by R. C. Ryan
Breathing deeply, Rebecca touched a hand to his cheek. “I can’t believe this is happening. All the way here I was beating myself up for being blind to what my father must have put you through. I’ve spent a lifetime trying to find the courage to stand up for myself.”
He touched a finger to her lips to still her words. “Courage? When the chips were down, you were absolutely fearless. When you jammed your elbows into Ranaldo’s ribs, catching him by surprise, you changed everything. And then, when you could have fled to safety, you chose instead to stand beside me and face down death. If that isn’t true courage, then I don’t know what is.” He tipped up her face and brushed her lips with his. “You’re my very own fierce defender. My brothers have always had my back, but I never thought any woman would stand and fight beside me. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted. The only one I’ll ever want. And right now, if you say you’ll marry me, you’ll make me the happiest man on earth.”
“Oh, Ben. Yes. Yes. I love you so. That’s why I’m here. I came to fight for you…”
“Now that’s what we’ve been waiting to hear.” Sam’s voice, high with excitement, shattered the mood.
The door to the parlor was pushed open and Ben’s family spilled into the room, gathering around the happy couple and embracing them.
Zachariah shook Ben’s hand and hugged Rebecca. “Congratulations to both of you. Not that I ever had a doubt, of course.”
While Sam and Finn took turns embracing Rebecca, Roscoe and Otis were pumping Ben’s hand and slapping him on the shoulder.
Mary Pat caught Rebecca in a warm hug before turning to do the same with Ben.
Mac stood back, waiting until the others were finished congratulating the happy couple before he caught Ben in a fierce bear hug.
As always, his words were understated. But his emotions were front and center in his eyes, in the husky edge to his voice. “I’m happy for you, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Mac turned to Rebecca. “This will be a real treat for us. Our first daughter.”
“Your daughter?” Rebecca wrapped her arms around his neck. “I can’t think of a nicer compliment. I can’t wait to join your family.”
As they stepped apart, Zachariah nodded toward the kitchen. “Dinner’s getting cold. Why don’t we celebrate over a meal?”
Ben was laughing. “I’m suddenly starving. But I don’t want to eat here.” He caught Rebecca’s hand. “Think you could pack up some food for us, Zachariah? I have something special in mind.”
Sam put his hands to his ears, while Finn covered his eyes.
“If you don’t mind, bro, we’d rather not see or hear any of the details of your planned celebration.”
“I was talking about showing her my special piece of land up in the hills.”
“Oh.”
The entire family burst into peals of laughter.
Mary Pat and Zachariah led the way to the kitchen, where they packed up fried chicken, potato salad, and corn bread.
A short time later Rebecca and Ben walked hand in hand toward his truck, carrying enough food for an army.
The family watched from the kitchen window as they drove across a field before the truck disappeared into high country.
With the tension lifted, the Monroe family gathered around the table to enjoy a leisurely supper. The voices, which for days had been muted, were now once again joyous and filled with laughter.
“See?” Sam’s grin was infectious. “That wasn’t so hard now, was it?”
Finn punched him on the arm. “You’re acting like you had something to do with those two getting back together.”
“I did. We all did.” Sam began passing around a platter of fried chicken. “I’m just sayin’. No woman can resist the charm of the Monroe men.”
Mackenzie Monroe sat back, letting the sound of all that joyful noise wash over him. He turned to Mary Pat, and without a word, she closed a hand over his.
They sat, holding hands under the table, letting the tensions of the past days slip away as the people who mattered the most to them formed a circle of love around them.
Chapter Thirty-one
Rebecca awoke in Ben’s sleeping bag and spotted him seated nearby on a boulder, his knees drawn up, his gaze on the distant horizon. His rugged profile reminded her of a Remington sculpture of an Old West cowboy. He was so solid. So rock-steady, the mere sight of him made her heart stutter.
Seeing her awake, he scrambled from the rock and hurried over to gather her close. “Good morning. You realize, in all the excitement last week, we missed the end of the Autumn Festival.”
“I like our celebration better. Maybe we should call this our very own version of the Autumn Festival, and return to it every year.”
They shared a laugh before he added, “And after our…celebration, you fell asleep.”
“Mmm. In your arms. It was the best feeling in the world.”
“Yeah. There was a moment a week ago, during that confrontation, when I wondered if I’d ever get to hold you again.”
“Once I saw you standing there, I could feel my fears evaporating.” She shook her head, remembering. “One minute I was terrified, and the next, there you were, and I just felt this amazing sense of calm come over me.” She touched a finger to his mouth. “Now tell me what you were thinking while I was sleeping.”
“I was thinking…” He smiled before gathering her close. “That I’m not sure I’ll ever again be able to let go of you, Becca. Any regrets about spending the night up here in the hills instead of the comfort of your own bed?”
She rubbed her lips over his. “None. You’re right about this place. I know it sounds silly, but sleeping here under the stars, knowing there’s nobody around for miles, makes me feel gloriously free.”
