“Troublemaker, huh?”
“Yes he is. He’s a big-time troublemaker but I love him.” She bent down and kissed his forehead. He whispered something to her that made her smile. The two women walked out of his room so they could talk more openly. “I’m so glad to see him awake and acting up. That’s a good sign.”
“Yes, as long as they get his memory fixed. I’d hate for him to be crazy after this.”
“No, it’s definitely a side effect of the pain medication. It will pass, I promise.”
“I’m so glad to hear that!” Nancy said, clapping her hands. “So, it looks like your time here is almost over?” Carissa nodded hesitantly. “Of course, you’ll be back with the Audrey House families. But do you think you’ll be back between those trips? I guess I’m asking what your intentions are for my nephew.”
Carissa blushed and put her hand to her chest. “I don’t really know, Miss Nancy. We haven’t really talked about it.”
“Well, let me give you a piece of advice, dear. When it comes to Trey, you’ll have to be the one to speak up. He will tap dance around every single conversation. It’s obvious he’s crazy about you, but it’ll be terribly hard for him to say something more meaningful than ‘You sure are beautiful.’”
Carissa snickered. “I guess that’s true.”
“What I’m saying is, trust what his eyes tell you, not what he’s not saying. He’ll tell you how he feels, alright, but you’ll have to be the one to do it first, make it safe for him. But now that means this ball is in your court. Do you love my nephew, Carissa?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Trey was thinking about the glimpse he got of a couple more of Carissa’s tattoos the night before and what it had done to him. He was barely able to keep his promise to her and not jump her right then and there. Then he remembered the terror she expressed while she was asleep. He frowned and wondered how often she had that nightmare and what kind of horrors she must have witnessed and experienced in her house.
He shook his head and focused on the road.
When he pulled up to his bunker, he found Carissa sitting on the porch. He stepped out of the truck and nearly ran to her. He grabbed her up and kissed her hard.
Carissa giggled. “What was that for?”
“Couldn’t resist,” he said. “You just look so delicious.”
She pushed his arms down gently and looked intently into his eyes with a very serious expression.
Carissa knew how she felt and believed Trey felt the same. But she also knew something about what unresolved resentments can do to you, and she wasn’t sure she could jump into this thing with him with both feet unless she knew that he had the ability to forgive and love. If not, what would happen if she truly upset him? Not that she meant to, but sometimes there are misunderstandings. And she came with a lot of baggage. She needed to make sure Trey was someone who wouldn’t run away from her load when it seemed too heavy.
“Trey,” she began. “I think there’s something really special between us, something that could really grow.” He grinned and tried to pull her closer, but she held his arms down firmly. “I’m not an easy person to love. I’m bullheaded … and damaged.” He started to respond but she put a finger to his lips. “Your brother,” she continued, and he stiffened. “I would like very much to see you come to terms with his betrayal. He wants to be forgiven. He wants his brother back.”
Trey’s brow darkened. “I’m feeling a little pressured here, Carissa. Like you’re trying to shrink my head.”
“I’ve seen—and experienced—too many resentments that take root and kill a person’s soul. I need to know that you can at least try to come to some sort of peace with him. I’m not saying you should be best friends, but—”
Trey stepped back as if he’d been slapped. “My relationship with my brother has nothing to do with us. And if you’re going to start up out of the gate here wanting to change me …” He shook his head and turned away from Carissa.
Carissa started to follow. “Wait, Trey.”
He raised his hand but didn’t look back. He got into his truck and drove off, leaving Carissa feeling stung.
***
Trey needed some time to think. And someone to talk to. He was angry and surprised with Carissa’s ultimatum, but a small voice in the back of his head gave him the greater concern. She’s right. She needs someone who can be gentle and loving, not angry. He furrowed his brow and spoke out loud, “Then maybe I’m not the guy for her.”
When he arrived at Robert’s hospital room door, he noticed that Robert was alone. He went in and sat down in a chair next to him. Uncle Robert was breathing steadily, a good sign.
“You better get better, old man,” he said. “I can’t do this … any of this … without you.”
Uncle Robert didn’t stir.
“You have been a father to me pretty much all my life, the only one I have now. And you’ve always taught me to be strong. I know we don’t talk much about feelings in our family, but I’ve never doubted that you and Aunt Nancy love me like I was your own.” He leaned forward and put his head in his hands, his elbows propped on his knees. “She says I need to learn how to forgive, Uncle Robert. She doesn’t know anything about Chase, but she wants me to forgive him, like it’s that easy.”
“It is easy, son,” croaked Uncle Robert, his face now turned toward Trey. “We don’t forgive because the other person deserves it. We forgive because we need to, to be whole, to be happy.” He reached his hand out and patted Trey’s leg.
Trey couldn’t remember the last time he cried, but he felt the tears stinging.
