"Crystal," Gary muttered, tossing back his scotch in one swallow.
"Good." Then Allie turned to Julianne. "Mother, I love you. You know I do, but the fact that you kept Dad a secret from me hurts more than anything. I'm working on trying to forgive you."
"Honey dear, that was ages ago..." She gave a forced laugh.
"Not for me," Allie said. "It wasn't ages ago for me. It was years of wondering why my father didn't want me. Years of wondering where he was. Only to find out that he hadn't even known about me until it was too late to do anything about it. You were cruel. To both of us."
Julianne closed her mouth with a snap, lips tightening further at the corners. Her eyes narrowed, then she opened her mouth. "I see that there is no reasoning with you like this."
"Of course you can reason with me. I just won't be walked all over like a rug that needed to be cleaned a long time ago."
With that, Allie stood from the table. "Gary, don't contact me. I'm not above filing a restraining order. Mother, I know I don't have to tell you to leave me alone. You'll do that just fine on your own. But if you need me, or want to discuss this further, call me."
They stared at her, as though she had grown a second head. The courage Allie clung to began to whither, but she wrangled it into her grasp, spun on her heel, and sailed out of the restaurant.
The smog filled air of the city enveloped her. Allie inhaled deeply, embracing the comforting smell. She knew she wouldn't be experiencing for much longer.
She had made her decision.
She wanted to go back to Washington. She could find a job there, help Max with Greene Pastures, get settled in a new life in a place that felt like home.
The thought of Morris made Allie pause as she walked down the sidewalk. Returning to Greene Pastures meant seeing Morris again. And she didn't know if she could do that. She hadn't even said goodbye. Not a note, not a phone call. She’d had plenty of time to call him when she’d arrived back in New York, but every time she picked up the phone, she managed to convince herself that he wouldn't want to talk to her.
She knew she must have hurt him. It had hurt to leave him, a deep, resounding ache that she knew would never go away. But maybe, after time had passed, they could learn to be friends. Or at least cordial.
She owed him an apology. That was the first thing she needed to do when she landed in Washington State. She wouldn't even stop at Greene Pastures first. Just head right for Morris' ranch, find him, and apologize.
Assuming he even wanted to see her.
Allie shook herself and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. He would listen. Even if he said nothing in return, she knew he would listen to her.
Finding Max's phone number, Allie let the phone ring as she pressed it against her ear. Giddiness filled her.
She was going home.
"Hello?" Max said.
"What you said earlier," Allie began without hesitating. "About being welcome at Greene Pastures anytime. Is now too soon?"
Allie heard Max give a large exhalation, as though finally releasing all the tension he had been bottling up.
"Not at all," Max said, his voice gruff with emotion. "Tell you what. I'll meet you back at Central Park, the same bench, and we'll discuss details."
"Sounds perfect," Allie said with a grin. "Be there soon."
They hung up and Allie hailed a cab.
She felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders when she stepped back into Central Park.
Near the entrance stood a carriage with two chocolate colored horses. Allie was immediately reminded of Chip and felt a deep longing to approach the horses and offer them an apple, which she didn't carry. Shaking her head on a laugh, Allie knew that she never would have thought to do such a thing not even three weeks ago.
It was amazing how quickly things could change.
As Allie walked down the path toward her favorite bench, the sun managed to break through the overcast and smog, shining down onto the park. Allie lifted her face to it, enjoying the little bit of warmth it provided her.
Thank you, Lord. For changing my life for the better. I trust that everything will work out according to Your will.
Allie grinned at the joy that filled her as she rounded the corner of the path.
And drew to an immediate halt.
The man waiting for her on the bench was not Max Greene.
A lump formed in Allie's throat, making it difficult to breathe, to swallow. Her heart stuttered for the briefest of moments before restarting at a fast gallop.
The man hadn't spotted her yet. He stared out at the view Allie knew like the back of her hand. His frame was familiar. His golden hair glinted in the little rays of sunshine that made it through the trees. He wore a thick, leather jacket, one that had seen many winters, she imagined, over his jeans and a pair of cowboy boots, looking completely out of place in the city.
But he was here.
In New York.
For her.
There was no doubt in her mind. He had come all this way, he and Max both, to bring her home.
Even knowing that, Allie’s nerves grew. She owed Morris an apology, first and foremost. Would he listen?
It was then that Morris turned and spotted her. He stood from the bench and began to walk her way, his long strides eating up the pavement of the trail.
Not knowing what to expect, Allie stood still, her pumps stuck to the pavement. Morris looked like a man on a mission, gaze intent on hers, his jaw set, his lips pressed into a firm line.
He looked almost exactly like the man who had been waiting for her at the airport.
