by Lori Ryan
Maggie delved deeper, her mouth devouring the man she loved, the man she was born to love.
His hands slipped under her hips as he lifted her off the ground, carrying them toward her bedroom. He walked through the doorway and glanced at the bed.
Below them Lucky meowed.
“Not tonight buddy. Momma’s sleeping with me.” Ben kicked the door closed.
Lucky let out a loud growl through the wood.
Ben stared down at Maggie, his face filled with passion and desire. And love. “Now, about that punishment.”
Epilogue
“Ben, where are we going?” Maggie held tight to his hand as he dragged her along a path she couldn’t see. She touched the blindfold that was tightly wrapped around her eyes.
Ben swatted her hand. “Don’t touch it, Maggie or you won’t get your surprise.”
“Ow,” she cried, shaking her hand. “That hurt.”
“Stop being a baby.” Ben tugged her arm.
“I’m not being a baby.” She pouted. Okay, so maybe she was. They’d been walking for what seemed like forever. And Maggie was not a fan of surprises.
“Try to think of something else to get your mind off it,” Ben said.
Maggie smiled, remembering their morning. Ben had been back in Canyon Creek for almost two weeks, and in that time, he’d all but moved in to her tiny home. Which was fine by her. It meant she got to go to bed every night and wake up every morning next to his gorgeous face.
“What are you thinking about?” Ben asked.
“What?”
“You. I know your mind. You’re thinking of something dirty.” Maggie could hear the smile in his voice.
“Maybe I was thinking it might be fun to play with this blindfold.” Maggie giggled.
Maggie heard Ben stumble before he chastised her. “Naughty girl.”
Maggie screeched as Ben scooped her up in the air. “Ben!” She slipped her hands around his neck, surprised to feel straps. “Do you have a backpack on?”
“We’re hiking, Maggie. We needed water and snacks.”
Snacks? How long would they be gone? She knew he’d offer no more information so she resigned herself and laid her head on his chest. His heart beat in rhythm to hers and she’d never felt more content.
“That’s more like it.” He kissed her head. “Just a few more minutes and we’ll be there.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“For the hundredth time, I’m not telling you. And I swear, Maggie Mae, if you ask one more time…”
She leaned in to kiss his jaw, the scruff tickling her lips as her mouth worked down his neck.
“That won’t work, Maggie.”
The slight tremble in his voice said otherwise.
“Fine,” she sighed, leaning back on his chest and letting the afternoon sun warm her body. The winter air held a bite today but it was refreshing. Maggie felt invigorated and for the first time in a long time had an extremely optimistic attitude.
Her relationship with her father was on track. They were meeting with a therapist weekly, both together and on her own. Ben had been kind and patient as she navigated the uncharted waters of being in a relationship. He understood that Maggie didn’t have the experience witnessing what a loving relationship looked like growing up. She knew he would teach her, persevere with her, and for that she loved him even more.
The sun disappeared and the air suddenly cooled against her face.
“We’re here,” Ben said. He released Maggie and she slowly slid down his body. A body she could get lost in, and had many times since his return.
She reached back to untie her blindfold.
“Not yet.” Ben gently pulled her wrists away.
“But you said we were here.”
“Just a few more steps.” His hands grasped her shoulders and helped her forward. “Watch your step.”
She halted and stared behind her at what she hoped was Ben. “I can’t watch my step, I’m blindfolded.”
“I warned you, Maggie.”
“Fine,” she huffed and cautiously shuffled forward. The ground felt rocky now, much different than the dirty and pebbled path they’d walked before.
“Where are we?” The echo of her voice told her they weren’t outside any more. No way. “Ben?” she called.
There was a long silence and Maggie’s nerve endings buzzed with anticipation.
“Take off your blindfold Maggie.” Ben’s deep voice reverberated off the walls and caressed her skin.
Maggie slowly undid the knot behind her head and let the sash slip from her face. She blinked several times to adjust her vision. They were in the Kissing Cave. But Ben was nowhere to be found.
“Ben,” Maggie hollered, her voice echoing as she glanced around the dark cave. She squinted, trying to adjust to the dim lighting. “Ben,” she yelled again.
“I’m right here, Maggie,” his voice rebounded off the walls and she wasn’t sure where to look. She glanced over her shoulder and gasped.
Ben was down on one knee, a white box in his hand.
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.
Her hands flew to her mouth and her eyes stung with tears. “Ben,” she whispered through her fingers.
“Come here,” he said quietly.
Maggie stumbled toward him.
“Watch your step.” He held up a palm.
She slid her shaking hand into his and stopped a foot away.
Ben’s hand fell from hers and went to the lid of the white box.
Oh my God. Maggie had to commit this moment to memory for all time.
“Maggie,” Ben said, his hazel brown eyes staring through her. He knew her, warts and all, and yet still wanted to be with her. He removed the lid. “Will you,” he paused.
Maggie glanced down at the box, her smile falling. What the? There was a rock inside. And not the good kind.
“What’s that?” she glared at the box. She’d expected a rock, but not an actual rock.
“Will you write your name on the Kissing Cave wall with me?”
You have got to be shitting me.