“Yeah. It’s always had that effect on me. You can see the entire town from up here. And that way”—he pointed to the distant hills rising up, layered with brilliant fall colors—“there’s nothing but wilderness. Wild horses and mountain goats, and the kind of peace you can’t find anywhere else on God’s green earth.”
He waved a hand to indicate the sweeping landscape. “When my brothers and I became legal sons of Mackenzie Monroe, he brought us up to these hills and told each of us to choose our own special place, and he would make certain it was legally ours. A place where we could sink roots and know with certainty that nobody could ever take it from us.”
“And you chose this.”
He nodded. “You can’t imagine how special it was, to a kid who’d never had a home, to hear that all this could be mine forever. That no government agency could come along and take it from me. That the only way I could ever lose it would be from my own careless actions.”
“Oh, Ben. I can see why you love it.”
“Can you? Really?” He paused. “I’d like to build a house up here. Away from the town. Away from the world. How would you feel about living up here so far from people?”
“As long as you’re here with me, it will be our very own little slice of heaven. Oh, Ben.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled close. “I’ve never been so happy.”
“I know what you mean. It’s like the last cloud has lifted, and all around is blinding sunlight.” He brushed his thumbs over her mouth, staring deeply into her eyes. “You’re my sunlight, Becca. You’re my everything.”
“And you’re mine, Ben Monroe.” As he began nuzzling her neck, she added, “So don’t you even think about leaving me in the dark ever again. If you’re troubled, share it with me. We’ll work things out together. You hear me?”
He chuckled against her throat, sending heat spiraling through her veins. “Yes, ma’am.”
She lifted her face to his. Against his mouth she whispered, “I love you, Ben Monroe.”
“And I…” The rest of his words died as he nuzzled her cheek, her temple, her nose, before taking her mouth in a kiss that spun on and on until no words were needed to say what they were both feeling.
“I won’t?” He gathered her close and gave her a long, slow, simmering kiss. “If that’s the case, I’m guessing proof of life has been discovered on Mars. And somebody reported pigs flying.”
Laughing, she poked a finger in his chest. “Oh, you.” She led him inside. “My parents have agreed to come to dinner tonight, even knowing your entire family will be here.”
“Is that all?”
“Ben. Do you know how amazing this is? My parents are about to mingle with your father and brothers, and Mary Pat and Otis and Roscoe and Zachariah, over dinner. These are people my parents once thought of as…”
He touched a finger to her lips to still her words. “That’s all in the past. Give them some credit. They’ve come a long way, baby.”
“Haven’t they?” A smile split her lips as she shook her head in wonder. “Haven’t we all? But we’re talking about my parents.”
“Don’t do that, babe. They’re good people. They love you.”
“So much so, they’ve spent a lifetime smothering me with their love.”
“At least you know they care. There are kids who never feel any love.”
She gave a shake of her head. “How come you manage to see the good in everyone?”
“Because someone bothered to see the good in me.”
He said it so simply, she merely stared. Then, with a soft sigh, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. “And I’m so glad of it.”
He began unbuttoning his shirt. “How long do we have?”
“Hmm?” She glanced at the clock. “Oh, an hour or more.”
“Good.” He caught her hand and started toward the bedroom. “How would you like to…?”
Reading his thoughts, she drew him back and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Against his mouth she murmured, “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Sorry we’re late.” Hank Henderson greeted his daughter with an apology as he stepped through the front doorway.
“Reconsidering your agreement to come tonight?”
He flushed.
“It’s all right, Dad. You’re among friends.” Rebecca brushed a kiss over her father’s cheek.
“Welcome, Hank.” Ben offered a handshake before leading her parents into Rebecca’s small living room, where the others were gathered.
Ben handed Hank a longneck, before turning to Will Theisen. “Will was just telling us that he’s been in contact with his old mentor at divinity school. He’s been invited to join their staff as an assistant pastor.”
Susan crossed the room to brush a kiss on Will’s cheek. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you, Will.”
“Thanks.” He shared a handshake with Hank.
“You should be proud, Will.” Hank patted his shoulder. “I never got to tell you how amazed I was when you faced that gunman. That takes real courage.”
“That wasn’t courage. That was guilt. After all, I was the cause of all that trouble.”
Hank Henderson shook his head. “Now, Will…”
Will held up a hand to stop him. “You don’t know what I did.” He lowered his head. “Instead of following directives on how to counsel a troubled young woman, I was convinced that I knew better than the experts, and all I did was make things worse for her and her family. I was the reason Ranaldo Rider came all this way for revenge. And all because I thought I knew the perfect solution to all his woman’s problems.”
Mary Pat put a hand on Will’s arm. “Don’t think you’re alone, Will. Everyone who goes into the business of counseling troubled people has to learn how to keep personal feelings out of the mix.”
“I doubt you ever let your personal feelings steer you wrong, Mary Pat.”
She merely sighed. “I didn’t learn overnight. Like you, I had to learn from my mistakes. The only difference between an amateur and a professional is time, Will. The more time you spend in the field, the more you’ll be able to see people without judging them. My motto has always been this: Most people are doing the best they can with what they have.”
“I’ll remember that when I join my ministerial team in Atlanta.”
