Fall Into His Kiss

by Jenny Schwartz

  Jezebel performed as badly as Wyatt warned. She brayed loudly at the visitors, put her ears back, and finally, turned her back on them. Meantime, Hercules the horse nudged everyone, stretching his long neck over the fence, hoping for treats.

  “It’s gorgeous, here.” Steve put his camera aside and simply looked at the view. The day’s work was done. “You’re a lucky bloke.”

  Rachel smiled at the Aussie slang. But her smile faded as she caught Wyatt staring not at the view down to the river, but at her.

  “I hope I’m lucky,” Wyatt said.

  Steve gave him a quizzical look.

  Alicia glanced between Rachel and Wyatt, then snapped her notebook closed. “Time we hit the road.”

  Sometimes life isn’t blinding flashes of illumination. Sometimes choices steal up on a person, proving themselves right and strong because they grow from the heart, pushing past fears and the opinion of the world to simply be right for that person.

  Standing beside Wyatt, watching Alicia and Steve drive away, Rachel knew the future she wanted. She could see herself standing with him through the years, farewelling their guests, before walking back together, into their home.

  The scent of her Uncle Theo’s roses wove elusively around them.

  “I’m going to call Mr. Trimm,” Rachel said.

  Wyatt turned to her. His whole body tensed.

  She looked up into his brown eyes. Usually so gentle, just now they were fierce and urgent, afraid of being hurt.

  A week was such a short time to fall in love, but she had.

  “I’m staying, here,” she said. “I’m not going back to New York.”

  Wyatt hugged her so tightly, she squeaked. It wasn’t romantic, but it was real.

  “Sorry.” He released her a fraction. He cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’re staying.”

  She smiled at him. “So am I.” She’d find work here. If Mabel was right, Wyatt’s fame was about to put Bideer on the map. Rachel would help the local businesses build on that tourism potential.

  “You’d best call your old boss, now,” Wyatt said.

  “So I don’t change my mind?” she teased him.

  “No.” A slow smile started in his eyes. “Because I intend to kiss you and I don’t want it interrupted for a phone call.”

  She laughed, surprised and delighted at his masterful plans. Her phone call was brief and to the point, unclouded by regret.

  Then Wyatt took her phone, switched it off and stuffed it into his pocket. He gathered her close and she went willingly into his embrace, loving the strength and woodsman scent of him, and the passionate emotion in his eyes. Her shy guy wasn’t so shy when he fell in love.

  “Welcome home, Rachel.”

  Their kiss was everything a first kiss should be, filled with wonder, love and a promise of future joy. Welcome home, forever.

  Note From The Author

  Fall Into His Kiss was an absolute joy to write. We all have times in our lives when our most treasured dreams seem to falter. Sometimes we resurrect them. Sometimes we let them go. I wanted Rachel to face a real choice: should she honor an old dream, or give her life to a new and truer one? It takes courage to let go of old dreams, but I hope you agree with me that Wyatt is the best possible reward for Rachel’s bravery.

  Jenny