Well, it figured. Maggie had never considered herself the marrying kind. And it was no secret that Ben enjoyed his bachelor ways. It’s just, with the last few weeks and—
“Maggie.” Ben’s quiet voice brought her back. “They say it’s true love if you kiss and write your initials on the walls of the Kissing Cave.”
“Then why’d you bring a rock?” Maggie tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice. But seriously, he’d brought her here just to kiss and write their names on the wall? He was down on one knee for God’s sake.
“Well,” Ben glanced around the cave.
Maggie followed his gaze, studying all the initials, many crossed through.
“I knew your initials were already here. But I thought…”
A pang of regret and fear kicked Maggie in the gut. She’d been so foolish and naive with the boys in high school, desperate to find the one thing she’d never had as a child. Unconditional love. Until now.
Maggie sank to her knees, her hands grasping Ben’s face as she pulled him in to her for a searing kiss. He was her true love. She knew that with everything in her soul. She didn’t need a ring, or her initials on a cave wall to prove it. Ben had her heart and that was good enough. She knew he’d protect it and cherish it for the rest of her life.
“Maggie,” Ben murmured against her lips.
“Mmm,” she moaned, delving deeper. Suddenly Ben pulled away and Maggie nearly tumbled in to him.
“The rock, Maggie.” His tone was stern as if warning her.
Jeez, all right already.
“Well, I thought we were supposed to kiss and then write our names on the wall.”
Ben shoved the box with the rock toward her. “Go ahead.”
Maggie grasped the rock and slowly stood, turning from Ben and walking toward one of the walls with a small empty space.
“Maggie,” Ben called behind her.
�
��Yes,” she said, wiping the spot clean with her hand. Maybe there was something to this cave’s legend after all.
“You forgot something.”
“What?” she asked, bringing the rock to the stone to carve their initials.
“Maggie.” Once again Ben’s voice held a silent warning.
“What?” She scowled and twirled on her feet. “I’m trying to write our—”
Something inside the box sparkled from the light outside. Maggie gasped.
Ben walked toward her, dropping to his knee again.
Oh. My. God.
“Margaret Anne Lawrence, I’ve been in love with you since before you even noticed me.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“And I’ll be in love with you long after you forget me.”
Maggie shook her head as her hand held in a sob. She could never forget him.
“I’m hoping that will be a lifetime though. A lifetime spent with me.”
Maggie stared down at the man who had broken through the walls of her heart. The man who believed in her, who challenged her, but championed for her, too.
“I know you love me,” he continued, “just for me, not for what I make or what I do. And I love you the same way. You’re beautiful, and smart, and funny and stubborn.”
Maggie pressed her lips together, afraid she was going to cry.
“And a thousand other things that I want in my life. That I need in my life. You’re my forever, Maggie. Will you be mine? Will you marry me?”
The rock tumbled from Maggie’s hand as she sank to her knees, wrapping her arms around Ben’s shoulders and pressing her lips to his.
Ben tumbled back but righted himself, one arm anchoring Maggie around her waist.
“I’ll take that as a yes?” He smiled against her lips.
Maggie drew back, breathless, her heart hammering in her chest. “Yes,” she grinned, “yes, yes, yes. And I noticed you, too, Benjamin Sumner. I just never thought you’d want a girl like me.”
“I don’t want a girl like you. I want you,” he added.
Ben brought the box between them and pulled out a ring with a diamond bigger than Maggie had ever seen. He glanced at the ring, then up to Maggie. “I hope you like it. I chose it myself, but if you don’t, we can—”
Maggie’s arms encircled his neck as she smattered Ben with kisses. “I love it, and I love you. But are you sure? About me, I mean. I’m pretty broken and—”
“Stop, Maggie.” Ben plucked the ring from the box, grasping her left hand and holding it in front of him. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” He slid the ring onto her finger and it nestled in as if it had been formed for her.
Maggie held out her hand. The diamond sparkled, but it wasn’t the size or the shape or anything that mattered to her. It was the fact that Ben wanted her, issues and all, and he was willing to mark her with a beautiful ring.
“Now,” Ben reached beside Maggie for the rock and stood, “I believe we have some initials to carve.” He held out a hand for Maggie. She slid her left hand into his, marveling at the ring. “Would you like to do the honors?”
He held out the rock to her but she shook her head, instead wrapping her arm around his waist. He slung his hand around her shoulder and she leaned into him with a sigh.
“How about right here?” He pointed to an area on the rock wall.
Maggie glanced at the spot. Several initials surrounded the area, making a heart. Inside were the initials “ES + EN” with the year “’91” etched below.
“Who’s ES and EN?” Maggie asked, staring up at Ben.
Ben studied the carving as if he were deep in coding a program. “Is it Emmett and Elle?” he asked.
“ES for Emmett Sumner and EN for Elle Noble?” Maggie questioned. “But it says 1991. That’s way too early for them. They were just a few years behind us.”
Ben tilted his head and studied the initials. “Maybe they got the date wrong,” Ben said. “Emmett isn’t the brightest.” He laughed.
She swatted at him.
He raised his hands in innocence. “Trust me, Em would have failed math if it weren’t for me and Aaron.”