“I know you’re going to be successful, Will.”
Susan turned to Rebecca. “Your father and I have been talking about the wedding plans. You’ll want Reverend Grayson, of course. He officiated at our wedding. And since Hank and I held our reception in the church hall, we thought you’d probably want to do the same. I’ve been going over the list of your school friends. You’ll want five or six bridesmaids, don’t you think?”
Rebecca and Ben shared a smile.
Rebecca kissed her mother’s cheek to soften her words. “Thanks for offering to help, but Ben and I have already made our plans, Mom. We want to be married at our own special place in the hills.”
Hank frowned. “How are all the guests supposed to get to some primitive place up in the hills?”
“We’re hoping to hold the ceremony with just our families.”
Susan was wringing her hands. “Poor Reverend Grayson wouldn’t survive a trek to the wilderness, honey.”
“That’s true.” Rebecca turned to Will. “Ben and I would like you to officiate before you leave, Will.”
The young man’s face creased into a wide smile. “Really? I’d be honored. This will be the first wedding for me.”
When Hank opened his mouth, his wife patted his cheek. “Maybe you and I should give our daughter a hand in the kitchen.”
Rebecca draped an arm around her mother’s waist. “Why not let Dad visit with Ben and his family, and you and Mary Pat can help me.”
“Of course, honey.” Almost in a daze Susan turned away.
Mary Pat got to her feet and caught Becca’s hand.
The three women made their way to the kitchen, leaving the men to finish their beer while their hunger sharpened considerably as they inhaled the most amazing fragrances wafting on the air.
“Your father and I were hoping to give you a memorable wedding, Rebecca.” Susan kept her voice soft enough that the men in the other room wouldn’t overhear.
Rebecca put a hand on her mother’s arm. “I know you want to share our day with all your neighbors and friends. But Ben and I really want the day to reflect who we are and what matters to us. Maybe during the holidays you and Dad could host a party. Or better yet, next spring, you could have a barbecue in the backyard. It would be relaxed and easy, and you can show off your brand-new son-in-law.”
Susan drew in a breath and managed a smile. “I guess I was thinking more about myself than about you and Ben. I do love the idea of showing the two of you off. Oh, honey.” She gathered her daughter into her arms and kissed her temple. “I hope you’ll be patient with us while your father and I muddle through.”
“I’m really proud of you and Dad. I know it’s a lot to take in.” Rebecca exchanged a smile with Mary Pat before giving her mother a fierce hug. “A very wise woman told me that as long as mistakes are made in love, they’re always forgiven. I know you and Dad love me. I hope you know I love you even more.”
Mary Pat lifted a roasting pan from the oven. “And now, we’ve made those poor men suffer long enough. Let’s overwhelm them with some love from the kitchen.”
The three women were laughing together as they carried platters to the table and called the men to dinner.
Susan touched a napkin to her mouth. “I don’t know when I’ve tasted pot roast that tender. Rebecca, darling, what did you do to make it so tender?”
“Beer.” She enjoyed the look of surprise in her mother’s eyes. “A trick Mary Pat taught me.”
Mary Pat nodded. “Whenever I’m out of beef stock, I just pour a bottle of beer over my roast. It adds a lovely flavor, don’t you think, Susan?”
“I do.” She turned to her husband. “And I noticed you had three helpings of those mashed potatoes.”
He nodded. “They’re really tasty. I can’t place the flavor that was added.”
“Cream cheese.” Rebecca and Mary Pat shared a laugh, while Mary Pat explained. “Through the years, living on the road so much, I’ve had to learn to improvise.”
“Cream cheese.” Susan smiled. “I’m filing that away in my mind, too. And I’m hoping we can repay this dinner by having all of you to our house for dinner very soon.”
Across the table, Rebecca went silent.
Ben caught her hand under the table. “You feeling okay?”
She nodded. “Just…wondering who these strangers are and what they’ve done with my parents. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find out this is all a dream.”
The two shared a knowing smile.
Susan turned to Otis. “Rebecca tells us she got all the pumpkins from you for her little business.”
The old man winked at Rebecca. “Yes, ma’am. But I wouldn’t call it a little business. Your daughter’s got quite a head on her shoulders.”
Hank’s look sharpened. “In what way?”
“She turned a garden full of useless pumpkins into the centerpiece of the town’s festival. And she took old Lamar Platt’s hobby and has the whole town clamoring for all the garden furniture he and his son can make. I’ve heard they’re thinking of hiring some folks around these parts to lend a hand. There are a lot of ranchers looking for ways to make some extra money. Now that’s what I call a head for business.”
“Thanks for that reminder. I guess I need to stop seeing Rebecca as my little girl and start seeing her the way all of you see her.” Hank looked at his daughter with new interest.
She turned to Roscoe. “By the way, I have half a dozen orders from folks in town who want you to create a garden gate and arch like the one you made for me.”
The old man couldn’t hide his surprise. “You mean they want to pay me?”
“Of course. Just be sure to charge enough to show a profit.”
Hank chuckled. “I see what you mean, Otis. My daughter has a head for business.”
