Her expression went flat. “Very funny.” She whisked past him and turned on the water at the sink.
“I’m serious, Lace.” He followed her, not that he had that far to go. Smiling, he took hold of her now-wet hands. “I want us to be a family. Lacie Collier, will you marry me?”
Her gaze searched his for a moment and his hopes soared. Then her brow furrowed as she slowly shook her head.
She let go of his hands, wiping them against her jeans as she stepped away. “I—I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
He blinked, his heart feeling as though it had been ripped in two. He’d blown it. She wasn’t interested in him.
What was he supposed to do now?
The only thing he could do.
He retreated. Moved to the table and placed a kiss atop his daughter’s head, the first time he’d dared to show her that kind of affection. “See you later, small fry.”
Turning to leave, he couldn’t help noticing the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the living room. The one at his house was every bit as nice, thanks to Lacie. But the tree at her mother’s made one thing perfectly clear.
Lacie didn’t need him anymore.
Chapter Seventeen
Matt sat behind the wheel of his sheriff’s vehicle the next morning, feeling like a fool for leaving Lacie’s with his tail between his legs instead of sticking around to ask her some questions he really needed answers to. Such as when was she leaving? What about Kenzie? When would he get to see her? And what about Christmas? Though it was obvious they’d now be celebrating at her mother’s. But what about the gifts they’d bought for Kenzie? She was his daughter, after all, and he intended to spend Christmas with her.
Continuing along one of the county’s back roads, he eyed the sleet/snow mixture that had been falling since shortly after sunup and racked his brain, trying to decide how to approach Lacie again. Not that his reasons weren’t valid. It was just the situation was so...awkward.
His gaze shifted from the conifers lining the road to his right to the snow-covered mountains beyond the dormant rangeland on his left. He needed some advice and soon, otherwise he’d drive himself crazy. But from who? It wasn’t like any of his brothers had ever been in a situation like this, or his father. Still, Dad seemed to be the logical choice. Especially since he knew more about Matt and Lacie’s relationship than anyone.
By the time he bumped up the ranch’s drive around lunchtime, the wintry mixture had turned to all snow. He parked between Noah’s pickup and his father’s dually, exited his Tahoe and hurried onto the deck. Good thing his father always had a pot of coffee on. Between the cold and lack of sleep, Matt could really use a cup.
He paused at the door, though. It had been a long time since he’d dropped by the ranch unannounced. Or even wanted to. Should he have called first?
No. Dad had shown him nothing but love and acceptance since that day he came to him. So Matt was going to let bygones be bygones.
Opening the door to the mudroom, two things captured his attention: the aroma of pine and the smell of coffee.
“Dad?”
“In the kitchen,” the old man responded.
Matt kicked out of his work boots, thinking about that day he, Lacie and Kenzie had come out here to cut down the trees. The day Kenzie got lost. Or so they thought. That was the day he began to think of the three of them as a unit. A family.
Boy, had he been wrong.
Inside the kitchen, Dad sat at the long wooden table, eating his lunch. “There’s some roast beef.” He pointed toward the counter. “Help yourself if you’re hungry.”
“No, thanks.” He started toward the cupboard. “I’ll just take some coffee.” He poured a cup, then joined his father.
Dad’s dark eyes narrowed. “What’s the problem?”
Matt sent him a curious look. He hadn’t even said anything yet. “Who said there was a problem?”
“You did. Those lines in your forehead don’t show up unless something’s got you bothered. So what is it?”
He wrapped his cold fingers around the hot mug. “Lacie’s been offered a job in Colorado Springs.”
The old man frowned. “Surely she’s not going to take it.”
“Unfortunately—” he leaned back in his chair “—I’m afraid she is.” If she hadn’t already. “But there’s more to it than that.”
His father picked up a potato chip and waited.
“I’m in love with her, Dad.”
Shaking his head, the old man popped the chip into his mouth. “I hate to say I told you so—”
“Then don’t. Please.” He straightened. “I feel bad enough as it is.”
“I’m sorry, son.”
Matt stared at the black liquid. “It’s just...I thought our relationship had moved beyond friendship.”
Sliding his plate out of the way, Dad crossed his arms on the table and leaned closer. “I assume you told her you loved her?”
“I was going to, then she told me about the job offer. Even had the nerve to ask me how I’d feel about her taking it.” He puffed out a disbelieving laugh. “I mean, you’d think she would have known.”
“So what did you say?”
He let go a sigh. “I told her to do what she wanted to do.”
Dad’s face contorted. “Son, why would you—”
Matt shot to his feet. “I was angry, all right?” Gripping the counter, he stared out the window. “But I knew I’d made a mistake, so I went to see her last night.” Over his shoulder, he looked at his father. “And I asked her to marry me.”
Dad’s brows lifted. “Well now...” He picked up his plate and moved beside Matt to set it in the sink.
“Yeah, it was kind of spur-of-the-moment, but I was contemplating it even before she said she was leaving.”