“Maybe it’s not 1991. Maybe it’s 1891.” Maggie glanced up at him.
“Probably just a different couple,” Ben said.
“I think being inside the heart is significant,” Maggie said, studying the carving. “Their initials haven’t been scratched through. They never came back to cross them out.”
Ben shrugged.
Maggie watched with rapt attention as he slowly and painstakingly etched their initials on the wall.
BS + ML
“Are you going to add the date?” she asked.
“Nah.”
“Why not?”
Ben dropped the rock on the ground and slid his hands around Maggie’s neck, drawing her toward him. “Because it should have been there a long time ago, if I’d had the guts to ask you.” He slowly dropped his head and took her mouth in a passionate, all-consuming kiss that ended too soon.
“Come on. Ma is dying to see the ring on you.”
“Your mom knows?” Maggie asked.
“Of course, she does.” Ben took her hand in his and led her toward the entrance. “Who do you think helped me pick it out?”
“I can’t believe she kept it a secret.” Maggie shook her head in disbelief.
“I threatened her with no grandbabies if she told you.”
Maggie stopped. “You want children?”
Ben’s brow furrowed. “If you do,” he said slowly. “I want a family with you.”
Maggie looked horrified.
“You’ll be an amazing mother,” Ben said with confidence.
Her eyes welled with tears. She’d never allowed herself to dream of having a husband, a family, children. “But what if I suck at it? I didn’t have good role models.”
Ben stepped closer and brushed her hair from her face. “You won’t suck. You’re kind and nurturing. You care about everyone else, sometimes to your own demise. Look what you’ve done for my mother, for me, for my family. And your father.”
Maggie took a moment for his words to wash over her. She wasn’t used to accolades.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll suck at this parenting thing, too if that makes you feel better.” He laughed. “We’ll suck at it together, how about that?”
“No, you won’t.” Maggie had no doubt. “You’ll be an amazing father, Ben.”
“Together,” he said.
She nodded and smiled.
“Come on. Let’s go share the news. I know Aunt Sally will want to broadcast it to the entire county.”
Maggie laughed, realizing she’d always had more family than she’d ever realized.
Ben tugged on her hand.
“Wait,” she said, yanking from his hold. She turned back to the spot where they’d carved their initials.
“What is it?” Ben asked.
“I want the rock.” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled.
Ben nodded in approval.
Maggie stooped down and grasped the rock, cradling it in her hand as if it were gold. She stood and rubbed her hand over their initials, watching in wonder as her diamond twinkled. She couldn’t contain the joy bursting within her and she smiled so wide she thought her face might split in two.
Her hand slipped away and her eyes were riveted to the other set of initials carved within the heart.
ES + EN ’91
What could that mean? She’d have to ask Emmett. Although, he’d probably never admit to anything if it was him and Elle.
“Maggie,” Ben called from the front of the cave. His gravelly voice echoed against the rock walls. “All set?”
Maggie walked toward the silhouette sanding at the entrance, stuffing the rock in her pocket. With one last glance over her shoulder, she marveled at the sight. There were so many initials, some crossed out, but more that weren’t. That gave Maggie hope. Suddenly John’s lyrics rang in her he
ad.
My first love.
My only love.
“My forever love,” she whispered.
To find all of the Canyon Creek Series Novels, visit Lori and Kay at www.loriandkay.com!
We’ve got a lot more coming in this world. Keep reading for a sneak peek of the next book.
Preview of Never Say Goodbye
Chapter One
Emmett Sumner was the last one to turn his attention to his mother as she stepped to the head of the conference table inside the Lodge at Canyon Creek. His mind had been on the other side of the mountain, where it had been for the last three weeks, thinking about the woman who lived there. As a writer, he’d always been contemplative, but this was something altogether different.
He’d been thinking of Elle Noble, about her family’s ski resort located on the other side of Canyon Creek Mountain. She’d occupied his thoughts ever since he’d seen her in his mother’s hospital room three weeks ago. It might have been years since he’d seen her, but it didn’t mean their connection wasn’t strong, as much as he’d wished it wasn’t. He’d known the minute he’d seen her enter behind a huge bouquet of flowers that something was wrong.
Elle had empathized with his mother, saying she understood what it was like to be in a hospital. It had been such a passing comment, no one had even questioned her or commented on it. He guessed they might all have figured she’d twisted an ankle a time or two as a ballet dancer, but he knew better. He knew her, and he was willing to bet there was more to the story.
He’d always wondered why she’d left her career as a professional dancer in New York City to come back to Colorado and run her family’s resort a few years ago. People in town had said she’d wanted to be close to her family, but he didn’t buy that excuse. Dancing had been everything to Elle. Not even he could keep her from leaving when they’d graduated high school.
After she’d left the hospital room, Emmett’s mother had insisted he walk her out. He’d followed and asked her what her comment from earlier had meant. She’d just thanked him politely, as if he were a stranger, and quickly drove off once they’d reached her car.
There had been a time when Emmett knew Elsbeth—or Elle as everyone called her—better than anyone in the world, her every thought, every dream. Her every…everything. His Elle.
