by Holt,Debra
“The bottom line, Trace, is that we belong together. We both had to grow up, each in our own way, and yet we still have this love that’s never wavered. And here we are—brought back together when it was time … our time. Whether we’re here in Cartwright’s Crossing or at some rodeo arena in some other state, the location doesn’t matter. Nothing matters except that wherever you and I are together … that will be home. And I knew where I needed to be. Here … with you … getting married.”
Trace’s features transformed into the smile she loved so much, and the rich emerald gleam held all the warmth of a summer’s day. His hands rose to capture her face between them.
“That’s some speech, and I will forever be grateful to dear Gram. I love you, Macy Donovan. That’s as simple as it gets for me. Thanks for giving this maverick’s heart a second chance. I do know where my home is, now and forevermore.” His lips claimed hers in the promise of so much yet to be for them. She barely had time to lock her arms around his neck before he swept her up in his arms and turned to mount the steps.
“Where are we going?”
“To church. Haven’t you heard? It’s our wedding day.”
“But we’re late. You said we had to be here right at two because of another event the reverend had, and no one is here.”
“That’s right. He has a wedding at three o’clock—ours.”
She looked at him as if he might have lost his mind, and then she saw the wicked gleam that matched the grin he turned on her. “Guess I might have hedged my bet a little. I told you two o’clock so if there was a delay for whatever reason, we’d still have time for our wedding at three.”
“Really? A delay?”
“Well, I figured I would need some time in case I had to get in my truck and drive out to your house and physically kidnap you—”
“You would seriously have come after me?”
He stopped and fixed a very solemn gaze on hers. “I will fight for us with my last breath, Macy. I stepped back and tried to take it slow and easy after I came back home … I didn’t want to scare you away. But now is the time for boldness and seizing what we have with both hands.”
Her heart felt as if it would burst with all the love flooding into it. Moisture threatened, but she was never going to cry again on the steps of this church.
“We don’t want to keep the minister waiting. I can’t believe you planned all of this for us.”
“Yes, ma’am, I did. And Annie is in the bridal room with your wedding dress. She had quite a time getting it out of the attic and the house without you knowing about it. Jeb helped a bit with that, keeping you occupied at the corrals. Guess this time it goes for something new and old, too,” he said, the grin returning. “Travis made certain the guests parked their cars in the Civic Center lot so you wouldn’t see them, and they’re waiting inside for us. We’re here. Both of us.” He allowed her feet to gently touch the ground in front of the double doors, his hands at her waist. “This time, I’m here, too. Now and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives, I’m not leaving your side. Hope that meets with your approval?”
Happiness lit her face, making her acceptance obvious. Macy laid her palm gently on his cheek as she took in the face of the man she loved so dearly. “This definitely meets with my approval. I love you, Trace Cartwright. Always have and always will.”
It was right … this time everything was just right. They had loved and almost lost each other. Yet something deeper had grown all the while they had been apart. Gram’s voice echoed again: to everything a season.
Their seasons were all ahead for them.
EPILOGUE
Nine and a half months later.
“Morning, Trace,” Emily greeted him as he came through the front door of the pharmacy and walked up to the counter. “I’ve almost got the prescriptions ready for you. I had to call and check on one with Vera Bagley’s doctor, but it’s straightened out now. It’s good of you to continue with Macy’s weekly senior citizen errands. How’s she doing, by the way? It’s about time, isn’t it?”
Trace nodded. “Due date is five days away. It’s been hard trying to keep her from climbing in the truck and doing her usual things. I finally hid the keys this morning.” He smiled, remembering how well that had gone over with his very pregnant wife.
“That sounds about right. Macy has always been headstrong … but no need to tell you that.” The pharmacist grinned.
A sudden beeping of his cell phone brought Trace’s immediate attention to the instrument. His gaze focused on the text message, and for a moment, he went very still.
“Is there a problem?” Emily reached to touch his arm. “Trace, you might want to sit down … you’ve suddenly gone pale.” Concern marked her features as she came out from behind the counter to stand beside him.
He looked up at her approach, then quickly reread the message. He slid the phone inside his chest pocket and practically shoved the prescriptions back into her hands. A mixture of shock, fear, and anticipation animated his features. “I’ve got to go. The baby’s coming right now.”
Halfway to the front door, he stopped and turned back, a panicked look on his face. “The meds—”
“Don’t worry about them. Monty will deliver them. Just go—hurry!” Emily shooed him out the door, her laughter echoing as he darted across the street and dug through his pockets for the truck keys.
Macy was in no mood to straighten anything or anyone out. She was just grateful they’d arrived at the hospital in one piece with Annie behind the wheel. If she thought she could get back up again, she might even have gone down on her knees and kissed the ground upon their arrival. Instead, she was grateful for the wheelchair and nurse that met them. She’d begun searching for Trace the moment they’d entered through the double doors, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her attempts to stay calm slipped a couple of notches. Where was the man? They’d made a pact to be in this together … from beginning to end.
