anchored with a simple yellow flower. The same flowers interspersed in her bouquet along with white ones.

  Even across the distance, everything centered as Adam met her gaze, Emily’s love shining through. She glided toward him, the steps assured and steady. As she passed town members, the quiet shock registering on some of their faces told Adam his bride-to-be had a surprise up her sleeve.

  She smiled brilliantly as she came up to him and winked. She did a complete 180, and Adam saw her little treat. The entire back of her dress was open. Just like the shirt she wore the first night they met. A row of flowers crossed the base of her spine. It was a work of art, simple and refined, and she was the canvas.

  He let desire deepen his expression, and as they joined hands, Emily responded with a similar look. She mouthed the word “Later” and squeezed his fingers. At that moment he looked up to the sky and said a small prayer to Drew for leading him to this most precious of gifts. Emily dipped her head as his gaze came back to her angelic face, and he knew she was thinking the same thing.

  When the moment came, Adam’s voice had never sounded more firm or sure. “I, Adam, take you, Emily…”

  …

  Some of the guests trickled out of the senior center. The night had deepened into morning and Emily imagined the town of Fly Creek might be a little cranky come alarm time. She floated on a sea of love and hope and contentment. The day, the ceremony, the reception were everything she’d wished they could be. Adam hadn’t left her side since she joined him in the field, his hands routinely finding a way to stroke her bare back. Sometimes in blatant arousal and sometimes it seemed just to reassure himself she was there. She understood. Their journey seemed surreal at times and insurmountable at others and yet here they were. Husband and wife and ready to embark on the next stage of living their happy and fulfilled life.

  She remembered the first night they danced, how his hands so strong and secure assured her she was taking the right step. Now they held her with care and concern and love, still strong and secure, and she knew anything was possible with this man by her side.

  She noticed Peyton on the dance floor twirling Mel around and around, Polly and Shelby watching from the side, heads bent together in serious discussion. At least she didn’t need to be worried they were discussing
her. She loved all four of them fiercely, but they were a force to be reckoned with. Emily turned toward Adam who was in deep conversation with a sheriff deputy.

  “I’m sorry, Tony, will you excuse us? I need to whisk my husband outside under the stars for a moment.”

  Tony grinned and waved them away. Emily led Adam through the back doors and around to the side of the center.

  “Under the stars, huh? Hey, I’m game, although I have a feeling we might be a little more exposed than you anticipated.” Adam pointed to an upstairs window where Polly and Shelby looked out nosily.

  She smiled. “Do you know what those two were so intent about tonight?”

  “It seems Peyton has become a target. Apparently seeing us deal with our pasts has given them the urge to make Peyton deal with hers.”

  “Better her than us.” Emily gave them a little wave and tugged Adam farther down the building.

  “As much as I totally want to relive our first night under the stars, what I really want to do is go home.”

  Adam stopped, forcing Emily back against him. “Home, huh?”

  He placed a kiss on her exposed neck sending delightful flashes of heat throughout her body.

  Emily turned in his arms. “Yeah, home. I believe there are a few rooms that might not have been christened properly yet.”

  Adam ran his hands up and down her sides. “Christened properly? Sounds like water needs to be involved. Skinny dipping on my wedding night sounds pretty darn awesome.”

  She laughed and kissed him.

  Pulling gently away, she led him to her truck. She opened the door and turned, gripping Adam’s hips. “Skinny dipping first.”

  Adam traced her face, and Emily caught his hand and brought it to her lips, placing a kiss on each finger.

  “I thank God for these every day,” she said. “They’re the first thing I noticed about you.”

  “The first thing?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.

  “Well, maybe it was the dimples.”

  He flashed them expertly, and she melted against him.

  “Do you want to know the first thing I noticed?”