Josh

by Cheryl Wright

  As he leaned closer to her, he stole a soft kiss. She didn’t want it to end, and reached up, grabbing him around the neck, prolonging the kiss.

  As she stood there kissing the most wonderful man she’d ever met, she wondered where they could go from there.

  He’d said his life was complicated. He could have been describing her life.

  “Josh,” she whispered, as she held him closely. “Let’s pretend everything is fine in our lives, and just enjoy the moment.” She looked up at him, and he stared at her for a moment with his sparkling blue eyes, then closed them.

  What was he thinking about? Tessa? Work? Their relationship?

  She had no idea, but she waited patiently for his answer.

  When he opened his eyes again, they looked sadder then ever. He was frowning, and his eyes were still half closed. He straightened up and pushed her gently away. “Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all,” he said, shocking Emily to her core. It was the last thing she expected him to say.

  She pulled her arms away and walked toward the fence. All three horses galloped toward her. Evie pushed forward and rubbed her head on Emily’s shoulder.

  He stood there staring at her. At her and Evie.

  Realization suddenly hit her. “Evie was Tessa’s horse, right?”

  He nodded but didn’t speak for almost a minute. “She loved that horse. And Evie loved her. They were perfect for each other.” He looked down into his hands, trying to avoid looking her in the eye no doubt.

  She stepped back, not wanting to infringe on beloved memories. Her heart breaking for him. “I’d better go,” she said, deciding it wasn’t going to work after all.

  Everywhere he looked, he saw Tessa. Everything she did, reminded him of Tessa. She was competing with a ghost, and it hurt.

  “I, I’d better go,” she said again, her voice sounding confused.

  He looked hurt. “Please don’t. Tessa wouldn’t want this. I don’t want it either,” he said. “But I do want you.”

  He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around the woman standing before him. “I wanted this to be the start of something special,” he said. “Instead I seem to be alienating you.”

  She leaned her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his back. “I don’t want to go,” she said softly. “I also don’t want to intrude on your memories. It must be very difficult for you.” She reached up and swiped a tear from her face.

  She was so confused, Emily wasn’t sure if she was crying over his dead fiancée, or the fact she might be breaking up with Josh.

  The last thing she wanted to do was break up with him. She’d missed him terribly in those few weeks they were apart. She’d never felt so miserable, or so affected by a man.

  All she’d done was think about Josh, and what he might have been doing at any given time.

  “I really like you, Josh,” she said, looking up at him.

  He brushed an errant tear from her face.

  “I’m sorry your fiancée died,” she told him honestly. “Do you think there’s any chance for us?”

  He frowned, and she pulled back.

  “I mean, I don’t want to intrude. If that’s not what you want, just say so, and I promise not to contact you again.”

  He reached out and pulled her closer. “Emily,” he said in a whisper. “I’m in love with you. You are far from intruding.”

  Her heart beat rapidly, and her head spun. He loved her? Why the heck didn’t he tell her instead of putting her through all this angst?

  Her breath hitched in her throat, and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him once more. “You are? Then why the heck didn’t you say so?” She squeezed him tight, then looked up into his eyes. “I fell in love with you that very first day. The day you began to search for my sister on top of that mountain.”