Allie wanted to run. But she couldn't decide if she wanted to run away or into Morris' arms.
The flame of courage burned bright and Allie took a step forward. Then another one. With each step, Morris demeanor changed. Instead of being closed off and tight with determination, his lips quirked upward, his shoulders relaxed, and his steps quickened.
Allie found herself smiling at him by the time they drew close.
"Princess," Morris greeted.
The nickname that had irritated her so much the first time she had heard it sounded like music to her ears. Tears burned in her eyes, but she swallowed them back, needing to get what she needed to say out.
"Morris, I'm so sorry," Allie said in a rush. A tear fell and she hastily brushed it aside. "I didn't want to leave. I should have told you..."
"Shh," Morris said, taking the last couple of steps forward and reaching out to her. His arms encircled her, pulling her close to him. Allie rested her head on his shoulder, her arms bunched up between them.
I will not cry, I will not cry...
"Yes, you should have told me," Morris continued, his tone soft. "But I can understand why you didn't. I can also understand why you felt you had to leave, but I wish you had said goodbye."
"I'm sorry," Allie whispered into his chest. Her heart ached, longed to be near him, to be forgiven by him.
"Okay," Morris said, squeezing his arms tighter around her. "It's okay now. And I'm sorry, too."
At this, Allie drew back and lifted her head, meeting Morris' gaze. "Why are you sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I should have come after you," Morris said. "That night, the night you left, Paige came to the ranch. Told me you left with... him."
Even now, Allie could see the hurt, the anger that burned deep inside Morris. But it wasn't aimed at her. It was all aimed at Gary.
"I told myself I couldn't leave. That I shouldn’t. The calves, they were beginning to drop and we had to get moving." Morris shook his head. "It was an excuse. I know my men could handle it without me. But I... I didn't know if you would want to see me. I was afraid."
Allie's heart was lodged in her throat, racing away. "Afraid of what?" she whispered.
"To tell you that I love you."
The world stopped as their eyes met. Morris' crystal blue eyes held nothing but love and forgiveness inside them, and Allie's heart soared
.
"I love you, too," Allie said, a grin spreading across her face. A giggle erupted from deep within. "I thought I was being irrational, silly. But these feelings, I couldn't stop them."
"Then don't," Morris said, his arms tightening around her, his lips curved into a soft smile. "Don't ever stop them."
His lips met hers, gentle yet firm. Allie felt her breath catch at the touch, and a warmth spread throughout.
She realized in that moment that she was already home. That Morris was her home.
"Please come home with me," Morris whispered against her lips. "Or, if you really want to stay in New York, I can work something out."
Allie pulled back and grinned up at him, loving the fact that this man would give up his life, just to be with her.
"I'm already home," she told him. When he stiffened, Allie added quickly, "Home is with you. I don't care where we end up, but I have grown quite fond of Washington. I already miss Daisy and Maribel. Even Chip."
Morris let out a huff of a laugh and pulled her close once more.
"Marry me?" Morris whispered against her ear.
Shock filled Allie and she pulled away, but not far enough away to break Morris' hold. Her eyes met his, the shock she felt mirrored in his.
"That wasn't supposed to happen that way," he murmured, then straightened his shoulders and gave her a rueful grin. "But would you marry me anyway? A humble cowboy?"
"Yes," Allie whispered, then grinned. "Yes. Of course, I'll marry you!"
Morris' face split into a wide grin as he picked her up and spun her around. Allie shrieked with laughter as she grasped his shoulders, breathless from the whirlwind of emotions. Allie's already bursting heart filled with love and excitement for this man. Excitement at a life with him.
Morris lowered her to the ground and kissed her once more. They lost themselves in each other, content in knowing everything would work out.
Allie pulled away, once again finding herself in awe of the man before her. As she sent up another heartfelt prayer of thanks, Allie grasped Morris' hand in hers.
"Let's go home."
About the Author
Brenna Welles is a Pacific Northwest native and an avid romance reader, with a particular soft spot for sweet and clean romances. After earning her master of arts in creative writing and literature, she decided to follow in her favorite authors’ footsteps and begin writing her own stories. When she’s not reading or writing, Brenna can be found hiking, on the beach, or at home crocheting the next big blanket on the list.
Letter from Brenna
I hope you enjoyed A Delivered Heart as much as I did writing it! I’m already knee-deep in the next book in the series, which will feature Paige Greene and Cameron Beckett. Find me on Facebook or send me a message via email ([email protected]) and let me know how you liked the story! I’m always looking for ways to learn and improve my writing. And taking the time to leave a review helps us authors more than you could know. I wouldn’t be here without you! Take a moment and rate this story so I can keep writing more of them for you!
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