When Austin looked up, he saw Laina in a pink blouse and flowered skirt walking out of the barn, carrying a metal feed bucket. Her long French braid cascaded over one shoulder as she craned her neck to inspect the old barn door and test out the hinges. She looked his direction and dropped the feed bucket, eyes wide with shock.
He stood and approached her with a thumping heart, with Copper trailing close behind, still howling at him. “Laina, what’s going on? What are you doing here?”
She continued to stare at him, but didn’t speak at first. When she finally did, her words came out just louder than a whisper. “I just came to feed the horses and check on the progress on the house. Some people from church offered to help.”
“Progress on the house?” Austin took his hat off, turned to look at the house for a moment and then back at Laina. “You bought it?”
She smiled for the first time, filling his stomach with butterflies. “Yes, I bought it. Maybe deep down, I thought it might bring you back to me someday.”
Austin didn’t waste a moment lifting her into his arms and kissing passionately like he’d been aching to do for months. “I love you, Laina,” he said when he caught his breath.
She laughed with tears in her eyes and framed his face in her hands. “I love you too, cowboy. I never stopped.”
He put her down and cupped her cheek in his hand. “I want this with you, Lainey…the whole thing. It doesn’t matter if we’re rich or poor…famous or just regular old farmer Joes out here in the sticks, barely scrapping by. At least we’ll be together.”
Laina smiled. “Well, I believe you need to ask me a question then, Austin Gaines.”
“Yes, I believe I do.” He slid the emerald ring off the chain around his neck and got down on one knee. “I’ve loved you since the first moment I saw you. That will never change. I may have forgotten and stumbled along the way but I remember what’s important now. So, what do you say, Lainey? Do you wanna be Mrs. Gaines…again?”
Laina nodded with tears in her emerald eyes and a radiant smile on her face. “There’s nothing I would love more.”
A few weeks later, on a beautiful June day, Austin waited under a familiar old oak tree for his girl to arrive. She was late. Again. He couldn’t help remembering the first time he’d stood in the exact same spot. They had been running away from their little town, but now their restless days of refusing to put down roots were over. They finally had a place to call home.
Austin’s eyes traveled over the chairs in front of him filled with family and friends, thankful they had come to share this moment. Trevor stood beside him as best man and his cousin, Noah and his family had driven two hours just to be there. His friend, Jay and even his father had been able to come with a nurse to help, which was another miracle from God.
The musician began strumming on his guitar and Austin looked up in time to see Emma coming over the hill, scattering flower petals. Charlotte came after her daughter in an emerald, knee-length matron of honor gown. Then a few seconds later, the music changed and Austin held his breath as his beautiful bride appeared. Her golden hair shimmered as she walked down the hill in her tea-length, lace wedding gown. He smiled at she got closer, noticing Laina’s not-so-fancy footwear—her favorite boots.
That’s my girl.
Laina’s radiant smile lit up the Wyoming countryside as she approached. When they stood face to face she whispered, “Sorry I’m late, cowboy.”
He chuckled softly, took her hand in his and kissed it. “I don’t mind at all. You were well worth the wait.”
The ceremony went by in a blur. Austin tried to listen but it was hard to concentrate with Laina’s emerald eyes gazing into his. A few months ago it had seemed impossible that she would ever look at him that way again, but God had given them a second chance. This time he vowed to never take His wonderful gift for granted.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the preacher announced, bringing Austin out of his fog. “You may kiss the bride.”
Austin grinned, took Laina in his arms and dipped her. “Finally,” he whispered before they shared their second first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Gaines.
Epilogue
Laina let out a happy sigh as she watched a newborn foal stumble around on her tiny legs and nuzzled up to her mom. “Welcome, little one. You don’t know it now, but some day you’re going to be a big, beautiful horse, just like your momma. You’re the future of this ranch, darling.’”
Laina heard a little yip and looked down to see Copper sitting next to her feet. She patted his head. “Hey there boy. You’ve just been promoted to guard dog.” The little beagle chose that moment to scamper out of the barn, howling all the way. “Well, you don’t have to take your new job that seriously.”
A few seconds later, Austin came in with Copper in tow. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him before turning her attention back to the foal.
He came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I can’t believe she’s up and walking already. It’s amazing.”
She nodded with a smile. “Yep, it is.” She craned her neck to look up at her husband. “But you know what’s even more amazing?”
“What?”
“Being here with you.” She turned to face him, struggling to hold back her emotions. “After all that happened between us, I never thought we’d have this, but God knew all along.”
“It’s been quite a rollercoaster ride so far,” Austin admitted, pulling her closer. “It will be nice to have some calm for a while.”
Laina looked up at him with a grin, unable to hold back her little secret any longer. “I’m afraid our adventures are only just beginning, Mr. Gaines.”
His eyes filled with confusion and amusement at the same as he raised one eyebrow. “What are you trying to tell me, Mrs. Gaines?”
She chuckled. “Oh, just that our next adventure will be arriving in less than nine months.”
Austin’s mouth dropped open. “Lainey, you’re not…”
She nodded and her grin grew even bigger. “I am.”
“Oh, praise the Lord!” He let out a whoop and lifted her up in his arms, kissing her passionately. When he put her down, happy tears had gathered in his eyes. “Lainey, how long have you known?
“I’ve suspected for about a month, but my doctor confirmed it today. “I’m about eight weeks along. The baby’s healthy and right on schedule.”
He pulled her into his embrace and she rested her head on his chest, weeping tears of joy. “Let’s never forget this moment—the moment our dreams of having a family came true.”
“I promise,” she whispered and held onto him a little tighter, thanking God for bringing them back together. They had lost so much, but He had given it all back and even multiplied it. She would never forget .
Books by Rachel Skatvold
Whispers in Wyoming
Guardian of her Heart
A Forgetful Heart
Hart Ranch Series
Escaping Reality
Chasing Embers
Coming Soon!
Riley Family Legacy Novellas
Beauty Within
Beauty Unveiled
Beauty Restored
About the Author
Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the second book in her new Hart Ranch Series. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Epilogue
Books by Rachel Skatvold
About the Author
A Forgetful Heart (Whispers In Wyoming Book 8) Page 9