***
Trey wasn’t at dinner. Carissa wasn’t expecting him. She didn’t see him at all the rest of the night. And when he didn’t show up to meet her at the barn the next morning, she made up her mind to protect her heart. She went back to her bunk and packed. Clare had been right about one thing, though. She was a grownup and wouldn’t let this keep her from bringing the families here. She would just have to swallow her hurt and keep her head up.
She put her suitcase in her car and took another look at Easy R Ranch. “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks,” she whispered. “Thank you for the best two weeks of my life.”
She got into the driver’s seat, started her car, and began her two-hour trek home. At least one being would be glad to see her. She missed Rudy.
***
The sun broke into Robert’s room and stung Trey’s eyes. He looked at his watch. 10 o’clock? He was supposed to meet Carissa an hour ago. And now he really really needed to see her, to talk to her.
But when he arrived at the ranch, he saw that her car was gone. He ran into her bunker to find none of her things there. He could still smell her scent, feel her presence. He had one chance to set this right. He jumped into the Beast and sped out of the driveway.
***
Two hours later, Carissa was drawing a hot bath and had begun to undress when she heard an urgent knock on her door.
“Knock! Knock! Who’s there?” called Rudy.
Carissa walked by his cage and put her finger out. “Rudy, this is not time for jokes.”
“Joke! Joke! Joke!” said Rudy.
Carissa went to her door and looked through the peephole. Well, I’ll be damned. She opened the door to see Trey standing stiffly, his hands clasped behind him.
“Can I come in?” he asked when she didn’t speak.
“Oh, yes, of course.” She stepped back, shock still on her face. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“See you!” screeched Rudy from his perch.
“I don’t know that I was expecting to be here,” he said, stepping into her apartment. “I didn’t mean to stand you up this morning.”
Carissa walked into her living room and took a seat on the couch, motioning Trey to follow. He did but didn’t sit down.
He blew out a long breath and said so quickly it seemed he had forced it out in one breath, “Youwereright.”
“Pardon?”
she asked.
More slowly he said, “You were right.” Surprise showed on her face and he continued. “How can I give all of myself to you when my resentment has so much of me tied up in a knot?”
Carissa wasn’t sure which to respond to. I was right? Give all of himself to me? She was too taken aback to speak.
“I’m not saying we’re gonna be the best of friends, but Chase and I have talked on the phone … like you’d never believe a Montgomery could talk. I think I understand his actions a little better, though I may not agree with him and he still pisses me off. And he has a lot of growing up to do. … Still, he’s my brother, the only piece I have left of my mom and dad, and I … I do love him.”
Carissa sighed. Trey came to sit next to her and pulled out a bouquet of yellow roses from behind his back. “And more importantly, Carissa, I love you.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she took the flowers, set them aside, and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him all over his face. In his ear she whispered. “They’re beautiful and you’re remarkable to realize their significance for me. I love you too, Trey Lee Montgomery.”
It took all he had to keep from whooping, but he pulled his cowboy hat off and leaned into her embrace, kissing fire along her mouth and down her neck. He stopped abruptly. “If you’re not ready yet, just say so.”
She smiled and pulled his face to hers. “If you don’t take me into that bedroom right now—”
She didn’t finish. Trey had her up in his arms and was carrying her to her room. “Which way?” he asked. She pointed to the door at the end of the hall. He laid her on the bed and then his mouth was on hers, his kiss urgent and searching.
Carissa caught her breath but didn’t slow down. She kissed him back, meeting his urgency with her own. He pulled her hair to the side and kissed her neck and her lips again. She stood up and pulled back the comforter. He started to reach for her, but she said, “Wait. Sit there.” Trey sat on the edge of the bed obediently. He took off his shoes and kicked them to the side.
With nervous fingers she unbuttoned her top and let it fall to the floor. Then she unzipped her jeans and stepped out of them as gracefully as she could. She walked toward him and Trey smiled up at her. “You are a beautiful woman, Carissa Wood.”
“You are a beautiful man, Trey Montgomery.” She helped him pull his shirt off. Her hands ran over his muscular body, enjoying his sculptured torso. She stood between his legs and kissed him, her hair hung over them like a silky curtain.
Trey’s hands ran along her waist and bottom. “Oh, Carissa.”
Carissa stood at the edge of the bed and unhooked her bra. Trey slid out of his jeans and climbed into the queen-sized bed, watching her with approval. The next thirty minutes they tossed and turned, their lovemaking frenzied at first, her hands went everywhere as did his mouth. They held onto one another in the silence until she began kissing his neck and this time they loved one another slowly and with care. It was perfect. Carissa fell asleep feeling comforted and loved.
***
Carissa woke up the next morning, memories at the forefront of her mind, causing her to shiver with delight. They didn’t leave her apartment all afternoon or night, and made love three times. These memories were ones that she hoped would not dissipate soon. They caused a warmth to spread through her. She turned over and kissed Trey lightly. He grinned but didn’t open his eyes.