  He brushed her cheek with his fingers, and she couldn’t stop the flow of tears. Happy tears.

  ~~~

  Lizzie grinned as they walk into the diner a few days later. Together.

  Josh held the door opened for Emily and Lizzie came around to greet them. “I’m so happy for you, my dear,” she told Emily, kissing her cheek.

  She reached out and squeezed Josh’s hand. “And you too,” she told Josh, grinning broadly. She stepped forward and hugged him.

  He was planted to the spot and held her tightly. “I owe you so much, Lizzie,” he whispered in her ear.

  She stepped back and slapped him on the arm. “Of course you do, sonny. Aunt Lizzie knows best.” She winked and gave him the biggest grin he’d seen for ages, then walked back behind the counter.

  “What can I do for you two love-birds?” She shook her head, as though she couldn’t believe the news. That they were engaged to be married.

  “We’ll have two large coffees to go, and a couple of those magnificent blueberry muffins the amazing Charlotte Callahan would have made.”

  “What? My cooking is not good enough for you,” Lizzie asked, joking.

  Sheriff Chase Callahan walked in a short time later. “Hello. The gang’s all here,” he said, a smile on his face.

  “Have you heard the news?” Lizzie asked him.

  He pushed his hat back further on his head. “The news Josh finally came to his senses? Yes, I’ve heard that news.”

  He slapped Josh on the back and waited for his coffee to be ready.

  “We’re off to the picnic grounds,” Josh told him. “Emily is going to do some landscape painting. It should be beautiful up there today.”

  Chase’s eyes opened wide. “Oh, that’s right. I totally forgot. When is the exhibition?”

  “Two weeks,” Emily told him. “I only have a few more pieces to paint, and I’m done.” Josh brushed her hair back off her face.

  “Her work is amazing,” he said. “You really must come to the exhibition.”

  “I’ll definitely be there,” Lizzie said. And he knew she would. Lizzie was very community minded.

  Epilogue

  The little chapel in River Valley had gotten quite a work out over the past two or three years.

  Lizzie had been pairing up several of the eligible bachelors in the area, and the chapel, being the only one in the area, was getting quite a patronage.

  Josh stood at the alter, adjusting his bow tie, Deputy Chris Dolan by his side. “Let me see,” Chris said, and wriggled the offending item until it fell into place.

  He stopped, hands mid-air as the organ began to play the wedding march, and they both looked toward the entrance of the quaint little chapel.

  First through the door was little flower girl Chloe Callahan. She was almost three-years-old, but she did a great job distributing the rose petals along the aisle.

  Mind you, she did throw a few handfuls up in the air and try to catch them, but no one cared.

  Behind her came Melanie Sawyer, Deputy Jason Sawyer’s wife, along with their toddler Lily. She was actively picking up the rose petals and handing them out to the wedding guests, which caused a few giggles.

  Emily’s sister Laney walked in next, her head held high, so happy for her sister. She swiped at a tear or two as she made her way toward the altar. Josh reached out and squeezed her hand as she took her place on the other side to where the men stood.

  And last but not least, Emily stood at the back of the chapel, resplendent in her stunning white wedding dress.

  The dress was made of Tulle, with a sequined bodice and an A-line style skirt. Her veil was made of matching Tulle, surrounded by fresh flowers.

  Since her parents were both deceased, she’d asked Chase Callahan if he would give her away. He’d been so supportive of Josh, and frankly, from what Josh had told her, if it hadn’t been for Chase, today’s wedding would not have been taking place.

  She swallowed down her nerves and with her arm hooked through Chase’s, began the short walk down the tiny chapel. She wished her parents could have been here to share in her joy. She knew they would have loved Josh.

  “You’r
e doing fine,” Chase whispered in her ear, as though he could read her mind. She nodded, fighting back her emotion.

  She looked across and saw Lizzie watching her every move. Watched as Lizzie brushed away a tear or two. Or maybe three. She watched the surprise on Lizzie’s face as little Chloe ran over and gave her a handful of rose petals. That made Emily smile. As she turned to the front, she saw her soon-to-be husband, and a thrill ran through her. She loved that man with all her heart and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him.

  ~~~

  Twelve months later…

  Emily screamed loudly, and Josh came running.

  He looked to the floor. “Uh oh.” He rushed around like a crazy person, and Emily stood back and laughed.

  “Are you like this at work?” she wanted to know. “I mean, seriously, you’re acting kinda weird.”

  “No I’m not,” he protested, grabbing a mop. She knew it was true.

  Emily stood patiently with her hands on her hips. “I think you’re forgetting something?”

  He just stared at her and ran into the bedroom to get her bag. He grabbed the keys to his 4WD, then took off outside, starting the engine.

  She waited in the entrance for him to come back for her, but he never did. Instead he took off down the road.

  She was still laughing when he returned a few minutes later.

  “Sorry,” he said sheepishly, and she wondered how many soon-to-be fathers had done the same thing.

  When they arrived at the hospital, they were quickly whisked away to the birthing suite, where she delivered a baby girl several hours later.

  Josh had been a tower of strength, guiding her through the exercises they’d learned at the birthing classes, rubbing her back, and letting her squeeze his hands. She’d even said a few choice words now and then.

  They’d cried together when their little girl was born.

  “I love you so much,” he told her.

  She was exhausted but said the words back. “I love you too, Josh.” Then she was thoughtful. “I’d like to call our baby girl Genevieve. Genevieve Tessa,” she said. “If it’s not to painful for you, that is.” She brought his hand to her lips and kissed it.

  He frowned. “I love it,” he said. “But you don’t have to.”

  Her eyes were starting to close as she stared up into his face. “I want to do it,” she said. “For you. And for Tessa.”

  Emily’s eyes closed, and she was soon fast asleep. Josh gazed down into the face of the tiny baby he’d just been handed and thanked his lucky stars for the day he’d met his beautiful wife.

  The End

  Message from the Author

  Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.

  I would greatly appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon, even if it is only a one-liner. It helps to have my books more visible on Amazon!

  ~~~

  To see all the books in this series click here.

  The River Valley Lawmen Series is a spin-off from the popular Callahan Brothers Series.

  To Check Out the Callahan Brothers Series, Click Here.

  Check out the Callahan Brothers great-great grandmother Bessie’s story:

  Bessie

  About the Author

  Multi-published, award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.

  She writes both contemporary and historical western romance, as well as romantic suspense.

  She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren. When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.

  Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.

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