Inches apart, Dad narrowed his dark gaze. “What did she say?”
“She said no.”
“What on—” The old man threw his hands in the air. “Did you tell her you wanted her to stay?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell her you loved her? That it wasn’t just about Kenzie? That you wanted to spend your life with her?”
Matt scrubbed a hand over his face. “No, I did not.” How could he have been so stupid?
Suddenly still, Dad looked appalled. “You didn’t?”
“Apparently, I overlooked some very important points in my speech, okay?”
Hands on his hips, his father glared at him. “Matt, you’re my son and I love you. But from one stubborn man to another, you’re about to blow this. You need to get yourself over there right now and tell Lacie how you feel about her.”
He pondered the old man’s advice. “You’re right, that is what I need to do.” Pushing away from the counter, he grabbed his mug and set it near the sink before heading for the door. “I just hope she’ll listen to me.”
Dad followed him into the mudroom. “Matt, if Lacie is worth having, then she’s worth fighting for. You just need to make sure she understands that your feelings for her have nothing to do with Kenzie. You got it.”
He shoved into his boots. “Got it.” Straightening, he held out his hand. “Thanks, Dad.”
The old man took hold and reeled him in for a hug. “I’ll be praying for you, son.”
“Thanks.” He was almost out the door when his radio went off. He listened close.
Shoplifting suspect. Older-model Ford Explorer, dark green. Last seen heading north on 550 out of Ouray.
Right where he was.
“Gotta go, Dad.” He radioed dispatch as he closed the door, threw himself into his Tahoe and took off down the drive. Unfortunately, his talk with Lacie was going to have to wait.
The snow had picked up, making it difficult to see. Yet as he reach
ed the end of the drive, a dark green Explorer whizzed past.
“I love it when things are easy.” He turned on his siren and lights and took chase. His windshield wipers thumped back and forth across the glass as he bore down on the vehicle in question a half a mile later. But the driver wasn’t having any of it. He accelerated, weaving around the vehicle in front of him.
What few cars there were moved out of the way, allowing Matt to follow. The suspect pressed on. Swerved, but regained control.
“Come on, buddy.” Matt picked up speed. “Pull over.”
They continued through the neighboring town of Ridgway, past the reservoir.
Finally, Matt closed in again.
The fellow veered left.
What was he—
Ice.
The Tahoe went into a spin. Matt took his foot off the gas pedal and tried to regain control. Everything was a blur. Then he saw it. Another truck coming toward him.
Matt did the only thing he could do. He braced for impact.
* * *
While the snow continued to fall outside, Lacie hung a shirt on one of the circular racks at The Paisley Elk with a little too much force, causing a portion of the display atop the rack to topple. How blind could she have been? Matt was interested only in Kenzie, not her. Why else would he have proposed a loveless marriage?
Well, loveless for him anyway. Still, she couldn’t live that way, hoping, wondering, if someday he might fall in love with her.
But who could blame him? Kenzie was not only his daughter, but adorable in every way. Just look at the way she’d shared her five-year-old faith with her grandmother. And Mom had responded in a way even Lacie couldn’t have imagined.
Listening to the Christmas music that her mother was now playing at the store, she righted the black velvet jewelry forms and repositioned their beaded necklaces. As soon as Christmas was over, she needed to leave Ouray. Even though the company in Colorado Springs had given her a week to make her decision, she may as well go ahead and accept their offer. Sure, it would mean being away from Mom again, and there’d be a challenging few months while she and Kenzie adjusted to a new town, new school and new job, but they’d be okay.
At least, she hoped so.
Yet as she returned to the storage room at the back of the store, the sadness and unease lingered. Help me, God.
She was about to grab a couple more dresses when her phone vibrated in her back pocket. Pulling it out, she immediately recognized the number on the screen. Her heart raced with anticipation.
A glance over her shoulder revealed an empty shop, so she decided to take the call.
“Lacie, this is Jim Duncan with Bridal Veil Builders in Telluride.”
“Yes, sir.” Nervously tucking her hair behind her ear, she paced back into the main area of the shop. Why was she so anxious all of a sudden?
“My partner and I have talked things over and we’d like to offer you the job,” said Jim. “We were quite impressed with your designs and think that you would be a great addition to our team.”
Yes! She mentally thrust a fist into the air.
Of the two positions she’d interviewed for, this was the one that interested her the most. Not only because of the location, but because it was a custom builder, not a big corporate builder, giving her a chance to spread her wings as a designer and try some new things.
But within seconds, her excitement fell flat. Hadn’t she just decided it would be best to take the job back east? To get away from Ouray and Matt? “Um, that’s great. Really. Thank you.”
“You sound hesitant.”
She perched on the arm of the black leather love seat near the dressing room, indecision gnawing at her gut. “I’ve received another offer. And while I haven’t accepted it yet...” Though if it wasn’t for Matt...not to mention her heart...