“You slept peacefully all night,” he said.
“Mmm.”
“In fact, you slept smiling the whole night.” He opened his eyes to look into hers. “I hope it was me who put that smile on your face, pretty lady. And I hope you’re not regretting that. Did we move too fast?” He crooked his arm and put his head in his hand, the elbow on the pillow.
“Trey, I can tell you that it has NEVER felt like that before. I don’t think it was so much that I have let things move to fast and messed things up. I think it’s that there was always a missing ingredient. Love makes it oh so different, Trey.”
His smile widened. “So you still love me?”
“Let’s just say, you may find it very difficult to get rid of me anytime soon, cowboy.”
He laughed. “I love a challenge,” he said before he leaned into her and placed his mouth on hers. She sighed under the kiss and wrapped her leg and arm around him, pulling him on top of her.
From the other room, Rudy screeched, “Love! Love! Love!”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Trey rode the trail up to Painted Rock, the place where he’d first kissed Carissa. The Audrey House trips had turned out to be such a gift for everyone involved. He loved the quiet strength she had with the timid families. And the love she showed for them made her glow. Every day, he insisted to himself that he couldn’t possibly love her more, and every day, he somehow did.
He had no cell phone service where he was; he could see the Rock just ahead. He leaned up in the saddle but saw no one there. He glanced up at the sky—it was only 11:30, plenty of time for Carissa to ride up. He felt his jacket pocket—it was cool this morning. Yes, the ring was there. It was his mother’s ring, the one Pop had given her.
“Come on, Carissa. Please show up.”
He rode on; Sampson wanted to run and so did he, but he refused. He’d be patient and take his time getting to the Rock. Just a few more yards now and he’d be there.
“Damn! She’s not here,” he said to no one but the horse and the Rock.
“Wrong, cowboy, I’m right here.” Carissa sat atop Sterling and she walked the horse around the Rock. She’d been obscured from view by the giant boulder. “I think you have something to ask me.” Carissa slid down off of Sterling and stood holding her reins.
Trey’s heart was beating ninety miles to nothing. He had a big grin plastered on his face. He reached for the ring in his jacket and knelt down on one knee. Sampson snorted at him but he continued.
“Miss Carissa Wood, will you marry me? I’d be honored to call you my bride.”
“What took you so long?”
“Took a while to work up the nerve.” He slid the ring on her shaking finger and stood up to see her face to face. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, inside and out. I’m the luckiest man on the planet.”
“This ring is beautiful, Trey.”
“It was my mother’s ring. I know they would want you to have it.”
“I feel so honored to wear it. It’s like they are here with us. Thank you!”
“I love you, Carissa. Shall we go back and surprise everyone?”
“Nope.”
“What do you mean, ‘nope’?”
“The surprise is on you, Trey. Everyone already knows and the preacher is there waiting on us. There’s a big party planned on the ranch. Didn’t you notice that I wore my white boots and my white cowboy hat?”
He laughed. “So you did! Are you ready to get married?”
“Yes, come what may, for better, for worse …”
“For richer, for poorer … yep, I mean it all. I have to warn you, though. I’m committed. I don’t plan on marrying again.”
“You’re darn tooting you won’t be marrying again. Now let’s go!” She climbed back up on the horse, with no help this time, he noticed. She had become just as comfortable on a horse as she was on her feet.
“Want to race?” She grinned at him.
“I don’t know if you’re ready for that yet.”
“Oh, I am more than ready.”
The pair took off at a full ride back to Easy R.
It was exactly like Aunt Nancy had told her. You haven’t been kissed until a cowboy kisses you, Carissa thought. And you’ll never be the same. When they got back to the ranch, Carissa pulled off by herself for a minute and looked up at the sky. “Audrey, I miss you so much, but I know you’re here with me. And I know you’d do it all over again to keep me safe. I am so lucky to have a big sister looking out for me.” She looked over her shoulder and watched Trey shaking hands wit
h one ranch hand after another.
She turned back to the sky. “And I suspect you had something to do with all this. I think you’ll always be watching over me. I guess I better go get hitched to that cowboy who captivated me the first time I looked in his eyes. I can’t believe I’m so lucky to be here today with both of my best friends. Thank you for leading me to him and out of darkness.” She put her hand to her mouth and blew a kiss to the sky before she turned around and urged Sterling on.
******* The End *******
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~Enjoy and thanks again, Charlene
About the Author
Charlene Bright is the author of several contemporary western romance novels. She’s a lifelong resident of the American South and currently residents in southern Oklahoma on a family-owned cattle ranch. She greets each morning with a hot cup of coffee and an optimistic smile. Traveling to America’s national parks is her favorite pastime. You can find out more about Charlene and her books at Charlene Bright and don’t forget to connect with her on Facebook.
Captivated By A Cowboy (Canton County Cowboys 3) Page 17
