by Sondra Grey
“Well, when was Jim going to be of any use, with all that rubbish he reads all the time about the law, ignoring even his ranch duties at times.” Nic said in mock annoyance as he went to the kitchen door, pulled it open and let out a shrill whistle. The men all filed into the kitchen with expressions of varied degrees of worry. Martha, Lydia and Molly were right behind.
“Jim, you did this for me?” Elizabeth ran to him with the envelope, papers and medal in hand and hugged him tightly. The boy turned red and babbled something no one really understood.
“I just helped the boss to form the letter to the Dean explaining the legal consequences of not giving you your degree. There was a lot your friend Martin did at his end.” Jim explained
“You have been corresponding with Martin? How did you get his address?” Elizabeth turned to Nic and he laughed at her complete bafflement.
“It was easy. I took Miss Rutherford’s address from Lydia. Swore them both to secrecy. Got Martin’s address. Asked him if he would help me with what I intended to do. And well, the result is in your hand. As a matter of fact, the Dean has personally invited you to this year’s graduation ceremony, so that they can honor you. That’s why I said earlier that I might have to send you back. Or maybe take you there myself.
Elizabeth, forgetting that all their people were watching them, threw herself into her husband’s arms and gave him wet, tearful, kisses on both the cheeks.
“Nicholas Rhymer, what I have here is much, much more than what I could have ever hoped for. I am most certainly not going anywhere, least of all on a month-long train journey. I want to stay right here and take care of you and our men while you guys work our ranch. This is my home and I don’t want to leave it even for a second for the rest of my life.”
Nic pulled her into his arms and claimed her lips with a fierce kiss. The others simply picked up things they could stuff into their mouths on the way out and went away on their respective jobs, eager to disappear.
When Nicholas had his fill of her sweet mouth, he pulled back and looked down at her. Gently he secured a silky auburn curl behind her ear and looked at her with undisguised adoration.
“When I was corresponding with Martin, he told me how that guy Maclash and the goon Rutherford treated you after your father’s death. If I ever come across those two…” he said, his fists curling at his side and Elizabeth laughed out loud.
“Oh, Nic. All that seems so far away now.”
“I am sorry Elizabeth, I never realized what you had gone through to reach me. I was so harsh to you when you arrived.”
“What matters is I did reach you Nic Rhymer.”
“What you need to know is you will always reach me, Dr. Rhymer. I will always be there for you no matter what. When Franco told me about Jessica earlier today, the old wound opened and it bled for a time. And then I realized, Liz, what kept me sane through the ordeal was my love for you. I thought once that I loved Jessica, but I was young and foolish. Today I stand here and look back and I see that what I had with Jessica doesn’t hold a candle to what I feel for you. I love you Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth felt the truth of his words resonate deep within her soul and echo in return to the man she had grown to love so very much. She knew that they would have a solid life there on the ranch and she couldn’t wait to begin building their future together.
The End