“I understand.” Jim’s voice remained even. Undeterred. “Why don’t you take the weekend to think things over, then?” His generosity made her smile.
“Thank you so much.” Relief flooded through her, though she was sure it was only temporary. “I promise, I’ll be in touch with you first thing Monday morning.”
“Looking forward to it. Have a good weekend, Lacie.”
Standing, she ended the call, wanting to cry and do a happy dance at the same time.
A job in Telluride was the best of both worlds. Aside from a great position, she could stay in Ouray, where she’d have friends and family to help her with Kenzie. But now that she knew how Matt really felt, she wasn’t sure she wanted to. Her heart would break every time she saw him.
But a move to Colorado Springs would mean Kenzie would almost never see Matt. And she didn’t want to do that to either of them.
So what was she supposed to do?
She rubbed her forehead. This was going to be a very long weekend.
The door jangled and she looked up to see her mother rushing toward her with Kenzie in tow. And while Kenzie appeared fine, Mom looked distressed.
Lacie approached the front of the shop, watching as her mother settled Kenzie at the table with the dollhouse. “What is it?”
Mom patted her granddaughter on the back. “You stay here, sweetie, while I talk to Aunt Lacie.” The woman was practically winded by the time she reached her. She took hold of Lacie’s arm, tugging her toward the scarf display at the back of the store.
She couldn’t imagine what had her mother so riled up. She sent her a curious look. “Are you okay?”
“Clint called.” Mom sucked in a breath, her blue eyes boring into Lacie. “There was a car accident. I don’t have many details, just that Matt was unconscious when the ambulance took him to the hospital.”
Her throat tightened. She blinked. Several times. God, please let him be okay. Please!
Mom put an arm around her shoulders and aimed her toward the door. “I’ll stay here while you go on to Montrose—”
Lacie stopped in her tracks. “What for?”
Her mother shot her a disbelieving look. “To the hospital so you can be with Matt.”
Lacie felt as though her heart was shattering into a million pieces. If anything happened to Matt... What about Kenzie? She didn’t even know he was her father.
She turned away, wrapping her arms around herself, not wanting her mother to see the pain that threatened to swallow her. “It’s not my place.”
“Not your place?” Taking hold of Lacie’s elbows, an incredulous Mom stepped in front of her.
Through tears and the occasional sob, she told her mother everything that had transpired between her and Matt in the last few days. “I love him. But I can’t marry someone who doesn’t love me.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Mom hugged her tight. “You are so misguided.”
“What do you mean?” She took a step back and stared at her mother.
“Young lady, you told me the truth when I needed to hear it, so now I’m going to give you some of the same. Matt loves you.”
“He loves Kenzie.” She sniffed. “And that’s okay. I get it.”
“Lacie, do you not see the way that man looks at you? The way he lights up whenever you walk into the room?”
“Then why didn’t he tell me?” She swiped a finger over each cheek. “I mean, who asks someone to marry them without telling them you love them?”
“Matt Stephens.” Mom’s head bobbed with each word.
Lacie frowned, too afraid to buy into her mother’s observations for fear she’d only be let down again.
“He’s a man, Lacie. Sometimes they assume things.” Mom crossed her arms. “Your father didn’t tell me he loved me very often, but I still knew.”
“Yeah, but I bet he told you when he proposed.”
Seemingly frustrated, her mother continued to watch her, pinched expression an
d all. “Okay, Miss Know-It-All, does Matt know how you feel about him?”
Though she’d never said anything, he must have had some clue. Why else would he have thought she’d agree to marry him? “I—I guess so. I mean, it’s not like I came out and told him.”
“Oh, my dear, sweet daughter.” Mom wrapped her arms around Lacie’s shoulders. “If Matt doesn’t survive this accident, you might never get the chance.”
Chapter Eighteen
Matt didn’t have to open his eyes to know that his entire family was in the room.
“Why is he asleep?” said Andrew. “I thought people with concussions were supposed to stay awake.”
“Sleeping actually helps the brain heal.” Noah had been on the rodeo circuit long enough to know. “It’s a loss of consciousness they’re more concerned about.”
“All I know is that he got T-boned pretty good,” said Jude. “When I came up on that scene, I wasn’t sure he’d even be alive.”
“God is good.” Dad sounded kind of choked up. “Guess He knows Matt and I have some lost time to make up for.”
“I’m just waiting for him to open his eyes and tell all of you to shut up.” Did his baby brother, Daniel, know him or what? Because that’s exactly what he was about to do.
Except his head was killing him. Not to mention the entire left side of his body. And that incessant beeping noise wasn’t helping. Somebody shut that thing off.
“Would one of you boys tell someone to get in here and change his IV bag?” The old man was getting annoyed. “That noise is about to drive me up a wall.”
“I got it,” said Jude.
Things grew quiet then. Except for that stupid beeping.
“Let me get this taken care of for you.” A woman’s voice. A nurse maybe?
Whatever the case, the beeping had stopped. Thank You, Lord.
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