They had preregistered at the hospital a couple of weeks earlier, so once Annie made it inside from parking the car, there was no delay in going straight to the elevator and heading to the labor and delivery wing. Macy was surprised to see that Travis, Jeb, and Clairee had beaten them to the hospital and stood waiting. She tried to smile at their well wishes and pretend she was calm, when actually she felt another contraction coming on. A tiny moan escaped, and the nurse sped up. Macy managed only a brief wave in the direction of the small group before they were out of sight.
The pain subsided after what felt like an hour instead of a few seconds, and she managed to change into the gown the nurse handed her. She was about to crawl into bed when the next pain hit. She ended up face first in the bedding with Annie rubbing her back and giving words of encouragement. Macy couldn’t have moved if she’d wanted to.
“Finally!” Annie spoke up, relief obvious in her voice.
All Macy saw from her face-first position on the edge of the bed was a pair of brown boots that moved into view beside her. Trace had arrived.
And he stood there, not doing anything. Then again, he had managed to do plenty, nine months ago. He had landed them where they were now.
The pain eased, and she was able to complete the process of getting into bed properly. The nurses worked methodically to hook up monitors and insert IVs and all the other things they did. Trace took hold of her hand the moment it was free.
“I was at the pharmacy when the call came. I ran all the lights getting here. Maybe a little more warning next time?”
Was that a grin on his face? No way.
“Next time?” Her voice rose. “This is the last time, mister.”
“Don’t worry,” Annie leaned over and told Trace. “It’s normal for mothers-to-be to say things like that. It’ll get worse before it gets better. But you have to be understanding.”
“How would you know what’s normal and what’s not? I don’t recall you being in this position.” Macy was in no mood for anyone at the moment.
Annie grin
ned. “Touché. I did mention that I served as birth partner for my cousin Maggie last year. So I would point out that, between the two of us, I do have more experience. But since I see you are in no mood for a discussion, I’m going to leave you two now. Do try to get this over with in time for my dinner date tonight, okay?” She tossed out the last words just as she cleared the door. Which was a good thing, because Macy would have thrown something at her if she could have reached it. Her sense of humor had deserted her about the time the second contraction hit.
“So we’re having a baby in here?” The doctor breezed in the door and beamed at the couple.
“One of us is having the baby,” Macy ground out as another contraction took control. “The rest are useless.”
Trace met the twinkling eyes of the doctor and received a wink. He tried a wink in return but it came out as a wince as Macy’s hand gripped his in a vise. For the next six hours, he didn’t leave her side … didn’t even sit down. He felt battered as he watched the woman he loved go through such intense pain to bring their child into the world. And there was nothing he could do but marvel at her incredible strength and determination.
The sounds had muffled in the hallway outside the room. Lights were dimmed, and the visitors had all gone home. Macy must have drifted off to sleep herself, not long after Annie and Travis departed.
A quiet voice had roused her, and she opened her eyes slightly. Trace sat in the rocking chair next to the window, cradling his newborn son in his arms. The baby’s eyes were locked on his father’s face. His hand gripped Trace’s little finger. They’d named him Trace Jameson Cartwright Junior—which Uncle Travis had promptly shortened to TJ.
Macy smiled but didn’t move. A wealth of emotion filled her heart as she watched them.
“That’s a mighty strong grip you have, son. That’s good. It’ll come in handy working with horses and cattle.” Trace ran his thumb down the baby’s cheek. “That smile’s a good one, too. Reminds me of mine.” He chuckled quietly. “Of course, you have your mom’s blue eyes. The little girls are going to really go for you. When you get older, you and I will have to have a talk about girls. I’ll warn you now—they’ll drive you crazy one minute and take you to heaven the next. But you find one like your mom, and you’ll be the second luckiest man in the world.”
“And who would be the luckiest one?” Macy’s voice floated through the quiet. Her eyes held a soft happiness as she gazed upon her men.
Trace shifted the bundle to the crook of his arm and moved his free hand over to cover hers as it lay atop the blanket. “That would be me. In case I haven’t said it yet, thank you. For loving this cowboy enough to not give up on me and for giving me an amazing son.”
She smiled, basking in the glow of those emerald eyes and that sexy smile turned upon her. “Right back at you, Mr. Cartwright. Have you and TJ been having a deep discussion?”
“Just giving this little maverick some words of wisdom … about females.”
“Oh my. Words of wisdom from an expert,” she teased.
“Words of wisdom from a man who learned things the hard way. But I told him he wouldn’t have any worries as long as he found a girl like his mom. I told him that made me the smartest and luckiest man of all.”
Luckiest of all. Macy smiled at the words and at the two males who made up her world. Her family. My blessings from God. She knew in that moment that her heart had indeed led her home. Filled with absolute contentment, she closed her eyes and sent a silent message from her heart into the night beyond the window, to a very special guardian angel. Thank you, Gram.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
