My True Cowboy (17 page)

“I'll remember that.”

“See that you do,” she said softly as she rolled her wheelchair out of the room. “And you should probably do that sooner rather than later.”

Susan looked up and nearly stopped breathing. Cal stood in the doorway, holding his hat in his hands.

“What are you doing here, Cal?”

“I had a conversation with a certain bossy receptionist. She informed me that I better get my act together…or else.”

“Paula called you?”

“No, I called her for advice.”

“And she gave it to you?”

“Kind of. She passed the phone around and a whole slew of people gave me advice. Although their advice was good, what really mattered was how I felt. And I knew I had to see you, Sue.”

As his gaze settled on her, Susan felt her cheeks heat. Then she noticed he looked mildly uncomfortable. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah. It's just the roses.”

“I think they're beautiful. Everyone here got them for me.” Her words stilled as she watched him take a deep breath and almost brace himself before stepping forward. “Are you allergic to them or something?”

“No. It's just, ah, my mother loved roses. I'm glad you do, too.”

“This bouquet, it seems like too much, you know? I don't deserve it.”

“You do. Of course you do.”

“But they were so expensive.”

“People just wanted you to see how much they care. They're trying to do something to show you that they care about you…like you care about them. You've pulled them close with your smiles. With your warm, caring manner.”

“I don't know about that….”

“I do,” he replied. “I watched you when I've stopped by and visited. And I know, because you've pulled me in, too.”

“I did?”

“You did. Just like a fish.” Looking behind him at the
picture window, he held out a hand. “Can we go outside for a bit? Go for a walk?”

Her heart constricted. Oh, that was such a Cal thing to say. So formal in so many ways. Hesitant, and yet tough. “Of course.”

His gaze warmed as he led her out.

Paula winked when they passed. Behind Paula, Kay simply looked on, silently watching, a bemused expression in her eyes.

After they exited the front doors, they both turned right, then walked out to the wide path. Usually it was filled with people strolling, but today, aside from a young couple pushing a baby stroller, they were alone.

The heat of the sun beat on their shoulders and warmed their faces. Beside her, Cal breathed deep. Seconds passed. Then finally, he spoke. “Here's the deal, Sue. All my life, I imagined that falling in love would be a sudden thing. Like a bolt of lightning or something. No doubts. But instead, I've been falling for you by stops and starts. Now I can't stay away.”

What was he saying? Had he mentioned love? “Cal, did you just say you loved me?”

He rolled his eyes. “Susan, I'm no good with flowery things, with talking fancy. I'm a pretty simple guy, when all's said and done. I love my family, and I like being needed. I'm good with math, but not with crowds. And…I love you.”

The cold casing that had covered her heart for years cracked and chipped away. Right then and there, she knew it was time to stop shielding herself from pain and finally live again. And love. “I like to laugh, and I love old people. I love my son, and I like being needed, too. And, Cal Riddell Jr., I love you, too.”

He blinked, then slowly smiled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He stopped walking. And, because they were alone, and, she guessed, because he was, well, Cal, he knelt down in front of her and Main Street, too.

As she stood there, half-stunned and looking down at him, knowing that the whole world had pretty much stopped, too, she whispered, “Cal?”

“Hush, now. I'm going to do this right.” He took a deep breath. “Susan, would you do me the very great honor of becoming my wife?”

“Of course,” she said, reaching down and grabbing his hands to pull him up. And then, because she couldn't help herself, she stepped forward and wrapped her hands around his neck and pressed herself against him.

She kissed him. A big ol' Texas-size kiss, with lips open and hardly an inch of space between their bodies.

When they parted, Cal gazed into her eyes and grinned. “What was that for?”

“For everything,” she said simply. “Just, for every thing.”

“For everything, huh?” Cal draped an arm around her shoulders as they started walking again. “‘Everything' might just be enough.”